It was a hard time to be a pacifist during World War I.

When the U.S. officially entered the war in 1917, American Mennonites and other Anabaptists largely held fast to the pacifistic stance of nonresistance. Young Mennonite men were conscripted into military training camps upon the government’s promise they wouldn’t be coerced into service against their conscience. Some accepted noncombatant roles and served in medical or supply and support services, while others were allowed to work on farm furloughs or went to Europe to serve with the Friends Reconstruction Unit, said Dr. Andrew Suderman, associate professor in theology, peace, and mission at 91����Ƶ. 

“The War Department, however, in fact, intended to persuade as many pacifists as possible to join the war crusade,” he said.

A number of conscientious objectors (COs) were court-martialed and sent to prison, he said, with some COs used as test subjects during the war. These tests included “positional resiliency”—forcing COs to maintain uncomfortable or strenuous positions for extended periods, often under harsh conditions—as well as nutritional limits and needs. “In other words,” Suderman said, “how few calories does a human actually need to live?”

“Due to this conflict … some European Mennonites saw the need for Mennonites from different nations to come together and wrestle with what it means to be a community of faith that spans different nationalities, including the nationalities that were in conflict with each other,” he said. “This led in June of 1925 to the first gathering of the Mennonite World Conference, which also commemorated the 400-year anniversary of the Anabaptist movement.”

The professor, who serves as director of global partnerships at Mennonite Mission Network and as the secretary of Mennonite World Conference’s Peace Commission, delivered the fifth and final installment in the “Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures” series on Thursday evening in Martin Chapel. He spoke about the history of Anabaptism in the 20th century and explored how the faith movement, which began in Europe and largely remained in the North Atlantic region during its first four centuries, has become a truly global phenomenon.

Today, there are over 2 million Christians in the world who identify as Anabaptists, he said, including 72% of whom live in the Global South or “Majority World.” Suderman shared his own experiences of witnessing the Mennonite presence and influence in Colombia and South Africa.

The lecture series was sponsored by the Shenandoah Mennonite Historians, planned by Caleb Schrock-Hurst ’18, MA ’22, and Elwood Yoder ’81, and partially funded by the Kennel-Charles Lecture Series at Eastern Mennonite School (EMS). It featured five speakers who traced the journey of the Anabaptist movement throughout the five centuries. Starting on Thursday, Jan. 30 (), Dr. John D. Roth, project director of MennoMedia’s Anabaptism at 500 , highlighted the emergence of Anabaptism in the 1500s. On Feb. 6 (), Dr. Mary Sprunger, professor of history at 91����Ƶ, spoke about how Anabaptists were already in places and positions of wealth and privilege by the 1600s. On Feb. 13 (), longtime EMS teacher Yoder shared how Anabaptists in the 1700s were pressured because of their faith and how it challenged some of the social norms. On Feb. 20 (), Schrock-Hurst, a member of the Virginia Mennonite Conference, highlighted the ways Mennonites were affected by and leaned into modernization during the 1800s. This lecture series was a grassroots collaboration by historians, theologians, and church leaders to mark the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism.

In his lecture, Suderman spoke about the dangers of continuing to only deconstruct the Anabaptist narrative without considering what is being constructed. In a message to 91����Ƶ News, he clarified that “there are things that need to be deconstructed. But many around the world also find the Anabaptist story and identity as life-giving.”

“Because of our growing distance from life-and-death struggles, perhaps largely because of our general affluence when compared to the rest of the world, Anabaptism too easily becomes a concept that we can debate rather than an embodied way of life,” he said during the lecture. “Our global companions, however, experience Anabaptism as a life-giving, emancipatory way of being in the world.”

Watch his lecture on YouTube .

The Shenandoah Mennonite Historians have promoted the study, interest, and awareness of Mennonite history since 1993. They conduct tours, hold an annual meeting, and produce a quarterly journal called Shenandoah Mennonite Historian. The Historian officers who endorsed this lecture series are Jim Hershberger, Chair; 91����Ƶ Professor Emeritus of History, Gerald Brunk; Jim Rush; Gary Smucker; Norman Wenger; and Elwood Yoder.

Learn more here:

Civil discourse is strained, the principles of democracy are challenged, and social movements have laid bare injustices in the world, he said. 

Speaking to a crowd gathered at Martin Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 29, he said that 91����Ƶ students, rooted in the guiding verse of Micah 6:8 — “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” — are uniquely equipped to heal a broken and fractured world. And, he added, they’re called to bridge the gap between “the world as it is and the world as it ought to be.”

