In a culture like ours we are encouraged to aim for success and, generally, to hide our failures. Even if we are religious, and regularly confess that we have done wrong, we tend to do that privately, or in a formal manner before a priest, who keeps what we say confidential.
Few people would know about this worthwhile charity, as its focus is not a subject which we would be inclined to discuss. Its work relates to the reality that thousands of girls and young women around the world have their lives disrupted by the fact that they have no access to sanitary supplies related to menstruation.
Faith can be religious, or not. If it is religious, it obviously has its origin in a relationship with a power beyond ourselves – some God who inspires, encourages and renews us as we travel through life. If it is not religious, it may be a hope arising from one’s own inner strength, or maybe that which lies within a group of friends or a community.
REDFERN: Justice Virginia Bell, a long-time resident of Redfern, spoke recently at a fundraising event in support of the Redfern Legal Centre. She gave those present some insights into the history and function of the Centre. It was opened in 1977, with only one paid staff member, who was supported by volunteers. Justice Bell, who was called to the Bar in 1984, herself worked free for the Centre in its earlier years.
It is an irony and a sad reality that, when we have leaders of our two main parties who claim to be Christian, we have perhaps the least compassion for desperate people who try to come to us for refuge.
In a recent homily on the parable of the Good Samaritan, Rev. Andrew Collis, the Minister with South Sydney Uniting Church in Waterloo, made reference to an enlightening workshop held at the Pitt Street Uniting Church in July. It was run by Seattle-based scholars, Wes Howard-Brook and Sue Ferguson Johnson. The focus was the theme in Howard-Brook’s book “Come Out My People!”: God’s Call Out of Empire and Beyond, which invites readers to reflect on two biblical “religions” – a religion of Empire vs a religion of Creation.
Richard Goodwin is a world-recognised and multiple award-winning sculptor and architect. He is a specialist in art, architecture and urban design, and Professor in the School of Art, School of Design Studies at the College of Fine Arts (COFA). He recently delivered the Tom Bass Memorial Lecture.
In 1833, Frederic Ozanam, at the age of 20, and some French student friends, established the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The Sisters of Charity were also involved later. St Vincent de Paul lived in the 17th century and had been venerated by both the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. He was known as “the great Apostle of charity”.
When life is hard and you can’t see a way through for yourself, it is common to look for a miracle which will solve everything or, at least, rapidly lift you out of the pain or anxiety which is overtaking you. I suspect this happens, whether we are people of faith, or not, although possibly people of faith are more inclined to expect miraculous solutions. We look around us, hoping to receive a gift which will transform our life.
As one who has no option but to live with lymphoedema, after breast cancer, I can testify to both its challenges and also the expert help and advice that is available. March was Lymphoedema Awareness Month when all sorts of information was offered to people who have the condition, or who are part of their support.
Michael Miller’s grandfather was a “cabin boy” from England. His stepfather didn’t want either him, or his brother, who he shipped off to the United States. Michael’s mother was from a large family of children and they lived in challenging circumstances in a small house with an outside toilet.
People often talk about having faith in each other. When we do that, I suspect that we are usually referring to a relationship with someone who “won’t let us down, won’t betray us”. But what really lies within that belief? What is true faith between two people, or within a group of people?
Given that her husband, Gordon Syron, is an artist, sometimes it is forgotten that Elaine Syron is another type of artist – a photographer. Her Jewish father was also a photographer who took many photos after the war, including a mapping of Germany through a hole in a plane! With her conservative Christian mother, the family later lived in America.
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is a great organisation where young people can get involved, at any time, as actors and playwrights. They have been around for 50 years now and are still inspiring, nurturing and promoting new talent on their stage at the Wharf in Walsh Bay – giving voice to a new generation of Australian writers, theatre makers, filmmakers and performers.
REDFERN: Shane Phillips received the Australian Local Hero award on Australia Day. It was undoubtedly well deserved, and just talking with him invites a new hope in people.
Christmas can be a special time for many people, whether they are religious, or not. Families come together and share food and gifts and there is a widespread sense of celebration. All communities need times like that – times when we pause from our usual patterns of life and give a new focus to the possibility of love and generosity. Of course, we can’t romanticise this.
What you believe your God commands you to do and who that God is are not easily separated. If you believe that you are commanded by your God, or the Prophet who represents that God to you, to plant a bomb and kill people who are your opponents, then you worship a God who would do that. This God hates those who apparently don’t bow down to him and isn’t worried if some innocent people, who happen to be around when the bomb goes off, are killed. This God believes that, if it is a suicide bombing, it is good that you who planted the bomb, die too. In other words, if this God were a person, no price would be too high to pay to force people to do what he/she wanted. I must say, I would find it hard to recommend this God to anyone.
On October 26, many thousands of people around the country gathered to share in DisabiliTEA events. These drew attention to the urgent need for the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) into every Australian community.
On September 21, at Sydney’s Customs House, under the overall theme of “Sustainable peace for a sustainable future” a significant panel of people discussed “Stronger futures for Australia’s Indigenous people”. The panel was chaired by Kuranda Seyit who is a Councillor for the Sydney Peace Foundation.
Redfern resident, Alana Valentine, has won the top award for best new play about science and technology in the 5th STAGE international script competition. Her play entitled Ear to the Edge of Time was selected from over 200 entries from 19 different countries.
As most of us watched the opening of the Olympic Games recently, we would have seen one of the most famous quotes from William Shakespeare – “To be, or not to be. That is the question” – printed on the ground. Hamlet, who is saying those words in Shakespeare’s play, is contemplating suicide – deciding whether he will live or die. However, we could ask ourselves what it really means “to be”. I suggest that there are two main themes in “being” and in living life to the full, and that many religions invite us to do that.
