Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
Friday, October 12 to Saturday, October 13, 2007

Though the idea and reality of ‘family’ has been central to Mennonite self-understanding, as reflected in scholarly analysis and popular depiction, there has been minimal research on or conversation about the meaning, structure, and function of families in Mennonite history. Even less examined is the notion of sexuality. A 1999 conference at Goshen College on the theme of ‘Family’ made significant inroads into investigations on this topic. The 2007 conference will contribute to historical understanding on such topics as the following: family relations within particular Mennonite immigrant or denominational subgroups; meanings of childhood and adolescence; widows and widowers; family demography; family size and fertility regulation; prescriptive literature on sexuality; theological perspectives on family and sexuality; domestic violence; sexual orientation; gender in Mennonite families; memoir/autobiographical explorations of family life; and comparative historical studies of family life, for example.

The planning committee, led by the Institute of Anabaptist-Mennonite Studies at CGUC, invites proposals for 20-minute paper presentations to be included within a 1 ˝ to 2 day conference with single sessions. Proposals can address any of the topics named above or other subjects that illuminate historical perspectives on Mennonites, family, and sexuality. It is expected that presentations reflect academic scholarship and will be of community interest. The conference program will reflect a combination of accepted paper proposals and invited presentations.

Please send an abstract/proposal (less than one page) and a one-page short CV by February 16, 2007 to Marlene Epp, mgepp@uwaterloo.ca Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA, N2L 3G6 519-885-0220 x 24257

Sponsored by: Institute of Anabaptist Mennonite Studies at Conrad Grebel University College; Mennonite Historical Society of Canada / Divergent Voices of Canadian Mennonites Sub-Committee; Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Conrad Grebel University College (CGUC) is a teaching and residential college affiliated with Mennonite Church Eastern Canada and located on the campus of and affiliated with the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario (approximately 1 ˝ hour drive from Toronto’s Pearson airport).