Recent Program Activities

December 2002 Issue 1

EP Mission Statement: (2) Global Forums: in collaboration with other interested persons and A Christian retreat center which seeks to organizations, beginning May, 2002 EP Retreat Center has organized and provide a serene environment and convened various forums focusing on selected peace, justice and integrity responsive programs, including spiritual issues. In these forums, special attention is being devoted to exploring retreats, family/youth inner-city ministry, appropriate responses. The forums thus far include: and global forums which promote peace, justice, renewal and reconciliation across  Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Biblical Perspectives: This forum was held ethnic, national, religious and economic at EP on May 29, 2002, and was moderated by Pastor Khouri (from barriers. Jordan and pastor of the Arabic Church in Washington D.C.). The forum was attended primarily by pastors from the surrounding areas. There Recent Program Activities was a very informative presentation of historical and modern day facts and events, enriched by active participation and dialogue on a wide (1) Retreats: Numerous individual and group range of issues. There was expressed interest for follow-up dialogue, retreats have continued to be held at EP, with increased attention on the current issues, possible ways forward, including use of the Shepherd’s Inn. Many of and appropriate responses. these retreat groups have signed up to return to EP, a reflection of participant satisfaction  Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Key Issues and the Way Forward: During with EP’s “homey” facilities and serene the period November 27-30, 2002, EP convened a forum on this vital environment, conducive to the deepening of subject, with 12 participants (ten graduate students in conflict resolution one’s spiritual journey. EP also has hosted programs in several Washington D.C. area universities, and included 3 several day retreats for groups from the Israelis, 5 Palestinians, and 4 other nationalities) to facilitate a dialogue surrounding area as well as from Washington on key issues and the way forward. On November 29, there was an D.C. As the information on EP continues to evening town hall meeting which enabled a dialogue between the be disseminated, we anticipate a continued surrounding communities and the graduate students, who shared key increase in demand for retreat usage. The points arising from the students’ dialogue and responded to questions need for retreat is being felt especially during from the community. The forum experience, including relationship these uncertain times, when there is an building, was profoundly meaningful for all involved. There was a increasing search for a sense of security and commitment by the participants to engage in followup forums/dialogues. deeper meaning in life. View of EP property (and current main lodge) Issue 1 EP Journal Page 2 A newsletter of Ezekiel’s Place Retreat Center December 2002 Brief Chronology of Key EP Milestones/Events:  EP Retreat Center vision evolved over a period of several years in the mid-1990s, while its founders (Dick and Barbara Anson) resided in Kenya, and the EP vision and mission were consolidated during the fall of 1998;  EP property search took place over a 3 year period, until suitable land was found in West Virginia in April, 2001;  EP was incorporated as a legal entity on June 4, 2001 (in W. Va.);  EP property was purchased on July 31, 2001;  EP property/house was “blessed” on September 23, 2001, attended by family and close friends, and held its first Board of Trustees meeting on the same day;  EP held its first retreat in December, 2001; Global Forum on Ethnic Conflicts  EP secured U.S. tax exempt status (501(c) 3) on March 5, 2002, Global Forums (continued from previous page)  EP convened its first global forum on May 29, 2002 (Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Biblical  Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation Initiatives: Dr. Ole Ronkei Perspective); (Kenyan Masai, and also EP Trustee member), while visiting the US,  Dick Anson, its Co-Director, retired early moderated this forum held on September 14, 2002. It was also EP’s from the World Bank in July, 2002, in order first fund raiser dinner. He shared some of his personal experiences in to focus, together with spouse/Co-Director promoting reconciliation among warring tribes in Transmara Kenya and Barbara, on EP programs and activities; he continues to work part-time (as “tent-maker”) to his initiatives to provide access to education and mentoring of youth raise funds for EP activities, with a focus on from low income families. Ole-Ronkei illustrated vividly servant- consultant assignments involving international leadership through example and the “power of one”. This forum poverty reduction, post-conflict/reconstruction, generated meaningful dialogue among the 20 participants, who also and governance; responded with their financial support and expanded interest in EP’s  EP expanded its facilities by purchasing the future activities. One participant opened an avenue for a Kenyan adjacent house/property (the “Shepherd’s Inn”) on July 31, 2002; student to apply for scholarship assistance.  EP held its first dinner fundraiser on September 14, 2002;  Integrity in the Workplace: Ethical issues are not just limited to  EP’s pond was excavated and completed in mid- Enron and other major corporate scandals. There is a recognition that October, 2002, and filled with underground and all of us face on a regular basis integrity dilemmas, and we need to take rain water by end-October, 2002;  EP has benefited from regular (about every a more proactive approach to addressing them soundly and quarter) Board of Trustee meetings which systematically. Accordingly, EP staff and partners are convening a provide guidance and accountability series of forums on Integrity in the Workplace. On November 1 and 2, 2002, there were two forums concerning: “Practical Principles on Addressing Integrity Dilemmas in the Workplace” --- the first forum was held at EP (in collaboration with Christo and Christo Associates (3) Emerging Relationships Toward A and Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce/Ethics Committee), and Family/Youth Ministry: Since mid-2002, Barbara the second was held in Morgantown, W. Va. (at the Law Center of West Anson has been spearheading the building of Virginia University, in collaboration with First Presbyterian Church). relationships with several inner city individuals and The forums brought together community leaders from public, private families (including a growing Hispanic immigrant and non-profit sectors, with substantive presentations and discussion of community) in the Martinsburg, W. Va. area. We various key concepts, principles, and tools to maintain integrity in the are exploring ways EP center can be used to support workplace. There was a recognition that these principles need to be their spiritual and other needs. EP is also continuing integrated in all aspects of our lives, and that through the transforming to explore with several inner-city ministries in the Washington D.C. area ways of using EP center power of Christ our lives can be changed to achieve and maintain facilities for selected families/youth. integrity. Various ideas were suggested for follow-up activities, including convening similar forums for other participants. For further details on the main points arising from the forum, please visit our website (www.ezekielsplace.com).

