by admin | Nov 20, 2025 | Newsletter
When I first read your invitation to write words on HOPE, I felt unable to make any meaningful contribution, as I confess that at times I become so deeply despairing of humanity’s appalling behaviour, in regard to the worldwide avoiding of any solid action on climate change, the unspeakable suffering imposed in war zones, and Australia’s own inhumane treatment of refugees and indigenous people, that I avoid the news, retreat into music, escapist books and films, and often don’t feel much hope for the future at all.
However, today I attended a quiet day, focussing on the words of Julian of Norwich, and I have been remade!
The leader of the retreat was an American, Mark Burrows, who has researched Julian’s writings extensively, and offers retreats around the world. The day was magical. We learnt that Julian, a 13th-14th century mystic and hermit (an anchoress) had suffered greatly herself from illness, and had lived though the Great Plague, the Hundred Years’ War and the burning of Lollards as heretics (probably suffering comparable with the years of Covid, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan…..). She received sixteen visitations, or visions, and wrote first a basic description of her visions, and, 20 years later, an expanded version, which included meditations, based on her observations of human suffering. Her text, known as Revelations of Divine Love, is a remarkable affirmation of trust in God. She bases her thoughts on three verbs: Showing, Beholding and Beseeching.
She asks us to consider a hazel nut, such a small, insignificant thing – which God, made, loves and keeps. This is also true for us, she tells us. God made us, God loves us, and God keeps us. Mark gave us all a hazel nut, and asked us to write on a small piece of paper all the good things we could think of about ourselves, and then, on the other side, all the negative things we were ashamed of. We then had to crush that little piece of paper around our hazel nut. And then we had to write on another small piece of paper similar contrasting aspects of another person we knew well and cared about, and crush it too around our hazel nut. And then we walked, clutching our enlarged hazel nut, each choosing our own route around the beautiful, spacious grounds of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, focussing on Julian’s statement that “God is the ground of our beseeching”. And I found myself able to let go of anxieties about myself, or the other person I had chosen, or the world in general, and trust that, as Julian says, God loves us and keeps us. “We are God’s bliss, he delights in us without end, and so shall we in him, through his grace.” This supreme trust in God’s care for us engenders a huge optimism, or hope, big enough to overcome everything I had been feeling was impossible. The ground I walked on became the ground of my beseeching, and anchored me. Another writer about Julian says “ her spirit saw light in darkness, possibility in adversity. This hope, or trust in the goodness of God in spite of circumstances, is born not in ease, but is forged in challenge. We are to trust the transformative power of love. Our hope is not about escaping difficulty, but rather journeying through it with vision and trust.”
We closed the day listening to a beautiful, simple song called The Bells of Norwich. It is based on Julian’s best known saying, “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” I have loved those words for decades, having them stuck up somewhere on a wall in every place I have lived. I set them to music for choir – that piece was sung at the end of my exploration of ageing and death (The Threshold, on Youtube.) Today, all 50 of us, most oldish and maybe wobbly, held hands in a circle and learnt a very simple dance, and moved as we sang along to the recording of Sydney Carter’s The Bells of Norwich. It was absolutely uplifting. If ever I am at the south coast again I hope we could hold hands in a circle, and sing and dance this song. Hope will be forged!
by admin | Nov 20, 2025 | Newsletter
Photo by Pen Tayler
Since Laurel mentioned that the theme for the spring newsletter was hope, I’ve been thinking a lot about what hope means and how it functions in our lives. I’ve also had some very interesting discussions with friends regarding hope. Recently I found a card from World Vision with the following definition of hope: it’s a sense of anticipation, it lifts you up and carries you forward.
A number of years ago I was working for a Tasmanian magazine as a writer and photographer when I met an Iranian man who had fled his country after being tortured and imprisoned a number of times. This was in part because he belonged to a minority group, the Ahwazis, who live in the south of Iran in the marsh area. He came to Australia by boat from Indonesia, across to Christmas Island. Once there he was placed in a detention centre, one of a number of Australia detention centres in which he was held over almost two years – something he found very difficult after having been incarcerated in his own country.
He told me that while he was on the boat, he was thinking about three things – how would Australia welcome him, how he would live here, and when would he be able to see his family again. His long journey from Iran to Australia was a journey of hope for a better future. For the many millions of refugees who are forced to leave their country and who almost always leave with no guarantee of anything, it must surely be hope that sustains their difficult journeys.
