2026 08 16 シルバープリペット

シルバープリペットは、モクセイ科イボタノキ属の常緑樹です。

「プリペット」と呼ばれる仲間にはさまざまな種類がありますが、

シルバープリペットは、『葉の縁に白い斑が入る美しい葉』が特徴です。

明るい緑色と白のコントラストが爽やかで、庭木や生垣としても好まれています。丈夫で成長も比較的早く、剪定にも強いことから、形を整えながら長く楽しむことができる木です。

初夏から夏にかけて、枝先に小さな白い花をたくさん咲かせ、白い花は一つひとつは小さいものの、房のようにまとまって咲くため、緑の葉の中でふわっと浮かんで見えます。

季節の移り変わりの中でも、花、葉、実とさまざまな姿を見せてくれる庭木です。

幼稚園の入り口門の近く、その枝会館の壁沿いに、涼しげな葉を揺らしながら育っています

この木「シルバープリペット」は、前主任牧師の深谷先生が按手礼（あんしゅれい）を受けられた記念樹として植えられた木だそうです。

この「按手礼」とは、牧師などが教会の大切な務めを担う者として正式に任命される際に、牧師や教会の指導者たちがその人に手を置き、祈りと祝福をもってその務めを託す儀式のこと。

按手礼を受けるということは、教会から大切な務めを託され、その働きを祈りによって支えていただくこと。そこには神様への信頼と、人と人との信頼があります。

シルバープリペットの花言葉は、「くつろぎ」「運命の出会い」「信頼」

一本の木に込められた祈りは、今も静かに息づいています。

祈りを受けて始まった新しい歩みの記念、として植えられたこの木は

幼稚園の入り口で、訪れる子供たちやその家族を今日も見守り続けています

そしてこの日曜日、約5か月ぶりに深谷牧師が京都に来られ、みんなで一緒に礼拝をすることができました。久しぶりに同じ場所に集まり、顔を合わせ、共に祈り、礼拝をささげる―感謝の時となりました。

その時々には見えなくても、祈りや信頼の積み重なりは、年月の中で育っていきます。

幼稚園の門に立つシルバープリペット。

その一枝一枝に、これまでの祈りと歩みが重なり、これから出会う子どもたちや人々との新しい物語もひそかに刻まれていくのかもしれませんね。

これからもこの記念樹が、たくさんの人を迎える門のそばで、祈りと信頼のしるしとして、元気に育っていきますように。

Silver Privet 

The Silver Privet is an evergreen tree belonging to the olive family, Oleaceae, and the genus Ligustrum.

There are many varieties of plants known as “privet,” but the Silver Privet is especially known for its beautiful leaves edged with white variegation.

The fresh green leaves, beautifully contrasted with white, give the tree a cool and refreshing appearance. It is popular as a garden tree and hedge plant because it is hardy, grows relatively quickly, and tolerates pruning well, allowing it to be shaped and enjoyed for many years.

From early summer through summer, it produces many small white flowers at the ends of its branches. Each flower is tiny, but because they bloom together in clusters, they seem to float softly among the green leaves.

Throughout the changing seasons, this garden tree shows us many different expressions through its leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Near the entrance gate of the kindergarten, along the wall of the church hall, it grows quietly, its cool green leaves gently swaying in the breeze.

This Silver Privet was planted as a memorial tree to commemorate the ordination of Rev. Fukaya, our former senior pastor, through the　按手礼（あんしゅれい)【laying on of hands】.

What is the “laying on of hands”?

It is a Christian ceremony in which a pastor or church leader places their hands on someone and prays for them, formally entrusting them with an important ministry and offering their blessing as they begin their service.

To receive this blessing means to be entrusted with an important ministry by the church and to have that ministry supported through the prayers of others. At its heart are trust in God and the bonds of trust between people.

The flower language of the Silver Privet includes “comfort,” “fateful encounter,” and “trust.”

The prayers that were placed into this tree when it was planted still quietly live on today.

Planted as a memorial to a new journey that began with prayer, this tree now stands at the kindergarten entrance, continuing to watch over the children and their families who pass through the gate each day.

And this Sunday, after about five months, Rev. Fukaya returned to Kyoto, and we were able to worship together once again.

It was a precious and grateful time as we gathered in the same place after so long, saw one another face to face, prayed together, and worshiped together.

We may not always see what is happening in each moment, but prayers and trust, built up little by little, continue to grow throughout the years.

The Silver Privet standing by the kindergarten gate—

Perhaps each of its branches quietly carries the prayers and journey of those who have come before, while new stories with the children and people they will meet in the future are being gently written into its life.

May this memorial tree continue to grow strong and healthy beside the gate, welcoming many people and serving as a beautiful symbol of prayer and trust for many years to come.