In multi-religious Australia, as we come to terms with increasing fear and distrust of those from other faiths, we need to double our efforts to build interfaith harmony, says newly elected Convenor for the Assembly Relations with other Faiths Working Group, Rev Michael Barnes.
“It is part of our call as Christians to work for peace and harmony and we cannot do that today without first building trust, understanding and friendship among people of different faiths.”
Interfaith September is an opportunity for Uniting Church members to begin conversations on how we relate to people of other faiths.
Resources are provided to guide weekly worship with written reflections on the lectionary readings for September. Video clips featuring interviews with religious leaders of the Christian faith and those of different faiths will reflect on the themes in the scripture readings offering insights from the perspective of their own faith.
“When we consider how a person of another faith might understand Christianity and our own Scriptures, we are encouraged again to look at those scriptures and the Christian tradition in a new light,” says Michael.
“This kind of reflection enriches our own understanding and opens our eyes a little more to what the scriptures might say to us.”
The Interfaith September toolkit will include tips on how to host an interfaith gathering. Giving and receiving hospitality is an important part of all faith traditions
The toolkit will also provide guidelines about how we have conversations and interact with people of different faiths.
Each week of Interfaith September will provide a suggested activity or action for individuals to take to build interfaith understanding and relationships in the wider community.
Congregations, groups and individuals can get involved in Interfaith September.
To register email rof@nat.uca.org.au or find out more information at assembly.uca.org.au/rof