Greetings of Peace! We wish our friends, family and community Muharram Mubarak and Shana Tova, with many blessings and a new year of filled with peace, good health, hope and wellbeing. Although we are currently facing many challenges calling for spiritual hope and courage, September is a month filled with much significance and many holy days in different faith traditions.
The twentieth anniversary of 9/11, tomorrow, also is a reminder to renew our commitment to peace. It is timely that 21 September every year commemorates the UN International Day of Peace. This year the theme of UNIDP is ‘Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world’. RfP Tas will honour the day by meeting in person and by zoom (called ‘hybrid’ meetings these days) for silent meditation on Tuesday 21 September 21, beginning at 11.30am, finishing at 12noon to the sound of the Peace Bell, traditionally rung at that time in Japan.
We wish our friends, family and community Muharram Mubarak and Shana Tova, with many blessings and a new year of filled with peace, good health, hope and wellbeing.
Although we are currently facing many challenges calling for spiritual hope and courage, September is a month filled with much significance and many holy days in different faith traditions.
The twentieth anniversary of 9/11, tomorrow, also is a reminder to renew our commitment to peace. It is timely that 21 September every year commemorates the UN International Day of Peace. This year the theme of United Nations International Day of Peace is ‘Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world’.
RfP Tas will honour the day by meeting in person and by zoom (called ‘hybrid’ meetings these days) for silent meditation on Tuesday 21 September 21, beginning at 11.30am, finishing at 12noon to the sound of the Peace Bell, traditionally rung at that time in Japan.
The venue will be the Brahma Kumaris’ Meditation Centre Hobart, 51 Bell St., New Town.
Space will be restricted, following COVID protocols, but interested people will be able to join through Zoom as well. To book, please email Terry. If you would like to join by zoom, she will send the link.
After the meditation, according to the theme of the day, we will support the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change by writing letters to members of our federal government, urging them to take immediate action in line with many other countries before the UN Climate Change Conference COP 26 goes ahead in Glasgow from October 31-November 12 2021.
In addition, Religions for Peace Australia supports the statement of the Parliament of the World’s Religions on the recent situation in Afghanistan.
The Parliament of the World’s Religions unequivocally stands for peace, justice and non-violence.
The Parliament stands with the Afghan community around the world, the thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing their homeland, and those who remain, especially those most vulnerable: women, girls, activists, journalists, and civil servants.
A note to let you know that this year, the Parliament of the World’s Religions will be held online for the first time from 16-18 October 21. The closing date to register at the normal rate, US$90, is 15 October.
Register for the Parliament of the World’s Religions online 2021 here
Finally, we would like to honour the memory of Emeritus Prof Gary Bouma AM, who has played a remarkable part in the establishment of the Multifaith movement in Australia. Bishop Phillip Huggins (President of the National Council of Churches in Australia) has written of his multifaith endeavours with Prof. Gary Bouma, here. Emeritus Prof Des Cahill OAM has written a memorial for his longtime friend and Colleague
Wishing you, your families and your communities peace, harmony and wellbeing, and looking forward to seeing you soon.
Holy Days in September 2021
| Date | Event | Faith/religion |
| 4-11 September | Paryushanana | Jainism A time of reflection and repentance concluding with the Festival of Forgiveness |
| 7 September | Muharram ends | Islam First month of the Islamic year. |
| 7-8 September | Rosh Hashanah | Judaism New Year begins 10 days of penitence culminating in Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It is the Holiest time of the year for Jews and the anniversary of the creation of the world. |
| 10 September | Ganesh Chaturthi | Hinduism Celebrates the arrival of Ganesh on Earth with his mother, Parvati |
| 16 September | Yom Kippur | Judaisim Day of Atonement |
| 21 September | International Day of Peace | United Nations Observance |
| 21-27 September | Sukkot | Judaism Harvest Festival |
| 29 September | Simchat Torah | Judaism Celebration of the Torah |
Hindu Society of Tasmania
To celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shri Ganesha Mandir, 6 Letitia Grove, Bridgewater will be open on 9 September 2021, 10am – 3pm for Hartalika Teej and from 10 September to 19 September 2021 at the following times:
10 September – 18 September: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Special program on 19 September
* 10:00am – 11:30am Shri Ganesha Abhishekam
* 12:00pm – 12:30pm Ladoo auction
* 12:30pm – 1:30pm Procession of Shri Ganesha
* Mandir will be open on Saturday and Sunday mornings 10:00am – 1:00pm.
