SMMS will mark 500 years of the Reformation with a week-long programme in the week of 31 July to 6 August.

The commemorations will bring to the seminary clergy from a number of denominations, including the Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran churches. These ministers will take turns to lead morning chapel services.

Some of the activities of the week include a panel discussion featuring SMMS President, Prof RS Kumalo, Revs Delme Linscott and Georg Scriba. There will also be a session on the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ).

Young people will not be left out of the commemorations. A number of activities will be hosted for the youth of the Cluster institutions as well as the Natal West District.

The curtain will come down on Sunday with Community Worship and Holy Communion. Cleric, politician and anti-apartheid activist, Rev Prof Alan Boesak, will be the preacher.

The Reformation (from Latin reformatio, literally “restoration, renewal”) , also referred to as the Protestant Reformation, was a schism from the Roman Catholic Church initiated by Martin Luther and continued by John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, and other early Protestant Reformers in 16th century Europe.