Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 174

PROGRAM Friday, December 4, 2009
4:30-6:00pm OPEN SPACE
OPENSPACE 4:30-6:00pm
Peace at the Heart of the World Rev Angie Buchanan Dierdre Arthen Rev Andras Corben-Arthen Room 202 Religious or Spiritual Observance Leaders from a variety of Pagan paths come together in the old way, under the open sky, at this most potent and fruitful time of year to celebrate their connections with each other, with spirit and with all of creation. Pagan traditions acknowledge that all humans are one and the same with the Earth and honour our responsibility to care for her and all who are a part of her. At this Parliament, Pagans are gathering from many places to listen to one another and to work to heal the Earth to bring peace. The group invites people of all faith traditions to share in a ritual that has the same purpose. The ritual invites everyone to come together in the spirit of the Earth to open hearts, touch souls and take another step toward finding peace at the heart of the world. Rev Angie Buchanan is a Family Tradition Pagan. She is a founder and director of Gaia's Womb, an interfaith spirituality group for women, and Earth Traditions, a Pagan Church that also offers a Training Program for Pagan Ministry, Angie has been a presenter at a number of interfaith events, including the 2004 Parliament and the Buddhist Council of the Midwest Women's Conference. She has worked with CPWR as a Board Member since 2002 Rev Deirdre Pulgram Arthen is the Director of the EarthSpirit Community, a religious and educational organisation dedicated to the preservation of earth-centred spirituality, particularly the indigenous European traditions. She has been a leader in the Pagan community in the United States for thirty years and is known as a ritualist, musician, teacher and spiritual counsellor. She has offered presentations at the 1993, 1999 and 2004 Parliaments. Rev Andras Corban-Arthen is the spiritual director of the EarthSpirit Community. a religious and educational organisation dedicated to the preservation of Earth-centred spirituality, particularly the indigenous European traditions. He has been a presenter at many interfaith events, including the 1993 and 2004 Parliaments, and the 2007 World Interreligious Encounter. Of Hispanic descent, Rev Arthen teaches and lectures on the Indigenous European pagan religions throughout the US and abroad.
All We've Got: A Documentary Film about Hope MaryCatherine Burgess Jung Wai Hoi Nurul Jihadah Hussain Tamara Knowles Vijay Ramnarace Di Williams David Wilson Room 104 Film and Discussion This experiential workshop centres around a 21-minute documentary film. Over the course of a year, students and staff explored and reflected on their efforts to address issues of religious, spiritual, and cultural diversity in their interactions at the University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy. Starting out as 'a year in the life of a multifaith chaplaincy, the film grew into a deepened appreciation for the importance of friendship and trust, an increased understanding of how significant it felt to be part of a 'caring community, and a greater respect for the challenges inherent in addressing questions that matter' and 'issues that concern' when faced with personal and collec difference. Participants share their thoughts and feelings regarding why this kind of dialogue and collaboration about difference is crucial to the world at this time in history. They represent male and female, ages from 20s to 80s, cultures from East and West, and religious and nonreligious perspectives. The film shows how a modern university Chaplaincy can provide a safe and supportive space for people from diverse backgrounds to find hope in sharing common ground and in appreciating their differences. The workshop will include interactive opportunities for participants to engage with topics generated in the film, reflect on their own experiences, and share responses with each other. Mary Catherine Burgess, PhD. is Associate Chaplain at the University of Edinburgh. Rooted in Vatican II Catholicism and cross-cultural shaman ism, she has extensive international experience facilitating spirituality and Divine Feminine retreats. She is learned in psychodrama, sociometry, and sociodrama training: shamanic learning and healing, and interreligious dialogue. Author of the book A New Paradigm of Spirituality and Religion, MaryCatherine integrates human relations skills, action methods, shamanism, counselling, and music into her work. Jung Wai Hoi, former President of the student Buddhist Society and recent Edinburgh University graduate, is from Malaysia and is the one who suggested making this documentary film. Nurul Jihadah Hussain is a fourth-year Edinburgh University student from Singapore who studies Arabic and genuinely shares her Muslim faith and her enthusiasm for interfaith. Tamara Knowles is Chaplaincy Assistant, providing welcome and support at the Chaplaincy drop-in space. She is from the US has two postgraduate degrees, and is happy to be a Christian. Vijay Ramnarace, a fourth-year student in Sanskrit, is a Hindu priest, Co-founder of the student Vedic Society, and member of the University's Chaplaincy Committee (advisory bodyl. Di Williams, Chaplain to the University, Anglican priest, and experienced labyrinth facilitator and master teacher, is the chaplain who first focused on the need for the Edinburgh University Chaplaincy to provide support for those of all faiths and none
Sacred Sites, Sacred Solidarity: Working Session Room 103 This session is by invitation only and is designed for individuals and organisations currently engaged in furthering the international movement in support of safeguarding sacred sites. Whether involved directly in sacred sites or more broadly in the preservation of world heritage, this program will highlight the current work being done by each organization, as well as explore diverse views for moving the initiative forward in active collaboration. Stein Villumstad, Deputy Secretary General of Religions for Peace, will moderate this session.
170 PWR - Parliament of the World's Religions Jain Education International