The latest cover story in Sojourners magazine caught my eye for an obvious reason — it is about “bridging.” No, it is not about Mennonite-Catholic or even Catholic-Protestant bridging. It is about left-right, blue-state-red-state bridging. Those divides are quite familiar within both the Mennonite and the Catholic Church, however. And the article offers some wise counsel for any Christian in any kind of bridging ministry. So here are the opening paragraphs, and a link to the entire article for those who are interested in reading on. — Gerald Schlabach Continue reading “Wise counsel on “bridging” many divides”
Author: gws
Prayers and gifts for Zimbabwe
As part of our recent Bridgefolk conference we joined with churches around the world in prayer on July 24 for our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe. We also took up a collection for the Brethren in Christ (Mennonite-affiliated) and Roman Catholic churches of Zimbabwe, which totaled $1,500. The following news release from Mennonite World Conference provides an update on this global day of prayer and mentions Bridgefolk along the way. Continue reading “Prayers and gifts for Zimbabwe”
A few announcements
The Bridgefolk Board met in conjunction with our July conference in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and wishes to make a few brief announcements:
- Our 2006 conference will be held at Saint John’s Abbey, either July 5-8 or July 6-9. We will hold the conference in conjunction with Saint John’s annual Monastic Institute, July 1-7. On the occasion of the abbey’s sesquicentennial celebration, the institute will include a focus on new forms of monastic life, including lay communities. Mark your calendars for the next Bridgefolk conference and consider participating in the Monastic Institute as well.
- With regret, we accepted the resignation of Sheri Hostetler, pastor of San Francisco Mennonite Church. Sheri has found that her responsibilities as a new mother have made it difficult to travel to Bridgefolk meetings. Many thanks for your friendship, service and prayers, Sheri.
- With gratitude, we elected Susan Kennel Harrison to the Bridgefolk Board. Susan is a chaplain and doctoral student at the University of Toronto.
- Meanwhile, behind the scenes other developments have been in the works: As of last April, Bridgefolk is incorporated in the state of Minnesota as a non-profit organization. We have also applied to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) status. This will facilitate acceptance of grants and donations in the future, which is something that a few of you have asked about. While we are committed to continue “proceeding through friendship” above all, we do anticipate doing some modest fund-raising within a few months. Stay tuned.
Update on Lutheran Mennonite Dialogue
For Immediate Release
July 8, 2005
LUTHERAN-MENNONITE INTERNATIONAL STUDY COMMISSION BEGINS WORK ON CONDEMNATIONS OF ANABAPTISTS
Strasbourg, France – The first meeting of the Lutheran-Mennonite International Study Commission took place at the Institute for Ecumenical Research here June 27 to July 1. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) sponsor this Study Commission.
The mandate of the commission is to consider the condemnations of Anabaptists in Lutheran confessional writings and their applicability to the teaching of Anabaptists/Mennonites today.
The commission heard major papers by Lutheran Prof. Dr. Gottfried Seebass, Heidelberg, Germany, and Mennonite Prof. Dr. John Roth, Goshen, Indiana, (USA) on “The Condemnations of Anabaptists in the Augsburg Confession and the Book of Concord: Their Historical Meaning, Purpose and Effect.”
Through its deliberations the commission became more deeply sensitive to the lasting memory of the suffering of Anabaptists at the time of the Reformation as a result of persecution by civil authorities in Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed areas. For Mennonites, the condemnations in Lutheran confessions have played a role in this regard. The commission is also aware that Christians of all confessions were victims of persecution in that period. Reflection on this matter raises serious questions concerning the theological rationale for pursuing religious and social goals by violent means, including torture and killing. Continue reading “Update on Lutheran Mennonite Dialogue”
MWC news release on Mennonite / Lutheran dialogue
The following news release concerns an ecumenical dialogue between Mennonites and Lutherans that in many ways parallels the dialogue between the Mennonite World Conference and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Church Unity. Many of you will find it of interest.
NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference
For Immediate Release
June 20, 2005
MENNONITES AND LUTHERANS WEIGH
16TH CENTURY ANABAPTIST CONDEMNATIONS
Strasbourg, France – Does the condemnation of Anabaptists spelled out in the
1530 Augsburg Confession apply to Mennonite World Conference member and
related churches today?
Mennonite and Lutheran scholars, theologians and historians will offer their
perspectives on this question at the first international MWC and Lutheran
World Federation Study Commission to be held at the Ecumenical Institute
here June 27 – July 1.
Planning for the international commission began in 2004 and will build on
national dialogues that have already been held between Mennonites and
Lutherans in France, Germany and the United States over several years. Those
discussions touched on similarities and differences between the faith groups
around issues such as baptism, the Lord’s Supper and relations between
church and state. But they also dealt with the Augsburg Confession and its
condemnation of Anabaptists, which is still foundational in Lutheran liturgy
and theology worldwide.
What connections exist between the Augsburg Confession’s condemnation of
Anabaptists and their execution in Lutheran lands in the 16th century? Does
the confession perpetuate mistaken images of Anabaptists and justify the
violence against them? What consequences emerge for relationships between
today’s Mennonites and Lutherans?
Questions such as these were raised in national dialogues. The commission
will consider whether conclusions reached there on these and other questions
can be received internationally.
The Study Commission’s primary work in Strasbourg will be on the Augsburg
Confession and its impact on today’s MWC and related churches. The
commission’s conclusions will be reported to the governing bodies of MWC and
the LWF for further action and possible official statements. Planners
anticipate three annual international dialogues.
