April 27, 2006

ELGIN, IL – "The Other Stream: Alternative Forms of Radical Pietism" is a continuing education opportunity for clergy, ministry students, and others. The seminar July 5-6 in Amana, Iowa, is offered by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership and the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College.

Participants will study the influence of radical pietism on the Brethren through a study of the Amana Colonies, home of the Community of True Inspiration which co-existed and interacted with the early Brethren in Europe. The community came to America much later than the Brethren and settled in Iowa, where it developed several villages operated as a communal society until the mid-twentieth century.

The seminar will begin at 3 p.m. on July 5 with a tour of the Amana Heritage Museum. On July 6 participants will meet at the Amana Church.

Leaders will include David Eller, Wally Landes, Jim Benedict, and Jeff Bach from the Church of the Brethren; and Lanny Haldy and Peter Hoehnle from the Amana Church Society.

Cost is $80 and covers entrance into the Amana Heritage Museum, a bus tour, "Amana People: History of a Religious Community" by Peter Hoehnle, some meals, and continuing education credit. Participants are responsible for their own lodging.

To register or for more information, contact the Young Center at youngctr@etown.edu. Ministry students who wish to create a course for credit should contact their advisors. Registration deadline is May 15.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts about 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nigeria.

Church of the Brethren Newsline