Realisations and Reflections: Stories of Transformation Book Launch

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Sun 30 May 2021

Pilgrim Uniting Church is hosting the book launch of Realisations and Reflections: Stories of Transformation on Sunday, May 30 @ 9.30am. Editor Geoff Boyce has collected anecdotes from fellow members of his church congregation, shedding light on the yawning gap between Australia's First and Second Peoples, while also revealing their underlying yearning for justice. Geoff Boyce's new book poses the question: How are we all going to live together, in spite of all our differences?



The project began after the Pilgrim Uniting Church 'Day of Mourning' service in January a week before Australia Day. The Uniting Church in Australia initiated the Day of Mourning in association with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) as an expression of solidarity with Australia's First Peoples, particularly in the context of current debates about the celebration of Australia Day on 26 January each year. During the 'Day of Mourning' service at Pilgrim Church, people gathered in small groups to share their experiences about moments in their lives when they became more aware of the lives of Aboriginal people.



The diversity and spiritual depth of stories shared was profound. As a result, people were invited to share their stories in written form with the hope of capturing those moments of deep self-disclosure and to self-publish them as a book of stories. The stories have been edited into a book by Geoff Boyce and will be launched at Pilgrim Uniting Church on Reconciliation Sunday, 30 May 2021 (the start of Reconciliation Week), towards the end of the 9.30am worship service. Profits from the sales of the book will be directed to Covenanting projects with Aboriginal people.



Some short quotes from the book illuminate the depth in the stories shared:"We have learnt to say 'sorry' but not 'thanks'. Rose Milton-Head"Rascism 'just is,' and goes unnoticed by us, generally because we white ones are not the ones walking over glass. " Rose Milton-Head"At the time I knew their (Aboriginal) children, but was ignorant of their recent and longer history, giving that little thought. I now find that offensive!" Noel Holmes"While interacting with these (Aboriginal) groups, we often encountered this type of optimistic outlook and belief in divine providence, despite the grim circumstance and harsh reality of their lives." Nim LaBrooy"Many Aboriginal children are expected to learn simply by watching and listening – trial and error or asking questions are not encouraged." Di Russell

For more information, contact Geoff Boyce, [email protected], 0413153616

For further details and to pre-purchase the book see link here .
Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders St, Adelaide.



About Pilgrim Uniting Church in the City
Pilgrim Church sees itself as being a church that nurtures the heart of the City of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. It not only provides space for worship, weddings and funerals, but it opens itself to the needs of the city: making space for and collaborating with organisations concerned for the needs of others, particularly those looking for sanctuary. It opens its lounge daily to sit in solidarity with the homeless and disadvantaged looking for shelter and a hot cup of coffee. It welcomes tourists. It reaches out to refugees and asylum seekers. Pilgrim is a place of unconditional welcome.

Pilgrim Church is also a place of creativity - songwriters and musicians sharing their inspiration with others and publishing new music for our time. A choir of international reputation, singing with the biggest pipe organ in South Australia and touring the cathedrals of Europe annually.

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!date 30/05/2021 -- 30/05/2021
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