The Question of Timeless Suffering

18th World Religion Conference Prince George 2023

Topic:  The Question of Timeless Suffering

Day: Monday, September 18, 2023

Time: 6:30PM – 8:30PM

Dinner: East Indian

Admission: Free

Venue: Trinity United Church Conference Hall 

Address: 3555 5th Ave, Prince George 

Tel: 604-767-1965
Toll Free: 1-877-767-1965

Email: info.bc@ahmadiyya.ca

Moderator

Elder Darlene Mcintosh

Darlene is an Elder of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. She is Grouse clan, daughter of Mary Quaw of Lheidli T’enneh and Peter Zatorski of Prince George. She is the granddaughter of Elsie George from Saik’uz First Nation and Augusta Quaw of Lheidli T’enneh. Darlene is devoted to family, she is married, over 40 years, to Neil McIntosh and is mother to Blake (Laurie) and Kyle, and a dedicated grandmother to Jake and Konnor.


Darlene comes from a long line of healers and is a sought after healing touch practitioner working with individuals and groups – in particular she was recently invited by the First Nations Health Authority to attend three of their conferences. She is a founding member of the women’s Spirit Keepers and is often at the center of women’s gatherings for meditation, prayer and healing. Darlene is the Cultural Advisor in the Aboriginal Resource Centre of the College of New Caledonia (CNC) where she support students, advises faculty and is a spiritual leader for the wider community. Darlene’s center, especially within this role, is one of balance and harmony within the teachings of The Medicine Wheel. She is a natural teacher who brings a fresh perspective into the notion of indigenization and truth and reconciliation. Darlene’s most recent contribution to this process was to organize a powerful offering of The Blanket Ceremony for administrative and executive staff. Darlene has a gift of weaving her spiritual connection into words that resonate beyond her responsibilities as Elder, Advisor and teacher. Darlene’s writing has been published, most recently, in an anthology called In Our Own Voice, A Collection of Aboriginal Writers and Artists in BC as well as in two publications on health in Front Lines – Portraits of Caregivers in Northern British Columbia and Introduction to Aboriginal Health and Healthcare in Canada. Darlene is an advocate for health, the arts and education.

Speakers

Baha’i Perspective
Mrs. Charlotte Wenninger

Charlotte Wenninger has been a member of the Baha’i community for over 35 years.  She has served for many years as one of the elected, nine members on the local governing body of the Baha’is of Prince George.  She has served as a chairman of the Interfaith Chaplaincy Committee at UNBC almost since its inception.   She is married and has raised four daughters and now has 7 grandchildren.  She has a keen interest in sharing her religion with others and learning about all aspects of spirituality, especially the science behind spiritual reality.

Buddhism Perspective
Ms.Ren Shelmaschuk

Ren was blessed to be born and raised at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, on the traditional ancestral lands of Lheidli T'enneh (Prince George, BC) to a Catholic family who instilled a strong love of God, family and faith. She works as a high school teacher after completing Bachelor of Science (2009) and Bachelor of Education (2012) degrees at UNBC and a Master of Education (2020) degree from Thompson Rivers University. She has also completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2018, and teaches yoga weekly. In addition, Ren is an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church. She first heard about Buddhism and became a Buddhist in her first undergraduate degree and has been exploring Mahayana Buddhism, also known as the Universal Vehicle, ever since. This branch of Buddhism focuses on finding Buddhahood and enlightenment through service to others by following the path of the Bodhisattva. Her purpose in this life is to teach and awaken bodhicitta (open, loving-kindness enriched heart space) in herself and all beings.No one needs to change religions to follow the basic tenets of this path: be kind, help others,and look beyond the self to find peace.May you and all beings be happy, healthy, safe, and peaceful Om Mani Padme Hum

Rev. Bob K. Fillier 

Rev. Bob hails from the isle of Newfoundland and brings with him that east coast sense of hospitality, humour, and fun. He is a graduate of Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and Chicago Theological College in Chicago, Illinois. Over the years he has also been an internship supervisor, congregational consultant, mentor, and served on almost every committee you can think of at all levels of the church. Most recently he was published in: “Reflections on Emancipation and Anti-Black Racism in Canada” and in “Called to be The Church: Discipleship Is Stewardship." In 2022 his sabbatical time took him to Scotland and the UK focusing on sacred places, music, and a wee dram. His passion is preaching and using digital resources to live out the great commission of Jesus to make disciples. Along with his spouse, two adult children, grandchildern and Prinn the dog, he lives a full life and loves to go for coffee…seriously…he roasts his own beans!.Favourite quote: "There's an app for that!" and "We have the technology!"

