Eastern Mennonite University will host the 3rd Global Mennonite Peacebuilding (GMP) Conference and Festival from June 15–18, 2023. The GMP Conference brings together Mennonite practitioners, artists and theologians from around the world to learn, share and discuss their work for peace. This year’s theme is “Coming Together: The Journey of Faith and Peace.”
Candidates for Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Leadership at Eastern Mennonite Seminary are required to complete a capstone or ministry specialization project. Their study, research and exploration is tailored to their individual ministry setting and interests, with the goal of empowering their ministry and formation as well as providing a resource to others in the seminary community.
Eastern Mennonite Seminary’s new interdisciplinary pastoral leadership program focused on conflict transformation will be led by Jacob Cook, PhD, formerly of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Cook began his new role in January 2023.
The Rev. Gordon Meriwether MA ‘14 (conflict transformation), MDiv ‘15, has joined the Eastern Mennonite University Board of Trustees. His term began in October 2022. Meriwether serves as director of connectional ministries for the United Methodist Church (UMC) as well as pastor of the Mount Tabor United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg.
Eastern Mennonite Seminary’s 2023 School for Leadership Training is themed “Creating Communities of Belonging: Appreciating EveryBODY.” Questions of theology, nurturing of gifts, and other core topics related to accessibility and inclusion will bring pastoral and lay leaders to the Jan. 9-11 event.
Current Eastern Mennonite Seminary graduate student Becky Degan is named as worship coordinator for MennoCon23, joined in worship planning by Derek King ’03, MDiv ’13, and Danilo Sanchez ’10, MDiv ’13, among others.
Elizabeth Garman Nissley MDiv ’02, the first woman ordained in Lancaster Mennonite Conference, died Sept. 25 after a 21-month journey with breast cancer.
Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS) and the African American Mennonite Association (AAMA) have teamed up to provide scholarships for Black ministry leaders interested in completing EMS’ new graduate certificate in faith-based peacebuilding, beginning this fall. AAMA, a recognized racial ethnic group of Mennonite Church USA, is providing support through a matching grant.
To have a dean who is a peace theologian and scholar, and well-versed in ecumenical contexts, positions the seminary to deepen our Anabaptist Mennonite values while also expanding our reach. We’re living in a societal moment when the theology and practice of peace and justice are sorely needed.
