Tasmania, May 2016

Tasmania Logo

The sacred festival days continue as we move from April to May. While the eight day festival of Pesach or Passover is often close in time to ‘Western’ Easter, this year, Pesach does not begin till 23 April and ends on 30 April. The Eastern Rite, or Orthodox, Easter Sunday is 1 May 2016.

The Religions for Peace events for May will include participating in the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change and we will be hosting a gathering for Tasmanians for Reconciliation towards the end of May.


Greetings of peace!

There are many events for you to know about this month and several of them, listed below (roughly by date), are coming up in the next few days.

In May, Religions for Peace will be partnering two other organisations as part of our continuing interfaith commitment.

  1. The first is that we will be the Tasmanian hub for the national AGM for Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. The AGM will be held via a skype hookup on Wednesday 11 May, starting with a vegetarian meal at 6.00pm at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centre 51 Risdon Rd., New Town. The AGM will be from 7.00pm. Could anyone interested in attending respond to this email to book your place? For context, see information from Thea Ormerod below.
  2. The second is that we will be hosting a gathering for Tasmanians for Recognition. It’s time to recognise the first Australians in our constitution and deal with the racial discrimination in it. Aboriginal Australians are looking for the support of migrant Australians of all faiths and cultures to support them in their fight for recognition in the Australian Constitution.

This gathering will be held at the UTAS Multifaith Centre, downstairs in the TUU Building, Churchill Ave, Sandy Bay on Sunday 29 May from 3.00-4.00pm. Afternoon tea will be served.

Aboriginal Elders will be honouring us with their company at this gathering and there will be an explanation of the Journey for Recognition, which continues the Journey being made through other states of Australia. Tasmanians for Recognition is calling for interested people to accompany the Aboriginal people as they make this journey throughout the country. See information from Marta below.


Hindu Society Of Tasmania

The Hindu Society of Tasmania (HSOT), a not for profit organisation based in Tasmania, was established to support multi-cultural society in Tasmania by encouraging philanthropic human values and supporting Indian culture and performing arts.

The Hindu Society of Tasmania is presenting the Inaugural South Indian Classical Carnatic Music full length concert in Tasmania on Saturday 30 April 2016 at 5pm at the Stanley Burbury Theatre, Churchill Avenue, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7005.

The concert will feature Hobart-based artists Sakthi Ravitharan (vocal) and Santhana Gopala Krishnan Vaidhyanathan (mridangam). They will be accompanied by a visiting violinist Arushi Ramesh from New Zealand.

All proceeds from this concert will be donated to the HSOT Cultural Centre Building Fund.

Should you require any further information and tickets, please do not hesitate to contact Ramesh on 0406 384 796


From Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre:

The Gyuto Monks are currently in Hobart until Thursday 5 May at the Waterside Pavilion, Mawson Place, Hobart. You can find their program (theme: Beyond Karma) on Dropbox. This includes kids’ programs, meditation sessions, teaching sessions, tantric art classes, pujas, a Dharma challenge series, the creation of another beautiful sand mandala, a sacred music concert, and much more.

Entry by donation. 10 am-6 pm daily. All welcome.

Sacred Music Concert

The Sacred Music Concert features the world-famous Gyuto Monks harmonic singing and will be held at the Baha’i Centre, 1 Tasman Highway, 7.30-9.30pm Saturday 30 April 2016. The Monks will be joined by composer Kim Cunio, soprano Heather Lee, and the Tasmanian Alpine String Ensemble. Cost $30. Bookings to 0412 124 678. All enquiries to gyuto@gyutoaus.com, or you can phone Maureen 0412 124 678. Facebook: Gyuto Monks of Tibet. Proceeds to support the Gyuto Monastery in India.


A Fairer World

A Fairer World & Institute for the study of social change present the Tasmanian Premiere of Salam Neighbour filmed inside a Syrian refugee camp.

Seven miles from war, 85,000 Syrians struggle to restart their lives inside Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp. The makers of Salam Neighbor have partnered with Save the Children, the United Nations refugee agency, and International Rescue Committee to provide an intimate look at the world’s most dire humanitarian crisis. The film marks the first time the United Nations has allowed a group of filmmakers to be embedded in a refugee camp and officially registered with a tent.

From meeting Um Ali, a woman struggling to overcome personal loss and cultural barriers, to the street smart, 10-year-old Raouf, whose trauma hides just beneath his ever present smile, the filmmakers, Zach and Chris, uncover inspiring stories of individuals rallying, against all odds, to rebuild their lives and those of their neighbors. The film goes beyond facts, figures, and statistics. It brings us real-life stories of the people who live there and the conditions under which they’re living.

