Dynamic pastor and educator Rev. Dr. Lesley Francisco McClendon to deliver EMU’s 2025 Commencement address

The Rev. Dr. Lesley Francisco McClendon, senior pastor of C3 Hampton (Virginia) and adjunct instructor at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, will deliver the keynote address at Eastern Mennonite University’s Commencement ceremony. At Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Dr. McClendon serves as an adjunct instructor in preaching. “EMU graduates will be inspired by the dynamic commencement message she brings on this 500th anniversary year of the Anabaptist movement,” said the Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler, associate dean of the seminary. “Dr. Lesley is a leading female Anabaptist voice in Mennonite Church USA and widely recognized in the broader community and church circles as an impactful and empowering leader.”

Announcements, Events

EMU names its student affairs leader Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as interim president

Eastern Mennonite University has announced the selection of the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as interim president. “With leadership experience pastoring in Mennonite Church USA and in student life at EMU, Rev. Dr. Shannon Dycus will keep EMU well connected to our Anabaptist identity and distinctive mission. As an Anabaptist womanist theologian, her wisdom and insight will prioritize EMU’s integrity with our Anabaptist values and extend the broad welcome of beloved community. I am enthusiastic about her approach to leadership that is attentive to justice, nonviolence, spiritual discernment and academic excellence,” said Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler, associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

Announcements

EMU celebrates its phenomenal women leaders

As a special Mornings with the Mayor edition of Convocation on Wednesday, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections at EMU, stepped into the role of host as she interviewed several trailblazing women leaders making their mark on campus. The one-of-a-kind program, held at the Student Union, celebrated Women’s History Month and paid tribute to departing EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman.

Reporting

A Royal Tale: Multihyphenate musician Makinto finds his second act at EMU

Makinto, a student at Eastern Mennonite Seminary pursuing a master’s degree in Christian leadership, performs during a rehearsal for EMU’s 2023 Music Gala Concert. The 61-year-old associate pastor and worship leader uses music as a tool for activism, building bridges between cultures and communities. “All my music is geared toward bringing diverse people together,” he said

Reporting

EMU Professor Suderman caps off ‘Five Centuries’ lecture series

Dr. Andrew Suderman delivered the fifth and final installment in the “Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures” series on Thursday evening in Martin Chapel. He spoke about the history of Anabaptism in the 20th century and explored how the faith movement, which began in Europe and largely remained in the North Atlantic region during its first four centuries, has become a truly global phenomenon.

Events, Reporting

In the News: Faithful Transitions: Reflections on Interim Ministry Training

EMS alum Hendy Matahelemual (MA ’19) reflects on an Intentional Interim Minister training offered by the Shalom Collaboratory at Eastern Mennonite Seminary and the Center for Congregational Health. During a cold, snowy week, several pastors from Mosaic Mennonite Conference and Allegheny Mennonite Conference, representing diverse backgrounds, attended the Intentional Interim Minister training in Princeton, New Jersey.

Events, In the News, Reporting

Seminary professor introduces forthcoming book at Convocation

Historical research has a funny way of changing your writing plans, says Dr. David Evans, professor of history and intercultural studies at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. What began as a book that aimed to celebrate the contributions of white allies in the fight for Black freedom, he said, morphed into a research project that questioned the effectiveness of those allies and their movements toward racial justice.

Announcements, Reporting

In the News: Prayer labyrinth at EMU offers unique way to connect with God

Have you ever wondered about the spiral-looking maze on the hill above the EMU Seminary Building? The Daily News-Record highlighted EMU’s prayer labyrinth in a wonderful feature story last week, detailing how it’s used, how it was built and where the design came from. EMU senior Emma Nord, who was quoted in the article, had this to say: “I love the rhythm of the labyrinth, kind of focusing on God and the design. Once you get to the center, you’re not done. You then walk back the way you came in.”

In the News, Reporting

In the News: EMS alum nominated as MC USA Moderator-Elect

The MC USA Executive Board unanimously affirmed the Leadership Discernment Committee’s nomination of Todd Lehman of Hesston, Kansas, as moderator-elect for the Delegate Assembly cycle beginning July 2025. Lehman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Culture, Religion and Missions from Eastern Mennonite University, and he has earned a certificate in Faith-based Peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

In the News, Reporting
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