National Reconciliation Week – Mr Shane Charles

University of Melbourne logoThe theme for NRW 2020 is In this together and Reconciliation Australia invites Australians to explore our past, learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and develop a deeper understanding of our national story. The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health invite you to a webinar presentation by Mr Shane Charles at 10:30am on Wednesday 27th May 14, 2020. There will be an opportunity for Q & A at the end of the presentation.
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Judaism: How I’m Finding Blessings Amid the Separation

ChallahAs challenging as these days of quarantine have been, I take comfort in the many ways this strange time of separation have enabled us – however ironically – to come together. Here are a few of the “blessings of separation” I’ve experienced in the age of COVID-19.
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Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

American Institute of Vedic Studies

The Covid-19 Pandemic is causing a massive loss of life, particularly for the elderly, and millions worldwide have tested positive for the virus. Yet the psychological suffering the pandemic causes may be as difficult as the physical suffering, writes Dr David Frawley of the American Institute of Vedic Studies.

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eFriend peer service, for those who are feeling anxious, lonely, isolate or distressed

eFriend illustrationAs part of the Australian Government’s mental health response to COVID-19, Independent Community Living Australia has launched its new eFriend service for all Australians aged 18 and over. eFriend is a free, virtual peer support service that provides Australians with non-clinical, peer-based mental health support. eFriend connects people to a consistent, trained peer support worker via video call, borrowing from the ‘befriending’ model used in the UK to help combat loneliness.
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Open Letter: Fund Aboriginal Responses to COVID-19

Indigenous Flag AustraliaThis letter comes from civil society groups supporting the urgent call from Aboriginal community organisations, services and community members. We urge the Government to immediately respond to requests and letters already sent to the Government in recent weeks by those dealing with the crisis on the frontline. We must ensure proper care of First Nations in the Coronavirus pandemic.
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In African communities, ‘there is no COVID-19 for a particular religion’

World Council of Churches Logo Using lessons learned from building health-competent faith communities and responding to the HIV and AIDS epidemic, African church leaders are doing their best to help their communities cope with the novel coronavirus. They are relying, in part, on practical guides and community-friendly reflections developed by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy Programme.
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International Nurses Day 2020

International Day of Nurses 2020 logo International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every year on 12 May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Here we bring you a complilation of multifaith prayers for nurses (and healthworkers) from the World’s Religions, along with the Nightingale Prayer, the flame of Florence Nightingale’s legacy.
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Nationwide Multi Faith Service for the Climate

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change Logo

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) invites you to be at the forefront of climate action in Australia. In this time of extreme adversity, people of faith can join together in the spirit of love, reverence and compassion.

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2020 Vatican Message on Occasion of Vesak

Jesus - Buddha

In a message for the Buddhist feast of Vesak, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue invites Buddhists and Christians to promote a culture of compassion and fraternity. The Pontifical Council also gives a prayer for coronavirus, that all live with this difficult moment with hope, compassion, and charity.

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British public turn to prayer as one in four tune in to religious services

Vicar of DibleyA quarter of adults in the UK have watched or listened to a religious service since the coronavirus lockdown began, and one in 20 have started praying during the crisis, according to a new survey. Dawn French reprised her role as the Vicar of Dibley for the BBC’s Big Night in – encouraging people to “praise the Lord and praise the NHS”.

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Googling Prayer during Covid-19

Praying with the BibleIn times of crisis, humans have a tendency to turn to religion for comfort and explanation. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Daily data on Google searches for 95 countries demonstrates that the COVID 19 crisis has increased Google searches for prayer (relative to all Google searches) to the highest level ever recorded. This rise amounts to 50% of the previous level of prayer searches or a quarter of the fall in Google searches for flights, which dropped dramatically due to the closure of most international air transport. Prayer searches rose at all levels of economic status, inequality, and insecurity, but not for the 20% least religious countries. The increase is not merely a substitute for services in the physical churches that closed down to limit the spread of the virus. Instead, the rise is due to an intensified demand for religion: We pray to cope with adversity.
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Ramadan Focuses Debates on How Religious Practices are Affected by the COVID-19 Crisis

muslim child with face maskDebates began even before the start of Ramadan, and they continue, about how standard practices and especially prayer are affected during the holy month. Al-Jazeera has reported that scholars have generally agreed that Friday prayers should be conducted from home; this has happened as mosques have closed around the world in the past two months.

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Buddhism: What Are the Five Recollections?

the Five RecollectionsFrank and pithy, these five reminders about the reality of impermanence and karma are attributed to the Buddha himself, as taught in the Upajjhatthana Sutta. Though they start with what is plainly “bad news,” contemplating the Five Recollections helps us accept life’s difficulties, motivating us to practice and be kind to ourselves and others.
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