For those of us who have never been a refugee, hope is still a strong part of who we all are, although we may not realise it until we need it due to some adversity, or until someone outside ourselves shows us how important it is. Michael White was a South Australian social worker and family therapist who created a process called Narrative Therapy. In his work, he encouraged clients to explore their values and skills which allowed them to ‘effectively confront current and future problems’. He was helping clients find hope in the midst of adversity in their lives.
I was interested to discover why we need hope in our lives. ‘Hope works for the brain and in the brain. If you experience hope in the face of adversity, your brain performs better and you are more likely to make positive decisions regarding your health…Experiencing hope dampens the anxiety circuits in the brain.’ (Brain Lawlor, Global Brain Health Institute, What is hope and why do we need it on www.gbhi.org/news-publications)
What makes us more or less hopeful? Research into the Nazi concentration camps found the basic unit of survival was two. Those people were more likely to hold onto hope for a better life. So community is important even if it is only a community of two. Making meaning in our lives also brings hope. How do we do this? Working to create a better future, not just for ourselves but for those around us who are less well off than we are can certainly help bring meaning to our lives. And finally I think the fundamental answer to it all is the importance and place of our own spirituality that continues to give us hope for the future and, I like to think, guides us to make better decisions in our lives.
Pen Tayler – Spring 2025
by admin | Nov 20, 2025 | Encouragement Grants, Indigenous, NEST, Newsletter
The Out of Classroom ‘Hands on Learning’ students have been hard at work building a protective weather awning for their classes. They’ve done a great job so far while learning new skills to enhance their future employment prospects. We congratulate them and their instructing Teacher on such a great outcome.
Our committee Narooma Education Support Team (NEST) were fortunate to be awarded a grant from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to cover the materials and along with the donations offered by our members this project is well under way.
Our warmest congratulations to Summer, Dominica and Aunty Karen Ella-Bird (L – R). Aunty Karen has given wonderful support for these two inspiring young women as they embark on their exciting futures. Summer and Dominica (here looking vibrant and lovely in their Year 12 formal attire) were the recipients of our two Encouragement Scholarships this year. They both are taking on tertiary education in 2026.
Summer will be studying full time at Moruya TAFE Aboriginal Art and Landscaping and Design and she is looking forward to further developing her inherent giftedness in these fields. We wish her every success.
Dominica has been accepted by the University of Tasmania to study a Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation followed by a Master of Protected Area. Dominica is a high achiever with resilience and determination to reach her goals. We believe that she will make a great contribution to the future.
Our thanks to those donors who have contributed to these Encouragement Scholarships. Your support has been greatly appreciated and most assuredly by Summer and Dominica.
by admin | Nov 20, 2025 | Newsletter
Some very recent excerpts from Carmelite Sister Mary Magdalen’s reflections after her second reading of ‘The Elm Grove Story’.
‘It’s been a long time since I first wrote to you, following Ian Wilson’s “introduction”. I am re-reading The Elm Grove Story currently, and find myself more full of gratitude and admiration than the first time round. Your life without the near-death experience, or without your doing anything about it, would have been very different, and would have meant so much loss for those who eventually came there for healing. You must be so grateful to the Lord for all He has done for and through you (both of you, and all involved). Edwin’s humility, and your common sense, comes out more strongly than when I first read it. I know you rejoice in what the Lord has done for you.
Do you know of St. Mariam of Jesus Crucified Bouardy, the Arab Carmelite? Hers is an amazing story – and at the beginning she had her throat slashed by an overzealous Moslem. She should really have died, and later medical evidence shows how true and horrendous that slash was – but “a nun in blue”, as Mariam says, cared for her in a cave. She does not call her Our Lady, but your Lady in the blue dress reminded me of her…
I have been struck more than the first time by the enormity of the “work” – work of God first of all, as He initiated it; and the work of yourself and Edwin too, helped down the years by many other hands, for varying lengths of time and effort.
You needed all the courage and faith – and continuing encouragement and sustaining by God – to begin, then to keep on persevering, in deep trust. The trust, of course, grew with every new proof of God’s faithfulness. But faith of this sort is like walking in a fog, seeing only the immediate steps to tread, but not the whole path to the end. I think God greatly values it when we trust Him in this way.
I mentioned my own going to PNG in darkness and hanging on (it was that!) and hoping things would work out. I clung to the line in psalm 50 (which at that time we recited on the way to the refectory for midday meal) “give me back the joy of Your help…” I had no joy in my life at that time, and I laughed in sympathy with you, the time you and Natasha had to struggle with heavy groceries up the driveway to the house in pelting rain, and you yelled into the wind, “Why did you bring us to this God-forsaken place?” It all reminds me, too, of the relationship He and St. Teresa had – so intimate and accepting of her weaknesses and struggles to follow His leading. Once He addressed her as “little sinner”, I’m sure with a teasing, tender look.
