Bridgefolk Gathering

Making Peace:  At Table, In the World

 

Saint John’s Abbey, June 29-July 2, 2006

Calling ourselves a "movement of sacramentally-minded Mennonites and peace-minded Roman Catholics," Bridgefolk has often examined the challenge of peacemaking. We have also encountered the pain of brokenness that prevents us from fully sharing at the table of the Lord.  At the 2006 Bridgefolk gathering, therefore, we will continue to keep peacemaking in focus while frankly and lovingly facing the challenge of Eucharistic communion. 

Nowhere is the scandal of Christian disunity greater than when Christians depart from the Lord's Table to kill or exploit one another.  Nowhere is the promise of God's kingdom more tangible than when people from estranged nations and communities share a meal together.  Through formal presentations, storytelling and discussions, we will explore peacemaking at tables set in various places -- from the Eucharist, to the family, to communal and global settings. 

The 2006 Bridgefolk conference is being held just prior to the summer Monastic Institute at Saint John's Abbey. Entitled "One Heart, One Soul: Many Communities," this week-long institute will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Benedictines in Minnesota by discussing "intentional communities" and other new monastic models as they are springing up in unexpected forms, places and denominations.  Bridgefolk participants are encouraged to attend some or all of this event if they are able.

Conference Schedule (tentative as of March 9, 2006)

Thursday, June 29

 

Arrival and registration during the day

 

6:30 pm           Session 1:  Gathering at the Table

                        Welcome and appetizers

Opening liturgy and introduction of conference theme

                        Dinner

                        Evening song and prayer

                       

9:00                 After-dinner social hour

 

 

Friday, June 30

 

7:00 am           Morning prayer in Abbey Church

7:45                 Breakfast in cafeteria

 

9:00                 Session 2:  Making peace at domestic and local tables

                        Worship

Panel presentation:  Peacemaking at domestic tables (stories, experiences and issues in families, monastic communities, and intentional communities)

10:30               Break

 

11:00               Panel presentation:  Peacemaking at local tables (stories, experiences and issues in local Bridgefolk gatherings)

 

12 noon           Midday prayer in Abbey Church

12:15 pm         Lunch in cafeteria

 

1:45                 Session 3:  Making peace at world tables

Presentation:  Mennonites and Catholic stories and experiences of reconciliation in the global context

 

3:45                 Afternoon free time

                       

5:45                 Dinner in cafeteria

 

7:00                 Evening prayer in Abbey Church

 

7:45                 Session 4:  Singing at the Table (hymn sing and evening prayer)

 

 

Saturday, July 1

 

7:00 am           Morning prayer in Abbey Church

7:45                 Breakfast in cafeteria

 

9:00                 Session 5:  Making peace at the Lord’s Table

                        Worship

                        Presentation:  Introducing the Catholic communion tradition

10:30               Break

11:00               Presentation:  Introducing the Mennonite communion tradition

 

12 noon           Midday prayer in Abbey Church

12:15 pm         Lunch in cafeteria

 

1:30                 Session 6:  Making peace at the Lord’s Table in Bridgefolk

                        Worship

Small groups:  What does peacemaking at the Lord’s Table mean for Bridgefolk? 

                        Large group discussion

4:00                 Ice cream social

4:30                 Afternoon free time

 

5:30                 Mass with Collegeville Parish in lower level of Abbey Church

 

6:30                 Dinner in cafeteria

 

7:45                 Opening Session of Monastic Institute

                                    Keynote address:  Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB

                                    “Early Monasticism and Community Movements Today:

                                    What Is Old and New and How Do They Meet?”

8:30                 Wine and cheese reception

 

 

Sunday, July 2

 

7:00 am           Morning prayer in Abbey Church

7:45                 Breakfast in cafeteria

 

9:00                 Session 7:  Clearing the Table

(reflections on the gathering, Bridgefolk business,

issues for further consideration, etc.)

10:30               Closing Bridgefolk Worship

 

12 noon           Lunch in cafeteria

 

 

Monastic Institute continues through the week

Bridgefolk participants welcome – must register independently

 

2:00-3:00 pm   Kevin Seasoltz, OSB, “Monastic Liturgy and Prayer”

3:15-4:30         Optional activity

5:00                 Evening prayer in Abbey Church

 

5:45                 Dinner in cafeteria

7:00                 Concert by Bob Koopman, OSB

9:00                 Compline prayer in Abbey Church