Special planting ceremony for trees – a ‘living link’ from Christ

A special ceremony took place in St Columb Major when cuttings from a Millennium Yew tree were planted in the church yard – creating a ‘living link’ from Christ to future generations.

The young trees were sourced and donated by Jacqueline Dow who had cuttings from the Millennium Yew in St Mawgan-in-Meneage.

During the event, The Rt Revd Hugh Nelson read Isaiah 55:12-13. He then helped shovel the final soil to the bases of the saplings which were blessed before a final prayer.

He said: “Planting a tree is always an act of hope. To plant a yew tree – which will grow for centuries, long beyond our own lifetimes – is a particularly profound expression of that hope.

“I pray they will stand as an enduring witness to faith and hope long into the future.”

Those attending also included the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, councillors, members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and Jacqueline Dow.

Councillor Scot Taylor, Mayor, said: “The Town Council was honoured and delighted to welcome Bishop Hugh to the parish.  We are particularly grateful that he blessed the yew trees, which are a living link from the time of Christ to future generations.”

The Millennium Yew project was designed to revitalise the yew to become symbols of community and creation. For that project, cuttings were taken from ancient yews from the time of Christ – creating a living link to Jesus. They were blessed during a distribution service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Jacqueline Dow, Penzance, was fascinated with a story about these trees in Church Times in October 2019 asking, ‘What happened to the Millennium Yews?’

After communication with the Diocese of Truro, and a call out in its newsletter, she acquired 15 cuttings from St Mawgan-in-Meneage.

She said: “We looked after them and eventually offered up 10 to the diocese.

“I loved the story of the yews and thought some parishes may like to acquire one in this way.

“It has been a labour of love.”