A bridge is something that spans a space - a space that otherwise is impossible or difficult to move through, across or over to get to the other side. We are in one “location” and need to get to another to continue our journey. There’s a gap between where we are now and where we need to be. A bridge can make it possible to get there. Because without a bridge the landscape the bridge spans may be difficult, dangerous, or impossible to navigate. It might be a tumultuous river, a deep chasm, a murky swamp filled with dangerous creatures, a seemingly bottomless empty space – a real or metaphorical space that needs to be safely bridged “or else.” Of course, a bridge can be simply the quicker, shorter way to get from here to there, an alternative to going out of our way, or taking a longer route, or more time to get to where we want or need to go.

A favorite “oldie but goodie” for me is “Bridge over troubled waters” by Simon and Garfunkle and later sung by Roberta Flack in an earlier decade of my life, but with resonance for any decade of life. Reflection on the lyrics of the song raises interesting thoughts for the curious or contemplative. Some thoughts: like when I have faced “bridging” times in my life. When I have been on one side or another or in the middle of or walking across such a bridge from one “location” towards another. Of course "location" is a variable term: physical, mental, financial, emotional, relational, etc., etc.

Other thoughts: Who has in the past accompanied me across bridges? When has someone been a bridge for me? When have I been a bridge, or a bridge builder for others? When/ how have I encouraged someone to step onto a bridge to travel forward into what is waiting for them or someone done that for me? When have I waited on the other side to greet someone coming across a bridge that I may have already crossed? Or who might be on the other side of a bridge I am crossing waiting to welcome me on new ground? 

Bridges span transitional spaces and times. I believe we are in bridge awareness times now. Many old landscapes have shifted, have become less habitable, have become depleted and new ones are beckoning us forward. We are being drawn forward to discover new ground in so many areas of life, ground that can support and nurture newly abundant life.

It’s time to discover and work together to bridge from the old to the new and renewed. Bridge building, bridge making, bridge walking, bridge being. Bridge crossing from what has been to what is waiting on the other side of difficult times. For each other and for the world around us. Play with the images, become the possibilities. It’s sacred work because it is God's work in, by, and through us.

Torrence

The opportunity to donate to our St. John's/Farnham contribution to the Ten Thousand Reasons Haiti Medical Mission we have supported in years past continues. We are so close to meeting the $700 goal to pay the airline baggage fees for ten bags of medical supplies ($70 fee per bag). Many of you have already donated at our church services, but for those of you who haven't or who simply want to get us to the goal, that would be great. Checks can be made out to St. John's/Farnham Discretionary account and either mailed to St. John's at P. O. Box 1093, Warsaw Va 22572, dropped through the office mail slot at St. John's or brought to church on Sunday. Cash (either in the Sunday service plate) or in an envelope slipped through the office mail slot works too.

the haven could use the following donations for shelter activities:

All proceeds from this event benefit The Haven Shelter & Services, Inc. You can purchase your tickets here. website for the haven

Courtenay Altaffer

Ford Becker

Junius Berger

Martha Berger

Randall Bone

Sue Bowie

Sallie Cox

Constance Edwards

Bob File

David Gallagher

Carlton George

Regina Griggs

Barbara Grander

Dorothy Grove

Sandy Wade Hagan

The Rev. Howard Hanchey

Kelsey Heidenreich

Billy Hooper

Rebecca Hubert

Marcia Jenkins

Mary Douglas Lawton

The Rt. Rev. Peter Lee

Susan Lewis

Frank Lynch

Susannah Marais

Tommy Neuman

Judi Newman

James Rynd

Debbie Belfield Stacks

Scott Strickler

Waldy Sulik

Billy Tennyson

Roclyn Tennyson

Elizabeth Valentine

John Welch, II

Matthew Yates

Rose Mary Zellner

the people of Haiti and

the victims of COVID-