Janzen will speak about writing and music. Her contribution to hymn writing will be honored with the singing of hyms she has written and the performance of music inspired by her poetry.

In addition, on Nov. 9, at 7 p.m., Jean Janzen will read from her latest poetry collection, "Piano in the Vineyard" (2004), which follows five previous books - "Worlds for the Silence" (1984), "Three Mennonite Poets" (1986), "The Upside-Down Tree" (1992), "Snake in the Parsonage" (1995) and "Tasting the Dust" (2000). Janzen's poetry has also appeared in numerous poetry journals and anthologies, and her hymn texts can be found in The Hymnal of Mennonite Church USA.

Writing and teaching in Fresno, Calif., Janzen has received awards for her poetry and in 1995 was selected for the NEA Creative Writing Fellowship.