Silence and Solitude... well, mostly

Pastor's Log - Sabbatical Date 2.1.4 - 14:30

I arrived at the Hermitage this afternoon around 2PM for several days of silence and solitude.  After a very busy winter and spring, this seemed like an important way to begin my sabbatical.  I hope that it will give me space to rest and disengage from daily ministry so that I am more able to be present with my family this summer.

Though not my first time to do a retreat like this, it is my longest silence and solitude retreat so far.  I did a 24 hour silence and solitude retreat in college as a part of a spiritual disciplines class that I was taking.  I found that time to be very good and refreshing for me.  For me the challenge wasn't the silence and solitude but the coming back out of it.  I'm guessing that's because it wasn't long enough for me and what I needed at the time.  We'll see how I do with a more extended period of time.

As I turned down the driveway to the Hermitage, there was a sign, "Begin to slow down."  I know that in part this was a practical sign reminding me to drive slowly on the driveway, but it was also a message for my week and for the beginning of my sabbatical.  In the midst of a frenzied and frenetic pace at times, now was a time to begin to slow down.

The main building of the Hermitage is a renovated barn with a kitchen and dinning room on the ground level and various rooms and "living rooms" on the other levels where people like me stay.

   I am in room 3 which was also the St. Francis room.  It is a simple room with a twin bed, desk, relaxing chair, and dresser.  A public restroom with a shower is just outside my door.  The manual in my room stated that "The Hermitage models a way of spiritual formation, which integrates work and worship, scripture and silence, nurture and nature, disciplines and discernment."



  As I stood outside of St. Joseph's Barn to call Beth and let her know that I had arrived, a humming bird buzzed by my head.  I never did get through due to poor cell service, but was able to send a text message to her saying that I was safe and sound.  After getting settled in, I took a short hike through a meadow and down to see the prayer labyrinth.  It was a beautiful day.

In the heat of the afternoon, I decided to spend some time in my room reading.  As I was leaving the house this morning, I noticed the most recent copy of The Mennonite sitting on my desk.  I decided to grab it and bring it along with me as something to read.  Now in my room at the Hermitage, I grabbed it and I looked at the cover.  I suddenly realized that the cover picture was a picture of the very building that I was currently laying in.  I read the article and learned more about the man would had been instrumental in founding the Hermitage 27 years ago.  I could just imagine God having a little chuckle to himself as I made the connection.

Before long, it was time for supper.  In order to maintain the space for silence and solitude, all of the meals at the Hermitage are eaten in silence.  We each get our food from the buffet line and then sat down to eat.  It is a different experience to eat with a group of people, but not talk with them.  It feels like very counter cultural discipline, but it is one that I really enjoyed.  It took away the pressure of having to make small talk with strangers and allowed my focus to remain on God.

After supper, I took another little hike through a pine grove, did some reading and used the Anabaptist prayer book before settling into my room for the night.

Earlier in the day, I had noticed a list of the guests for the week.  On the list were Jonathan and Anastasia Corbin, college friends of ours that we don't see very often.  They got married the week after Beth and I and were celebrating their 12 year anniversary.  That night when they came back to their room, I had a chance to chat with them a bit.  It broke up the silence and solitude, but I really enjoyed the chance to catch up with them.  They are expecting their fourth in August.

All in all it was a very good day and a great way to begin my sabbatical.