Breaking Cycles of Violence and Revenge
The Ammerdown Centre near Radstock which is nationally respected for
its work in fostering goodwill, understanding, forgiveness and
reconciliation, is to be officially reopened and rededicated following
last year’s multi-million pound refurbishment.
The ceremonies on Saturday 1 April will be attended by a private audience of guests including local state and religious dignitaries as well as key supporters who have played their part in the Centre’s busy 33 year past. Gratitude will be expressed for the generosity of over 700 faith groups, companies, trusts and individuals who supported the Ammerdown Development Appeal which made possible the new en-suite accommodation, the upgraded facilities for disabled people and the modern conference facilities.
In rededication of the Centre to its peace and reconciliation work, the Ammerdown Team will be focusing their attention on the power of forgiveness in a world dominated by strife and conflict. A major highlight will be ‘The F WORD’ exhibition which will be based at the Centre over the weekend and open to the public free of charge on Sunday 2 April from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm.
‘The F WORD’ exhibition depicts the collected stories of 26 people from all over the world whose lives had been shattered by violence, tragedy and injustice - and who have chosen to take the challenging, liberating and often painful journey towards forgiveness. One of those featured is Ms Camilla Carr who will address guests at Saturday’s ceremonies.
Camilla and her boyfriend (now her husband) went to Chechnya to set up a rehabilitation centre for traumatised war children in April 1997. Taken hostage by Chechnyan rebels they endured a 14 month ordeal during which Camilla was repeatedly raped by one of her jailers. She will tell how she survived this ordeal and what she has learnt through it.
“Rape is a terrible violation of a human being,” says Ms Carr. “I will never forgive the act, yet I can forgive the man who raped me; I can feel compassion for him because I understand the desperate place he was coming from.”
“Forgiveness for me is about acknowledgement, understanding and letting go; like peeling layers of an onion. It meant I didn’t stay in a place of bitterness. Forgiveness has huge implications for how we live and how we run our world. We can break cycles of violence and revenge. We acknowledge fear, and anger and grief and finally find a place of peace.”
All are welcome to visit the exhibition free of charge on Sunday afternoon and to enjoy afternoon refreshments in the beautiful setting of the Ammerdown Centre. You will also able to pick up a free brochure of the courses and events that Ammerdown has on offer this year and, if you so wish, take part in a short service of reconciliation at 5.00 pm in Ammerdown’s peaceful private Chapel.
For information on how to get to the Ammerdown Centre or on Ammerdown’s work, courses or events, contact 01761 433709 or visit their website.
Useful URL : http://www.ammerdown.org
The ceremonies on Saturday 1 April will be attended by a private audience of guests including local state and religious dignitaries as well as key supporters who have played their part in the Centre’s busy 33 year past. Gratitude will be expressed for the generosity of over 700 faith groups, companies, trusts and individuals who supported the Ammerdown Development Appeal which made possible the new en-suite accommodation, the upgraded facilities for disabled people and the modern conference facilities.
In rededication of the Centre to its peace and reconciliation work, the Ammerdown Team will be focusing their attention on the power of forgiveness in a world dominated by strife and conflict. A major highlight will be ‘The F WORD’ exhibition which will be based at the Centre over the weekend and open to the public free of charge on Sunday 2 April from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm.
‘The F WORD’ exhibition depicts the collected stories of 26 people from all over the world whose lives had been shattered by violence, tragedy and injustice - and who have chosen to take the challenging, liberating and often painful journey towards forgiveness. One of those featured is Ms Camilla Carr who will address guests at Saturday’s ceremonies.
Camilla and her boyfriend (now her husband) went to Chechnya to set up a rehabilitation centre for traumatised war children in April 1997. Taken hostage by Chechnyan rebels they endured a 14 month ordeal during which Camilla was repeatedly raped by one of her jailers. She will tell how she survived this ordeal and what she has learnt through it.
“Rape is a terrible violation of a human being,” says Ms Carr. “I will never forgive the act, yet I can forgive the man who raped me; I can feel compassion for him because I understand the desperate place he was coming from.”
“Forgiveness for me is about acknowledgement, understanding and letting go; like peeling layers of an onion. It meant I didn’t stay in a place of bitterness. Forgiveness has huge implications for how we live and how we run our world. We can break cycles of violence and revenge. We acknowledge fear, and anger and grief and finally find a place of peace.”
All are welcome to visit the exhibition free of charge on Sunday afternoon and to enjoy afternoon refreshments in the beautiful setting of the Ammerdown Centre. You will also able to pick up a free brochure of the courses and events that Ammerdown has on offer this year and, if you so wish, take part in a short service of reconciliation at 5.00 pm in Ammerdown’s peaceful private Chapel.
For information on how to get to the Ammerdown Centre or on Ammerdown’s work, courses or events, contact 01761 433709 or visit their website.
Useful URL : http://www.ammerdown.org
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