Young Center explores Civil War-era Anabaptists, forgiveness and 'a model of toleration'

Internationally recognized scholarly research institute brings diverse lineup to Elizabethtown College

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Steve Longenecker

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (09/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Steve Longenecker, professor of history at Bridgewater (Va.) College, opens a season of unique and interesting events at Elizabethtown College's Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, in the Young Center's Bucher Meetinghouse.

Longenecker, an author and specialist in American religious history, speaks about "Civil War-Era Anabaptists and the Modern Nation-State," centering on the growth of national government during the Civil War and the consequences of this for Anabaptists.

Longenecker's current research project concerns the religious history of antebellum and Civil War-era Gettysburg, Pa.

Power of Forgiveness

The Young Center hosts a one-day conference, "The Power of Forgiveness: Lessons from Nickel Mines" from 8 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. Using the fifth anniversary of the tragedy at Nickel Mines as a backdrop, the conference explores the moral dilemmas arising from violence and the potential power of forgiveness for personal healing and restoration of relationships. View the schedule, speaker and registration information online. Registration deadline is Sept. 8.

Following the conference, the Young Center hosts "The Enduring Power of Forgiveness," with Steve Nolt and Terri Roberts, who address "What I've Learned about Forgiveness" and Kenneth Sensenig, who discusses "The Worldwide Witness of Nickel Mines." The presentation takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in the College's Leffler Chapel and Performance Center.

Anabaptists in the Netherlands

Rounding out September's event schedule at the Young Center is Jeff Bach, director of the Young Center, who explores how Anabaptists in the Netherlands moved from feared religious sect to respectable citizens to advocates for tolerance for Anabaptists in other parts of Europe. His lecture, "Anabaptism and the Netherlands: A Model of Toleration," takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, in Bucher Meetinghouse.

An internationally recognized scholarly research institute, the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College conducts and promotes research about Anabaptism and Pietism and interprets the life, faith and culture of Anabaptists and Pietists through public lectures, exhibits and conferences. For more information about the Young Center, please visit http://www.etown.edu/centers/young-center.

Elizabethtown College, in southeastern Pennsylvania, is a private coed institution offering more than four dozen liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education degrees. Through personal attention, creative inspiration and academic challenge, Elizabethtown College students are encouraged to expand their intellectual curiosity and are given the opportunity to become a bigger part of the world through experiential learning-research, internships and study abroad. Elizabethtown College's overall commitment to Educate for Service is fulfilled as students are taught intellectually, socially, aesthetically and ethically for lives of service and leadership.

Visit www.etown.edu for more information about Elizabethtown College.

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