Brandon Keyes’s Sola Showdown theological trivia component for the October 31st Reformation Day observance has been finalized at twenty-two questions, following a session review of the original forty-seven-question submission. The review process, which Elder Hoffstead estimated would take one hour and ran for one hour and forty-three minutes, resulted in the approval of twenty-two questions, the rejection of nineteen, and the tabling of six pending what Elder Hoffstead described as “additional contextual consideration.” Brandon described the outcome as “painful but theologically defensible.”

The most consequential removal was Question 31, which asked contestants to name all five points of the Canons of Dort in correct order. The question was removed after Elder Thomas Langley, reviewing the list, paused at Question 31, looked at it for approximately twelve seconds, and noted quietly that he could not answer it himself. Elder Hoffstead did not say anything. Elder Langley recommended the question be removed. The recommendation passed without objection. Brandon confirmed that Question 31 was his personal favorite. He has retained it for a future edition of his newsletter.

Nathan Briggs’ custom “Here I Stand — And Drink” labels arrived Wednesday. Nathan opened the package in the church parking lot following Wednesday Bible study, having received a shipping notification during the closing prayer. Sources present for the opening describe Nathan’s expression as “a man who ordered exactly what he wanted and received exactly that.” He held one label up to show Elder Langley, who was walking to his car. Elder Langley called them “really something.” Nathan confirmed this was the response he had hoped for.

The children’s ministry Reformation Day coloring pages, printed this week and distributed to Sunday school teachers for Saturday, feature a cartoon of Martin Luther in a flowing cape. The cape is not historically documented. No one in the children’s ministry has been able to identify who added the cape to the original illustration. Nobody has removed it. One teacher told the Dispatch the four-year-olds “really responded to the cape.” Elder Hoffstead was informed. He said he would “address it after Reformation Day.”

With eight days remaining, preparations are substantially complete. The bratwurst has been ordered — Travis Novak confirmed this as “a breakthrough” — and Nathan’s coffee station setup timeline shows a 7:00am start time on October 31st. Reformation Day itself begins at 10:00am. Nathan was asked whether 7:00am was necessary. Nathan said it was for him.

AT PRESS TIME: Brandon has memorized all twenty-two approved Sola Showdown questions. He has also memorized the nineteen rejected ones. He will not be competing in the Sola Showdown. He will be hosting it. He considers this an important distinction.

DEVELOPING: Final attendance for the Reformation Day observance has not been confirmed. Elder Hoffstead has stated he expects “a meaningful turnout.” Brandon expects “a full house.” Nathan expects enough people to require two pour-over setups. He has prepared two pour-over setups.