Amish life and culture first in spring lecture series for seniors

GOSHEN, Ind. – The Lifelong Learning Institute of Elkhart County invites the public to a free six-part series of lectures at Greencroft Senior Center, Goshen, Wednesdays, Jan. 24-Feb. 28. The lectures start at 1:30 p.m. (except Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.)

The opening lecture on Jan. 24 features “Buggies, Bonnets, and Beatitudes: Amish Life and Culture.” S. L. Yoder, founder of the series, will give an illustrated presentation that includes Amish transitions from farm to factory, Amish humor, and the roots of the power of forgiveness. This presentation will be video-recorded for the Archives of the Mennonite Church.

The other presenters and topics are:

Jan. 31: Glen and Marilyn Miller, “Seven Decisions That Have Shaped our Lives.” They will share stories from medical practice in Ohio to MCC Calcutta, Self-Help and a friendship with Mother Teresa, before assignments in Cambodia and England. The Millers were among the distinguished “Culture for Service” alumni awardees at Goshen College in 2006.

Feb. 7: Jon Roth, “From Biology Prof to Entrepreneur.” Roth will focus on how family struggles led from the Petri dish and the classroom to inventive entrepreneurship and a thriving business benefiting both the research laboratory and the cold drink industry.

Feb. 14, 6 p.m. (time change for this presentation only): Shirley Showalter, “Growing Up Plain: Stories from a Lancaster County Mennonite Childhood.” A recent Goshen College president, now in charge of programs at the Fetzer Institute, Showalter will tell some of her most interesting “formation” stories and invites you to bring yours as well.

Feb. 21: George and Dorothy Fowler, “Engineering 101 – Designing Wheels and Brakes for 747s, Active Lives for Eight Kids, and Work Projects Abroad.” George was an engineer for Bendix (Allied Signal), and Dorothy an organist and librarian – both embracing their active retirement years in a recent move to Greencroft Middlebury.

Feb. 28: James Waltner, “Wrestling With the Poet: Frustration and Delight in Bringing a Psalms Commentary to Life.” Waltner will tell stories of encounter, elusiveness and grace in a 25-year project in writing an 800-page commentary on Psalms for the Believers Church Bible Commentary series.

The series was planned by Wilbur and Fanni Birky, co-directors of the Lifelong Learning Institute of Elkhart County, an initiative of Goshen College and Greencroft Retirement Communities.

Editors: For more information about this release contact John Bender, Greencroft Retirement Communities Public Relations Director, (574) 537-4017, johnb@greencroft.org.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Greencroft Retirement Communities, established in 1962, operates housing and services in Goshen and Middlebury, Ind., and manages Southfield Village in South Bend. Residents from 20 faith traditions reside in Greencroft communities. Greencroft Retirement Communities is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by MHS Alliance. Visit www.greencroft.org.