Archer Earth Community Update 14 November

[Dianne Hearn]

Dear Friends

Final Agape for 2025

Our December Agape will be held on Sunday 14 December at 2461 Sandgate Rd Boondall. Our focus will be to celebrate the feast of Christmas.  If you are attending we invite you to contribute to the celebration by bringing:

• A reflection, poem, prayer, song or art piece etc about Christmas to form part of our prayer ritual
• A monetary donation or gift card for us to gift to refugee families
• A Christmas treat to share at morning tea / lunch.

As usual we will gather from 10am for a 10.30 start and conclude with a shared lunch. 

November Agape

We gathered for our November Agape at Nudgee Beach on Monday 10 November.  As November 9 was the birthday of Thomas Berry our focus was Poems and Stories from Thomas Berry.   A seminal story from Thomas is the Meadow across the Creek story, which he describes as as ‘normative for me throughout the range of my thinking’.   This can be accessed at https://thomasberry.org/the-meadow-across-the-creek/

We had time to reflect on and share a significant nature story for each of us and how had this been an influence in our lives.  We listened to stories about Thomas from people who had spent time with him. 

 We enjoyed a collection of poems which may be accessed at https://thomasberry.org/category/publications/poetry/.  Kathleen Deignan’s book Thomas Berry: A Book of Hours also provided us with excerpts from his writing in the form of prayers, canticles and readings under different themes.

The writing of Thomas Berry have been very influential for us as an earth community and we felt in exploring his stories and poetry we perhaps came to appreciate the person of Thomas more acutely. The occasional rain showers didn’t dampen our time together!  Some pics attached.

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 Dates: 19 November

Planning for Archer Earth Community 2026

Our planning meeting for Archer Earth Community will be held in February 2026 at a date to be advised.  Our first Agape for 2026 will be held in March.

Recommended Books

The following books were recommended at the November Agape:

Thus Spoke the Plant by Monica Gagliano. A compelling story of a scientist's discovery of plant communication and how it influenced her research and changed her life.

Murriyang: Song of Time by Stan Grant.  A personal meditation on some of life’s big questions rooted in the Wiradjuri spiritual practice of deep silence and respect.

The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrahms.  A belief that in the face of great adversity including the threats inherent in the climate crises we can find hope in nature itself.

Corals’ Last Stand Film

Oceania Formation Team have invited us to this screening on Wednesday 3 December from 5pm to 7pm AEST.  The film addresses the challenges to Scott Reef (home to more than 1200 species) by the threatened expansion of the Browse Basin by Woodside who want to sink 50 oil and gas wells in proximity to the reef.  For more details and to register please see the attached brochure.

Advent Reflections

These short reflections commencing on 1 December guide us through slow and prayerful reading of Scripture to prepare for the feast of Christmas.  See https://cathevents.org.au/advent-podcasts/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=2025-11-13&utm_campaign=Advent+Faith+and+Professional+Development+opportunites

Thresholds of Transformation

You may be interested in joining a group for this initiative offered by Emmaus Productions in 2026.  It integrates the Universe Story, Laudato Si and the Gospel Story in a transformational process aimed at ecological conversion.  For more information see https://ttss.thresholdsoftransformation.org/

COP30 Brazil 10-21 November

It is difficult to find accessible updates on COP30 but you may be interested in the following:

Which countries have sent the most delegates to COP30?  See https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-which-countries-have-sent-the-most-delegates-to-cop30/

COP30 targets disinformation threat to climate action.  See https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166351

State of the Climate Update by World Meteorological Organisation.  See https://wmo.int/publication-series/state-of-climate-update-cop30

 Key Dates

Nov 10-16 National Recycling Week

This week is sponsored by Planet Ark to remind us of the importance of managing our rubbish responsibly.  See https://planetark.com/programs/national-recycling-week

Nov 16 International Day of Tolerance

This UN commemoration affirms that:  “Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.” See https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/international-day-tolerance-16-november

Nov 16 World Day of those who are Poor 

Pope Francis instituted this commemorative day 9 years ago and the theme this year is from Psalm 71:5 You O God, are my hope.  To access the letter from Pope Leo to mark this day see https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/poor/documents/20250613-messaggio-giornata-poveri.html

Nov 21 World Fisheries Day

This is an important day for us as an island nation.  Sustainable fishing practices are critical.  See https://www.marineconservation.org.au/fisheries/

We conclude with a prayer from the Ecojesuit Prayer Guide for COP30.

God of all creation, 

We ask for the grace to live with intention and care. 

Help us to see the sacred in every choice we make; 

in what we consume, how we travel, and how we treat the Earth. 

May our daily actions reflect love, justice, and hope. 

Give us courage to change, and creativity to inspire others. 

Together, may we heal what has been harmed. Amen.

Blessings from

Archer Earth Community

E: hear...@gmail.com

M: 0448275712