Faith Stories: Conversations & Storytelling

Upcoming Faith Stories Symposium: Young Women of Faith

Every day we are bombarded with stories and images of racial and religious tension. What we rarely see and hear about are the stories of a small group of women in the Yarra Ranges who are working to create a culture of cohesion and harmony via connecting communities. We believe that acceptance and respect come from understanding each other's values, beliefs and most importantly our similarities rather than differences.

We have run Faith Stories for three years now, each year having a different focus. Our themes have been: Abrahamic faiths, Eastern Faiths and this year we are showcasing Young Women of Faith. The symposium is a presentation of conversations and storytelling from a panel of young multicultural women faith leaders.

Faith Stories generates such a heartfelt response from the audience, you will have the opportunity to ask the most honest questions to each speaker. A person’s stereotypes about another’s faith practice causes division, rather than understanding. Are you ready to hear understanding? Are you ready to see the difference between culture and faith? Are you ready to open your heart?

It is our hope that these conversations will start a ripple effect of understanding that will spread and eventually be a catalyst to alleviate unfounded stereotypes hindering community cohesion.

Hear from our Women of Faith:

Dilmi Weerasinghe:

Dilmi originates from Sri Lanka where

she gained a university degree in

Biological Science. Currently, she is in

her 2 nd year of a Bachelor of Nursing

degree in the faculty of Health at

Deakin University. Dilmi has a passion

to analyse life, with a focus on concepts

of understanding reality.

Sarah Boyd:

Sarah completed a Bachelor of

Education from Monash University,

while concurrently training part time in

Steiner education. Currently, she is a

Steiner primary classroom teacher and

is grateful to experience the

developmental journey of childhood

with her 8-year-old students in Class

Two.

Panir Pickford:

Panir graduated with an Arts Degree at

Swinburne University in the field of Media

and Communications. Following her

studies she participated in a volunteer

mission and was called to the North West

of England. She has worked in marketing

and as a piano teacher. Currently, she is a

Mum of an 18 month daughter, with a son

on the way.

Hena Hawaid:

Hena originates from Pakistan. Her studies

and training were in Pakistan and the US,

completing 5 years of medicine and then 4

years training in psychiatry. Currently, she

is working as a student counsellor in a

faith-based school and offering e-

counselling service as a volunteer to the

Muslim community.

SCHEDULE:

10:00am:

Registration and Morning Tea

10:30-11:10am:

Welcome to Country

Welcome by Cr Mike Clarke

Introducing WFWP

11:10-12:40pm:

Faith Stories 1 and 2 (60 min.)

Buddhist Stories by Dilmi

Weerasinghe

Unification Stories by Sarah

Boyd

Discussion (30 min.)

12:40-1:30pm:

Group photo and LUNCH

1:30-3:00pm

Faith Stories 2 and 3 (60 min.)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter

Day Saints by Panir Pickford

Muslim Stories by Hena Jawaid

Discussion (30 min.)

3:00-3:30pm Closing and Afternoon Tea