Building a Just Peace in an Unjust World:
Learning with and from Our Anabaptist Colleagues
Pastoral Colloquy 202224 to 29 July 2022
Penn Central Conference, United Church of ChristEvangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische OberlausitzPenn Southeast Conference, United Church of ChristEvangelische Kirche im RheinlandSouthern Conference, United Church of ChristWisconsin Conference, United Church of Christ
~in cooperation with~
The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist StudiesElizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Who? Pastors from all the church bodies listed above
What? A week of learning, discussion, and fellowship
Where? Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
When? Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July, 2022Weekend visits before and after the colloquy are available for our German guests.
Why? “All we are saying is ‘Give peace a chance!’” ~ John Lennon, 1969
A Brief History of the Pastoral Colloquy
The PCC-UEK partnership and Pastoral Colloquy began in the 1980’s in order to affirm the unity of the church across brutal borders and to provide mutual support between the Penn Central Conference and the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg (now EKBO). These colloquies have continued biennially since then (except for a two-year gap due to Covid), alternating between Berlin-Brandenburg and central Pennsylvania. They have dealt with a variety of issues of mutual interest and concern. Over the years, many long-standing friendships among pastors on both sides of the Atlantic have blossomed and flourished.
At the 2018 colloquy, the decision was made to widen the welcome and include other partners into the fellowship of the colloquy. For the 2022 colloquy we have decided to extend the table a bit further and invite additional partners to the conversation. It is our hope that this will help to broaden and deepen all of our partnerships and lead to the formation of additional lasting friendships.
Also at the 2018 gathering it was decided that we would like to continue our dialogue on the topic of peace-making. The need for the church to continue working on peace-making is as urgent today as it was when the colloquies began—perhaps even more so. Since central Pennsylvania is home to one of the largest populations of what are called the “historic peace churches,” it seemed logical to make use of that valuable resource for learning more about how the church at every level can be an effective agent for peace in the world, in our communities, and in the church itself.
We are extremely pleased that the world-famous Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies has agreed not only to cooperate with us in developing our colloquy but also to host us for this event. We hope that you will join us for study, worship, and fellowship in July.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
„Selig sind, die Frieden stiften; denn sie werden Gottes Kinder heißen.“ (Matthäus 5,9)
For any questions or additional information, please contact Larry Smith at [email protected] or (+1) 717-893-3374.
Faculty for the Pastoral Colloquy 2020:
Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Bach, Former Director, Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Elizabethtown College (Anabaptist and Pietist History)
The Rev. Carolyne (Carrie) Call, Ph.D., Conference Minister, Penn Central Conference, United Church of Christ (Psychology of Peace-making)
The Rev. Michael Neuroth, International Policy Advocate, Justice and Witness Ministries, UCC, Washington, D.C. (“Just Peace Church”)
Prof. Dr. Steven M. Nolt, Senior Scholar and Interim Director, Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Professor of History and Anabaptist Studies, Elizabethtown College (Anabaptist History and Theology)
Prof. Dr. Gloria Rhodes, Associate Professor of Peacebuilding and Conflict Studies, Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia (Mennonite “Activist” Peacebuilding)
Representative of the Mennonite Central Committee (To be Determined) to Present the MCC’s work in reconciliation both in parishes and elsewhere.
(This includes five nights’ lodging [dormitory style with shared bath] and all meals during the colloquy.)
$165 (USD) plus any meals on campus.
Weekend visits: (Hosted by PCC pastors or lay members; visits may include participation in worship services.) Please indicate if you are interested in participating on one or both weekends:
