Our friend and mentor Gene Herr died on January 1, 2012. Below are his obituary and funeral plans, from http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/geneherr. Continue reading “Gene Herr, RIP”
Author: gws
Please pray for Gene Herr
We have just received news that Gene Herr, who has been struggling with brain cancer, is in the hospital and may be nearing death. Gene has been a friend and mentor to many in Bridgefolk. Many of the Mennonites who participated in the early years of Bridgefolk credit him and his decades of ministry in the Mennonite Church with pointing them toward the contemplative and liturgical resources of Catholicism. After years of pastoral and youth ministry, Gene and his wife Mary founded The Hermitage in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was one of twenty-five people who participated in the first exploratory “bridging retreat” in Laurelville PA in 1999 that led to Bridgefolk. A few years ago, after retiring in Kansas, Gene was received into the Catholic Church, while continuing to participate actively with Mary in their local Mennonite congregation.
Yesterday, December 23rd, Gene’s daughter posted the following on his CaringBridge page.
These days we are sitting by dad’s bedside and he is mostly sleeping. When he is awake he is often still sweet and funny. At times he is disoriented and confused. There is a pump administering morphine and his system is slowly shutting down so that the digestive problems cannot cause him so much pain. We know these are the last weeks or maybe last days.
Recently Allie, granddaughter from the Washington, DC area and her fiance Brian came for a couple of days. It was a wonderful visit. Karl, Mary Lynne and Jes are here and Heather comes in tonight. Phil and Magda arrive the 26th. Ellen’s daughters have all been by recently as well to see their grandpa.
Lots of beautiful friends have come by to say goodbye as well. Many great memories, laughter and tears are shared. Tonight as my dad was talking to granddaughter Amber he said, “I am most grateful for two things- my faith and my family.” Because of his faith, many of you are in our lives and we have been richly blessed.
Pray for comfort and peace for our dad’s journey to Heaven. Please pray for strength of body and spirit for our mom. We are so grateful for this time and for this man who continues to teach us so much.
Peace, love, and Merry Christmas to you all.
Please join us in prayer and gratitude for Gene and his family.
For further updates, visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/geneherr.
Advent issue of The Mennonite features cover story on Mary
For Advent this year, the cover story for the December issue of The Mennonite asks how Mennonites should think of Mary as “model and mother.” A related article reflects on Mary’s Magnificat, and two poems portray the role of Joseph and Elizabeth in the drama of Jesus’ birth. Another article, by Bridgefolk board member Darrin Snyder Belousek, recounts his story of returning to faith through friendship with Roman Catholics. The Mennonite is the official denominational magazine of Mennonite Church USA.
Surprised by joy: a personal story of Advent
by Darrin W. Snyder Belousek
The Mennonite, December 2011
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.—Luke 1:46-49
This is Mary’s great song of praise to God. Mary sings with joy because she has been surprised by God—“he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” Mary has been favored by God’s grace in a personal, intimate way—she is blessed with a child, God’s own Son—and she sings with joy in thanksgiving for this wonderful thing God is doing.
Like Mary, I love to sing—and to sing with joy. (Though I doubt I will ever be called “blessed” on account of my singing.) And I sing with joy because I, too, have known the surprising grace of God in a personal, intimate way.
Although I have loved to sing since childhood, I have not always sung with joy. For several years during my 20s there was no joy. I was one of those who “sit in darkness” beneath the shadow of fear, waiting for the Lord, watching for “the dawn from on high to break” (Psalm 130:5-6; Luke 1:78-79). Having wandered from the church, I was walking the shadowy vale alone. Continue reading “Surprised by joy: a personal story of Advent”
Global Christian Forum holds second international gathering
News Release
Mennonite World Conference
by Ron Rempel, MWC news editor
Manado, Indonesia (MWC) –Anabaptists were among the 287 participants in a diverse Christian gathering held here October 4-7, 2011. The meeting was the second international gathering of the Global Christian Forum (GCF). The first was held in Kenya in 2007.
Participants came from 65 countries and all continents and brought together many streams of the Christian faith: African Instituted, Anglican, Catholic, Charismatic, Evangelical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Protestant, mega churches and contemplative communities.
