Archer Earth Community August Update

[Dianne Hearn]

Dear Friends

Archer Earth Community Agape dates 2025

Our dates for remaining Agapes in 2025 are as follows:

August Monday 11 Rewilding the Urban Soul 

September 1-4 Retreat at Bunya Mountains 

October Sunday 12 The wisdom of Ilia Delio 

November 9 or 10 TBD

December Sunday 14 Christmas Celebration 

Next Agape Monday 11 August

The theme for our August Agape is Rewilding the Urban Soul and will be held at Tinchi Tamba Nature Wetland Reserve, Wyampa Rd, Bald Hills.  It is east of the Bruce Hwy - the flood plain of the Pine River.  It encompasses many habitat types – dry eucalypt and paperbark forests, casuarina forests, mangroves, claypans and slat-marshes, grasslands, swamps.

Directions:  Follow Bracken Ridge Road, turn left at Chartlock Rd and then left into Arnica Crt, left into Korina St and right onto Wyampa Rd. Nearing the end of Wyampa Rd, turn left into the Tinchi Tamba Reserve which is on Deep Water Bend section of the Pine River.

Drive down to the parking area (right turn into it) and we are setting up at the far shelter sheds nearest the river to the left of children’s playground, near the toilet block. Follow Mrs Google if you get lost… she will lead you there.  Attached below is a map that may assist you once you come off Bracken Ridge Road from the Sandgate area. 

Please bring: Insect repellent, folding chair, water (no fresh water except in toilets), journal, pen, hat, walking shoes, sunscreen, warm clothing so that you are comfortable. There is an electric barbeque near the shelter shed if anyone wants to bring barbeque food.

We will gather at 10am for morning tea for a 10.30 start and conclude with a shared lunch.  

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. 

NOTE:  For our next meditation on 6 August we will gather at Tony’s place, 14/37 Marathon Mews, Marathon St Aspley, as 2461 is not available.  You are still able to attend via the online option at https://www.worldpeaceprayer.org/. Next Meditation Dates are:  6 August & 20 August

Bunya Retreat Updates

Following meditation on Wednesday 6 August we will meet at about 10am (either at Tony’s or via the online link https://www.worldpeaceprayer.org/ ) to finalise arrangements for the Bunya Retreat (1-4 September).  We will then send all those participating details for the retreat program and our stay at the Bunyas.

Osprey House Chicks

You can follow the process of the two osprey chicks and their parents George and Hope and big sister Marina on the Osprey House Environmental Centre Facebook page.  Sadly the third egg did not hatch but the two babies are doing well!

Vale Joanna Macy 2 May 1929 - 19 July 2025 

Many of us have been inspired by Joanna Macy’s wisdom and hard work on behalf of Mother Earth.  Joanna passed away 19 July.  She spoke often of The Great Turning - the challenge of our time to move from an industrial growth society to a life-sustaining civilisation.

This conversation between Joanna Macy and journalist Krista Tippett draws on the wisdom of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke to inspire hope for the future of our world.  See https://onbeing.org/programs/joanna-macy-hope-portal-episode-5/

Voices of the Valley Film

This online screening, organised by Oceania Province Formation Team, on 7 August from 6pm-7.30pm explores the story of the push back against the expansion of the coal mining in the Wollar/Mudgee area of NSW. To register please head to https://www.trybooking.com/DDGTG

Save Scott Reef Campaign

Key environmental groups have launched a united campaign against Woodside’s plan to drill for gas at the highly biodiverse Scott Reef off the coast of Western Australia.  There are significant concerns regarding the impact of marine life and the pollution the Burrup Hub would produce.  See https://www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/woodside-drilling-gas-scott-reef/

Key Dates in August

August 4  National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Children’s Day: SNAICC is a national peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations that work to improve outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.  Each year August 4 is dedicated to celebrating children in their communities.  The theme for 2025 is Little Footsteps, Big Futures See https://www.snaicc.org.au/our-work/campaigns/childrens-day/

August 4-10 Landcare Week

Land Care Week recognises the many people who restore and protect the natural environment whether in a recognised ‘landcare’ group or through other environment projects.  The theme this year is Landcare is for everyone (L.I.F.E) See https://landcareaustralia.org.au/resources/campaigns/landcare-week/

August 9 International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples

The focus for 2025 is Indigenous Peoples' right to self-determination: a pathway for food security and sovereignty.  See https://sdg.iisd.org/events/international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples-2025/

August 31 Social Justice Sunday

The focus for the final Sunday in August is on 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/

We conclude with thoughts from Joanna Macy: Grace and the Great Turning,

When you act on behalf

Of something greater than yourself,

you begin to feel it acting through you

with a power greater than your own.

 

This is grace.

 

Today, as we take risks

for the sake of something greater

than our separate, individual lives,

we are feeling graced

by other beings and by Earth itself.

 

Those with whom and on whose behalf we act

give us strength 

and eloquence

and staying power

we didn’t know we had.

 

We just need to practice knowing that

and remembering that we are sustained

by each other

in the web of life.

Our true power comes as a gift, like grace,

because in truth it is sustained by others.

If we practice drawing on the wisdom

and beauty and strengths

of our fellow human beings

and our fellow species

we can go into any situation

and trust 

that the courage and intelligence required

will be supplied.

 

Blessings from

Archer Earth Community

E: hear...@gmail.com

M: 0448275712