SUNDAY HEALING SERVICE WITH THE BRIDGE OF PEACE

“The Bridge of Peace Ceremony came to us through inspiration in 1995. The idea came from the notion of creating a way, building a bridge, to meet each other in heart and to forge new relationships. The bridge is a symbol of crossing over the barriers that many of us hold in our hearts, or that generations past have held. It is also a symbol of being willing to embrace someone different so that we become bigger and greater by our ability to accept and love someone different than ourselves."

After reading aloud the history and meaning of the Bridge of Peace, our healing service and Bridge of Peace began. The Denver Chapter of WFWP had the innovative idea to hold this ceremony on July 24, during the Sunday worship service of Colorado Family Church where the Holy Spirit would be free to move, uplift, refresh, and most of all, guide us all to repentance and forgiveness.

Gale Alves and son Justino Alves

The Bridge of Peace that was used was a simple yet elegant structure, placed directly on the altar of the church. Six pairs crossed the bridge, some represented specific family relationships and some represented races that are in conflict.

“We all know the black and white issue in America is out of control. We pray the violence and hatred can stop. We pray the Holy Spirit can bring God's healing love to the race issue." Melissa Webb and Justine Daboni representing a racial healing, walked to the opposite ends of the bridge. First, they offered a bow of repentance to one another and then another bow expressing forgiveness, they crossed the bridge to each other and embraced. Everyone who was there was vicariously a part of that embrace. Sadness, hope, guilt, joy, pain, struggle, and release: All of those emotions were present, heightened and then were eased. God's love, if we tap into it and cling to it, can help us transcend the barriers of racism, one step at a time.

Gale Alves and son Justino

The family relationships that were represented during this Bridge of Peace ceremony were mothers, brothers, a father and daughter; a mother and son; a father and son. The mother and son crossing had an additionally poignant aspect to it. The Bible records many important mother son relationships of cooperation that were necessary for God's Will to go forward: Jacob and his mother Rebekeh, Moses and his mother, Jesus and Mother Mary, to name just a few. My son Justino and I crossed the bridge with great love for one another and with the internal awareness of these and other important mother son relationships. Some were successful, and others were not. We were both praying and crying for healing of the deeply important mother son bond. And we were both grateful for the love we have for each other.

The two brothers who crossed the bridge were jubilant when they came down from the bridge. One of the brothers, Jas Smith, commented: "The most important part for me was a reminder of how powerful the Bridge of Peace ceremony is. It is a genius approach for people to visually see, that whatever our differences are, we all want the same thing: unity and peace. No matter who you are, you can't help feeling a possibility that mankind has a hope to live in a world of love. The world needs that right now. And the Bridge of Peace is a picture of that possibility."

Group Photo

The father and daughter, father and son, and mothers crossings were very moving as well. Tears and heartfelt hugs conveyed sincere appreciation, yearning for closer relationships, a desire for new beginnings, and happiness for the opportunity to express love for one another so openly.

The Denver WFWP Chapter is grateful to Pastors Mike and Adonia Hentrich for being willing to have the Bridge of Peace ceremony take place during the Sunday service. The WFWP team felt it was the right place to allow God's love to be expressed with action.

The ceremony concluded with all the participants on their feet, clapping and swaying to the very apt song "Give Me a Higher Love," by Steve Winwood.

Melissa Webb and Justine Daboni

Melissa Webb and Justine Daboni

Nobiyuki Ichinohe and his daughter Tami Ichinohe Tamayo

Roger Fuehrer and Jas Smith healing the brothers' relationship