In this edition: Dayspring: On the EDGE; International Day of Prayer for Peace; Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction; Spiritual Care Australia Conference.
On the Edge
Dayspring presents On the EDGE – a sunday evening presentation to explore fringe issues around Christian spirituality.
This Sunday 22 August, Stephanie Wod explores “The mystical journey in violent times: Etty Hillesum and Simone Weil”
When: 22 August, 7pm – 8.30pm
Where: Dayspring Centre for Christian Spirituality and Counselling, 68 Waverley Street, Dianella
Cost: $10 includes supper.
For more information, contact Dayspring – 08 9376 1400 or info@dayspring.org.au
International Day of Prayer for Peace
WCC member churches worldwide are once more invited to pray for peace on 21 September 2010 or the closest Sunday.
The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies. The idea was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (press release), and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace. The Day of Prayer is one of the initiatives of the WCC’s Decade to Overcome Violence.
The International Day of Prayer for Peace 2010 is surrounded by peace-related events. One example is the United Nations High-level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, which will take place from 20 to 22 September 2010 in New York. It will encourage governments to increase their efforts to eradicate poverty within the next five years. Without peace, there will be no long-term development. Violence and the threat of violence make everyday life very difficult, if not impossible. The environment suffers. The quality of life of each and everyone decreases. Peace is essential to ensure that the millennium goals are reached. This has been recognized by the government officials who signed the United Nations Millennium Declaration in 2000.
For more information, visit the Overcoming Violence website.
National Symposium of the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction
When: 29th and 30th October, 2010
Where: Centre for Theology and Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052.
The Symposium seeks to foster the professional study of, and academic research into, the impact of contemporary spirituality on the practice of spiritual direction. The Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction (AECSD) invites academics, researchers, the staff of spiritual direction formation programs, spiritual directors, and other interested parties to participate in the two-day Symposium.
During the two days, academic papers and practitioner presentations explore contemporary spirituality and its impact on the practice of spiritual direction in Australia. Some papers also highlight the findings of current and recent research presented within the field. Practitioner presentations are delivered through workshops. The Symposium ends each day with a facilitated panel discussion with the Symposium’s participants and the day’s speakers. Registration and the Symposium’s speakers and their topics are available on their website.
Spiritual Care Australia Conference
Spiritual Care Australia are hosing their 2011 conference at Swanleigh in Perth in May 2011. The Key note speaker is the Rev’d Dr Joseph Parkinson, director of the LJ Goody Bioethics Centre in Perth. In addition there will be a panel of experts to assist exploration of the themes, and associated workshops around the themes.
Swanleigh is located in the semi-rural Swan Valley, and as such the social program will include visits to the nearby chocolate factory, wineries as well as an excursion to Kings Park and an evening river cruise and meal.
For more information, visit the Spiritual Care Australia website.
