Hundreds gather at St Francis College to explore the arts, faith and justice
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Over 400 people gathered at the inaugural On Earth Fest at St Francis College on Saturday to celebrate the arts and faith, exploring how these intersect with justice, while raising over $2,100 for Anglican Board of Mission programs
Over 400 people gathered at the inaugural On Earth Fest at St Francis College on Saturday to celebrate the arts and faith, exploring how these intersect with justice, while raising over $2,000 for Anglican Board of Mission programs.
The packed festival program included creative and interactive workshops, an eclectic line-up of performers, a Spirituality and Sustainability Forum, a stunning art exhibition, Tesla test drives and special kids’ activities.
Workshop were held throughout the day, teaching festival goers practical skills, creative techniques and ancient knowledge.
These included Taizé contemplative singing, a sustainability-themed poetry workshop, vision boarding, First Nations dot painting, self-watering wicking bed demonstrations and a worm farming seminar.
Kuku Yalanji artist and traditional owner Lalania Tusa (also an Anglicare staff member) shared about totems and totemism during a dot painting workshop at On Earth Fest on 16 October 2021
Around half of festival participants, volunteers and attendees were children, youth and young adults, showing just how engaged our young people are in the Church.
Parish of Goodna community member Mamuor Kunpeter said that seeing his sons and other children so engaged made the day special for him.
“I was so pleased to see my kids interacting with other children,” Mr Kunpeter said.
“My sons said they enjoyed painting, dressing as angels, meeting other kids and enjoying the music and food and drinks.
“I was also pleased to see South Sudanese Sunday School children from Yeronga Parish performing.”
Malueth Malueth and Nai Malueth Kunpeter enjoyed the First Nations dot painting workshop at On Earth Fest on 16 October 2021
Baroona Farm volunteer and Christ Church, St Lucia parishioner Susan Carley dropped jaws with her extensive knowledge of ‘worm tea’ at the worm farm and composting workshop.
“Worm tea contains the enzyme chitinase, which, when applied as a foliage treatment, effectively repels soft-bodied insects,” Ms Carley said.
“This is because the exoskeleton of these pests, such as lady bugs and grasshoppers, also contain chitinase and they instinctively know that worm tea will be harmful to their survival.
“It can dissolve an insect’s exoskeleton, so once they detect it on a plant they move away.
“This offers gardeners a wonderful organic pesticide.”
Susan Carley from Baroona Farm and Christ Church, St Lucia has forgotten more about ‘worm tea’ than any other human being On Earth will ever know (On Earth Fest, 16 October 2021)
Seven children donned wings to form a host of Earth Guardians, each representing one of the world’s seven continents.
They shared about what part of God’s good creation they want to see most protected and why.
Lirio, 7, said, “I love the Great Barrier Reef because it has coral and sea animals, but not everyone is looking after the ocean. Plastic is making the animals in the ocean that I care for sick.”
Emily, 9, said, “It is important to look after our lakes because fish live in them and because water birds live near lakes.”
Amelie, 5, said, “We need to look after flowers for our bees.”
Young Community of The Way member Stacey McCowan, who volunteered all day at the festival, said that she was impressed by the turnout.
“I was stationed at a check-in counter and so I saw how many people came along to enjoy the festivities and learn,” Ms McCowan said.
“The highlight of the day for me was listening to the music from the check-in counter, and I especially enjoyed Franz James’ music, which created a relaxing vibe during the evening, and Dolby System, who have a cool sound.”
Stacey McCowan stationed at the check-in counter with fellow Community of The Way member Jack Venables outside the Chapel of The Holy Spirit (On Earth Fest, 16 October 2021)
Over $2100 in ticket proceeds have been donated to the Anglican Board of Mission’s adult literacy and sustainability programs.
Chair of the Diocesan Anglican Board of Mission (ABM) Committee The Rev’d Eron Perry expressed gratitude to both festival organisers and participants.
“A huge thankyou to all those who came along to the festival or were involved in some capacity,” The Rev’d Perry said.
“Besides being part of a brilliant event, your contribution towards the people we support in Melanesia will have significant impacts on their quality of life for years to come.”
Over $2100 in ticket proceeds have been donated to the Anglican Board of Mission’s adult literacy and sustainability programs (pictured are ABM’s The Rev’d Canon Julia van Den Bos and The Rev’d Eron Perry at On Earth Fest on 16 October 2021)
Stall holders, representing ministries of our Diocese and wider faith community groups, spoke to festival participants about their justice work, gaining the support of people willing to assist with financial aid or time.
Stall holders included ABM, the BRASS Network, the contemplative Pace community, Angligreen, the Roscoe Library, the Franciscans, Common Grace and Tearfund, among many others.
PeACE Patrol team members Asta and Mark, with canine friend, were among the many stall holders (On Earth Fest, 16 October 2021)
Principal of St Francis College Bishop Jonathan Holland said he was impressed by the program’s comprehensiveness and praised the dedicated festival organisers.
“There were a number of festival highlights for me,” Bishop Holland said.
“Being taken for a Tesla test drive was super fun – I have now decided to buy a Tesla for my next car.
“I was very moved hearing the stories of the former refugees who spoke about their stories seeking safety.
“I congratulate Peter Branjerdporn from the Justice Unit and the volunteers who assisted him for the terrific event, which was good for energising us about sustainability, good for the Romero Centre’s Refugee Art Group members who raised money for the centre by selling their work, good for St Francis College and good for the Anglican Church Southern Queensland.”
Bishops Jonathan Holland and John Roundhill joined festival goers in the chilled-out fun (On Earth Fest, 16 October 2021)
The Sculthorpe String Quartet from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School played both classic rock and classical music at On Earth at St Francis College on 16 October 2021
Romero Centre Refugee Art Group member Hilda with some of her beautiful works. Hilda also created the stunning hummingbird mosaic on display in the sanctuary area of the chapel (On Earth Fest, 16 October 2021)
“I congratulate Peter Branjerdporn from the Justice Unit and the volunteers who assisted him for the terrific event” (Bishop Jonathan Holland, pictured is On Earth Fest organiser Peter Branjerdporn, who also sang at the 16 October 2021 event)
The Rev’d Jazz Dow getting her essential coffee fix at On Earth Fest, while chatting to Blackstar barista, Marty Richards. Blackstar plants three trees for every kilogram of coffee sold!
Vision board workshop facilitator Rachel Walker, from St Andrew’s, South Brisbane, at On Earth Fest on 16 October 2021
The Rev’d Quinn Humphreys and Steve Pell chilling out over a chinwag at On Earth Fest on 16 October 2021 (Hawaiian shirts were a popular sartorial choice)
AYCF’s Erica Skerman, The Ven. Olaf Anderson and St Francis College’s Rod Mengel possibly discussing Rod’s own sartorial choice. Let’s just say that Rod was very easy to find when he was urgently needed (On Earth Fest, 16 October 2021)
Lachlan Whybird-Capern was thrilled to win this $100 gift voucher for artwork, to be created by Kuku Yalanji artist Lalania Tusa. The gift voucher was donated by anglican focus (On Earth Fest, 16 October 2021)
Singer-songwriter Franz James hit all the right notes with festival goers. He had a busy day, also speaking at the Spirituality and Sustainability Forum and serving at the Food Not Bombs stall, where On Earth Festival goers could get a healthy burger for a donation to ABM (16 October 2021)
The anglican focus Editor found this surprise pic on her Canon DSLR and wishes to thank whoever it was who picked up her camera to take the shot of her and the angelic Earth Guardians at On Earth Fest on 16 October 2021 (by the way, has anyone seen Rod?)
