Open Discussions
in association with
Gulf Cultural Club
invites you to a discussion titled:
The human aspiration for divinity
Speakers
* Stephen Evans
(Rector of St Marleybone)
** Fr Frank Gelli
(former curate of Kensington, interfaith activist)
***Jenan Al-Araibi
(human resource specialist, social activist)
The religious doctrines aim at enhancing the human life by providing exemplary divine path to achieve perfection. Jesus Christ endured enormous hardship pursuing this goal. So did most prophets of God, including Mohammed. Christ was persecuted to the extent that he was placed on the Cross. But despite suffering physical harm his commands have lived over the ages and are as relevant now as they were then. The divine message aims at raising the human towards divinity to achieve perfection. Aspiration to achieve this is a noble act by people whose hearts open up to God Almighty.
6.30 pm, Monday 22nd December 2025
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP
The meeting will be held in person, followed by dinner
You can also participate on Zoom using this link
Meeting ID: 856 8088 8416
Password: 000000
Or on Youtube on this link:
Admission is Free. Please register for catering purposes – email: d05sa@yahoo.co.uk or text 07795 660 438
Rev Stephen Evans: Prior to ordination Stephen served as a Seaman Officer in the Royal Navy serving in HMS AVELEY, HMS ARGONAUT and HMS GALATEA before reading Theology at the University of Oxford and undertaking postgraduate studies at the University of Aberdeen. Alongside being the Rector of St Marylebone, Stephen is Patron of the Kurdish Aid Foundation, Vice-Chair of The St Marylebone School and The St Marylebone Bridge School (the Church of England’s only Free Special School Academy) opened in 2012).
Fr Frank Gelli was born in Rome, Italy. After reading sociology at Rome University, he became a journalist and a drama critic. Later, he obtained degrees in philosophy, theology and education from London and Oxford Universities. Ordained as an Anglican priest in 1986, he has served curacies in London and as chaplain to the Church of St Nicholas, British Embassy, Ankara, Turkey, 89-91. After serving as Curate of Kensington until 1999, where he was spiritual adviser to Diana, Princess of Wales, he has devoted himself mostly to interfaith work and writing. His books are available on Amazon.
Jenan Al-Araibi is a trainer, human resource specialist and social activist whose career bridges professional expertise with community empowerment: holding a BA in English literature and an MA in human resource management she has explored Bahraini women’s expectations of education in her university thesis and addressed gender barriers in her Leeds Business School case study. She has delivered numerous workshops on diverse topics. As one of the founders of the Hawa Forum she channels her commitment to volunteerism into empowering women.
