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” →

Canadian Mennonite reports on ecumenical peace convocation

Canadian Mennonite magazine has just published a report on the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation held in May in Jamaica. The article draws on some of the news releases already posted here at Bridgefolk.Net, but also provides a helpful summary. Click here to read.

Peace message closes convocation, but work has only begun

KIngston, Jamaica (WCC) — Participants at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) released a message on Tuesday expressing their unified experience of a week-long exploration of a just peace and to navigate a path forward as they return to their homes and churches across the world.

Attempting to take into account each other’s contexts and histories, IEPC participants were unified in their aspiration that war should become illegal and that peace is central in all religious traditions.

The message states: “With partners of other faiths, we have recognized that peace is a core value in all religions, and the promise of peace extends to all people regardless of their traditions and commitments. Through intensified inter-religious dialogue we seek common ground with all world religions.” Continue reading “Peace message closes convocation, but work has only begun” →

Peacemaking can be rooted in theology and mission

Mennonite ecumenist Thomas Finger leads workshop

Kingston, Jamaica (WCC) — Making peace, as an integral part of the life of church mission and witness, has not been as common as one might think.

Rather, the opposite seems to be true, as, throughout history the church has found itself pointing the sharper rather than the blunt edge of the sword, many times using violence in the name of God. Following closely behind has been mission and theology – either justifying it or keeping silent.

Is it possible there is a non-coercive expression of mission and theology that can move the church toward being a peacemaker?

For Rev. Dr Thomas Finger, who is a member the Mennonite church, this was the point of discussion in a workshop at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC), held in Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday, 23 May. Continue reading “Peacemaking can be rooted in theology and mission” →

What does “God’s security” look like?

Lisa Schirch of Eastern Mennonite University participates on panel

Kingston, Jamaica (WCC) — As a 10-year-old schoolgirl, on 6 August 1945, at 8:15 a.m., Setsuko Thurlow, then Nakamura, suddenly saw a brilliant bluish light flash outside her schoolroom window. “I remember the sensation of floating in the air. When I regained consciousness, in the total darkness and silence, I found myself in the rubble.”

She began to hear her classmates’ faint voices: “Mom, help me. Dad, help me.”

Thurlow is a “hibakusha”, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, one of two nuclear bombs dropped on Japan by the United States toward the end of World War II. She is also a lifelong advocate against armaments. Continue reading “What does “God’s security” look like?” →

Pope salutes ecumenical peace convocation

Kingston, Jamaica (WCC) — Pope Benedict XVI saluted the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) on Sunday, praying that “every act of violence is eliminated.”

Before 30,000 people gathered at the Regina Caeli in St Peter’s Square, he commended the work of some 1,000 IEPC participants who are gathered in Jamaica to explore ways to move toward a just peace across the world.

“Let us join in prayer,” Benedict said, “for this noble intention, and recommit ourselves to eliminating violence in families, in society and in the international community.”

The IEPC participants have spent the past four days discussing the role of the church in ending violence between countries and within them. They have explored peace in the community, peace with the earth, and peace in the marketplace; on Monday, they will continue with peace among the peoples. On Tuesday, they will issue a convocation message that aims to unite churches worldwide in their vision of peacemaking.

The IEPC ends on Tuesday.

More information on cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and the WCC

Finding the strength to pursue a just peace

Kingston, Jamaica (WCC) — In war-torn or violent communities – and perhaps in so-called peaceful ones – reaching a state of just peace takes strength and courage.

Participants at the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) discussed on Friday how to help local people find the strength within themselves, and within their communities to resolve conflict and end violence through peaceful means.

The IEPC is being held in Kingston, Jamaica from 17-25 May and is sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) and the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC).

During the workshop called “Empowerment for Just Peace”, presenters shared practices of peace from historical and theological perspectives then culled ideas from workshop attendees for ways to strengthen this effort. Continue reading “Finding the strength to pursue a just peace” →