Jewish Faith Perspective
Mr.El Klasner

Eli was born and raised in Toronto and earned degrees in economics and music from Queens University, University of Toronto, and University of Ottawa. He has been a resident of North Central British Columbia since 2016 where he is involved in non-profit leadership. Eli is a member of Chabad of Downtown Vancouver and Chabad-Lubavitch of Crown Heights, NYC. He studies Torah, Talmud and Chassidus primarily under the tutelage of Rabbi Binyomin Bitton of Vancouver. Starting in 2017 Eli began the process of identifying and connecting with Jewish residents of this vast area of British Columbia. This was accomplished through exploring personal networks and social media. Eli enjoys information sharing and creating meeting opportunities for the Jewish population of the region (2016 census indicates a Jewish population of approximately 150 people) and is spearheading organizing annual holiday and festival celebrations. His dream is to help establish a dedicated meeting and worship space that will serve a wide spectrum of Jewish residents of Northern BC.
Hindu Faith Perspective
Dr. Pranesh Kumar, PhD

Dr. Pranesh Kumar was born in a Hindu family of a Northern Indian State of Utter Pardesh. He was keen interest in literature religion, culture, science and its global impact, in particular on human society. He is fascinated by the diversities which he experienced during the vast travels, interactions with people and observing their social, cultural and religious events. Kumar values life in any form and believes in very ancient, preached and practiced Sanskirt saying  “ Vasudhaeva Kutumbukam” meaning the “ Entire world is one family. 

Islam Perspective
Maulana Umran ul Haq Bhatti

Umran ul-Haq Bhatti is a Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. Umran acquired his
degree in Islamic Theology and Comparative Religions in 2013, Canada. He has served in Ghana,
Atlantic Canada, and Toronto. During his 4 yrs in Atlantic Canada he was a monthly columnist
writing for the local newspaper in removing misconception about the peaceful teachings of
Islam and building bridges in the community. Currently he is the Imam of the Baitur Rehman
Mosque in Delta, BC.
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)

Sikh Perspective
Mr. Surjit Singh Minhas

Surjit Singh Minhas is an active member of the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Temple serving in Prince George since 1977 to residents by providing “Langar” meal free to the public. Surjit moved to Prince George in 1973 from India. He has a degree in B.SC & B.Ed from Punjab University, India. He worked in lumber industry for two years and retired from BC Rail in December 2005. Now he volunteers for the temple and has been supporting charities including donating his blood to Canadian Blood Services seventy three times.

Program

  • 6.25 pm Announcement
  • 6:30 PM Recitation of the Holy Qur’an
  • 6:35 PM Welcome Remarks by dignities
  • David Coleman, President The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
  • 6:40 PM Introductory Remarks & Moderator Introduction
    • Mr. Rizwan Peerzada, Regional Coordinator B
  • 6:45 PM Speakers Panel (Time Allocated 10 minutes)
    •  Baha’I Mrs. Charlotte  Wenninger
    •  Buddhism Ms. Ren  Shelmaschuk
    •  Christianity Rev. Bob K. Fillier
    •  Islam Maulana Umran ul Haq Bhatti
    •  Christianity Mr. David  Coleman (The Church of Jesus  Christ Latter day Saints)
    •  Hindu Faith Dr. Pranesh Kumar, PhD
    •  Jewish Faith Mr. El Klasner
    •  Sikh Faith Mr.Surjit Singh Minhas
    • Q.A with speaker’s panel
  • 8:20 PM Concluding Remarks by Moderator
  • 8:27 PM Vote of Thanks by Mr. Khalid A. Khan, President Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Prince George
  • 8: 30 PM East Indian Dinner

Map

Registration