News

*News articles are welcome and can be emailed to the facilitator at interfaithtasmania@gmail.com.  Please note that publication is at the moderators discretion.

October 2015 - Interfaith Chaplaincy finds a place at UTAS

This month, Interfaith Minister, Rev. Shari Landeg, who also facilitates and runs the Launceston Interfaith Spiritual Community, takes up a multi-faith chaplaincy at the University of Tasmania, Launceston Campus.   This significant and historic offer results in Shari being the only Interfaith Minister as a Representative Tertiary Chaplain in Australia.   Shari is regularly engaged in the wider Launceston community, attending and celebrating a diverse range of Holy Days and events with different faith groups and communities and is also associated with Interfaith organisations in Australia, New Zealand and America.

With a multi-faith and multi-cultural academic background, Shari brings a good range of experience with her and is keen to further multi-faith perspectives and understanding on campus as well as offering space and opportunities for dialogue and engagement among established faith groups, students and staff.  

Shari emphasizes that a primary focus for Interfaith Ministers serving as Chaplains is inclusive rather than exclusive ministering, spiritual care and well-being, "a friend and colleague of mine who is a Interfaith Chaplain in a major Sydney hospital phrases it beautifully when she says, "Interfaith Chaplaincy is spirituality without borders".  One of the most wonderful and also liberating aspects of our ministry/pastoral care, is being able to sit down with someone from a particular faith background and have some understanding of where that person is placed in terms of their religious/spiritual beliefs, traditions and practices, which in my experience allows for a immediate connection, more often than not, at a heart level.   All of us want to be accepted for who and what we are.  This form of ministry embraces that.  We do not profess to know everything about every faith tradition.  But we come to such engagements with some, often a good deal of awareness.  Our emphasis is on finding common ground.  Those fundamental differences that exist are respectfully acknowledged, but the overall focus centers on what unites rather than divides us.  Being well informed, we respect all traditions as being authentic and valid paths and approaches." 

Shari adds that Interfaith Chaplaincy and ministry also caters very well to the LGBT community, atheists, agnostics and a growing number of people who identify themselves as spiritual more so than religious. "We celebrate and honor, diverse sacred expression and because we are spiritually inclusive we are genuine in providing spiritual and pastoral care and support to all.  That is our focus.  It is free of any agenda."

Shari will available for pastoral care at UTAS on Tuesdays between 12 - 3 pm; you can also reach her by emailing this forum at interfaithtasmania@gmail.com

(Shari is also a volunteer Emergency Support Chaplain with the Tasmanian Council of Churches and a Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant - she is ideally placed to officiate Interfaith/Multi-faith unions)

  

November 14th - Community Dinner Unites Faiths in  Common Values

Sister Liz Walker of Deloraine Ward made history on Friday 14th November by hosting the community's first interfaith dinner to celebrate International Tolerance Day (16 November). Over 60 people from around the Meander Valley representing a broad range of faiths gathered at the Deloraine Primary School hall dressed in religious or cultural attire and bringing dishes reflective of their culture.

The tone of the evening was set by a special video presentation on religious freedom. In the spirit of that video's message it was inspiring to see Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and others sharing tables, breaking bread together and mingling in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect. Theological differences were set aside in favour of a celebration of common values ... Full article http://www.ldsdevonport.org.au/2014/11/community-dinner-unites-faiths-in.html?spref=fb  Written by: Devonport Australia Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints




October 25th - Hobart Mosque Open Day

Iman Sabri Samson was surprised and delighted when over 200 visitors took the opportunity to see the community mosque at Warwick Street Hobart, on National Mosque Open Day - a new Lebanese Muslim Association led project.   This was the first time the Open Day had been held in Australia, the Hobart mosque one of nine around the country to welcome visitors on October 25th.   

Aimed at fostering closer engagement, respectful relations and greater understanding and unity between the Muslim and broader community, the initiative gave people in Hobart the opportunity to learn about the mosques history and the Islamic faith.  Misconceptions and prejudices about Islam abated during a question and answer session, with Iman Sabri Samson able to speak in depth about his faith tradition, to an audience eager to hear about the peaceful beliefs and practices of a path far removed from what is often portrayed.  To learn more http://www.lma.org.au/?page_id=2311   

September 21st - Interfaith Service for United Nations International Day of Peace.

Many in the audience agreed that Windmill Hill Memorial Hall in Launceston was a fitting venue, when sixty people came together for an Interfaith event on September 21st, in honor and support of world peace.  

Unity in diversity was clearly in evidence as representatives from the Sikh, Hindu, Baha'i, Christian, Quaker, Theosophical, Buddhist, Tasmanian and New Zealand Interfaith communities, including those with no particular faith tradition, set aside their differences to join together in unity with the wider community.  

Sharing peace prayers, teachings, scripture, readings, song and personal reflections, what was apparent that afternoon, was the urgent need for world wide harmony.  This was the first time an Interfaith service had been hosted in Launceston to mark this important annual event, which sees millions of people around the world celebrate and engage in peace making initiatives, including pausing in silence at 12.00 pm in every time zone.  Hosted by the Launceston Interfaith Spiritual Community, an initiative of Interfaith Tasmania, organizer and presenter, Interfaith minister, Rev. Shari Landeg, opened the service honoring the local indigenous custodians, the first peoples of the Launceston area, Tasmania and Australia. 

A short film by the Port Philip Multifaith Network titled A Common Belief, not only highlighted how diverse religious beliefs and communities enhance Australian society, it also showcased the similarities that exist between our religious groups.  Throughout the afternoon, as speakers shared insights on peace and unity from their particular faith tradition, it was clear that values such as love, compassion and peace are shared, universal values and virtues that transcend difference and are cherished by all. 

Any groups interested in participating in next year service can email the facilitator at interfaithtasmania@gmail.com