We Planted a Tree
Our MU Tree for all Seasons is an Indian Chestnut tree. It was planted by Mothers’ Union in Howick Hall Gardens on Tuesday 2nd August 2022 for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Green Canopy.
The sapling has been grown from a conker brought home by Lord Howick from the foot-hills of the Himalayas. It is currently only half Margy’s height but just as engaging. When Margy is 150 years old, the tree could be 40ft high and 50ft wide. It will probably outlive her by 200 years. It joins thousands of other trees and shrubs in the garden, all grown from seeds gathered from every corner of the earth – an ‘echo’ of Eden.
Lord Howick lent the spade and joined MU members to witness Margy make the symbolic act of ‘Transformation’. Planting this tree is a sign of our intent to help safeguard the natural environment for future generations - as God commissioned us to do. It is also a response to the Fifth Mark of Mission of the Anglican Communion. Forty of us served as ‘tree-huggers’ as we protectively surrounded it and prayed it into its new home. In Windsor our Patron smiled.
The Tea House offered us nourishment and conversation time. Some walked round the gardens. We also gathered in Howick’s Church, St Michael and All Angels, a place to drink in the stillness and feel the prayers of generations of local people. Helen Cooper (Deanery Leader) showed us the truly amazing embroidered kneelers designed and crafted by local people.
It was a day blessed by good weather, good company, good team-work and good intentions.
Related posts below also see Chaplaincy Corner:
- Howick Garden Midday Prayers
- A Tree for all Seasons (a poem written for the occasion)
- The Fifth Mark of Mission