Faith: St. Francis, other churches plant trees to replenish Port Dickinson Community Park

Port Dickinson Community Park, a green space at the north end of the village next to the Chenango River, has lost a lot of trees for disease and safety reasons, says Father Tim Taugher.

But Taugher, pastor of the nearby St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, helped organize the planting of a dozen trees at the park on April 30. He said it helped mark both Earth Day and Arbor Day.

Two of Taugher’s parishioners on the creation care team helped pick the plantings.

“They did a lot of research, what trees would be best for that park and where to buy them," he said.

Five other congregations — Ogden Hillcrest Methodist, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Chenango Bridge Methodist Church, North Fenton United Methodist Church and Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church — also took part.

“It was a good mix, some families came together. Parents and kids came together, some Cub Scouts and just adults in general. It was a good variety.” Taugher said.

After a prayer by Taugher, young and older worked together to dig the holes and put saplings in the ground. The trees were purchased by the church groups as well as individuals.

“As a people of faith, we have to take seriously to be good stewards of God's creation,” Taugher said. He linked the event to Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si, on care for our common home.

“He, Pope Francis, challenges us not to be indifferent to the world around, and to critically examine how our lifestyles impact our environment,” Taugher said. “We are looking at other possibilities we can do, maybe one could be a joint ecumenical creation care team.”

“When Fr. Tim first introduced this concept to the Chenango Area Clergy, I was immediately interested," said the Rev. Michele Clark, pastor of the North Fenton United Methodist Church. "Creation care is an important subject and one that is very close to my heart.”

Clark added that the church council purchased one of the trees that was planted. She said members of her congregation who helped plant the trees ranged in age from “6 to 64.”

“Those who assisted me were Philip Horan, Rebecca Andreula and her two younger daughters, Macie and Madison,” Clark said.

“We hope that the community will see that the church and its people care about the community, and of course all that God has created, that more people would get involved in such ministries,” she said.

Both clergy members cited the the creation story in the first chapter of Genesis for inspiration in the planting effort.

"This is Easter, too, the season of new life, not just limited to embraces all of creation, and brings people to the Easter spirit into our environment as well,” Taugher said.

“God blesses his work and puts all of creation under the care or stewardship of humankind.” Clark said. “Genesis chapter two verse 15 reiterates this appointed responsibility of humankind to all that God has created.”

“We’re trying to do more on this," Taugher said. "Hopefully, we'll focus on stewardship of creation. “Our goal is to work together more, to connect. To work together on these issues.”

For more information

St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 1049 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY 13901; 607-722-4388; stfrancisbing.org

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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Port Dickinson Community Park trees replenished by nearby churches