Reflection for New Year's 2012 by Linda Jo Peters, Pastor
As I was preparing for my sermon on New Year's Day, I was reading Sr. Joan Chittister, a
Benedictine Sister of Erie, Pennsylvania, "A Time to Heal: The Process of
Beginning Again." (see
http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/chittister_4210.htm)
I began to consider how just living risks being wounded. Our Lord Jesus is a prime example of how wounding life can be. But we are assured that there is a time to heal, to laugh, to dance, and to love (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13). Yet how many of us go around bemoaning what is wrong rather than celebrating what is right and good? "Inside ourselves we feel the pain; outside ourselves we wear a calloused look." So I created the following refection for the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. I adapted the idea from Anthony B. Robinson's Transforming Congregational Culture. Robinson writes that for the church to move from a board culture to a ministry culture we have to reflect on what we have learned at each step.
For many people 2011 was a year of loss and fear. Much of that based in our global financial crisis but also deep personal suffering. I pray you will use this reflection to to face your losses and fears so with confidence you can move into the future knowing that God is calling you to times of joy filled with hope. Blessings on you all, Linda
Reflection for 2011
How was I hurt?
Who helped me heal?
Where did I encounter God?
Reflection for 2012
Where is God calling me to
step out and take a risk?
