Tasmania – August 2020

Tasmania Logo

Greetings of peace! We hope you, your families and communities are safe and well! Many blessings for the festival of Eid al Adha, celebrated yesterday.

There has been an invitation from the President of the National Council of Churches Australia to dedicate tomorrow, Sunday 2 August, as a national day of prayer for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Greetings of Peace!
On August 6 and 9 2020, it will be the 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The International Campaign against Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is collaborating with the Uniting Church in Australia to host an interfaith service for nuclear disarmament on Hiroshima Day, Thursday 6th August at 6-6:45pm AEST. Register on the website to join the service to hear updates from ICAN and the Pacific Conference of Churches as well as prayers from the Hindu Council of Australia, the Australian Baháʼí Community, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, the Buddhist Council of NSW and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

For support and upliftment, the website of Religions for Peace International https://rfp.org/ gives details of religious communities responding together against COVID-19.  Every Monday, Religions for Peace International shares the stories of innovative, multi-religious responses to COVID-19 that have resulted due to the first ever Multi-religious Humanitarian Fund.

The fund catalysed dozens of projects globally – from projects distributing food and supplies to vulnerable, difficult-to-reach communities, to projects using traditional and social media to foster hope and share best practices across diverse communities.

Read the most recent stories from Bosnia and Mauritius and stay tuned for a new story every week on social media and the Religions for Peace International website.

News from around Australia, including prayers, chants and meditations for spiritual comfort during the time of COVID are also available on the website of Religions for Peace Australia.

Sending many thoughts of blessing, strength and peace to you and your communities,


Holy Days in August

Date Event Faith/religion
3 August  Raksha Bandan Hinduism
9 August World Day of Indigenous Peoples United Nations
11 August Krishna Janmastami Hinduism
15 August Assumption of Mary Christianity
20 August Al-Hijra Islam
22 August Ganesh Chaturthi Hinduism
26 August  Radhastami Hinduism

National Council of Churches in Australia


Out of concern for the pandemic, the National Council of Churches in Australia calls for a National Day of Prayer for the Pandemic and asks that all pray on Sunday 2nd August 2020. A prayer is given for use.

Download the Letter from the National Council of Churches in Australia


Soul Food


Dear Friends,

We would like you to join us as we present another Soul Food program via Zoom this Sunday, 2nd August 3pm.

The theme for this program will be “The Power of Words”, exploring the power of words, speech and sound and how their inspired usage can touch and transform the human soul.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86313588255?pwd=Sm9YSWJXeE9ZdC9qR0VrNTFOMVdZUT09
Meeting ID: 863 1358 8255
Passcode: 849941

To be on time you may enter the meeting from 2.45pm.
We do hope you will join us.
The Soul Food Team
O My brother! A pure heart is as a mirror; cleanse it with the burnish of love and severance from all save God.  Bahá’u’lláh


Hindu Society of Tasmania:

In line with the Federal Government Directives, the University is now closing the Multifaith Centre on campus until further notice. As such, there will be no face-toface meetings (satsangs) until further notice. However, I will continue the monthly classes on the Vivekacudamani of Shankaracharyaji on WhatsApp to keep the momentum going. This will comprise of notes and voice recordings posted on ‘VC Cafe’ on the scheduled monthly Mondays. This can be followed by chats/discussions via WhatsApp on the verses as covered. Enquiries to Sree on 0413 936 936.


Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre

Tuesday evening online meditation

On the first Tuesday in August, Guy will lead a session on ‘the unexpected.’

During the other three Tuesdays, Charles will be leading a Meditation Intensive. We will practise various calm abiding and kindness meditations and discussions will cover meditation practice, motivation, hindrances and remedies, establishing a practice and space will be offered for sharing our experiences. It is an opportunity for participants to practice regularly at home between sessions.

Zoom Meeting Time: Tuesday evenings in August, 7.30pm-9 pm

Zoom Meeting ID: 937 472 284

Or, you can use this direct link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/937472284#success

More information about our current online program. The prayers and further information for Tuesday evenings is also at this link. 

Email:info@hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com
Website:www.hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com


Uniting Church

Childrens Day
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day: 4 August 2020

All children deserve to thrive and fulfil their potential. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (Children’s Day) is our national day dedicated to celebrating our children, and is celebrated across the country each year on 4 August. This is an opportunity for us to show our support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.

There will be an event on 4 August organised by Leprena which will be held at Fanny Cochrane-Smith’s church at Nicholls Rivulet from 11.30am-1.30pm. There will be gathering, filming, yarn up, kipli (food) and other activities.

Aboriginal children’s voices need to be heard because they are a call to all of us from both the past and the future, which speak to us in the present moment and call us to walk together as First and Second Peoples, seeking community, compassion and justice for all creation.

An invitation from the organisers of the event at Leprena:

Ya community. 

We hope you can make it and if not please record your own video answering the following –
“Aboriginal children’s voices need to be heard because…”

Fanny Cochrane-Smith’s Church is at Cross Rd on the left on the way into Cygnet.
Please bring a deck chair and thermos if you have one!
Let’s hear the voices and create a loving living resource together. Ageless and sustainable.
Please share among your networks and encourage all.
Resources are available on the National Voice for our Children website.


Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

The 75th anniversary of the devastating nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are drawing near on 6 and 9 August. The activities of the International  Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons to remember and honour the victims and survivors this year is themed “for the hibakusha”. Hibakusha (Japanese survivors of nuclear warfare) continue to play a crucial role in the campaign for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Their lived experience of nuclear horror make real the violence behind concepts of “nuclear deterrence”.

