Tree planting to celebrate special occasions is a hallmark of the Anglican Communion Forest, a global initiative to safeguard God’s creation through local activities to restore and protect natural habitats. The Diocese of Washington has embraced the Communion Forest and many of our parishes have incorporated the planting of trees into at least one if not several important moments in the rhythms of congregational life.
This summer, St. John’s, Lafayette Square, was delighted to plant trees in South Africa to celebrate 20 years of its partnership with the Kwasa College. St. John’s visited Kwasa during a pilgrimage trip in August led by its Rector, the Rev. Robert W. Fisher.
Kwasa is an Anglican school located near Johannesburg, South Africa. It now serves 450 children through grade 7. Most of the children live in a nearby informal settlement comprised of corrugated metal shacks.
The Kwasa-St. John’s sharing began in 2004 soon after the Rev. Sharron Dinnie started Kwasa. Sharron began by holding classes in an abandoned mining camp building.
Over the years, the partnership has flourished. St. John’s has regularly visited to see Kwasa’s substantial growth and has welcomed Sharron, teachers, and students to Washington. Close personal ties have formed from this sharing.
During the visit, the Kwasa children and St. John’s found joy in planting 20 native trees to mark 20 years of working together. Armed with shovels, watering cans, and a guitar, Rob and Sharron blessed the trees, using an Anglican Communion Forest liturgy. For their part, the Kwasa children committed to care for and to water the trees.
All voices were lifted in song during the blessing. With his guitar, Rob led a joyful singing of an American spiritual hymn. The Kwasa children responded by offering a spirit-filled South Africa folk hymn.
Working together to plant the trees reflected the sharing spirit and love of God that is at the heart of the partnership between St. John’s and Kwasa.
Abbott McCartney
Parishioner, St. John’s, Lafayette Square
Member, Diocesan Creation Care Committee
