By Lindy Schneider
The Tecoma Uniting Church (TUC) will hold a mini-festival called Can we Make Peace? on Saturday 22 September from 1pm.
The event on International World Day of Peace is a first for the TUC, which hopes to make it a regular feature of its community outreach and social justice program.
The festival is open to all members of the community.
“The festival has been developed in response to requests from the broader Tecoma community,” church committee member Shakti McLaren said.
Activities on the day will include a 90-minute Q and A panel on the question ‘How can we make peace?’
Paul O’Halloran will moderate the debate between a range of community members representing diverse religious and social groups.
Kids activities with local artist Joy Serwylo will include art-making, treasure hunts and other peaceful activities.
Throughout the church and gardens there will be five-minute meditations, crystal bowl sessions and garden walks.
Peace-themed short documentaries will be shown in the chapel and a peace choir, led by Barbara McFarlane of Vokallista, will be performing.
Afternoon tea will also be served.
“We want people to leave after the closing ceremony with their questions answered, a deeper understanding and a sense of hope,” Ms McLaren said.
The organising group said: “We hope this is the beginning of many great forums and events in TUC that will be both thought-provoking and edgy.”
The TUC is at 1566 Burwood Highway, Tecoma.
A $5 donation is requested for entry to Can we Make Peace?
