The Religions for Peace gathering for this month will be held on Sunday 31 July 2016 from 3.00pm-4.00pm at the UTAS Multifaith Centre, TUU Building, Churchill Ave, Sandy Bay. Our guest will be Mr Usman Rana from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. His topic will be An Introduction to Islam and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Greetings of peace!
The Religions for Peace gathering for this month will be held on Sunday 31 July 2016 from 3.00pm-4.00pm at the UTAS Multifaith Centre, TUU Building, Churchill Ave, Sandy Bay.
Our guest will be Mr Usman Rana from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. His topic will be An Introduction to Islam and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Mr Rana will speak briefly, to allow plenty of time for questions, answers and sharing understanding. We are grateful for this opportunity provided by Mr Rana to share a time of friendship and bridge-building.
The opportunity follows a message of solidarity from the Secretary-General of Religions for Peace International, William Vendley, which he gave on July 6 at the end of the month of Ramadan: On the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr (the festival which concludes the month of Ramadan) Religions for Peace stands in solidarity with all practitioners of Islam and with all – in every faith and in every region on Earth – who seek tolerance, respect, understanding and harmony among the peoples of Earth.
Tamar Community Peace Trust and Community Festival for Peace
The inaugural Community Festival for Peace will take place in Launceston from 10-12 July 2015. This innovative project offers the community opportunities to define and share what PEACE means to them as individuals and organisations. ‘Peace’, in the context of this concept, is not only about the conflict of wars: it is about our behaviour as citizens of local communities and global societies. At a community level, the Festival aims to celebrate the roles of art, diversity, education and sport in building community cohesion and goodwill between people.
Churches, all faiths and all community groups are warmly invited to participate in the Festival. You may like to host specific events or activities or, alternatively, adapt existing aspects of services and teachings to promote the concept of peace and good will.
While the heart of the Festival will be the weekend of the 10th – 12th July, there will be peace-related activities occurring throughout the month and yours would be most welcome any time during this period.
‘Peace’, in this context, is not only about the conflict of wars: it is about our behaviour as citizens of local communities and global societies. At a community level, the Festival will celebrate the role of art, literature, diversity, education, faiths and sport in building community cohesion and goodwill between people.
Several schools and service clubs have decided to join in and will run themed activities including assemblies, exhibitions, guest lectures, writing projects and community service activities. Other organisations are hosting exhibitions and providing venues for local choirs, orchestras and theatre companies that will deliver themed performances at a range of venues. People can choose how they wish to be involved. Any church venues that can be offered to host activities would be warmly welcomed.
For a program, visit: http://www.tamarcommunitypeace.org.au/peace-festival-2016/?view=calendar&month=July-2016
Quaker Responses to War and Violence: WW1 centenary.
Earlier this month, the Australian Quakers converged on Hobart for their Annual Meeting, and an exhibit has been installed in the Hobart Linc to mark the occasion. It is on the first floor. This exhibit illustrates Quaker non-violence historically and in WW1, with reference also to some Tasmanian Quakers who served in the Quaker Ambulance Unit.
It’s a particularly appropriate time to show this exhibit, as it coincides with the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and Fromelles. Veterans of Gallipoli expressed the view that it was a ‘picnic’ compared to France. The casualties were horrifying, amounting to a million killed, injured and missing, 23,000 of whom were Australian. Reason enough to argue the futility of war!
The exhibit will be in place till the 26 July, when it will move to the Launceston Linc.
Soul Food
Soul Food Session at the Baha’i Centre
Soul Food – Sunday August 7th 3pm.
As we step into another refreshing winter, I would like to invite you to join us for SOUL FOOD this Sunday June 7th 3pm at the Baha’i Centre of Learning (Behind the ABC Building, 1 Tasman Highway, Hobart). The Program will focus on A Path of Light and Shade … This program presents the idea that, through adversities, we learn and grow; we need faith and detachment to appreciate the joys and sorrows of life.
