AllSouls
eNewsletter

September 11, 2019 Edition
THREE YEARS GATHERING TOGETHER
One September 11, 2017, St. Bridget’s hosted the first of 36 monthly ecumenical peace prayer services, with blessing walks in the neighborhood. New Creation Church in Minneapolis’s northside co-hosted the gathering at St. Bridget’s.

The monthly pattern was to pray in a hosting congregation, creating a sacred space to listen to speakers’ experience of violence. Hearing such stories expanded both minds and hearts of gathered listeners. After song and prayer, people would gather around hospitality goodies, and continue listening to others’ stories. They would often discuss questions emerging from reflection in the Come Together. A week later, people would gather again to prayerfully walk the hosting church’s neighborhood.
CREATING A SACRED SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO TELL THEIR STORIES AND TO HEAR OTHERS'
Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, non-denominational congregations have hosted Come Togethers, as have the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet and the seminarians of Luther Seminary. There was even a special inter-faith gathering at a Mosque. Come Togethers have been held in affluent suburbs, in challenged urban communities, in Minneapolis and in Saint Paul.

All this emerged out of a growing need for peace on a number of different levels: in the home, in the neighborhood, in the community, in the Twin Cities, in Minnesota, in the country, in the world. 

The first gathering, at St. Bridget’s, had roughly 300 in attendance. Some were there to remember the anniversary of 9/11. Others gathered because of a recent shooting of a child in Minneapolis. Others gathered because they saw
self-isolation as a contributor to growing violence. Still others came because they know the power of prayer and presence.

A week later, a smaller group gathered to walk for an hour in the neighborhood around St. Bridget’s, singing and blessing the neighborhood’s resident. After several such walks, neighbors would come out to be blessed and to bless those walking. Today, this Peace Walk is incorporated in the same Sunday as the ecumenical peace prayer service.
MORE THAN "THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS"
The most recent Come Together was covered by KSTP TV News, when the gathering was hosted by the Basilica in downtown Minneapolis. From there the group walked around the neighborhood, including the Jeremiah Project.   

The Jeremiah Project gives single mothers and their children shelter and protection, as well as an education.  Their Mission:  End the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children, two generations at a time. 

The person interviewed by Channel 5 – Bonnie Steele – is a member of both St. Bridget's and the Basilica. It was this St. Bridget parishioner’s connection with the Basilica that helped bring the ecumenical peace prayer to the Archdiocese’s largest parish. If you listen to Bonnie, you’ll hear the essence of what Come Together is all about.


Come Together is indeed, but not exclusively, a time to come together for "thoughts and prayers.” As faith communities of different traditions, we most definitely appreciate the power of prayer.
PUTTING THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS INTO ACTION
But there’s another powerful reason for gathering together; it’s probably best realized when one attends several of the monthly Come Togethers. Praying together, listening together, and discussing together can’t help but expand understanding. And from expanded understanding comes empathy … and, down the road, possible solutions to violence. 

After Philando Castile’s killing, Lutheran Social Services recognized the spiritual potential of these monthly gatherings. LSS staff and members began to attend Come Togethers, and Lutheran congregations began to host. Emerging from this prayerful gathering and discussion is a new initiative from LSS on Minneapolis’s northside. The former LSS executive director, Jodi Harpstead, committed new services in the Northside, addressing; thereby joining Catholic Charities ministry in the northside.
My own Come Together experience has been invaluable to me as a priest. When one only has minimal contact with people from different circumstances, it is easy to objectify the other. To "them-ify" others. To not fully understand others' experience. I believe I emotionally understand better what I might only have cognitively understood before.
The next Come Together  gathering will take place on Sunday, September 15th, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. We hope to see you there.

Sunday, September 15
4:00pm-6:00pm
Redeemer Lutheran Church
1800 Glenwood Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
Attached is a photo of the  L.S.S. Movement of Hope Award  given to St. Bridget’s parishioners and staff for beginning these monthly ecumenical prayer services (and walks) for peace. Many of the attendees at these gatherings have been St. Bridget's parishioners as well.   

Those helping to organize the first Come Together three years ago were: Heather Johnson, Bonnie Steele, Gerri Hare, Sister Gert Brixius, Deacon Rich Heinemann, Alex Schindler, and Cece Ryan from St. Bridget’s. And Pastor Paul Slack from New Creation Church.

~ Fr. Paul Jarvis
2ND ANNUAL "10 DAYS FREE FROM VIOLENCE SEPTEMBER 20-29,2019
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 6PM-8PM

LET PEACE & LOVE PREVAIL
Commissioned mural created by BLACKDAZE (  blackdazeart.com  ) for Twin Cities Nonviolent’s “10 Days Free From Violence” 3032 Fremont Avenue South, Mpls

The mural will wrap around a garage in Uptown Mpls, and will have artwork including “Peace” and “Love” inscribed in 20 languages
encouraging local, national, & global solidarity. Stories of Peace & Love told around the mural by people of various faiths, a short Peace walk with instruments & singing through Uptown, and a reception following. 

ALL ARE WELCOME & encouraged to bring Hope, your voice, instrument(s), families, & friends!  Let’s make America welcoming again!
AllSouls eNewsletter contacts:

Patty Stibal (Editor) - AllSoulsPattyS@gmail.com
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Fr. Paul Jarvis, Senior Associate Pastor - Parish Community of St. Bridget |