Cassocks....

The weather has turned cool and my sandals and shorts have been put away, hopefully for only a few days. The bike ride to chapel was much cooler, but just as pleasant. Even on Saturdays there are others riding and walking their way to morning prayers in St. Mary's Chapel. Today, however, was a bit different. Around my neck as I peddled through the blowing trees dodging speed bumps, I carried with my a cassock. Having not grown up in a tradition where liturgy or vestments were needed for worship, I found this addition of attire somewhat puzzling. Nashotah House is known for it's strong Angelo-Catholic focus and it was actually one of the reasons I decided to come. It was explained to us during orientation week (which we came to fondly call disorientation week) that cassocks are worn in worship to dispel any trace of individuality and that as one voice we raise our praise to God as a community each and every day.
Outside the chapel there is a small dressing room where students put on their cassocks before entering the chapel. Luckily the room was sparse of any fellow seminarians as I removed my Outer Banks hooded sweatshirt to put on my new, and somewhat expensive, cassock. My first problem was with the buttons being in such unlikely and difficult places. It was like trying to connect the dots on a primer worksheet. A senior seminarian, Rob, was close by so I made my way to him and whispered, "What's with all the buttons?" His smile made me think of the same one I had given to so many first-grade students throughout the years and he patiently led me through the process and before I knew it was making my way into chapel.
The service was filled with prayers, reciting Psalm 20 and taking communion which have come quite familiar in the past week, but it was my first time in this new get-up. I did have a few fax-pas...like stepping on my cassock when getting up from kneeling at the altar and my inability to find the pockets, but for the most part I think I came through without drawing too much attention to myself. The reality however, was that I was not too distracted by my external circumstances to catch a glimpse of the great love God has for all of his people and how much he longs to share it with us each and every day...if only we'll take the time to listen and notice that He indeed is with us always...even in a cassock.

Day Two...

Imagine getting up in the morning and not cooking breakfast. After a shower and feeding the dog and cat, you grab your backpack and jump on your bike and ride to chapel, a three minute ride from your front door. Each weekday morning finds you surrounded by the rest of the Nashotah community for worship together. Mornings begin with singing, listening to scripture, praying, and taking the Lord's Supper. It is a wonderful way to begin a new day.
Today after sharing breakfast in the refectory (refect means to refresh with food and a refectory is the name of the place where one eats at at monastary), we made our way to classroom 1 where we were introduced to the Student Handbook and listened to lots of information I will probably needed to be reminded of from time to time. Topics included the classes we'd be taking this term, campus work detail, and the how, when and where of paying our school bills. We've also discussed health insurance options and House scholarships. Today I auditioned for a scholarship to be a Chapel Scholar. I'm not sure of the complete details but it consists of a small group of men who lead the singing in chapel services.
More and more I'm feeling at home here. The campus is beautiful, quiet and serene. Abby, my golden retreiver and I just returned from an evening walk in the graveyard at the top of the hill. The deer are plentiful here and it's not uncommon to see them all about the campus.

On the first day of orientation...

It was only a week ago that Ty, Cheryl, and myself made the trip from Winston Salem, NC to Nashotah, Wisconsin and I'm still trying to catch up with all the emotions I've been experiencing. Today was our first day of orientation spent doing things that are common here at the House. Each weekday morning at 8am the beloved bell (aka Michael) rings to beckon students to chapel for morning prayer. Afterwards we make our way to the refectory for breakfast. Students at Nashotah eat together for breakfast and lunch on Mondays-Fridays, making my Coco Puffs last for so much longer. This week is an orientation week where we learn how things work around here and get a glimpse into what is expected from us in classes. It's a lot to take in all at once and I admit to not sleeping all that soundly the past few days, but God is near...and that carries one a very long way...even at 50.
I have a small apartment on campus that fits my needs quite nicely. Abby (my Golden Retriever) and Donner (my Burmese cat) and have adjusted to their new digs very well. Abby sometimes has to do a bit of squeezing in between furniture but has found several places that she can stretch out and nap. Donner still claims my queen size bed for himself as soon as I head out each morning. Little has changed for him.
A few nights ago some of the students gathered around an outdoor fire and roasted marshmallows and made smores. Instead of sharing ghost stories it became more like an evening of snow stories with all the former students telling how much snow would soon fall and all the new students from the south wondering how they'd ever survive. Even though I'm a Midwesterner by birth it's been a while since I lived this far north so pray for my survival.
The spirit of the school and the community is right out of an episode of Mayberry. Within hours of our arrival someone was knocking on our door with homemade banana bread and that seems to happen to anyone who arrives as a new student. Yesterday a lady knocked on my door with a plate full of fresh homemade brownies and when I answered the door I realized she had the wrong apartment and was looking for someone else. It killed me to let those brownies pass, but I did so, knowing full well it was the right thing to do.