American theologian and former Warren County resident, the Rev. Reinhold Niebuhr, will be remembered at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Immanuel United Church of Christ at North Fourth and Elm streets in Wright City.

Guests will learn about the life and works of this prominent Warren County native who went on to influence American religion, politics and public policy and whose ideas some think are relevant today. 

“He helped open discussions,” said church member Jackie Neirman. “Whether people liked him or didn’t, a lot of his writing helped shape the philosophies of many national leaders’ thoughts about religion.” 

The event includes a showing of the PBS documentary film “An American Conscience: the Reinhold Niebuhr Story.” 

The Rev. Dr. David Greenhaw, president of Eden Seminary in St. Louis, will lead a discussion of Niebuhr’s time as a student at Eden and discuss the impact of his writings. The Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel, conference minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the UCC, is also expected to attend.

Most people know Niebuhr (1892–1971) by the abbreviated form of his Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.”

He was called upon to talk to journalists about ethical theories during the 20th century’s most challenging times. Time magazine put Neibuhr on its 25th anniversary cover. At the same time, he was an FBI target because his views could also be controversial.  

He published many essays and books during his life, including “Moral Man and Immoral Society: A Study in Ethics and Politics,” “The Irony of American History” and “The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness: A Vindication of Democracy and a Critique of Its Traditional Defense.”

Niebuhr was born in Wright City in 1892. His father, Gustave, served as pastor of Immanuel United Church of Christ, which was known at the time as the German Evangelical Church. The church is mentioned in the PBS film, Nierman said. 

“His father was a minister of our church and he was born while his father was a minister here,” she said.

Gustave Niebuhr also ministered at Harmony Church near Innsbrook  and was instrumental in the founding of the Emmaus Home. In 1905, he resigned his pastorate to devote himself to the development of Emmaus.

Reinhold Niebuhr followed in the traditions of his father. He attended Elmhurst College, Eden Seminary and Yale Divinity School. 

Presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. John McCain and many other modern day leaders along the political spectrum report reading Niebuhr and being influenced by him. 

In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson awarded Niebuhr the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

President Carter, New York Times columnist David Brooks and Harvard Divinity School Professor Cornel West are among those featured in the PBS film. Historical footage helps tell the story. 

Reinhold’s brother, H. Richard Niebuhr, also was born in Wright City and became a prominent theologian, ethicist and writer of his time. 

Cakes made by the Women’s Guild of the Evangelical Church in Warrenton from recipes printed in a 1946 cookbook will be served following the event. 

For more information, contact Jackie Nierman at 636-745-3096.