This film will provide a deeper understanding of the background of the people at the centre of the current refugee crisis in Europe and those now coming to live in Australia.

The film is excellent for Year 10-12 students.

LAUNCESTON

  • Venue: Sir Raymond Ferrall Centre, Newnham Drive, Newnham, Tasmania
  • Date: 5.45pm Monday 9 May, 2016 (bar opens 5:30pm, film starts 6:00pm)
  • Book online at https://www.trybooking.com/LBHB

HOBART

  • Venue: Stanley Burbury Theatre, Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay
  • Date: 5.45pm Thursday 19 May, 2016 (bar opens 5:30pm, film starts 6:00pm)
  • Book online at https://www.trybooking.com/LAXC

TICKETS


Australian Religious Response to Climate Change

You are warmly invited to participate in our AGM on the evening of Wednesday May 11th. This year, we have again organised participating “hubs” if you live in Hobart, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne or Sydney. Look out for details on the website: www.arrcc.org.au

This invitation is to the Tasmanian hub of ARRCC to participate in our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

MP’s who have a religious affiliation

This coming election is an opportunity for us as people of faith to make a special contribution. Let politicians of faith know about the official statements in their tradition, and your own views as people of faith. Regrettably, a number of Christian MP’s are also among the dirty thirty identified by 350.org. Many are beginning to realise there is no electoral mileage to be made any more with this attitude. Let’s give them even more reason to quieten their opposition to robust climate policy. See ARRCC’s website www.arrcc.org.au for a list of MP’s who are known to have a faith affiliation.

For the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change, go to the link: http://islamicclimatedeclaration.org/


Launceston News

From Rev. Shari in Launceston:

Launceston Interfaith Spiritual Community meets for monthly gatherings on the third Monday of each month at 1 pm – our next meeting is May 16th. We celebrate and honor diverse sacred expression and our common humanity, learn through and from each other, find friendship, spiritual growth and nourishment in an openhearted, inclusive setting that fosters the promotion of understanding, peace and harmony. Reflective sharing, discussion, meditation, sacred music, song, inclusive prayer and a range of guest speakers facilitates this process. Doors open at 12.30 for silent, World Peace meditation. All welcome – strictly no proselytizing!

Please note – our meetings have previously been held at the Ida Birchall Room, Pilgrims, 36-38 Paterson St how-ever we are currently looking for another premises. If you would like to join us next month and for all other inquiries, please contact Shari on 0431909172 to confirm the venue.


Recognise

It’s time to recognise the first Australians in our constitution and deal with the racial discrimination in it.

Help us get to a referendum! Aboriginal Australians are looking for the support of migrant Australians of all faiths and cultures to support them in their fight for recognition in the Australian Constitution.

How can supporters of Religions for Peace assist Tasmanians for Recognition?

  • Attend the information gathering at the UTAS Multifaith Centre advertised above
  • Share news about this important initiative with your communities
  • Join in walking part of the Journey, when it goes through a town near you. The Journey will be in Tasmania from early June and will be enlisting as many walkers as possible.

From the Recognise website:

We’ve just travelled through Wiradjuri, Gundungurra and Tharawal country to Orange, Bathurst, Cowra, Cootamundra, Wagga Wagga, Tumut and Mittagong. We’ll be covering more of NSW, the ACT and Tasmania in the coming months, find out more at www.recognise.org.au/thejourney

We also welcome the news of Wiradjuri man and revered journalist Stan Grant being appointed to the Referendum Council. He says, ‘the Constitution is a living, breathing, working document that sets out how our nation is governed…It is an honour to be able to serve the country in what I think is a really important step in completing us as a nation.’


Byakko Shinko Kai

From Jenny at Byakko Shinko Kai:

Dear Friends,

Announcing an event of integrated sharing of love, an honouring of the divine feminine in both men and women.

As part of the International Symphony of Peace Prayers, please join us either as an individual or organise a small to large gathering, expressing the beautiful feminine qualities we wish to see in all people throughout the world.

Have a browse of the Fuji Declaration website that is hosting the Soul of WoMen campaign, culminating on Sunday May 15th at Symphony of Peace Prayers. http://fujideclaration.org/soulofwomen/

Honouring can be done anytime, in your own way, not just on that day.

Please share as you feel inclined.


From Master Wang Xin De:

Official Opening of the Two Guardian Lions and Four Heavenly Kings

Date: Sunday 15 May 2016
Time: 9.30 for 10.00am till 11.30am
Venue: 1384 Tea Tree Road, Campania
Outdoor shoes are recommended
If anyone is interested in attending, please contact Terry


Guru Nanak Society of Tasmania

From Narindar: Members of the community are welcome to attend the Sikh program at the very welcoming Gurudwara, Roche’s Beach Rd, Roche’s Beach on Sundays.

