Announcements

The Order of Festivities

This is a rough schedule, subject to the whims of weather, musicians, children, and Providence. I've arranged things so that those who need to leave earlier can still enjoy the main festivities. Unlike 2024, we'll try to wrap up the scheduled activities a little sooner.

3:00 PM - The Gates Are Open! Our backyard officially opens for festivities. If you'd like to come as early as noon to help us set up, thou art most welcome!

4:30 PM - Welcome and Important Announcements A few words from your humble host. 

4:45 PM - Psalm 46 and Prayer of Thanksgiving Led by Mark James. What better way to begin our celebration than with the Word of God and thanksgiving to Him?

5:00 PM - Let the Feasting Begin! Chicken, turkey legs, cider, bread, sausages, custard, meat pies, and all manner of delightful provisions.

5:15 PM - Music, Scripture, and Other Edifying Things

• Adrienne Hester, "Daphne" by John Playford, performed on flute

• Cameron Keller, a short message on Sola Fide

• The Bass Family, Scripture memory

• The Five Solas, Scripture readings by various volunteers, with prizes awarded!

• Open time for anyone who would like to share something briefly

5:30-5:45 PM - Luther Takes His Stand

• A reading of the introduction and conclusion of Martin Luther's famous "Here I Stand" speech

• The ceremonial nailing of the 95 Theses, volunteer needed! No actual excommunication anticipated.

• Hymn, "Reformation Song," led by Jared and Cali Doty

6:00 PM - Medieval Folk Dancing! Yes, actual medieval-style folk dancing! See the Bass family and Cameron Keller for details (and any others willing to lead us with your knowledge!). Otherwise no experience required, and I'm reasonably confident nobody will be burned at the stake for having two left feet.

8:00 PM and Beyond - Fellowship by Firelight The scheduled festivities will be finished, but you're welcome to stay, enjoy the fire, eat more food, and fellowship as long as you like. We'll begin packing up some things around this time, and any willing hands would be greatly appreciated. But the fire will keep burning!

Important Proclamations from the Lord of Rothwell Drive

Now for the announcements! Fifteen of them, because apparently I have no self-control when it comes to planning a Reformation Faire.

1. Make Yourself at Home! (No, Really!)

Please do bring your own foldable lawn chairs or camping chairs if you have them. When you arrive, please treat our home as your own! We want you to feel comfortable helping yourself to whatever you need, finding a place for your table, setting out food, or getting things organized. One special request: As much as possible, please avoid asking Sarah where things are, where you should put something, or what you should do next. We trust your judgment! If you need something, feel free to look around. You're welcome to use our kitchen if you've forgotten something or need supplies. If you can't find it, there's a good chance we don't have it! In past years, the sheer number of questions has been a little overwhelming, especially for Sarah, who's usually juggling a hundred things behind the scenes. So this year, we're asking everyone to exercise a little good old-fashioned Protestant responsibility! If you see something that needs doing, and you can reasonably figure out how to do it, please just do it! If something needs fixing, fix it. If something needs moving, move it. If something needs setting up, set it up. Of course, please respect any roped-off or private areas. We trust you, we love you, and we're grateful for your help. The less time we spend answering logistical questions, the more time we can spend actually enjoying the party with you! Consider yourselves honorary members of the household for the day. No formal adoption papers required. 

2. Archery Is Back!

After careful consideration, we WILL have archery this year! If you're bringing a bow and arrows, please speak with me before using them. You're welcome to share your equipment with others, provided it's done safely. We'll have a designated archery area roped off in the back corner of the property. I checked the town ordinances, and archery is permitted so long as arrows remain on our property. Which seems like a reasonable expectation. If an arrow lands in the neighbor's yard we shall negotiate its return through proper diplomatic channels. For everyone's safety, archery will be supervised, with shooting permitted only when the range is clear. Children must have adult supervision.

3. A Word to Parents of Small Children

Please keep an eye on your little ones throughout the festivities. We have never had a serious accident at one of these events, and I'd very much like to maintain that tradition. There will be archery in the back, a fire with boiling cider and possibly sausage stew, and perhaps even a blacksmith! The fire will be fenced off, but it will still be hot. The archery area will be roped off, but arrows will still be pointy. And if a blacksmith comes, I suspect his metal will also be rather warm. So please keep your children close and help us make sure everyone has a wonderful and safe time.

