Seventh Brethren World Assembly
Brethren Faithfulness: Priorities in Perspective
July 26–29, 2023
The international gathering, drawing participants from all bodies stemming from the 1708 Schwarzenau Brethren movement, will include a keynote address by theologian Dale Stoffer, plenary presentations on Brethren in eighteenth-century Europe and America and in nineteenth-century America, and panel discussions on Brethren ordinances. Brethren hymn singing and a celebration of 100 years of Brethren in Nigeria will also be featured.
SCHEDULE
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Wednesday, July 26, 2023 |
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| 1:00–1:15 pm | Opening Devotions | |
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Glen Landes (Old German Baptist Brethren [New Conference] elder)
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| 1:30–3:00 pm | SESSION 1 | |
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What Led the Brethren to America?
Dale Stoffer (retired dean, Ashland Theological Seminary)
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| 3:30–5:00 pm | SESSION 2 | |
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Restarting in America: What Factors Delayed or Promoted the Resumption of Brethren Activities in Colonial America?
Denise Kettering-Lane (associate professor of Brethren Studies, Bethany Theological Seminary)
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| 6:30–8:00 pm | Worship | |
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Theme: Faithfulness
Dave Guiles (former executive director, Encompass World Partners)
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Thursday, July 27, 2023 |
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| 8:30–8:50 am | Opening Devotions | |
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Jason Barnhart (associate professor of historical theology, Ashland Theological Seminary)
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| 9:00–10:15 am | SESSION 3 | |
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The Challenge of the American Revolution and the Influence of Christopher Sauer II, Printer and Elder
Stephen Longenecker (retired professor of history, Bridgewater College)
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| 10:45–noon | SESSION 4 | |
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Ephrata: The First Brethren Division and the Impact of the Division
Jeff Bach (retired director of the Young Center, Elizabethtown College)
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| 1:00–2:30 pm | SESSION 5 | |
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Development of the Brethren from 1735 through 1780: Events and Expansion
Robert Matthews (Old German Baptist Brethren [Original Conference] elder)
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| 3:00–4:30 pm | SESSION 6 | |
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The Stabilizing Years 1780–1810: Expansion, the Influence of Elders, and Annual Meeting
Sam Funkhouser (director of the Mennonite-Brethren Heritage Center, Virginia)
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| 6:30–8:00 pm | Worship | |
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Theme: Brethren
Samuel Dali (former president of EYN [Church of the Brethren in Nigeria])
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Friday, July 28, 2023 |
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| 8:30–8:50 am | Opening Devotions | |
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Robert Lehigh (Dunkard Brethren)
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| 9:00–10:15 am | SESSION 7 | |
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The Influence of Alexander Mack Jr. on the Brethren: His Eldership and His Poetry
Jared Burkholder (professor of history, Grace College)
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| 10:45–noon | SESSION 8 | |
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Panel: Attitudes Toward Slavery among the Brethren
Sheilah Elwardani (adjunct faculty, Virginian Western Community College), Jack Lowe, Jeff Bach
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| 1:00–2:30 pm | SESSION 9 | |
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Panel: Ordinances
Robert Matthews, Jeff Bach, Dan Thornton, speakers from other Brethren groups
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| 3:00–4:30 pm | SESSION 10 | |
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Celebration of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)
Samuel Dali (president of EYN from 2011–2016)
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| 6:30–8:00 pm | Worship | |
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Theme: Priorities
Michael Miller (Old German Baptist Brethren [New Conference] elder)
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Saturday, July 29, 2023 |
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| 8:00 am | Travel | |
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Buses depart Elizabethtown for Germantown
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| 10:00 am | Activities | |
| 11:00 am | Worship Service | |
| noon–1:00 pm | Lunch (provided) | |
| 1:00–3:30 pm | Activities | |
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Trips to first Brethren baptismal site in the Wissahickon Creek, tours of the Germantown cemetery, and more
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| 3:30 pm | Closing Devotions | |
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Music by volunteer choir led by Dan Thornton
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| 4:00 pm | Travel | |
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Buses depart Germantown for Elizabethtown
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REGISTRATION
(The deadline to register is June 15.)
Entire Brethren World Assembly: 3 days in Elizabethtown and 1 day in Germantown (July 26–29)
(Includes round-trip transportation between Elizabethtown and Germantown; supper on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; lunch on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; snacks; and a to-go breakfast on Saturday.)
Registration by May 15: $310
Registration after May 15: $370
3 days in Elizabethtown only (July 26–28)
(Includes supper on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; lunch on Thursday and Friday; and snacks.)
Registration by May 15: $190
Registration after May 15: $225
1 day in Germantown only, with transportation (July 29)
(Includes round-trip transportation between Elizabethtown and Germantown, to-go breakfast, and lunch.)
Registration by May 15: $120
Registration after May 15: $145
1 day in Germantown only, without transportation (July 29)
(Includes lunch.)
Registration by May 15: $70
Registration after May 15: $95
1 day in Elizabethtown (July 26 or 27 or 28)
Registration by May 15: $100
Registration after May 15: $120
Registration options:
(1) Register online and pay by credit card.
(2) Mail your registration form and payment (check or credit card information) to Young Center, Elizabethtown College, Attn. BWA 23, 1 Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298.
(3) Call 717-327-8188 to register by phone and pay by credit card.
LODGING
Housing is available in a residence hall and an apartment building on the college campus.
Rates are per person for three nights (July 26, 27, and 28) and include one set of towels and one set of linens.
Residence hall room (2 twin beds per room; common bathroom; breakfast on July 27 and 28 included):
single occupancy: $158
double occupancy: $134
Apartment (2 bedrooms with 2 twin beds per room; 1 bathroom; 1 living room, breakfast not included):
first occupant: $412
2nd, 3rd, 4th occupant: $22 per person
LOCATION
Elizabethtown College is located in northwestern Lancaster County, approximately 90 minutes from Baltimore, two hours from Philadelphia, three hours from Washington, DC, and four hours from New York City and Pittsburgh. The campus map pdf shows the location of the Young Center and other facilities on the college campus.