New Year Traditions
The new year is a time when many of us choose to reflect on what is behind us and what is ahead. I have a few traditions at the new year: a recurring resolution to finish more craft projects than I start (successful 2019-2023, but alas not in 2024); and an evening spent making new year bingo boards with my family (mine this year includes reading a whole book in Spanish and cooking a new recipe).
My favorite tradition at this time of year, though, is to reflect on the last year, to decide what I am carrying with me to the year ahead, and what I will leave behind or pick up anew. These are more spiritual reflections than my fun traditions of crafts and bingo, with a focus on gratitude – even gratitude for what is now ready to be released – rather than self-improvement.
Sometimes I journal, sometimes I just think about it, and sometimes I share with Leila. Always, though, I try to use it as an opportunity to pay attention to how I have been moving through the world and what I am being called to do that is new. The Epiphany tradition of Star Words that has taken shape in recent years invites a similar kind of reflection and intention for the year ahead. Whether you are thinking, journaling, bingo-boarding, or star wording, how might you enter into this new year with intention and attention?
Peace,
Pastor Megan
Past Posts
- From Your Stewardship ChairTools for Audacious Living: Church Service The UCW Nominating team asks everyone in our church Learn More
- From Pastor MeganRev. Megan Berkowitz
April 24, 2026 I hope you’ve had a chance to read the results of the first phase of our vision process, which were sent out just before and after Easter. If you haven’t, please do; there are links to all four documents below. After worship this Sunday, 4/26, the Vision Team will lead a conversation about your responses to the vision process and we will begin to form a sense of our strategic priorities moving forward. Learn More - From Pastor MeganRev. Megan Berkowitz
April 10, 2026 I hope you’ve had a chance to read the results of the first phase of our vision process, which have been sent out over the last week and a half or so. If you haven’t, please do; there are links to all four documents below. After worship this Sunday, 4/12, and Sunday 4/26, the Vision Team will lead a conversation about your responses to the vision process and we will begin to form a sense of our strategic priorities moving forward. Please join us at 11:30 a.m. in Littlehale! Learn More - From Pastor Megan: April 3, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
April 3, 2026 Holy Week blessings to you all! We have a very special service planned for Sunday morning, with guest musicians, an abundance communion table, and, of course, Easter Egg Hunt to follow (including rain plans!). It is such a joy to gather together for Easter each year: to remember the gifts of our faith, the triumph of new life in God over violence and death, the accompaniment of Christ through our greatest sorrows and greatest joys. I hope you will join us, and bring family or friends who could use a little Good News this week. Learn More - From Pastor Megan: Marce 27. 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
March 27, 2026 It’s fitting that the next round of No Kings protests is happening tomorrow, with Palm Sunday following just after; Palm Sunday, after all, was a protest against the ways of Roman kings and a triumphal presentation of another way of leading the community, in the path of God’s promise. Learn More - From Pastor Megan: March 6, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
March 6, 2026 Alongside its themes of wilderness journeys, Lent is traditionally a season of repentance – of turning from harms and returning to God and to God’s call on our lives. As winter (finally, hopefully) turns into spring, so too are we given a chance for renewal, for new growth, for new life. Learn More - Living with LossNew Supportive Group for Adults beginning at UCW this Spring All of us live with loss in our lives in so many ways: the death of spouses, children, parents, and other loved ones; the loss of our own or loved ones’ capacity due to illness and aging; the loss of work or other roles that give us a sense of meaning and purpose; and so many more losses. If you are in a season of living with loss and would like to be in supportive spiritual community with others, please join us. Learn More
- From Pastor Megan: February 13, 2026Rev. Megan Berkowitz
February 13, 2025 Have you been following the Olympics? This year, a dear friend of mine is in Milan covering the Games as a journalist for the Associated Press, so I’ve been following the news and also her reports from being present there. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to go see the Olympics in person and having a close friend there is almost (almost…) as good. Learn More