* Prasad will be served on all days.
* Space is limited to due to COVID restrictions
* Contact: 0415 556 493 for information and bookings
Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre
Tashi Choling Dharma Foundation, Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre and Dorje Ling Retreat Centre’s latest newsletter is ready.
Together with other important information, the newsletter contains a number of articles on death and dying.
You may download the newsletter here
Monday afternoons: Calm Abiding meditation practice, 5.30 pm to 6.15 pm. Zoom only (see below).
Tuesday evenings: Sessions are being held at the Golden Room at Kickstart Arts on Tuesday evenings between 6.30-8pm. Kickstart Arts is located at St John’s Avenue, New Town. You can also attend via Zoom (see below).
We are continuing our study of the Lam Rim. Below are a list of upcoming topics:
* 14 and 21 September: The Perfection of Joyous Effort (with Guy Turnbull)
* 29 September and 5 October: The Perfection of Concentration (with Tony Were)
* 12 and 19 October: The Perfection of Wisdom (with Tony Dix)
* 26 October and 2 November: Calm Abiding (with Kate MacNicol and John Bilac)
* 9 and 16 November: Special Insight (with Tony MacIntosh)
* 23 and 30 November: Path to Enlightenment (with Tony Were)
* 7 and 14 December: Vajrayana (with Guy Turnbull)
* 21 December: Annual General Meeting
Zoom instructions:www.tashicholing.net/online-meetings
Uniting Church
Under the circumstances (COVID), this year’s (UCA’s) Peace Service will be held online via zoom on Tuesday 21 September at 2.00pm. Religious leaders from Aboriginal, Bahai, Brahma kumaris, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Mandaean, Sikh, Sufi and Zoroastrian communities will offer prayers for peace. There will be opportunity to light a candle for world peace during the service. So please keep a candle and matchbox ready.
The zoom link is: https://uca-nswact.zoom.us/j/96010303812
Looking forward to seeing you on zoom on 21 September at 2pm. If you need any information, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0429 892 548 or at revmanasghosh@gmail.com
Peace always!
Manas
Rev Dr Manas Ghosh
Minister
St John’s Uniting Church
Mobile No. 0429 892 548
Email: revmanasghosh@gmail.com
Virtual UN Peace Day with Calm in the City
International Day of Peace will be celebrated in Melbourne on Monday 21 September 2020 with an online event. Opening and Closing Reflections to the event will be given by The Honourable Linda Dessau, AC – the Governor of Victoria, and Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
Organised by Calm in the City, we are supporting the virtual UN Peace Day event. In the spirit of previous UN Peace Day events (in person), it will be a spiritually healing event celebrating – and strengthening – peace, compassion, courage and hope in the community.
Our COO Victor Perton will be asked to light a candle (on a Zoom platform) and hold a meditative space, along with 14 faith/non-faith leaders in the community, to a guided commentary with periods of silence.
Leaders from faith and non-faith backgrounds will come together, in unity, to each light a candle for peace and hold a meditative space to gentle guided commentary and music.
Opening and Closing Reflections to the event will be given by The Honourable Linda Dessau, AC – the Governor of Victoria, and Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
Sister Jayanti – of the Brahma Kumaris – an international emissary of peace – will be a special guest at the event, among others (including Charlie Hogg) and Caroline Ward will be facilitating.
We hope that you will be able to participate in the build up to, as well as attend, the UN Peace Day event. This event will be healing and reflective, as well as forward-looking in nature, and proactively supports the power of collective peaceful and positive intentions as we shape a future that we would like to live in – together.
