CreaTREEvity – what is it and how can you be part of it?
Cathedral CATS invites all Cathedral parishioners to join us in sharing how we express our love of trees, our concern for old growth forests, our dependence on trees for clean air as we support expanding the tree canopy in our city – our very own Mother Tree Project – CreaTREEvity.
In our beautiful Cathedral there are many reminders of our profound connection with trees - the Tree of Life window in the narthex, the wood in our trusses, ceiling, floors and walls, the Cross, our nativity scene. Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Oak, Butternut surround our sacred space and are part of our spiritual lives.
In this CreaTREEvity project, you are invited to submit what you create with your camera, brush, pencil or pen:
- Photograph a favourite tree, in the woods or in the city
- Paint or sketch a tree (or trees) that attracts your attention
- Write a poem or a reflection on what trees mean to you
In September, during the Season of Creation, your expressive piece will be displayed as a way to share our expressions of love, faith and hope for our trees – those in the forests and those in our city.
All who submit what they have made will have their names entered in a random draw to win a copy THE BOOK OF THE TREE: TREES IN ART.
How to participate in CreaTREEvity:
- One submission per person – an unframed a photo, painting, sketch, poem or reflection
- Your piece will be returned to you in October.
- Deadline for submissions is August 15th
- Contact us at CCATS@thecathedral.ca
We thank Sue Wagner for helping name our project and Dr. Melissa Lem for carrying our message forward. CATS gratefully acknowledges this affirmation of support from Dr. Suzanne Simard:
Dear Christ Church Cathedral community,
Sending my very best wishes as you embark on your own Mother Tree Project with the Climate Action Through Stewarding committee! I am delighted you have decided to bring art and education together to inspire action on old-growth forests and urban tree conservation. The world needs more of what you and CATS are doing.
Warmly,
Dr. Suzanne Simard
Professor, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship, UBC
Founder, The Mother Tree Project
Author, Finding the Mother Tree (2021) and When the Forest Breathes (2026)