Packing & Transition

I'm having the hardest time packing. I don't know what the problem is. Is it that I just hate packing and don't know where to start? I think that's part of it because I find myself wandering around my studio a bit aimlessly looking at all the empty boxes I've collected in the last week and don't quite seem to know what to do with them. Crazy. Not like I've never moved before. Even went and bought packing tape and new sharpies this evening thinking that'd help.

Is part of it that I don't want to leave? Supposed it's possible, get attached to seminary, to the city, to the people, things are familiar... but all my classmates are gone. Without them here there's not much holding me here.

I noticed that today. Ran into some rising seniors earlier as I collected boxes, they were having a meal tonight for the incoming class on campus. Told me what time, there should be extra food, think about coming, etc. I thought about it, but not very long. 1) Shouldn't be socializing when I need to be packing. But really it was the 2nd thing that got me. 2) I'm not a student.

Gotta move forward, not back. Life changes quickly around a seminary, you have one-third of the community leave every year and a whole new group of people to fill the gap and change the dynamics. People don't remember you for long. I realized that while I've met some of the incoming students and want to be supportive, I won't be in classes or chapel with them, it will not be the same as with my class or the class ahead and behind that we spent 2 years with. They need to get to know the current students at this point and faculty and staff and become part of the community that is here, not spend time with me.

And I need to spend time packing so that I can continue making the transition from student to full-time ministry. I need to get moved and settled into my new apartment, my new city, my new congregation, my new diocese.

Tomorrow should be helpful. There's an event where I'm likely to run into quite a few people and clergy from the diocese.

Things that bring home that you're moving:
1) changing your cell phone number
2) filling out medical and life insurance forms for your new position
3) having the deposit on your apartment cashed
4) receiving mail at your new parish addressed to "The Rev." so and so.