From The Pastor : May 2008

When spring arrives each year, I begin to take careful note of trees and when they begin to bud and blossom. Getting close to trees and their pollen doesn't make my allergist happy, but I enjoy seeing the trees coming back to life.

In particular, I am always eager to see the Dogwood trees at the front of the St. John building blossom. When they come to full flower, I know that spring is indeed here. As I write this letter I see the trees have begun to form buds. By the time you read this letter, the trees should have been in full blossom.

I did some research on Dogwood trees. There are numerous varieties of the tree. This tree is depicted in the insignia of several states and one Canadian province. Geoffrey Chaucer used the word Whippletree in the Canterbury Tales to refer to the Dogwood. It is possible that the common name of Dogwood may have come because dogs were washed with a brew of its bark.

I don't know why Dogwood trees were planted at the front of the St. John building many years ago, but it may have to do with a tradition associated with the tree. There is a fable that says the cross used to crucify Jesus was constructed of Dogwood. As the fable goes, the tree at that time was larger and stronger than it is today. After his crucifixion, Jesus changed the tree to its current form. Again, as the story goes, Jesus shortened the tree and twisted its branches so it could not be used to make crosses.

In addition,the four white bracts are cross shaped, which are said to represent the four corners of the cross, each bearing a rusty indentation, as of a nail. The red stamen represents Jesus' crown of thorns. The clustered red fruit represent his blood.

Take note of these trees throughout the year as you enter the building or passby on the street. This spring note the beautiful blossoms. This summer note the full cooling shade provided by the leaves. This fall note the color of the leaves before they fall. This winter note the beauty and strength of the bare tree. These Dogwood trees are a good reminder that God is with us through all the seasons of life; and especially in the spring, the trees remind us of the life, the full and beautiful life, that Jesus makes available for us.