The World Council of Churches will host an online prayer service on World AIDS Day, observed this year on 1 December. The Prayer Service is available for download and reading during the livestreaming.
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Month: November 2020
The Dalai Lama on Surviving the Climate Crisis Together
For the sake of future generations, the Dalai Lama tells journalist and activist Franz Alt, we must develop a sense of universal responsibility — for the earth and all humanity. Working together as one is the only way we’ll survive the climate crisis.
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A Jewish Lesson in How to Practice Gratitude All Year Long
Two thousand years ago, a rabbi named Ben Zoma outlined the difference between a grateful and un-grateful guest.
As he explains, a grateful guest who comes to dinner will say, “How much trouble did my host take for me! How many kinds of wine did he bring before us! How many kinds of cuts [of meat] did he bring before us…and all the trouble that he took for me!” However, an ungrateful guest will say, “How little trouble did this household take…I ate only a loaf of his bread. I drank only a cup of his wine. He went to all this trouble only to provide for his wife and children” (Tosefta Berachot 6:2).
faithSAFE
Family Violence and Violence Against Women is a major social and human rights issue in our society. In Australia, one in three women will experience some type of intimate partner abuse at some stage in their life. Family Violence has an enormous impact on women and their children, eroding their mental, physical, emotional and financial well being.
Preventing and responding to family violence requires action from all sectors of our society – including faith communities. In particular, faith leaders can play an important role in raising awareness and emphasising equality and respect toward women.
faithSAFE is an online resource designed to assist faith communities in taking a primary prevention approach to the issue of family violence and violence against women.
Overview: Faith Communities Supporting Healthy Family Relationships
‘Faith Communities Supporting Healthy Family Relationships‘ is a Participatory Action Research project established by the Multifaith Advisory Group based on recommendations 163 and 165 of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence. It is funded by Multicultural Affairs within the Department of Premier and Cabinet and is being implemented in partnership between University of Melbourne and the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health.
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Halima Aden and shaping one’s own hijab journey
When I opened model Halima Aden’s Instagram story it was like watching a landmark moment in history — hijab history that is. As I continued to read her confessions and revelations about being the first hijabi model, I couldn’t believe what I was reading. She was blowing the lid on something deeper than a disdain of the pressures associated with the fashion industry. She was tackling her highly praised — and criticised — public journey with her hijab and setting the record straight.
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River Above Asia Virtual Launch
Asia and Oceania share a common image in the ‘River Above’– the Pacific Ocean is the life, the river of Asia feeding all rivers, seasons and lives. The welfare of the lands and peoples is bound to the welfare of the seas.
The River Above Asia Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN) seeks to serve the dialogue of integral living so that broader collaboration is possible and breadth and integrity of the ecology and territory are maintained.
The River Above Asia Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN) are inviting you to the RAOEN Virtual Launch on 24 November, 3:00 p.m. (Philippine time)/ 7:00 p.m. (Fiji time) 18:00 Sydney (AEDT).
Climate Change and the Strategy for our Local Resources:
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is hosting two online workshops to gather feedback on the recently released Goulburn Broken Regional Insights Paper on 3 December and 7 December 2020. The Shepparton Interfaith Network considers that “we are a river people” and how we manage our natural resources (water, land, biodiversity) in the face of climate change is a critical matter for us all. Hence, we recommend these workshops.
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The COVID-19 Crisis and the Jewish Faith Community
The following address was presented to the G20 Interfaith Forum Virtual Conference on Oct. 14, 2020 by Rabbi David Saperstein. Rabbi David Saperstein, is director emeritus of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, having served as its director and counsel for 40 years. He is the former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
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Meditation: Be Kind to Yourself
There are many kinds of meditation – designed to manage the mind, still the riot going on within, and this one – in particular – addresses the critical voice within which seeks to sabotage every move towards happiness. Some call this voice the ‘critical parent’. Others call this the ‘inner monster’. Whatever it is, we are able to render compassion unto our very own selves!
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The Long View on COVID-19 – Prof. Brett Sutton
The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health invite you to their final public webinar for 2020, featuring Prof. Brett Sutton, who will be speaking on The Long View on COVID-19 – What Will 2021 Look Like?. Professor Brett Sutton is the Victorian Chief Health Officer. The seminar will be presented online, on Tuesday 1st December, 2020, form 6:30pm – 7:30pm.
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Deepavali – the festival of light
Deepavali – often called Diwali – is an Indian festival of light, which occurs on 14 November 2020. We say “Indian Festival” for it is common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jains. It is a celebration of light over darkness, the victory of good over evil, and fostering of peace and harmony.
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NAIDOC Week: Australia Post Agrees to Include First Nations Place Names in Australian Postal Addresses
Australia Post has marked NAIDOC Week by endorsing a campaign pushing for the use of traditional place names when sending mail.
The postal service expanded its addressing guidelines online to include how to formally use a traditional place name in an address “to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land your item is being delivered on”.
“Acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land, their ancestors, elders and the commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Australians is very important to us,” it said in a statement.
‘Prayer and Reflection’ online exhibition launch
Shepparton Interfaith Network in collaboration with Liz Arcus Photography invites you to the ‘Prayer and Reflection’ online exhibition launch on Monday 23rd November, 7.30pm-8.15pm
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Book review: The Lost Art of Scripture
World-renowned religious author Karen Armstrong explores the value of scripture in an increasingly secularised world and ponders whether we’ve lost our ability to engage with faith texts as spiritual tools rather than binding rules.
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Council and Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation sign Memorandum of Understanding
Greater Shepparton City Council and Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation today signed the Memorandum of Understanding endorsed by Council at the September Council Meeting, linking in with NAIDOC Week 2020. The document was signed in Queens Gardens, before of the statue of William Cooper.
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‘Christians and Hindus: Rekindling Positivity and Hope during the Covid-19 Pandemic and Beyond’
The Vatican greets Hindus on the occasion of Diwali, festival of light. The occasion of Diwali is celebrated by all Hindus, and is known as Deepavali, or the “row of oil lamps”. Symbolically based on ancient mythology, it represents the victory of truth over lies, of light over darkness, of life over death, and of good over evil. The actual celebration lasts three days, marking the beginning of a new year, family reconciliation, especially between brothers and sisters, and worship of God. This year the feast will be celebrated by many Hindus on Nov. 14, 2020. Here, we share the message from the Vatican to Hindus:
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NAIDOC Week Event ‘Cultural Burning’ Webinar
The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health invite you to their 2020 NAIDOC Event ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ featuring a panel of speakers on Cultural Burning from 11:00 – 12:00pm Friday 13th November 2020.
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Land, water and fire: the science of a continuous culture
The Australian Academy of Science celebrates NAIDOC Week with a presentation on Land, water and fire: the science of a continuous culture online, on Monday 9 November at 5:30pm. You are invited to join in as they explain how Indigenous knowledge and science of land, water and fire can inform and improve the management of the natural world.
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Virtual NAIDOC Week 2020
NAIDOC Week is an Australian observance lasting from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday. The acronym NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It has its roots in the 1938 Day of Mourning, becoming a week-long event in 1975.
Due restrictions for Coronavirus pandemic, Naidoc Week was deferred.
Due the Ring of Steel and numbers of people who can gather together – Victorian National NAIDOC Week 2020 celebrations will be held ONLINE from the 8-15 November. This will be a Virtual NAIDOC Week. This post has been updated (twice). Please click “read more” to see new events.