Bridgefolk, the movement of Mennonites and Roman Catholics who work toward Christian unity, will focus on ecumenical dialogue in an age of polarization at its annual conference July 24-27 at First Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Man.

The conference will look at the birth of Anabaptism from both Mennonite and Roman Catholic perspectives, what has changed in the past five centuries and the implications for ecumenical dialogue today.

The Mennonite keynote address will be given by Jennifer Otto, associate professor in the Department of History and Religion at the University of Lethbridge in Ontario. Her research investigates the reception and representation of early Christian martyrs among Anabaptists in the 16th century and in the present day.

The Roman Catholic keynote speaker, John Klassen, was abbot of Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., for over 23 years and was instrumental in starting and supporting Bridgefolk.

Registration information is at bridgefolk.net.