An annual religious gathering dedicated to the ideals of peace, healing, and reconciliation is scheduled to return to Antietam National Battlefield this month. The 56th Annual Dunker Church Service will welcome community members and visitors to the historic Dunker Church in Sharpsburg for a reflective service focused on nonviolence and spiritual renewal.
Set to begin at 3 p.m. on Sept. 20, the event takes place directly on the grounds closely tied to the historic Battle of Antietam. According to a community announcement regarding the upcoming program, the gathering provides an opportunity for attendees to reflect on enduring concepts of healing, reconciliation, and shalom within a setting marked by significant historical conflict.
The long-running service is rooted in the heritage and religious practices of the German Baptist Brethren. Members of this tradition originally earned the informal name "Dunkers" because of their distinctive custom of practicing baptism through full immersion in water, a defining characteristic of their faith and community life.
The broader religious movement first took shape in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708. Following its establishment in Europe, the movement expanded across generations and eventually developed into several distinct denominational bodies, including the modern Church of the Brethren, which continues to uphold the spiritual foundations established by its early founders.
Within the broader landscape of religious history, the Church of the Brethren is recognized as one of the traditional historic peace churches. This classification places the Brethren alongside other notable faith traditions that maintain an explicit commitment to peace and nonviolence, including the Quaker and Mennonite communities.
Those attending the upcoming ceremony at the battlefield can anticipate a full program of traditional worship elements. The order of service will include a formal welcome, a communal call to worship, congregational singing, selected scripture readings, special musical presentations, and collective prayers.
A central component of the service will be a keynote address delivered by Denise Kettering-Lane, a prominent scholar in the field of theological studies and denominational history who has dedicated much of her academic career to examining Brethren traditions.
Kettering-Lane currently serves as an associate professor of Brethren studies and holds the position of director of the Master of Arts program at Bethany Theological Seminary. Her scholarly work focuses heavily on the areas of German Pietism and gender studies, examining the historical and theological developments that helped shape modern faith communities.
Her academic career includes holding research fellowships at prestigious institutions, including the Institute for European History located in Mainz, Germany, as well as the University of Iowa. In addition to her teaching and administrative responsibilities at the seminary, she serves as the editor of the publication "Brethren Life and Thought" and resides in Dayton, Ohio, with her family.
The upcoming gathering continues a rich and unbroken custom at the Sharpsburg battlefield that has spanned more than five decades. Organizers emphasize that the ongoing tradition serves as an important moment on the calendar for those wishing to reflect on the contrast between war and peaceful resolution.
Paul Mundey, who serves as the chair of the Dunker Church Service Planning Committee, highlighted the deep historical and spiritual resonance of the annual event in his remarks for the announcement. He pointed out the significance of gathering at the church on the Sunday nearest to the anniversary of the Battle of Antietam.
Mundey explained that for more than half a century, individuals have made an intentional pilgrimage to the historic Dunker Church during this particular time of year. He observed that within this sacred space, participants are invited to encounter a compelling alternative to the widespread violence that has frequently defined human history.
Through this annual gathering, Mundey noted, participants are offered a meaningful opportunity to glimpse an enduring vision of reconciliation, restorative healing, and peace for all people, transforming a site once touched by conflict into a venue for spiritual reflection and unity.
The 56th Annual Dunker Church Service is officially sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic District of the Church of the Brethren. The organizers have confirmed that the event is completely free of charge and open to all members of the general public who wish to participate.
Because interior seating inside the historic meeting house is limited, event organizers strongly encourage prospective attendees to plan ahead and arrive early to secure space before the service gets underway.
To accommodate individuals who are unable to travel to Sharpsburg or attend the ceremony in person, organizers will provide remote access. A livestream of the entire service will be broadcast online through the Annual Dunker Church Service Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/dunkerchurchservice.
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