We have entered the holy month of April in 2022 when all major faiths have special festivals as you will see below.
The month has come at a time of extraordinary conflict in the world and gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on what peace means to us personally and in our faith traditions. This time is a blessed opportunity to make peace firstly within ourselves and then with all others as our faiths encourage us to do. If not us, as they say, then who?
Palm Sunday is also a time when refugees are remembered. The Melbourne Anglican community are going to make their Palm Sunday procession a reminder of the fate of refugees who have sought and are seeking asylum in Australia. But the support for this cause in Hobart is no less.
We have entered the holy month of April in 2022 when all major faiths have special festivals as you will see below.
The month has come at a time of extraordinary conflict in the world and gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on what peace means to us personally and in our faith traditions. This time is a blessed opportunity to make peace firstly within ourselves and then with all others as our faiths encourage us to do. If not us, as they say, then who?
Palm Sunday is also a time when refugees are remembered. The Melbourne Anglican community are going to make their Palm Sunday procession a reminder of the fate of refugees who have sought and are seeking asylum in Australia. But the support for this cause in Hobart is no less.
On Good Friday 15 April at 2.00pm, meeting at Scots’ Memorial Church in Bathurst St, Hobart, Religions for Peace Tasmania members are invited to join Rev Rosalind Terry in remembering the passion of Christ in the city streets of Hobart. This is always a moving and thought-provoking event and the details are below.
Holy Days in March 2022
| Date | Event | Religion |
| April 2 | Ramadan begins in Australia |
Islam |
| April 2 | Chaitra Navratri | Hinduism |
| April 10 | Rama Navami | Hinduism |
| April 10 | Palm Sunday | Christian |
| 14 April | Vaisakhi | Sikh |
| 14 April | Mahavir Jayanti | Jainism |
| April 14 | Vishu | Hinduism – Kerala |
| April 14 | Maundy Thursday | Christian |
| April 15 | Good Friday | Christian |
| April 16 | Theravadin New Year | Buddhism |
| April 16 | Hanuman Jayanti | Hinduism |
| April 16 | Pesach Passover |
Judaism |
| April 17 | Easter Sunday | Christian |
| April 17 | Palm Sunday | Orthodox |
| April 21 | First Day of Ridvan | Baha’i |
| April 22 | Good Friday | Orthodox |
| April 23 | Peasch Ends | Judaism |
| April 24 | Pascha (Easter day) | Orthodox |
| April 27 | Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day |
Judaism |
| April 29 | Ninth Day of Ridvan | Baha’i |
| May 3 | Eid-al-Fitr | Ramadan ends |
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change
Greetings from the ARRCC divestment group.
Protect our planet with your finances (Gas and Electricity)
- What is impact of your gas and electricity usage on the planet?
- What simple steps can you take to reduce that impact?
Come learn, share and discuss within an Australian Religious Response to Climate Change multifaith group on aligning your finances and faith to protect the planet by divesting from fossil fuels.
This standalone session is part of series that cover other aspects of finance such as Banking, Superannuation, Insurance, and Shareholder actions.
Sessions are 90 minutes on zoom.
Book your session on Gas and Electricity – Utilities for either of these sessions:
- Tuesday 5th April 2022 from 12 NOON – 1:30 PM AEST ACT/NSW/TAS/VIC/QLD (11:30AM SA/NT), (10AM WA), or
- Thursday 7th April 2022 from 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM AEST ACT/NSW/TAS/VIC/QLD, (7:00PM SA/NT), (5:30PM WA).
There is a lot that we can do to ensure that our big financial institutions and energy utilities are divesting from fossil fuel industries, and investing into renewable sources.
Best wishes
Jamie Cox and Sue Ennis
Members of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change Divestment Group
https://www.arrcc.org.au/
St David’s Cathedral, Hobart
St David’s Anglican Cathedral Palm Sunday Procession will be held during the Choral Eucharist service on Sunday 10 April at 10.00am. Everyone is welcome.
Soul Food
Dear Friends,
Soul Food is hosted at the Baha’i Centre of Learning for Tasmania, 1 Tasman Highway Hobart (behind the ABC Ample free parking) on the first Sunday of each month at 3 – 4 pm with delightful musical interludes. It is a free community event, refreshments are served and all are welcome. For more information please call 62347654 or Val mobile040408078
The theme for 1 May 3.00-4.00pm will be Fountains of Friendship.
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
Contemplative Studies Centre
The Contemplative Studies Centre at Melbourne University will conduct a webinar on the topic of Climate anxiety and the impact of a burning planet, online, on Monday, April 11 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Join moderator Jacinta Parsons (ABC Radio) and a panel of experts for an exploration of the ways in which contemplative practices can help us to manage the emotional toll of climate change.
This event is part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations for the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences.See the full program here.
Date: Monday, 11 April 2022
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: Webinar
Cost: Free
Register Online
Good Friday ‘Walk to the Cross and Beyond, with Jesus’
Rev Rosalind Terry (UCA) will lead this commemoration on Good Friday ‘Walk to the Cross and Beyond, with Jesus’
We will walk slowly together, linking the Biblical Story of Jesus’ last two days of earthly life to the activities that go on around and within the church building and the streets surrounding it. We will make 14 stops along the way to listen to scripture, think about activities today, and pray. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat or wet weather gear according to the weather, and perhaps bring a bottle of water.