We also promise you a nice afternoon tea with lots of hot food to warm the body. Hosted in the tranquil ambience of the Bahá’í Centre of Learning, (Behind A.B.C. building) 1 Tasman Highway, providing an opportunity to be inspired, uplifted and to celebrate our humanity and oneness in a spirit of friendship and unity. This pleasant meditative afternoon is a free Community inspired event
Dances of Universal Peace
Come shower our earth and each other with sacred songs!
- When: First Tuesday of the Month, 7:30pm
- Where: Wesley Hall, 58 Melville St., Hobart (Upstairs)
- There is parking in the car park.
- You will need to enter through the side entrance via the car park and head up the stairs.
- First Tuesday of each month, 7.30 – 9.30pm
- Suggested donation $10
- Enquiries ph 62 393499 or 0400051963
From Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre:
On Tuesday nights from 7:30 until 9pm, from 5th July until and including 26th July at The Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre: 2nd Floor 71 Liverpool St., Roger McLennan will be leading meditation and discussion on the Six Paramitas also known as the Six Perfections.
In the Tibetan Mahayana tradition, these six transcendent actions help us to live an unobstructed life and are concerned with the effort and logic of stepping away from our conditioned self-interest or egocentricity.
All are welcome including beginners.
Meditation and Discussion 7.30-9 pm, every Tuesday. Entry by $5 suggested donation.
71-3 Liverpool St [Goulds building, down the laneway to the right of the building, in the door between the bamboo pots and up the stairs to the 2nd floor]
Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre is forwarding the message below from the Chagtong Chentong Centre in Hobart. All questions to Lindy chagtong@gmail.com
Chantong Chentong Centre Reiki Program
CTCT are delighted to be hosting this Introductory REIKI COURSE Level 1 offered by visiting FPMT Touring teacher Ven Lobsang Namgyel.
REIKI COURSE LEVEL1 WEEKEND WORKSHOP
A Reiki course suitable for beginners. The workshop in includes a manual and a certificate. Taught by Venerable Namgyel, experienced Reiki master.
During this two day workshop you will be given the Reiki attunement, and Venerable Namgyel will give you essential information necessary for the giving of treatments to others and to yourself.
Course Information:
WHEN: August 13 & 14 10 am – 5pm
WHERE : Main Gompa – 166 Warwick St West Hobart
COURSE COST: $275
Payment in full is required once you have received your registration confirmation email.
Attendance is required in full to receive Level 1 Certificate.
Spaces for this course are limited so please register your interest to attend ASAP via email to ctctregister@gmail.com
Venerable Namgyel is an Australian monk ordained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition who has been teaching Reiki for more than twenty years and brings together his practice of Buddhism with the practice of Reiki, wanting to help and benefit others.
Reiki is a form of therapy that uses simple hands-on, no-touch, and visualization techniques, with the goal of improving the flow of life energy in a person. Reiki (pronounced ray-key) means “universal life energy” in Japanese, and Reiki practitioners are trained to detect and alleviate problems of energy flow on the physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Reiki touch therapy is used in much the same way to achieve similar effects that traditional massage therapy is used—to relieve stress and pain, and to improve the symptoms of various health conditions.
website www.hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com
From Spiritual Care Australia:
Julie Leibrich, one of New Zealand’s first Mental Health Commissioners, launched Spiritual Health Victoria’s newest Multifaith resource Heart and Soul Matters: A guide to providing spiritual care in mental health settings at the Spiritual Care Australia Conference on 3rd May 2016.
This guide is intended for staff working in community and clinical services supporting people living with mental illness, their families and carers. It is designed to equip staff, carers and family members with basic information to engage in conversations that involve spiritual themes.
If you would like to purchase a hard copy there is a charge of $4 per booklet to cover printing & postage costs contact: http://www.spiritualhealthvictoria.org.au/contact-us
From Uniting Church in Australia, Relations with Other Faiths:
The Hunter UCA Presbytery, as well as individual congregations and church members, have written letters in support of plans for a new mosque in Newcastle.
