“When Jacob woke from his sleep, he thought to himself, The Lord is definitely in this place, but I didn’t know it.  He was terrified and thought, This sacred place is awesome.”
(Genesis 28:16-17, CEB)

On New Year’s Day Neill and I went on a road trip to Newton, Massachusetts.  I lived in Newton for three years while attending Andover Newton Theological School, and Neill had yet to see the campus of my alma mater.  Andover Newton formally affiliated with Yale Divinity School in 2017, selling the campus in Newton to an educational foundation.  The campus remains largely the same (for now at least).  So I had been wanting Neill to see the place where I spent some formative years. 

It was a rather dreary day, but we walked around campus as I pointed out where my classes took place, our beautiful chapel, and my dorm.  Because I lived on the first floor of Kendall Hall, we were able to peer inside (so that Neill could see that I did not exaggerate one bit in explaining just how small and cozy my room was).  All I’m saying is that we jokingly called them “monk’s cells” for a reason! 

It was surreal.  The campus almost feels frozen in time.  It was odd (and nice!) to think that here I was walking around the quad 15 years after I graduated with my husband.  I give my alma mater a lot of credit for selling the campus in Newton and becoming a school within a school at Yale Divinity School.  It was brave and the right thing to do in my opinion.  Still, it was sad when the campus sold and it was sad to see many of the buildings sitting vacant on our holy hill.  Both things can be true.

Our sojourn to Newton reminded me of the importance of sacred places.  I thought of Jacob experiencing the presence of God in a powerful dream.  Afterwards Jacob woke from his sleep and was amazed that God was definitely present in that particular place.  Jacob named that sacred place Bethel.  Bethel was special to him just like Newton, Massachusetts remains special to me. 

When you think of a sacred place in your life, what comes to mind? 
Praise God for those places that help us feel God’s presence.

Love,
Pastor Lauren

Photo by Rev. Lauren Ostrout. 

Thursday Thoughts 1/9/25