David H. Jensen

Thursday’s Opening Plenary Speaker
“The Time Bind: Family Life in Our 24/7 Society”

Friday Morning Plenary
“Marking Time Together: Christian Faith, Brethren Tradition, and the Renewal of Our Days”

David H. Jensen sees children as “gifts” and offers a vision of parenting beyond duty and toward delight. Formerly assistant professor of religion and philosophy at Manchester College, Jensen is currently associate professor at Austin (Texas) Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He is author of Graced Vulnerability: A Theology of Childhood.

Sponsored by AARM — Insurance Services for Peace Church Organizations

Donald Kraybill and Kathryn Eisenbise

Saturday Morning’s Plenary Speakers
“Brethren Values and Postmodern Realities”

Donald Kraybill and Kathryn Eisenbise, authors of The Brethren in a Post Modern World, will explore Brethren values, beliefs and practices that enable Brethren to meet the challenges faced by today’s families. Kraybill has served as chair of the Sociology and Social Work Department at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College and as director of the Young Center. Eisenbise is a Bethany Theological Seminary graduate and is pursuing a doctorate in theology from Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif.

Donald Kraybill is sponsored by Cross Keys Village
Kathryn Eisenbise is sponsored by Lebanon Valley Brethren Home

Curtis Dubble

Morning Bible Study
Learning Through Invading the Privacy of Two Biblical Families”
Friday — Isaac and Rebekah
Saturday — Joseph and Mary

Bible Study Leader Curtis Dubble will connect the challenges that modern families face with stories of families in biblical times. A retired pastor and leader of the denomination’s Family Ministries program in 1992, Dubble wrote Real Families from Patriarchs to Prime Time for the People of the Covenant series.

Sponsored by Brethren Village

Friday Worship Leader

Marilyn Lerch will lead us in a worship experience centering on our family stories. Lerch is a pastor and TRIM coordinator for the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.

Sponsored by the Allyson Wenger Family Life Enrichment Fund of Lititz Church of the Brethren

Belita Mitchell

Saturday's Closing Worship Preacher

Annual Conference Moderator Belita Mitchell will preach during the closing worship. Mitchell is pastor of the First Church of the Brethren in Harrisburg, Pa.

Jean and Jim Strathdee

Music Leaders/Friday Night Concert (Open to the Public)

Music throughout the Assembly will be led by internationally known Jean and Jim Strathdee, whose work expresses a wide range of musical moods; joyful, playful, prayerful and always heartfelt. They will perform a Friday night concert that brings a message of compassion, justice, healing and hope.

Sponsored by The Palms of Sebring