An ecumenical delegation organized by Mennonite Central Committee — the arm of Mennonite churches in North America for relief, development and peacemaking — has just returned from Iran. Among the delegation was David Robinson, executive director of the Catholic peace organization Pax Christi USA. Continue reading “Mennonite Central Committee leads ecumenical delegation to Iran”
Author: gws
Benedict XVI calls for a “Christian revolution”
Invites Faithful to Respond to Evil With Good
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 18, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The “Christian revolution” of love is able to uproot evil and sow goodness in the world, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope made that statement today when addressing the thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square who defied the inclement weather to attend the recitation of the Angelus. In his address, the Holy Father reflected on Jesus’ mandate: “Love your enemies,” read in this Sunday’s liturgy.
“Christ’s proposal is realistic, because it takes into account that in the world there is too much violence, too much injustice, and that this situation cannot be overcome without positing more love, more kindness,” Benedict XVI said. “This ‘more’ comes from God.” Continue reading “Benedict XVI calls for a “Christian revolution””
Still more local dialogues in Winnipeg!
In our Bridgefolk Brief last week we provided updates on a number of local dialogues between Mennonites and Roman Catholics that have come to our attention. One of these relayed information from a Canadian magazine concerning a congregation-to-parish dialogue in Winnipeg. As it turns out, this is only the beginning. Dr. Helmut Harder responded with additional information on what’s happening with Catholic-Mennonite dialogue in Winnipeg: Continue reading “Still more local dialogues in Winnipeg!”
Local dialogues continue to emerge
Bridgefolk Briefs took a break last fall, but Mennonite / Catholic dialogue did not! Continue reading “Local dialogues continue to emerge”
New energy and initiatives emerge from Bridgefolk Board meeting
Bridgefolk leaders found renewed energy as they met December 15-17 at Saint John’s Abbey in Minnesota. The Bridgefolk board of directors chose a theme for next summer’s conference, initiated a process for revamping communication efforts, and took decisive first steps toward putting the ongoing work of Bridgefolk on a sustainable footing. Adding to the meeting’s energy are three new members, Mary Schertz and Darrin Snyder Belousek of Indiana, and Ron Pagnucco of Minnesota. Continue reading “New energy and initiatives emerge from Bridgefolk Board meeting”
Articles on 2006 Bridgefolk conference
Recent articles on the July gathering of Bridgefolk may be found in two Mennonite publications. In The Mennonite Weekly Review Robert Rhodes offers a summary of the annual gathering, which focused this year on peacemaking and on Mennonite and Roman Catholic communion traditions. [Article no longer available online.]
In The Mennonite, Gordon Houser also reports on the way the gathering focused around understanding the table fellowship of each denomination and on ways that members of Bridgefolk might continue to move together making peace around the table. Click here to read.
Two new books by Bridgefolk (good conference prep!)
Earlier this year Herald Press published two books written or edited by Bridgefolk board members Marlene Kropf and Gerald Schlabach. The themes of peacemaking and worship at God’s table coincide with the theme of our upcoming conference: Making Peace: At Table, in the World. Dip into one or both of these books as you prepare to attend the conference or join us in prayer. Continue reading “Two new books by Bridgefolk (good conference prep!)”
An Anabaptist liturgy of hours
book review by Doris Murphy
St. Bridget’s Parish, River Falls, Wisconsin
Boers, Arthur Paul, Barb Nelson Gingerich, Eleanor Kreider, and Mary H. Schertz, eds. Take Our Moments and Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book. Co-published with the Institute of Mennonite Studies. Scottdale, Pa.; Waterloo, Ont.: Herald Press, 2005. 226 pp. ISBN: 0-8361-9334-2. Price: $10.00; in Canada $12.00.
for more information and to order go to
http://www.ambs.edu/prayerbook or
http://www.mph.org/hp/books/takeourmoments.htm
Lionel Blue wrote: “To know another religion you have to experience it, taste it, join in its prayers.” Take Our Moments and Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book gave me an opportunity during Lent to experience, taste, and join in the prayer of the Anabaptist communities. This prayer book is guided by the peace, goodness, truth, and beauty reflected by that community and by the Spirit that is God. No matter one’s denominational affiliation, it is a call to prayer that can truly make anyone feel at home. Continue reading “An Anabaptist liturgy of hours”
Invitation to attend Bridgefolk conference
Dear friends,
Please join us for our fifth annual Bridgefolk conference. This year we will again gather at Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. Meeting from Thursday evening June 29 through Sunday noon July 2, our theme will be “Making Peace: At Table, in the World.” This year we are able to offer online registration as well as mail-in registration. You will find a tentative schedule, as well as registration materials at http://www.bridgefolk.net/conferences/.
Calling ourselves a “movement of sacramentally-minded Mennonites and peace-minded Roman Catholics,” Bridgefolk has often examined the challenge of peacemaking. We have also encountered the pain of brokenness that prevents us from fully sharing at the table of the Lord. At the 2006 Bridgefolk gathering, therefore, we will continue to keep peacemaking in focus while frankly and lovingly facing the challenge of Eucharistic communion.
Nowhere is the scandal of Christian disunity greater than when Christians depart from the Lord’s Table to kill or exploit one another. Nowhere is the promise of God’s kingdom more tangible than when people from estranged nations and communities share a meal together. Through formal presentations, storytelling and discussions, we will explore peacemaking at tables set in various places — from the Eucharist, to the family, to communal and global settings.
The 2006 Bridgefolk conference is being held just prior to the summer Monastic Institute at Saint John’s Abbey. Entitled “One Heart, One Soul: Many Communities,” this week-long institute will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Benedictines in Minnesota by discussing “intentional communities” and other new monastic models as they are springing up in unexpected forms, places and denominations. Bridgefolk participants are encouraged to attend some or all of this event if they are able. More information on the Monastic Institute is also available at http://www.bridgefolk.net/conferences/.
Grace and peace,
Gerald Schlabach
Bridgefolk Executive Director
info@bridgefolk.net
www.bridgefolk.net