Goulburn Valley Spirituality in the Pub will host an evening with Rev Joan Fisher, retired Uniting Church Minister who recently spent three months in Palestine. The event will take place at the Terminus Hotel, Shepparton on Monday 29th February 2016 from 7.30 – 9.00pm
Spirituality in the Pub is one of the forums for conversation instituted by Catalyst. The first SIP event was held at Paddington (Sydney) in May 1995. The number of venues continues to grow – in 2008 there were approximately 30 venues at various places throughout Australia .
Speaker: Rev Joan Fisher
Joan is a retired Uniting Church Minister, now living in Shepparton. Her many years of ministry included 7½ years in Mooroopna and 5 years in Albury-Wodonga. Joan has, for many years, been interested in international justice issues.
In 2013, Joan travelled to Israel, visiting many of the places of Jesus’ ministry and hearing from local Jewish, Muslim & Christian people. In Bethlehem, a Palestinian pastor who could trace Palestinian Christians’ history back to Pentecost shared their story of ‘Al Nakba’ [‘The Disaster’] as Palestinians describe the creation of the State of Israel. He expressed great concern that thousands of Christian pilgrims come to see the Holy Land’s ancient stones, but show no interest in hearing about how Palestinian Christians, the ‘living stones’, suffer under military occupation.
Joan had previously heard of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine & Israel coordinated by the World Council of Churches which brings international volunteers to the West Bank to witness life under occupation, to engage with local Palestinians & Israelis pursuing a just peace, to change the international community’s involvement in the conflict, urging them to act against injustice in the region. On retirement, she took up this challenge.
In 2015, Joan spent 3 months in the West Bank as an Ecumenical Accompanier. Joan will present her experience then you get a chance to share your thoughts & questions in an Open Forum
Bookings not required – just come along to the pub
Further Information: Kerry 0408 579904; Frank 58214362; Fran 58290301
