Mennonite Life, 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, has scheduled two events.

A virtual author talk with historian Troy Osborne will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be hosted on Zoom, with Osborne joining from Ontario. Osborne is the author of "Radicals & Reformers: A Survey of Global Anabaptist History."

Mennonite Life is joining a global faith community in celebrating the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism in 2025, and the organization will explore the movement's history at events throughout the year. The Anabaptist-Mennonite story has been marked by centuries of faithfulness and failure, continuity and conflict, and radicalism and reformation. "Radicals & Reformers" traces the origins and development of the Anabaptist and Mennonite movements from their beginnings in 16th-century Europe through their spread around the globe.

Osborne's research and teaching centers on Mennonite history and the Reformation, particularly the development of the Dutch Anabaptist tradition. Osborne is a professor of history and theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo. Copies of "Radicals & Reformers" are available for purchase in Mennonite Life stores and at http://www.mennonitelife.org/shop.

This event is complimentary. To register by Monday, Feb. 17, visit http://www.mennonitelife.org/events. Participants will receive the Zoom information via email several days before the event.

Mennonite Life will also offer a hands-on workshop exploring the art of fraktur on Friday, Feb. 21, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The program will be held in the Mennonite Life Community Room.

Guided by local artist Emily Smucker-Beidler, participants will begin with a tulip template and create a small finished piece in their own style. Smucker-Beidler will also instruct participants on how to transform their piece into a personalized bookplate.

Fraktur was created by Pennsylvania Germans in the 18th century and features calligraphic text decorated with colorful birds, hearts, and flowers. The tradition is rooted in the illuminated manuscripts of medieval Europe, but has evolved into a distinctive part of local Pennsylvania German culture. Emily Smucker-Beidler is a student of Roma Ruth, an artist from Montgomery County, and brings a lifetime of experience and enthusiasm to the workshop.

The workshop fee covers all materials, including a personal watercolor set. People of all ability levels are welcome.

Preregistration is required, and class capacity is limited. To register by Thursday, Feb. 20, visit http://www.mennonitelife.org/events.