"So, are you all settled in yet?"
By the Reverend Thomas Clark Ely, Bishop-Elect of VermontOne of the first questions Vermont folks have been asking when they see me these days is some variation of, "So, are you all settled in yet?" Settling in takes time, of course, and so the best I can say in response is that we are beginning to "settle in." For us, that "settling in" began with the arrival of the moving van at Rock Point on Ash Wednesday (what a way to begin Lent!).
Eadie Templin and others did quite a job in getting 11 Rock Point Road ready for our arrival, and we can't thank them enough for their generosity of time and effort. Workers were finishing up last minute items even as the movers were bringing in the boxes and lugging furniture up the stairs. The house looks lovely, and we were able to begin the process of "settling in" to our new home right away. Tired and sore from the day's work, we managed to get to the Cathedral to participate in the Ash Wednesday evening liturgy and thus began to "settle in" a bit more.
The next few days of "settling in" included appointments, time in the office, prayer and conversation with members of the diocesan staff, finding a grocery store, opening a bank account, trying to get the TV connected in order to watch college basketball, exploring Rock Point, visiting the local hardware store, getting Ann's new car (all wheel drive), eating and having fun with the young people at the DYC Youth Event, hanging pictures, welcoming and singing with clergy and lay leaders from around the diocese who were exploring mutual ministry and regional ministry at the Cathedral, emptying boxes and reading the mail (there is a lot of mail!).
Throughout those first few days, our "settling in" was helped greatly by the wonderful hospitality of those who provided our evening meals. What a blessing! Thank you! Then, just when we thought our "settling in" was going quite well, we got our "real welcome" to Vermont in the form of two feet of snow! For the next few days, people seemed to take great delight in saying, "Welcome to Vermont."
The spiritual life, like our experience of "settling in" is very much a process or, better yet, a journey. Our religious heritage is rooted in the story of a people on the move. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus as he went from place to place. The life of the early church witnessed the Spirit's leading people into a new and renewed experience of God. Within the Biblical narrative, "arriving," or "settling in," while it might be the goal, is very seldom the result. Changes, challenges, possibilities, choices, growth, movement, new opportunities-and even surprises from time to time-are all part of our spiritual life with God, in Christ.
What helps along the journey are the same sorts of things that are helping Ann and me right now: companions, hospitality, prayer, cooperation, encouragement, generosity, trust, hopefulness and that deep human longing to "be settled," that ultimately leads to God.
As this season of Lent draws to a close, as we walk the Way of the Cross this Holy Week, as we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ's dying and rising, and as we anticipate living more fully into resurrection life, I encourage you to pay attention to your own "settling in." Pay attention to the spiritual journey you are on. Be attentive and responsive to the challenges, possibilities, choices, opportunities and surprises that come your way. Cherish companionship with others. Graciously offer and receive hospitality. Pray without ceasing. Cooperate with others. Give and accept encouragement. Be generous with your time and talent and treasure. Trust. Hope. Long for God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength.
Yours in Christ and still settling in,
+Tom
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