Barrington church plants trees in Mideast

The Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Barrington, in collaboration with the Environmental Education Center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, is offering what it calls a peaceful, green response to the violence in the Middle East by assisting in an ongoing project called "Planting New Olive Trees ... Planting New Hope." The church in Jordan works at bridging cultures and making personal connections for peace and reconciliation with both Israelis and Palestinians, and members of the Barrington church will be personally planting some of these olive trees in November during a Holy Land pilgrimage. Planting olive trees restore groves lost in the region and provide support to local farmers around Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The Barrington church is seeking donations of $20 per tree. Orders are due Thursday, Oct. 15. Download a form at churchofatonement.org or send checks to Olive Tree Project, Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 909 East Main Street, Barrington, IL. 60010.