Set in the conservative landscape of 1955 Michigan, 'The Mercy Tree' delves into the life of a respected pastor, Henry Griffin, whose virtuous facade is threatened by the reemergence of a past indiscretion. Amid the societal norms where affairs are hushed and family values stand paramount, Griffin's encounter with Rina Hamada, a passionate Japanese woman during his military tenure in post-war Japan, comes back to haunt him as a letter arrives a decade later. Faced with moral dilemmas, Griffin grapples with faith, redemption, and the heavy weight of secrets as he fears the destructive potential this revelation holds for his esteemed position and cherished family. Sharlene MacLaren crafts a tale that challenges the intersections of duty, love, and forgiveness under the looming presence of The Mercy Tree.