Category: Announcements

Andy Martin joins Bridgefolk Board, strengthening Canadian voice

Bridgefolk is pleased to welcome Andy Martin of Elmira, Ontario, Canada, on to its board.  Andy is married to Colleen and they have three (nearly) adult children. He grew up in Waterloo region in the conservative Mennonite church, which split from the (Old) Mennonite church in the late 1950s in order to hold to a more conservative practice and theology. At the age of 31 Andy left his community of origin and his career as an automotive technician and owner of several small businesses to pursue an education. “From the beginning this was a journey to discover the bigger questions in life,” he explains.

Andy completed an undergrad degree in music and a master’s degree in counseling in Manitoba at Providence College and Seminary and a master’s degree in theology from Conrad Grebel University College/University of Waterloo, with a thesis on the influence of fundamentalism on the conservative Mennonite movement directed by Mennonite historian and Bridgefolk participant Arnold Snyder. Continue reading “Andy Martin joins Bridgefolk Board, strengthening Canadian voice” →

New book interprets church apologies

In recent years, churches have repented for historical wrongs. In his new book, Ecclesial Repentance: The Churches Confront Their Sinful Pasts, Jeremy M. Bergen tells the story of these apologies and analyzes the theological issues they raise about the nature and mission of the church.

“In a context in which churches, as well as national governments, are increasingly offering public apologies for past acts of injustice and failure,” Bergen’s book, Ecclesial Repentance: The Churches Confront Their Sinful Pasts, “represents an important contribution.” In a review by Christopher Craig Brittain of the University of Aberdeen, Britton continues, “rather than seeing ecclesial repentance as undermining the Church’s reputation, or functioning as a self-serving public relations strategy, Bergen offers a theological account of how they help the Church be faithful to its mission. The result is a sensitive reflection on the complexities and perils of public apologies, as well as a thoughtful appreciation for their potential to facilitate the healing of past wounds.’ Continue reading “New book interprets church apologies” →

Uncovering ancient rhythms of daily prayer

Day by Day These Things We Pray

WATERLOO, Ont. and SCOTTDALE, Pa. (Herald Press)— When he was a young adult, Arthur Boers’ 17 year-old sister died of leukemia. Torn by grief and unable to understand how God could allow such a terrible thing, he found himself unable to pray.

“At times I had nothing to say to God or did not know how to voice my prayers,” says Boers, author of the new Herald Press book Day by Day These Things We Pray: Uncovering Ancient Rhythms of Prayer.

“Sometimes I could think of things that I wanted to tell God, but was not sure whether they were legitimate or blasphemous,” he says. “So I clamped my mouth and my mind shut when thoughts turned toward God.”

Then a friend introduced him to the practice of using a prayer book for daily prayers.

“I was comforted because that volume gave me words to pray,” he says. “It helped me voice laments and also encouraged me to put my situation into a wider context. Slowly I learned to pray again.”

Today Boers wants to help others who are struggling with prayer find ways to connect with God though the use of set prayers and prayer books. Continue reading “Uncovering ancient rhythms of daily prayer” →

Bridgefolk 2011 to explore hospitality, forgiveness, common worship

News release

MCC Welcoming Place
MCC Welcoming Place

Akron, PA (Bridgefolk) – Mennonites and Catholics will join together this summer in prayer and friendship at the tenth annual Bridgefolk summer conference.  Entitled “Practices for our Life Together in Christ,” the 2011 summer conference will take place August 4-7 in Akron, Pennsylvania, and focus on the practices of hospitality, forgiveness, and common worship.

This summer’s conference will be the second in a series of summer conferences focusing on nine “key practices” of Bridgefolk. Over the course of three years, Bridgefolk conferences are exploring spiritual practices that sustain the active Christian lives of both Catholics and Mennonites. Mennonite Central Committee’s Welcoming Place will host the gathering. Continue reading “Bridgefolk 2011 to explore hospitality, forgiveness, common worship” →

Conference on “just peace” in the Netherlands later in June

An Amsterdam university and a Dutch Mennonite seminary will host a conference on “just peace” later this month.  The occasion will also follow up on a recent international convocation on peace in Kingston, Jamaica, and inaugurate the professorship of Mennonite ecumenist Fernando Enns.  Continue reading “Conference on “just peace” in the Netherlands later in June” →

Harder to address future of Canadian ecumenism

Winnipeg, Man. — Dr. Helmut Harder, Professor Emeritus, Canadian Mennonite University, and former General Secretary of Mennonite Church Canada, will be a keynote speaker at the 20th Summer Ecumenical Institute at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, July 6 – 9.

Harder has a long history of working with ecumenical agenda, and is noted particularly for his initiative and years of experience in fostering a Roman Catholic-Mennonite dialogue, addressing both commonalities and differences. Continue reading “Harder to address future of Canadian ecumenism” →

Summer conference update

Bridgefolk Conference 2011

Mark your calendars for this summer’s conference: August 4-7 at the MCC Welcoming Place in Akron, PA. Conference planners have been meeting to finalize details and registration and conference information will be made available in April.

This summer’s conference, second in a series of three, will continue to explore “key practices” that we share as Mennonite and Catholic Christians.  Our gathering this summer will provide an opportunity to explore the practices of hospitality, forgiveness and common worship.

The conference, in the beautiful retreat setting of the Welcoming Place, will provide ample opportunity for personal reflection, sharing in small groups and corporate worship.

Watch the Bridgefolk website 2011 conference page for more information in coming weeks.