Open Education meeting has topic: Peace-making in an age of terror.

Added on September 20th, 2010

The September Open Education session, at Mornington Church, on September 14th, 2010, drew a full church, with many attending from outside the usual church circles.

Professor Andrew Bradstock and Dr Najibullah Lafraie, both Otago University staff members, discussed the question 'Does religion help or hinder the quest for peace?', in a session chaired by Emeritus Professor Colin Gibson.

Especially notable were Christian and Muslim members of the Abrahamic Interfaith Group led by Greg Hughson, Sea of Faith members and Christina Gibb, fearless advocate for the Palestinian Arab people. There were probing questions from the audience and all agreed to hold a similar session next year to follow up some of the areas only briefly touched on during the night.

There was a large group of pre-talk diners, too (more than forty of them), who expressed their satisfaction at the generous meal laid before them by Judy Russell and her helpers.

All profits from the evening were given to the Dunedin Mission to distribute through the Christchurch Mission as they work to support people in the earthquake-stricken city of Christchurch and its surrounding towns. The cheque was for $900, a great result from a special evening.

Further photos can be viewed under Photos, Parish activities gallery.