Throughout the centuries, and in all cultures, trees have been a symbol of the fruitfulness, dignity and potential of all life. In the first chapter of Genesis, God invited our first ancestors to eat of the Tree of Life and all the fruit bearing trees. We human beings are like trees, stretching our limbs outward and upward to embrace and to touch. Anchored on the ground, we stand upright. Trees have always been a sign of hope; they spring forth with new buds each year. They also represent healing; quite often their leaves or their fruit bring us health of body and spirit. Trees literally lift up our spirits.

Trees are a natural symbol of hope, reconciliation and harmony. As Christians, we see the cross as a tree, the fulfillment of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. In His human body, the Lord stretched out His arms on the wood of the cross so as to bring us redemption.

We put ribbons around this tree along the Woodland side of our property as a sign of our hope for healing and peace in our nation and world as we continue to deal with COVID19 and much disappointment at the struggles of

people for their rightful place within society regardless of race or ethnic background.

Feel free to place a ribbon on the tree as a sign of your own desire to join in this experience of prayer and hope. May all of our ribbons be a sign of encouragement and a source of pride and joy in the gift of God’s mercy and may we be ministers of that same gift to each other!