Listening to Country: An Indigenous Theology and Spirituality series

There is much wisdom, knowledge, and direction for living to be discovered in listening to country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in these lands now called Australia know this and seek to live deeply connected to country and to share that knowing with others.

This 3-part series explores, breaks open some of that wisdom and knowing. It offers an invitation to walk with and learn from Aboriginal presenters who will share a variety of perspectives that come from their lived experience, their research and their integration of Christian theology with indigenous spirituality. As Garry Worete Deverell describes in his book Contemplating Country, ‘Such a transformation is necessary if Christianity is ever to leave behind its Eurocentric habits and truly arrive in the sovereign and unceded country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.’

Eremos partners with Pitt St Uniting Church, St James Institute in Sydney, and the Wellspring Community in collaboration with the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity to offer this series. We all have the opportunity to have our lives enriched and believe that this encounter is vital for our future as a country. 

We invite national participation and all sessions will be live online. Each event will also be in person at Pitt St Uniting Church in Sydney.

Listening to Country: An Indigenous Theology and Spirituality series, Session 1

Rev Dr Garry Worete Deverell presenting, Christ as country: Aboriginal spirituality and Christianity in conversation 

Sunday 21 April from 2 – 4 pm at Pitt St Uniting Church, Sydney and Live streamed

Rev Dr Garry Deverell is Academic Dean, Lecturer, and Research Fellow in the new School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity, which he helped to found.

A trawloolway man from northern lutruwita (Tasmania), Dr Deverell is the author of Contemplating Country (2023), Gondwana Theology (2018) and The Bonds of Freedom (2008). He holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Tasmania and the Melbourne College of Divinity and a doctorate in theology from Monash University.

Garry has taught courses in liturgy and preaching at Trinity College Theological School and the Uniting Church Theological College. Garry’s more recent research has turned towards theologising the experience of Indigenous peoples within and beyond the colonial church. In 2024 he will coordinate a unit exploring Aboriginal cultures and spiritualties.

Garry is a member of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council, the Doctrine Commission of the Anglican Church of Australia and the Australian Academy of Liturgy.

Garry was recently interviewed for Soul Search on ABC Radio

Garry speaks about how he ‘has been able to weave together wisdom from the two different stories he has grown up with’ in this article from the Melbourne Anglican. 'For him, country is about the interconnectedness of all life in a matrix of mutual care. It forms him in a vocation of responsibility towards both the human and the non-human worlds. All are kin, family.'

In addition to the presentation, the session includes reflection and dialogue as we explore together how the encounter with Indigenous cultural knowledge changes and challenges us to live and act differently as we participate in life in this land we call Australia. 

The event will be live-streamed online. When you book, the Zoom link will be in your confirmation email. 

The event will be recorded and available by early May. 

If you are attending in person, there is no need to register now. Just come, and if applicable, you can pay at the door. 

Cost: $15 or $10 if booked by 18th April.

Free for Eremos members, Pitt St UCA members, Wellspring members, St James Institute subscribers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Afternoon tea will be part of the event. 

Also in this series:

Session 2 - Professor Dr Anne Pattel-Gray: Aboriginal Spirituality and Connection to Country

Sunday 11 August 2024, 2 – 4 pm

Session 3 - Nathan Tyson: Acknowledging Country: Way forward to reconciliation

Sunday 8 September 2024, 2 – 4 pm

All sessions are held at Pitt St Uniting Church, 264 Pitt St, Sydney and will be live-streamed

Some background to this series which emerges from 'Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution'

Rev Dr Josephine Inkpin, minister at Pitt St Uniting Church, and Kate Scholl, Eremos Council member, attended 'Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution' conference in February in Melbourne. Following this ground-breaking conference, they began conversations with the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity to offer a series on Indigenous Theology and Spirituality.

Held on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, this four-day event brought Indigenous Church leaders and theologians together on a national platform. The core objective of the conference was to deepen understanding of First Nations' spirituality, knowledge, country, ecology, and history, fostering individual and organisational transformation and restoration. It also provided a unique opportunity for non-Indigenous individuals to gain insight into the Indigenous spiritual perspective, equipping them to collaborate effectively with First Nations people and communities. 

Professor Anne Pattel-Gray, an internationally acclaimed theologian and proud Bidjara woman explains the purpose of the conference, 'As Indigenous peoples, we are reclaiming our voice, recognising the pivotal role faith plays in this process. The conference amplifies Indigenous theological perspectives, compelling churches and Christian NGOs to mobilise followers in addressing injustices and systemic failings.'

The Eremos Council, Pitt St Uniting Church, the Wellspring Community in Australia, and St James Institute are excited about this opportunity to work in partnership and to learn, be challenged, and engage in dialogue about Indigenous Theology and Spirituality. 

For more details about the conference: Raising Our Tribal Voice for Justice Conference

And there was a Soul Search program about it: Soul Search: An Indigenous Theological Revolution

Our Sponsors

We thank Pitt St Uniting Church, St James Institute and Wellspring Community for sponsoring this event.