BridgeWorks First
Anniversary
BridgeWorks marks its first anniversary on January 1, 2008! Thank you for your support, encouragement, prayers, and invitations to be of service.
We have made 30 presentations in 5 states, serving 4 denominations, 2 annual conferences, and 1 seminary. It has been a wonderful year!
Find out where we'll be next year: Events
|
BridgeWorks
Contact Info
Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter
115 E. Miller Street
Rawlins WY 82301
307.324.5431 phone
307.320.6779 cell
rspeter1@msn.com
www.bridgeworkspresents.net |
|
Christmas Through Jewish Eyes 
I remember the first year I ever truly celebrated Christmas. I was nine or ten, growing up in an interfaith family with my Catholic father, Jewish mother, three brothers and one sister. Although us kids were raised Jewish, in deference to my father, our family celebrated all the holidays. So we had a Seder at Passover and a ham on Easter. We lit the Menorah at Chanukah and put up a tree and bought presents for Christmas.
But for our family, Jesus wasn't the reason for the season. Presents were!
That Christmas Eve though even presents couldn't excite me. I was sick with a sore throat. I couldn't make the traditional trip to Great-Granny Rozecki's for Polish Christmas treats. So I stayed at home with my mom. I remember sitting by the Christmas tree with Christmas carols playing over the old radio watching the glow of the colored lights and wondering about the Jesus being sung of.
And then for one brief moment I could feel his presence beside me at the Christmas tree. I was enveloped by a divine comfort as real and warm as the lights on the tree. Somehow I knew that everything was going to be all right. That "everything" encompassed more than my cold and missing out on holiday festivities. It was eschatological in scope--although of course I didn't know the word then. I just knew that I was cared for--no matter what.
It would be many years before Jesus would come to me again. And even longer before I would consciously open up my heart to him. But for one brief moment those many years ago there we were: a little Jewish girl and her someday Messiah. It's a moment I'll never forget.
|
|
 A Green Christmas
Christmas is the season for giving. Instead of engaging in excessive consumption as a sign of love, though, consider the following five ways to go green this Christmas. Show your love of the Creator and the Creation.
5. Pray for the Creation. My favorite Christmas carol lifts up God's good creation: "Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy."
But have you noticed the "sounding joy" is a bit muffled these days? Warmer winters, drier soils, and less snow seems to be the new norm. Earth's delicate balances are upset as the global climate warms. Peace is at stake.
For instance, did you know the genocidal conflict in Darfur is aggravated by the shrinking of Lake Chad? This important regional source of water in Africa's Sahel Desert was once the sixth largest lake in the world. Today it is 90% smaller than it was in the 1960s.
This Advent pray for the integrity of creation to be restored and for us to live in peace with Creator and Creation. Also, check out the liturgical resources for the new Season of Creation.
|
 Turning Pain Into Testimony: Finding Hope in the Midst of Hurt
Some people in your congregation won't be celebrating this year. Financial setbacks, deployment, divorce, death, and depression can turn the holiday season into a season of dread.
But you can reach the people who won't be singing fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la by offering a respite in the midst of the holiday season.
This restorative retreat, "Turning Pain Into Testimony," addresses pain, suffering and unanswered prayer. Using both ancient and contemporary practices of theological reflection, participants are guided to discover their own story in God's story.
Learn more about this retreat. Get answers to FAQs about offering a BridgeWorks presentation in your setting. |
|
|
|
|
