Churches throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri celebrated Earth Day 2023 by planting trees in the Communion Forest.
The Communion Forest is a global initiative comprised of local activities of forest protection, tree growing, and eco-system restoration undertaken by provinces, dioceses, and individual churches across the Anglican Communion to safeguard creation.
The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri, gifted an oak sapling to every congregation in our diocese at our 2022 annual convention in November. He instructed everyone to care for their tree during the winter and plant it this spring.
From St. Louis to Columbia and Kirksville to Poplar Bluff, our congregations have planted dozens of trees! Here are pictures from a few of the prayer services and tree plantings held throughout the Diocese for Earth Day:
All Saints' Episcopal Church, Farmington
All Saints' congregation got a little extra planting help from the Bishop!
Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia
Calvary Church and the Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministries planted their tree at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Columbia, where more space is available for the tree to grow.
Christ Episcopal Church, Rolla
Grace Episcopal Church, Kirkwood
Hope Episcopal Church, Town & Country
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Sikeston
Two trees were planted at St. Paul's in Sikeston -- one for St. Paul's and another for Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau (who didn't have room on their property for another tree).
If any other congregations would like to be included in this gallery, please send your photos and notes to communications director Janis Greenbaum.