Event Details
Event: Virtual UN Peace Day with Calm in the City
When: Monday, September 21, 2020
Time: 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Zoom
Bookings: Online at Zoom
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Independent and Peaceful Australia
The People’s Inquiry submission deadline will be extended until September 21 due to recent events in Afghanistan and the overwhelming response we have received in recent weeks. The generation-long war in Afghanistan, which started with John Howard’s invoking of the ANZUS Treaty, has now officially concluded with:
* 41 Australian soldiers killed
* 261 Australian soldiers wounded
* At least 500 soldiers committing suicide
* Over $9 billion in wasted public funds
* Over 47,000 innocent people from Afghanistan killed (at a conservative estimate)
* Millions of people from Afghanistan displaced
Needless to say, the scope of this devastation has put a spotlight on the costs and consequences of the US alliance like few other events in recent memory.
The People’s Inquiry also received over 120 submissions in the past month, bringing the total to nearly 250.
Due to the influx of submissions and the impact of recent events the People’s Inquiry will be open for submissions until September 21, 2021 (International Day of Peace).
The decision to extend the submission deadline was not taken lightly, however, the choice was guided by the need for the Australian public to voice their opinion on this issue.
If you have not submitted to the People’s Inquiry, now is your opportunity.
If you have any questions about how to submit please contact us anytime atipan.iquiry@gmail.com or watch the video on how to submit.
Common Grace
Aboriginal Deaths in Custody remains an ongoing injustice in these lands now called Australia. On 15 July the 10th Aboriginal person since March this year died in custody. This year also marks 30 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Since this time, there have been almost 500 deaths in custody and many of the 339 recommendations from this Commission have never been implemented. It is an injustice that breaks the heart of God, and an injustice that compels us, as followers of Jesus, to action.
You are invited to join the Online Prayer Vigil for Aboriginal Deaths in Custody on Sunday 26 September at 7:30pm AEST to be held on Zoom.
Aboriginal Deaths in Custody are a call for us to learn, to pray, and to act together to #StopAboriginalDeathsInCustody.
Register to join the Online Prayer Vigil for Aboriginal Deaths in Custody on 26 September at 7:30pm AEST
Since 2018, as a movement, we have gathered in person and online annually in prayer on the anniversary of Wayne Fella Morrison’s death, 26 September. This year marks five years since his death in custody in South Australia and Wayne’s Coronial Inquest continues today. #JusticeForFella #BanSpitHoods
Wayne’s mother Aunty Caroline Anderson said in July, “Every day we go without answers is another day I can’t mourn for my son. Five years is too long.”
We grieve and seek justice with Wayne’s family and also with all Aboriginal families who seek justice, continue grieving, and who have been denied justice.
Will you join in community to pray together on 26 September?
The prayer vigil will be led by Aboriginal Christian Leaders. Please Register Now to join the Online Prayer Vigil for Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and stand in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples, take action through prayer, reflection, deeply listening and lamenting together.
Coming together we feel less tired, and less alone, and we can be inspired for a better future.
PS. You will need to register to receive the zoom link. Please Note, this prayer vigil will not be streamed on Facebook so you need to register. The zoom link and instructions on how to participate will be sent to you before the event.
PPS. Access our Aboriginal Deaths in Custody resources pagehere. You can also add the #StopAboriginalDeathsInCustody Facebook frame to your profile picture here. Please let others know you’ll be joining the Online Prayer Vigil and don’t forget to invite your friends, family, and community along.
Common Grace: http://www.commongrace.org.au/
Australian Baha’i Community
The Australian Baha’i Community warmly invites you and representatives of your organisation to attend the third annual National Social Cohesion and Inclusion Conference. These conferences aim to explore the approaches, methods and experiences that can guide our country to foster greater social cohesion and inclusion into the future.
