The Anabaptist Center for Religion and Society (ACRS) was founded by a group of retirees living near Eastern Mennonite University who wished to share their growing vision for integrating and re-imaging Anabaptist faith and life in contemporary academia and the church. In seeking a common identity and purpose in the formation of ACRS, they soon discovered striking differences that for mutual understanding required the sharing of their life stories. (See Cal Redekop’s "Appendix" for a history of the beginnings of ACRS.) This sharing began informally but soon led to regular monthly presentations of the now popular "ACRS Monday Breakfast Series." The sixteen personal memoirs here represent the first volume of these presentations. (The dates of each presentation and any major revision are indicated at the end of each memoir.) 

Part I of this book reflects the early discussions "Making Sense …" of their personal journey of faith, as told by a historian, theologian, sociolo-gist, and theological ethicist. In "Part II … in the Church and Community," theologians, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and a social worker explore the geography of their journeys of faith and service. In "Part III … in the University and Society," scholars and professors of American and world history, education, and literature integrate their faith and professional disciplines with their life and work. Finally, in "Part IV … and Globally," leaders and educators in peace, art, mission, and the English language and culture describe how their work and faith became international.
The editors would like to thank the sixteen contributors for their openness in sharing their personal stories and their careful work on their manuscripts. 

Special recognition goes to Ray Gingerich, ACRS director, for organizing what became known as the "ACRS Monday Breakfast Series," which made this book project possible. Ray did double duty in compiling the index and serving also as the professional photographer for this book.

Our thanks, too, to our daughter, Suelyn Swiggum, who did the cover and interior design and prepared this book for the printer. 

ACRS also thanks Eastern Mennonite University, in particular Provost Beryl Brubaker, who also served on the ACRS Steering Committee, for support and subsidy of this publishing venture, which may appropriately contribute to "celebrating the vision" for the ninetieth anniversary of EMU (1917–2007). 

—Robert Lee and Nancy V. Lee