As we continue to witness unfolding events, Religions for Peace Tasmania Branch seeks to remain people of peace in upholding the values of multifaith harmony, inclusion, and social cohesion.
All of you must be traumatized by the recent events in the Middle East. We have all spent many hours in prayer and meditation for a peaceful long-term solution to such a tragedy.
Religions for Peace International has released the following statement, which is echoed by Religions for Peace Australia:
Religions for Peace International is horrified and deeply saddened by the tragic events that is taking place in Israel and Gaza. Our heavy hearts and collective prayers go out to all those affected, especially those who have lost loved ones and those who remain captive. Peace and safety are fundamental human rights entitled to all, Israeli and Palestinian alike — no person should have to live in fear or flee for their safety.
Given the escalating crisis we continue to call for peace and justice and to continue a prayerful and peaceful response to the violence, offering spiritual support for those experiencing trauma, heartache and sudden loss at this time.
Hoping to see you at the Vigil on Sunday (details below).
Every thought of peace lights a candle of hope.
Prayers and Meditations for Peace and Hope in the Middle East, Australia and Beyond
Religions for Peace Australia and United Religions Initiative invites all to join an online vigil of Prayers and Meditations for Peace and Hope in the Middle East, Australia and Beyond
A Vigil for Victims of War (Please bring a candle – if you can)
As we continue to witness unfolding events, we seek to remain people of peace in upholding the values of multifaith harmony, inclusion, and social cohesion.
Date: 22 October 2023
Time: Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart: 6.30 – 7.00pm
Adelaide: 6.00pm, Brisbane: 5.30pm, Darwin: 5.00pm, Perth 3.30pm
Zoom Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85631917265 Meeting ID: 856 3191 7265
Enquiries to Terry on 0438 069 728
Faith leaders urge peace between faith communities | Watch (msn.com)
The International Prayer for Peace:
Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth
Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust
Lead me from hate to trust, from war to peace
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe.
With respect to the recent Referendum:
From Mariam-Rose Ungunmerr-Bauman:
My people are not threatened by silence. They are completely at home in it. They have lived for thousands of years with Nature’s quietness. My people today recognise and experience in this quietness the great Life-Giving Spirit, the Father of us all. It is easy for me to experience God’s presence. When I am out hunting, when I am in the bush, among the trees, on a hill or by a billabong; these are the times when I can simply be in God’s presence. My people have been so aware of Nature. It is natural that we will feel close to the Creator. Our Aboriginal culture has taught us to be still and to wait. We do not try to hurry things up. We let them follow their natural course – like the seasons. We watch the moon in each of its phases. We wait for the rain to fill our rivers and water the thirsty earth…
When twilight comes, we prepare for the night. At dawn we rise with the sun.
We watch the bush foods and wait for them to ripen before we gather them. We wait for our young people as they grow, stage by stage, through their initiation ceremonies. When a relation dies, we wait a long time with the sorrow. We own our grief and allow it to heal slowly.
We wait for the right time for our ceremonies and our meetings. The right people must be present. Everything must be done in the proper way. Careful preparations must be made. We don’t mind waiting, because we want things to be done with care.
We don’t like to hurry. There is nothing more important than what we are attending to. There is nothing more urgent that we must hurry away for.
We wait on God, too. His time is the right time. We wait for him to make his word clear to us. We don’t worry. We know that in time and in the spirit of dadirri (that deep listening and quiet stillness) his way will be clear.
We are river people. We cannot hurry the river. We have to move with its current and understand its ways.
We hope that the people of Australia will wait. Not so much waiting for us – to catch up – but waiting with us, as we find our pace in this world.
If you stay closely united, you are like a tree, standing in the middle of a bushfire sweeping through the timber. The leaves are scorched and the tough bark is scarred and burnt; but inside the tree the sap is still flowing, and under the ground the roots are still strong. Like that tree, you have endured the flames, and you still have the power to be reborn.
Our culture is different. We are asking our fellow Australians to take time to know us; to be still and to listen to us.
– Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann (Aboriginal activist, educator, artist and 2021 Senior Australian of the year) https://absentofi.org/2023/10/155140/
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
21 October 2023 Retreat at Home, 10.15am to 3.30pm
If you would like to set aside a few hours on a Saturday for your spiritual nurture, you are very welcome to join us. You may choose to connect with others in spirit or via a short Zoom segment at the start and the end the day. For more information, please contact Kerstin Reimers kerstin7reimers@gmail.com or Drew Thomas drew.thomas@iinet.net.au
COP Meditations and Prayers
Prayers and Meditations for Our Earth and UNFCCC COP 28 UAE, Nov-Dec 2023
Join our wave of Peace, Prayers and Meditations for Our Earth and UNFCCC COP 28 UAE, Nov-Dec 2023 every Thursday until 30 November, when the meditations and prayers will be held every day for the duration of the conference.
Times:
11.30am to 12 noon Western Australia
12.30 pm to 1.00 pm Japan
1.30 pm Brisbane
2.00 pm to 1.30 pm South Australia
2.30 pm to 3.00 pm Hobart Melbourne and Sydney
9.30 pm to 10.00 pm Wednesday 16th New Mexico
(Please note time changes due to Daylight Savings commencing in New South Wales, South Australia & Tasmania)
https://zoom.us/j/98905456344
Passcode: 082143
Tasmanian Muslim Association
The Tasmanian Muslim Association (TMA) has the pleasure to cordially invite you to attend TMA 50th Year Anniversary Celebration and Hobart Mosque Open Day on Saturday, October 28th at the Hobart Mosque, 166 Warwick St, West Hobart between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm.
The event will be community and family centred; there will be tours of the mosque, free Sausage Sizzle, Children activities, opportunities for engagement with local Muslims and religious elders.
It would be a pleasure to host you and your family on the day at the Hobart Mosque.
Please find the attached TMA Anniversary Flyer for more details.
Sacred Conversations
Our next meeting is on Saturday 28th October from 2pm to 4pm, at the Bahai Centre of Learning which is located at 1 Tasman Hwy, Hobart.
The title of the next presentation is: “The Tyranny of the ‘Isms” and the Universal Quest for Peace, Love, and Unity”
The presenter is Julian McGarry
Everyone is very welcome to join us. Why not bring a friend? Refreshments are served at the end of the meeting.
We also have a Zoom link if you can’t attend in person:
Blessings to you all! (Enquiries: Julian 0401673016)
2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions
A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights August 14-18 23, Chicago
A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights is a presentation by participants – from Australia – at the 2023 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. Presenters are Bishop Philip Huggins, Adrian Dass and Ayesha Bux. This event will be held online on evening of Monday 30 October 2023, from 7pm, Australian Eastern Daylight time.ns
Monday 30 October, 7-8 pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 879 3905 7239. Passcode: 568422
All welcome.
Presenters
Bishop Philip Huggins is a Bishop in the Anglican Church of Australia.
Ayesha Bux is the founder of SalamFest, celebrating the contributions of Muslims in the fields of arts and culture.
Adrian Dass received a grant (National Council of Churches in Australia, and Victorian Council of Churches) to attend the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions to gain a deeper understanding of ecumenical and interfaith relations, and the diversity of faith perspectives.
Soul Food
Soul Food Sunday 5 November 3pm Baha’i Centre of Learning, 1 Tasman Highway Hobart.
The topic is Children – Radiant Lamps.
This is a free community event and open to all. Refreshments will be served and ample free car parking is available.
For more information, visit http://soulfood.com.au/tas/
Deepavali Tasmania Inc
12 November marks the Hindu Festival of Diwali.
The festival will be celebrated with song, dance and wonderful food on Friday 17 November, 4.30pm-9.30pm, in Franklin Square, Hobart.
The opening ceremony of the lighting of the auspicious lamp is scheduled for 7.00-7.30pm.
If you have any queries, please contact Ajit Ramadas on 0411 300 630 or Kiran Yallapu on 0449 892 045.
In peace,
Terry
Convenor Religions for Peace Tasmania Branch
Convenor, Faith Communities of Tasmania
Phone 6272 6521
