It’s the new year! The time when we start diets after all our holiday eating; we sign up for gym memberships; we buy the perfect daily calendar and set of post-it notes, and we make promises to ourselves that we will struggle —or perhaps completely fail— to keep. It is the time for self-improvement.
Or is it?
In these first few weeks of January, there is an overwhelming pressure to be a better version of ourselves than we were the year before, followed by some sort of financial expenditure that will solve all our perceived problems. We will be influenced by the internal and external pressures that demand that we become our “best selves.” Oh, the false promises we make ourselves and the false promises our culture makes to us!
At the same time, it would be disingenuous of me to say that there isn’t a natural invitation to self-reflection at the start of the year. Or a fun and loose “goals” list. I love the idea of using the transition from one year to the next as a moment to pause and reflect: What did I learn from the previous year? What am I grateful for? What are my current hopes and longings? What is the invitation God is making? There is value in wondering, how would I like to begin this new year?
This is the open space I much prefer — no demands, no promises, simply reflection and invitation. Throw some essential prayer in there, too.
Last year, we heard from you that you hoped to continue having short small group series throughout the year. So, that is how we will start our new year! I invite you to join a 4-week small group starting the week of January 26th. The theme is “As I Am.” Just as we are, that is how we will all be showing up to each other and to God. No demand for resolutions. No improved selves. Simply an invitation to community, reflection, prayer, and hopefully some laughter mixed in.
Here’s how I am showing up as I write this — I am easing back after a whirlwind December, and the details for our new series are still being ironed out. So mark your calendar and stay tuned! Let’s enter the year in intentional community with God and with each other. As I am, as we are.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Liz
Or is it?
In these first few weeks of January, there is an overwhelming pressure to be a better version of ourselves than we were the year before, followed by some sort of financial expenditure that will solve all our perceived problems. We will be influenced by the internal and external pressures that demand that we become our “best selves.” Oh, the false promises we make ourselves and the false promises our culture makes to us!
At the same time, it would be disingenuous of me to say that there isn’t a natural invitation to self-reflection at the start of the year. Or a fun and loose “goals” list. I love the idea of using the transition from one year to the next as a moment to pause and reflect: What did I learn from the previous year? What am I grateful for? What are my current hopes and longings? What is the invitation God is making? There is value in wondering, how would I like to begin this new year?
This is the open space I much prefer — no demands, no promises, simply reflection and invitation. Throw some essential prayer in there, too.
Last year, we heard from you that you hoped to continue having short small group series throughout the year. So, that is how we will start our new year! I invite you to join a 4-week small group starting the week of January 26th. The theme is “As I Am.” Just as we are, that is how we will all be showing up to each other and to God. No demand for resolutions. No improved selves. Simply an invitation to community, reflection, prayer, and hopefully some laughter mixed in.
Here’s how I am showing up as I write this — I am easing back after a whirlwind December, and the details for our new series are still being ironed out. So mark your calendar and stay tuned! Let’s enter the year in intentional community with God and with each other. As I am, as we are.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Liz
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