Leitourgia 2026 in Iceland

“In Our Own Languages” – Liturgy, Music, Words, and Deeds

Conference Date: November 3-6, 2026

Conference Location: Dómkirkjan, Hallgrímskirkja and Háteigskirkja in Reykjavík city center.

Registration will open June 10th.

Member/conference fee (accomodation costs not included): Euro 120,- to be paid to:

Leitourgia

Bank account 9802 56 71554 

IBAN NO37 9802 5671 554 

BIC/SWIFT DNBANOKKXXX 

Program:

In the year 2026, we are commemorating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther´s Deutsche Messe, the beginning of a liturgical revolution – worshipping in the languages that the people in the church understood and used in their everyday life. But what does it mean, in the Nordic churches today, to worship “In Our Own Languages” – also in terms of the “languages” of music, context, and even pastoral care?

Our special guest speaker:

Rev. Dr. E. Byron (Ron) Anderson is the Ernest and Bernice Styberg Professor of Worship and Associate Dean of Institutional and Educational Assessment at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He completed the BA with majors in organ and psychology at Carthage College, the MDiv at Yale Divinity School and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and the PhD at Emory University. His scholarly work has focused primarily around questions related to the formative role of liturgy in Christian life. He is past president of Societas Liturgica and serves as the convener of the Liturgical Hermeneutics Seminar in the North American Academy of Liturgy. He has served in parish ministry as a pastor, musician, and educator.

Other speakers:

• Rev. Dr. Sigríður Guðmarsdóttir, Professor of Practical Theology, University of Iceland, Faculty of Theology and Religion
• Icelandic church musicians, led by organists Arngerður María Árnadóttir, Guðný Einarsdóttir, sharing their innovation and insights in contemporary church music
• Rev. Arto Vallivirta (Finland), Advisor in Liturgy and Spirituality, Finnish Church Council

The program will, of course, include regular worship prepared and led by the different Scandinavian countries, musical events, a mini pilgrimage in the Reykjavík center, and our seminar groups, in addition to “hymn swimming” in Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, and more.

Icelandic preparation committee: Arngerður María Árnadóttir, Guðný Einarsdóttir, Ingimar Helgason, Kristín Þórunn Tómasdóttir, Sigurður Flosason, Steinar Logi Helgason, Þorgeir Arason.