Happy New Year

Typically during this time of year we become very pensive, and reflect on the past year and make goals for the next one. If you’re like me, you’ve got lots of New Year’s resolutions and projects you’d like to see done by 2010. (I know I’d like to use my gym pass more…)

With the coming of the New Year and our resolution list in hand, it is important to keep in mind that change is a necessary part of life. It is how we grow as a person and as a community of faith. For First Central, 2009 brings an opportunity for us to reflect on who we are as a congregation and develop some resolutions for our own community. 2009 also brings a change of leadership as we welcome our Interim Senior Minister, Reverend Donald Hammond, who will lead us through this time of change, as we search for our “settled” pastor. (Hooray and Welcome!)

So, as you are thinking about your personal, professional or spiritual aspirations for 2009, I hope you take the time to think about some resolutions and goals for First Central, and how you can help us strengthen our progressive work in the community and in our congregation.

Finally, I thought I’d post some quotes and poems to inspire your resolutions and to remind us all that change is a good thing. Happy New Year!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead

“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

"Culture does not change because we desire to change it. Culture changes when the organization is transformed; the culture reflects the realities of people working together every day." ~Frances Hesselbein, The Key to Cultural Transformation, Leader to Leader (Spring 1999)

"How carefully was that word chosen! The word that allows yes, the word that makes no possible. The word that puts the free in freedom and takes the obligation out of love. The word that throws a window open after the final door is closed. The word upon which all adventure, all exhilaration all meaning, all honor depends. The word that fires evolution's motor of mud. The word that the cocoon whispers to the caterpillar. The word that molecules recite before bonding. The word that separates that which is dead from that is living. The word no mirror can turn around. In the beginning was the word and the word was CHOICE." ~ Tom Robbins