Reviews of the movie The Passion of Christ have focused on the violence in the story about Jesus. A recent US conference and book asks the question "Must Christianity Be Violent?" What would Jesus do when responding to violence today? What are we to do? Explore these issues with other Christians from around Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. Chris Marshall is a Lecturer in New Testament at the Bible College of New Zealand. Later in the year, he moves to Wellington to take up a new post in Religious Studies at Victoria University. Chris was recently presented with an International Community Justice Award in recognition of his life-long campaign in the cause of justice and for his work in developing restorative justice in New Zealand. The award was presented in London by Princess Anne on January 28 in a special ceremony. Marshall is chair of the Waitakere Restorative Justice Community group, which provides facilitators for the Court Referred Restorative Justice Pilot, being trialed at Waitakere, Auckland, Hamilton and Dunedin District Courts. As well as his work with the group, Marshall has spoken at international conferences on restorative justice, published a book on the subject entitled Beyond Retribution, and worked with New Zealand’s Prison Fellowship.

Arrive for Dinner Friday evening and plan to leave after lunch on Monday. Besides sessions with Chris, the schedule will include: time for getting to know others, discussion, worship, learning more about Anabaptists, and AAANZ regional reports. Children and Youth Programs will be offered.

Greenhills Camp and Conference Centre is set in 6 hectares of rural land, grassed and treed with magnificent views up the Cotter Valley to the Brindabella Ranges with Mt. Coree in the distance. In the foreground the Murrumbidgee River flows along the foot of the low-lying Bullen Range. Kangaroos graze on the grass, native birds abound and an occasional wombat or echidna wanders by. Sporting and relaxation activities include swimming, rock-climbing and hiking along the Murrumbidgee and Cotter rivers. On site there are volleyball courts and a large playing field." With Canberra nearby, there will be time to take tours, visit museums and galleries during afternoon free times.