From Our Pastors - United Church of Christ in New Brighton, Minnesota (UCC NB)

by Rev. Dr. Beth Donaldson

January 2008 Direction

January is a good month. Although it is not very noticeable, the days are already getting longer in January. The winter is deep, but often there is broad sunshine even when it is bitterly cold. There is hope for the transformation of earth under the layers of snow, and there is quietly a newness in the air, especially once the holiday busy-ness has slowed down.

January is a good month because it marks a new beginning. We begin a new year in this month, and although it may feel artificial, we are invited to take advantage of the year’s newness to make our lives somewhat new as well. Some of us make resolutions. I now set “intentions” instead. I make a list of things I intend to change or address in the year to come, and hope to be able to keep these intentions strong and clear enough to make a difference in the quality of my life or the life of others. Later in the year, I look at my list and check on how I’m doing. Last year I made a list of about 25 things. When I looked it over a few days ago, I had met only three. Alas!

Lucky me, though, because it’s January, and I get to start again!

January is also a good month because it is the month in which we remember the work, life, and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a month in which we honor and remember the dream and vision he set forth, inspired in no small way by his Christian faith, and articulated so brilliantly in his many speeches during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. It is a good month in which to look at our world – our day-to-day lives, our church community, our friendships and affiliation – and ask ourselves how well we are doing with the intentions and visions Dr. King put forth more than forty years ago.

Recent events in the news would indicate that we haven’t gotten very far in terms of race relations in this country. A rash of hate crimes have been reported in nearby cities and around the country. Even within our Twin Cities area there are issues being raised.

Some might think this is bad news. And certainly the hate and close-mindedness reflected in the incidents and problems are very bad news. But there is good news here, too. There is good news in the fact that people are upset and vocal about these things. There is good news in the fact that racism is not taken for granted as a norm today. There is good news in the willingness (where there is indeed willingness) to look at ourselves and ask ourselves, “How are we doing with this?”

I know we aren’t all willing to ask that question. Some of us may feel we are doing just fine – we’ve addressed that issue and don’t need to revisit it any more – our work is done. But, as is true for me year after year, there are MANY aspects of my life around which I need to set new intentions all the time, and some of them carry over from year to year. There are also some that even when addressed and seemingly complete, need to be addressed in new and different ways – perhaps deeper ways.

As we move through our new month, in this new year, perhaps there are new ways we can reinvest ourselves in the struggles for equity and justice for all people in our communities. As the days grow brighter and longer, perhaps there are ways we can bring new light and more energy to our efforts to be more compassionate for one another. As the earth is nurtured by the restfulness of the winter season, perhaps we are being asked to nurture new energy for the important work of helping to bring about a world where all children are safe and free, where there is access to all kinds of work for all kinds of people, and where the earth itself thanks us for being among her species.

January is a good month, and I look forward to the many ways we will enjoy that goodness together as a congregation. I see such passion, good intentions, and actions here and am regularly inspired by you all. I thank you for that, and look forward to the journey ahead that is January, 2008. Let’s set our intentions for a good year, with the help of our loving God.