At St. Deiniol’s Library in Wales, there was a determined pattern to life there. We were in-residence with 14 other people taking a course in Celtic Spirituality. Additionally, there were others there who came for the weekend, a day or two. Some had been there most of the summer! The patterns and rhythms were expressed in this way. There was daily Eucharist, a short service following the order of the Church of Wales (Episcopalian) that lasted about one half hour. Then Breakfast was served from 8-9 am followed by class lecture, which broke promptly at 10:45 for tea. After tea we returned for the second morning lecture and then dismissed for lunch at noon. At 1:30 pm we returned for the afternoon lecture which continued until tea time. Tea time was at 2:45 pm. Biscuits, cookies, scones and tea were served in the dining room. On several days, the lecturer would abruptly stop the lecture and say, “Oh, my, it is time for tea, that is all for now.” And we would be dismissed for tea. The afternoon may contain another lecture or would be free. At 6 pm, guests and residents were invited to gather in the Common Room for drinks, conversation, and newspaper reading. Dinner was served promptly at 7:00 pm. All would stand at the table until everyone arrived and one of the staff would say grace. Dinner was to be eaten with little conversation and comment, because our plates were removed as soon as it appeared we were done. On several occasions, we had to hold on to them until we were finished. After dessert, we were asked to retire to the Common Room for coffee and further conversation. Some evenings we had classes and other evenings we would sit and talk. One night we had a delightful harp concert for an hour and a half. Normally, each night at about 9 pm., one of the staff would come to the Common Room and turn down the lights, draw the curtains and drapes and without saying a word, imply that it was time to retire. Some nights we did, but most often we sat and talked with others about ministry, children, family, the course we were taking and on several nights, because we were to be so quiet made a trip to the local pub to sit and talk some more. In the midst of expected schedules and patterns we made our own so that we could get to know others around us. Several days our schedule was altered since we went on bus trips traveling to some of the pilgrimage sites and historically religious sites in Wales.

It was subtly expressed that the schedule would not be altered and that we were expected to comply. At the end of the course, Debbie and I were talking with the administrator as we waited for our cab to take us to the airport. Debbie asked Gregory if our group was livelier than most. He chuckled and said that we were about the most lively group that had been there in quite some time and that we were very noisy! He said that for not knowing one another when we first gathered a week previously, we sure got along well together and had great fun. Our feeling was that things were pretty sedate! We followed the schedule and still had fun! I think the administrator's comment rang true for us, “We were a lively bunch and it appeared we had fun.” We did.

I was home for five days, getting ready for our Alaska journey, and there was no pattern for that period, just attend to the details and be ready to catch the plane to Anchorage.

Our pattern and schedule while in the motorhome traveling through Alaska had its particular responsibilities…mainly, to get ready to go each morning, put the sofa bed back, raise the dining room table (which made a bed) and replace the cushions, and fold sheets and blankets and stack them on the bed in the back of the motorhome. Then close and lock all the hatches, bring in the slider units (The 30 foot motor home had two units which would slide out about 3 feet giving us expanded room inside. With six of us trying to move about we sure needed it.) We shared cooking meals and other chores.

Our trek of over 1,800 miles meant we had to cooperate in a small space to accomplish what needed to be done. Each evening we would look for a campsite and set up the motorhome for each night.  In the morning when it was time to depart, we developed a mantra of "Is the step up, water pump off, and door locked?"

Upon our return home from Alaska, the new pattern was to get ready for school. Joe began seventh grade today. Heidi and Jeremy started classes at CCAC on Monday. Debbie returned to work in Pittsburgh.

Truly, in each aspect of our lives and in the various contexts there are patterns and schedules we follow. This sabbatical has included a variety of schedules and patterns, all contributing to our enjoyment and pleasure. I am sure that you can identify particular patterns and rhythms in your life too.

God promises to be with us in our patterns, schedules, rhythms, and appointments, but we are to keep him central in it all. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11