2013 Bridgefolk conference to focus on reconciliation
News release
June 6, 2013
Collegeville, MN (Bridgefolk) – Bridgefolk, the Mennonite-Catholic ecumenical organization, will hold its 12th annual conference July 25-28 at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The conference theme, “Reconciliation: A Way to Peace,” is one of a series focusing on key spiritual practices that unite both Mennonites and Roman Catholics.
Keynote presenter is John Rempel, Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre, who formerly taught theology at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Indiana). An area of passionate interest for Rempel has been Mennonite practices of footwashing.
Also presenting a keynote address is Christian McConnell, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, whose special interest is the liturgical and sacramental life of the church and the crucial role of these in being nourishment for discipleship.
Conference sessions will include times of worship, instruction, reflection, fellowship, a hymn sing led by Eastern Mennonite University Professor Ken Nafziger, and an ice cream social. As has been the practice from the beginning, participants will celebrate friendship and reconciliation in Christ in an agape meal and footwashing.
For the second time, Bridgefolk participants will experience a Double Eucharist, a service which includes both a Roman Catholic mass and a Mennonite communion service. Because full Eucharistic fellowship is not yet possible between Roman Catholics and other Christians, Bridgefolk members honor the pain of this separation and also celebrate their hope for the future by participating in worship that respects both traditions.
Describing themselves as “a movement of sacramentally-minded Mennonites and peace-minded Roman Catholics who come together to celebrate each other’s traditions, explore each other’s practices, and honor each other’s contribution to the mission of Christ’s church,” Bridgefolk welcomes all to attend the conference, especially those who’ve never participated before.
Many who attend the annual summer conference return year after year because of the spiritual refreshment they receive. Marlene Kropf, outgoing Bridgefolk board co-chair, says, “My hope for the unity of Christ’s body is renewed as we gather. Crossing boundaries to become friends is a spiritual practice I have come to cherish.”
Day registration options are available for Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27. For registration and schedule, see www.bridgefolk.net.