September 1, 2007: Taproots

“A taproot is the deepest, anchoring root of
a tree or plant, supplying water
from deep within, thus allowing the tree
or plant to grow and flourish.”

Taproots house

The name Taproots was the name given to the property by the original owners when the house was built. A taproot is the deepest, anchoring root of a tree or plant, supplying water from deep within, thus allowing the tree or plant to grow and flourish. A taproot, because it is so deeply established, is almost impossible to uproot. When there is a taproot present, even if the tree is cut down, or the top of a plant is pulled off (as with a dandelion), it spouts anew.

This suggests the image found in Psalm 1:3 which says that the righteous person “is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and… does not wither”. It also suggests the image used by Jesus in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” By retaining the name “Taproots” we continually remind ourselves that only as we are rooted in God can we live and bear fruit.

September 1, 2007

By God’s grace we have been led to a fantastic piece of land for the future of St. Peter’s Anglican Church! We purchased the eight-and-a-half acres (pictured here) located at 4784 Thomasville Road with cash gifts this past summer, and have begun to plan for future buildings.

Eric Dudley In the meantime, we will use this property as a site for a satellite Wednesday night program beginning in January (hopefully appealing to non-St. Peter’s members living in that neighborhood), for our Sunday night youth program (Real Life), and for special events.

When the original owners built the house in 1942 they named the property “Taproots”, and a sign bearing that name is still visible at the south entrance. I have found it most providential that a church should purchase a property named Taproots. As you’ll see in the description, a taproot is the most deeply established root of a tree, so deeply anchored in the soil that it is virtually impossible to uproot. It is certainly our hope and prayer that St. Peter’s Church becomes so solidly rooted in the Gospel of Jesus that it will grow large and strong and provide strength and “shade” for this community for many generations to come.

Over the coming months, you will hear us referring to “Taproots,” or to our “Northeast Education Center.” When you hear this you’ll know we’re talking about the new property. Pray that God will make us good stewards of this property, using it as a vessel of His Holy Purposes!

Fr. Eric D. Dudley+