ICAN is collaborating with the Uniting Church in Australia to host an interfaith service for nuclear disarmament on Hiroshima Day, Thursday 6th August at 6-6:45pm AEST. You can register on the website to join the service to hear updates from ICAN and the Pacific Conference of Churches as well as prayers from the Hindu Council of Australia, the Australian Baháʼí Community, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, the Buddhist Council of NSW and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

No reasonable person could listen to the story of a nuclear survivor and still claim that nuclear weapons have a legitimate role to play.


MORE: Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Retreat Days at Home create an opportunity for joining together for quiet time. Next Retreat Days at Home will be held on Saturdays 15 August and 19 September 2020. Contact Kerstin Reimers 6228 4890 or kerstin7reimers@gmail.com for details and to register.


Jewish Christian Muslim Association


Join us at the Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia in a free on line event on the theme, ‘ Kindness & Love in a Time of Separation – Perspectives From The Three Abrahamic Faiths’ on the afternoon of Sunday 9 August 2020. This is an online event, free.

‘Kindness & Love in a Time of Separation – Perspectives from The Three Abrahamic Faiths’
Join us at the Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia (JCMA based in Melbourne) in a free online event on the theme, ‘ Kindness & Love in a Time of Separation – Perspectives From The Three Abrahamic Faiths’.

We have invited six amazing speakers from the Abrahamic faith communities to participate in two panel discussions reflecting on the effects of COVID-19 on our communities and the challenges and lessons learned. Session one runs from 2.00pm – 3.15pm and session two from 3.30pm – 4.45pm. After each session there will be time for Q & A with a moderator.

Date: Sunday 9 August 2020
Time: 2.00pm – 5.15pm. Entry to Zoom from 1.50 pm
Theme: ‘Kindness & Love in a Time of Separation’
Cost: Free

Registration

To register on Eventbrite Click here. All those who register will be emailed further details and the Zoom link for the virtual event nearer the time of the event. We ask that all participants review the JCMA Principles of Dialogue by visiting this link http://jcma.org.au/principlesofdialogue/ prior to the event.


Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centre

Light graphics to support sending thoughts of spiritual sustenance to Victoria in general and Melbourne in particular:

Melbourne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XqScI4kwJE

Victoria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5AO1sa5aM0&feature=BFa&list=PL07BDF68071C511CA&lf=results_main


Sadhguru

Society and human interactions are going to be very different for at least the next one or two years. Listen to Sadhguru’s tips on how we can stay healthy and equip ourselves better for this new world.

Watch as Sadhguru gives tips on living in the era of Coronavirus:

https://youtu.be/_UTtwuF2Huo


City of Hobart

City of Hobart
I am writing to let you know that the 2020 City of Hobart Community Christmas Carol, and Event Partnership grant rounds will open on Wednesday 5 August.

Community Christmas Carol grants provide up to $15,000 to support community organisations to deliver local, participatory Christmas focused events.

Event Partnership grants provide over $20,000 to support major event delivery within Hobart.

Guidelines and application forms will be available via Smarty Grants from Wednesday. In the meantime if  you have any questions, please contact the City’s Grants Officer on 6238 2132.

Regards
Mark Joseph
Community Activation & Grants Coordinator


From Sandy (Faith Communities Council of Victoria):

https://theconversation.com/we-asked-multicultural-communities-how-best-to-communicate-covid-19-advice-heres-what-they-told-us-142719

https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/voices/culture/article/2020/06/18/im-proud-be-indigenous-muslim-woman-descended-cameleers

How faith is helping some through the struggles of Coronavirus
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-09/meditation-prayer-faith-cope-anxieties-coronavirus/12434824
 


Multifaith Communities contributing the wellbeing of Australians

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-15/muslims-melbourne-raising-concern-over-covid19-reports/12454846

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/muslim-women-serving-free-food-during-covid-19-lockdown-in-melbourne

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/meet-the-sikhs-who-keep-coming-to-the-rescue-for-vulnerable-victorians-20200718-p55d9a.html

For a list of agencies that may be able to support people in need, see https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalCouncilTasmania/photos/pcb.2655517338026559/2655515304693429/

 


Developing interactive and faith-specific family violence prevention resources

Funded as part of the federal government Community-led Projects to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children, over the next three years Sir Zelman Cowan Centre in Melbourne and Benevolence Australia will collaborate to create and develop interactive and faith-specific family violence prevention resources for use in pre-marital counselling, hoping to support equitable and respectful relationships after marriage.
https://www.vu.edu.au/about-vu/news-events/news/initiative-to-develop-just-in-time-faith-based-pre-marital-counselling

Migrant Resource Centre support websites:

Please note all the translated resources on MRC Tas’ Soundcloud account:
https://soundcloud.com/mrc_tas_settlement

Support during COVID-19

COVID-19 Resources

Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources

From Zenit:

US Bishops’ Head marks 75 Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings

US Bishops’ Head Marks Anniversary of Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

There is no objection to building churches with Muslim money

‘There is no Objection to Building Churches with Muslim Money’

Women Religious on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19

FEATURE: Women Religious on Frontlines of COVID19 Pandemic, Honored by American & British Ambassadors to the Holy See

Church’s humanitarian support in Indian slum

Church Participates in Humanitarian Service and Control of Covid-19 in India

Prayers, Chants, Meditations: from Religions for Peace Australia:

Meditations for a Time of Isolation

Meditations for a Time of Isolation


Interfaith Prayers for Coronavirus Lockdown

Interfaith Prayers for Coronavirus Lockdown


Multifaith Prayers – International Nurses Day 2020

Multifaith Prayers – International Nurses Day 2020


Lockdown and Mental Health: Meditation and The Sanctuary Experience

Lockdown and Mental Health: Meditation and The Sanctuary Experience

  


 

In peace,
Terry
Convenor RfP Tasmania Branch
Vice Chair, Religions for Peace Australia
Phone 6272 6521