Archer Earth Community July 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 

July Agape Friday 11 July

Our July Agape will be held at Osprey House Environmental Centre, 975 Dohles Rocks Rd, Griffin.  See https://www.ospreyhouse.asn.au/

The change of day to Friday is because this is a quieter day at the Centre without school groups and so the ranger is available.

As usual we will gather for morning tea from 10am for a 10.30 start and conclude with a shared lunch.  Parking is available either on the road outside the Centre or in parking bays near the Centre.  We will gather at the tables next to the main building.

Our time together will include a short talk by the ranger and an opportunity for personal time to explore the Centre, wander along the boardwalks or sit quietly at bird hides.

There is some seating around the tables but you may wish to bring a folding chair. Please bring your own drinks and food to share.

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: July 2 & 16

Bunya Retreat 1-4 September

Some updates on our retreat:

Accommodation:  We have discovered that the Dandabah Camp Grounds are closed for the year for renovations so no camping.  We have booked two cottages for those who indicated they wished to camp.

Some of the accommodation requires us to bring our own linen so we will let you know about this closer to the time.

Food:  Marg and Mary have graciously agreed to organise food we each need to bring for shared lunch and dinner.  

We each organise our own breakfast.

We are booked into the Tavern for tea on Wednesday night at 6pm.  We do not need to pre-order this year but if you would like to check the menu see

https://www.thebunyas.com.au/_files/ugd/eadcbb_4246ecc6879e4a5aa000d7bf9661d94a.pdf

Group Sessions:  

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 see below a tentative outline for group gatherings based on last years retreat.  These can of course be changed to suit our ideas.  We can chat further at the July and August Agapes or send your ideas to Tony or Di to circulate with the group attending. 

Monday afternoon introductory session 4.30 - 6.00 (approx)

Monday after dinner gathering eg poetry, music, stories, other.. 

Tuesday morning Agape style session 10.30 - 12.00 (approx)

Tuesday meditation 4.30 - 5.30 (approx)

Tuesday after dinner gathering eg poetry, music, stories, other..

Wednesday morning Agape style session 10.30 - 12.00 (approx)

Wednesday meditation/review of retreat 4.30 - 5.30 (approx)

Update on 2461 Sandgate Rd Boondall

We have appreciated the generosity of the Oceania Province of the Christian Brothers in offering us their place to gather.  While the Brothers intend to sell this property we are advised that this will not occur immediately and we are welcome to continue to meet there while they consider other options for their office.

Australian First Nations Spirituality 

As NAIDOC Week nears you may enjoy this article entitled ‘If the land is sick, so are we’ - Australian First Nations Spirituality Explained.  See https://theconversation.com/if-the-land-is-sick-so-are-we-australian-first-nations-spirituality-explained-230872

Miriam Rose Ungunmerr - Dadirri

As we commemorate NAIDOC week you may find this short reflection from Miriam Rose helpful in appreciating First Nation’s practice of ‘deep listening’ to country.  See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pahz_WBSSdA

Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane

This recent book explores the issue of protecting waterways as living entities deserving rights and respect under law.  To read a summary see https://au.news.yahoo.com/could-river-sue-corporation-robert-202231349.html

Soup Luncheon Fundraiser

You may be available to attend this fundraiser for people in Ethiopia on 26 July from 12.30pm at 34 Teesdale St Corinda.  For more details see the attached brochure or contact rosali...@gmail.com

Key Dates in July

July 1-31 Plastic Free July

Plastic pollution reduces ecosystems ability to adapt to climate change.  This global effort aims for cleaner oceans, streets and communities and a shift to a circular economy.  For suggestions on how we can participate see https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

July 6 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sunday

The theme for 2025 in the Catholic community is Sent Forth in Strength and Hope.  To access resources prepared by NATSICC see https://www.natsicc.org.au/2025-atsi-sunday.html

July 6-13 NAIDOC Week

The theme for 2025 is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.  It honours the achievements of the past and celebrates a bright future empowered by emerging leaders.  For more information and to see local events see https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events

July 26 International Day for the Conservation of Mangroves

Sadly mangroves are disappearing 4 times faster than global forests with serious ecological and socio-economic impacts.  Many of our Agapes are celebrated near mangrove areas in Moreton Bay.  To read a good news story about mangrove restoration click this link to the Blue Carbon Farming Project on the Sunshine Coast.  See https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/news/green-light-for-australia-s-first-blue-carbon-trial

July 27 National Tree Day

Planet Ark sponsors this day to encourage us to plant more trees.  As well Catholic Religious Australia have launched a project to encourage communities to plant 10,000 trees to commemorate 10 years of Laudato Si.

See  https://nationaltreeday.org.au/  and

 https://www.catholicreligious.org.au/10000-for-10

We conclude with a prayer from Aunty Di Langham as we journey together seeking recognition and reconciliation this NAIDOC week.

Creator God of Holy Dreaming

Bring us together as one,

Reconciled with you and one another.

Bless Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this land.

The first peoples to receive your blessings in this land.

The first peoples to see your beauty in the land, water, sky and nature.

The first peoples to hear your voice in ancient stories.

The first to give you praises in ancient places.

The first to know your love and love you in return.

God bless the Elders keeping culture and languages alive.

Bless all who work in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, making friends, growing partnerships to a deeper understanding of culture and languages, learning to love and grow together. 

Give all of us the grace to travel together towards recognition and reconciliation.   Amen

Blessings from

Archer Earth Community