“Those convictions [in Micah 6:8], which I’m certain shine through in your courses, recognize that the good life calls us into the world to participate in the healing work of reconciliation and peacemaking,” Roth said. “…Your calling, your vocation, regardless of your major, is really nothing more than to make God’s love and truth and healing visible in the world.”

Roth, project director of MennoMedia’s initiative, presented on “What is the Good Life? Insights from a 500-Year-Old Tradition.” Watch a video recording of his presentation .

Prior to his role at MennoMedia, Roth was a professor of history at Goshen College (1985-2022), where he also served as director of the Mennonite Historical Library and editor of the Mennonite Quarterly Review. He is the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism at Goshen College.

His talk was the second of two campus worship services commemorating the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Anabaptist movement. Click for a video recording of the first service, “Exploring Virginia Mennonites: History, Faith and Culture” from Phil Kniss, retired senior pastor of Park View Mennonite Church.

Starting on Thursday, Jan. 30, a series of weekly lectures will delve into the history of Anabaptism through the five centuries stretching back to 1525. Roth will speak about early Anabaptism in the 16th century at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Eastern Mennonite School auditorium. For more information about these lectures, visit the website .

Events like this one demonstrate 91����Ƶ’s commitment to its core value of active faith. As a community, we seek to embody faith in action and serve and learn together to repair harm and restore hope. Shaped by Anabaptist-Mennonite beliefs and practices and the life and teachings of Jesus, we practice compassion, mutual love, and appreciation for the diversity of religious and cultural expressions represented in our community.

91����Ƶ News often publishes event previews. Visit to view latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive the Tuesday morning weekly update.

January

Jan. 16 — The Queer Student Alliance (QSA) and Office of Faith and Spiritual Life (FSL) host a screening of the award-winning documentary “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture.” The “follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946.” A talkback session follows the screening. 7 p.m., University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). 

Jan. 16 — Music Faculty Artist Series concert with the Ben Guerrero Quartet. This exciting, grooving and fun concert of funk fusion music features 91����Ƶ music program faculty member and percussionist Ben Guerrero with Thaddeus Jackson on guitar, Brian Incheck on bass and Alex Watson on piano. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Jan. 17 — Opening reception for artist , assistant professor of painting and drawing in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Mary Washington. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

Jan. 19-20 — 91����Ƶ hosts its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with a film screening of at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 in the MainStage Theater, a unity march and Speak Out from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 20 at the Black Lives Matter mural outside University Commons and a convocation on “Radical Truth-telling” from Jodie Geddes MA ’16 at 10:15 a.m. in Lehman Auditorium. A presentation on “Harrisonburg in the Jim Crow era” from 91����Ƶ History Professor Mark Sawin will be at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 20 in University Commons 176. View a full schedule of events here:

Jan. 21 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Laura A.G. Yoder, PhD, RN – professor of nursing at 91����Ƶ. “Q’eqchi’  Mothers’ Health Needs and Strengths in the Greater Chichen Region of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.” Dr. Yoder will share about a community health needs and strengths assessment conducted in the Greater Chichen region of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and ongoing work with the Community Cloud Forest Conservation to promote health and well-being for Q’eqchi’ women. 12:10 p.m., West Dining Room, Northlawn.

Jan. 21 — . Join the Shenandoah Valley Mennonite Historians for an evening of singing and storytelling representing lyrics and music from various local and regional Mennonite expressions through the years. 7 p.m., Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Ave, Harrisonburg.

Jan. 26 — Senior recital featuring Thaddeus Jackson. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Jan. 27 — Concerto/Aria Competition. The two student-musicians who win this competition will earn coveted spots to perform with the 91����Ƶ Orchestra during its spring Concerto/Aria Orchestra Concert on Saturday, April 25. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Jan. 29 — Campus Worship: What is the Good Life? Dr. John D. Roth, project director of MennoMedia’s Anabaptism at 500 initiative, presents. 10:15 a.m., Martin Chapel.

Jan. 29 — 500th Anniversary Lecture: “They Went Out From Us, But They Were Not of Us.” Dr. John D. Roth’s talk focuses on the challenge of unity and schism across the 500 years of Anabaptist tradition. 7 p.m., Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, 1552 S. High St., Harrisonburg.

