Absolute Justice, Kindness & Kinship

Absolute Justice, Kindness & Kinship
2^nd World Religions Conference

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Monday, November 25th , 2019

Venue: Vernon Recreation Center

Address: 3310 37th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 8P5

Tel: 1-877-767-1965

Email: info.bc@ahmadiyya.ca

Moderator

Mrs. Shirley Greene Burnham

Shirley Greene Burnham was raised in the farming community of Glenwood, Alberta. Upon graduation from the University of Alberta, in 1962, she was employed as the Director of Drama for the City of Edmonton.

When her husband, Ron Burnham, graduated they moved to Vernon where Shirley retired to the home to raise their eleven children.

Her community service includes chair of the Vernon Heart Foundation campaign, Okanagan College board member and member of a Task Force for Education. Her church service includes twenty years teaching an early morning youth scripture class and later as a volunteer worker in the Seattle, then San Diego and currently the Vancouver Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She is still retired.

Profiles

Aboriginal Perspective
Chief Byron Louis

Mr. Louis has over 26 years of knowledge and experience, at various levels of the political spectrum. First, as a duly elected Councillor, then as a title and rights advisor at the Tribal Council and Regional level, and political liaison designate with US based Tribal, Public and Private Utilities (Hydro-electric generation) and State and Federal Authorities. Over the course of his twenty plus career he has served in various facets of political office concerning Natural Resource Management, Community-based Economic Development initiatives, and Public Works, Community planning, liaison and strategic development and negotiation with various levels of government and the private sector Byron Louis been re-elected as the head of the Okanagan Indian Band. This will be Louis’ fourth two-year term in the role of Chief of Okanagan First Nation.

Baha’i Perspective
Mrs. Eva Strom

Eva Strom grew up in Winnipeg and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Manitoba. Seeking “to find herself” she moved to BC over 40 years ago. At first she explored the question “What is happiness? How and where can I find it?” Eventually she found the beautiful and everlasting garden of the Baha’i Faith. “It just makes perfect sense to me”, she says. “Spiritual and practical, it has immense value for humanity at this time in history”. As a Baha’i, Eva has served on regional educational committees, as a children’s class teacher, as an “animator” for the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment program and on the local administrative council for over 20 years. Retired from a career as an employment counsellor, Eva dedicates much of her time to Baha’u’llah’s vision of a united and peaceful world by hosting World Peace Conversations, World Peace Prayers and by being involved in devotional gatherings and study circles and other personal and community development activities.

Christianity Perspective
The Reverend Robin Jacobson-Trinity United Church

Robin Jacobson is the Lead Minister of Trinity United Church. He started on March 26, 2019 after a long time of serving the congregation of North Lonsdale United Church in North Vancouver. Robin is originally from South Africa where he was ordained in the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa. He describes himself as someone who is orthodox though never conservative, believing in Jesus Christ as the One through whom God works for the complete restoration of all Creation, yet also drawing from us our greatest curiosity and respect for fresh and unique appreciation & insights of God’s grace.

“I am constantly blessed by Christ’s’ love for me and all of God’s creation. I am also constantly amazed at Christ’s gracious Presence and on-going activity in our world – as well as by how seriously Christ takes us, how much Christ believes in us! I feel my calling is to remain in that state of curious wonder and blessing as I allow others to join me and me them in this journey of awesome discovery”.

Mrs. Susan Shawlee
Jewish Faith Perspective

Susan Shawlee is a seasoned speaker on matters of Judaic practice and custom. She has represented Judaism in a variety of forums, and leads many talks and tours on Judaism to students from elementary to senior school levels. She leads the Chevra Chadisha, and has served for many years on the board of directors of the Okanagan Jewish Community as director at large, secretary, treasurer, vice-president, and president. She is a regular participant as a human book in Kelowna’s Living Library series, and has served as a community member for graduating high school students presenting their life plans.

Imam Umair Khan
Islam Perspective

Umair Khan was raised in Toronto and New York as a child and spent his adolescent years in Calgary. After graduating from High School in Calgary, he attended Jamia Ahmadiyya (Missionary training school of the community, in Ontario) which is a 7 year program. He graduated from Jamia Ahmadiyya in 2012 and then was given the opportunity to serve as a Trainee Missionary in Sierra Leone (West Africa).

He served as an Imam and Missionary for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the Calgary branch at Baitun Noor Mosque from 2013- 2015.For the last 4 years he was serving Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Jamaica, West Indies, in the capacity of Missionary in Charge. He was recently appointed to serve the British Columbia chapters and the community based around Baitur Rahman Mosque in Delta, & Surrey BC. He is currently living in Delta with family (wife and 2 children)

Christianity Perspective (The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints)
Mr. Gordon H.Oliver

Gordon H. Oliver was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta where he graduated from High School. He has been married to Diann for 38 years and they are the parents of 6 children and 12.8 grandchildren. Gordon graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors of Science and then obtained a Masters of Business Administration and has been an executive with the Bank of Montreal, then founded and operated a number of business and is currently the president of one of the fastest growing companies in Canada headquartered in Kelowna. He has served in numerous callings within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints including as a member of stake high councils, Bishop and number of key post. Gordon is a member of the Interior Health Interfaith Spiritual Care Advisory Group at Kelowna General Hospital and enjoys serving with members of many faiths in a cooperative, respectful group. He also assists the annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Food Banks each September as director of public affairs, helping with the largest food drive in British Columbia.”

