Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly
Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Working Group on Christian / Jewish Relations
National Council of Churches in Australia
Parliament of the World's Religions
Australia is a country where people of many cultural and faith backgrounds live together. As Christians we believe that diversity is a part of God's creation. We are called to live together in peace, loving our neighbour as God loves us and all people.
Responding to Christ's call within Australia's multicultural, multireligious landscape, the Uniting Church in Australia National Working Group on Relations with Other Faiths was established to promote knowledge and understanding of other living world faiths and their communities. The Relations with Other Faiths Working Group seeks to develop wherever possible a commitment to promote respect and tolerance for the integrity of the beliefs of other faiths, cultures and traditions. This desire not only arises from our common humanity but also from a desire to live in peace and goodwill as neighbours in our communities and the world.
We warmly invite you to explore the website and hope it provides resources that guide and inspire you to encounter and experience the rich blessings and wisdom that relationships with people of other faiths bring.
Diwali Greeting
26th - 30th October, 2011 Diwali (or Deepawali, meaning 'row of lamps') is a five day festival, which holds meaning for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. Its name is derived from the practice of decorating homes using oil lamps to symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the removal of darkness. Diwali is a joyous occasion, holding various meanings for the three faiths. October Chat
How did you become interested in interfaith work? My interest in interfaith work was kindled by an encounter on the island of Rhodes in 1999, with an old imam. My husband and I, as well as young American couple, were wandering around outside an old mosque looking at the graves etc, when the old imam appeared and, seeing us, unlocked the mosque and beckoned us to come in. It was a hot day and I was wearing shorts and a sleeveless top. I wanted to go in, but was most embarrassed at what I understood to be a gross breach of protocol. I had a cardigan with me so I put that on. The old imam shook his head as if to say “don’t worry”. Dress code was not a concern for him. It transpired that the imam could not speak English but could speak some Italian. The young American could speak Spanish, which had enough words in common with Italian for the two of them to converse. Article of the Month - October 2011 Tikkun Olam - Repair of the Worldby Josie Lacey OAM “The unique personality which is the real life in me, I cannot gain unless I search for the real life, the spiritual quality, in others. I am myself spiritually dead unless I reach out to the fine quality dormant in others. For it is only with the god enthroned in the innermost shrine of the other, that the god hidden in me, will consent to appear."
Felix Adler
Interfaith Service commemorating the 10th Anniversary of 9/11This service was held in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney on Sunday 11th September. Proceedings began with the digiridoo played by William Barton, who led the procession of interfaith leaders from the Abrahamic faiths up the aisle to the Sanctuary. Rosh Hashanah Greeting
Sunset 28th September, 2011 - Nightfall 30th September, 2011 The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishri (the seventh month). In 2011, this equates to 28th - 30th September. |
We spend five minutes with the Rev. Heather Griffin. Heather is a Minister of the Word of the Uniting Church in Australia and is the Queensland representative to the National Assembly Working Group on Relations with Other Faiths.