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Endings and New
Beginnings

I have been talking a lot about spirals this week. We have come to the end of another liturgical year, and so we have been looking ahead to a new season and a new year. That begins with Advent which starts on November 30. Yikes!
The run toward Christmas has begun.

So, what does that have to do with spirals? The church seasons give us a structure for our reflections that remain a constant for us from year to year. Within that framework, our scriptures connect us in a spiritual way, to our everyday experiences. It is a journey of creating space, birthing, broadening awareness, questioning, letting go, transformation, and participation in
diverse communities. While we come around to the same seasons in the same order each year, we are different. Each journey around the sun brings us new experiences that challenge us, teach us, and help us to grow in a variety of ways. Just like a spiral, we circle back around but find ourselves in a different place.

Perhaps this is a good week for us to reflect on this past year. What has transpired? What has changed? What has challenged us? What has brought us joy? My hope is that as we ground ourselves in the teachings of our ancient stories, the structure of our church year will help to nurture and support us along the way. Each ending creates the possibilities for new beginnings. The world is in a different place. We are in a different place. Our current reality uncovers and perpetuates many injustices that challenge and disturb us. Just when we think it is all spiralling out of control, it is time for us to circle back around and remember that we are part of a bigger story that is all about hope, peace, joy, and love. Let us make room for that once again.

Peace and joy
Nancy