U.S. House of Representatives Chaplain to Speak at Zion

Information as provided to Manchester University by Zion Lutheran Church, 113 W. Main St., North Manchester.

The Zion Speakers Series continues in October with Father Patrick Conroy, S.J., the Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives.  The Speakers Series Committee is very pleased that Father Conroy has accepted our invitation to visit less than two weeks before one of the most divisive Presidential elections of recent history.

On Saturday evening, October 29, at 7:00 p.m.  Father Conroy will share the journey which brought him to his current responsibilities with our government leaders.  His presentation is titled “Vocation of Chaplain in a Political World.”  We’ve asked him to describe his role and the challenges he faces – especially as a spiritual leader and influence amongst, literally and figuratively, a “house divided.”  What is a typical day?  How does he bring Christian values to his role while navigating the differing opinions among his congregants?   

On Sunday, October 30, at 9:00 a.m., Father Conroy will deliver the sermon, “Bonds of Faith Bringing Mercy to the World.”  This message is especially timely because that day is the start of a year-long celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  In addition, the ELCA and the Catholic Church have recently adopted the Declaration on the Way, Church, Ministry and Eucharist, a document fostering ecumenical understandings between the two churches.  The same day as Father Conroy’s visit, Pope Francis will participate in a Joint Ecumenical Commemoration in Lund, Sweden.  
The Zion Speakers Series was created to invited our congregation and the public to consider their faith journeys.  It features interdenominational Christian motivational speakers and addresses Christian concerns in today’s everyday life.  Past speakers have included motivational speaker Bob Wieland, noted author and storyteller Phillip Gulley and Lutheran author and theologian Walter Wangerin, Jr.  Zion believes that people are hungry for spiritual growth and wants to be part of that conversation.  

We hope you will join us for these interesting and timely talks.