The program on Sundays is as follows :

  • 10:30 a.m to 12p.m. – reading of Sukhmani Sahib from Guru Granth Sahib holy scripture.
  • 12p.m. to 1:00p.m. – Kirtan (singing of hymns)
  • 1:00p.m. – 1:15p.m. – Ardas prayer.
  • 1:15p.m. onwards – Guru Ka Langar (lunch)

We sincerely hope the above will assist in members planning their day to attend.

We will be most humbled by their attendance.

Best regards, Narindar Gill


Tasmanian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry Training Program:

On Saturday June 4 the EM Program will be holding a training exercise near Hobart. We would like as many as possible of our southern volunteers involved because the exercise will provide opportunity to practise Psychological First Aid and spiritual care, in the context of a simulated recovery centre.

If you would like to be involved, please keep the day clear for this activity. To make the training exercise as realistic as possible, we will not provide details of the location and scenario until a day or two before. If you are involved, the time commitment will probably be about 3 hours maximum, sometime between 9 am and 4 pm.

If you are definitely unavailable, please let me know by reply email (apologies to anyone from the Anglican Church who can’t participate because of a clash with Synod).

All the best and thanks for your ongoing involvement,
Gordon (Gus) Yearsley
Emergencies Ministry
Tasmanian Council of Churches


Orthodox Easter

What Is Pascha? Ahead Of Orthodox Easter 2016, Russian, Greek And Other Eastern Churches Begin Celebrations

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Orthodox Christian worshipers from Serbia hold crosses as they walk along Via Dolorosa during the Holy Week Good Friday procession in Jerusalem’s Old City, April 29, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Ammar Awad

From Greece to Russia, Orthodox Christians around the world are preparing to celebrate Easter Sunday. While many Christians celebrated Easter on March 27 based on the Gregorian calendar, for Orthodox followers who use the Julian calendar the date falls much later this year.

Orthodox Easter also commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and shares similarities with Western Christian celebrations. Unique traditions from colorful eggs to palm fronds mark the holiday, which some refer to as Pascha from the Greek transliteration.

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Orthodox Christian worshipers take part in a procession along the Via Dolorosa on Good Friday during Holy Week in Jerusalem’s Old City, April 29, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Amir Cohen

The large celebrations and prayers take place across Orthodox churches after the end of Lent to mark the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven. There are approximately 200 million to 300 million Orthodox Christians around the world, with large followings in Eastern Europe and the Balkans

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Ethiopian Christian Orthodox priests pray during the Washing of the Feet ceremony, one of the Orthodox Easter celebrations, at the Deir al-Sultan chapel on the roof of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, April 28, 2016. Photo: GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images

In the streets of Kiev, Ukraine, traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs, known as pysanky, are on display for the holiday. Outside of beautiful, decorative eggs, it is traditional for eggs to be dyed red to symbolize the life and the blood of Jesus Christ. It is common for people to also play games with eggs, banging them against each other. Whoever ends up with the noncracked egg is supposed to have luck for the coming year. Many worshippers also bring baskets full of food and special breads to church Easter Sunday to be blessed.

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A woman takes a picture of a traditional Ukrainian Easter egg pysanka, installed as part of the upcoming celebrations of Easter, in central Kiev, Ukraine, April 29, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko

Thousands of people visit Jerusalem every year to take part in Holy Week ceremonies and processions from Palm Sunday until Easter. It is traditional for palm fronds or pussy willow branches to be given out and blessed at church services on Palm Sunday.

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An Orthodox priest blesses believers at a church during a Palm Sunday service in Minsk, Belarus, April 24, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Vasily Fedosenko

On Good Friday, Orthodox Christians from around the world gather on Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem to mark the path Jesus Christ took on the way to his crucifixion. Many participants carry large wooden crosses to commemorate the event.

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Easter Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Metropolitan Theophilos (center) blesses the crowd during the Washing of the Feet ceremony outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, April 28, 2016, ahead of Orthodox Easter. Photo: Reuters/Ammar Awad

Next year the Gregorian and Julian calendars align and Easter will fall on April 16 for both Orthodox and Western Christian churches.

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Palm Sunday An Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christian priest throws holy water during a Palm Sunday mass in the Samaan el-Kharaz Monastery in the Mokattam Mountain area of Cairo, April 24, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

 


In peace,
Terry
Convenor RfP Tasmania Branch
6272 6521


Religions for Peace Tasmania

Religions for Peace Tasmania