‘Abdu’l-Bahá -The Incarnate Light
Presenter: Mehrdad Mirza-Agha
This workshop is about life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expressed and confirmed in the Baha’i writings as: “in the person of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the incompatible characteristics of a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely harmonized.”
Introductory Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ePrDwMV9DFz9hFbDJkP6pHUejZPp_gkv/view
Bio:
Education
PhD(ABD),Leadership in Higher Education; M.Ed., College Education;
C.A.E., Adult Education; B.Sc., Civil Engineering.
Experience
0ver 27 years in Postsecondary Education in Instruction and Administration
Moving Beyond Our Culture of Contest
Presenter: Jeanne Zayac
Competition, conflict and contest are considered the norm in our society. Is this really “just human nature”? In this workshop, we will explore ideas from Michael Karlberg’s book “Beyond the Culture of Contest”. We will also look at the example given to us by ‘Abdu’l-Baha during His travels in America in 1912. He treated everyone as members of one family, with the potential to help build a society based on unity and justice. How do we navigate through our culture of contest and move towards a culture of cooperation, collaboration and justice? How can we use our language, attitudes and actions to build a more cooperative, peaceful society?
Bio: Jeanne Zayac is a retired elementary teacher who has taught in China, northern BC, and in an indigenous school in southern BC. She has lived in Quebec as well as western Canada. As wife, mother, teacher, and community member, Jeanne has had an ongoing interest in how collaboration and consultation can be used in our diverse and increasingly interdependent world, and how we can create a more cooperative society. Jeanne and her husband currently live in Castlegar, BC.
Following in the footsteps of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Tackling Climate change.
Presenters: Kim Sutherland and Cheryl Vinchoff
Baha’u’llah is the divine physician that has provided us with the medicine for an ailing society. One of the biggest challenges or our time is the changing climate which is often called an existential threat to humanity. This presentation will review the science of climate change and the principles in the Baha’i faith that are the healing medicine for this illness. Individuals will review vignettes of Abdu’l-Baha’s life, identify the spiritual principle that it illustrates and reflect on how his actions are in harmony with a healthy planet. They will then be asked to articulate how his actions can inspire them to make changes in their daily life. they can reflect his actions in their daily life.
Bios:
Kim Sutherland has been a Baha’I for 45 years and has worked for over 30 years as an environmental scientist and Agrologist (professional agriculturalist). She has worked 20 years as a Regional Agrologist for the Province of BC working with farmers, local governments and, among other things has been involved in helping farmers adapt to climate change. She is a long standing member of the Mission Baha’I community. She has given many public talks on agriculture and has integrated the Baha’I teachings into her public presentations and into her professional life.
Cheryl Vinchoff has been a Bahai for 29 years served on various institutions and is currently a member of the LSA of Chilliwack BC and representative for Huququ’llah. She completed the Wilmette institute course on Climate change in April of 2019 and has endeavoured to share her learning with individuals, communities and institutions.
The Law of the Right of God
Presenter: Mr. Michael Snedden, Huququ’llah Representative for the south-central region of BC
“And when He desired to manifest grace and beneficence to men, and to set the world in order, He revealed observances and created laws”* Exploring the Law of the Right of God (Huqúqu’lláh).
