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The Ecumenical Multifaith Unit (EMU) of the Diocese of New Westminster chaired by the Reverend Fr. Robin Ruder-Celiz (vicar of St. Martin’s, North Vancouver) with leadership support from Tom Esakin (St. Paul’s) and Donna Wong-Juliani (Christ Church Cathedral) have partnered with Or Shalom Synagogue and Rabbi Hannah Dresner to proactively respond to today’s environment by co-organizing :  

“United in Compassion – a Multifaith Devotional Service,

Roundtable Conversations, and Dessert.”

As of this writing on March 2, Metro Vancouver Faith Leaders who have confirmed their participation are as follows:

  • Imam Mohammad Shujaath Ali (Islam - Sunni)
  • Sheikh Murtaza Bachoo (Islam  - Shia: "Shia Muslim Community of BC"
  • Rabbi Hannah Dresner (Judaism – Renewal, also co-MC of event)
  • Mr. Daud Ismail (President, “B.C. Muslim Association”): (he will participate in service and meet with faith leaders but the devotion will be given by an Imam)
  • Rabbi Laura Duhan Kaplan, Ph.D. (Director of Inter-Religious Studies, “Vancouver School of Theology”)
  • Ms. Anahita Kaviani (President, "Zoroastrian Society of B.C.”): (she will meet with faith leaders and then participate in service but the devotion will be given by their faith leader representative)
  • Sandra Leigh (Universal Hinduism: “Give Peace a Chant Kirtan”)
  • Linda Mackintosh (Universal Hinduism: “Sathya Sai Community of Vancouver”
  • Ms. Parvin Manshadi (“Official Representative of the local spiritual assembly of the Baha’i’s of Vancouver"
  • Mr. Firdosh Mehta (“Zoroastrian Society of B.C.”)
  • Bishop Rev. Dr. Gregory Mohr (Christianity: “BC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada”)
  • Michael Newton (Zen Buddhism: “Mountain Rain Zen Community”, Vancouver)
  • Amir Peter O’Loughlin (Universal Sufism - Inayati Order)
  • Fr. Robin Ruder-Celiz (Christianity – Anglican co-MC of eve)
  • Rabbi Adam Stein (Judaism - Conservative)
  • Bishop Melissa Skelton (Christianity - Anglican)

This posting will be updated as new information becomes available.  Other faith tradition representatives have been contacted and we expect the list of participants to increase as the event on March 7th approaches.  

In consideration of time, the organizers have asked that the offerings from the faith leaders be 2-3 minutes in length.  The Multifaith Devotional Service portion of the evening should take about an hour.  Prayers or devotions from the faith tradition are simply asked to “speak for themselves” within the themes of “united” and “compassion”, as well as being respectful of other faiths.

Conversation over dessert will follow the service. During this time of deepening, all gathered are invited to participate in roundtable conversations focussed on set questions that will be identified at each respective table. Those interested will also be invited to sign up for later conversations to strategize about how we can actively collaborate-together, in the near future, to intentionally give life to “Holy Sparks” such as love, unity, and compassion.

For more information please contact:

Rabbi Hannah Dresner and Fr. Robin Ruder-Celiz, Co-Chairs

Donna Wong-Juliani and Tom Esakin, Lead Organisers

Email: emu.vancouver@gmail.com / Telephone: 604.928.6078

Please find a poster PDF linked below for downloading and sharing both in print or electronically

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