‘Peace Tree’ to be planted in Mingo Creek County Park Wednesday
One night, a thought danced across Ray Domachowski’s mind.
The pastor of the Church at Southpointe had a vision of planting 67 trees in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Domachowski is also the Washington County prayer representative with the Pennsylvania Apostolic Prayer Network, and he shared the idea with fellow members of the organization, and that led to the launch of the Penn’s Peace Tree Initiative.
Billed as a faith-based, nonpartisan effort, the initiative aims to have one Eastern White Pine tree planted in each of the commonwealth’s counties. A tree will be planted in Mingo Creek County Park in Nottingham Township Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will be at the Henry House.
In a news release, Domachowski said, “Politics can’t turn a nation, but prayer can. Pure hearts in agreement can move mountains. That’s what this initiative is about.”
The initiative is also designed to honor William Penn, the Quaker theologian who founded Pennsylvania and was an advocate for religious freedom. Washington County will be the second Pennsylvania county where a tree has been planted, with the first being in Crawford County’s Greendale Cemetery.
The Eastern White Pine was selected for its role in American history. It was used in trade, construction, and its bark and resin were used in the making of tea, medicine and other items.
Fayette, Greene, Westmoreland Allegheny counties are among 24 other counties in Pennsylvania scheduled to have trees planted in them.
More information on the initiative is available at churchatsouthpointe.com.