Reformation: Then and Now
October 26 - November 5, 2026
Our Lutheran witness in the world is more vital than ever before. Join the New Jersey Synod on an 11-day pilgrimage to explore our Reformation roots in the land of Luther and to reflect on how our Lutheran heritage equips us for the church’s mission today. We will remember our baptisms in Saints Peter and Paul Church in Eisleben, where Martin Luther himself was baptized. Rostered leaders can remember our ordination vows at the cathedral in Erfurt where Luther was ordained. Together we will give thanks for God’s Word in our lives as we visit the Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament from Greek into German so that ordinary people could read it. We’ll spend Reformation Day in Wittenberg, where it all began with Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses in 1517. We’ll also visit Torgau, where Katie Luther is buried, and Leipzig, where Johann Sebastian Bach spent most of his career as a church musician. We will learn about the work of the ELCA Wittenberg Center, where a pastor of our Synod, the Rev. Bridget Gautieri, serves as Executive Director.
We’ll be accompanied by the Rev. Dr. Kathryn “Kit” Kleinhans, who will help us think deeply about the implications of this history. The sixteenth century reformers stood up for their understanding of the Gospel in the face of both political and religious opposition. In the twentieth century, Lutherans in Germany faced the challenges of both the National Socialist party’s efforts to control the church and the suppression of the church under postwar communism. Together we will ask that familiar question from Luther’s Small Catechism – “What does this mean?” – as we consider how we are called to live our faith in an increasingly chaotic and divided world. The Rev. Dr. Kleinhans held the McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, and recently retired as Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. She has led over a dozen travel seminars to this region of the world.
I hope you will come along for this pilgrimage of learning, connection, and a renewed appreciation for the ways our Lutheran theological foundations shape our faith today.
The Rev. Christa M. Compton, PhD
Bishop
Online Registration Issues?
Contact Dawn Roberts
Electronic Payment Link:
https://www.njsynod.org/synod-donation
Online payment issues?
Contact Lois Parrett
You may also download the brochure and mail in a registration form if you prefer.
Make all checks payable to: NEW JERSEY SYNOD
Mail to:
New Jersey Synod, ELCA
1930 Hwy 33
Hamilton Square NJ 08690
The details listed below as well as a full itinerary are printed in the brochure.
ACCOMODATIONS CONFIRMED:
Eisenach: Thüringer Hof (3 nights)
Wittenberg: Colleg Wittenberg (4 nights)
Berlin: Hotel Maritim proArte (2 nights)
RATES:
The net rates per paid participant for the land arrangement are based on double occupancy:
with a minimum of 20 participants US $2,670.00
per person single room supplement US $650.00
INCLUDED:
Thoroughly experienced multilingual tour director from Frankfurt to Berlin Airport.
Transportation in a 4- star European-styled motorcoach with climate control, reclining seats, restroom, sink, refrigerator, and coffee machine. Maximum 44 seats.
Accommodations in typical German hotels, double occupancy en-suite. Taxes, parking and road fees.
Local guides in Eisenach, Erfurt, Buchenwald, Eisleben, Wittenberg, Torgau, Leipzig and Berlin.
Entrance fee to Wartburg castle, Lutherhaus and Bachhaus in Eisenach. Entrance fee to Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt.
Entrance fee to both churches and Luther museums in Eisleben.
Entrance fee for Castle church and Town Church, Luther House and Melanchthon House museums in Wittenberg.
Entrance fees to both churches in Torgau.
Presentation on Peaceful Revolution of 1989 incl. room rental.
Coffee and cake reception ELCA Wittenberg Center incl. room rental. Sightseeing and excursions as cited in the program.
16 meals: 9 buffet breakfasts and 7 dinners (beverages are not included with lunch and dinners but with welcome and farewell dinners.)
All necessary tips such as bellman, maid, doormen, dining room tips for meals specified in the itinerary and the customary gratuity to tour directors, drivers, step-on guides are included.
Information folder for all participants including town and country brochures, country information and a detailed timed itinerary upon arrival in Frankfurt.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare, expenses for passports, visas, beverages, bar bills, telephone calls, laundry or items of a personal nature, baggage or trip insurance, meals other than those included in the itinerary, tips for beverages and drinks.
Terms and Conditions:
Any person reserving a Christian Tours Europe (“CTE”) tour accepts the condition that CTE reserves the exclusive right to change tour itineraries, hotels, and other tour components whenever it is deemed necessary, although tours are planned and hotels are booked with all possible care. Published times in our itineraries are as accurate as possible and subject to change due to traffic, weather, mechanical and any other conditions that prevent CTE from operating under normal conditions. CTE cannot accept liability in the case of any passenger being denied boarding by any airline carrier due to carrier's over-booking of a flight, nor does it accept liability in the case of a cancelled or delayed flight. It shall be the passenger's responsibility solely to provide the means to join a missed tour that is already in progress. In the event that any dispute arises in which any party has a right to assert a claim, the exclusive jurisdiction for that claim shall be in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Wittenberg, Germany. The tour is operated exclusively under German law.
Responsibility:
Christian Tours Europe, Wittenberg, Germany acts only as an agent for all suppliers of service offered on this tour and does so upon the express condition and agreement that it shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, irregularity, or expense arising from strikes, war, weather, quarantines, sickness, government restrictions or regulations, from any act or omission of any individual, firm or corporation furnishing transportation, sightseeing, hotel accommodations, or any service in connection with such travel plan, or from any other cause whatsoever in connection therewith.
Baggage:
Transportation for one full-sized suitcase per person is included. For extra luggage, an additional $30.00 per bag will be assessed. There is no charge for an additional carry-on bag, which must fit under your seat or in the overhead rack and for which you will be responsible. Although every effort is made to handle passengers' luggage as carefully as possible, Christian Tours Europe cannot be responsible, assume liability, or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel and group carrier handling.
Travel requirements and insurance:
For U.S. citizens, a valid passport is all that is required. Participants are responsible for all visa, health and passport regulations. Please check your medical insurance for overseas coverage. It is strongly recommended that participants purchase trip insurance to cover health, trip cancellation, and loss of baggage.
Gratuities:
All necessary tips, such as maid, doorperson, and dining room tips for meals specified in the itinerary and the customary gratuity to escorts, drivers and step- on guides are included. Tips for beverages and drinks are not included; if you wish, additional appreciation may be extended on a voluntary and individual basis.
Physical activities:
There will be physical activities for you. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs (sometimes many) without assistance, and to walk at a modest pace for more than two miles at a time. Christian Tours Europe requires all handicapped or disabled clients requiring special assistance to be accompanied by a responsible paying adult and that Christian Tours Europe must be notified, in advance, of this special required assistance. It is also strongly encouraged to have your hearing and eyesight checked prior to the trip and purchase hearing assisted devices or eyeglasses as prescribed by your doctor.