We are living at a time of multiple global crises, emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic and with climate change, conflict and an emerging food crisis. In our collective pain, we need symbols and actions of hope.

The Communion Forest is a symbol and act of hope – something we can do together as God’s Church for God’s World as we journey on from the Lambeth Conference.

The Communion Forest will take many different forms across the Anglican Communion, reflecting the rich diversity of our global body. I encourage you to join in this exciting initiative in your way, whether by protecting a precious environment, restoring a degraded one or planting something new. All these activities are spiritual acts too, for:

· To plant is to hope

· To protect is to love

· To restore is to heal – to share in God’s reconciling work in all creation.

Jesus himself is often found outdoors in the gospel narratives. Key moments of his ministry took place on mountain sides, on the Sea of Galilee, in the wilderness and by the Jordan River. On the night before he died, Jesus, found peace as he prayed to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane amongst the olive trees.

Please join together in this act of hope, love and healing.

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury