Siena Retreat Center Hosting the International Forgiveness Project

Siena Retreat Center, Racine, WI, is honored to host the International Forgiveness Project this summer, July 31- August 13. The purpose of hosting the exhibit and related programming is to offer to the broader community an opportunity to reflect on stories of forgiveness and the role forgiveness plays in a global, diverse, and complex society. The exhibit consists of twenty panels of thought-provoking images and personal narratives exploring forgiveness in the face of atrocity. Drawing together voices from South Africa, the United States, Israel, Palestine, Northern Ireland, and England, the exhibition examines forgiveness as a healing process, a path out of victimhood and, ultimately, a journey of hope.

In coordination with the exhibit, Siena Retreat Center is offering a Forgiveness Project Experience from Sunday, July 31 through Thursday August 4.  We are honored to host Sami Rasouli, co-Founder and Executive Director of Muslim Peacemaker Teams, Najaf, Iraq. The organization works to rebuild peaceful relationships between all Iraqis and between Iraqis and Americans. Mr. Rasouli will give the keynote address on Sunday in conjunction with the exhibit opening, as well as a presentation on Monday on the theme of Global Peace, Reconciliation and Forgiveness.

On Tuesday, Dusty Farnon, OP, trauma specialist, will speak on Trauma and Forgiveness, followed by a presentation on the Brain, Spirituality and Forgiveness by Colleen McGeady-Ambrose. On Wednesday, Fr. Terry Johnson will explore the topics of Forgiveness, Reconciliation and the Universe Story. Finally, Thursday’s presentations include Rabbi Dena Feingold on Forgiveness in the Jewish Tradition and Reirin Gumbel on Forgiveness in the Zen Buddhist Tradition.

Each afternoon will offer the opportunity to engage in discussion with others attending the event.  Evenings will feature shorter versions of some of the earlier presentations. We hope the event will stimulate ideas, conversations and actions related to forgiveness.

We invite you to be part of this experience. The exhibit will be open for public viewing each day from 8:30am until 8:30pm. Viewing of the exhibit is free. Individuals may register for the entire Forgiveness Project Experience, or for individual days or evenings. Visit www.SienaRetreatCenter.org or contact 262-898-2590 for more information.