VISITING THE SULTAN
OEF Northeast Regional Retreat
Little Portion Friary, Mt. Sinai, NY
Friday, September 9 – Sunday, September 11, 2011

More details!

In 1219, at the height of the Fifth Crusade, St.
Francis and one of his brothers traveled to Egypt and presented themselves
before the Sultan Malik al-Kamil, armed only with their faith in the Gospel
message of love and reconciliation, to try to negotiate a peaceful end to the
war. Although the final goal of bringing an end to the Crusades eluded them,
the encounter between them had a profound impact on the lives of both the saint
and the sultan.

As we mark the tenth anniversary of the September 11
terrorist attacks, and fear and mistrust between Christians and Muslims is
rife, the story of Francis’ visit to the Sultan speaks to us across the
centuries. This retreat will explore what this story has to say to 21st-century
Franciscans about our mission to be bearers of peace and reconciliation.

Tentative schedule:

Friday, September 9
4:00 pm              Introductory session
5:30 pm              Evening prayer (Friary chapel)
6:45 pm              Dinner
8:00 pm              Taizé prayer service

Saturday, September 10
7:00 am              Morning prayer (Friary chapel)
7:30 am              Breakfast
9:00 am              Main session
12:00 pm           Eucharist (Friary chapel)
12:45 pm           Lunch, followed by free time

Afternoon program options:

Performance of “The Fever” by Wallace Shawn (staged
reading by James Navarre, 2:00-5:00, Friary chapel):

A nameless person
from a privileged world, suffering from a sense of disconnection from his or
her comfortable life, travels to a poor country in the midst of civil war,
where his or her worldview is shattered. Suddenly deliriously ill, the narrator
collapses in a hotel room and confronts an internal chorus of conflicting
voices: dreams of comfort, images of physical and economic violence,
accusations of indifference, and cold-blooded arguments in favor of oppression.
The central question: what is a morally consistent way to live in the world as
it is?

OR:

Screening and discussion of “The Imam and the Pastor” (3:30-):

This 39-minute documentary film brings to life
the astonishing reconciliation between Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James
Wuye, and their peace-making initiatives which have ensued. They were leaders
of militant groups involved in conflict between Muslims and Christians in
Kaduna, northern Nigeria. Pastor Wuye lost a hand while Imam Ashafa's mentor
and two close relatives were killed in the fighting. Now they are taking bold
initiatives to promote co-operation and resolve conflicts. The film, narrated
by Rageh Omaar, shows that it is possible for the perpetrators of
inter-religious violence to become instigators of peace. It is a story of forgiveness
and a case study of grass-roots initiatives to rebuild communities torn apart
by conflict. Imam Ashafa and Pastor Wuye are the joint founders and directors
of the Inter-Faith Mediation Centre in Kaduna.

5:30 pm              Evening prayer (Friary chapel)
6:45 pm              Dinner
8:00 pm              Service of peace andreconciliation

Sunday, September 11

Morning prayer and breakfast, followed by…
Eucharist at friary and informal morning program

OR:

Peace pilgrimage

to Manhattan (depart around 8:15):
9/11 commemorative
Eucharist at Trinity Wall Street
Prayers for peace
at Ground Zero

REGISTRATION:
Please send your name, address, phone, email and
any dietary or other special needs to:
Shoshanah Kay, 386 Browns Rd. Storrs, CT 06268
along with a check for $160, payable to Susan
Kay.
*Please indicate whether
you need travel information, or scholarship assistance.
**Please also indicate whether you are
interested in attending the performance of "The Fever".