Listening for Peace, Confronting Racism
Over the last few years, the Uniting Church WA Social Justice Commission have been exploring a new model of working, creating opportunities for engagement on matters of social justice for the wider church through the Justice Hive (the Hive).
The Hive is a gathering that takes place three times per year, bringing together interested people in the Uniting Church to explore social justice topics, and contribute to the work and focus of the Commission.
There are four key elements for each Hive gathering:
- Grounding in Christian spirituality
- Opportunities to build relationships and connections with like-minded individuals
- Sharing of ideas and developing strategies to meet individual and collective social justice objectives
- Development of skills to enhance personal capacity to work towards objectives
On Saturday 2 May, the Hive topic was a discussion focused on ‘Listening for Peace, Confronting Racism’, asking the question, “In the face of escalating war, racism and intolerance of the Other, how might our congregations and communities be built for Peace?” This was an open opportunity to hear from and engage with three guest speakers each invited to share from their perspective and experience.
The speakers were John, a Palestinian Christian; Maryam, an Iranian Baha’i; and Kevin, a Malaysian, Christian, who is currently a candidate for ministry with the Uniting Church.
As each speaker shared aspects of their story, the gathered group were given an insight into their experience as Palestinian, Iranian and Chinese Malaysia migrants, the grief and loss arising from both subtle and systematic erasure including genocide, as well as other-ing in their own homelands and in Australia. They shared about ways their faith helps them, and discussed how we might all work towards peace.
John shared of his life as a Palestinian Christian. He spoke of the effects of war and genocide in Gaza on his community, of experiencing grief and loss of people and place and the mixed feelings that come from being safe so far away here in Perth. He shared his desire to keep his culture alive through teaching and advocacy, contributing to ecumenical and interfaith spaces to continue to advocate for Palestine. He spoke of the importance of devotion and prayer in his life. He emphasised the need for our communities to truly listen to each other, hearing different voices and experiences.
Maryam, an Iranian Baha’i, shared a deeply personal account of the humanitarian crisis in Iran, of the violence and silence that continues in her homeland. Years of conflict, and the recent war have taken a physical and emotional toll on the people. She spoke about the many years that people of Baha’i faith have been targeted and marginalized within her home country. Maryam gave an insight into the realities on the ground in Iran, how the current internet blackout in Iran has heightened uncertainty for them as they have not been able to speak to their families. She spoke of the grief felt in her community here in Perth watching loved ones and people in her homeland suffering while she lived in safety.
Kevin brought another perspective into the conversation, sharing of his experiences of being ‘other’ in the places he has lived and worked, and the times he has witnessed and experienced racism. He spoke about the theology of the ‘other’, and of seeing Jesus in the Stranger, and how that might flow through into his ministry.
As each guest speaker shared, discussion arose in the gathered group who wrestled with the often-difficult concept of ‘loving our enemies’. There was discussion about how we define racism, the different forms it can come in and the need to distinguish between racism and genuine curiosity.
An open time of sharing followed where the group discussed how we might continue to build peace. There was an agreed emphasis on the value of learning about each others’ histories in order to understand conflicts. People shared the importance of making space for people to gather, to build friendships, to join together in the simple act of interfaith prayer and devotion, to experience moments of hospitality and connection.
The Justice Hive was a listening circle of care and hope.
In thanking the speakers after the event, Rev Sophia Lizares, Social Justice Commission member said:
“May this just be the beginning of a circle of friendship and courage. I look forward to further ways of exploring the spiritual and cultural resources in lament and resistance to engender a brave faith in the world.
May the seeds planted grow into a great tree to shelter many.”
Thank you, John, Maryam and Kevin for lending your hearts and voices in this intercultural, ecumenical and inter-religious conversation.
The Uniting Church in Australia, in its Vision for a Just Australia, has a vision for ‘A Welcoming, Compassionate and Diverse Nation’ which states “We are a nation of diverse cultures, languages, faiths, ethnic groups and experiences. We celebrate and value the strength in this diversity.” You can read more about this vision, and the other foundational areas expressed in this resource on the UCA Assembly website here – https://uniting.church/a-vision-for-a-just-australia/
To stay informed about the next Justice Hive contact the Social Justice Commission – [email protected]
Article by Wendy Hendry
Images by Wendy Hendry and Sophia Lizares.