Co-chairing the commission will be Rev. Rainer Burkhart, Mennonite church
leader in Germany, and Dr. Gottfried Seebass, Lutheran theologian, also
from Germany. Co-secretaries for the commission are Dr. Larry Miller from
Strasbourg, MWC executive secretary, and Rev. Sven Oppegaard from Geneva,
LWF Associate General Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs.
Study Commission members include participants from each of the previous
national dialogues. Other Mennonites among them are Dr. Claude Baecher,
theologian and professor from France; and Dr. John Roth, church history
professor from Goshen College (USA). New to Lutheran/Mennonite discussion is
Hellen Bradburn, a Mennonite theologian from Arusha, Tanzania, an area that
has approximately three million Lutherans.
—
Ferne Burkhardt, News Editor
Mennonite World Conference
German Mennonite theologian Fernando Enns lectures on the role of peace churches in ecumenical movement
NEWS RELEASE
Mennonite World Conference
For Immediate Release
June 14, 2005
Fernando Enns lectures in Canada address
‘A peace church in conversation’
Waterloo, Ont. (Canada) — “Our insights do not only belong to ourselves,
but are our gifts to the whole church.” This was Dr. Fernando Enns’
challenge to Anabaptist/Mennonites in his March 16 address at Conrad Grebel
University College here. The evening lecture, entitled “The Peace Church:
Dialogue and Diversity in the Ecumenical Movement,” was part of the fifth
annual Bechtel Lectures in Anabaptist/Mennonite Studies. Continue reading “German Mennonite theologian Fernando Enns lectures on the role of peace churches in ecumenical movement”
Mennonite and Catholic Churches in Colombia meeting this week
Representatives of three Mennonite and Brethren in Christ denominations in Colombia, South America are meeting this week with the Department of Doctrine and Ecumenism of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Colombia, as a follow-up to the international dialogue between Mennonites and Catholics.
This news comes in a letter from Pedro Stucky of Colombia to church members living outside the country, forwarded by Larry Miller of Mennonite World Conference and requesting prayer. The text appears below, in English and Spanish.
Let us joining in prayer that this historic meeting will further “the healing of memories” in Colombia and throughout Latin America. Continue reading “Mennonite and Catholic Churches in Colombia meeting this week”
Announcing Mennonite/Catholic Theological Colloquium, July 20-21
How Are We “Called Together?”
A Mennonite/Catholic Theological Colloquium
July 20-21, 2005
on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA
In 2004, theological exchange between Mennonites and Roman Catholics marked a historic milestone as delegations to the first international dialogue between representatives of Mennonite World Conference and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Church Unity released a final report summarizing their five years of conversation. “Called Together to be Peacemakers” (available at http://bridgefolk.net/theology) offers a common narrative of watershed events in church history especially during the 16th and 4th centuries. It explores theological perspectives that the two traditions both share and dispute concerning the nature of the Church, sacraments and ordinances, and peacemaking. It closes with mutual confessions of repentance for past violence and recrimination, thus inviting a “healing of memories.”
As it holds its fourth annual conference, Bridgefolk – a grassroots movement for dialogue and unity between Mennonites and Roman Catholics – invites theologians, historians and ecumenists from the two traditions to gather on the previous evening and day to reflect on what they have learned from this historic document and to explore next steps for promoting theological dialogue between Mennonites and Roman Catholics. Scholars from other churches who regularly find themselves in conversation with both traditions are also invited to attend, along with all participants in the Bridgefolk conference to follow.
The colloquium will begin on the evening of July 20 with a keynote address by John A. Lapp, church historian and former Executive Secretary of Mennonite Central Committee on “Ecumenical Dialogue as a Ministry of Reconciliation.” On July 21, the colloquium will hear theological reflections on “Called Together to Be Peacemakers” from both Mennonite and Roman Catholic ecumenists. Participants will have ample opportunity for their own responses and discussion. The meeting will conclude by exploring ways to follow through on the document’s suggestions for further study.
Invitation to 2005 Bridgefolk Conference: “Friendship on the Bridge”
Greetings in the name of our risen Savior!
I am writing to officially invite you to the 2005 gathering of Bridgefolk, to be held July 21-24 at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Attached you will find a registration form, along with a tentative program. These items are also available at the Bridgefolk website, www.bridgefolk.net, along with additional information and program highlights. You will note that the arrangements and costs are very similar to previous years.
This year’s Bridgefolk conference will focus on the role of friendship in building the Mennonite Catholic bridge. As we look back over the past few years it is clear that friendships of all kinds have played a major role in bringing us to this point. The advice we once received from leaders of the Sant’Egidio ecclesial community rings true: “Proceed through friendship.” We want to give special attention this year to how friendships in various settings and locales are creating new bridges.
Speakers this year will talk about the role of friendship in peacemaking, in community building and in ecumenical relationships, especially at the local level. The ‘haiku’ snapshots that were such a big success last year will focus on individual stories of friendship between Mennonites and Catholics. And as usual there will be plenty of free time for participants to renew old friendships and to make new ones.
Holding this summer’s conference at Eastern Mennonite University is a major step forward for Bridgefolk. It anchors us more firmly on the Mennonite side, and we also expect that the new location will attract a considerable number of new people into our conversation. For that reason it’s important for people who have attended in the past to return in order to help the new participants feel welcome.
Please register as early as possible. And think about bringing someone with you. Remember that your presence at the Bridgefolk conferences is one of the most important contributions to the bridge you can make.
Gerald W. Schlabach
Bridgefolk Executive Director