Myoshin Kate McCandless
Buddhist Perspective

Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton began Zen practice in 1983 as university students in Japan, with a Rinzai priest at an ancient temple on Mount Tsukuba, later moving to Kyoto and practicing Soto Zen with Shohaku Okumura. Since returning to Vancouver in 1987 they have practiced with Zoketsu Norman Fischer. They received priest ordination from him in in 2003 and dharma transmission in 2011. They were installed as guiding teachers of Mountain Rain Zen Community in May, 2017.

Spiritual Living Perspective
The Rev. Dale Jukes

Reverend Dale Jukes has had thirteen years at the helm of the Okanagan Centre For Spiritual Living. This is simply the latest iteration of a spiritual journey that began a half century ago under the tutelage of his parents. A journey that has embraced most ancient and traditional paths , and for the past twenty two years, has returned to New Thought and specifically The Science Of Mind. Dale is very happy with his present Spiritual preoccupation and fully expects to be walking this walk for the duration of his dance with the Divine. If you would care to join him come to the Centre any Sunday and take the time to visit him at www.lightmail.org for a little daily inspiration.

Sikhism Perspective
Giani Gurpreet Singh

Gurpreet Singh serving as a priest at Okanagan Sikh Temple Vernon, BC since last year. He served prior to going to Vernon, BC Ahluwalia Gurdwara Sahib from Punjab, India .He graduated from Patiala University after studying religious studies where he learned extensive studies of Sikhism. He like’s sports specially badminton game.

Christianity Perspective
Mrs. Carol Jones
Catholic Church

Carol and her husband, Glynn, live in Kelowna, BC. Her greatest joys are spending quality time with her extensive family, working to improve the lives of those who suffer through injustices and ecumenical projects that promote bonds of love and understanding in the body of Christ.

Carol founded Destitute to Destiny, a non-profit that serves to uplift and empower the poor. Carol returned to the Catholic Faith in 2007 after almost 30 years in numerous Protestant movements. She studied Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio and in Austria. She also studied Ecumenical and Interreligious Movements from a Roman Catholic Perspective in Rome. Carol is a board member for United in Christ Canada, and attends biennial Ecumenical conversations in Rome between leaders in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and New Charismatic Churches.

Favourite quote from Elanor Rooseveld: “It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.”

Rev. Greg Bright
Metaphysical Perspective

Rev Greg Bright, BMSc. from the University of Metaphysics Member of the CIMM Board of Directors since 2013 Served as Secretary in 2014 and became President in 2016 Rev. Greg was appointed Executive Director of CIMM in 2017 Canadian International Metaphysical Ministry (CIMM) is a Ministry of Metaphysical Ministers. CIMM’s mandate is to help Ministers trained in Metaphysical Spiritual Studies to become licensed to legally perform services within Canada. CIMM also provides ongoing education and training on Metaphysical Spirituality and the establishment of Ministry Centres, to their members. Metaphysical Theology has been recognized in various forms for centuries. In Canada, CIMM first became legally recognized as a Religious Body in 2005 in BC, and has continued to expand across Canada with a current membership of 320 Ordained Ministers in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, & Quebec.

Program

5:50PM Announcement
5:55 PM Recitation of the Holy Qur’an & Translation
- Blessing Ceremony of Okanagan First Nation Elder
6:05 PM Welcome remarks by Dignitaries
6:15 PM Introductory Remarks
6:25 PM Introduction to moderator
6:30 PM Aboriginal Chief Byron Louis
6:40 PM Baha’I Mrs. Eva Strom
6:50 PM Christianity Rev. Robin Jacobson, Trinity United Church Perspective
7:00 PM Jewish Faith Mrs. Susan Shawlee
7:10 PM Islam Imam Umair Khan
7:20 PM Christianity Mr. Gordon Oliver,Latter Day Saints Church
7:30 10 minutes Break for Coffee/ Tea/ Juice
7:45 PM Buddhism Myoshin Kate McCandless
7:55 PM Spirituality Rev. Dale Jukes
8:05 PM Sikh Faith Giani Gurpreet Singh
8:15 PM Christianity Mrs. Carol Jones, Catholic Church Perspective
8:25 PM Metaphysical Faith Dr. Greg Bright
8:35 PM Award Distribution Rizwan Peerzada
8:40 PM Concluding Remarks by Moderator
8:50 PM Vote of Thanks by Rizwan Peerzada of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community BC
9:00 PM Dinner
9:30 PM Question / Answer Period …. Those are interested stay after dinner for Q/A