Do you long to see your church more welcoming to children with disabilities and their families but are not sure where to begin?
Are you dreaming of worship that reflects the full Body of Christ – across all ages, abilities, and experiences?
Are you looking for practical support, fresh ideas, and a community of churches on the same journey?
Anabatist Disabilities Network is inviting 12-20 pilot congregations to go “all in” and join us on a journey of transforming Sunday mornings into an intergenerational worship experience that welcomes everybody.
Participating congregations will receive:
- In-person and virtual training and coaching from experts on childhood development, faith formation, intergenerational worship, disability inclusion, and facilitating congregational change.
- In-person retreats paid for by All In, virtual group coaching sessions, online forums, and a chance to build relationships with other congregational leaders.
- $2,000 annually for supplies and to expand your ministry.
- Site visits, individualized support, consultation, and resources for the duration of the project and beyond.
- Networking and the chance to be part of a community of church leaders who are also committed to seeing the church become more inclusive of all ages, abilities and experiences.
The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025. The kickoff retreat will be spring of 2026.
Find more information and apply here
Registration is due tomorrow, September 11th, for Strengthening the Pastor-Congregation Relationship. This four-session online workshop, which begins September 17th, is instructed by Rachel Ringenberg Miller, Denominational Minister for Ministerial Leadership for Mennonite Church USA, and Marilyn Rudy-Froese, Leadership Minister for Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. Bring your experiences, questions, joys and dilemmas for dynamic conversation.
Other Practical Leadership Training modules this fall include:
- Leading Intercultural Congregations in a Fractured World | Begins Oct 6 | Instructors: Kristin Loeks Jackson and Alexis Ruzuhaza
- Leadership Practices for Spiritual Vitality | Begins Oct 7 | Instructor: Shana Peachey Boshart
- Leading Engaging Weddings and Funerals | Begins Oct 9 | Instructor: Janice Yordy Sutter
- Leading Congregations in Transition | Begins Oct 15 | Instructors: Paula Killough and Dan Miller
- Anxiety and Depression in Church Ministry | Begins Oct 21 | Instructor: Deborah Byler
Register and find more information here
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Eastern Mennonite Seminary invites organizers, pastors, academics, and leaders of church institutions to “The Promise and Possibility of Anabaptist Organizing,” on October 12-14, at Eastern Mennonite University’s Harrisonburg, Virginia campus.
This symposium aims to promote the visibility of, investment in, and commitment to organizing as an Anabaptist-Mennonite expression of peacebuilding, raising theological questions about synergies and tensions between organizing and traditional Anabaptist theology, and possibly establishing structures for an ongoing network.
It will also build connections among leaders working in both movement organizing and broad-based organizing who, while aware of others doing similar work, are rarely given the opportunity for mutual enrichment.
There is limited grant funding available to cover the reasonable travel and lodging expenses for participants who do not have access to organizational funds for travel or professional development. To inquire about grant funding, please reach out to Jacob Alan Cook at jacob.cook@emu.edu. If you would like to hear about options for virtual participation, please let him know that as well.
More information
Register here
