Tasmania: November 2023 – Religions for Peace Australia

Tasmania Logo We are all continuing to grieve for those caught up in the horror of the Middle East bloodshed, those there in person and those caught up at a distance. Many people of faith are sending constant spiritual support to everyone trapped by the conflict, whatever the connection.

Greetings of peace!

We are all continuing to grieve for those caught up in the horror of the Middle East bloodshed, those there in person and those caught up at a distance. Many people of faith are sending constant spiritual support to everyone trapped by the conflict, whatever the connection.

The Executive Committee of Religions for Peace Australia has sent letters to the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, relevant Ministers, and to each State Premier and Territory Chief Minister asking that our politicians commit to maintaining Australia as the refuge it is for many citizens. You can find a copy of the letter here.

We continue to support peacemaking and humanitarian solutions and pray that the fragile truce being brokered will be long-lasting and lead to a just solution, especially over the many holy days during December and January.

We have been inspired by the steadfast friendships within the Religions for Peace Australia national executive committee, where there are Jews who care for Muslims and Muslims who care for Jews. In the meantime, here are some more inspiring initiatives to remind us that our faiths call us to make peace.

From Peace Collective Jerusalem:

On the dignity of the human life in times of crisis: https://fb.watch/oqqg8_46a0/?mibextid=9R9pXO

From the Melbourne Anglican:

Violence rages in Gaza, but a meeting of Jewish and Muslim women has given me hope – The Guardian

Remona Aly, director of communications for Exploring Islam Foundation writes that it feels impossible to do justice to the horror that is unfolding in Gaza.

But with years of relationship-building in jeopardy, she is one of a group of women trying to salvage relations between the communities they are from.

Last week she was invited to a safe space: a private gathering co-hosted by a Jewish woman and a Muslim woman. They met in the precincts of Westminster Abbey in the fittingly named Jerusalem Chamber.

Wishing you every blessing for a peaceful Christmas and holy day season and a safe, happy New Year.

Support for Communities affected by ongoing conflict in the Middle East

Many of our friends in Australia have been deeply traumatised by the horror in the Middle East. If you know of anyone who may benefit from emotional or psychological support, this linked document: Support for People During Times of International Conflict, may be helpful.

The Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania’s Phoenix Centre (Tasmanian FASSTT agency) provides counselling and mental health support services statewide. Please make a referral if you are aware of anyone who needs support as a result of distress associated with any international conflict.

Humanitarian Aid Agencies supporting communities in Gaza and Israel:

Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements are active in supporting everyone affected by the current conflict: https://www.icrc.org/en

In Australia, Red Cross Restoring Family Links service is available for people who have lost contact with loved ones in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Call 1800 875 199 9am–5pm (AEDT) or email tracing@redcross.org.au

Our Tasmanian Red Cross branch has launched a fund-raiser with The Red Cross Cookbook. Copies of the book are now for sale at the Red Cross at 123 Elizabeth Street, for $50 a copy.

Reporting Targeted Violence and Hate Speech:

Many communities are reporting that the crisis in the Middle East appears to be increasing Anti-Semitism and Anti-Islamism and other targeted incidents locally, including against the Sikh community. There is no place for targeted violence and hate speech in Australia.

Below please find attached the Migrant Resource Centre Booklet Our Community Safety, and the Reporting Prejudice-Related Violence Workshop slides created by Prof Nicole Asquith and Scott Davis, which provide guidance about what to do if you, or a community member, are facing any targeted incidents.

A timely reminder also, of our Hobart Respects All – ‘Calls to Action’, following these recent incidents of violence against members of our multicultural, multifaith communities. Visit Hobart Respects All – City of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

What can we do as bystanders?

As bystanders, we can send a clear message that racist behaviour is not okay. Depending on the situation, there are lots of ways to help.

Be there

Speak to, sit or stand next to the person being harassed to show support for them. We do not have to respond directly to the perpetrator, if that feels safer.

Report it

We can report racism or discrimination, wherever it happens, to Equal Opportunity Tasmania via their website.

If we’re travelling on public transport, call on the driver to assist.

If the situation feels threatening, call for police assistance on 131 444 In life threatening or emergency situations call 000.

If you wish to remain anonymous you can alternatively call Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 in non-emergency situations.

Call it out

If you feel it won’t endanger you, tell the person who is being racist that they’re out of line. Sometimes they’ll back off. Or perhaps they’ll reflect on what you’ve said later.

Sacred Conversations

Greetings of peace, love, and unity to you all!

Our next meeting is on Saturday 25 November from 2pm to 4pm, at the Bahai Centre of Learning which is located at 1 Tasman Hwy, Hobart.

Our dear sister, Ann Starc from the Hobart Bahai Community, has kindly volunteered to lead us in a conversation that seems quite fitting as a way of winding up the year. Here is Ann’s description of the topic:

Seeking a vision for the future: “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29).

As 2023 comes to an end with strife on every continent, vision seems lacking and the threat of perishing a very real possibility. Yet as we look around at an individual level, there are golden shards of optimism – coming from both groups and individuals.

Since 1968 so many have been inspired by the vision of the Earth from space, taken by an Apollo 8 astronaut – the Blue Marble. And a hundred years ago Baha’u’llah said “This handful of dust is one home, let it be in unity.”

The International Council for Science in 2014 provided a vision for Future Earth 2025:

The vision of Future Earth is for people to thrive in a sustainable and equitable world. This requires contributions from a new type of science that links disciplines, knowledge systems and societal partners to support a more agile global innovation system.

