Monday, December 29, 2008

Reflections on the Year

I can't believe that 2009 is only three days away. 2008 was my first full year of blogging; it was also the year I discovered facebook, something I am ambivalent about. The year held its share of ambivalent moments, as well as memorable times and disappointments. Here are a few:

Memorable:
1. We'll always have Paris. Even though we were there only three days, the trip was worth every moment, from the first-class seating on the trip over, to the little Parisian hotel 5 minutes from the Louvre, to Notre Dame Cathedral, sidewalk cafes and the Seine.
2. This year I embarked on a journey to organize people in my congregation around the issue of education. We organized a community forum in September; we're still working on our next steps. It's challenging, but I believe that we are on the threshold of some good possibilities for becoming a church that really lives the gospel.
3. The Festival of Homiletics in my town in May. I got to meet a lot of Revgals and hear a lot of good preaching. I don't think I can go next year, but I'm sure I'll put it on my regular agenda to go from now on.
4. I took some risks in posts about community organizing, immigration and racism.
5. I started therapy.

Disappointing:
1. I did not read as much as I would have liked to.
2. I haven't gotten anything published yet. Clearly, I need some sort of writing group, and to develop goals.
3. Scout "flunked" agility.
4. I didn't get and implement a creative and/or brilliant new ministry idea this year. I still think I need to take more risks.
5. Two dog-friends died this year. I was very attached to them.
6. I have been having trouble keeping up with the blogs lately.

Ambivalent:
1. facebook. On the one hand, I have gotten in touch with people I haven't seen in years. On the other hand, it is a huge black hole and waste of time sometimes.
2. The financial situation at the church. On the one hand, it's a scary budget deficit. On the other hand, the situation contains possibilities for our congregation to begin to be honest about what it means to be a faithful community of disciples of Jesus at this time and in this place.
3. Though I took risks in my writing, I still think I need to be bolder in what I write -- without compromising others' privacy or anonymity, of course.
4. I have not posted so much about the "big events", whether tragedy or success: Mumbai, flooding in Iowa, the election, housing and economic crisis. I'm not sure what I think about that.

So: what are your high and low points of the year? What are you ambivalent about?

I'm considering linking to what I consider to me my top ten posts of the year....

9 comments:

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Diane,

What a great idea...I will be pondering if I can be as succinct/articulate as you have been.

When I was reading I was reminded of the ebb and flow image in the Celtic tradition.

Blessings to you in 2009.

p.s. and family, Scout, and church too.

LoieJ said...

Well, no matter what you write about, you are above average in thoughtfulness and articulate-ness.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

i too like the way you reflected on the year... may have to do that myself after some thought.

you're far too hard on yourself diane... but i think a writer's group for some support/accountability sounds wise indeed!

Terri said...

Diane, I am always grateful for what you have to say and write. I pray for a year of inspiration for you, in what ever way the Holy Spirit calls that forth in you, and in what ever ways you choose to follow...

DogBlogger said...

You've inspired me to carve out some time for blogging such reflection. Maybe tonight, maybe later in the week.

Thank you for including Cub.

Diane Vogel Ferri said...

I like the way you've organized your year. I'm glad you mentioned facebook - I almost started it and then I think the BLOG is all I can handle!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

This is a good idea for a post. I think I might do something similar in a day or two.

Rev SS said...

I am in complete agreement with PS and Mompriest, and I hope to ponder, like Purple ... maybe on the 1st.

Best wishes for the new year to you and yours!

Lindy said...

Well, I'm with you on a couple of things: Ambivalence on FaceBook. I mean, who cares what I am doing right now? I hate that. And, I too took the dog losses very hard. If you are thinking about the two I think you are. I was shocked at how much I loved dogs I'd never met.

This is really a nice overview of the year. I may copy you.