For the past two years, Margaret River Uniting Church has run an annual Deep Listening Festival. The festival invites people to step outside their normal busy schedule to engage, connect and listen. Through a diverse range of speakers, workshop presenters, musicians and artists, the festival is an opportunity to hear wonderful stories, to inspire and enrich people’s understanding of themselves and the community around them.
In 2020, the theme is Growing Strong Together, however, COVID-19 has meant that plans have had to change. This year, there will of course not be a big festival over several days, but a series of smaller events targeting different aspects of the theme.
The first of these was an afternoon tea with Ginn Fourie, held in November. Ginn comes from South Africa, but now lives in Margaret River. She explored with us her journey from pain and trauma through to forgiveness following the murder of her daughter, Lyndi in South Africa in 1993. Last year, Ginn’s story about this was published in her book, The Lyndi Tree: An Autobiography of Hope.
The second event, to be held on Saturday 16 January 2021, will showcase the work of six local artists as they interpret the theme. Our special guest speaker for the evening will be Akram Azimi, who arrived in Australia as a refugee aged 16 in 1999. In 2013, Akram was named Young Australian of the Year for his community service and mentoring work. We are delighted that Akram’s mother Nadira, will accompany him on the night.
Wine and nibbles will be served on entry, with music to finish off the evening.
Booking information will be available soon, for more information visit margaretriveruniting.com or contact Mary Elton at elton5@bigpond.com.
Mary Elton