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The 2024 Schrag/Peace Lectures were held on April 9, 2024. 

Morning Chapel Tuesday, April 9 at 9:30 a.m. Parmer Hall, High Center, Messiah University.

Peacefully Resolving Conflict in Our Polarized Society Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. Frey 110 (Alexander Auditorium), Messiah University

The lectures were given by Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz & Jim Amstutz

Download the Brochure

ºÚÁÏÍø The Lecture

It’s no secret that our society is experiencing heightened polarization. In this challenging context, peacefully navigating difficult conversations and seeking nonviolent solutions to conflict is vitally important—especially in our churches. In this lecture, Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz and Jim S. Amstutz drew on their experiences in conflict resolution, pastoral ministry, social work and more to offer assistance to pastors and laypeople seeking resources for this necessary work. The lecture mixed the theoretical with the practical,with the goal of equipping attendees to be agents of reconciliation in our polarized congregations, homes,schools and workplaces.
This lecture was open to the Messiah University community and the general public. No tickets were required.
 

ºÚÁÏÍø The Lecturers

Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz is the denominational minister for peace and justice for Mennonite Church USA and was previously the coordinator of Mennonite Central Committee’s restorative justice program for over 25 years. She has provided training and technical assistance to restorative justice programs across the globe. She co-taught the restorative justice course at Eastern Mennonite University’s Summer Peacebuilding Institute for almost 20 years. She has co-authored “The Little Book of Restorative Discipline for Schools” (Good Books, 2005) and “What Will Happen to Me?” (Good Books, 2011) and has authored “The Little Book of Victim Offender Conferencing” (Good Books, 2009).

Jim S. Amstutz teaches Bible and is an assistant soccer coach at Lancaster Mennonite High School, following 25 years of pastoral ministry and seven years with Mennonite Central Committee. He is the author of “Threatened with Resurrection: Self-Preservation and Christ’s Way of Peace” (Herald Press, 2002) and numerous articles/chapters on peacebuilding, Appreciative Inquiry and missional church.

Together, they co-teach the PACS 201: Basic Conflict Mediation course at Messiah University.
They have three adult children, four grandchildren and are members of Blossom Hill Mennonite Church in Lancaster.