A Day at Starcross

It is said that if you wish to know a monastic community you must first look at its daily schedule. It is "the life" itself which is the chief defining influence on a community and, at the same time, the fruit of the spirituality of that community.

When it comes to Starcross it is hard to decide what is a "typical" day. We have an obligation to respond to many needs which cause modifications in our schedule. What follows is the schedule for an ordinary weekday in the summer.

6:30 AM - The New Day

This is a quiet time which is used for meditation, walking, exercise, reflection, haiku, drawing and the like.

7:30 - Lauds

At 7:30 we meet in the chapel to sing psalms (lauds), listen to readings and the sound of creation.

8:00 - Breakfast

With the children, we prepare and eat breakfast and talk of the activities of the day.

9:00 - Morning Work Period

It could be anything and everything: office work, picking apples and canning, mowing the fields, pruning several thousand olive trees, gathering wood for winter, writing, meetings on African AIDS orphans, being available for someone in spiritual need who has contacted us, answering mail or e-mail, preparing a newsletter, tutoring children (this is a routine daily matter as is music practice), work on self-support projects such as making bows for the wreaths we sell at Christmas, taking a child to the doctor. Etc., etc., etc.

12:30 PM - Lunch

1:15 - A Rest Time

This is usually a time for a nap but it can also be time with a child, or an opportunity for music, or reflection, or reading the paper.

2:00 - Afternoon Work Period

4:00 - Time Before Vespers

On many days this can be an extension of the afternoon work period. In the summer the pool is always open at this time. We prepare supper.

5:30 - Vespers

Most of us take a short walk before Vespers and often stroll through an olive grove with a glass of wine. For the children, with us out of this house, this is often a time for making or listening to pretty exuberant music. Then we gather in the chapel to end the active part of the day. We sing, read, and are quiet. This is the time we read aloud from our memorial books the names and a short reflection on the lives of those loved ones our friends have asked us to remember. We often end with a simple communion service.

6:00 - Supper

This is the main meal of the day and the beginning of our exclusively family time with the children.

7:00 - Family Time

We usually do things together. Reading books aloud is one of the favorite activities. At times we watch television. There is also private time with each younger child, especially as they go to bed. The last half hour is frequently a time for the parents to share a cup of tea together.

10:00 - The Time of Quiet

There is a "Great Silence" at night. Without being rigid we manage to maintain this spirit of stillness through the night, unless there is sickness or some unusual situation. We bid each other goodnight and go to our rooms. Most of us read for a while or listen to music.

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