Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 233

PROGRAMER
Sunday, December 6, 2009
crisis then spread quickly because of the very quality that otherwise lends strength to this network: the interconnectedness of these financial institutions. From a Jainist perspective, some spiritual tenets could help prevent these market excesses. The market, it seems, should regard the accumulation of material wealth as spiritually helpful so long as this wealth is deployed in ways that create widespread social benefit. In his humorous style, Dr Jain will present several examples from daily life and the current business environment.
Dr Dipak C Jain has been dean of the Kellogg School of Management since 2001. His career in education began as a student in Tezpur, northeast India. He earned his Master's Degree in Mathematical Statistics from Gauhati University in India and his PhD in Marketing from the University of Texas. Since 1989, Dean Jain has also been a visiting professor of marketing at the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
The Calling to Interfaith Ministry
and Interfaith Practice
Roger Ross
Robert Sellers
Robert Hrasna
Tim Miner
Beth Katz
Room 208
Panel Discussion
This panel describes organisations that have formed to support the growing number of interfaith ministers who have answered the call of this expanding and dynamic movement. It will take a look at the powerful application of interfaith cooperation and mutual learning in Christian leadership, scholarship and among its adherents, as well as the environmental challenges people of all faiths face together.
Rabbi Roger Ross is the Executive Director of the New Seminary for Interfaith Studies, the Executive Director of the Rabbinical Seminary International, and the Treasurer of the NGO Committee on Spirituality. Values and Global Concerns, New York. He received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy from New York University, and his ordination as Interfaith Minister from The New Seminary. Rabbi Ross received Rabbinical Ordination from the Rabbinical Seminary International.
Robert P Sellers is Connally Professor of Missions and Theology at Logsdon School of Theology. Hardin-Simmons University, in Abilene, Texas. He draws on experience working in Indonesia and travelling through 36 countries to teach cross-cultural studies, liberation theology and interreligious dialogue. A brief account of his personal faith pilgrimage and interreligious perspective is found in The Cave: Teaching Religion Students to Rethink Exclusivism and Embrace Tolerance', in The World's Religions After September 11, Vol. 4.
Reverend Robert Hrasna is an ordained Interfaith Minister and a graduate of The New Seminary in New York. He continues to serve there as Director of Music. Reverend Hrasna lives in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, where he formed a ministry in the field of Holistic/Spiritual health and counselling. He currently serves as the chairman of the board for A World Alliance of Interfaith Clergy.
Reverend Timothy Miner, OUn!, is the founding secretary of the Order of Universal Interfaith and the organiser of both the Council of Interfaith Congregations of the United States and the World Council of Interfaith Congregations. He is a graduate of interfaith and traditional seminaries in the United States. He is also a board member of A World Alliance of Interfaith Clergy working to recognise the training and work of interfaith ministers.
9:30-11:00am INTRARELIGIOUS SESSION
Beth Katz is the founder and executive director of Project Interfaith (www.projectinterfaithusa.org), an innovative organisation based in Omaha, Nebraska that serves as a leader and resource on interfaith and religious diversity issues. She also teaches courses on international conflict resolution and religious diversity in the schools at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
The Sacred Journey
Marjorie Tidman Peter Tidman Dr John Davidson Natasha Tidman Raymond Tidman Kyle Lister Room 209
Interactive Workshop
Spiritual development is conceptualised within the broad framework of increasing our individual and collective capacity to love God and also to love humanity, to alleviate human suffering and to contribute our share to the advancement of civilisation. The major part of this program will focus on the sacred journey in search of the Beloved throughout this world and beyond. The workshop is based on Baha'u'llah's most important mystical work, 'The Seven Valleys', revealed in the late 1850s in response to the questions of a judge who was also a prominent Sufi. The presentation will use various art forms, especially music, to engage the audience. The events of each individual journey are unique, but the golden threads of love, courage, insight and submission are common to all who progress along the spiritual path. The second part of the program highlights the newly constructed Baha'i Centre of Learning, located at the gateway to Hobart, Tasmania, which has attracted widespread public interest because of the beauty of its architecture and its many environmental features. The presentation will briefly survey the architecture, functions and aspirations of the Centre to serve the spiritual and social needs of the community, and tell some of its stories of tragedy and triumph.
Dr Marjorie Rose Tidman is an educational consultant and psychologist, and a former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia. She is currently the Critical Incident (Traumal Co-ordinator for Western Australia, for PPC Worldwide, co-ordinator of 'Sacred Steps Spiritual Retreat and a member of the Board of Baha'i Studies for the Yerrinbool Baha'i Centre of Learning, Australia.
Peter Charles Tidman is an optometrist and a musician, playing classical, jazz, rock, folk, and Spanish guitar; he also performs on vocals and pipes.
Dr John Davidson is a member of the Baha'i Council for Tasmania and has been engaged with the Baha'i Centre Project since its inception. He is retired from teaching psychology at the University of Tasmania and spends most of his time at the Baha'i Centre of Learning. He has a long interest in the development of educational programs within the Australian Baha'i community.
Natasha Anna Tidman is a year 12 school student who performs vocals. Raymond Maxwell Tidman is a year 9 school student who plays the guitar and drums.
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