The long-held trust and friendship between the region’s Christian and Muslim communities has provided a point of difference to anti-Islamic rhetoric surrounding the proposal. To read more, go here.
Launceston News
From Mr Kulwant Singh Dhillon in Launceston, who has opened a new Multifaith centre in his home:
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh ji.
Sangat ji, on 26th June had a special occasion at Grindelwald (7 Alpine Cresent). We are pleased to announce that on this day we held an Opening ceremony of our Gurdwara Sahib in Launceston region. We look forward to meeting you on future occasions. From: Kulwant Singh & family 03 6330 1199
The Tablet
Have you ever wanted to learn Hebrew? An online course is available through the online Language Academy of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem: Click here!
From Zenit
Vatican’s Interreligious Dialogue Council Says Al-Azhar Meeting Was Fruitful
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 14 July, 2016
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue announces that Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, secretary of the dicastery, along with Archbishop Bruno Musarò, apostolic nuncio in Egypt, met Wednesday with Dr. Kamal Abd al-Salam, member of the Al-Azhar Centre for Dialogue, representing Dr. Mahmoud Hamdi Zakzouk and Professor Mohey El-Din Afifi Ahmed, secretary of the Al-Azhar Islamic Research Complex.
They were all subsequently received by the Wakil of Al-Azhar, Dr. Abbas Shouman, with whom a fruitful meeting was held.
After conveying the Pope’s greetings and good wishes, the secretary discussed the terms and methods of a further meeting to mark the resumption of dialogue between the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and Al-Azhar University.
The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, brought to light the importance of sincere and fruitful dialogue between the dicastery and the important Sunnite institution, and of collaboration that has at heart the good of humanity and which strengthens the bonds between Christians and Muslims.
US Bishops on Terrorism Attacks: ‘Evil Tests Our Humanity’
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 30 June, 2016
Following the airport attack in Istanbul, Turkey, that left dozens of people dead and many more wounded, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops extended a message of hope and unity through suffering after the latest string of terrorist attacks.
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, issued the following statement June 29.
Drawing Strength from God’s Endless Mercy
Evil tests our humanity. It tempts us to linger in the terror of Istanbul, Paris, Brussels, San Bernardino, Orlando, and countless other Golgothas ancient and new. Evil lives in the empty hope that terror will blind us to our common humanity. As Christians, we focus not on the violence, but rather the mournful, hopeful image of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Cradling the broken body of Jesus, given up for all of us, Mary found comfort and strength in the love of her Son. Jesus responded to horrific suffering with mercy.
Each time terror returns us to Golgotha, we should ask: can we respond as Mary did, or will fear numb our compassion? Evil cannot be born from God. Let us take this moment to reach out to our brothers and sisters in solidarity. The true representation of faith is found in the heroic acts of Istanbul’s airport security and emergency response.
As violence picks up its deadly pace, we can draw strength from God’s endless mercy. No matter how often we must return to Golgotha, Mary will always be there to sustain us. Let us, once again, turn our unwavering prayer and generosity toward the suffering.
Coda: Mary Magdalene
The original church of St Mary Magdalene at George Town was burnt down in 1994. The new building, which cost $170 000 and can hold about 160, was opened in April 2000.
On this day of the Feast of Mary Magdalene, we recall that early in June, the Vatican raised the commemoration of Mary Magdalene to a Feast. This places St Mary Magdalen on the same level as the Apostles of Jesus. Pope Francis endorsed the elevation of Mary Magdalene’s commmoration on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. It is good to know that George Town in Tasmania has a new church dedicated to St Mary Magdalene (and suitably consecrated) and that Saint Mary Magdalene is honoured as the first witness to the Risen Jesus.
In peace,
Terry
Convenor RfP Tasmania Branch
6272 6521
Religions for Peace Tasmania
