Archer Earth Community 13 August Update

[Dianne Hearn]

Dear Friends

Archer Earth Community Agape dates 2025

Our dates for remaining Agapes in 2025 are as follows:

September 1-4 Retreat at Bunya Mountains 

October Sunday 12 The wisdom of Ilia Delio 

November Monday 10 The Great Work of Thomas Berry

December Sunday 14 Christmas Celebration 

August Agape:  Rewilding the Urban Soul

We gathered at Tinchi Tamba Wetlands to explore this theme as described by Claire Dunn in her book of the same name.

We commenced our time together reflecting on being ‘allured into the wilderness’.

If we are willing to walk quietly and sit silently the creature we are waiting for may well appear’ (Parker Palmer)

When we approach with reverence great things decide to approach us’  (John O’Donohue)

Wandering is a contemplative exercise of sauntering, drawing us into nature as a sacred practice’. (Victoria Loorz)

Our personal time was a ‘contemplative walk’ followed by finding a ‘sit spot’ to watch, listen, taste.  We shared our insights and our cinquain poems and returned again to Thomas Berry’s ‘Meadow Story’ - which he describes as ‘explaining my life at a more profound level’.  

We concluded our ritual with John Coleman’s song At Home With You.  Our shared lunch was on the bank of the expansive Pine River among the fisher folk, birds of many ilks and children playing as it was show holiday!  The documents from Agape are attached together with some of our cinquains and photos.  

Archer Meditation  

Our meditation gatherings are on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. We gather at 2461 Sandgate Rd Boondall from 9.30am to 10am or via the online option at https://www.worldpeaceprayer.org/

Simply click on this link for the World Peace Prayer site and then click on the candle to join the meditation. Next Meditation Date:  20 August

Bunya Retreat Updates

We will forward all details regarding the Bunya Mountains Retreat directly to those who are attending early next week.

Laudato Si Movement August Prayer Guide

You may like to dip into this series of prayers and reflections based on the aspirations of Laudato Si.  They remind us that we are all connected, we are worthy of care and we are called into communion with all God’s creatures.  See  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hx0NYRN2fY37UJBegzOIxWiAd_7Elktj/view

Grounded in Reality by Richard Rohr

You may enjoy this recent meditation from Richard Rohr in which he explores the idea that  Jesus taught his followers not through scholastic theology but through  parables and concrete examples.  Rohr reflects that in a thousand ways Jesus was saying that God comes to us disguised as our life.

See: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/grounded-in-reality/

Is Christianity in Crisis or Transition by Ilia Delio

In this article Ilia calls for Christianity to be simultaneously mystical and prophetic, deeply rooted in the contemplative tradition yet boldly engaged with the ecological and social crises of our time.

See:  https://christogenesis.org/is-christianity-in-crisis-or-transition/

New Climate Target for 2035

The Federal Government is due to set Australia’s 2035 climate target shortly and hopefully it will be ambitious.  To read The Climate Council’s recent report, Stronger Target, Safer Future and to sign the petition urging the government to set the strongest possible 2035 climate target see https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/

80 Years since Hiroshima and Nagasaki

As we face daily the horrific images from wars across our planet - in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine - we are reminded of how little we have learned since more than 38,000 children were killed in the nuclear bombing of Japan 80 years ago.  ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) has created a moving online Children’s Peace Memorial with stories of the children who died in the bombings.  You may find it helpful to engage with their stories as we pray for peace in our time.  See  https://childrenspeacememorial.org/

Garma Festival

If you missed the ceremonies of the Garma Festival you may enjoy the music and dance at the opening of the festival - Bunggul Day 1 with the Gumatj Dancers on SBS on Demand which you can access at https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/watch/2438790211653

Key Dates 

August 31 Social Justice Sunday

The focus for the final Sunday in August is the current Catholic Social Justice Statement entitled Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World.  See https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2024/07/25/social-justice-statement-2024-25/

September 1 World Day of Prayer for Creation  

The Laudato Si Movement hosts this day of prayer each year and 2025 theme is Seeds of Peace and Hope.  To read Pope Leo’s message see https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/creation/documents/20250630-messaggio-giornata-curacreato.html

September 1 - October 4 Season of Creation

The season starts 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.

See https://seasonofcreation.org/

September 1 National Wattle Day

The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is Australia’s national floral emblem and is a symbol of unity and resilience in the face of harsh conditions including droughts, wind and bushfires. Its resilience echoes the spirit of the Australian people.  See https://wattleday.asn.au/

September 1-30 Biodiversity Month

September reminds us of the importance of biodiversity for the resilience of our planet.  We are reminded too of how biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and invasive species.  See https://www.wires.org.au/wires-news/september-is-biodiversity-month

We conclude with a Canticle from Thomas Berry’s Book of Hours which was part of our August Agape.

Look up at the sky –

The heavens so blue,

The sun so radiant, 

The clouds so playful!

The soaring raptors,

Woodland creatures,

Rivers singing their way to the sea.

Birdsong in the land,

Fishsong in the river, 

Celebration everywhere – 

Wild riotous!

As we open our arms and 

Rush toward each other,

All of us are moved by that vast

Compassionate curve

That brings all things together

In intimate celebration – 

Celebration that is the universe itself.

Blessings from

Archer Earth Community