In violent times, Christians are called to be salt and light, building and sustaining peace. But what sustains peacemakers in the midst of suffering and discouragement? This will be our theme as we hear three sets of stories:
http://www.bridgefolk.net/conferences/past/2003bridgefolk/
This conference is being held to initiate an ecumenical study of the persecution and martyrdom of the sixteenth-century Anabaptist martyrs, the founders of the present day Mennonite and related communities. The conference will be the first time Catholics have publicly confronted these incidents, and the first time Mennonites have engaged in historical study of the martyrs in an ecumenical setting.
Having six Bridgefolk participants from the same town has allowed for shared reflection and brainstorming about local efforts. They report here on their opportunities to share at congregation, denominational office and college events. And they even discover Arnold Snyder's jazz piano.
Regina tells of her first encounter with Mennonites, and the effect that her husband's five years attending a Mennonite Church has had on their family, her ministry and her commitment to working for Christian unity.
Click here“We are all part of a multitude, receiving of the abundance that is Christ, and not only is there enough to go around, there is plenty for us to share with one another.” Much of this abundance we are given and asked to share comes out of our past. Out of the fractured history within the body of Christ, “important aspects of Christ’s gospel have been allowed to flourish in our different traditions” and “there is much to be learned from our differences.”
http://www.bridgefolk.net/2003/04/12/enough-to-go-around/
The Bridgefolk Steering Committee met a St. John’s November 8-10, 2002. Subjects covered included: creating a mission statement, confirming the Bridgefolk name, considering structures for the organization, planning the 2003 conference; reviewing the newsletter and suggesting the idea of regional groups.
Many thanks to Pat Shaver for getting this newsletter started by editing the first two issues. Family and professional transitions have required her to resign, but there is no doubt that she will continue to be an active Bridgefolk participant.
Additional volunteer opportunities may also emerge in the future. Please consider prayerfully how you might want to contribute to this developing movement. And don't wait to be asked! If you have ideas, let us know by to steering@bridgefolk.net.
Request for stories: Our for the newsletter is that it can keep us in conversation between meetings and allow people who don't attend meetings to be involved in the discussion. We would like to invite you to further this conversation by writing your story, or a part of it, for future issues of this newsletter. Visit the following link: http://bridgefolk.net/newsletter/02/request.htm. Then write to newsletter@bridgefolk.net
Bridgefolk Newsletter Statement of Purpose:
While this newsletter will continue to change and evolve with the organization, its preliminary goals are to:Bridgefolk tend to be passionate, committed, interested, reflective people. We are looking forward to your contributions of ideas, reflections, questions, prayers, helpful articles, experiences, stories, issues on which you would like others' thoughts, etc., to enable this newsletter to reflect you. If you will share your ideas, we will do our best to organize and present them. Address suggestions or letters to the editor to: newsletter@Bridgefolk.net.