4. Parking, or Where to Stable Thy Steed

Last time we did this, our entire street was lined with cars. I suspect the neighbors wondered whether we were hosting a wedding, a political uprising, or perhaps both. Please consider carpooling if possible. If you have a wagon, it may be helpful for transporting your things. We also have one you can borrow if you have a long walk. Remember, mail is delivered on Saturdays, so please don't block mailboxes, driveways, or access to the street. Let's remain on good terms with the local villagers.

5. The Trampoline, a Most Perilous Contraption

Please limit the trampoline to four children at a time. If there's a line, let's aim for five-minute turns so everyone gets a chance. There shall be no rough jousting upon the trampoline. 

6. Costumes! We Have Extras!

Don't have a costume? Fear not! We have lots of extra costumes and accessories available, including a knight costume, a brown robe & baldhead wig if you want to be Luther, and a black robe if you want to be Calvin, and approximately a dozen fake beards. I also acquired a gallows prop for photographs this year, because apparently our decorating theme is getting progressively more medieval. Please take lots of pictures!

7. Games, Challenges, and Historical Curiosities

Please wander around and explore! There will be lots to see and do. We'll have cornhole, possibly horseshoes, and a Reformation board game where you can play Protestants versus Catholics. Roll the dice to see who gets stuck playing the Catholics. We also have a special physical challenge: $20 to anyone who can hang for 100 seconds at the Martyr's Grip! Look for the sign on the tree. No actual martyrdom required. And for my fellow history nerds, be sure to look at the framed copy of the 1517 Nuremberg printing of Luther's Ninety-five Theses, the original of which is now housed at the Berlin State Library. That's pretty awesome, and I hope you'll take a moment to appreciate it.

8. A Little Gift from Me to You

I've been making personalized woodburned bookmarks for everyone on our email list! I burned your names into the wood, stained each bookmark, and tied on some twine. I'll do my best to hand them out personally, but please don't forget to grab yours before you leave. I hope they'll be a little reminder of our friendship and this celebration.

9. Crafts, Artisans, and the Medieval Marketplace

My kids have been busy making things too, including bookmarks, earrings, and other crafts. We'll have a QR code available if you'd like to make a donation to support their little businesses. And anyone else who makes things is welcome to bring a table and display their creations! If you'd like to share a QR code for donations, that's perfectly fine too. I hear we may have wax candles, embroidery, sewing, and calligraphy this year. There is no expectation to purchase anything, and certainly no indulgences for sale. We tried that once. It didn't go well.

10. The Food Has a History!

Some of our treats have special Reformation significance, so don't just eat them without appreciating their rich theological and historical meaning! 

The sausages: These commemorate the famous Affair of the Sausages in Zurich in 1522, when eating sausages during Lent became an act of defiance against the church's fasting regulations. A surprisingly important moment in the Swiss Reformation. Google "sausage story of the Reformation" if you'd like to know more.

Homemade sourdough bread: Because bread is wonderful, especially when made by friends.

Luther's Hammers: Those little marshmallow-looking things on pretzel sticks are actually edible hammers! Please eat them rather than attempting to nail anything with them.

Chocolate Bibles: The Hershey's Nuggets have been transformed into tiny Bibles. They are both edifying and delicious.

The Diet of Worms: The gummy worms commemorate the famous Diet of Worms, the 1521 imperial assembly where Luther was called to defend his teachings. Worms is a city in Germany, pronounced "Verms," and "diet" means an assembly. So no, Luther wasn't forced to eat gummy worms. But you can be!

Drinks and Total Depravity Coffee: We'll be brewing Total Depravity coffee from Reformed Roasters, because apparently even our coffee needs to be doctrinally sound. And sometimes our friend Wade brings an assortment of his lovingly handcrafted beverages, including braggot, mead, porter, beer, wine, or hard cider. If he does, please of course enjoy responsibly. There will be plenty of nonalcoholic cider and other drinks as well!

