It’s time to turn the page on another year—remembering the good things of the year just past—letting go the hurts and disappointments—leaning into the future with new hope and new possibilities.

I love the notion of a “new year.” It’s not “the next year.” It’s not even “just another year.” It’s a New Year and, because it is, we can approach it as a time when we can start anew—a time when we can shift directions—a time when we can reflect upon all that has gone before us and decide how we want to move into the future. I find that with each New Year, I am more mindful of taking time to reflect upon these things and being more intentional about making those changes that I hope will bring me deeper inner peace and a stronger sense of connection to the Divine Presence in my life. With that in mind, I share with you some of my reflections on our common life together this past year and lift up some of the hopes I have for this coming year.

This past year brings to mind so many good memories. I can see the look of seriousness and awe when the confirmands knelt down to receive their stoles of ministry so lovingly prepared for them by the Sewing Group that also created the Baptism Banner we use whenever we welcome a new child into our church family. I remember celebrating the lives of our graduating high school seniors—youth that were part of the first class I confirmed as your pastor and who were part of the mission trip to San Antonio as sophomores. I can hear the sounds of our choir as they tried out new styles of music and I can most especially hear the sounds of our first ever Homecoming Service in Dutton Hall. As it is every year—I see the faces of our children as they gather in front of church each Sunday to create the children’s message—and they do create it--with or without my input!

Some of my memories are bittersweet. One of the holiest of moments for me, as a pastor, is to spend time in the presence of those who are nearing the end of their lives. It feels as if the distance between this world and what is to come is as small as it can be for those who will not cross it at this time and I know that I am in the presence of the Divine. The bittersweet side is saying goodbye to persons I have grown to love.

As I look forward to this New Year, I see more opportunities to live out our faith as the People of God. We will engage in missions that reach out into the world. We will engage in conversations that may be difficult. We will sing and laugh together. We will cry and pray together. We will be, as we are meant to be, a community gathered together in love.

The Light that Still Shines

In the quiet darkness of the sanctuary a candle is lit; it is the light of Jesus the Christ whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day. From this light, candles are lit and as their light spreads across the darkness, voices are lifted in singing the reverential hymn, Silent Night. It is one of the most profound and most moving moments in the Christian year. I daresay it might be one of the reasons why people choose to come to church late on Christmas Eve; I know it is one of the reasons why this service has always been so important to me.

The light we spread this night is the same light that we are called to spread each and every day in each and every place we find ourselves. Sometimes the candle will take the form of food brought to a food pantry or clothing and toys gathered to make Christmas Day a more joyful time for families who struggle to make ends meet much less provide their families with gifts under a tree. Sometimes that candle will take the shape of a conversation about the need for more justice-based actions in our communities and in our world. And sometimes that candle will take the form of a compassionate heart that allows for differences in opinions even as we continue to break bread together--either at the communion table or at a church potluck.

The light that still shines in our world and through Jesus the Christ is the same light that once prompted the prohpet Micah to proclaim "and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

May the light of the Christ shine in our hearts and through our lives--this day and every day.

A Reason to Believe

You can find a variety of opinions and theolgoical understandings here at Federated Church and that is something we value a great deal. We enjoy the conversations--we enjoy the dialogues--and at times we even enjoy the debates! What matters to us is not that we all believe the same thing but that we honor and respect each opinion that is offered--each life that is shared.

In the Season of Advent, when we are preparing to celebrate anew the birth of Jesus, I find the some of the conversations I'm having are once again dealing with the notion of the virgin birth--the historicty of the story itself--and why it matters anyway.

However you understand the birth of Jesus--however you understand the unfolding of his life--however you understand his death and resurrection--through his birth--through his life, death and resurrection, God has given us a reason to believe that where we are right now--in terms of our faith journey and our life's journey--is not where we have to stay. Hope abounds because through the birth of a child and the courage of the man he grew up to be--God has found a way to reach inside human history and bring forth life. That is plenty good reason to celebrate.

Comfort and Joy

Comfort and joy are two words that are brought together at this time of year to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. Even those of us who celebrate Christmas as a cultural holiday sing the songs of Jesus' birth and in doing so find meaning in them that goes beyond the scope of a particular religous tradition.

I've been encountering more and more folks whose celebration of Christmas has moved away from the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth and moved closer to celebrating this time as a season of good-will regardless of a religous connotation. As a Christian minister--I'm a bit uncomfortable with that--and somewhat tempted to display the sign that says "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." But as a person of faith who has always found more power in the reason for his birth over the circumstances of his birth--I find myself grateful and glad that the message and not the messenger has once again taken center stage. Regardless of the date of his birth--the circumstances of his birth including his gender--the message he brought to us--that love is stronger than hate--that compassion can overcome fear--that God loves each one of us as is there was only one of us--and loves everybody in this same way--can and should be celebrated in many different ways for the message he brought to us is not just reserved for a select few of God's children.