Archer Earth Community Mid July Update
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Dianne Hearn
Jul 13, 2025, 7:07:26 PM7/13/25
to thea...@googlegroups.com, Muriel De Barros, Alice Carwardine, Pam Douglas
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
July Agape Friday 11 July
We gathered for our July Agape at Osprey House Environmental Centre. See https://www.ospreyhouse.asn.au/
Volunteers from the Centre introduced us to the life of ospreys and the surrounding environment of boardwalk, mangroves, waders and migratory birds visiting Moreton Bay.
The theme for NAIDOC week, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy featured in our acknowledgement of the Kabi Kabi People as the traditional Custodians together with the haunting music of Gurrumul.
This beautiful place opened up for us our theme of Inter-Being, as Thich Nhat Hahn reminds us:
We need other people to ‘be’… and also need sunshine, river, air, trees, birds, bears and so on…
We reflected on the wisdom of Thomas Berry:
The Universe is a Divine Manifestation and recognising its sacredness is essential for fostering a deep connection with Earth and all its inhabitants.
Our personal time allowed us space to enjoy the osprey nest with three eggs, the lagoon filled with bird life and the tranquil boardwalk around the mangroves.
We shared our insights while adding natural symbols to the central humus tray and enjoyed a great lunch! Some pics below.
If you would like to check how the osprey chicks are going, log on to the Facebook page for Osprey House Environmental Centre.
Next Agape Monday 11 August
The theme for our August Agape is Rewilding the Urban Soul . More details about our location coming soon.
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 are: 16 July, 6 August & 20 August
Bunya Retreat Updates
Accommodation
- David /Heather will contact Chalet visitors as needed.
- Di will contact Cottage visitors about payment and linen closer to the time.
Food
- We organise our own breakfast.
- Contact Marg about what you are bringing for shared lunch and dinner. marg...@bigpond.net.au
- We are booked into the Tavern for tea on Wednesday night at 6pm. (Pay for own meal)
Program
Our retreat in the Bunya Mountains provides us with an opportunity to attune with this beautiful environment as Spring emerges and to explore more deeply our aspirations as an Earth Community - as expressed in our Vision Statement.
Please contact Tony (AEHemp...@edmundrice.org) or Di (hear...@gmail.com) if you have other ideas for our group gatherings.
Laudato Si Movement Joint Statement
As part of the 10 years celebration of Laudato Si, the churches across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America have released a joint statement ahead of the UN COP 30 climate talks in Brazil this November. In part the statement demands an end to fossil fuels, an equitable energy transition and fair climate finance that does not worsen the debt crisis in the global South.
Ignatian Ecospirituality Conference
You may be interested in dipping into this conference conducted in Australia in 2022 to ‘explore our sacred interconnection with all creation’. The resource includes prayers, reflections and presentations around the themes:
- Laudato Si and Eco Conversion
- Climate Change
- Aboriginal Spirituality
- Natural Regeneration
Rewilding in South East Queensland
The theme for our August Agape is ‘Rewilding the Urban Soul’. You may like to prepare by checking a couple of the environmental rewilding projects occurring in SE Queensland.
Conserving Brigalow in Ipswich and Lockyer Valley:
Preserving Swamp Tee-trees in SE Qld:
Save Scott Reef Online Film Event
Scott Reef off the NW coast of Western Australia remains under threat from Woodside. On Tuesday 22 July at 7pm the short film Corals Last Stand narrated by Tim Winton is being sponsored by Australia Marine Conservation Society (AMCS). For details see: https://www.marineconservation.org.au/events/save-scott-reef-national-screening-of-corals-last-stand/
Murriyang; Song of Time by Stan Grant
Stan Grant’s most recent book reflects on ‘life questions’; it sets aside post referendum anger for kindness; it draws on spiritual thinkers as diverse as Teresa of Avila and saxophonist John Coltrane.
Stan explores some of the back story to his book in a recent episode of ABC Compass with Indira Naidoo. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1H80I6XgAI
Psychologist Rev Dr Shannon Michael Presentation
You may be interested in this day event at Nundah on Saturday 19 July entitled Coming Home to the House of You sponsored by the Australian Network for Spiritual Direction. Details in the attached brochure.
Key Dates in July
July 1-31 Plastic Free July
It is encouraging to see that a recent study by CSIRO found that plastic pollution in costal areas in Australia dropped by a third in a last decade with Containers for Change and public awareness campaigns being contributing factors. See https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/news/2025/april/plastic-pollution-along-australian-coastlines-decreases-by-39-per-cent
July 26 International Day for the Conservation of Mangroves
The objective of this UNESCO Day is for everyone in our societies to become aware of the value, the beauty and the vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems and to commit to their protection.
In Queensland mangroves are particularly important for the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef. See https://www.barrierreef.org/news/project-news/empowered-communities-care-for-mangroves-in-queensland
July 27 National Tree Day
This commemoration by Planet Ark reminds us of the importance of trees for the wellbeing of the Earth Community. To check out a planting site near you see https://nationaltreeday.org.au/find-a-site
As we approach National Tree Day we conclude with reflections on trees:
Be silent, the trees are praying.
I asked the tree, “Tell me about God”;
then it blossomed. (Rabindranath Tagore)
Make me like a tree planted by the water, make me like a tree that yields its fruit in season, whose leaves will never wither but what I do may prosper! Watch over me, O God!’ (Psalm 1)
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” (African Proverb)
You have seen many sunrises and sunsets upon your branches.
Your sacred roots have been quenched by life giving rains.
We give thanks for the singing birds you shelter, the music singing in your branches and for the echoes of your ancestors’ strength. (Mitakuye Oyasın)
Trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. (Pope Francis)
When our lost ones left us
For the Shallow Land,
In bark we bound him,
A weeping band,
Our wild death croon
To his lonely tree-grave
By the Long-Lagoon. (Oodgeroo Noonuccal)
Blessings from
Archer Earth Community
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages