Bayad Retreat & Conference Center / Egypt

Introduction:

Bayad Retreat and Conference Center (BRCC), which is a large compound situated in Upper Egypt, approximately 120 Km south of Cairo, is owned and run by the Dioceses of Beni-Suef.
The BRCC is built on the east bank of the river Nile and its pleasant and historic surroundings as well as its proximity to Cairo (less than two hours drive) and to Beni-Suef (15 minutes) give it unique characteristics of being close to the urban settings, yet providing the quietness, freshness and serenity of a soothing rural atmosphere / environment. The Government of Egypt has identified the monastery of St. Mary at Bayad as a historical & tourist location.

Background:

Bayad Monastery is considered one of the monasteries that were widespread after the fourth century on the east bank of the river Nile, and in the 16 century, it was a station to link the food and the other needs to the monasteries at the Red sea.
To the north of Bayad monastery, (20 Km) is Deir El Maymoun, where Saint Anthony the Great established the first monastery in history. This links the Bayad St. Mary Monastery to the chain of monasteries, which grew in this area.
Over the last two centuries, Bayad St. Mary monastery has become a center for the Christian families in the surrounding area to spend the period of the Holy Virgin Fast in August.
Over the last 35 years, the late Bishop Athanasious, has developed the compound into the largest retreat and conference center within the Christian community. The church that stands today houses a small collection of antique icons.
The church also houses some of the relics of an older church, many ancient Coptic icons and manuscripts, which consist of parts of the Holy Bible. According to the manuscripts, the Holy family, during their flight to Egypt, has spent one night at this location
At present, the rest of compound has been developed to be a multipurpose facility, hosting groups for retreat, training events, seminars and workshops.

Purpose:

The BRCC’s main purpose is to provide conference, training, meeting and retreat facilities to individuals or groups of various categories, It is equipped to provide full-board accommodation for approximately 450 persons in double, triple and/or dormitory settings in four separate buildings.
In addition, it offers training and meeting facilities of various sizes and capacities

Objectives:

1. The main objective of BRCC is to provide and/or offer:

2. Adequate conference facilities for youth from different denominations and churches, in small and large groups, where they meet to discuss social, scripture, spiritual and various other issues, either in one day basis or as residents.

3. Seminar and short-training courses for church and lay leaders and their families, rural and urban workers, and for those involved in various services and ministries.

4. Quite facilities for retreats for individuals and/or small groups of different denominations and churches.

5. Well-equipped facility for other organizations to hold conferences, seminars and training events for their staff and other target groups.

6. Adequate facilities for the annual spiritual celebration of St. Mary’s Fast
   (August of every year).

Facilities:

The compound encompasses several buildings, which offer different types of accommodation. This allows for many and diverse groups to utilize the facilities, in accordance with the objectives of the BRCC.
The following are the 3 types of accommodations offered at the Center:

1. Double – room with private bathrooms.

2. Apartments: each apartment has four rooms with 3 beds each, and two bathrooms, this can be used as one unit or the rooms used separately.

3. Dormitory: where forty-seven people share the same dorm and bath- room.

Apart from the large grounds, the compound has several meeting rooms and large hall, to host the varying group sizes.
The halls and meeting rooms have the following maximum seating capacity:

1. 2 meeting-rooms, with a capacity of 40 persons each

2. Air conditioned meeting room for 100 persons

3. 3 meeting room, with a capacity of 60 persons each

4. Large hall / auditorium – capacity 350 persons

OTHER:

The Center also provides equipment for those groups that need them such as: sound system, overhead projectors, videos, boards…etc

CATERING:

The Center has a dining hall with a seating capacity of 250 persons. The Center offers full board accommodation. A small store is also available, offering dry foodstuffs and drinks during the day.

Brief Information about the training Programs at Bayad Center

1. Patristic studies program
   This is to study and learn about the theological teachings of the Early Church Fathers, especially before the sixth century.

2. The Christian women development program
   a. The priests’ wives
   b. The Christian girls (educated and uneducated, between the ages of 18 and 30 years old.)
   In this program, we focus on the concerns and needs of each of these target groups.

3. The graduates’ training Program
   It trains people to manage small businesses - painting on glass, electric works, cloths-sewing, cooking …etc, and how to prepare for the future.

