In the course of unpacking and moving in, which I view as a kind of nesting process, a vision for my sense of mission for living in the parsonage has begun to emerge. In my mind’s eye of imagination, I see the parsonage as a kind of priory, that is, a small monastery, where I fancy myself as the prior, the leader who has responsibility for oversight of the priory and its ministries. As you get to know me better as a person and as a pastor, you will come to understand that a vision of the parsonage as a priory makes perfect sense and is in keeping with my personal and pastoral identity dating back decades. I have long been attracted to monastic spirituality. In fact, I have been an associate member of a Lutheran monastery – yes, there is such a place in the woods of Michigan north of Detroit! – for some three decades. In particular, my monastic passions are grounded in the Benedictine tradition, the rule of which the Lutheran monastery in Michigan follows.

What does this have to do with the parsonage of Resurrection Church? One of the pillars of Benedictine spirituality is hospitality. In fact, the Rule of St. Benedict instructs that monks are to receive all guests and visitors to the monastery as if Jesus Christ himself has come to visit: “All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matthew 25:35)…. All humility should be shown in addressing a guest on arrival or departure. By a bow of the head or by a complete prostration of the body, Christ is to be adored because he is indeed welcomed in them…. Great care and concern are to be shown in receiving poor people and pilgrims, because in them more particularly Christ is received.” (Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 53:1, 6-7, 15a)

So it is that I see the parsonage as a place of hospitality. The deployment and placement of my worldly belongings in the rooms of the parsonage are guided by this vision of Benedictine hospitality. My purchase of new furnishings is also guided by this vision.

Here is what I see happening in the parsonage as priory – and here is what I am preparing for as I furnish and fill the house:

• I envision the kitchen and dining area as a family room, where you as a members of the congregation and others will be welcomed in due course when it is safe to do so for social gatherings, holiday events and parties.
• I see you and other guests spilling out onto the deck that overlooks our community garden during such gatherings.
• I see the far end of dining area as a place of prayer, worship, holy conversation, and Bible Study, and I am, thus, arranging that area as a kind of chapel.
• I see the bedrooms of the parsonage beyond the one I need for myself as a kind of monastic guest house, where I will welcome folk from out of town, family members and friends, perhaps others visiting our congregation and the Synod for special events. (By the way, I am enjoying the privilege of welcoming my first overnight “guest” to his Arlington home, my son, Nathan, who is with me for the first three weeks of July!)
• I envision guests enjoying the many other spaces and rooms in the parsonage for leisure, relaxation, reflection, and rest – the side porch, which is freshly repainted, the living room, the deck, the yard.
• I see the study featuring a small library where guests can pick up volumes on many topics to read, to be challenged by, and to enjoy.
• I see communal meals grounded in holy conversation with guests seated around my Amish made hardwood dining room table enjoying each other’s company.

I very much look forward to the day when I can welcome you and others as individuals, families, and groups into the parsonage as priory, a place of Benedictine welcome, an extension of this congregation’s gathering areas, an extension of this congregation’s ministry of hospitality. And I will endeavor to welcome you and all others as Christ in the Benedictine way!

With hopefulness for bringing such vision to fruitful reality,

Pastor Jonathan Linman