EMU’s Democrats and Republicans collaborate
Two clubs at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., did their best to get out the vote this month ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election—and contrary to the fraught and divisive national scene, they did so harmoniously. The effort, which included a jointly staffed booth on multiple days outside the dining hall and one…
Pandemic sends Summer Peacebuilding Institute online
When the Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) moved online this year in response to COVID-19, it lost some of the aspects that attract people to the Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) program in Harrisonburg, Va., each summer, like in-person networking and conversations shared over meals. But it also opened the door for many to attend who otherwise…
New website locates EMU alumni businesses, internship opportunities
Royal Connections, a new feature launching on the Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) website, showcases alumni-owned or -managed businesses all over the world, and helps students, parents and graduates find and connect with them. Do you live in Winnipeg, and need a mediation or conflict management specialist who loves EMU as much as you do? No…
Journeys of Healing and Wholeness
Thinking about trauma and how it impacts our lives, I begin to see it everywhere. Is everything a story of something whole becoming broken, and seeking to become whole again? Is this our human story? Taking STAR – Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience – with my colleagues from the Intensive English Program this spring…
The Spirit at Work in the Performing Arts
Ted Schwartz gave a workshop about the spirit in the performing arts. Despite the sleepy time-slot, immediately after lunch, soon everyone in the audience had forgotten their digestive drowsiness and was thoroughly engaged. He talked about the Spirit at work in the relationship between the audience and the performers. Is the Spirit always at work…
School for Leadership Training: Mennonites and Pentecostalism
Special Training with Nate Yoder consisted of a fascinating walk through a history of Mennonites in the U.S. and their relationship with Pentecostalism. It explained a lot. For example, in the 1890s several Mennonite leaders were supporting the concepts and ideas brought up in the Pentecostal movement. Later, there was more resistance, but in the…
Thoughts on School for Leadership Training Opening Worship
The chapel was filled with faces, many of them known to each other, younger, older, in between, all excited, anticipating the next few days. We began in worship. The room was suddenly filled with harmony of voices. I hadn’t heard singing with that many in a while… “I sing the mighty power of God.” Introductions…
Eating Together for Peace
For anyone following U.S. media, it would seem that there is a divide between Christians and Muslims that has lead to violence in the past and will inevitably lead to more. This is a disturbing narrative reinforced by the media coverage of isolated extremist groups. More comments I’ve heard recently are the need for the…
