The Hermitage III: Arriving

The Hermitage is about an hour and forty minutes from where I live. I stopped four times on my way there and showed up almost 45 minutes late.

I knew I was going to be off the cell grid and emergency (!!) texts and phone calls pulled my car off to the side of the road for immediate (!!) responses. I hadn’t planned well and was low on gas, so I needed to fill up. And, finally, the anxiety of putting myself in a new situation got the better of me and at the very last possible oasis of crass Americana, a Micky D’s drive-thru, I pulled in for a cheeseburger. It worked like a charm. My anxiety level receded and I proceeded the last ten miles or so in emotional comfort.

I had visited the website several times, as well as exchanging emails about the basics of what I could expect. I had worked with a current Hermitage spiritual director in another capacity, one that had nothing to do with religion, and that relationship was my entree to this world.

“The coffee is pretty awful but the scenery makes up for it,” he told me via email. “And be prepared for a lot of silence.” He was right on all counts.

I opted for the same attitude that had served me so well when I studied abroad in London for a summer during college: “When in Rome.” I was observant of the mores, and tried to be helpful, unobtrusive, unassuming, and friendly. Thank God no one expected me to drink huge mugs of warm, black beer in the spirit of getting aquainted.

When I arrived, I saw two multi-story buildings in close proximity to each other. The residential building, as I learned later, had begun its life as a barn in 1899. It had stunning stone walls and huge beams supporting the upper floors. It was professionally converted 30 years ago with a modern kitchen, group dining facilities in front of a large picture window, a handicapper accessible bathroom, sitting rooms, and several bedrooms. The furniture was simple but in good repair. The bedrooms had handmade quilts, a desk, chair, and dresser. The entire facility was dimly lit. Given the proliferation of low-energy, bright, LCD bulbs, I can only guess this is by design.

I’d asked for a room without a lot of stairs and was glad I had: the stairwells were charming but narrow. I can’t claim to be “narrow.” I was also on the same floor as the dining room.

My friend met me and took me on a short tour before lunch. He showed me how to get to the chapel and explained what was on each level of the buildings and how to reach them with the fewest stairs. I appreciated it! The building that housed the chapel also had office and staff space on the first floor, a well-stocked library that I was to make liberal use of, a common room, and two small rooms for prayer or meeting with a spiritual advisor.

It was almost lunch time and he explained that we took our meals in silence. He showed me to my room and I unpacked a few items.

Lunch was curried vegetables over noodles or rice with a salad, homemade bread, and apple cake for dessert. All of the meals were produced with the intention of using locally-sourced vegetables, including those out of their own garden. Food scraps were composted. After my normal diet, rich in repeat convenience and fried foods, it was especially delicious.

I took a seat at the table and that’s where I first noticed the bird feeder, busy with fat, bright birds including cardinals and blue jays, eating alongside us. Hubby is always asking me to identify the birds we hear singing on our deck, but I can’t see them through the bushes and trees and it’s very frustrating. With this feeder, I found myself able to observe the size, color, and shape of a wide variety of birds. A lot of people hike the trails of The Hermitage. I wasn’t quite up for that physical challenge, but I did learn an appreciation for their feathered friends.

You can read about the ten core practices of The Hermitage Way here:

Preamble

As Jesus was revitalized for being about his Father’s business by periodic withdrawal to retreat and prayer, so The Hermitage seeks in its mission:
·     To be a prayer community, available as a place of spiritual formation where scripture, silence, nature, group experiences, and personal companioning are cultivated elements of retreat.
·     To provide a guesthouse away from daily tasks where pastors and other pilgrims can deepen their call and relationship with God, be refreshed in their whole person and be revitalized by the presence and promise of Christ.
(from The Hermitage Rule)

To this end, we have identified ten CORE COMMUNITY VALUES AND PRACTICES that govern our work.

The Hermitage:

Seeks to be a place and a way of prayer; the location and the practice of silence and solitude form our identity

Orients toward experiential awareness of God’s presence within and around each retreatant

Extends hospitality, receiving all who come as if they were Jesus Christ, by providing a quiet, calm and nurturing environment; silence, space for rest and simple, nutritious meals are the hallmarks of our service

Is a community; just as we do not provide for ourselves in the physical realm but rely on others to share the burden of making shelter, clothing, and growing food, so we do not come to understand or experience God alone. We need each other to challenge, encourage, and enlarge our understanding of the ineffable Mystery

Finds the basis of understanding this Mystery in the Word of God; provides further encouragement for learning by maintaining a significant library to enhance this understanding

Works for reconciliation between God and persons and reconciliation between persons by assuming that inner transformation will result in the pursuit of holiness, involvement in social justice and efforts of peacemaking

Receives what is offered in exchange for services provided; believing that God provides what we need, we accept what is provided as sufficient to meet that need. We define our needs by noticing the abundance of provision.

Takes seriously God’s invitation to steward the earth.

Supports the work of God in the world by encouraging the Body of Christ. Pastors and church members are rested or renewed for more effective service in their local congregations

Provides the service of Spiritual Direction to guests.