Nashville for 3 by Clay Bowden

It is crazy to think, a month ago I was home, rereading all the Fellows informal biographies, researching every aspect of our apartment complex, and constantly thinking about what my life would look like now, almost a month into the program. One retreat down, a big move into the apartment, and two weeks of class and work under my belt- my life is nothing like I had “planned.” I laugh at how often I have to remind myself not to plan; to remind myself that God’s plan will always be bigger and better than anything I could imagine. He has proven that to me time and time again in my life.

During our opening retreat, many of our nights turned into game nights, one of which is called “Codenames.” If you haven’t played, the general gist is two teams trying to find all “their words” before the other team. There is one codemaster from each team giving a key word that can relate to one or more of their words. I have never played before and it has quickly become one of my favorite games. When reflecting on my first few weeks, I began thinking of words that relate to and describe my transition- the key word, Nashville: peace, bustling, and generosity. 

Peace

During a transition to a new city, especially with this one, everything is new. New friends, a new home, a new job, a new community, a new church, a new routine, a new Covid-19 protocol, a new life. While I feel overwhelmed with all these changes, I have felt God’s peace in most, if not all, of this change. In discussions with my fellow Fellows, hearing their stories and what brought them to Nashville, it is truly amazing to see how we have all felt called here in this time, despite the chaos of Covid-19. Yes, I am beginning to feel more settled; therefore, about to have more mental capacity to process this transition, but at the same time, God has given me a peace that has encouraged me to see where he takes me and not to get completely unhinged if my plan doesn’t go as I expected. Our day of silence on the retreat demonstrated my need for time dedicated to listening: to God, to the world around me, and even my own thoughts. While we have been going almost non-stop, God has stopped me and invited me to slow down in moments of the day. Whether it be quiet times at the beginning of the day or exploring Nashville’s many beautiful green spaces. 

Bustling

When I accepted my offer to the Nashville Fellows Program, I was warned of how busy I would be. I am someone who loves to stay busy, so I had no hesitation in continuing with the program when I learned this. However, since Covid-19, I’ve noticed that my body acclimated to a slower, more idle schedule. After a five-day retreat, moving, processing a new world, then being introduced to the “adult world” and the eight-hour work day, my body was tired. Even though I may be exhausted, I am thankful for the business. Quarantine was a wonderful time for me to recenter my life and my priorities, but with all my free time, quiet times occurred naturally. I take joy in rest and the Sabbath, but I feel challenged in my relationship with God. Even though I am busy, am I taking time to be with Him? Am I inviting Him into every part of my day? This is something I have always struggled with, but also have always been able to grow in each season. I am eager to see how God works within me these next nine months and the ways He shows how to rest, despite a busy schedule. 

Generosity

Lastly, probably the biggest thing I have learned so far, is that God has moved me into a community of overwhelming generosity, kindness, and hospitality. Not only within our group of eleven Fellows, but the Nashville Fellows community, the St. George’s community, and the Nashville community as a whole. A transition to a new city is intimidating: Will I be accepted into this new community? Where will I fit into this community? Before this community even knew me, they were already providing for me in ways I could never imagine asking for. I would not even be here right now, if it wasn’t for the generosity of donors who made it possible for all the Fellows to live together in community. Whenever I meet someone new at church, through work, a speaker...really anyone, they immediately ask how I am doing and if I need anything. I am constantly feeling God’s abundant love in every individual I cross paths with. This transition has been a lot less terrifying and much more comfortable because of those who are caring for me and the Fellows community. So far, my experience has provided a glimpse of entering into God’s Kingdom: an outsider being welcomed with open arms, overwhelming love, and amazing grace, saying, “Welcome! We are so excited to have you here.” I am overjoyed to be in Nashville: to continue to meet all the wonderful people here, to learn more about my peers and to learn more about life from them. 

Within three weeks, I have already caught myself planning the rest of the year and figuring out what I am going to do after fellows. Yet, God is encouraging me to be present and to trust in His plan. I am ready to be challenged, to grow, and to learn more about God, His Power, His Goodness, and His Grace and to see all He is doing in me.

A Liturgy for Moving Into a New Home:

“We thank you for this new home, O Lord, for the shelter it will provide, for the moments of life that will be shared within it. We thank you for this our new home and we welcome you here. 

Dwell with us in this place, O Lord. Dwell among us in these spaces, in these rooms. Be present at this table as we eat together. Be present as we rise in the morning and lie down at night. Be present in our work here. Be present in our play.

May your spirit inhabit this home, making of it a sanctuary where hearts and lives are knit together, where bonds of love are strengthened, where mercy is learned and practiced. 

May this our home be a harbor of anchorage and refuge, and a haven from which we journey forth to do your work in your world. May it be a garden of nourishment in which our roots go deep that we might bear fruit for the nourishing of others. 

May this our new home be a place of knowing and being known, a place of shared tears and laughter; a place where forgiveness is easily asked and granted, and wounds are quickly healed; a place of meaningful conversation, of words not left unsaid; a place of joining, of becoming, of creating, and reflecting; a place where our diverse gifts are named and appreciated; where we learn to serve one another and to serve our neighbors well; a place where are stories are forever twined by true affections.

Grant also, O Lord, that our days lived gratefully within these temporary walls, enjoying these momentary fellowships, would serve to awaken within us a restless longing for our truer home. Incline our hearts ever toward the glories of that better city, built by you, O God- a city whose blessings are neverending, and whose fellowships are eternally unbroken. Amen.”