2025 is almost upon us and the future is becoming the present.

This session is an invitation to share your vision, more of the pathway to the planetization of humanity, thriving in a just and sustainable world, than of the end point – one of the unknown unknowns for us all. It will be participatory – and you are encouraged to contribute your thoughts, your ideas and your intuition about what will be required to transform our current state of conflict and insecurity to the healing of the planet and our collective and individual selves.

Depending on opportunity we will try to move beyond words and may even try some drawing. Those of you participating via Zoom may care to have paper and coloured pencils available so you can participate.

Some questions to think about in no particular order:

What was the effect on you of being able to see the earth as a fragile and beautiful whole we are the first generation to have been able to do so?
What are some of the elements you think are essential for the establishment of a sustainable and harmonious world – let’s try for specifics rather than general statements?
What do we need to lose?

Here are the meeting details:

Date and time: Saturday 25th November, from 2pm to 4pm

Venue: The Baha’i Centre of Learning, 1 Tasman Hwy, Hobart

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6401673016

In closing, I would just like to thank you all for your support and attendance over the past year. Interfaith is not easy and can sometimes be quite challenging. I hope that next year you will continue to demonstrate your solidarity with the aims of Sacred Conversations as we pursue the goal of spirit unity in the midst of extraordinary diversity.

Blessings to you all! (Enquiries: Julian 0401673016)

COP28 Meditations and Prayers

Prayers and Meditations for Our Earth and UNFCCC COP 28 UAE, Nov-Dec 2023

With the urgent need to place nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action and to mobilize the most inclusive COP ever, the facilitating team from The Brahma Kumaris Australia / Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (Western Australia) offers co-Hosted Zoom Prayers and Meditations for our Earth and COP 28 have elected to continue our prayers and meditations every morning during the COP.

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 that these prayers will be conducted daily for the duration of COP28, commencing 30 November.)

https://zoom.us/j/98905456344
Passcode: 082143

Dances of Universal Peace

Bringing Light into the World one dance at a time

When: 03 Dec, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Where: Lenah Valley, 188 Lenah Valley Rd, Lenah Valley TAS 7008, Australia

We are delighted to welcome Anahata back to Tasmania to lead us deep into the world’s spiritual traditions through the Dances of Universal Peace.

Anahata is just back from an extraordinary pilgrimage through India and Nepal – tracing the steps of the Buddha – and is bound to be full of stories, anecdotes and insights to share with us; and perhaps even new music too!

Anahata is a senior leader, mentor & composer of the Dances of Universal Peace. She is a gifted musician and plays open tuned guitars, a range of recorders and hand drums.

Book here

Soul Food

Soul Food Sunday December 3rd Baha’i Centre of Learning, 1 Tasman Hwy, Hobart TAS 7000, 3pm.

The theme for this program will be The Healing Balm of Friendship

This program looks at the theme of friendship as healing for individuals and a foundation for the unity of humankind, and the music will be presented by The Stellar Quartet who specialize in four-part harmony singing of both barbershop and modern a cappella arrangements. Refreshments are served and all are welcome. For more information please call 6281 9018

Ample free parking.

For more information, visit http://soulfood.com.au/tas/

St David’s Cathedral

A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten

Presented by The Natural Voice, Singing and Breathing Studio

Johanna van Tienan ~ Conductor

Helen Todd ~ Voice Coach

Iestyn Parry ~ Accompanist

Supporting Artists: Elizabeth College Early Music Ensemble;

Jennie MacDonald & Estelle Levu ~ Flute Duo

Tickets available via Humanitix

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

New Years Retreat, 1 Jan 2024

The Quaker Meeting House, 5 Boa Vista Road, New Town welcomes all to begin the New Year with a time of personal reflection, arrival at 9.15am for 9.30am commencement, sharing communal silence concluding at 12.30 pm. All invited to stay on for BYO lunch and time for sharing.

Please let us know if you will be attending.

Anne Bliss 0407347378 Maggi Storr 0415355336

The Legal Obligations for Faith Communities under the Child and Youth Safe Framework

It is very important for all faith communities to have the following legally binding protocols in place before 1 January 2024. All organisations may be audited by the Independent Regulator to ensure that they are complying with the new legislation passed in Tasmania on 1 July 2023.

If you missed the overview forum (held in September 23), you can access the on-demand version with the password FORUM.

If you missed the Standards forum (held in September 23), you can access the on-demand version with the password STANDARDSFORUM.

The slides for the Reportable Conduct Forum held on 7 November are attached below.

In addition, please find information at the following links:

Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre

Zasep Tulku Rinpoche Visit to Tasmania
Bookings are now open for the much-awaited visit by Zasep Tulku Rinpoche to Tasmania in 2024.

He will be offering a public talk in Hobart and a retreat at Dorje Ling Retreat Centre, Tasmania. There is a limit of 50 places at the Dorje Ling retreat, and booking with full payment is due by 23/12/2023 for catering arrangements.

Please see this website or this poster for more information and a link to the bookings page.

Interfaith Statement from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Petition

Philippa Rowland, Chair Religions for Peace Australia, is recommending state/territory groups consider signing two petitions both endorsed and signed by Religions for Peace Australia:

The Interfaith Statement from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its work “to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons”. https://icanw.org.au/interfaith-support/

and

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty petition. We note that this treaty initiative originally came from our sisters and brothers in the Pacific in 2017 as they are at the front line of climate change. We would like to join them in their call for this treaty: https://fossilfueltreaty.org/

You may sign either as an organisation or as individuals at https://fossilfueltreaty.org/#endorse