Bridgefolk Conference 2018
Mennonites and Catholics in Dialogue
“Toward a Just Peace: Eradicating the Evil of Racism”
St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN
July 26-29, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 17th annual Bridgefolk conference will be held July 26-29, 2018 at Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota.
Bridgefolk is a grassroots ecumenical movement of Mennonites and Catholics who work together toward Christian unity by “proceeding through friendship.” Newcomers are always welcome at Bridgefolk gatherings.
The 2018 conference theme is “Toward a Just Peace: Eradicating the Evil of Racism.” This conference will initiate a series of conferences around the topic of “Just Peace.” We intend this to be a new conceptual framework for thinking about a non-violent approach to living together. This year’s conference will focus on the systemic challenge of racism in our culture and in the churches.
The Catholic keynote address will be given by Anne McCarthy OSB, Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, who will speak on “Overturning Temple Tables: Toward Repairing a Racist Legacy.” She will be speaking out of the broad foundation of social justice teaching and nonviolence in the Catholic tradition, and the work for human dignity for all, on both theological and experiential levels.
The Mennonite keynote address will be given by Felipe Hinojosa, Associate Professor of History, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Teaching specialty in Latina/o – Chicana/o, Religion. Author of Latino Mennonites: Civil Rights, Faith, and Evangelical Culture (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014). Keynote title: “¡Cristo Si, McIntyre No!: What the disruption of Christmas Eve mass at St. Basil’s Church in Los Angeles in 1969 can teach us about race in America.”
Bridgefolk brings a unique set of gifts to this work: Mennonites and Catholics are in conversation and prayer with each other. Often we do our best learning in the presence of those who have had a different experience, who bring different assumptions and history to this burning challenge. Second, we are called together to be peacemakers, with a commitment to the non-violence of Jesus in the Gospel. This call shapes our approach to listening, speaking, thinking, and acting.
The conference will include a footwashing service and agape meal, as well as a hymn sing, which have become favorite elements of Bridgefolk gatherings.
Schedule
Registration
Inquiries may be directed to: <info@bridgefolk.net>.
