A release from the SVMC
As the seasons of the year turn, we also turn to our upcoming continuing education offerings. While we certainly hoped the pandemic would be greatly diminished by now, we still find ourselves watching carefully and planning with caution. Please note the method of delivery for each event: one is in person, one is via Zoom, and one is hybrid giving both options (attending in person or via Zoom). Registration is open for all the events described below. To register, please follow the links provided or contact the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC) at svmc@etown.edu.
Pastoral Care and Crisis Intervention, Part IV
Saturday, Oct. 9, at Huntsdale Church of the Brethren in Carlisle, Pa.
Leader: Dale Leverknight
Pastoral Care and Crisis Intervention, Part IV will draw upon the skills learned during the first three classes. However, if this is your first time to join us, don’t worry. We’ll catch participants up as we begin the day. PCCI IV will assist congregational leaders in preparing the church to be one part of the overall community response efforts in the event of large-scale disasters such as storms, floods, etc. The class will teach you how to look closely at the resources any congregation has (you may be surprised at what you already have) and offer them to the community in the event of such catastrophes as well as networking and communicating with the overall emergency response personnel in your respective areas. We will also spend time reviewing the local congregation’s safety and security measures. Looking forward to having you join us.
Registration link: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ehtsxphi672e7c43&llr=adn4trzab&showPage=true
Kingdom Building in Worship
Postponed until Spring 2022 (TBD), hybrid at Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa.
Leaders: Cindy Laprade Lattimer, Marty Keeney, and Loren Rhodes
This event is postponed due to concern of gathering in-person amidst the COVID surge we are experiencing. We will reschedule for the Spring of 2022 and the date will be established and announced very soon.
Sundays are relentless. Worship happens every…single…week. It is a spiritual, cognitive, emotional, and sensory experience. But without careful planning, worship can easily become stale, unimaginative, and bland. This seminar is designed for anyone who has a role in planning worship: pastors, music leaders, lay ministers. We will use both presentations and workshop components to support attendees in developing a process for planning worship that is meaningful, Christ-centered, cohesive, thoughtful, and sensitive.
Registration link: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=adn4trzab&oeidk=a07ehj4eg4pe32f3e5a
Brethren and Race
Nov. 4, online via Zoom
Leader: Denise Kettering-Lane
With the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and concerns about racial inequity in recent years, Brethren have been asking many questions about our past history with slavery, segregation, and racial inequality in America. We will examine common Brethren narratives around rejecting slavery and working towards Civil Rights in light of current concerns, take into account the influence of Brethren German-ethnic identity, and consider significant Annual Conference statements related to race. Finally, we will consider how Brethren history might inform more recent conversations in our congregations, communities, and countries related to race.
Registration link: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ehwws6lkeb3f0fd2&llr=adn4trzab
SVMC is a Church of the Brethren ministry education partner with the districts of Atlantic Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Middle Pennsylvania, Southern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania, as well as Bethany Theological Seminary and the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. Our mission is to equip leaders for ministry in a regionally based, Christ centered, culturally relevant context in ways that bear witness to the beliefs, heritage, and practices of the Church of the Brethren. Contact: 717-361-1450, www.etown.edu/svmc, svmc@etown.edu
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Children’s Disaster Services helps families in shelter, Brethren Disaster Ministries directs grants for aid, among other Hurricane Helene updates
- Clergywomen’s Retreat registration is now open online for event in February 2025
- Standing with People of Color Committee offers October trainings
- Sharon Norton hired as executive director of Global Mission
- Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 336 completes orientation