See highlights from previous conferences
This past year the global health crisis has affected us all and caused many to reflect on our way of life. We have grown increasingly conscious of how interconnected we are. How does this heightened sense of interconnectedness find expression in our efforts to be a more inclusive and socially cohesive society? How do we move from an acceptance of diversity towards harmonisation? How do we invite the participation of growing numbers in a collective conversation?
Keynote speakers to be announced
Conference details:
Date: 12 October 2021
Time: 10 am – 1 pm AEST
Conference sessions:
Session 1: Inclusion & Diversity (Opening & Keynote Address, and Q&A)
Session 2: Consultation (Panel Discussion and Q&A)
Session 3: Sharing Insights and Experiences (Workshop & Plenary)
Register to attend Registrations close on 10 October 2021
Tasmania Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry:
The Australian Volunteer Emergency Chaplaincy Alliance (www.ncca.org.au/departments/aveca) gathers the state leaders of disaster chaplaincy agencies (such as TCCEM and NSW’s DRCN) to work collaboratively and exchange ideas. Our State Officer, Gus Yearsley, was recently elected Chair of AVECA for the next 12 months. Congratulations, Gus!
It’s excellent to see Tassie significantly contributing and respected in this space. However, TCCEM funds are low and we need to raise additional financial support to facilitate Gus’s increased commitments to AVECA. Given the extra hours of work each week, and the cost to travel to meetings (when such travel exists again!), we are seeking to raise $7,000 during September to fund this role for 12 months. Without these funds, Gus will not be available to perform the role of AVECA Chair, which would be disappointing. Do you know someone who can contribute?
Giving to TCCEM
Please be encouraged, and encourage others, to donate financially to TCCEM to help us deploy volunteers to care for our fellow Tasmanians. All donations more than $2 are tax deductible, and we would greatly appreciate financial support. We were unsuccessful in receiving an allocation of funds in the State Budget last month and continue to reduce staff hours to make our financial reserves last. Our bank details are below – receipts are available by emailing us on admin@tccem.org.au.
* Tasmanian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry BSB 067103 Account 1064 1483
* Contact: Our TCCEM phone number recently changed to 0455 840 050.
Brahma Kumaris Australia Virtual Centre
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The Virtual Centre is hosting a Shiv Ratri program on Thursday 11 March, 6:30pm AEDT. It will be Shiv Ratri with a difference as it’s like an interfaith conversation.
Event Link (active at time event): http://tiny.cc/ShivRatri
Many thanks
Sona
Coordinator, Virtual Centre
virtual.centre@au.brahmakumaris.org
Islam and the Vaccine:
Islamic leaders urge Muslims to take the COVID vaccine
Pope Francis has told Catholics around the world they should take the vaccine for COVID-19. Now Islamic leaders are urging Muslims to do the same. The Australian National Imams Council says the vaccine is halal or permissible according to Islamic teaching.
For doctors working with Muslim communities, the statement is a major boost. Shumaila Panhwar is a GP in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and an executive member of the group Muslim Health Professionals Australia.
Listen to this interview on – The Religion and Ethics Report – ABC Radio National
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/islamic-leaders-urge-muslims-to-take-the-covid-vaccine/13230610
News Links
Returning Our Ancestors | Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
https://toda.org/global-outlook/the-afghanistan-situation-does-not-bode-well-for-peace.html
Mosque offers COVID vaccines but Arabic social media ‘misinformation’ keeps people away (msn.com)
Nazis, Covid protests and antisemitism | Julie Nathan | The Blogs (timesofisrael.com)
https://www.jwire.com.au/nazis-covid-protests-and-antisemitism/
Racism in times of Covid-19
Religions for Peace Australia presents Racism in times of Covid-19, an account of racism and extremism in times of pandemic. This video – delivered by Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill, OAM, touches on many bases and causes of racism generally, in addition to addressing far-right extremism in Australia, which has undoubtedly contributed to this issue.
https://religionsforpeaceaustralia.org.au/?p=12998
In peace,
Terry
Convenor RfP Tasmania Branch
Vice Chair, Religions for Peace Australia
Phone 6272 6521
