The Apple Tree

06Sep
For in Jesus all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him.

- Colossians 1:19-22


We have just returned from a beautiful island in Maine, where we’ve taken time to notice and appreciate some of the ways nature has transformed what has died into something new. Two examples stand out to me. Attached is a picture of an ancient apple tree - the last of an orchard that was once part of a farm on this little island. Over time all the trees died leaving this beloved "grandmother" who had become so hollow, children could hide inside of her trunk. She finally fell this year, and a protective fence has been put around her to keep the deer from nibbling on the new leaves that are still sprouting from her gnarled roots. Cuttings have been taken to see if she can find new life.


On my last walk up to the old apple orchard to say goodbye, I noticed a heart shaped hole in her trunk. On first glance it looked dark and empty, but when I got down to her level for a closer look, I could see the color and light that still shone within. Perhaps that’s what it looks like when we give our hearts away, I thought. It makes room for the light.


On another occasion at the funeral at St. Cuthbert’s (the summer chapel Michael serves), a son told of how his family had been split apart, and his mother had healed from divorce and division by working in a poor community to establish an art museum her city. In doing so, she developed new skills for building relationships which she shared with her family, and which subsequently helped to transform some of their brokenness into a legacy of love.


All of us creatures that have been reconciled by Jesus may be opened in a new way or walk in “newness of life” to be truly transformed by Christ. Maybe nature helps show us the way.

Musical Reflection - Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, Elizabeth Poston / Seraphic Fire


Blessed God, for the creatures and the people of the earth whose lives and deaths have contributed to the fruitful abundance of this planet, we give you thanks.

Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace. Amen.

-adapted from Creation Care Liturgy

New TestamentGratitudeNatureCreationPentecost

Posted by Maria Elliott

Maria Elliott has been Trinity since 1994, first as a parishioner and then for sixteen years establishing the office of stewardship and development, and currently as the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life. 

WIth a degree in Music and Business from Drake University in her native state of Iowa, Maria went first to New York to work for a concert artist management and then for the Arts department at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  At the Cathedral, Maria was confirmed, met and married her husband, The Reverend Michael Kuhn, and began an accidental career in the Episcopal Church. She has served on the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, the boards of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, as a Stephen Minister, and currently Education for Ministry Mentor.

Maria’s interests include playing the oboe in the New Orleans Civic Symphony and she is currently training to be a Narrative Enneagram mentor. Her daughters, Hallie Wilkins and Sophie Bedaña are Trinity School alumni. Maria has two grandchildren, Celeste and Alden Wilkins.

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