Each fall and spring, more than 30 classes on subjects like history, arts, religion, contemporary issues, science, technology, wellness, etc. are offered at two host sites: at Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village and Landis Homes. The opportunities also include hands-on offerings and off-site excursions.
The Spring term usually runs from mid-March through the end of May. The Fall term runs from mid-September through the end of November. Usually, we have an open-house event (a kick-off event) at each host site – Lancaster County and the Capital Region – 4-5 weeks before each term. Registration for courses begins after the kick-off events.
Course catalogs become available a month before the term starts. You can view online or download and print a copy. We also have Courses-at-Glance documents which list all sessions in the chronological order.
You can register online, see the links under “Registration”. If you need help with registration, please contact a Pathways Institute office representative. The contact information is at the bottom of the website.
Anyone 55 and better can attend Pathways Institute courses. You do not have to be a resident of Messiah Village or Landis Homes.
Membership Benefits
- Reduced course fees
- Priority access to courses
- Guest access, allowing you to bring a friend to one 1-2 session course once a term, free of charge
- Priority access to special events sponsored by Pathways Institute and our partner organizations
- Access to overnight trips offered by Messiah Lifeways and Landis Communities
- Access to events at Messiah University (for participants in the Capital Region)
- Access to events from partner organizations (for participants in the Capital Region)
- Use of Messiah University’s Murray Library with borrowing privileges at no cost (for participants in the Capital Region)
- An option to sit in on Messiah University courses, subject to availability (for participants in the Capital Region)
Membership is not required to participate in Pathways Institute courses. However, members will receive various benefits, see the section “What are the benefits of membership with Pathways Institute?”
Membership is $39 per term for community members and $22 per term for Messiah Village residents; Fernecrest Priority Club Member or Charter Member, Susquehanna Conference Brethren in Christ (BIC) members; and Landis Communities residents, partners, and affiliates. Membership is not required to participate in Pathways Institute courses, however, members receive various valuable benefits, see the section “What are the benefits of membership with Pathways Institute?”
Financial assistance is available to qualifying individuals in the Capital Region. Contact our office for more information.
Course Fees
Each course has a fee, which is listed in the catalog under each course description. Please note that the fees for members are reduced. Some courses have additional costs (for supplies, admission, etc.) which are noted in the course description.
| Course Fees | Member | Non-member |
| 1-2 session course | $14 | $28 |
| 3-4 session course | $17 | $34 |
| 5-6 session course | $20 | $40 |
| Excursion Fee* | $16 | $32 |
* Additional costs may apply for admission, transportation, etc.
To guarantee your spot in a course, all fees must be prepaid before the start of the course. For excursions and offsite opportunities, the fees must be paid two weeks prior to the day of the event.
Financial assistance is available to qualifying individuals in the Capital Region. Contact our office for more information.
You can pay registration fees online using a credit card. You can also mail a check made out to Messiah Home (for the Capital Region participants) or Landis HCBS (for Lancaster County participants)
- Membership fees are non-refundable.
- Non-attendance (no-show) does not constitute a course drop and does not qualify for a refund or credit.
- If a course is canceled by Pathways Institute, a participant will either receive a full credit toward a future course in the same term, or a full refund.
- Changes in instructor, format, or schedule do not constitute course cancellation.
- Members who drop a course at least 14 days before the course start date will receive a full credit toward a future course, or a full refund.
- Non-members who drop a course at least 14 days before the start date will receive credit toward a future course or a refund, minus a $10 cancellation fee.
- No refunds or credits are issued for drops made 13 days or fewer before the course start date.
- Credits must be used within the current term and will be refunded if unused; credits do not carry over to a new term.
- Refunds are issued using the original payment method before the end of the term.
- Pathways Institute reserves the right to review refund requests on a case-by-case basis in extenuating circumstances.