New Trees, Deep Roots at MPBC

Rooted in Gratitude: Honoring Land, Legacy, and Community 

In a quiet and sacred corner of our church grounds, near the Columbarium, a new persimmon tree has been planted—its roots reaching into the soil that has long sustained life, memory, and community. This planting, led by the Environmental Justice group at Myers Park Baptist Church, is a meaningful act of gratitude and recognition of the Catawba Land on which our church stands. 

The persimmon tree serves as a living acknowledgment of the Catawba people, whose stewardship of this land predates our own by generations. As the tree grows, bears fruit, and weathers the seasons, it stands as an embodied reminder of our responsibility to honor the past while caring for the future. Positioned near the Columbarium, the tree also connects themes of remembrance, hope, and renewal—affirming that life continues even as we honor those who have gone before us. 

Earlier this year, the Environmental Justice group planted a serviceberry tree on our campus to recognize the work and witness of author, scientist, and thinker Robin Wall Kimmerer, whose writing invites readers to reconnect with the natural world through reciprocity, listening, and gratitude. Together, the serviceberry and persimmon trees create a growing testament to the call to live more attentively and faithfully within God’s creation. 

These plantings are part of a larger effort to nurture a greener and more sustainable campus. We are deeply grateful to Robin Buck, whose dedication and collaboration with TreesCharlotte made these gifts possible. Through this partnership, the persimmon tree, serviceberry tree, and nearly twenty additional trees were generously donated to Myers Park Baptist Church—an extraordinary contribution that will bless our congregation and neighborhood for generations to come. 

Each tree planted on our grounds is more than an environmental improvement; it is a statement of faith. It reflects our commitment to justice, stewardship, and the belief that caring for the earth is inseparable from caring for one another. As these trees take root, may they remind us of our shared call to tend the land, honor its history, and cultivate hope with patience and purpose.