By Phil Berwick
THE PRAYING: As professionals in the Healthy Planet, we keep our columns focused on what we do in our trades and crafts. But I am aware, that the events in Ferguson have been written, spoken about and filmed from one end of the world to the other. So with a philosophical tree saw in one hand, and a spiritual tree planting shovel in the other, I have been pruning deadwood out of my heart with the one hand, and desiring to dig deeper into my soul with the other. I want to invite Healthy Planet readers to some Ferguson events, for the healing of not just OUR Ferguson, but the many other ‘Ferguson’s around our nation. Every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm, 2115 Chambers, at Believers Temple there is an ongoing prayer meeting with hundreds of folks of different colors. Be also looking for a large tent of prayer and live and loud spiritual music at ‘Red’s BBQ’ on Canfield and West Florrisant in Ferguson for 21 days beginning Sept 17-October 18 corresponding with 21 days of fasting. I am not so sure you will be seeing this in other media, for it is conflict and strife that usually sell.
THE PLANTING: On Sunday October 5th, 2014 groups around the region will participate in what’s being billed as one of the largest honorary tree planting efforts of its kind as community members join together to “Plant for Peace”. The President of the St. Louis Board of Alderman, Lewis Reed, has partnered with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri to make available over 500 native species trees to be planted throughout the area as a showing of solidarity and comradery as we begin healing in the aftermath of the tragic events in Ferguson. “Tree plantings are a time-honored response to tragedies,” said Reed. “Events like these, where neighbors are engaging in peaceful, collaborative activities that provide benefits to the community for generations to come, are part of the solution and important in the healing process. According to Forest ReLeaf’s executive director Donna Coble, “A tree is a living symbol of strength and hope for the future.
For more information and to reserve your trees at no cost, visit www.plant4peacestl.org or call President Reed’s office at 314-622-4114.
Phil Berwick is the President of Living Tree Care inc. livingtree@earthlink.net, www.livingtreecare.com. Contact us about our free upcoming November tree care seminar. Pruning/preservation/pruning of trees / 314-961-8733 (tree).