Join us for a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Australia where we will be listening and sharing between First Nations people, other locals and the leaders of the Iona and Wellspring communities.
Based in simple Pilgrimage accommodation at Campfire in the Heart Alice Springs, the pilgrimage includes time with Arrernte Elders, time on Country, a structured retreat, the Hermannsburg choir, art, travelling out to significant places, grappling with the settler-colonial legacy including the frontier wars, and more.
We will spend time with local Christian and Contemplative communities including Streams in the Desert, Campfire in the Heart, Ilwempe Ilwempe: Whitegums, the Alice Springs Uniting Church and others, in their living across cultures and amidst the current tensions in Central Australia.
We will engage with their wisdom and struggles about how to connect with and care for Country, what truth-telling about Settler-Colonial history calls us to and how to live a Christianity shaped by Indigenous-led theologies.
Note: This event is now at capacity.
-
Note: The Pilgrimage plans may change. Some parts are subject to people's health and family responsibilities and so we may substitute in alternate activities. Come with open hearts and minds ready to just "be" whatever happens!
Saturday October 7th
3:45 – 6 pm Streams@Atherreyurre (the original “Alice Springs”) in the Telegraph Station Reserve
· We will be welcomed into this regular monthly event of Streams in the Desert, an ecumenical local group who care about discerning Christ here: in this land, this history, this people and at this time and listening to God through Scripture, the land and each other.
· We will meet outside in the river bed at the Telegraph Station Reserve. The Telegraph Station was the first settler-colonial building, and is now an important pioneer site. It later became the Bungalow, a home for what we would now call Stolen Generation children.
· Welcome to Country followed by oral/written content exploring a theology of place, quiet time in landscape, sharing in small groups, and chatting over snacks
Bring a hat, outdoor shoes, writing materials, a bible
6 pm Barbeque dinner at the Telegraph Station Reserve
Sunday October 8
9:30- 11 am
· Ruth Harvey - Iona Leader preaching at the Alice Springs Uniting Church. This will be a special Iona, Wellspring and local service.
The weekly intergenerational service is lively and incorporates Pitjantjatjara language and often uses creation-themed as well as traditional liturgies.
The Church meets in the centre of town in the John Flynn Memorial Building, next to Adelaide House, the first hospital in Alice Springs. The Church and the Meeting Place
Foundation (a foundation set up by the church to further enable work with the community) have responded to the Uluru Statement’s call for truth-telling by embarking on a project called ‘Reimagining Adelaide House Museum.’ This project brings together people from the church, Arrernte people and members of the community. We have been talking together about our shared history.
At a time of deepening division the church is asking how might they use its buildings to tell a fuller, more nuanced story that includes the pioneer story but also voices and stories that have previously been silenced. How might the space be used to help the church, the community and visitors encounter the Other and the Other’s story.
For more information see: https://www.themeetingplace.org.au/
Morning tea & Rev Emily Hayes will talk to the Group about the Project
Lunch at church (or enroute to Hermannsburg)
Sunday afternoon Hermannsburg Visit.
· 1pm-7pm A trip to Hermannsburg 1 ½ hours. Time with some of Hermannsburg Choir, singing and maybe sharing stories and music together.
· Over decades Missions and First Nations people have been working together to care for country. This was the only Mission that protected First Nations People from becoming part of the Stolen generation.
· Afternoon tea at café at Hermannsburg.
Monday October 9
9 – 1 am
Hazel Davies, the Frontier Wars and Peacemaking at Campfire in the Heart
Hazel is an Anglican deacon leading the Making Peasce community, a movement of the people for the rightful commemoration of lives lost in the Australian Frontier Wars and ongoing generational trauma. Hazel works closely with First Nation activists. They have just released Arrernte woman Auntie Bev O’Callaghan 's ‘The Legend of the Desert Pea’ – Auntie Bev lives in Alice Springs. The Desert Pea is a signature floral emblem and emerging national symbol for remembering those lost in the Australian Frontier Wars.
Hazel will guide us on a journey through the theology of lament as a tool for transformation from loss and grief in culturally contested spaces; to an eschatology of conciliation, forgiveness and hope.
First Nations Partners will accompany us on this journey on the day.
This circle conversion with involve arts and ritual.
See https://makingpeasce.com/ for more information.
Lunch
Afternoon free time in and around Campfire in the Heart
5:30 option to join in regular weekly meditation at Campfire in the Heart
Evening
Gathering of interested Christian Communities at Campfire in the Heart
· A gathering and meal with Christian community minded local people to share experiences with the Wellspring and Iona folk focusing on what Christian communities have to contribute in the Creation Care/Justice space. Time to hear from the leaders of Iona and Wellspring. Slides (with photos of Iona), singing, then a response from different community groups gathered.
· This is part of Wellspring/ Iona giving back to inspire and connect local groups.
For anyone interested in the Wellspring and Iona communities.
Tuesday 10 October
10:30 am Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Alice Springs
Mrs Kathleen Kemarre Wallace, Eastern Arrernte Elder, teacher and artist, who has created a stained glass window in the front of the church, will speak about her spirituality/story.
For background to the window see https://alicespringsnews.com.au/2019/10/14/arrernte-mary-and-jesus-watch-over-alices-catholics/
Afternoon – TBA
Late Afternoon/Evening
Caring for Creation at Whitegums (20 mins from town, travel by church bus and carpool)
· A short walk and reflection at Whitegums to pay attention to, and celebrate this unique desert place. Hosted by Keith Castle
· Opportunity for short walk up the hill for sunset.
· Campfire dinner hosted by Keith and Stella to experience in a visceral way the beauty and calming impact of this place. Opportunity for all to share briefly their personal journey on this land, on spirit and the complexities of Caring for Creation here.
· Sharing music round the fire
Wednesday October 11
9 – 1 Bewilderment and Blessing: a retreat morning at Campfire in the Heart
Prayer and input using themes of the Desert in Scripture and Christian tradition, art, First Nations voices and Country.
Time in landscape then sharing in groups.
Led by Celia Kemp, for more information see https://www.celiakemp.com/
Lunch at Campfire in the Heart
Afternoon: Free time
6:30 pm - Weekly open gathering round the fire at Campfire in the Heart
Thursday October 12
Departure. We may do a labyrinth walk for the leaving of place. goes here
