The start of a new year is often a time when we reflect on the year that has past, perhaps reflect on our life, and make resolutions for the coming year. A new year promises a fresh start in many ways. The turning of a decade seems even more significant. It’s like we have an even cleaner slate to begin anew with. This can be both a good and bad thing, bring on both hopeful and fearful feelings. How do we make this next year, this next decade better, more meaningful than the one that has just passed? The answer to this begins with reflection. We take the time to sit back and look at what was good, what went well, and what gave us joy. We also look back and reflect on those things that didn’t quite work out like we had planned, we think about what and who we lost in the past year (and decade…) and we reflect on all of the times we felt we could have done/been better. Then, we make a plan and set goals (resolutions) for the new year (decade).  
 
This process of yearly self-reflecting and goal setting is a great description of the interim time in a church. On September 1, 2019 I became your interim pastor. As this new year begins, we will (slowly) begin the process and the work of interim time. As individuals, committees and as a church we will reflect on our history (the past), think about what worked and what didn’t and how that has shaped us now (the present) and we will develop goals, make resolutions, and find our vision for the future. Best of all, we will do this together, as a church community, and in doing so we will become stronger and more connected, more united in ministry and better able to live out Jesus’ vision of God’s kingdom here on this planet on 2020. 
 
Starting this month there will be an “Interim Process” column in the church newsletter. Please take a few minutes to read it. Also. Please feel free to talk with me about the process. Share with me your ideas and thoughts. The interim process works best when everyone participates! 
 
As I write this it is December 31, 2019 – New Years Eve. Tonight, as the year and the decade turns, I will say a special prayer for all of you at West Congregational, both individually and as a church community. I will pray for abundant grace to be poured out upon you. I will pray for clarity of vision, for health, for understanding, for the ability to forgive the little and not so little hurts that will inevitably happen over the course of the next year. I will hold us all in prayer and ask God to bless us and keep us and guide us. 
 
Blessings on the New Year to all 
 
Pastor Rhonda 
 
 

 
 
 
 

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