The Church in the Paddock

Away from the bustle and controversies of the cities,

are small communities - communities who

sometimes struggle to keep their communities

of faith alive and vibrant.

This is Granite Community Church

otherwise known as

The Church in the Paddock.

This is not the only isolated community of faith in the world

but could you please uphold such communities

in your thoughts and prayers.

World Interfaith Harmony Week in Victoria

Thank you to 

The Faith Communities Council of Victoria

for this calendar of events

World Interfaith Harmony Week 2018 (February 1-7)

 Created: 07 January 2018

When is it?  World Interfaith Harmony Week is celebrated annually on the first week of February (February 1st to February 7th).

What is it about? World Interfaith Harmony Week aims to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith and non-faith. It provides a platform, one week in the year, where people of every group can recognize their common values, build ties with each other, and work alongside one another to bring peace and harmony to their communities.

How did it originate? World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the United Nations and henceforth the first week of February became World Interfaith Harmony Week.

What is it based on? World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.

World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbour’. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths, and those with no faith.

How do I get involved? In 2018, a number of interfaith networks are running events across Victoria to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week. To get involved simply contact the organiser of the event nearest to you.

The dates, times and locations are:

1. Darebin Ethnic Communities Council (DECC)
   Sweets and Savouries | Multicultural and Interfaith Community Lunch
   Date: Thursday 1 February 2018      Time:12pm to 2pm
   Location: Darebin Intercultural Centre, 59A Roseberry Avenue, Preston
   Click here for more information
2. Bendigo Interfaith Network
   Date: Saturday 3 February 2018      Time: 3:15pm for a 3:30pm start to 4:30pm
   Location: Bendigo Library, 259 Hargreaves St, Bendigo VIC 3550
   Click here for more information
3. Religions for Peace Victoria
   Date: Tuesday 6 February 2018   Time: 5:30pm to 7:00pm
   Location: Laby Theatre (L108), Physics Building, Spencer Road, Melbourne University (located near Melbourne University's tram stop on Swanston street)
   Click here for more information
4. Ballarat Interfaith Network
   Date: Monday 5 February 2018     Time: 11am
   Location: Queen Victoria Square, 225 Sturt St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350
   Click here for more information
5. The Darebin Interfaith Council and the Whittlesea Interfaith Network
   Date: Thursday 8 February 2018     Time: 6:30 to 9:00 pm
   Location: Mill Park Library, 394 Plenty Rd, Mill Park, Victoria, 3082
   Click here for more information

Leunig and The Victorian Welsh Male Choir at St Peter's Eastern Hill, Melbourne

This has dropped on to The Editor's Facebook this morning:

Hugh Kempster at St Peters Eastern Hill.

5 mins · Melbourne

Pleased to announce that Leunig is speaking at a special Evensong 

at St Peter's Eastern Hill, 15 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne; 

on Sunday 24th September, at 6pm. 

The Victorian Welsh Male Choir will be singing too. 

Please spread the word.

Faith Communities Council of Victoria : August 2017 Newsletter : Interfaith Grant Applications Now Open

