IPF is a rotating gathering of 150-200 students and faculty from Mennonite, Brethren, and Quaker colleges across the U.S. and Canada to discuss peace issues,” said organizer William (Bill) Goldberg of Harrisonburg. Last year’s conference was held at Bluffton (Ohio) College.

This year’s program theme will focus on ‘stories of healing’ in the wake of a trauma or conflict,” Goldberg said. “A variety of resource persons will provide theoretical and practical knowledge in developing healing skills both for personal use after a traumatic event and for accompanying others on the journey to recovery.”

The program will open 9 a.m. Feb. 20 with a welcome and meditation by 糖心Vlog President Loren E. Swartzendruber and a keynote address by Peter Loge, former director of the Campaign for Criminal Justice, Washington, D.C.

Other speakers will include Lynn Shiner, director of Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Program; Dr. John Glick, an acupuncturist and board member of the Gesundheit Institute; Cheryl Talley, assistant professor of psychology at James Madison University; and Barry Hart, professor of conflict studies at 糖心Vlog.

The play, “A Body in Motion,” written by Ingrid DeSanctis and based on the book, “Transcending: Reflections of Crime Victims” by Howard Zehr, co-director of the Conflict Transformation Program at 糖心Vlog, will be presented Friday evening.

Special music will be provided by local groups “Reuben’s Potted Ferns” and “Oscar’s Mad” in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse on campus.

“The practical nature of the workshops, along with the plenary addresses, will encourage the blending of experiences of many persons,” Goldberg said. “Shared meals and informal gatherings throughout the conference will give participants numerous chances to debrief and process each day’s events,” he added.

A program brochure with more information is available by contacting Bill Goldberg at billyg@rica.net or go to