An anniversary service will be held at Old Zion German Reformed Church, located near Brickerville at 187 Reifsnyder Road, Lititz, on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m. It will include a historical presentation titled "Don't Join the Cloister."
The re-enactment will examine the religious controversy surrounding the establishment of the Ephrata Cloister in the 1730s. Attendees will learn what the conflict involved, including its ending with a book burning. The Rev. Bruce Farrell, pastor of Zion Gosherts Reformed Church, Mount Zion United Church of Christ (UCC), and the Rev. William LaSalle, retired pastor of Bethany UCC in Ephrata and a member of Old Zion's board of directors, will portray the historical ministers.
The worship service will also include music and hymns from the time period, presented by soloist Amanda Mrenna and J. P. Welliver on Old Zion's pump organ.
The anniversary service will be the first public event held at Old Zion since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the discontinuation of activities. Following CDC recommendations, guests are required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
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