1996 alumna to give peace lecuture

A 1996 Eastern Mennonite University graduate will return to her alma mater to give a C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture.

Laura L. Brenneman, now an assistant professor of religion and director of peace and conflict studies at Bluffton (Ohio) University, will speak on “What Does Peace Have to Do With Freedom” at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 9, in room 123 of the seminary building at EMU.

Dr. Laura Brenneman
Dr. Laura Brenneman

Dr. Brenneman will talk about how the Apostle Paul’s gospel of freedom – especially as seen in the New Testament book of Galatians -informs nonviolent Christian mission. She will entertain audience response following her presentation.

The speaker also graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 2000 and earned a Ph.D. in 2005 from the University of Durham. She is New Testament editor of the Studies of Peace in Scripture series published by the Institute of Mennonite Studies, Elkhart, Ind.

The C. Henry Smith Peace Lectureship is a joint award of Bluffton University and Goshen (Ind.) College for the 2008-2009 year. The late C. Henry Smith was a noted historian, long-time faculty member at both Bluffton and Goshen College, a prolific writer and widely-known for his commitment to peacemaking.

The event is sponsored by EMU’s Bible and religion department and is open to everyone free of charge.