Jan. 30 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures (1500s). As part of the , Dr. John D. Roth will present “Restoration or Renewal? Early Anabaptism and its Reformation Context” about Anabaptism in the 16th century. 7 p.m., Eastern Mennonite School Auditorium, 801 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg.

February

Feb. 6 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: (1600s). Dr. Mary Sprunger, professor of history at 91����Ƶ, will present “Dutch Mennonites in the City and of the City” about Anabaptism in the 17th century. 7 p.m., Weavers Mennonite Church, 2501 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg.

Feb. 10 — Screening of “El Cacao: The Challenge of Fair Trade.” This exposes the dark side of chocolate production in Latin America by examining the economics of fair trade from the point of view of indigenous farmers as they attempt to sustain their community through the growth, harvest, and trade of cacao beans in the global market. 6:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Feb. 13 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: (1700s). Elwood Yoder, historian and longtime Eastern Mennonite School teacher, will present “Farmers in Search of Land, Renewal, and Religious Freedom” about Anabaptism in the 18th century. 7 p.m., Weavers Mennonite Church, 2501 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg.

Feb. 14 — Suter Science Seminar: Philip E. Zapanta, MD, FACS  – head and neck surgeon for Sovah Health – Danville, VA, and clinical associate professor of surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “From Study Abroad to Scrubbed In: Life Lessons for Pre-Professional Health Science Students (and me).” Zapanta, a 1996 graduate of 91����Ƶ, shares the importance of cross-cultural experiences, the application of “see one, do one, teach one” in professional growth, and the importance of incorporating values of service, humility, and lifelong learning into health care careers. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Feb. 15 — High School Music Competition. The second annual competition, open to students in grades 9-12 and to all instruments, voice types and styles of music, returns to 91����Ƶ. 9 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Feb. 20 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: (1800s). Caleb Schrock-Hurst, a member of the staff of the Virginia Mennonite Conference, presents “Migration, Modernization, and Mission” about Anabaptism in the 19th century. 7 p.m., Weavers Mennonite Church, 2501 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg.

Feb. 21 — Opening reception for exhibition by longtime 91����Ƶ Visual and Communication Arts (VACA) Professor Jerry Holsopple, who is retiring after this year. His exhibition will serve as a culmination showcasing the work he has made over the past couple decades, along with some new work. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

Feb. 21 — International Food Festival. The beloved annual event provides an opportunity for students, faculty and members of the surrounding community to share the great wonders of their respective cultures through food. 5:30 p.m., University Commons Hall of Nations.

Feb. 21 — Senior recital featuring vocalist Reah Clymer. 8 p.m., Martin Chapel.

Feb. 21-23 — Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship (ICPF) 2025 Conference. This student-led conference, which rotates among host institutions each year, brings together students and faculty from Mennonite, Brethren, and Quaker colleges across the U.S. and Canada to examine issues of peace and justice. The theme for the 2025 ICPF is “Building Solidarity: from Turtle Island to Palestine.” View a schedule of events here:

Feb. 27 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: (1900s). Dr. Andrew Suderman, associate professor in theology, peace and mission at 91����Ƶ, presents “Anabaptism Today: Being Reminded of an Anabaptist Vision” about Anabaptism in the 20th century. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel. 

Feb. 27— Jazz Ensemble Concert. This performance is part of the Jazz, Justice, and Jordans event hosted by 91����Ƶ’s Black Student Alliance. 7 p.m., University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds).

Feb. 28 — Writers Read Author Series featuring Rachel Yoder, author of Nightbitch. Yoder’s debut novel, about an artist turned stay-at-home mom who becomes convinced she’s turning into a dog, was selected as an Indie Next Pick in August 2021 and was named a best book of the year by Esquire and Vulture. Yoder serves as assistant professor of screenwriting and cinema arts at the University of Iowa. A film adaptation of Nightbitch, starring Amy Adams, was released in December. 7:30 p.m., Martin Chapel.

March 

Spring Break for students is between Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 9. Classes resume on March 10.

March 1-6 — Chamber Singers spring break tour. The auditioned touring chamber choir performs at several locations around Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia before wrapping up its tour at The Music Room on Main in Orange, Virginia. View the tour schedule here:

March 13 — Music Student Spring Recital I. 12:10 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

March 13 — Keim Lecture Series. presents on her book Pure America: Eugenics and the Making of Modern Virginia. 4:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106.

