At Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, “Peace Theology in Movement” is the theme of a weekly lunchtime colloquium series that will focus on the Mennonite Action movement as an expression of Mennonite peace theology.

The series — which will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays, Jan. 15 – April 30, 2025, 12–1 p.m. Eastern Time — is a collaborative effort of AMBS in Elkhart, Indiana, and Mennonite Action. According to mennoniteaction.org, Mennonite Action is “a movement of Mennonites taking public action for a free Palestine and the liberation of all God’s children.”

“We see peace theology in movement in Mennonite Action, a group critically and constructively claiming ground in Anabaptist traditions of confronting violence,” said Janna Hunter-Bowman, PhD, Associate Professor of Peace Studies and Christian Social Ethics at AMBS, who will lead the series with Jonathan Smucker of Mennonite Action. “The colloquium will provide an opportunity to reflect on this action  together.”

According to Hunter-Bowman, the colloquium series will be a space for sharing information, reflection and discussion, considering the questions, “What forms of knowing, being and doing from Anabaptist traditions contribute to strategies that challenge and transform violence and organize movements?”; “What responsibility do U.S.-based Christians hold in the war in Gaza?”; and “How do the first and second questions intersect with God’s reconciling mission in the world and the liberation of all people?” It’s designed for people who are interested in peace and justice issues related to the church’s witness, peacebuilding and interaction with other communities.

The instructors will combine analytical presentations, theoretical discussions and skills training in sessions on public theology, faith- and congregation-based organizing, power, intercultural competencies and personal stories. They’ll also address intercultural competence and undoing racism within movements and organizations working for change.

Speakers will include members of the AMBS learning community, members of the Mennonite Action movement, scholars of religious studies, sociologists, theologians, pastors and activist-scholars of peacebuilding.

There is no cost to participate in the colloquium series, but each participant must register to receive a unique Zoom link. Participants do not have to attend each session. The sessions will be recorded for internal purposes only; session recordings will not be shared online for later viewing. The course can also be taken for seminary credit.

To learn more and register, see ambs.edu/peace-colloquium.