An album of photos from the recent Bridgefolk conference is now available on Facebook at the following site: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10150281106806600.
Author: gws
Woman’s journey from Mennonite to Catholic is a two-way street
Bridgefolk brings 2 churches together for dialog, worship
Dorothy Harnish is one of the local organizers for this year’s Bridgefolk conference in Akron, Pennsylvania. A local paper in Lancaster did the following feature story on her:
By JOAN KERN
Correspondent
Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal / New Era
Dorothy Harnish was a cradle Mennonite. And a teen Mennonite and a young adult Mennonite and a middle-aged Mennonite.
But now she’s a senior citizen Catholic, a member of Lancaster’s St. Leo the Great Catholic Church.
Harnish, 69, of Landisville, will gather with about 75 other Catholics and Mennonites at the 11th annual Bridgefolk Conference, Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 7. Continue reading “Woman’s journey from Mennonite to Catholic is a two-way street”
Uncovering ancient rhythms of daily prayer
WATERLOO, Ont. and SCOTTDALE, Pa. (Herald Press)— When he was a young adult, Arthur Boers’ 17 year-old sister died of leukemia. Torn by grief and unable to understand how God could allow such a terrible thing, he found himself unable to pray.
“At times I had nothing to say to God or did not know how to voice my prayers,” says Boers, author of the new Herald Press book Day by Day These Things We Pray: Uncovering Ancient Rhythms of Prayer.
“Sometimes I could think of things that I wanted to tell God, but was not sure whether they were legitimate or blasphemous,” he says. “So I clamped my mouth and my mind shut when thoughts turned toward God.”
Then a friend introduced him to the practice of using a prayer book for daily prayers.
“I was comforted because that volume gave me words to pray,” he says. “It helped me voice laments and also encouraged me to put my situation into a wider context. Slowly I learned to pray again.”
Today Boers wants to help others who are struggling with prayer find ways to connect with God though the use of set prayers and prayer books. Continue reading “Uncovering ancient rhythms of daily prayer”
Benedict XVI calls for simple lifestyles, nonviolence
Pope: God’s Love Is Cure for Ills of Society
Offers Reflection on “Yoke” of Christ
VATICAN CITY, JULY 3, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The answer to the many situations of injustice, poverty and suffering around the world lies in the love of God, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today in a reflection on the “yoke” of Christ, which he delivered before praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
“In today’s Gospel,” the Holy Father began, “the Lord Jesus repeats to us those words we know well, but which always move us: ‘Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.'” Continue reading “Benedict XVI calls for simple lifestyles, nonviolence”
Message of International Ecumenical Peace Convocation:
“Churches can teach nonviolence, if we dare”
The final message of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, held in Jamaica in May, closes by highlighting the witness of historic peace churches, and insisting that all churches can teach peace to the powerful:
History, especially in the witness of the historic peace churches, reminds us of the fact that violence is contrary to the will of God and can never resolve conflicts. It is for this reason that we are moving beyond the doctrine of just war towards a commitment to Just Peace. It requires moving from exclusive concepts of national security to safety for all. This includes a day-to-day responsibility to prevent, that is, to avoid violence at its root. Many practical aspects of the concept of Just Peace require discussion, discernment and elaboration. We continue to struggle with how innocent people can be protected from injustice, war and violence. In this light, we struggle with the concept of the “responsibility to protect” and its possible misuse. We urgently request that the WCC and related bodies further clarify their positions regarding this policy.
We advocate total nuclear disarmament and control of the proliferation of small arms.
We as churches are in a position to teach nonviolence to the powerful, if only we dare. For we are followers of one who came as a helpless infant, died on the Cross, told us to lay aside our swords, taught us to love our enemies and was resurrected from the dead.
To read the entire document click here.
For a reflection on the IEPC and its message by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, click here.
Pastor explains Mennonite faith on CNN blog
Goshen College, a Mennonite school in northern Indiana, has been in the news lately following the decision of its board to reverse an earlier decision and stop playing the U.S. national anthem before athletic events. In a blog post for CNN today, Mennonite pastor Mark Schloneger does an exceptionally good job of explaining Mennonite beliefs succinctly for a general audience. Bridgefolk participants may be interested. Click here to read.
Bridgefolk 2011 to explore hospitality, forgiveness, common worship
News release
Akron, PA (Bridgefolk) – Mennonites and Catholics will join together this summer in prayer and friendship at the tenth annual Bridgefolk summer conference. Entitled “Practices for our Life Together in Christ,” the 2011 summer conference will take place August 4-7 in Akron, Pennsylvania, and focus on the practices of hospitality, forgiveness, and common worship.
This summer’s conference will be the second in a series of summer conferences focusing on nine “key practices” of Bridgefolk. Over the course of three years, Bridgefolk conferences are exploring spiritual practices that sustain the active Christian lives of both Catholics and Mennonites. Mennonite Central Committee’s Welcoming Place will host the gathering. Continue reading “Bridgefolk 2011 to explore hospitality, forgiveness, common worship”
MWC’s Larry Miller to lead Global Christian Forum
Strasbourg, France (MWC)–The Global Christian Forum (GCF) has appointed Larry Miller to become its first full-time Secretary when he completes nearly 22 years as the General Secretary of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC).
The GCF, formed in 1998, is a growing global initiative that seeks to bring leaders of all Christian churches in the world together to foster mutual respect and to address common challenges.
Miller will begin officially with the GCF on January 1, 2012, at the same time that César García, MWC’s next General Secretary, assumes the position after a time of transition. Continue reading “MWC’s Larry Miller to lead Global Christian Forum”
Conference on “just peace” in the Netherlands later in June
An Amsterdam university and a Dutch Mennonite seminary will host a conference on “just peace” later this month. The occasion will also follow up on a recent international convocation on peace in Kingston, Jamaica, and inaugurate the professorship of Mennonite ecumenist Fernando Enns. Continue reading “Conference on “just peace” in the Netherlands later in June”