4. Leadership training course program
   This is to train the church activity-leaders in planning, management, continuation, following up.... etc.

5. Educational program
   Educational studies for the church youth, leaders and ordinary people that aim to widen their perspective and to give them more skills and knowledge for their lives and work .
   There are different types of this program such as
   * Counseling
   * Recently-married people

6. Bayad Center staff training program
   It aims to train the new staff and to activate the other staff.

7. Friendship and exchange program
   This involves groups for exchange visits between us and other centers abroad, with the aim of building bridges and having mutual understanding as well as appreciation of different cultures.

Some implemented Activities during 2000,2001,2002

Some activities of the year 2000:

1. Hosting a training program for MEATRC titled “ Training of Trainers “
   Date: 5 days training program was held at Bayad Center and Itsa Center - from 31 January
   to 4th February
   Twenty eight participants attended from 18 training centers in Egypt.
   Themes:
   • The manners of trainers and how to deal with them
   • The manners of the participants and how to deal with them
   • Methods of training.
   • How to be an effective trainer

2. A program for the recently married, titled “ The Family’s Altar “
   Date: 13-14 April
   Themes:
   • Family worship (its accessibility & challenges)
   • The keys to the family’s happiness
   • Difficulties that may face the couple in the first year of marriage

3. Women development program “ Priest’s Wives “
   Date: 29-30 June
   Themes:
   • Thankful life
   • The role of the priest’s wife towards the priest
   • The role of Bible in the family life
   • The children and the sex-education

Some activities of the year 2001:

1. Patristic program titled “ The Divine Planning for Salvation“
   Date: 4-7 September
   Themes:
   • The teachings of the fathers about Redemption
   • The Redemption in the Liturgical texts
   • The Redemption’s story in the Mass

2. Exchange program “ German Group “
   Bayad receipted a German group from 1-11 March in Beni Suef to visit and share the Egyptian community.
   Some contents of the program:
   • Session (Christianity in Egypt)
   • Session (The governmental methods of developing the community)
   • Session (Economic & political situation in Egypt)
   • Visit to one of the holy family places, Pyramids, Nile cruise, Desert Reclamation projects, Egyptian museum, Handicapped Center, Orphans’ Center,…

Some activities of the year 2002:

1. Bayad Center Staff training program
   Date: 11-13 March
   Themes:
   • The commitment for Christian life
   • The healthy feeding
   • The typography art
   • Difficulties that may face every department in the Center
   • Discovering my abilities and developing them

2. Hosting a local training for MEATRC titled “ Electronic Communication for Directors”
   Date: May 20 –25, 2002.
   A six-day workshop on Electronic Communication for Directors of 9 centers in Egypt was held at Bayad Center in Beni Suef. The training was conducted and funded by Vesper Society as part of the Network 21 project. Ms. Martina represented the African association ACLCA at the workshop.
   Themes:
   • Introduction to Internet
   • Effective use of e-mail
   • Using file attachment
   • Chats and search engines
   • Navigation and exploring websites
   • Designing newsletter
   • Designing web pages

3. Exchange program “Egyptian Group in Germany “
   14 leaders of the church activities in Beni Suef visited Germany from 8- 21 July for exchange experiences and information about Germany.
   The program focused on the following:
   • Visit the big city Frankfort (visit the airport and its services)
   • Visit a Homeless people house, Factory for Handicapped people productions, Maria Lakh Monastery, Turkish Mosque, The tourist city Terair, Opel Factory for cars,……….
   • Session (Economic & politic situation in Germany)
   • Session (The role of the Church in the Germany today)
   • Session (The situation of foreigners in Germany)

Some of the planned Activities for the Year 2003:

1) Women development program
a. “Priest’s wives” Date: 27-28 March
b. “ Graduated Christian Girls Program.” During June
2) MEATRC Local program in Egypt - during May
3) Hosting The Diaconal Region Africa- Europe Conference 2003, 20-25 October
4) Educational program
a. Recently-married people 10 –11 April
5) The annual Patristic studies conference during September
6) Exchange program
a. Hedwig Dransfeld Haus group, A German group 27 – 7 December, 2003

International relationships

Contact Infromation: