Lecture

2020 Benjamin Eby Lecture

The #MeToo movement has placed sexual violence in the spotlight and Mennonites are asking; “What does it mean to be people of peace when sexual abuse and assault is woven into the fabric of our own communities?” Through a survey of church periodicals, I will show that some Mennonites have been working on this topic for almost fifty years.

Watch The Anabaptist Story Lives On: Virtual Museum and Archives Tour with Anabaptist museums, archives and heritage centres across North America. Beginning May 12 at 8 pm EDT and on Tuesday evenings following, watch 20 minute presentations followed by a chance to ask questions. Free Registration and More Information

"Where Moth and Rust Destroy: Archives and the Contest over Anabaptist Information"

Archives set the parameters of what we can know about early Anabaptists. Examination of archives’ own histories shows that, far from neutral repositories of historical evidence, these collections intensified conflict between early Anabaptists and their opponents. The management of information about nonconformists contributed to their repression, while Anabaptists’ documentary response supported their efforts to survive. 

Attend a film screening of The Fault In Our Stars and follow up discussion from 7:oo p.m.-9:30 p.m. at Grebel, as part of the Absent Friends Film Series. 

Based on The New York Times best-selling book by John Green, The Fault In Our Stars follows two adolescents living with cancer who fall in love. 

“Food & Faith: Mennonites Farming Locally and Globally”

Mennonite sociologist Winfield Fretz called farming the ‘sacred vocation.’  Even though fewer and fewer Mennonites are involved in it, we are all dependent on, if not blessed by it.  We used to talk together about farming and faith a lot more when more of us were farmers.  Maybe it’s time to talk again.