Happy New Year!
Welcome to a new year of possibilities and transformation. As I was pondering this new year, I found myself coming back time and again to the ideal of appreciation. Too often we make resolutions focused on what we want to have or be or do differently in the coming year. I think resolutions are fine as far as they go. Most leave us disappointed with ourselves after the first month when we realize that changing old habits is not easy.
This year I hope we will try a different approach. What if, instead of focusing on changing what is not right in our life, we focus instead on strengthening what is right in our life? This process, appreciative inquiry, is refreshing and liberating. It requires us to imagine how our life could be made even better with the gifts at our disposal. And all of us have gifts. Laughter, silence, visiting others, appreciating nature and music, reaching out in service, all gifts. How might your gifts be strengthened in the coming year?
And what applies to us individually is even more important collectively. We will soon embark on a congregational appreciative inquiry journey. I believe that by doing this work together we will grow in understanding one another and healing some of our wounds. To begin this year long process, I am inviting all who would like to come to a kickoff workshop “Centering Our Gifts” this coming Sunday in the library immediately after the worship service. The workshop will last until 12.30. There are two follow-up sessions on January 15 and January 22, 2023.
You need to RSVP to me by Friday to be in the workshop. We’d like to have an accurate headcount, and, more importantly, there are materials to review beforehand which I will send you. Click HERE to RSVP.
Happy New Year, friends!
Rev. John
As has been in SOUNDINGS:
NEW ADULT CLASS SUNDAYS JANUARY 8, 15 and 22 at 11:15 AM:
CENTERING OUR GIFTS
Please join Rev. John as he introduces Bobbi Pace from our sister congregation in Hamden who will be introducing us to the idea of Centering Our Gifts. This three part series January 8, 15, 22, 2023 from 11:15-12:30 will help us explore what we have to offer the world and how we can use those gifts for lasting change. Bobbi will be with us for the first session and we will go from there. Please email Rev. John if you would like to attend. There is some preliminary work to do before the class, involving short videos and an article.