The work on your part was enormous, not only in establishing the Sanctuary and other buildings as time went on, but all the programmes and workshops you organised and gave. And the heart-breaks and troubles endured…you needed trust to keep on persevering. God supports us as we need. There is no inner message for most of us because we are not asked to do what you were asked to do. He gives His help as we need… Again, He is training us in trust. And as we grow in that, it’s so wonderful to know His fidelity.
I noted on page 452 what was said: This place will always be a holy place and from it will flow healing energy. And so it is, and will be, no matter who ‘owns’ the property. The Lord works through all instruments, willing and strong, as well as faltering and lukewarm – I know you know this too. And what He has begun He will uphold.
I also cried – well, had misty eyes – with you as you said your farewells. I know how hard it was for me to leave PNG after more than half my life-time there, and where I knew God had called me to go. I of course did not start a whole new venture, as you did, so it was much more difficult for both of you, having put so much sweat and blood (literally) into Elm Grove to step aside.
Another thought, which I’d had previously too but which recurred as I finished the book – Elm Grove was brought about directly by the Lord, in a way quite unique…
I took a very quick look this morning at the newsletter links you sent, and found it amazingly encouraging – you’re doing wonderful things with young people, but with others too (the people you brought out from Gaza). The Winter 2025 letter was the one I opened. When I have more time, I shall go through various letters to be encouraged more! Thank you so much.
With that I think I’ve exhausted my ‘thoughts’ for the present. I take you all to prayer with the Lord, Who is more accessible when we see all He is doing behind the scenes, and that is partly because of your fidelity to His call.
May He bless you both, and all with you, in the way He knows is best for you.’
With my loving prayers,
Sr. Mary Magdalen o.c.d.
For those who might be interested in our book these are the details – The Elm Grove Story – a mystical journey ISBN 978-1-922722-55-3 and is available through major booksellers – Angus & Robertson, Booktopia, eBay Australia, Amazon, eden.co.uk.
by admin | Nov 20, 2025 | Newsletter
For those unfamiliar with how the Trust came to be established, Edwin and I are offering copies of our book at a reduced price. Christmas break gives the opportunity for some reading time or for gifting a book.
Our memoir is available for AUD $22 plus postage (approx. $10). Please email us at egstrust2@gmail.com if you are interested.
Some reviews of ‘The Elm Grove Story’ ISBN 978-1-922722-55-3
By Billie Krstovic for the Journal of the Alister Hardy Trust ‘De Numine’.
(The Alister Hardy Religious Experience Research Centre is at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Lampeter)
“Here is a powerful story of a couple’s life journey completely guided by fate. This is a story of uncanny events, unexpected synchronicities, incredible guidance and heavy tests.
As they embark on the journey of a lifetime, taking their whole family with them, a married couple sought to create a safe haven for many others. From selling their house to picking the town to start this creation in, they only ever do it with the guidance of God.
Never have I read such a gripping fast-paced spiritual journey. While trying hard not to let the cat out of the bag, I would say read this one when you are not planning to have time to put it down!”
Angela Young shared this message -“I walked into the pastoral care team meeting at the hospital today, and my friend Judy came over to me, so full of enthusiasm, as she had recently finished reading yours and Ed’s book. I had given it to her at the beginning of September. She was very impressed by your life journey and loved the whole spiritual approach so much that she told her daughter who is a teacher of religious education in a Catholic school. Her daughter immediately ordered one of your books. Judy is asking me where she can get more copies of your book to pass around as she’d love to give them to people.”
Jonathon McKeown from Sydney thought it an ‘extraordinary’ read – ‘This is a truly amazing story of how God chose two unsuspecting people out of the blue, and of how they responded to that call in faith. From the very first pages the incredible way God revealed himself and his purpose for Edwin and Laurel compels the reader to keep turning page after page in eager expectation.
Even the most sceptical readers will be given grounds to doubt their disbelief. The whole story is told in a tone of deep humility and gratitude though, which for me sets it apart and makes it a truly inspiring and encouraging testimony about what it means to trust God one day, one step at a time. It has challenged me to trust that I will be given exactly what I need at every moment, in every circumstance I find myself, if only I am open to that grace that is only invisible to me because I am a finite creature that cannot grasp with my limited mind the infinite grace of God that is unfolded to us in time, or at least in a lifetime.
Laurel and Ed have honoured their God in this testimony of how that grace unfolded for them in their own lives which was a long journey of faith that became their life’s work. Definitely worth reading. It may even change your life!’