Earlham School of Religion

The Pros & Cons of Seminary Panel
2025-12-09 19:30 - 20:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Zoom
Panel: The Pros and Cons of Seminary

Is seminary worth it? What happens afterward?

Join us for a panel on The Pros and Cons of Seminary!

December 9 from 7:30-8:30pm ET on Zoom.

Our panelists will share about their experiences in seminary, the effects that has had on their lives and careers, things they wish they had known, and advice for prospective students. There will be time for Q&A, so bring your questions!

Register at www.publicfriends.org/events/p/panel-the-pros-and-cons-of-seminary.

THE PANEL

C. Wess Daniels is the William R. Rogers Director of Friends Center and Quaker Studies at Guilford College. He is a recorded Quaker minister committed to liberation theology, anti-imperial expressions of Christianity, and working towards the revitalization of faith traditions that embody love and justice in the world. He is the author of A Convergent Model of Renewal: Remixing The Quaker Tradition in Participatory Culture (2015), Resisting Empire: The Book of Revelation (2019), contributor to We Cry Justice: Reading the Bible with the Poor People’s Campaign (2021), and the co-editor with Rhiannon Grant of the Quaker World (2022).

Rachel Guaraldi is a member of Beacon Hill Friends Meeting and lives in Strafford, Vermont where she works part time as a community chaplain and pastor of the United Church of Strafford. Rachel is a ESR graduate and a board certified interfaith chaplain with experience working in hospitals, community care settings, and hospice.

Christina Repoley received her MDiV in 2011 from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta. Immediately following seminary, she founded Quaker Voluntary Service and served as its Executive Director until 2018, when she transitioned to the Forum for Theological Exploration, where she is currently the Vice President of Program. Christina is a recorded minister.

This event is brought to you by Public Friends and the Quaker Leadership Center.

Bivocational Church
2026-01-16 19:00 - 2026-01-17 16:00 | https://bivocationalchurchjan26.eventbrite.com
See Us in Action

Everyone is a minister!We are ALL ministers.But… What does that REALLY mean? Friday afternoon and Saturday morning and afternoon, Phil Baisley, will lead us though a process of making real our strong conviction, as Friends that we are all ministers.Register at https://BivocationalChurchJan26.eventbrite.com for this virtual event: Friday, January 16 at 7:00-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 17 at 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon & 1:00-4:00 p.m.

This event is offered ONLINE via Zoom.This two-day workship is “Pay-as-Led.” This means you pay what you can. We suggest a donation of $45 – $175 depending what you discern is appropriate for your circumstances. If you need to pay less, that is fine. If you are led to pay more, that is fine, too.

Register at https://BivocationalChurchJan26.eventbrite.com

MLK Day meeting for worship with sharing (virtual)
2026-01-19 19:00 - 20:30
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Friends are invited to gather online for a semi-programmed meeting for worship with sharing. Rooted in silence, reflection, and Spirit-led ministry, this time of communal worship will invite us to listen deeply both to one another and to the movement of the Spirit among us. Drawing on Dr. King’s vision of justice, nonviolence, and the Beloved Community, participants are encouraged to bring a meaningful quote or story from Dr. King to share as we reflect together on faithfulness, resistance, and hope in our time.

Quaker Leadership Center Info Session hosted by Pendle Hill
2026-01-21 19:30 - 20:30
Quaker Leadership Center Info Session (Hosted by Pendle Hill)

This event is hosted by Pendle Hill–please register and find out more at https://pendlehill.org/calendar/qlc-info-sessoin:

“We invite you to learn more about the Quaker Leadership Center, a ministry of Earlham School of Religion dedicated to renewing Quaker meetings by equipping Quaker learner-leaders through resources, trainings, events, and microcourses.

QLC believes that local meetings are the lifeblood of Quakerism but we know that many are struggling to find a way forward through challenges of distraction, division, and decline. We seek to renew local meetings by educating and equipping Quaker leaders of all kinds to skillfully and faithfully practice their ministry. We also believe the best and only way forward is together, so we seek to build new connections and collaborations. Let’s connect!

In this info session, you can learn about the QLC and Pendle Hill partnerships and upcoming learning opportunities with QLC. Co-directors Della Stanley-Green and Andy Stanton-Henry will share about the ministry of QLC and the 2026 programming and resources that could benefit your own ministry.”

Rural Ministry Series
2026-02-04 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Join us for this Rural Ministries Series! Register at https://RuralMinistry26.eventbrite.com to join us for any or all days!

February 4 ~ Farm Stress with Rachel Van BovenIn this interactive workshop, participants will be introduced to the urgent issue of farm stress in our communities. There will be time to reflect individually and together on the unique support that faith communities can offer farmers and farmworkers. We will also provide practical information and resources for faith communities.

