Archer Earth Community 12 April Update

[Dianne Hearn]

Dear Friends

Agape dates for 2026

May 11 (Mon)  Tinchi Tamba Wetland Reserve (Tony, Kevin)

June 15 (Mon) Coochiemudlo (Heather, David)

July 12 or 13 TBA (Georgina, Greg)

Aug 10 (Mon) UQ Anthropology Museum with Director Michael Aird (Jules)

Sep 13 or 14 TBA (Tony, Elaine)

Oct 12 (Mon) New Farm Park (Mary, Darryl) 

Nov  9 (Mon) Boondall Wetlands (Don, Di, Paul, Jules)

Dec 13 or 14 TBA Christmas Celebration

April Agape Easter Sunday Sunrise

We gathered in the darkness of Easter morning on the Shorncliffe foreshore with the lapping waters of Moreton Bay, morning bird calls and distant Brisbane lights.  We contemplated the darkness of the tomb with music from Benedictus of St Cecelia Mass and the Mass for Peace Benedictus. David Whyte’s poem reflected our mood: All my body calls for something in this sleeping earth we call the spirit…..

Dawn broke through clouded skies slowly and a few early morning walkers joined us as Gabriel’s Oboe played.  We were invited to anoint our hand with the oil from eucalypt leaves and the refrain: The sacred in you is at one with the sacred in me.  David Whyte’s poem Fallen in Love and John O’Donohue’s Dawn’s Coming captured our ‘vision of far off things’ and ‘all beauty drawn to the eye’.  We reflected on the question:  What is stirring in my heart as I awaken to this dawn?

As the haunting strains of Sunrise from Grieg’s Peer Gynt began, surprisingly we saw the hint of light through the clouds gradually emerging to the beauty of sunrise and we acclaimed: ‘I’ve been raised from the dead! .. I am greeted in love with inside eastering’.  Like the disciples we were comforted:  ‘Do not be afraid..Jesus has risen and is going before you to Galilee.  You will see him there’ (Matt 28)

The poem Getting to Galilee reminded us:

That death is but a portal through which

Divine emptiness slips away

And into the future,

Beckoning us to go to Galilee –

Those places and times of our lives

When our hearts first burned with hope –

And await insight for our new Eastering Life.

We reflected on the questions:  Where is my new Galilee?  Where is Eastering breaking through for me?

Ilio Delio reminded us that: Every choice for love over fear constitutes participation in divine becoming.  Our time together concluded with the sweet taste of Easter and sharing breakfast together.  Some pics below.

May Agape: Monday 11 May

Our May Agape will be at Tinchi Tamba Wetland Reserve, Wyampa Road, Bald Hills.  More details coming.

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: April 15

Archer Retreat

As we have already enjoyed a Winter and a Spring retreat in the Bunya Mountains we decided our next retreat in the Bunyas would be in Autumn 2027.  More details to come.

As some people are keen to have some retreat days this year there will be an opportunity to do this on Coochiemudlo following on from the June 15 Agape.  Thanks to Heather and David for arranging this.  Please let them know if you are attending Agape and are interested in staying on for some retreat days.  E hdec...@gmail.com and M 0413 563 671.

Cynthia Bourgeault and Chanting

You may find this short video helpful in using chant as a method for uniting the mind, body, heart and spirit in prayer. See 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCdK7PT1HFc

Federal Government’s Saving Native Species Program

This Federal program which has provided $224.5m over 4 years is due to conclude in June this year. It is important that the program continues and is included in the coming budget at least at its current funding level.  For more information and to contact the relevant Ministers see https://birdlife.org.au/extend-the-saving-native-species-program/

Sanctuary - Film on Marine Parks

You may enjoy this short film describing the importance of Australia’s marine parks for the health of our oceans.  These national parks are protected zones where no fishing, mining, dumping or oil and gas extraction is allowed.  You may like to join the Save our Marine Life Campaign sponsored by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS).  See https://www.marineconservation.org.au/marine-parks-2/

Key Dates in April

18 April Earth Day

The theme for Earth Day 2026 is Our Power, Our Planet.  Earth Day campaigns focus on 6 areas: End Plastics, The Canopy Project, Climate Literacy, Food and the Environment, Fashion for the Earth and Action for Climate Change.  For detailed information on each of these campaigns see https://www.earthday.org/

25 April World Penguin Day. 

Australia is home to eight of the eighteen species of penguins.  They face an array of threats including introduced predators, human intervention, competition with industrial fishing for food and the influence of climate change on their habitats.  To read more about Australia’s penguins see 

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/nature-wildlife/2018/04/a-quick-guide-to-australias-penguins/

In conclusion, as we continue to be strengthened in the new life of Easter we pray:
In the joy of Easter we give thanks:
that light has overcome darkness,
that love has triumphed over death,
and that in Christ a new creation has begun.

We bring before you O God a world still marked 

by suffering, by war and division,
by grief, fear, and injustice.
Hold in your mercy all who suffer,
and make us instruments of your peace.

Risen Christ,
as you passed through death into life, draw us also into that new life:
that we may live not for ourselves,
but in hope, courage, and love –
bearing witness to your resurrection in all we do.

May the joy of Easter strengthen us, 

the hope of Easter sustain us,
and the life of Easter transform us,
until all things are made new in you.

Blessings from

Archer Earth Community

E: hear...@gmail.com

M: 0448275712