Welcome to the Society of the Three Trees
On the campus of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary there is redwood grove comprised of three redwood trees. These tress were planted by significant Lutheran leaders of the church who came to PLTS to lecture, preach, and give witness to the important presence of a Lutheran seminary on the American west coast.
E.T. Bachmann, noted Lutheran historian, remarks “It was a luminous thought – Ross Hidy’s – that persons of particular note in the Lutheran tradition be invited to plant a redwood tree to mark their visit and to symbolize the continuity of the Gospel for future generations. Not all who were desired for this exercise could actually be accommodated. But the three for whom conditions were right, have thus come to represent quite a number of others” (The Grove of the Giants)
In 2002, the conditions were right for one “future generation” to take steps in organizing a group that would be committed to supporting PLTS, its reputation, its students, its alumni, and most of all its unique voice in the Church so that it can continue to be a symbol of the continuity of the Gospel. These individuals took it upon themselves to start a non-profit organization that would raise money and awareness to support PLTS.
From its origin of only 8 members with a vision, the Society of the Three Trees has become a thriving organization that provides an annual retreat for its members and has established a publishing company that contributes all proceeds to student scholarships.
As members of The Society of the Three Trees, our mission is to
- promote continual conversation for the betterment of PLTS by offering support for its students, finances, reputation, and any other necessary needs.
- offer time for renewal, correspondence and further education for its members.
- offer spiritual and emotional care to each other in areas of the call process, higher education, and current vocation
- invite others to join on our mission
So from all of us at The Society of the Three Trees, we thank you for coming by our page. Please take some time to explore all the avenues of our work. If you think this is a group that you would like to be a part of, we would like to extend to you an invitation to be a member. Please email me at president@threetreessociety.org.
Once again, it was our pleasure to have you visit us today. Hopefully we will see you at the Annual Gathering soon. Until then, God bless you and your ministry.
The Reverend Michael D. Gutzler
President of The Society of the Three Trees