In preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the Luthergarten was created at different locations in Wittenberg (Germany) between 2007 and 2017. Churches and church-related institutions from around the world and from all confessions each became a sponsor of one of the 500 trees. At the same time, they planted an additional tree in their church’s home. These plants are evidence of the global effect and significance of the Reformation, which was started by Martin Luther in Wittenberg. They express the community of Christian churches in the world and are a sign of the reconciled diversity in which churches live together today. the Luthergarten is a project of the Lutheran World Federation in cooperation with the Lutheran Church in Germany and Lutherstadt Wittenberg. —From a sign in the Luthergarten
In September as I was participating in the Lutheran World Federation’s Retreat for Newly Elected Leaders, our group visited the Luthergarten. I was able to visit the ELCA tree, which is pictured above. This small-leaved Linden tree was planted by Pastor Arden Haug, who served as the ELCA’s regional representative in Europe, on October 31, 2011. A partner tree – an apple tree was planted here in the U.S. at Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
As you can see our tree is doing well! It was fun to visit the garden together as a group and watch people wander off across the park to find “their” tree. A few of the bishops in attendance had even been the ones who planted the tree on behalf of their churches!
Often as we celebrate Reformation Day, we do so looking back. We remember the wisdom and courage of Marin Luther and the other reformers. We take joy in singing a few long-loved hymns that inspire us. Visiting those trees reminded me that Reformation is really about looking to the future. It’s about hearing the Spirit’s call to change and adapt, to let go and start again, to claim what is good about our past and carry it forward into the future. Planting a tree is a good reminder of this.
We don’t plant trees expecting immediate results. It will take time before the tree provides shade or fruit or sap for maple syrup. It will take time before there are a significant amount of leaves working their magic to provide for clean air. We plant trees as an act of faith and hope that there will be a future in which people will be there to enjoy those trees.
We have partners, siblings in Christ, all over the world who share this Reformation history, who sing “A Mighty Fortress” with a lot of heart, who pray and study the Small Catechism. The trees stand in the garden as a testament to our partnership and the strength that we find together. They stand together in the garden lifting up praise to our Creator who is working all thinks together for the good of all creation.