EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) planning team is pleased to announce it is launching a NOAC book study, with the aim of establishing study groups on Zoom in the winter months. The group plans to begin with a book from one of the 2025 NOAC speakers; once they see if there is interest, they will choose a book, line up leaders, and set a schedule. “We want these groups to continue the conversation of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ in our world today, build fellowship, and provide an opportunity for us to learn and challenge one another,” the team said. If you are interested, send a message to NOAC@Brethren.org. 

The denomination’s Ministry Office will offer an Interim Ministry Roundtable event on Oct. 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Central time. It will be led by Tara Hornbacker, Enten Eller, and Christy Dowdy, all of whom have experience in interim/transitional ministry. The event will offer an opportunity to “learn more about the possibilities of interim ministries, to ask questions about ways to navigate transitional times, and discuss current challenges with others who share the same journey.” The event is free, and advance registration is not required. Join the roundtable at https://tiny.cc/COB-Interim. 

Upcoming courses from the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership include “Cultivating an Everyday Faith,” online Jan. 21-March17, led by Joan Daggett (registration deadline Dec. 10); and “Introduction to Preaching,” online hybrid with onsite class in Richmond, Ind., Feb. 17-20, and Zoom two weeks before and after, led by Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm (registration deadline Jan. 6). Register and pay online at Brethren Academy Course Registration/Biannual TRIM Payment | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu). Other courses on the schedule for 2026 include “Church of the Brethren Beliefs and Practices,” “Church History 1,” “Introduction to Biblical Studies,” “Multivocational Ministry,” and “Introduction to the New Testament.”

 Upcoming Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC) continuing education courses include “Supporting Terminally Ill Congregation Members” (for laypeople), led by Julie Guistwite, Oct. 28, 8:30-11:30 a.m.. Central, via Zoom, cost $25 (group discount available); and “Weakness Transformed in the Gospel of Matthew,” led by Dan Ulrich, Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Central, via Zoom (or in person in Huntingdon, Pa.), cost $45 (additional $20 for in-person). Course prices are $10 less without CEU’s. Register by visiting the SVMC course page or by contacting Karen Hodges at karenhodges@svmccob.org.

McPherson College’s “Ventures in Christian Discipleship” series will offer “Immigration Solidarity,” by Founa Badet and Matt Guynn, Oct. 21 and 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Central (0.4 CEU’s); and “Making Sense of God’s Violent Behavior in the Old Testament,” by Eric Seibert, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Central (0.3 CEU’s). All sessions are via Zoom. Suggested donation is $25 per course. Learn more and register at https://www.mcpherson.edu/ventures/.

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center offers a variety of training sessions. Upcoming options include “Restorative Conversations,” Dec. 10 via Zoom. For details and registration information, go to https://www.lmpeacecenter.org/trainings.

The L.E.A.D. (Listen – Equip – Adapt – Disciple) Conference Planning Team is now offering “Third Thursday” quarterly webinars with the goal of providing congregational leaders with tools to grow in their leadership abilities. Continuing education credit is available. The next such webinar is on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. (central time) with Paul Mundey, a past Annual Conference moderator and retired pastor and former denominational staff, presenting “The Pastor as Outfitter: Equipping Disciples for the Adventure of Mission.” Learn more at www.brethren.org/thirdthursday.

Designed particularly for ministers new to the Church of the Brethren denomination, Bethany Theological Seminary’s new certificate of achievement in ministry studies (CAMS) includes six courses that focus on Brethren history and theology, practical experience with the ordinances and preaching of the church, biblical interpretation, and peace studies. The certificate can be completed in two years or even one year, depending on course offerings. Five of the six courses can be completed at a distance. For more information go to https://bethanyseminary.edu.