11. Hymns! Sing Like You Mean It!

We'll be singing a hymn near the beginning of the evening and another near the end of our main program. The lyrics are available on our website here and on a printed flyer we'll have ready. Please take a look beforehand so you can sing nice and LOUD! Loud enough that the neighbors can hear. Perhaps not loud enough that they call the authorities. We want the neighborhood to know we're celebrating the grace of God in Christ!

12. Take Pictures, Lots of Pictures!

Please, please, PLEASE take photos throughout the evening! We have a shared photo album linked on this website where you can upload your pictures. I'd love to see all the costumes, crafts, activities, dancing, and fellowship through your eyes. These memories are precious to us, and I hope you'll help us preserve them.

13. Bathrooms, or the Royal Privy

One of these years we're going to rent portable toilets. We recently saw a company called "Vikings," which seemed especially appropriate. But alas, not this year. Please use the FRONT door of our house to access the bathroom, which will be immediately to your left. We've even decorated the bathroom entrance with an old-fashioned outhouse door, complete with the traditional crescent moon, so you can't miss it. Please do NOT enter through the kitchen, even though it may appear to be the most convenient route. And please respect any roped-off areas, even if you see me or one of our children trespassing. We have special privileges as the local nobility. Despite our best efforts last year, we still managed to get clay on our rugs, so we'd really appreciate your help keeping the house clean.

14. Where Is This Glorious Celebration?

If you've forgotten our address, or if this email has somehow found its way into the hands of a wandering minstrel, here it is: 14934 Rothwell Drive Mint Hill, NC 28227 Saturday, October 31, 2026. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your costumes, and bring your appetite!

15. A Special Thank You to Those Who Have RSVPed!

I really want to thank everyone who has already responded and offered to bring something or help with an activity. Your RSVPs genuinely get us excited to do this every time. It's encouraging to see so many people willing to contribute their time, talents, and resources to make this a memorable evening.

Here's what I have so far:

• Dad and Mom: Sausage stew, meat pie, provided the wood for the fire!

• Wade and Adrienne Hester and boys: Printing press table, meat pie, custard

• Bass family: Pumpkins for carving, extra tables, chairs, medieval dancing

• Cameron Keller: Music and a short message

• James family: Hymns from the Psalms

• Steele family: Pumpkins and costumes

• Charles and Michelle Croufer: Candle dipping/rolling table, cider, sausages, fruit, bread

• Maddie Keller: Kids' craft table, candle dipping/rolling, Reformation-era artwork, medieval calligraphy, sewing, embroidery

• Bryan and Shannon Weynand: Caramel apples

• Joel and Whitney Herr: Tables, cider, sausages, bread, butter

• Jeff, Dietra, Addyson, Bethany, Lydia, and Daniel Maples: Extra chairs, turkey legs, drinks

If I've missed anyone or anything, please forgive me! My administrative gifts are not among the five solas. And thank you to everyone else who has offered to help, is bringing food, or is simply coming to enjoy the day.

One Last Thing, and I Mean This

I also want to thank all of you who are planning to come but haven't RSVPed yet. We're glad you're coming too, whoever you are! Haha. And to those who haven't offered to bring anything, please know that you are just as welcome. I really mean that. Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes we're exhausted, overwhelmed, or carrying burdens that other people don't see. Sometimes we simply don't have the time, energy, or resources to contribute one more thing. And that's okay. You don't need to bring a dish, run an activity, wear a costume, or do anything to earn your place here. Just come. Come eat. Come sit by the fire. Come laugh with friends. Come watch the children play. Come enjoy the music and fellowship. Come rest. Above all, come celebrate with us the greatness of our God and the astonishing grace He has given us in Jesus Christ, as revealed in His Word. That's what this celebration is really about.

The Reformation was not ultimately about Luther, Calvin, indulgences, sausages, or even the Ninety-five Theses. It was about recovering and proclaiming the glorious truth that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. And that is worth celebrating! We are so thankful for each of you, and we can't wait to see you on October 31. Sharpen thy swords, prepare thy beards, and ready thy bellies! Until then, fare thee well, good friends. 

Soli Deo gloria!

Eric, Sarah, Jude, Adah, and Geneva