Convening Groups to Foster Dialogue on Vital Issues

Bridge Building brings together diverse groups of people–adults and young adults, community leaders and concerned individuals–to heighten understanding, enhance interpersonal relationships, and encourage collaboration. Activities focus on areas of common interest and concern. 2008-2009 highlighted ex-offenders and immigration in two breakfasts for community and church leaders, and a re-institution of the spring youth conference for developing high school leaders. 

The upcoming year will begin with a Leadership Breakfast on October 26 with a panel discussion on the mortgage and lending crisis. Honored presenters are The Honorable James Himes, Connecticut Congressman, Fourth District;  Mr. Michael J. Williams, President of Fannie Mae and Mr. Jeff Hayward, Vice President for Community Lending, Fannie Mae. 

Bridge Building is one of three interfaith partners in a “Tent of Abraham” series, promoting continuing Christian-Muslim-Jewish dialogue.  The topic of “Ramadan’s Ultimate Goal: God-Consciousness” will be the focus on October 18th at the Muslim Students Association at the University of Bridgeport.  Future dialogues are planned.

Bridge Building is also engaged in community organizing through the Connecticut Sponsoring Committee.

For more information about The Bridge Building Ministry, please contact Jack Hickey-Williams at jackh@ccgb.org.

The Bridge Building Advisory Committee is Co-Chaired by Larri W. Mazon, MSW and Dr. Margaret Palliser, O.P, S.T.D.  

 
 

Learn more about them:

 

 

Larri W. Mazon, M.S.W.

Director of Institutional Diversity Initiatives

Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

 

Larri Mazon was elected to the Board of Directors of The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport in 2000, and has served as Co-Chair of The Council’s Bridge Building Ministy for nine years. 

In this special work of building bridges of understanding across cultural divides, Larri brings profound personal and professional perspective.   Mr. Mazon has been with Fairfield University for 26 years and currently serves as the Director of Institutional Diversity Initiatives and Chair of the President’s Diversity Council. r. Mazon participated in the design and implementation of several programs within the Bridge Building Ministry.  In 1995 he was one of the founders of the Study Circles Project, and has facilitated numerous study circles and dialogue groups.  As a trainer he has personally trained dozens of facilitators.

A member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Mr. Mazon is a consultant who conducts workshops on Diversity and Multiculturalism at public and private schools, colleges and universities, community organizations and corporations.

For Larri’s leadership in cultivating respect and tolerance for religious, cultural, ethnic, and economic differences and fostering understanding and collaborations for the betterment of our Greater Bridgeport community, we give great thanks!
 

Dr. Margaret A. Palliser, O.P., S.T.D

Editor, Living with Christ

 

Dr. Margaret A. Palliser has served on The Council's Board of Directors as a CO-Chair of the Bridge Building Ministry since 1999, and was involved in that advisory committee for two years prior to joining the Board.

 

A key orchestrator for Bridge Building activities, she is always ready to take on any task, whether it be to manage logistics, coordinate arrangements with a guest speaker, supervise catering details, rearrange a room full of chairs at the last minute, create a flier or PowerPoint presentation, or  serve as a group facilitator.  Since 2005, her sensitive and practical leadership skills have been especially appreciated by the steering committee for the Tent of Abraham programs, co-sponsored by The Council with the American Institute for Islamic & Arabic Studies, The Jewish Center for Community Services, and Sacred Heart University.  

 

Sr. Margaret earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome as well as a master’s degree in Music from Boston University.  Arriving in Connecticut in 1993, she ministered at Sacred Heart University for 15 years in various capacities, including Director of Campus Ministry, Assistant Vice President for Mission, Director of the Center for Mission Education and Reflection, and Director of the Center for Spirituality and Ministry.  Margaret notes “I am very passionate about bringing people together for meaningful discussions that lead to better understanding.  Once we have come to know the “other” through personal experience, we are so much more ready to work for changes that respect each person’s dignity and worth as a son or daughter of God.  It is through the personal encounter with the “other” that hearts are changed!” 

 

Other members of the Bridge Building Advisory Committee are: Robert Lindquist, Bruce Dillingham, Carl Johnson, John Cottrell, Lena Warren, Rev. Marjorie Nunes, Rev. Bryan Leone, Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt, Rev. Hopeton Scott, Rev. Linda Kraft, Rosa Correa, Sandra Valdes-Lopez and Thomas Larson.