April 16-18, 2012

Bless Us and These Your Gifts: Practicing Life in the Promise of God

“Everything that has received blessing becomes a constant reminder that Christ and the Church accompany us in our journey through life.” (Anscar Chupungco)

At the heart of our eucharistic prayer we call upon God’s blessing on the gathered assembly and on the gifts of the meal. This year’s Institute of Liturgical Studies begins here, at the meal, to see how we speak about God and blessing. “Bless us and these your gifts” we pray, but also, “Blessed are you, O God of the universe.” This prayer at the table turns in several directions: from God and toward God, toward people and bread and wine. This leads us to explore the many ways blessing takes shape in our worship beyond the table: around the font, over oil, at the fire, among ministries, within marriages and relationships, in homes. From these ritual acts of blessing, we take up our lives of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving as we grow into the fullness of Christ.

At a time when our churches are raising many questions around blessing, this Institute will engage some of those questions.  Our liturgies will offer eucharistic and other forms of blessings, through prayer, movement, art, and song. Through plenary talks, seminars, and workshops, we hope to engage in lively exchange, while respecting various perspectives on blessing.

Matters we hope to discuss include:

• What is the meaning and power of blessing?
• How is eucharistic blessing different from all others?
• What is the relationship between the languages of blessing, dedication, and consecration?
• What does it mean to bless relationships?

We invite you to join us for these days of worship, conversation, engagement, and renewal: practicing life in the promise of God.

FUTURE DATES

April 8-10, 2013

April 28-30, 2014

Christus Rex Award

The Christus Rex award annually recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to Lutheran liturgical scholarship and renewal.  The Institute's advisory council began this award in 2009.  Previous recipients were Mark P. Bangert in 2009, and Philip Gehring in 2010.  The 2011 awardee is George W. Hoyer.  Please click here to view photographs of George Hoyer receiving the Christus Rex Award.

Sing Brubeck with the Kantorei and Symphony

Singers from the University community are invited to sing two excerpts from jazz legend Dave Brubeck's joyful and eclectic "The Light in the Wilderness" for the Institute of Liturgical Studies Truemper Memorial Concert on April 17th at 8 p.m.  The selections from the Sermon on the Mount and Psalms celebrate "Blessing" the theme of the 2012 Institute, according to Dr. Lorraine Brugh, Director of the ILS.  The performance will be lead by Dennis Friesen-Carper, and accompanied by the University Symphony with both jazz and Middle Eastern-styled improvisation.

The Kantorei will be preparing the choruses on Tuesday evenings from 5:15 to 6 p.m. starting March 20th.  Rehearsals will also be held Thursday evenings with singers from the Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota choruses.  Interested singers can receive more information and RSVP via oratorio@valpo.edu or ils@valpo.edu

Financial support provided by Indiana Dunes Tourism