Michigan United Methodists to plant trees
Evergreens
line the Black River in Michigan. For Earth Day 2009, the Upper
Peninsula EarthKeepers Tree Project will distribute 12,000 tree
seedlings to more than 100 congregations. A UMNS photo by Jill Martin. |
By Greg Peterson*
April 21, 2009 | MARQUETTE, Mich. (UMNS)
|
Experts say 12,000 mature trees absorb 3 million pounds of carbon
dioxide annually and produce enough oxygen to support 24,000 humans. A
UMNS photo by Jill Martin.
|
Thousands of northern Michigan United Methodists will help plant
12,000 trees across a 400-mile area of the Upper Peninsula in honor of
Earth Day 2009.
The interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project will
distribute the white spruce and red pine seedlings to more than 100
congregations in all corners of the region, said Gail Griffith,
EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.
The Rev. Grant R. Lobb, United Methodist Marquette District
superintendent, called planting a tree “a gift for the next
generation,” improving air quality, stabilizing the soil, providing
shade, and giving beauty.
A blessing of the trees ceremony is planned at 3:30 p.m. on Earth
Day, April 22, next to the Presque Isle Park pavilion in Marquette.
Congregations will pick up trees at local conservation district offices
in the Upper Peninsula on May 2 and plant them anywhere they decide.
The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions — United
Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian,
Unitarian-Universalist, Bahai, Jewish, Zen Buddhist and Quaker — with
over 150 participating churches and temples. Other participants include
the Superior Watershed Partnership and the Cedar Tree Institute.
|
The Rev. Charlie West (center) of Grace United Methodist Church in
Marquette, Mich., collects electronic discards during the 2006 Earth
Keeper Clean Sweep.
A UMNS file photo by Greg Peterson.
|
"Environmental health has always been a concern for United
Methodists," said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60
northern Michigan congregations.
Experts say 12,000 mature trees absorb 3 million pounds of carbon
dioxide annually and produce enough oxygen to support 24,000 humans.
"Our interfaith tree planting effort is more than another
conservation project," explained the Rev. Jon Magnuson, Cedar Tree
Institute executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder.
"With prayers, hymns and the blessing of 12,000 seedlings, it's a
gentle proclamation of a new consciousness and commitment among our
faith communities to care for God's creation."
*Peterson is a news reporter and volunteer media adviser for the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper team.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Resources
Michigan EarthKeepers
Superior Watershed Partnerships
Cedar Tree Institute
Lake Superior Interfaith | 
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