BRIDGES: Can history help us?

• Can the history of bridges show us any thing about our faith journeys? Having seen the Caversham Bridge and short of getting the"T" shirt, I went to see the "movie" at the Reading Museum.
  Reading was thought to have begun it's genesis as a ford across the river Thames.
• 1086 there was a settlement of 600 people.
• 1100s saw the development of pilgrimage points at each side of the river.
• 1121 This was developed by King Henry I 1121 with the financing of Reading Abbey.
• Kings poured money into the development of the bridge as an important "way" to other places.
• The town prospered as a crossing place.
• It had it's of pain and conflict with the Vikings, Dissolution of the monasteries and the civil war.
• Rivers (Thames and Kennet) and bridges featured were consistent features in the history of Reading

My thoughts are:

• We need a history of bridges in our faith journeys.
• Bridges prompt new beginnings and refreshing experiences.
• They are places of conflict.
• Thy are places of vulnerability.
• They are places of prosperity.
• They give rise to a "way" or direction.
• Our histories of bridges are life stories.
• Our experiences of bridges adds value to communication with others.
• Bridges and can build community life.