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.

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 12^th 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.

Click here to read.

Assisi: May religions bring justice and peace upon the earth

VATICAN CITY, 28 OCT 2011 (VIS) – Shortly before 4 p.m. yesterday, the Holy Father and the heads of delegation left the convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, and walked in procession across the square in front of the building. They then boarded minibuses which took them to Piazza San Francesco for the closing event of the Day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world.

The ceremony began with some remarks from Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue. He affirmed that the hope for peace had been revived by the Assisi meeting and exhorted everyone to be witnesses and messengers of peace. Continue reading “Assisi: May religions bring justice and peace upon the earth” →

Pope Benedict: Force in the name of Christian faith a great shame and an abuse

Assisi day of prayer for peace – today and 25 years ago

VATICAN CITY, 27 OCT 2011 (VIS) – Today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the historic meeting for peace in the Italian town of Assisi, called by Blessed John Paul II. For the occasion, Benedict XVI has made a pilgrimage to the city of St. Francis, accompanied by representatives of other religions and by non-believers, for a Day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world under the theme: “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace”.

The Pontiff and the members of the various delegations left the Vatican by train at 8 a.m. today, reaching Assisi at 9.45 a.m. where they were greeted by the civil and religious authorities in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. As the ceremony unfolded inside the basilica, the large numbers of faithful present were able to follow events on giant screens set up in the square outside.

Following a greeting from Cardinal Peter Kodwo Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, a video was screened in commemoration of the 1986 meeting. Then, one after the other, the representatives of the various religions rose to speak: His Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople; Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, Primate of the Anglican Communion; Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of France; Rev. Olav Fyske Tveit, secretary general of the World Council of Churches; Rabbi David Rosen, representative of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel; Wande Abimbola, spokesperson for the Yoruba faith; Acharya Shri Shrivatsa Goswami, representative for Hinduism; Ja-Seung, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism; Kyai Haji Hasyom Muzadi, secretary general of the International Conference of Islamic Schools, and Julia Kristeva, representing non-believers.

The Holy Father then rose to make his address, extracts of which are given below: Continue reading “Pope Benedict: Force in the name of Christian faith a great shame and an abuse” →

Pope Benedict: The Kingdom of Christ cannot be built by force

VATICAN CITY, 26 OCT 2011 (VIS) – Because of the rain, the Holy Father presided over this morning’s celebration of the Word in the Paul VI Hall, rather than in St. Peter’s Square as had been scheduled. The celebration of the Word took the place of the usual general audience, in view of the event due to take place tomorrow in the Italian town of Assisi: “Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace and Justice in the World: Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace”. Before the celebration this morning, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims gathered in the Vatican Basilica who had been unable to find space in the Paul VI Hall.

Following a greeting from Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the Pope’s vicar general for the diocese of Rome, and the readings from the Bible, the Holy Father pronounced his homily.

“As Christians”, he said, “we are convinced that prayer is the most precious contribution we can make to the cause of peace. For this reason we, the Church of Rome and pilgrims from elsewhere, are gathered here today to listen to the Word of God and to invoke the gift of peace”. Continue reading “Pope Benedict: The Kingdom of Christ cannot be built by force” →