view it online
FCCV AUGUST 2017 NEWSLETTER
	NEWS | EVENTS | HOLY DAYS
COMMUNITY HARMONY PROGRAM 2017-18: INTERFAITH GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN The Community Harmony Program is designed to enable Victorians to build social cohesion and community harmony through preventative initiatives that address the root causes of social disharmony and racial, ethnic and religious intolerance.
AUSTRALIAN CHURCH LEADERS CALL FOR URGENT RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Christian communities to urgently respond to women who are being abused in their congregations, with the most senior Anglican cleric in the country arguing victims of domestic violence deserve an apology from the Church.
REPORTABLE CONDUCT SCHEME HAS NEW REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR HEADS OF RELIGIOUS BODIES On 1 July 2017 Victoria introduced a Reportable Conduct Scheme to oversee organisational responses to allegations of child abuse or misconduct towards children.
ISLAMOPHOBIA IS STILL RAISING ITS UGLY HEAD IN AUSTRALIA A new report finds that Islamophobia is prevalent in Australia - to ignore it would only entrench the problem more deeply.
VICTORIA’S MULTICULTURAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE Victoria’s Multicultural Awards for Excellence honour individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to strengthening Victoria’s multicultural community.
RELIGIOUS LEADERS OCCUPY ENVIRONMENT MINISTER'S OFFICE TO PROTEST CARMICHAEL COALMINE Religious leaders from several faiths have occupied the electorate office of Josh Frydenberg today, demanding the federal environment minister withdraw his support for Adani’s Carmichael mine.
COPTIC CHRISTIAN POPE TO GET KEYS TO CITY OF CASEY The Coptic Christian Pope, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, will be given the keys to the city when he visits Casey on September 8.
'NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT SIKHS': SPOTLIGHT ON AUSTRALIA'S GROWING COMMUNITY SBS World News takes a look at a community that has almost doubled in the last five years according to the latest census data released in June this year.
ISLAMIC EXPERTS WORK TOWARDS NATIONAL RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CURRICULUM TO APPLY FAITH TO MODERN AUSTRALIAN LIFE A new high school curriculum will help young people realise there's no conflict between following Islam and being raised Australian.
MEET THE MANDAEANS: AUSTRALIAN FOLLOWERS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST CELEBRATE NEW YEAR It might not be the Tigris or the Euphrates, but the Nepean River in Western Sydney is vital to the Australian adherents of one of the world's most ancient religions.
MISS WORLD AUSTRALIA BECOMES THE FLAG-BEARER FOR ISLAM AS THE RELIGION OF PEACE Esma Voloder, a criminal profiler from Melbourne who identifies herself as a Muslim has recently won the Miss world Australia pageant and has grabbed the opportunity to clear misconceptions about Islam.
GOD’S BIKIES ON THE HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN If you thought Jesus wasn’t for tough guys, wait till you meet God’s Squad, which tears up the highway in the name of the Lord.
‘WE’RE HEADED TOWARD ONE OF THE GREATEST DIVISIONS IN THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE’ A small, vocal group of Conservative rabbis is pushing the movement to accept marriages between Jews and non-Jews. The fight is really about the future of the religion.
BUDDHISM BONANZA: CELEBRATIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIA AS RELIGION MAINTAINS ITS POPULARITY The 2016 census shows Australians are less religious than ever before, but one religion is maintaining its popularity, with diverse celebrations planned across the country this weekend.
	EVENTS WINTER CONFERENCE 2017 (FAITH AND SOCIETY): JEWISH CHRISTIAN MUSLIM ASSOCIATION 6TH AUGUST 2:00PM READ MORE TOUR TO PLACES OF WORSHIP 2017: GREATER DANDENONG INTERFAITH NETWORK 9TH AUGUST 8:30AM READ MORE FAITH STORIES: WOMEN'S FEDERATION FOR WORLD PEACE 12TH AUGUST 10:30AM READ MORE "ON THE BANKS OF TIGRIS": THE COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIANS AND JEWS VIC 13TH AUGUST 3:00PM READ MORE CROSSING FAITH BORDERS: MELA INTERFAITH GROUP 20TH AUGUST 9:00AM READ MORE HOLY DAYS   TISHA B’AV (JUDAISM) 1ST AUGUST READ MORE RAKSHA BANDHAN (HINDUISM) 7TH AUGUST READ MORE ASSUMPTION OF VIRGIN MARY (CHRISTIANITY) 15TH AUGUST READ MORE KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI (HINDUISM) 15TH AUGUST READ MORE GANESH CHATURTHI (HINDUISM) 25TH AUGUST READ MORE
	WWW.FAITHVICTORIA.ORG.AU  |   EMAIL US

Victorian Government Forum on LGBTI inclusion in faith communities

From The Star Observer

Victorian Government Forum 

on LGBTI Inclusion in Faith Communities 

Dear Faith and Community Leaders 

As part of the commitments made by the Victorian Government in the 
Victorian. And proud of it. Multicultural Policy Statement, 
you are invited to participate in a Forum on LGBTI Inclusion 
in Faith Communities to be held at: 

Woodward Conference Centre, 
10th floor, Melbourne Law Building (106) 
185 Pelham St, Carlton VIC 3053 

on 

Thursday 17 August 2017, 9:30 am – 3.15 pm

The Forum will build upon discussions held at last year’s Roundtable on LGBTI Youth in Faith Communities, which focused on mental health and well-being and the increased risk of self-harm and suicide experienced by LGBTI Victorians 
(see attached Roundtable report). 

Research conducted among LGBTI people of faith in Victoria has highlighted the need to create safe, welcoming spaces in our communities and places of worship, and to create supportive networks for faith leaders in which to share experiences and learn from each other. 

The Forum will address the role that faith and community leaders play in fostering inclusive environments for LGBTI people of faith. Guest speakers will include Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Robin Scott MP; Minister for Equality, Martin Foley MP; leaders from diverse faith communities; and LGBTI people of faith. 

Participants will have the opportunity to share best practice approaches, including the provision of pastoral care to LGBTI people of faith, the use of inclusive language and interpretation of scripture. 

We invite you as a faith and/or community leader to contribute to a sensitive and respectful conversation to support positive mental health and well-being outcomes for LGBTI people of faith. 

Please advise of your attendance, including any accessibility and dietary requirements, to shoshana.silverman@dpc.vic.gov.au by no later than 8 August 2017. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the Forum. 

Best regards, 

Helen Kapalos                                                              Rowena Allen                                 
Victorian Multicultural Commission Chair                    Victorian Gender and Sexuality Commissioner                 




Shoshana Silverman  | Senior Policy Officer |  Community Resilience and Social Cohesion Branch 
Department of Premier and Cabinet  | Level 9, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000 
T 03 7017 8174 |  www.dpc.vic.gov.au  |  www.vic.gov.au 
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