Interfaith Ministry
We live in a multi-faith, multi-cultural society where it is essential to build relationships between people of different faiths and cultures. Peace-making and interfaith expressions occur regularly in regions and congregations of the Synod.
We encourage creating spaces where people can ask questions of each other in a genuine learning experience across many religions. To achieve this, we encourage people to use a variety of methods, including:
- art, poetry and storytelling.
- working through common issues, such as prejudice
- organising community forums with diverse representation from local communities
- working with people from other cultures to help mitigate prejudice
- connecting with local interfaith networks
- connecting congregations to local synagogues, mosques and other places of worship or organising tours of places of worship.
In 2016 the Synod committed itself to four Areas of Focus, which continue to inform our work:
- The identity of Jesus Christ and Christianity in a post-Christendom world;
- Multi-cultural and multi-faith Australia and its relationship to its First Peoples;
- Peace-making, power and powerlessness, being with and for the poor; and
- Inter-faith and intercultural engagement, encounter and learning.
In committing ourselves to Interfaith work, we encourage congregations and leaders to partner with other organisations and faith leaders where possible to achieve common outcomes of justice, peace and common good.
Links:
- UCA Assembly guides for Interfaith dialogues, connections to current Interfaith dialogue commitments, and national interfaith and intercultural organisations.
- Multicultural Arts Victoria
- Islamic Council of Victoria
- Council of Christians and Jews (Victoria)
- Faith Communities Council of Victoria
- Religions for Peace Australia
- For Interfaith ministry in Tasmania contact the Tasmanian Presbytery Office
For additional information, please contact Rev Nigel Hanscamp, Director of Priorities, Focus and Advocacy. 03 9340 8816 or 0438 732 226. [email protected]
Resilient Women Project
The Resilient Women Project report addresses the complex patterns of Islamophobia and how it shapes prejudice against Muslim women in Victoria.
Drawing on the data from forums and participatory-action workshops held across Victoria, this report reflects on the lived experiences of Muslim women as victims of prejudice and examines its unique impacts owing to the intersecting spaces Muslim women occupy. Â It also explores the impact upon both identity and belonging as Australian Muslim women, as well as the many challenges to accessing justice that were disclosed.