Forest Week and Faith

 

                                                                     Tree -- Isabel McLaughlin 

When I wrote yeserday about the ancient sequoia and redwood trees threatened by wildfires in California I hadn't realized that it was National Tree Day and that this is National Forest Week in Canada. /https://treecanada.ca/tag/national-forest-week/

Here in Belleville the event was celebrated with a reminder that the city has been working with the Rotary Club (an organization which does so much good in so many areas) and Quinte Conservatoin to plant 50,000 trees.Last weekend we picked up some tree seedlings of different species at a give-away put on by Quinte Conservation and Rotary (regular reader Judy was part of the team.) 

 I was interested to see that the newspaper article featured a photo of the avenue of trees at Belleville Cemetery, a place where there are many mature trees of varying species. While I applaud this initiative I am frustrated that the city allows the razing of wooded areas in preparation for development which often takes several years, removing both the trees and habitat for various creatures. 

The other day we visited the McMichael gallery for a wonderful new exhibit called Uninvited: Canadian Women Artists in the Modern Moment. It features the work of 33 artists who were usually not invited to show their work with male counterparts and did not receive the recognition they deserved. There are also pieces created by Indigenous women artisans whose work will never be attributed, sad to say. 

                                                                     Belleville Cemetery

One of the paintings is by the late Isabel McLaughlin of the wealthy Oshawa family which was instrumental in  the inception of General Motors. When "Tree' was exhibted at the AGO in 1936 it was described by one critic as "seething with verve." 

Somehow we must return to an appreciation of trees and forests for what they bring to our landscapes and our souls. Once again I'll note that there are scores of references to trees in scripture from Genesis to Revelation and that Jesus' last night was spent in the olive grove which is the Garden of Gethsemane. 

In the McMichael exhibit there are also several tree paintings by Emily Carr including a couple which show the aftermath of clearcutting. It is essential that we "live with respect in Creation" which includes our relationship with trees. Trees matter to our spiritual health and we are invited to walk amidst them with reverence. 

                                                                                    Emily Carr