EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

• Upcoming courses from the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership include “Cultivating an Everyday Faith,” online, Sept. 23-Nov. 17, led by Joan Daggett (registration deadline Aug. 19); and “Introduction to the New Testament,” online, Oct. 21-Dec. 15 (registration deadline Sept. 16). Register and pay online at Brethren Academy Course Registration/Biannual TRIM Payment | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu).

• Tim Grove, retired social services worker and national expert in Trauma-Informed Care, will join the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College to present a special 2026-2027 season-opening online series titled “Creating a Better World: A deep dive into stress, trauma and resilience as a pathway to healthier people, families and communities.” This series is open to everyone. Unlike Ventures’ typical standalone courses, each of these six sessions builds sequentially on the last, so registering for the full series is highly recommended. If you miss a live session, course recordings will be provided so you can catch up in chronological order before the next class. We will explore five key concepts related to stress, trauma and resilience in the first five sessions and then spend a sixth “bonus” session talking about how these concepts influence the navigation of a complex, media dominant and politically charged world. Each virtual session will be two hours long, and recordings will be available after each session ends. The first session (Stress, Trauma, and Resilience: What’s In a Name?” will be Sept. 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m., and others will follow Oct. 6, Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 10, and Nov. 17. Find full series and session details at the Ventures website: http://www.mcpherson.edu/ventures. Ventures sessions in 2027 will include “Speed Dating the Bible,” led by Debbie Eisenbise, Jan. 19 and 26; “Leading through the Storm: Leadership Wisdom for a World That Got Different,” led by Stan Dueck, Feb. 23 and March 2; and “Holy Play: Entering Divine Conversation with Nature and Expressive Arts,” led by Shana Leck, Apr. 10. 

• Lombard Mennonite Peace Center offers a variety of training sessions. Upcoming options include “Conflict Transformation Skills,” Aug. 26 via Zoom; “Strengthening the Body of Christ,” Sept. 16 via Zoom; “Restorative Conversations,” Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. via Zoom; and “Behavioral Covenants” Nov. 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Schaumburg, Ill. For details and registration information, go to https://www.lmpeacecenter.org/trainings. LMPC has also begun offering free clergy roundtable events. The next ones will be Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and Oct. 21. Watch their website for details on future roundtable opportunities.

• New Community Project continues to offer learning tours to “Go. Meet. Learn. Grow. Change – yourself and your world.” Upcoming trips include: Nepal, January 12-24, 2027; South Sudan/Rwanda, May 11-21, 2027; Ecuadorian Amazon, May 28-June 3; Borneo June 9-17; and Lybrook, N.M., July 8-14. NCP also offers guest speakers, worship resources, Vacation Bible School materials, climate change materials, and more. Find more information at www.newcommunityproject.info or contact dradcliffncp@yahoo.com.

• 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.