Mennonites and Catholics from across the United States and Canada will gather at 草莓社区 in Harrisonburg, Va., this July to continue their ground-breaking grassroots ecumenical dialogue.

Called “Bridgefolk,” the annual summer conferences bring together Mennonites and Catholics on a voluntary basis to explore their two traditions. Participants include both laity and leadership. It was initiated by a group of interested individuals, both Catholic and Mennonite.

The conference will begin Thursday evening, July 21, with dinner and conclude at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 24. The gathering is open to the public.

The first conference was held in 1999 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mt. Pleasant, Pa. Since then, annual summer conferences have been held at Saint John