By Rob Konkol, Jerusalem Greer, and Danielle Vogel
To plant is to hope
To restore is to heal
To protect is to love
—The Communion Forest website
On April 20, a dozen people from toddlers to octogenarians gathered to plant trees at the Procter Center, the diocese’s camp and conference center, in celebration of Earth Day. Eighty trees of ten different native species, ranging from swamp white oaks to shortleaf pines, were provided by a grant from the Sisters and Community of the Transfiguration as part of the order’s commitment to the Anglican Communion’s initiative called The Communion Forest. The initiative, launched at the 2022 Lambeth Conference of bishops, seeks to unite Anglicans across the globe in protecting forests, growing trees, and restoring ecosystems to safeguard God’s creation.
The trees planted at Procter will improve shade, wind protection, native habitat propagation, and eco-diversity along the Highway 38 border, said Jerusalem Greer, Procter’s co-executive director. They are just one part of the Community of the Transfiguration’s commitment to plant 125 trees to celebrate its 125th anniversary taking place this spring. The remaining trees will be planted at St. Monica’s Recreation Center; Tabor House in Butler, Ohio; the Village of Glendale; and at the Sisters’ property in Bat Cave, North Carolina.
The trees were blessed during a dedication that gave thanks for the Sisters’ faithfulness throughout many generations. “May these trees serve as a witness to their faithfulness for generation upon generation,” Greer prayed.
“The collaboration between our two diocesan retreat centers was a huge blessing for both communities,” said Rob Konkol, director of special projects at the Community of the Transfiguration, who took part in the tree planting along with Sister Diana Doncaster, the order’s superior; Procter board member Jon Boss; Bishop Kristin White; and the Rev. Catherine Duffy and the Rev. Craig Foster, both members of the diocese’s Creation Care and Environmental Justice Task Force.
“It was a beautiful, meaningful, and fun day,” Greer said, “especially for the youngest helpers who had a blast digging up worms. The trees we planted and the prayers we shared will bear gifts of love, healing, and hope in our diocese and beyond for years to come.”
