EMU will host the 2011 Anabaptist Communicators Conference, Oct. 28-29. Jerry Holsopple, PhD, a renowned videographer, photographer and artist will serve as plenary speaker.

Holsopple, Swartz Highlight Anabaptist Communicators Conference

HARRISONBURG, Va. – How do Anabaptists communicate about their values in a visual age? Jerry Holsopple, PhD, will explore this question as plenary speaker at the 2011 Anabaptist Communicators Conference, Oct. 28-29, 2011, on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University (EMU).

The conference theme is “Anabaptism in a Visual Age.” Registration is open to the public and can be found at emu.edu/anabaptist-communicators.

Holsopple, award-winning videographer, photographer and artist is professor Visual and Communication Arts at EMU. He was a recent Fulbright scholar at LCC International University in Lithuania, has led numerous cross-cultural photography experiences, and earned dozens of awards for his media productions.

Ted Swartz, Banquet speaker

Actor and comedian Ted Swartz will be the featured guest Friday, Oct. 28, as he discusses his book, “Laugher Is Sacred Space: The Not-so-typical Journey of a Mennonite Actor” (Herald Press, 2012). Swartz is the founder of “Ted & Company Theaterworks,” a production team of writers, actors and musicians that develop shows around everything from peace and justice to men and women in the Bible.

“Waging Peace: Muslim and Christian Alternatives,” a documentary by Third Way Media and Buller Films LLC, will be featured Saturday, Oct. 29, with a discussion to follow. More information about Waging Peace can be found at www.facebook.com/pages/Waging-Peace-Documentary.

Breakout sessions include input from Gravity Group, a Harrisonburg-based marketing consultant group; visits to MennoMedia headquarters and Crossroads Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center and other options.

Registration, lodging and meals

Registration information and a tentative schedule of events is also available.

EMU recommends out-of-town guests book lodging in the Park View area (near campus) through the EMU guest house. For more information about the EMU guest house is available at 540-432-4280, guesthouse@emu.edu or visit www.emu.edu/about/area/accommodations/guest-house/

Hotels are available east of Harrisonburg, about a 15-minute drive from campus. Visit www.emu.edu/about/area/accommodations/hotels/

Meals will be in the EMU dining hall. Friday night’s banquet will be catered in the Eastern Mennonite Seminary Martin Chapel.

Planning committee members include EMU marketing and communications staff Andrea Schrock Wenger (chair), Bonnie Price Lofton and Heidi Muller in addition to Holsopple. Off-campus committee members include Jon Trotter (Virginia Mennonite Conference and Anabaptist Communicators board member) and Sheri Hartzler from MennoMedia.