On the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 20, fifteen congregations from the Herndon and Reston areas gathered together at a local park. Months ago, they had foreseen an increase in political polarization this fall.
Those gathered would understand what speaker Rev. Dina Widlake, Epiphany Episcopal Church, Herndon, was about to say in her welcome of the Growing Hope in Democracy, a Reston and Herndon Community Tree Planting. They planted an American Elm at Haley Smith Park in Herndon. The November elections would stress the principles of “a respect for and an appreciation of minority views, a trust in the institutions of local, state and national government, and a belief in the transcendent creed of the United States, that all people are created equal,” Widlake said.
“Many of us arrived today feeling perhaps a tension in this political season, in this election season. Many of us are here today, maybe feeling fear about a particular outcome and what it will mean in the weeks and the years to follow,” Widlake said.
The park, where communities come together with family, friends and others to enjoy the playgrounds, sports fields, courts and outdoor spaces, appeared to be an ideal setting for tree planting.
With the sounds of children enjoying the playground and others engaging in sports, the ceremonial tree-planting service began with the Adhan, a call to prayer by Ahmad Baig of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society. A local law enforcement presence could be seen in the parking lot. The tree planting affirmed the values of a democratic society: respect, humility, compassion, fellowship, and service upheld by the faith congregations.
“The reason we have a community gathered to be together is that in the interaction between people who are different, that's when the best prayers emerge,” Rabbi Michael Holzman said. Holtzman is spiritual leader of the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation and the founder of the Rebuilding Democracy Project
As representatives of different faith traditions, the clergy and others could offer their perspectives on promoting healing, unity, understanding and learning among diverse groups. Their experiences and teachings could illuminate effective ways to collaborate to bridge divides, foster empathy, and encourage constructive dialogue.
Daniel Park, pastor of Restoration Church in Reston, drew a parallel between the symbolic tree planted at the event and the tree of life, highlighting its representation of hope and healing across various faiths. “There's a lot of polarization and division, a lot of brokenness, a lot of assumptions that drive people to have very reactive and judgmental views and comments about others, “ Park said. “And what the tree represents for us in democracy is the idea that we can be a diverse people together if we so choose to. The tree gives us the hope that it's a good and hard work of healing ahead of us, and it's also not instantaneous work. It's a process that we have.”
Widlake recognized the fear being experienced throughout the election period. She encouraged those at the tree planting to reflect on their responsibilities as citizens and people of faith, urging them to model divinity and consider their role in maintaining these core principles.
Speaker Pastor John Moyle from Oakbrook closed by saying, “The ecosystem in which this American Elm will belong reminds us of the great interconnectedness of all things and all creatures.”
The American Elm’s impressive height and lush greenery make it an attractive nesting location for various bird species, especially the Baltimore Oriole. Its sweet seeds and flowers nourish squirrels, deer, rabbits, and birds. The tree’s leaves serve as a food source for the larvae of the Eastern Comma and Question Mark butterflies, which, in turn, become food for migrating warblers and other attracted larvae.