The following extract from Chapter 13 (page 223) of our book ‘The Elm Grove Story’ – a mystical journey perhaps defines the challenge that our world now needs urgently to address. The need for a Universal Spirituality that moves beyond the divisions created by various faiths and creeds.

______________________________________

“The difference we were detecting in some people’s attitudes was that their rigidity of belief closely aligned with the dogmatism often found in religious structures despite many of them having formally rejected religion. In others we saw the emergence of an evolving spiritual connection coming through their heart’s intuitive search rather than through a reasoned logic based upon religious teaching. They were finding this within their personal spiritual aspect and it was focused upon their desire to create a world that was in harmony on every level.

This moved them beyond the ego and self-consciousness to their essential spiritual essence opening within them the Cosmic Christ. Jesus and many religious leaders of other religions, such as the Buddha, embodied and exampled the Cosmic Christ.

Father Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest who founded the Centre for Action and Contemplation in 1987 in Albuquerque, New Mexico provides greater understanding of the term Cosmic Christ in his statement:

‘Much of Christianity has made Jesus Christ into a denominational saviour figure while others have looked upon his saving grace as limited to a few who meet strict qualifications. But what about creation as a whole? How far back and forward in time does the Christ figure extend, and who exactly is Christ?

Christian scripture, in fact, gives us Jesus’ place in that history counted in billions of years if you look for it – in the prologue to John’s Gospel, for example, or in the Pauline hymns of the letters to the Colossians and Ephesians, or in the opening of John’s first letter. All speak of Christ existing from all eternity. We just don’t see those references. They’ve never been unpacked for the majority of Christians, and we don’t have theology to know how to see it.

Christ is not Jesus’ last name. The book of Acts says God has raised up Jesus and anointed him as the Christ. Our new awareness of the cosmos’ vastness and unimaginably ancient history is forcing us to rehear those scripture texts. It’s exciting good news. The Jesus we now have, the Jesus we participate in, are graced by, are redeemed by, is the risen Christ, the eternal Christ. The word ‘Christ’ means ‘the anointed one,’ and that anointment by God includes us and all of creation.’

Reprinted by permission of NCR Publishing Company.

It seemed that God was calling us to live from a Cosmic Christ consciousness and identity based upon our common humanity while respecting the many different expressions of faith and our care for the environment. My vision back in Sydney in 1982 had expressed this very clearly. Our hope was that Elm Grove Sanctuary was enabling people to explore the more profound spiritual aspects of their lives and it was heartening to be receiving feedback from our guests confirming this.”

____________________________________

Since the publication of our memoir in 2022 we have received some affirming feedback from people of many faith backgrounds and belief structures, or of none, who have enjoyed our story which we chose to share from a very personal and lived experience.

Some comments from a while back, and some more very recent ones, led me to think that I should share a few with you.

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!’

And these 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.