Work Crew

One aspect of community life here at Nashotah House is work crew. Once a week on Monday afternoons students find themselves working together on campus in various activities. Since we were out of school on Monday we had our first gathering this afternoon. Some groups worked outside on the grounds, some in the chapel, and some in the library. The real special people got to work in Kemper Hall (that's me) where we get to do things like sweeping floors, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, and chores like that. Kemper Hall is where our classrooms are located as well as the school gymnasium. Today my comrades in arms were Jonathon and Tom and I'm positive that when everyone takes their seats in the morning the first words out of their mouths will be, "This room looks awesome." But I'm not holding my breath. The purpose in our work is based on the Rule of St. Benedictine who holds that there are three things vital to community life which include prayer, study and work. Now it's time to run home because I've got some Greek studying to do.

New neighbors = New friends...

Isn't it amazing how fast 24 hours can go? It's been years since I was in school with assignments, study groups, and very late nights. Climbing into bed with a book used to come at around 9pm...now it's more like midnight. The plus side is I can actually sleep in until 6:45am when last year as a teacher I was getting up at 5:30am.
You'll probably be hearing a lot about my neighbors so I might as well introduce them. Nathaniel and Sarah come from Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were married in December of 2007 and less than a year later spent over 6 months traveling all over India and Pakistan. They're the kind of neighbors that knock on your door with a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies to share and the kind that you can sit down with at the kitchen table and chat about anything. Nathaniel's great with computers and he spent some his weekend downloading a free operating system and setting up my new laptop. They're also the kind of of neighbors who buy dog treats when they don't even own one and share them with yours. Abby, my golden retriever, now stands in front of their screen door waiting for Sarah to come out with something to snack on. We're both staying for the three year MDiv program which gives us plenty of time to get to know he other. God is indeed supplying my every need.

Labor Day

The serenity of the House is apparent everywhere. With our first three day weekend of the year most appear to be hunkered down with a book. I know that's what I've been doing the past few days. At the moment I'm reading a book on the history of the Church as well as the early writings of one of the church fathers, Clement. When I need a drink from the frig I stop by my bookshelf to catch a glimpse of one of the Greek vocabulary words I need to remember. For most seminarians I've spoken with, taking Greek is like a right-of-passage that comes easier to some than others. Why do I sense that I am destined to be one of the others? I'll keep you posted. Classes are going well and like most students I'm getting back into my study mode. It takes some time but I'm enjoying the reading and discussions while learning new vocabulary on a minute-by-minute basis. It's like going to a party and sliding into a new conversation with people of a different profession. They often use acronyms you haven't heard and vocabulary that is unfamiliar. You spend the conversation being a good listener and nodding your head from time to time and then run home and grab a dictionary. Which reminds me...I've got about 80 pages before prayer time...

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.

Summer Begins

    It's been a week since school let out and for the most part I am enjoying the lazy days of summer.  I've been reading, cleaning, and sleeping a bit later which for me is about 7:15 am.

Before leaving school a dear friend whom I had the pleasure of working with for six years sent me an email.  Her thoughts and sentiments were very insightful and I've found myself thinking of them the past few days.  

One of the 20th Century’s spiritual giants was the monk, Thomas Merton. One of his prayers was published which to me illustrates his struggles of releasing control to God.

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I

do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain

where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the

fact that I think I am following your will does not mean

that I am actually doing so.

 

“But I believe that the desire to please you does in

fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I

am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from

that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me

by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. "

“Therefore I will trust you always though I may

seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear,

for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to

face my perils alone.”

 Amen.

Here is a holy man who prayed without ceasing; he taught others to pray; he wrote prolifically about silence and the spiritual life. Yet, in this prayer he is openly sharing his need and feelings of uncertainty and being out of control – yet confident that all of this is okay or as being well with his soul.

Yes, this prospect of uncertainty when relying on God can be painful. But also, yes, there is a blessing when having to wade through the internal chaos although it may be hard to see when you are in the thick of it.

With less of you there is more of God.