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Looking Back and Looking Forward

 At the change of the year, I find myself inclined to take stock of the year that has passed, and to consider what I see on the horizon of the year ahead. With the strategic planning process that we began on Sunday, December 4^th, our Fellowship began a community process similar to my personal one at the change of the year.

 If you were here five years ago, you may recall that the Fellowship was in the early stages of a strategic planning process. Many of us were part of that process, and many of us have arrived after the formal plan was adopted, at a congregational meeting in May, 2001. That plan identified five goals that we sought to achieve: a larger and more diverse membership, an enhanced sense of community within the congregation, deeper opportunities for spiritual and personal growth, a stronger and larger religious education program for our children, and transforming social action.

 From my perspective today, I would claim that we, as a Fellowship, have succeeded in moving towards each of these goals. But I would also be willing to admit that we have failed to achieve any one of them. By that, I mean that there is clearly more that we can do in each of these directions. 

 Whether you were here five years ago or not, I hope that each one of us will commit himself or herself to participate in the strategic planning process that we are now beginning. Our congregation’s leaders intend this to be a participatory, democratic process, but participation is an individual act. The goals that we will establish in this planning process will determine, to a very significant degree, where the energy and resources of the Fellowship are directed. Over the past five years,

 In January and February, the main activities of the planning process will be “cottage meetings” – small meetings of about ten members, facilitated by members of the Strategic Planning Committee -- and a series of interactions with the many committees of the Fellowship. The focus on the cottage meetings will be on your hopes and needs as individual members of the Fellowship. We can only plan for the hopes and needs that we hear expressed, so every voice is important, including yours! Whether you were part of the December 4^th meeting or not, whether you serve on a Fellowship committee or not, please participate in one of the upcoming cottage meetings! Thanks!

 With best wishes to you for 2006, (signed) Bill S.