EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

The Ventures in Christian Discipleship series, offered online by McPherson College, continues its 2023-2024 schedule on Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Central, when Springfield First pastor Bobbi Dykema will present “Meet the Matriarchs” (0.3 CEU’s). Suggested donation for each course is $25. Learn more and register at www.mcpherson.edu/ventures.

Upcoming courses from the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership include “Engaging for Pastoral Care,” led by Debbie Eisenbise, Jan. 16-19 onsite at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. (registration deadline Dec. 5); and “From Reformation to Today (Church History),” led by Josh Brockway of the Highland Avenue congregation, Jan. 24-March 19 online (registration deadline Dec. 19). CEU’s are available for clergy taking the courses. Register for other courses and pay online at Brethren Academy Course Registration/Biannual TRIM Payment | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu). “Church of the Brethren Polity” will be offered March 22-23 and April 26-27 online via Zoom by the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center. Randy Yoder will teach the course. Register by contacting Karen Hodges at karenhodges@svmccob.org.

The Brethren Academy, along with the Office of Ministry and Bethany Theological Seminary, will also offer the annual clergy tax seminar via Zoom Jan. 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Central, led by Brethren tax professional Deb Oskin. Participants will receive 0.3 CEU’s. Registration is $40 per person; registration deadline is Jan. 19. Learn more and register at Clergy Tax Seminar | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu).

Video recordings of online events sponsored by the Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church program of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry are available online at https://vimeo.com/ptpftcbrethren. The most recent is a webinar with Jon Ritner, author of the book Positively Irritating: Embracing a Post-Christian World to Form a More Faithful and Innovative Church, hosted by Ryan Braught, church planter and pastor of Veritas Community, a Church of the Brethren congregation. For more information contact Tabitha H. Rudy, administrative assistant for Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church, at adminptpftc@brethren.org.

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is offering its one-day “Healthy Congregations” training session Nov. 29, Jan. 16, and March 5. For more details and registration information, and to see other events, go to https://lmpeacecenter.org/all-events/.

NCP Learning Tours: New Community Project will offer an educational trip to Nepal Jan. 7-21, 2024; to Ecuador’s Amazon region June 1-7; to Lybrook, N.M., June 20-26; to the Denali/Kenai Fjords region of Alaska July 28-Aug. 4; and to Arctic Village, Alaska, Aug. 4-12. These trips are open to all ages and explore the beauty of and challenges facing God’s creation and God’s children. Learn more at https://www.newcommunityproject.info/learning-tours.