Leaders at the gathering came from 12 world Christian communions and nine global ecumenical organizations. Mennonite World Conference (MWC) was represented by Anne-Cathy Graber, MWC representative on the GCF Committee, Danisa Ndlovu, MWC president, and Larry Miller, MWC general secretary. Miller was introduced at the gathering as the new GCF secretary beginning January 2012. Continue reading “Global Christian Forum holds second international gathering”
Mennonite leaders reflect positively on Assisi day of prayer
News Release
Mennonite World Conference
by Ron Rempel, MWC news editor
Assisi, Italy (MWC) —Danisa Ndlovu, Mennonite World Conference (MWC) president, and Larry Miller, MWC general secretary, joined with leaders of many other religious communities and several humanist organizations October 27, 2011 for a day of reflection, dialogue and personal prayer in Assisi, Italy, the home of the 12th century Catholic friar and preacher, St. Francis, known for his commitment to peace. Continue reading “Mennonite leaders reflect positively on Assisi day of prayer”
Exploring Christian formation, post-Christendom
New book honors legacy of Alan & Eleanor Kreider
by Mary E. Klassen
News Release
Elkhart, Ind. (AMBS) – “For people who think being a Mennonite or Anabaptist is a disadvantage today, Alan and Eleanor Kreider prove it is not true,” James Krabill said at an event celebrating a new book that honors the mission-worker-and-educator team.
Krabill and Stuart Murray, a leader in the Anabaptist Network in England, hope to extend the Kreiders’ gracious and unapologetic approach to matters of faith with the book they have edited. Forming Christian Habits in Post-Christendom: The Legacy of Alan and Eleanor Kreider is a way to recognize their contributions and to expand on themes important to them, Krabill said.
Alan and Eleanor served in England with Mennonite Board of Missions for 26 years. In addition, they have traveled extensively inNorth Americaand many other countries in their ministry of teaching. More recently, Alan served on the faculty of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary from 2004 to 2009, and Eleanor was an adjunct instructor at AMBS in addition to being involved in Prairie Street Mennonite Church. They have participated regularly in Bridgefolk, often as conference speakers.
“The thing that has been most important,” Krabill emphasized, “is the balance in their approach to engaging people in conversations from a missional perspective. Alan and Eleanor have stayed in conversation with people in high-church groups, with Pentecostals, and with other believers, all with such a gracious spirit.” Continue reading “Exploring Christian formation, post-Christendom”
Herald Press devotional named “best of best”
by Steve Shenk
Mennonite Church Canada/MennoMedia joint release
WATERLOO, Ont. and HARRISONBURG, Va.—A Herald Press devotional book has been selected as Worship Leader magazine’s “best of the best” in the team devotionals category for 2011. The magazine published the winners list in its Oct. 7 issue.
The devotional is Take Our Moments and Our Days, Volume 2, published in 2010.
Worship Leader’s annual guide for the world of worship includes everything from the best music resources to the ultimate software, visual and presentation technology, worship training, musical instruments, apps, sound and recording equipment, books and devotionals to the leading products in lighting, screens, and projectors.
“The special annual issue has evolved from a general buyer’s guide and bonus issue to one of the year’s central issues for Worship Leader—and the most back-ordered,” said Daniele Kimes, vice president for sales and marketing.
Take Our Moments and Our Days, Volume 2 was compiled by Paul Boers, Barbara Nelson Gingerich, Eleanor Kreider, John Rempel, and Mary Schertz. It is subtitled An Anabaptist Prayer Book, Advent through Pentecost. The thick, hard-cover book is available for $40 in Canada and $34.99 in the U.S.
The devotional can be purchased at www.MennoMedia.org or 800-631-6535 (Canada) and 800-245-7894 (U.S).
Herald Press is the book imprint of MennoMedia, a ministry of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA
Jesuit university partners with Mennonite congregation to aid homeless
Seattle University, a Catholic and Jesuit institution, has published an article in its quarterly journal that features an article on the partnership between its College of Nursing and Seattle Mennonite Church. The partnership contributes to the congregation’s ministry to people without homes. The article notes that “The emphasis on social justice and community outreach among Mennonites is not unlike SU’s Jesuit Catholic character and mission…” Weldon Nisly, co-founder of Bridgefolk and long-time board member, is pastor of Seattle Mennonite Church.