“Being a part of the Communion Forest is one way for visitors to The Abbey to be linked with other Communion Forest initiatives around the world and share common beliefs that to plant is to hope, to protect is to love, and to restore is to heal: sharing in God’s reconciling work in all creation.”

We are delighted to have received this story from Philip Hughes in Australia about how the Anglican Diocese of Gippland’s centre for hospitality, spirituality, and the environment has joined the Communion Forest. It is such a joy to see how the Communion Forest is providing a feeling of connection across the Anglican Communion. Do check out the link provided and find out about the Grandmother Tree!

The Communion Forest Comes to The Abbey

The Abbey at Raymond Island recently joined the Communion Forest creation care initiative to express its continuing commitment to caring for God’s creation.

The Abbey at Raymond Island is a Christian centre for hospitality, spirituality, and the environment.  It is operated by the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland Australia and welcomes all people to a place where they can reflect on their spiritual life while immersed in the beauty of God’s creation.

The Abbey is situated on Raymond Island in the Gippsland Lakes area of Victoria Australia.  It provides accommodation, worship, and conference facilities set in 5 ha of land comprising remnant vegetation, revegetation, and neighbouring protected land.  A foreshore reserve of native vegetation extends along the southern boundary and overlooks Lake King which protects habitat for migratory birds under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

The Abbey has a long history of caring for God’s creation.  Many hundreds of trees and shrubs have been planted and the area has been cared for by people from the Abbey community over many years.  The Gunaikurnai people are the traditional owners of Gragin and have cared for the island for thousands of years and they continue to joint-manage parts of the island.

For further information see  https://www.theabbey.org.au/communion-forest/.

Photos: Philip Hughes