Continuing education events are offered through the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center

The Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, a partner organization to the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, has announced upcoming continuing education events that are open to everyone. For more information and to register, go to www.etown.edu/svmc and follow links for “Continuing Education.” Contact Karen Hodges via email at karenhodges@svmccob.org or call SVMC at 717-361-1450 for more information.

“How to Be a Good Neighbor with Your Polar Opposite” is offered on Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon, Pa., in person or via Zoom. Leaders are Dr. Amr Abdalla and Dr. Joe Bock. Please note the fee for attending this event is the same whether attending in person or via Zoom. Lunch is included for in-person participants. $35 for 0.5 continuing education units or $25 with no continuing education credit. This workshop aims to equip participants with the essential skills related to effective conflict resolution and prevention strategies and communication techniques tailored to diverse personalities and perspectives. Through interactive activities, role-plays, and discussions, participants will gain insights into understanding, empathizing, and collaborating with those with contrasting viewpoints, values, beliefs, and life philosophies. This event is a partnership with the Baker Peace Institute of Juniata College, which is underwriting much of the cost.

“What Does It Mean to Be Church? Anabaptist and Pietist Perspectives” is offered on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bucher Meetinghouse at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. In person, with no Zoom option. Registration for this event is free and not required. For more information please contact Jeff Bach via email to bachja58@gmail.com. Contact SVMC only if requesting continuing education credit. Cost is $10 for 0.5 continuing education units. Lunch is provided. This event will provide a setting for members of various Brethren and Mennonite groups of Plain or mainline identity to discuss their concepts of church and the similarities or differences they notice among various groups. The symposium leaders—Tony Walsh, director of the Centre for the Study of Irish Protestantism at Maynooth University, Ireland, and the Young Center’s 2018 Kreider Fellow; Sam Funkhouser, director of the Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center in Harrisonburg, Va.; and Jeff Bach, emeritus director of the Young Center—will add comments about the contributions from the Anabaptist and Pietist movements in shaping past and present views on church.

“Autism and the Church” is offered on Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., in person or via Zoom. Leaders are David Crumrine, Jeanne Davies, Stan Dueck, Lisa Kruse, and Tim Miller. The fee is $65 for 0.5 continuing education units (in-person, includes lunch); $55 for no continuing education credit (in-person, includes lunch); $45 for 0.5 continuing education units (Zoom); or $35 for no continuing education credit (Zoom). The church is a place where people should feel welcome no matter what challenges they may have. Families with an autistic member need to feel the welcome and acceptance of a church who cares for their special circumstance. This event will provide information to pastors and other church leaders regarding autism, how to support families with an autistic member, and how to make the church a safe and welcoming place for families.

“Grief Literacy” is offered on Oct. 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. via Zoom. The leader is Julie Guistwite. The fee is $35 for 0.3 continuing education units or $25 for no continuing education credit. Society’s grief-avoiding mentality and limited community-based support initiatives affect the well-being of bereaved persons. This interactive case-based workshop examines the grief literacy movement in connection with Christ-Centered Ministry Leadership. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and skills applicable to enhancing the welfare of grieving congregational members and people in their community.

“The Question of Leadership: Why It Matters” is offered on Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, in-person or via Zoom. The leader is Bethany Seminary president Jeff Carter. The fee is $65 for 0.5 continuing education units (in-person, includes lunch); $55 for no continuing education credit (in-person, includes lunch); $45 for 0.5 continuing education units (Zoom); or $35 for no continuing education credit (Zoom). What does it mean to lead in today’s church and world? The American protestant church is in steep decline. The Church of the Brethren is experiencing schism. The pandemic accelerated the already changing patterns of religious life. Resources are scarce. Furthermore, Brethren are naturally suspicious of leaders; called, elected, or self-proclaimed. Values such as humility, consensus, and the priesthood of all believers lead to a flat hierarchy and a communal pragmatism. We celebrate leaders such as Dan West, Sarah Major, M.R. Zigler, and Anna Mow, but in their day, they stirred controversy by the manner of their leading. So, what does it mean to lead in today’s church and world?

“Identifying and Responding to Suicide Risk” is offered on Jan. 28, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. The leader is Julie Guistwite. The fee is $35 for 0.3 continuing education units or $25 for no continuing education credit. Individuals considering harming themselves often seek guidance from spiritual care professionals over mental health providers. This interactive and engaging workshop discusses suicide risk factors and warning signs across generations and provides clergy guidance in responding. Engaging with an individual considering suicide forms the basis of a small group role-play activity. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and skills relevant across settings.

Two Durnbaugh events are sponsored by the Young Center at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College:

“The Bible as a Source of Renewal in Anabaptism and Pietism” on March 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Susquehanna Room, 0.175 continuing education credit through the SVMC for a fee of $10; and “Introducing (and Reading!) the Anabaptist Community Bible: An Interactive Seminar” on March 21, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, 0.25 continuing education credit through the SVMC for a fee of $10. If requesting CEUs for both Thursday and Friday events, cost will be a total of $10. The leader is John D. Roth, project director for Anabaptism at 500. He is professor of history emeritus at Goshen (Ind.) College, where he also served as director of the Mennonite Historical Library and the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism, and as editor of the Mennonite Quarterly Review. Please note that SVMC is only providing the continuing education credit, registration for these events (which is not yet open) will be through the Young Center–contact youngctr@etown.edu. For more information about continuing education credit contact the SVMC office.

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