Whenever I do this walk, I am always deeply moved to experience again the risen Christ active, weeping and laughing. in our city.
Leaving on Good Friday 15 April at 2.00pm from Scots Memorial, Bathurst St., Hobart
Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre
Calm Abiding Meditation: Eight Week On-Line Course
Thursdays: 21 April to 9 June 2022
6.30-7.30 pm
Meditation has a proven record in its ability to improve health, awaken happiness and give a clear perspective on life. It enables you to identify the real causes of unhappiness and recover from stress, anxiety and tension. It is a very important skill to develop in these difficult times.
Calm Abiding Meditation, also known as Shamatha, is to single-pointedly concentrate on the breath or other suitable object of meditation. It is a natural process that helps you to focus better on ordinary tasks and make you become more relaxed and peaceful. This Buddhist technique of mindfulness has attracted much interest from modern scientific fields such as psychotherapy and pain management as well as sport training.
This course will be led by Emilia Della Torre, who has many years of experience teaching the course.
The course involves a sequential set of teaching sessions that go for 1 hour a week. It will provide you with a complete introduction to help you establish a daily meditation practice. If you are already an experienced meditator you will come away with a good understanding of the principal characteristics and the finer points of the Buddhist approach to single-pointed concentration.
Download course outline here
Download course materials here
There is no textbook for this course. Interested students might like to consult the following resources, available in e-book versions:
Taming The Elephant Mind by Lama Choedak Rinpoche
How to Meditate: A Practical Guide by Kathleen Mc Donald
In keeping with a 2,500-year-old tradition no fee has been charged for this course. You are invited to give a donation to express your appreciation of the course and to support the Centre in continuing the work. You may donate when youbook.
Bookings may be made here. Please get a ticket for the first session so we know you are coming.
To access this course:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84338026421?pwd=ZnpHRlZBZmxPajNGR3BBVU9vR2Fndz09
For further details and to book, Book here
Got a question? Please contact info@tashicholing.net
Email info@hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com
Website https://www.hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com
Contemplative Studies Centre
The Contemplative Studies Centre at Melbourne University will conduct a webinar on the topic of Climate anxiety and the impact of a burning planet, online, on Monday, April 11 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Human life stands at a precipice: We cannot go back to previous ways of being – not completely – nor can we continue to live the way we are living. Any choices we make will involve stepping away from comfort and habit and into uncertainty. How can this be done?
From children to environmentalists, people all over the world are struggling to process their emotions about climate change. How can we confront the environmental crises and stay sane? Can contemplative practices from Indigenous or other traditions support us to care for the earth, our communities, and ourselves?
Join moderator Jacinta Parsons (ABC Radio) and a panel of experts for an exploration of the ways in which contemplative practices can help us to manage the emotional toll of climate change.
This event is part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations for the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. See the full program here.
Date: Monday, 11 April 2022
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: Webinar
Cost: Free
Register Online
Jewish Community Council of Victoria:
Yom HaShoa 2022 – Holocaust Commemoration
Remembering Together – Yom Hashoah Virtual Commemoration.
The JCCV is calling on our entire Jewish community to remember together!
This year’s commemoration is an inclusive virtual community commemoration with poignant testimonies, the participation of a range of Jewish students, and messages of support from communal members, leaders, and affiliates.
Apr 27, 2022 07:30 PM in Hobart
Relaxing Deeply, Thinking Positively
Relaxing Deeply, Thinking Positively: a gentle program to calm anxiety and create a positive pattern of thinking. Available via Zoom.
This program is a series of sessions over three continuous weeks: Mondays 2, 9 and 16 May 2022, 1.00-2.00pm.
To obtain a Zoom link, book with Terry on sussfam@bigpond.com or phone 6272 6521.
Parliament of the World’s Religions
You are being called. Last fall, we came together virtually in a time of crisis, but there is more work to do. This is why I am proud to announce that the theme of the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions is “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights.”
Super Saver offer end on 30 June 22 $225USD
The 2023 Parliament Convening in Chicago will address the threat of climate change, the dignity of women and girls, the rights of Indigenous peoples, engaging the next generation, peace, justice, the reduction of inequalities, and more. The Parliament continues to use the word “parliament” according to its archaic meaning: a safe place for civil discourse. It will be a place of open minds and open hearts where we can all express the wonder and dignity of our religious and spiritual traditions against the backdrop of the majestic beauty of Lake Michigan. But we could not do all this without addressing the foundational issue of our time; the threat to freedom and human rights. We must defend freedom and human rights together and find solutions to the rise of autocracy in our world
News Links
https://theconversation.com/how-the-ukraine-war-is-dividing-orthodox-christians-178319
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=499206908237322&ref=sharing
In peace,
Terry
Convenor RfP Tasmania Branch
Vice Chair, Religions for Peace Australia
Phone 6272 6521
