We have some wonderful news to share, especially with those who first became connected from having spent time with us in the Snowy Mountains of NSW at Elm Grove Sanctuary, Goobarragandra near Tumut, so many years ago.

This began a love affair of wonderment with this very special sacred space within the hearts of all those who immersed themselves in the beauty and connection through the natural world and community (common unity). Entering into the silence, walks, shared prayer, shared work, shared meals, and shared stories, people discovered kindred souls and a deeper connection to that Greater Consciousness that blesses us all.

Photo by Pete Swan

Elm Grove now has new and committed stewards with the Swan family, Sarah, Pete, Charlie and Ella, who arrived on February 6^th this year to faithfully take Elm Grove into the future with love and deep commitment to God’s leading.  They are welcoming people again in the spirit by which the Sanctuary was founded. I know that all who have loved Elm Grove down through the years will rejoice with us in gratitude for what hope, trust and prayer has brought forth. Thank you to all who have been holding this in your hearts and prayers over a length of time now.

On 12th March 2026, Edwin and I returned to our ‘spiritual home’ to meet in the flesh this very special family whom we had been communicating with for some months since Pete first contacted us. On the 13^th March we held a simple blessing ceremony with Sarah, Pete, and their children, Charlie and Ella, in the St Francis nature chapel, canopied by the elms. We wished to extend our love and support for them as they take the Sanctuary forward in hope, love, and deep trust that our Creator is leading them in all their endeavours.

We acknowledged the sacredness of the place for the Indigenous people of the Wolgalu Nation, who over centuries have held a welcome in that place for many nations and tribes who came there to share together in sacred festivals. We honoured the Bahloo River which joins with the Goobarragandra River at Elm Grove – a sacred birthing place for the Wolgalu women. Its strong importance remains today for Indigenous women of Tumut and Brungle.

We recalled also the wonder and connection to the sacred found there by those for whom Elm Grove has been a source of rest, solace, encouragement and hope on their spiritual journeys over many years. We expressed our grateful prayers of thanks that a promise given to us before we left Elm Grove in 2001 is being realised in Sarah, Pete and their family in gratitude for their commitment to welcoming people in the future in a Spirit of Welcome for all who come in goodwill. We also gave thanks for Rhonda and Blair who carried this spirit of welcome forward during their lengthy stewardship.

We prayed: Give Sarah and Pete, Charlie and Ella your Grace to trust you completely for the unfolding of your Good Purposes for their lives in the opportunities and situations that they will face each and every day. Give them love and patience, and deep harmony to share with all who enter Elm Grove in the future.

 In the beauty and silence of your creation we ask for the gift and guidance of the Spirit – ‘the One who goes to the depths of everything’ – to be with them to spread Hope and Joy for our troubled world.

 We ask in the Spirit of the Christ,

Amen

The Candle of Hope was lit by us with this message – Elm Grove Sanctuary was founded on hope and deep trust in God’s leading. We believe that you have been called to this place, as promised to us by God, that this would be so. May the joy and example of deep trust be your gift to many in the future. New people will come to love this sacred place, that was chosen by God for a ‘Greater Plan’, as it has been loved by so many before you.

It was then passed on to Sarah and Pete with our love and in deep gratitude.

We feel assured that Elm Grove Sanctuary is in good hands and we will continue to hold the Swan family in love and prayer as they seek to share their own unique inspirations and creativity as they take Elm Grove forward for the Greater Good.

Please hold them in your thoughts and prayers as they have an enormous amount of restoration work to accomplish for the buildings, and the environs, enabling them to welcome guests. If you would like to offer any assistance with this work then I am sure Pete would love to hear from you. You may send me your messages and I will be happy to forward them on. My email is egstrust2@gmail.com

Sister Laurel Clare Lloyd-Jones LFSF

(Little Follower of St Francis)