Crossing Bridges Africa

19/12/2017

Crossing Bridges Africa has closed. For referrals to other organisations doing similar work, please contact Ros on [email protected] or 072 341 7098. Thank you.

19/12/2017

We begin by wishing all the Christian members of our family a blessed Advent and Christmas, and every member of our family good rest, fun and refreshment over this holiday period.

This is our final message to you.
Yet this is not the end. Some will continue to journey together in groups we began or in groups with whom we worked. All of us can continue the journey of crossing bridges where we find them and working together to build a more just society. We wish each of you grace on the journey. Meet you on the bridges!
--

01/11/2017

Inspiration for the week (with thanks to Dave Mitchell):
"For there to be new beginnings, there must be old endings" - Shabbir Banoobhai

01/11/2017

And secondly R-cubed: a critical dialogue on Trauma Beyond Violence (understanding continuous trauma)

TRAUMA BEYOND VIOLENCE A CRITICAL DIALOGUE

You are invited to join Dr. Lane Benjamin and the interdisciplinary team at R-Cubed for a critical dialogue on trauma beyond violence and trauma informed transformation.

We wish to share our conceptualization of trauma and our approach to understanding the historical and intergenerational nature of trauma in South Africa. You are invited as leaders from different sectors to critically reflect on how to engage with trauma and violence. We will create the space to step back from our daily focus and engage more broadly and holistically.

THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT - R-Cubed creates the mental, emotional and relational shifts necessary for organisations, companies, communities and individuals to function at their very best.

WHEN:
FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER @ 10:30 – 12:30

WHERE:
The Slave Lodge, Lecture Hall, Adderley Street, Cape Town

Limited space available.
RSVP to Maurietta Stewart
[email protected]/
073 4300 614
by Friday 10 November

Visit our website
www.r-cubed.co and like our page https://www.facebook.com/RCu bedct/

Join our annual Run and Ride to End Violence

01/11/2017

Two very strategic invitations from our partners. First, the Restitution Foundation's dialogue on Business and Restitution:

01/11/2017

Some of you will remember walking the labyrinth on one of our Diverse-city events. They have a special walk on Thursday:

All Soul's Labyrinth Walk on Thursday evening 2 November. We start at 17:30 and at 18:30 the All Soul's Requiem Mass will be celebrated. We invite you to join us as we walk, All are welcome to attend either or both. There is no cost.

This season is a time for ‘tender memories’ of those we love and who have died. We also hold in our hearts those who have died alone and afraid; and those who have no-one to remember and pray for them.

We are especially aware of those dying of hunger and malnutrition as a result of drought famine and war, gang violence, and the refugee crisis in many parts of the world.
We walk to remind ourselves of our own mortality and
our need to let go.
We often have no words to express our concern and so we walk,
‘ A way of praying with our feet.’

We will be walking for all of these intentions.

And our intentions find expression in the requiem that follows. The setting is that of Gabriel Fauré. It will be sung by the Cathedral Evensong Choir and Cathedral Chamber Choir.

01/11/2017

We had a wonderful time at our closing celebration, doing what Crossing Bridges Africa does best: sharing fabulous food; enjoying one another's company; and appreciating one another's stories.

If you would like to read some of them, go to http://crossingbridges.org.za/?page_id=65

We also had many requests to continue with these news snippets till the end of the year. So while we won't send out every week, we shall pop into your box occasionally until December!

Blog Some interesting stories from our closing celebration: What people had to say about our Movies and Events: Moira: One of my most memorable memories is going to a movie event at Thabo’s house. Besides getting lost in Khayelitsha and eventually finding his house, we had the most wonderful welcome...

17/10/2017

Your inspirations for the week, inspired by Diwali:

"The flame of the diya, or lamp, reminds us that light will ultimately triumph over darkness … and knowledge over ignorance. As that lamp is lit, we should all recommit ourselves to bring light to any place still facing darkness." (Barack Obama)

"What is the spark that will light up your fire – that will make you stand up and be counted and be among the guardians...?" (Jay Naidoo)

17/10/2017

Our Closing Meeting will be held on Saturday 28 October
at 29 Keert de Koe, Rondebosch, from 17:00-18:00.

Documents will be sent out next week.

This will be followed by a supper celebration from 18:30.

What to bring:
1. a dish/plate of eats that you have shared with the CBA community in the past, or is special to your family/culture/community and you would like to share
2. bring your own drinks
3. a story you want to share about Crossing Bridges Africa - it can be funny, sad, inspiring or challenging.

RSVP to Karen at [email protected]
Directions will be given on RSVP.

17/10/2017

We wish all the Hindu members of our family a joyful Diwali this week. The Festival of Lights has inspired our thoughts for the week (below) - with acknowledgement to Brij Maharaj.

10/10/2017

Your inspiration of the week:

10/10/2017

Our Closing Meeting will be held on Saturday 28 October at 29 Keert de Koe, Rondebosch, from 17:00-18:00.

Documents will be sent out in due course.

This will be followed by a supper celebration.

What to bring:

-a dish/plate of eats that you have shared with the CBA community in the past, or is special to your family/culture/community and you would like to share
-bring your own drinks
-a story you want to share about Crossing Bridges Africa - it can be funny, sad, inspiring or challenging.
RSVP to Karen at [email protected]. Directions will be given on RSVP.

21/09/2017

This Heritage Day, begin something wonderful! Sign up to the Language Challenge: : http://www.learnxhosa.co.za/the-heritage-day-salanguagechallenge2017/

The South African Language Challenge – Heritage Day 2017 Language has often divided people and language also has the potential of bringing us together. Let’s celebrate our heritage by taking an action that empowers us and others at the same time! We have put together this fun an...

21/09/2017

Inspiration for the week:
“There is more good in this world than evil. If every good person in South Africa raised their hand and committed to bringing change in one other person’s life, then within two generations South Africa could realistically be the global country of choice for all.”
- from the founding document of the Hannah Cornelius Trust, begun by her parents after her murder, which aims to play a role in establishing or expanding services needed to intervene, support and contain vulnerable children and to help the victims and survivors of crime and violence.

21/09/2017

A final reminder of the Special Meeting this Saturday 23 September from 2.30-4.30 pm at 22 De Villiers Avenue, Rosebank, to decide the future of Crossing Bridges Africa. All members are required to be there, or to send a written apology. Associates are very welcome and can request the document for the meeting from Karen at [email protected].

21/09/2017

This week holds a special place in the calendar: not one, but two, new years are being celebrated!

We wish all the Jewish members of our family a joyful Rosh Hashanah, and well over the fast.

And then the very next day, we wish all the Muslim members of our family all the best for their new year!

13/09/2017

Our inspiration for the week is a reflection attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero (archbishop in El Salvador; murdered in March 1980) but actually written by Ken Untener. While based in the Christian faith tradition, we believe it holds inspiration and encouragement for all of us:

It helps, now and then, to step back
and take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of
the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No programme accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.