Trees have been important symbols in Anabaptist history. That tradition continued when the Executive Committee met in Strasbourg, France, July 29-August 4, 2004.

Top: During an excursion to Anabaptist historical sites, MWC Executive Committee members and staff stopped at this oak tree at Le Salm. Oral tradition has it this tree was planted in 1793 in recognition of Jakob Kupferschmitt’s efforts to secure exemption from military service for Anabaptists during the French Revolution.

Bottom: Each time it meets, the executive plants a tree. In August the group traveled to the Mennonite church in Bourg-Bruche. This site was chosen because the Mennonite church in Strasbourg does not have adequate space for a tree and because Bourg-Bruche was near the “Mennonite tree” at Le Salm (see above).

Each MWC tree has this plaque at its base: “In honor of God’s creation and the church universal.” The practice began in 1998.

This article first appeared in Courier/Correo/Courrier 2004-4