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”-2 Corinthians 5:18 Issue 1 EP Journal Page 3 A newsletter of Ezekiel’s Place Retreat Center December 2002 We Welcome our new EP Trustee Board Member: Global Forums (continued from previous page) In August, 2002, Ora Dixon, Course Leader, at the  Upcoming Forums: National Conservation Resource Center (W. Va.), was o Follow-Up Forums on Integrity in the Workplace: unanimously endorsed by the Board of Trustees to There is a follow-up integrity forum for another group of become a Trustee. Ora brings great organizational community leaders scheduled for January 10, 2003, as experience and insights, while also being the first W. well as some follow-up activities arising from the Virginian on the Board. Her husband, Clark, a integrity forums held on November 1 and 2; Superintendent for the National Park Service, also o Based on recent brainstorming meetings to discuss a provides wise advice to EP’s plans for organizing perceptive essay prepared by a friend (“Seeking the environmental education activities for youth. Mind Behind the Invisible Hand”, byMatthew Buresch), there are plans to convene a retreat(s) to reflect on this EP Facilities Have Expanded essay, with the aim of exploring with small groups  Shepherd’s Inn: On July 31, 2002, we were workable approaches to promoting a more authentic fortunate to purchase the house adjacent to our integration of the Christian faith in the business world; current property, which expands immediately our o Convening additional student forums (for college facilities, and enables EP to accommodate students in the Washington D.C. area coming from other overnight groups as large as 15 persons; countries which have been/are experiencing conflict), to  Pond is completed and now full: Given the explore possible avenues for promoting reconciliation. important symbolism of water, we are delighted We are actively discussing such forum ideas with some that the pond construction was completed by mid- Ethiopian friends who have an exciting vision for October, 2002. The soil conditions are ideal, promoting reconciliation among Ethiopians/Eritreans supplemented by underground springs, enabling the living in the Washington D.C. area, while also taking pond to be full by end-October, 2002. The pond is initiatives with colleagues in Ethiopia. envisioned to become an important area for reflection and life-giving (including stock of fish),  Other Forums: These will be organized during 2003, in as well as to further diversify the environmental response to the interests of partner groups/individuals, landscape of EP center. Building the pond was also forums to address relevant justice, poverty, integrity, and a safety measure, because EP is 9 miles from the environmental issues. Interested persons are encouraged to closest fire department. approach the EP Center Co-Directors with any special interests to work out appropriate activities and arrangements. Visit our New EP Website: (www.ezekielsplace.com): Andrus Shilling, who is a gifted computer programmer, and committed to peace and justice issues, did an excellent We welcome comments and suggestions on the above job of putting together our new website and newsletter. developments, and/or your inputs\collaboration on on-going and We are grateful for his commitment to their maintenance. future EP program activities. Please contact us: [email protected], or 304-754-6563.

EP's recently completed pond “This world is to be my home as much as it is the place which should not set the agenda for my life. It is the place which sustains me, but which also needs to be transformed by the grace of God. Thus, while participating in all of life, I need to draw aside to find a place of intimacy with the God who loves and sustains me. And from this reoccurring center-point I can be personally enriched so that I can continue to wash the feet of the world.” –From a Dare to Journey (by Charles Ringma with Henri Nouwen)