Farming can be isolating and stressful, and for many farmers and farmworkers, faith communities are woven into their lives as an important place of connection and belonging. In this interactive workshop, participants will be introduced to the urgent issue of farm stress in our communities. We will present on the unique stressors that farmers face, and the opportunity that faith communities have in supporting farmers in crisis. Throughout the presentation, there will be time to reflect individually and share as a group on the values and support that faith communities can offer. In addition to deeper reflection, we will provide practical resources for faith communities. This workshop was created by a small and diverse group of folks with backgrounds in farming, mental and public health, and seminary training and who currently work to support farmer mental well being.

Bio:

Rachel Van Boven comes from a long line of farmers and has worked with farmers across the US as a Farm Aid hotline operator since 2021. In addition, she works on the Farm Stress Faith Leader Initiative, an effort to invite faith leaders and communities into conversations about farm stress. After a career in teaching, she earned a Masters in Religion from Earlham School of Religion in 2021 and trained in both interfaith chaplaincy and farming. Her passion is food justice, and she considers farmer well-being to be integral to that work

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February 5 ~ Young Adult Friends PanelJoin us for a discussion and deep dive into rural ministry, led by a panel of young friends: Lucy Enge, Jackson Napier, and Thomas Rockwell.

Bio: Lucy Enge (she/her) is passionate about the intersection of politics, agriculture, and religion. She is currently wrapping up life in Richmond, Indiana, where she recently finished her Master of Arts in Peace and Social Transformation at Earlham School of Religion and has been leading Earlham College’s certified organic Miller Farm. She is a recorded minister and finds her calling sometimes in but mostly beyond the pulpit focused on service: doing good and walking with people—holding space for and moving toward a better world. She is a Wilmington College Board of Trustees member and is co-clerk of the Friends Committee on National Legislation’s Quaker Governance and Engagement Committee. Lucy is joining her partner Connor in Roanoke County, Virginia, and enjoys knitting, cooking, and gardening.

Bio: Jackson Napier is a Quaker (more info coming).

Bio: Tom Rockwell serves as the associate superintendent of Western Yearly Meeting and co-pastor at West Elkton (Ohio) Meeting. He is particularly interested in leadership development and organizational renewal. Tom lives with his wife, Jade (program director of Quaker Connect with Friends World Committee for Consultation), and daughter Agatha in Richmond, Indiana.

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February 11 ~ Biblical & Theological Resources for Rural Ministry with Andy Stanton-Henry

Andy leads a workshop exploring Biblical, theological, and Quaker themes in rural ministry.

Bio: Andy is a writer and Quaker minister living in East Tennessee. He is the co-director of the Quaker Leadership Center and co-pastor of Lakeway Quaker Meeting. Andy carries a concern for Quaker renewal and rural ministry leading him to publish Recovering Abundance: Twelve Practices for Small-Town Leadership.

Mental Health First Aid Training & Certification (Virtual)
2026-02-27 09:00 - 17:00
Mental Health & Substance Use ChallengesLearn to identify, understand, & respond to adults’ needs

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.

Mental Health First Aid Training & Certification is taught by Kelly Burk, a certified trainer. There are only 30 seats available for this online opportunity. Fee of $150 includes the interactive workshop, course certification, and resource materials for each attendee to keep. (Keep in mind that this course includes pre-work that MUST be done prior to the day of the workshop!)

Limited scholarships available (Contact qlcoffice@earlham.edu to request a scholarship.)

Register at https://qlcoffersmhfa2-27.eventbrite.com.

Sing a New Hymn
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual
Join us as we explore new directions with hymns inspiring seekers and Quakers today. Amy Duckett Wagner leads this engaging session. Register & find out more at https://SingaNewHymn.eventbrite.com!

Learn about the recent Quaker Hymn Contest sponsored by Latin American Quakers in the FWCC – COAL Region (Central America, Cuba and Mexico), inspired by World Quaker Day. In addition, we’ll share some worship, discuss songs old and new, and maybe learn a simple song. Some time in break out rooms for worship-sharing will be included and we hope to leave you with resource ideas to bring back to your worship spaces. All are welcome!

We will also get to hear briefly from Melinda Wenner Bradley and Nate Macy who will be presenters at the QLC’s Sing A New Song: Music & Ministry (4th annual Quaker Leadership Conference on April 16-18. Register and find out more info about that event at qlcsinganewsong.eventbrite.com).

