13 Dec 2024, 13:36SM CommunicationsElgin Town Hall
Adventist Pastor Brings Community Together for Dialogue
This article provides an overview of an event held at Elgin Town Hall on December 7th, organised by Pastor Wilfred Masih, with the goal of fostering meaningful dialogue and understanding among individuals from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds to bridge divisions.
This year, the world has witnessed increasing divisions, with growing polarisation in political, social, and cultural spheres. From deepening geopolitical tensions to domestic conflicts within nations, the sense of unity in many parts of the world appears to be under strain. While advances in technology, medicine, and global cooperation on issues like public health have made life safer in many respects, modern threats such as cyberattacks, terrorism, pandemics, and climate-induced crises have grown in complexity and scale, posing significant challenges. Yet, amidst these challenges, a message of hope endures. As the Bible reminds us in Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (NIV)
Driven by his passion for fostering cohesive and harmonious communities, Pastor Wilfred Masih, from the Inverness and the Highlands area, organised a public gathering at Elgin Town Hall on December 7th. The event aimed to promote peace, respect, and meaningful dialogue among community members from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, emphasising the transformative power of understanding and awareness in overcoming division.
Reflecting on the motivation behind such events, Pastor Wilfred Masih shared, “As an Adventist Pastor, I strive to follow the example of Jesus, who blessed, healed, and interacted with all members of his community—many of whom we might not even consider engaging with." He added, 'It is a privilege for me to talk about my faith and my church in a respectful and authentic way with whoever God sends my way.” Pastor Masih continued, “We are given a Christian mandate in Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (NIV) This mandate, I believe, is at the heart of establishing new opportunities for community engagement, which promote greater understanding and foster stronger relationships.”
In his welcoming remarks, Pastor Masih emphasised, “Today, we recognise our differences, but also affirm the common values that we hold dear and that bind us together—respect for one another, care for our communities, and a shared desire to leave the world a better place for future generations.”
The gathering featured a keynote address by the guest of honour, Nancy Robson, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Moray, who commended the event and its purpose. “Events like these remind us of the power of unity during times of division and fragmentation. It is my hope that such gatherings will continue to strengthen our community,” she remarked. Imam Mustapha, another participant, highlighted the event’s impact, saying, “This is a beautiful opportunity to build bridges and learn from one another’s journeys.” Similarly, an Episcopalian Church minister expressed his delight at being invited, mentioning that he had made new friends. One more guest suggested that next time, the public services and business sectors should be actively involved in such an event. It is encouraging to see that community leaders from Inverness and Moray recognise the significance of this work and are eager to contribute to it.
Some who attended brought artefacts from their cultural and faith traditions which added to the rich atmosphere of intrigue and exploration.
The gathering concluded with a shared sense of hope and the promise of continued efforts to bring the community closer together. With Christmas on the horizon, Pastor Masih reminded everyone of its deeper significance: “This is the season of peace and goodwill toward all men. Let us carry that spirit with us as we work to build bridges in our community and the wider realms of our society.”
Reflecting on the event, Pastor Masih shared that, in answering questions about the Adventist Church, it became clear that many people were unfamiliar with it. He expressed his delight at having the opportunity to share the values of our church, along with the holistic, healthy lifestyle we promote, all of which can positively contribute to the well-being of our local communities.
This article provides an overview of an event held at Elgin Town Hall on December 7th, organised by Pastor Wilfred Masih, with the goal of fostering meaningful dialogue and understanding among individuals from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds to bridge divisions.
This year, the world has witnessed increasing divisions, with growing polarisation in political, social, and cultural spheres. From deepening geopolitical tensions to domestic conflicts within nations, the sense of unity in many parts of the world appears to be under strain. While advances in technology, medicine, and global cooperation on issues like public health have made life safer in many respects, modern threats such as cyberattacks, terrorism, pandemics, and climate-induced crises have grown in complexity and scale, posing significant challenges. Yet, amidst these challenges, a message of hope endures. As the Bible reminds us in Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (NIV)
Driven by his passion for fostering cohesive and harmonious communities, Pastor Wilfred Masih, from the Inverness and the Highlands area, organised a public gathering at Elgin Town Hall on December 7th. The event aimed to promote peace, respect, and meaningful dialogue among community members from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, emphasising the transformative power of understanding and awareness in overcoming division.
Reflecting on the motivation behind such events, Pastor Wilfred Masih shared, “As an Adventist Pastor, I strive to follow the example of Jesus, who blessed, healed, and interacted with all members of his community—many of whom we might not even consider engaging with." He added, 'It is a privilege for me to talk about my faith and my church in a respectful and authentic way with whoever God sends my way.” Pastor Masih continued, “We are given a Christian mandate in Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (NIV) This mandate, I believe, is at the heart of establishing new opportunities for community engagement, which promote greater understanding and foster stronger relationships.”
In his welcoming remarks, Pastor Masih emphasised, “Today, we recognise our differences, but also affirm the common values that we hold dear and that bind us together—respect for one another, care for our communities, and a shared desire to leave the world a better place for future generations.”
The gathering featured a keynote address by the guest of honour, Nancy Robson, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Moray, who commended the event and its purpose. “Events like these remind us of the power of unity during times of division and fragmentation. It is my hope that such gatherings will continue to strengthen our community,” she remarked. Imam Mustapha, another participant, highlighted the event’s impact, saying, “This is a beautiful opportunity to build bridges and learn from one another’s journeys.” Similarly, an Episcopalian Church minister expressed his delight at being invited, mentioning that he had made new friends. One more guest suggested that next time, the public services and business sectors should be actively involved in such an event. It is encouraging to see that community leaders from Inverness and Moray recognise the significance of this work and are eager to contribute to it.
Some who attended brought artefacts from their cultural and faith traditions which added to the rich atmosphere of intrigue and exploration.
The gathering concluded with a shared sense of hope and the promise of continued efforts to bring the community closer together. With Christmas on the horizon, Pastor Masih reminded everyone of its deeper significance: “This is the season of peace and goodwill toward all men. Let us carry that spirit with us as we work to build bridges in our community and the wider realms of our society.”
Reflecting on the event, Pastor Masih shared that, in answering questions about the Adventist Church, it became clear that many people were unfamiliar with it. He expressed his delight at having the opportunity to share the values of our church, along with the holistic, healthy lifestyle we promote, all of which can positively contribute to the well-being of our local communities.