March 14 — Suter Science Seminar: Susan Gaylord, PhD – research associate professor and director of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of North Carolina; and Hongtao Li, PhD – assistant professor of biology at 91����Ƶ. “Why Integrative Health Care?” This seminar will introduce the concept of Integrative Medicine, and why it’s essential to health care today. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

March 14 — Love, Joy, and Peace: A Choral Celebration! 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

March 17 — Screening of “No Place to Grow.” This follows a group of Latinx farmers who find themselves representing a movement to save the last green space centered within a neighborhood facing gentrification in Santa Cruz, California. 6:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106.

March 17 — Wind Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

March 18 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Kristopher Schmidt, PhD – professor of biology at 91����Ƶ. “Deciphering Defences: Using Applied Genomics to Better Understand Innate Immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans.” Schmidt presents a case study showcasing how we have used genomic approaches to unravel the role of the cytoskeletal regulator unc-53/Nav2 in immunity. 12:10 p.m., West Dining Room, Northlawn.

March 20 — Writers Read Author Series featuring M.C. (Christine) Benner Dixon ’04, author of The Height of Land. Benner Dixon is a teacher, poet, editor, and novelist living in Pittsburgh who spent about 15 years in academia as a classroom teacher and scholar before launching her freelance editing and writing business. Her poetry and fiction has been described as tending toward “contemplative melancholy, with occasional detours into the strange and creepy.” Her debut novel The Height of Land “follows the quest of a young man in the distant future, torn between spiritual longing and commitment to his community’s survival in a harsh landscape (Goodreads)” and is scheduled to release in March 2025. 7:30 p.m., Martin Chapel. 

March 21 — President’s Town Hall. 10:05 a.m., Martin Chapel.

March 28-April 5 — 91����Ƶ Theatre presents “On the Breath of God: The Life of Maria Skobtsova.” This world-premiere production created by 91����Ƶ professors Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole showcases the remarkable life of the Russian poet, saint and martyr Maria Skobtsova. This edgy, defiant, offbeat, twice-divorced, chain-smoking nun, who called Tolstoy and other intellectual giants her friends, broke many stereotypes. This is a musical featuring a chorus of female mystics who sing Celtic tunes to the accompaniment of a live band. 7 p.m. on March 28-29 and April 3-5, 2 p.m. on March 30. MainStage Theater.

April

April 2 — Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day 2025. Show how much you love 91����Ƶ with your generous support during the ninth annual . All day.

April 4 — Senior Show 1. Come see the final projects of the first group of senior VaCA students. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

April 5 — Sophomore recital featuring Rafael de Tablan. 3 p.m., Martin Chapel.

April 7 (rescheduled from Feb. 18) — Sabbatical Spotlight: Daniel Showalter, PhD – associate professor of mathematics at 91����Ƶ. “Student Mental Health: What’s Going On, and Why Should We Care?” The professor will share what led him to focus on student mental health as well as his journey to better understand the network in place to support students in their well-being. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center Room 106.

April 11 — Wind Ensemble & University Choir Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 12 — University Choir Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 16-17 — Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival 2025. The campus-wide conference, which provides space to showcase academic and artistic achievements and engage in interdisciplinary conversation and learning, returns. David Williams, author of the 2024-25 91����Ƶ Common Read When the English Fall, serves as keynote speaker at 10:15 a.m. on April 16 in Lehman Auditorium. View a full schedule of ACE Festival events here:

April 17 — Senior Show 2 (during ACE Festival). Come see the final art projects of the second group of senior VaCA students. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

April 17 — Music Student Spring Recital II. 12:10 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 23 — Jazz Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 25 — Concerto/Aria Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 26-27 — Spring Concerts featuring all performing choirs of the (SVCC). 7 p.m., April 26; 4 p.m., April 27. Lehman Auditorium.

May

The 107th University Commencement is from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Commencement for the 91����Ƶ Lancaster campus is Friday, May 9, 2025.

May 14-31 — Chamber Singers international tour. The choir sings at venues across Europe, including in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, before concluding their tour with performances celebrating the 500-year anniversary of the birth of Anabaptism at Mennonite World Conference. View the tour schedule here:

More information

Arts at 91����Ƶ To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at 91����Ƶ, visit www.emu.edu/arts.

Center for Interfaith Engagement The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at 91����Ƶ promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.

 Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit 91����Ƶ’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.

University Chapel A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). Podcasts available.

Writers Read and Spanish Language Film Series events sponsored by the language and literature department. Writers Read features authors who read from and comment on their work; refreshments are provided. Spanish language films will have English subtitles; introductions and student-led discussions are in English.