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Amy Duckett Wagner (she/her) hails from Leni Lenape land. Her Quaker worship communities include Fallsington Monthly Meeting (where member William Penn worshiped while founding Pennsylvania for religious freedom), and Pendle Hill daily international worship. She serves as the representative from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), a wonderful organization that worships and consults among Friends across The Americas and internationally. Her day-to-day work involves performing music, writing, and workshops that feed the spirit. A published author of a history book, 3 music CDs, and scores of songs, she creates from Harmony Hill, her Pennsylvania home. Amy is led to travel for worship among Friends and enjoy walks in nature wherever she is.

We're All Ministers: An Introduction
2026-03-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual
What do Quakers/Friends mean when we say that we are ALL ministers? Join Phil Baisley in engaging this important question. Register at https://QLC-All-Ministers-Intro.eventbrite.com

The Quaker Leadership Center is pleased to have Phil Baisley engage Friends in this important question. He has opened up the conversation about ALL of us being ministers in two places: his own Friends Meeting and with Rwandan Friends pastors. Now he’s offering this opportunity to Friends virtually starting with this introductory session.

Curious? Check out this video and join us!: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ux7le8jjHLs

Beyond Consensus: Discerning the Mind of Christ Clerking Meetings of the Society of Friends (Workshop with Dave Goff)
2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:30
Join us virtually on Thursday, March 19 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (ET).Beyond Consensus: Discerning the Mind of Christ Clerking Meetings of the Society of Friends

This workshop led by Dave Goff explores the basics of clerking a meeting within the Society of Friends. The primary focus is clerking committee meetings, but the principles can be used at all levels of Quaker business. These principles of discernment are effective whether one is clerking at the Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly Meeting level or beyond.

Dave Goff is originally from Washington D.C. He is a convinced Friend and shares with his wife Melodi the pastorate of Jamestown Friends Meeting in Jamestown, Ohio. Dave served over 25 years as pastor of Lost Creek Friends in Tennessee and has served as clerk of a number of committees in Wilmington Yearly Meeting. In addition to committee appointments, he has served as Presiding Clerk of Wilmington Yearly Meeting and of Friendsville Quarterly Meeting. Currently Dave is the Clerk of Ministry and Counsel for Wilmington Yearly Meeting as well as various other committees.Register and find out more at https://BeyondConsensus.eventbrite.com.

Mental Health First Aid Training & Certification
2026-03-20 09:00 - 17:00
Mental Health & Substance Use ChallengesLearn to identify, understand, & respond to adults’ needs

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.

Mental Health First Aid Training & Certification is taught by Kelly Burk, a certified trainer. There are only 30 seats available for this in-person opportunity. Fee of $150 includes the interactive workshop, course certification, lunch, and resource materials for each attendee to keep. (Keep in mind that this course includes pre-work that MUST be done prior to the day of the workshop!)

Limited scholarships available (Contact qlcoffice@earlham.edu to request a scholarship.)

Register at https://mhfaqlcmarch2026.eventbrite.com.

Sing a New Song
2026-04-16 19:00 - 2026-04-18 13:00
Join QLC to engage in music ministry and the “musicality of ministry” with Nate Macy & Melinda Wenner Bradley @ ESR in Richmond IN. Register & find out more at QLCSingANewSong.eventbrite.com!

Join us as we come together to discern how we are being called to follow the biblical & spiritual imperative to “sing a new song” – whether literally or metaphorically. Through keynotes, workshops, worship, singing, and small groups we will listen for the songs rising in our hearts and from the divine heart. We will consider practical wisdom for music ministry as well as spiritual wisdom about the “musicality of ministry.” Whether you are a musician, worship leader, or non-musical Friend, you will benefit from our time together.

More info is forthcoming!

NOTE: If you need scholarship assistance, please email to stanlde1@earlham.edu.

26' Perkins Family Lecture: For the Sake of the Joy - Noah Bishop Merrill
2026-04-24 19:00 - 20:30
Noah Bishop Merrill brings this year’s Perkins Family Lecture: For the Sake of the Joy: Meetings, Pilgrimage, and the Re-Olding of Quakerism

Noah Bishop Merrill, General Secretary for New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, will bring the 2026 Perkins Family Lecture, For the Sake of the Joy: Meetings, Pilgrimage, and the Re-Olding of Quakerism, on Friday, April 24, 7 PM @ Earlham School of Religion (Richmond, IN) and online.

Noah Bishop Merrill is a recorded Friends minister under the oversight and care of Putney Friends Meeting in southern Vermont. Noah carries a concern for the encouragement of Friends called to gospel ministry, and for the thriving of covenant communities sharing the pilgrimage of faith in the Friends tradition. Since 2013, he has served as Secretary for the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends.

The Quaker Leadership Center, a ministry of Earlham School of Religion(ESR), is the host for this ESR event.
