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.