Campfire in the Heart

15/11/2025

***Read our Spring Newsletter for upcoming retreats in 2026***

"Meditation and the contemplative life is at the heart of Campfire’s offerings. Our winter retreats have been enthusiastically supported, with a recent participant commenting "The landscape of central Australia is both visually dramatic and, in its endless and timeless spaces, somehow freeing. To go on a retreat in this landscape is truly time out of time. Stepping into an external and internal landscape that is new and different just invites an openness to explore new ways of being."

We will offer again several weekend deep silent retreats in 2026, in April and August initially. Also two other weekend retreats especially appealing to locals at the beginning and end of June. And 5-day offerings in May and July, of interest to those living locally as well as those who come from afar. A rich variety, all based around meditation as taught by the World Community for Christian Meditation, which like Campfire, is grounded in Christianity and welcomes all.

As well there will be yoga and drumming retreats, together with all the wonderful school and cultural groups who choose Campfire as their ‘place’, who bless us with their presence. The website is being updated as we speak, have a look and see if something calls you..."

Read the full newsletter >> https://campfireintheheart.com.au/news/spring-newsletter-2025/

13/11/2025

Congratulations to Celia Kemp, former long-term resident of Campfire in the Heart, on her new app! 👏🤩

"Weaving a stronger spell is a thought-provoking app-based study resource from Celia Kemp, a Melbourne-based writer known for her works such as A Voice in the Wilderness: Listening to the Statement from the Heart and Into the Desert. This one is wonderful because it’s theology about place, and that place is right here, right now, in Melbourne.

The study resource is for the 2025 Season of Creation. With its daily reflections about the stories of Scripture, and the stories of Melbourne and how they resonate today, it could well be used beyond this for thinking about life differently.

The title comes from a CS Lewis quote: “Do you think I am trying to weave a spell … you and I have need of the strongest spell that can be found to wake us from the enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly the past 100 years.”

And weave that spell Kemp does, through her daily offerings organised into three parts: Read, Quotes and Questions. Designed for individual reflection it could just as easily be used for small groups or even an interactive sermon or five.

It’s easy to navigate and it needs to be because it’s packed with content: local images, considered theology, quotes from thoughtful writers and Kemp’s own experiences both by and in the Yarra River and beyond..."

Read more >>

Weaving a stronger spell confronts and discomforts, offering raw reality about life in Melbourne.

12/11/2025

Join former retreat guests and friends of Campfire from around Australia who gather each morning to greet the new day in this reflective and peaceful online space.

Here is the new SUMMER timetable for our weekday online offerings.

🌿 Meditation:
NSW & VIC: 7:45-8:20am
QLD: 6:45-7:20am
NT & SA: 6:15-6:50am

🌿 Morning Prayer:
NSW - 8:30-9am
QLD - 7:30-8am
NT & SA - 7-7:30am

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7794705793?%20pwd=RmJKNm5IcVdXekVXRm5XdlBhcXA3Zz09

11/11/2025

Last Wednesday evening we had a special Campfire Reflection gathered around the Día de los Mu***os ofrenda, reflecting on the love we've shared with those who've passed.

🔥Tell a story about someone dear to you who has passed away. What did you admire about them and how did they make you feel?

**Campfire Reflection is a free weekly event held in Alice Springs on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. A pot-luck dinner, followed by a time of reflection and sharing around the campfire. Open to the local community, as well as travellers passing through.

02/11/2025

Heartfelt thanks and love to everyone who came and shared in last night's celebration of life and death. You all made it the memorable evening it was - by offering your stories, creativity and care.

Gratitude to Christopher Brocklebank and Jeff Perz for coordinating the beautiful music and poetry - and to everyone for bringing such such lovely food.

🌟The ofrenda is open again tonight from 7:30pm - 9pm🌟

Please share with anyone who might enjoy this reflective experience - a touch of magical Mexico here in Alice Springs.

"There is no right or wrong way to be in a sacred space. It's about remembering."

Everyone is welcome.

01/11/2025

🌼🌸 Did you know? 🌸🌼 The Mexican Day of the Dead (Día de los Mu***os) is a cultural and spiritual celebration that blends ancient indigenous traditions with Catholic beliefs.

The celebration has roots in ancient Aztec rituals that viewed death as a continuation of life. Spanish missionaries introduced Catholic traditions, leading to a fusion where the core indigenous practices were combined with Catholic teachings on remembering the dead and the hope of resurrection.

Today, many Mexican Catholics observe the holiday as a meaningful spiritual event, aligning its core themes with the liturgical calendar of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

See this weekend's program at Campfire in the Heart >> https://www.facebook.com/share/16WqpVuJ8r/

27/10/2025

📣 New Contemplative Book Cub starting today Tuesday at 6:15pm!

"Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor (161-180 AD) and a philosopher. He practiced his philosophy daily so that he could command the empire without losing his treasured ideals of justice and humanity.

The philosophy that he lived by is one of empowerment, independence and self-reliance. Its principles led him to a life of spiritual contentment as well as worldly attainment, a potent combination that most people still find impossible to achieve.

Marcus Aurelius wrote a book of 'spiritual exercises' for himself that was in effect the first self-help book ever written. Now, nearly two thousands years after it was composed, we can put these same principles into practice at home, at work, with friends, relatives and strangers. Remarkably, his philosophy is still accessible and relevant to our twenty-first century lives..."

Join us for a reflective reading (over 6 weeks) of 'The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius'. No prior reading necessary.

*** Feel free to come early and join in our daily meditation at 5:30pm**

07/10/2025

**Please note that Campfire Reflection is paused on days of 40+ degrees**

We encourage you all to take some rest tomorrow evening, stay cool, and see you next week!

06/10/2025

It's always a joy to welcome back Susanna Pain, who has been leading embodied Interplay retreats at Campfire for around 15 years. Thanks to her delightful guests for bringing their warmth and light-hearted creativity to Campfire.

Last week's Campfire Reflection was a special one - a treat to hear musician Trish Watts sing around the fire and also to meet Annie Patterson, the author of Sue Woods' memoir 'Waterhole of Hope'!

Big thanks to Susanna Pain for bringing the topic to the fire last week:

🔥What needs kindling in your life?

**Campfire Reflection is a free weekly event held in Alice Springs on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. A pot-luck dinner, followed by a time of reflection and sharing around the campfire. Open to the local community, as well as travellers passing through.