Archer Earth Community November Update

[Dianne Hearn]

Dear Friends

Archer Earth Community Agape dates 2025

Our dates for remaining Agapes in 2025 are as follows:

November Monday 10 Poems & Stories of Thomas Berry

December Sunday 14 Christmas Celebration at 2461

November Agape

Our November Agape is at Nudgee Beach on Monday 10 November.  As November 9 is the birthday of Thomas Berry, our theme will be Poems and Stories from Thomas Berry.  We will gather at the covered picnic tables at the end of Oquinn St from 10am for a 10.30 start. Pam’s Cafe 88 is nearby.  Bring material for journaling and morning tea/lunch to share. It may be hot and also we may be joined by midges so come prepared!  There is a board walk and bird hide which you may like to access during personal reflection time.  See the attached map.

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: 5 November and 19 November

Webinar Diamond O’Marchu

This webinar entitled Divine Radiance in Human Evolution will be held on Thursday 30 October commencing at 5pm AEDT.  It is based on his recent book of the same title in which he offers a new understanding of our human story, one which shows that we are creative earthlings, beloved by God and called to flourish in harmony with all of creation.  Please see the attached brochure for information on registering for this webinar.

Journey of the Universe Newsletter October 2025

The October edition of this newsletter contains a number of relevant articles including a presentation from Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim entitled Integral Ecology for a Flourishing Earth Community.

See: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=27a499460b8b83c87a678dfcd&id=a0cc37a748

New Nature Laws

It is expected that the government will table the proposed changes to the EPBC Act this coming week.  You may be interested in this summary of the ‘good’ and the ‘concerning’ aspects of the changes from the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO).  See https://www.edo.org.au/2025/10/21/a-critical-moment-for-our-national-nature-laws/

The Australian Conservation Foundation have an open letter you may wish to sign encouraging strong nature laws to stop extinction, close deforestation loopholes, establish an independent EPA and factor climate harm into decisions.  See https://www.acf.org.au/our-work/nature/sign-open-letter-to-labor-fix-nature-laws-now

COP30 Brazil 10-21 November

Countries will gather at Belem and a key expectation for the Conference is to reach agreement on indicators for measuring progress towards the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) that was established in the Paris Agreement. 

Another key focus will be the latest round of NDCs (National Determined Contributions) or climate action plans. Parties were originally supposed to submit their NDCs by February 2025, however a number have not yet done so.  To follow the conference see https://cop30.br/en

A Second Anniversary Reflection on the Voice Referendum:  Frank Brennan

On 14 October we passed the second anniversary of the Voice Referendum.  Frank Brennan (among others) has penned his reflections and concludes that the outcome of the referendum was a failure not of ideals, but of process, with hard lessons for politics, faith and reconciliation.

See: .eurekastreet.com.au/article/a-second-anniversary-reflection-on-the-voice-referendum-and-the-bishops

A Circling Story: Holly Haworth

As we experience our own recent dramatic weather events, you may enjoy this essay reflecting on seasonal change which reflect the archetypal story of death and renewal.  See https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/a-circling-story/

Key Dates 

Nov 8 Julian of Norwich Birthday (b. 1342)

The English mystic, Julian of Norwich, has been an inspiration for the Archer Earth Community.   You may be interested in this Friends of Julian of Norwich website.  See https://julianofnorwich.org/blogs/news

Nov 9 Thomas Berry Birthday (b. 1914)

Thomas has been a great inspiration for Archer Earth Community.   Our November Agape will focus on some of his stories and poems.  You may enjoy this short video from the Green Mountain Monastery which Thomas co-founded.  See https://www.greenmountainmonastery.org/thomas-berry-co-founder.php

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.  See the short video at https://www.oceanwatch.org.au/uncategorized/world-fisheries-day/

We are aware of the importance of the coming COP30 and conclude with a prayer from the COP27 Climate Summit:

God of blessings,
the universe sings of your glory.

Deepen our gratitude for all you have made
and awaken in us a renewed commitment
to care for the earth and each other.

Inspire leaders with openness to listen to those most affected by climate change
and with courage to act urgently and wisely,
so that our common home may be healed and restored
and all people, and generations to come, may delight in it.

Blessings from

Archer Earth Community