​Program ​

 

FRIDAY

 

Stories from the Holy Land

3:30 – 5:30 pm

A panel discussion about what has life been like in Israel/Palestine since October 7 between Mercy Aiken, Mae Cannon, Andrew Bush, and Daniel Bannoura. Ben Norquist will introduce the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East and meet likeminded participants.

 

Dinner and table talk 

5:30 - 6:45 pm

Join a circle, enjoy a meal, make a new friend.

 

American Christian support for Modern Israel

7:00–8:30 pm

Bruce Fisk will explain the many reasons why Israel is important to so many Christians.

Rainsong will lead us in prayers and songs for the peoples of the Land.

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SATURDAY

 

Morning brew (coffee, juice, water, treats, chit chat) 

 

Two Peoples, One Land: 150 years of Complicated History 

8:45–9:35 am

Heather Keaney offers an ultra brief history of Palestine and Israel. The history really matters and serves as a key for understanding the modern situation in the Middle East.

 

Gaza in the Mix

9:40–10:10 am

Mae Elise Cannon has published video updates on developments in Gaza every day since October 7, 2023. In this session we zoom in on the recent and current situation in Gaza.  

 

Hamas and Hezbollah

10:15–10:45am

Daniel Bannoura and Jonathan Kuttab will address the sensitive topic of Islamic militancy. What’s behind Islamic resistance and militancy in Gaza and Lebanon? What does Hamas want? Will the battle ever end? We will also hear recorded comments from Greg Khalil, Founder and President of Telos. 

 

When the Bible is the Problem

11:00 am–12:30 pm

Rob Dalrymple and David Crump will talk about the ways the Bible has been read and misread. They will discuss Christian Zionism and reading the Bible "backwards" and how to think about the book of Revelation. We will also hear recorded comments from Munther Isaac, Yohanna Katanacho, Anton Deik, and other theologians in the land answering our questions. Rainsong will lead us in prayers and songs for the peoples of the Land.

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Lunch and table talk

12:45 – 1:45 pm

Join a different circle, enjoy another meal, clear your head..

 

What’s next? Where to? What can I take home? (Ben Norquist)

2:00 – 3:30pm

Jer Swigart helps us consider how to make justice and peace a way of life. Then we will sit in on a live recording of Across the Divide as Daniel Bannoura talks with Mae Elise Cannon, Jonathan Kuttab, and Rob Dalrymple about practical steps to be an ally of peace. We conclude with an introduction to a new NEME course for churches and homeschool groups called Ascent to Jerusalem: Pilgrimage, Politics and Peacemaking in the Holy Land.

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Breakouts and Breaks in Santa Barbara

3:30 – 5:15 pm

Leader networking (Sally Carlson, Jeff Anderson, Jer Swigart, David Crump)

Hard conversations without making enemies (Mercy Aiken, Rob Dalrymple)

​Understanding Palestinian Christian Youth (Beth Seversen report on research)

Film Screening (TBA) and debrief (Daniel Bannoura, Jonathan Kuttab) 

Downtown Santa Barbara walk, café banter

Westmont campus walk, nature connection 

 

Dinner out on the town

5:30 – 6:45pm

Grab a few new friends and explore one of Montecito’s many restaurants for dinner tonight. Compare notes. Exhale.

 

Saturday Night Convocation

​7:00 – 9:00 pm

In this public session Kevin Hadduck will welcome us with a poetry reading from his collection, Beloved Brother, Beloved Sister: Poems for Palestine. We will also hear plenary talks by Daniel Bannoura on violence, Jonathan Kuttab on international law, and Mae Elise Cannon on the integrity of the Gospel. Rainsong will lead us in prayers and songs for the peoples of the Land.

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SUNDAY

 

Conversation with Terry and Darlene Wildman 

9:00 – 9:50 am

Native American stories and music. Readings from the First Nations Version of the New Testament. Native American and Palestinian common ground.

 

Sunday Gathering in the Sanctuary

​10am – 12pm

Sermon: “Rachel Still Weeps” – Matthew 2:13-18 (Bruce Fisk)

Music by Rainsong (Terry and Darlene Wildman)