. . . creating a multi-faith space for sharing
faith stories freely and fearlessly
Loving God through Service
Monday, November 10, 2014
7:00-8:45 p.m.
Northaven United Methodist Church Sanctuary
111211 Preston Road, Dallas 75230
Dr. Owen Ross Swathi Anantha Zain Ali
Moderator
Across the major world religions there is a shared principle of faith that loving God means to serve, to welcome the stranger, to be people of mercy and compassion. We adhere to this commitment by practicing our faith through service to others as a reflection of our loving and compassionate God.
Two panelists will discuss their own practice of this principle from Hindu and Christian perspectives. Swathi Anantha is a young Hindu woman early on a path to base her life on this principle. Dr. Owen Ross, Pastor of Christ’s Foundry, a largely Hispanic Methodist Church, is providing guidance to a faith community of service. Zain Ali, who is an engineer providing consulting services to corporations, will serve as moderator for the panel.
Dr. Owen K. Ross is Pastor of Christ’s Foundry, a United Methodist Church located in the area north of Bachaman Lake in Dallas, established in 2003 to serve this largely Hispanic community. Pastor Ross grew up in East Texas, received from Texas A&M University a BA with a double major in International Studies and Political Science with an emphasis on Latin America. After graduation in 1995 he joined the United States Peace Corps, serving over two years in the rural western low-lands of Ecuador. After returning to the U.S. in 1998 he attended Perkins School of Theology at SMU. As part of his studies he spent one semester at African University in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. After receiving a Master of Divinity in 2002 he began working on the creation of Christ’s Foundry. In 2010, Ross began a Doctor of Ministry Program with the Beeson International Center at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Ross is married to Xóchitl Medina Ross.
Swathi Anantha is committed to bridging her personal life, service, and faith both within herself and her community. Her educational path has been chosen with this objective in mind. While attending Austin College with a major in Spanish and Biology, she studied abroad in Seville, Spain during her junior year and was recipient of the Mellons Research Fellowship her senior year. After graduation, Swathi spent six months in Bangalore, India as an intern with Youth for Seva, a non-profit organization dedicated to Educational, Health, and Environmental awareness and outreach. She received a Masters in Public Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health. After completing the Youth Empowerment Course (YEP) with Dallas Chinmaya Mission, she is now the Youth Activities intern at the Mission.
Zain Ali, who will serve as modeator, is an engineer with 25 years of corporate leadership experience and has, since 2009, served as the Founder and Managing Partner for Sunbonnet Partners with focus on providing learning, consulting, and technology for positive impact and measurable results. Mr. Ali attends several area Mosques and has been involved with youth, assisting the development of the domestic violence shelter created by the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, and initiating the “Feed Your Neighbor” program at Masjid Al-Islam Mosgue in downtown Dallas.
The program of The 2nd Community is designed to create a space where faith stories can be shared freely and fearlessly, with the objective of developing greater mutual understanding. We invite others to join us in creating a “2ndCommunity” in which one can join with others without fear of proselytizing to have a unified voice for tolerance and mutual respect.
The program starts promptly at 7:00. Please arrive between 6:40 and 6:55 for check-in.
While there is no charge and registration is not required, if you have never attended The 2nd Community it would help us to have your name in advance to help with our preparations. Free childcare is available if requested when you register.