Archer Earth Community April Update

[Dianne Hearn]

Dear Friends

Agape dates for 2026

April 5 (Sun) Easter Sunday Sunrise at Shorncliffe   (Peter, Marilyn)

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

For our April Agape we will gather on Easter Sunday (April 5)  at the same location as last year along the Shorncliffe foreshore - near the rock groin, a 5 minute walk south of the main Shorncliffe Jetty. If parking is not available near the jetty there is street parking and also some parking at Moora Park.

We gather at 5am in the darkness symbolic of the tomb experience of Holy Saturday.  We will respect the silence of the water, air and land at this phase of the journey.  The light of dawn will gradually break the darkness and we will have a shift in mood to uncertainty and expectation.  We will share quiet music and poetry.  Finally the bursting forth of the sun onto the waters of Moreton Bay, the surrounding lands and vegetation.  This is our Halleluia moment of Eastering arriving - staying present to this Resurrection moment.

We will enjoy breakfast together on the grass park above the groin. Please bring folding chairs, own drinks and something to share for breakfast.

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: April 1 and 15

Archer Retreat

As we have already enjoyed a Winter and a Spring retreat in the Bunya Mountains we decided our next retreat there 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 find attached below relevant information and a request for those who attend Agape to advise of your interest.

Ilia Delio: How Monotheism Severed Humanity from its Cosmic Roots

With so much talk about ‘Social Cohesion’ you may be interested in this essay in which Ilia asks: How is it that we know more about the universe than any previous generation, yet we seem to understand less about how to live together in it.  See https://christogenesis.org/the-unraveling-how-monotheism-severed-humanity-from-its-cosmic-roots/

Global Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

A broad coalition of churches have expressed their deep concern at the widening conflict in the Middle East and have called for prayer, an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of genuine diplomatic dialogue.  They state: Peace is a moral and spiritual imperative rooted in our faith in a God of justice and compassion, and a gift not achieved through force or strength of arms. See https://religionsforpeaceaustralia.org.au/?p=22567

Draft National Environmental Standards

We were relieved when the Nature Positive Laws finally passed through parliament towards the end of last year.  Work is now being undertaken to develop the National Environmental Standards that the laws rely on for their effectiveness.  Sadly we understand from environmental advocates who have perused the draft Standards that currently these are weak and inadequate.  To contact the Minister about this see:  https://www.acf.org.au/our-work/nature/email-minister-watt-environment-standards

Key Dates in April

5 April Easter Sunday

10 April Pierre Teilhard de Chardin died 1955

Archer Earth Community draws on the thinking and spirituality of this great prophet for our inspiration.  You may be interested in this address by John F Haught entitled The Meaning of Noosphere in Teilhard’s Cosmic Vision in which he parallels the thinking of Teilhard with his contemporary Einstein.  See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG0cgJ6esds

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 approach Easter we pray for peace in our world and at this time especial for the people in the Middle East.

God of peace, bearer of hope,  
we seek your help  

for countries suffering conflict and especially
for the peoples of the Middle East. 

Quiet the clamour of war  
and guide our world towards peace. 

Where there is hatred and division  
sow seeds of calm and openness. 

Where there is destruction  
help us to rebuild. 

Where children are crying  
bring an end to tears. 

Shelter your peoples and protect them  
Guide them and keep them from harm. 

Show us how to break down the barriers of history and fear  
and breathe whispers of hope. Amen.

Blessings from

Archer Earth Community