Hey folks – Merry Christmas! Or Happy Holidays, or Happy Hanukkah, or Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad, Seasons Greetings, Yuletide Greetings…or just, “How are you doing these days?”  This is a time of year that can mean a lot of different things to different people. For many, it’s not a good match for most common greetings; not a break, not a season of joy or celebration. Perhaps this year that is uniquely true. The A of expectations and circumstances can generate a lot of forces, many of them hard to handle.

And, of course, December 25th is followed closely by the end of the calendar year, and a different collection of somewhat common practices, including things like reflecting on the past year (no shortage of events to contemplate, if we’re willing to go there!), and considering the year to come.

I feel like it’s safe to say that it’s been the kind of year that could make you change the way you see the world. Is “life altering” too strong? I expect that depends on many things; some of us have been much more sheltered from the impacts of this year than others. That said, the year ahead isn’t starting on notes of familiarity and comfort. If life is a journey, the path we’re walking is still going pretty steeply uphill these days.

So…back to that “How are you doing these days?’ question. More particularly, how is your hope holding up? Does it feel like there is still a bit left in the tank, or are you running on fumes? Up for the challenges that are still ahead, or about ready to call it quits, or slippy-sliding around between the two? This Sunday in the Talky Bit, I’m going to outline some simple questions that can help us to take stock of our hope, and to consider what kind of hope might be robust enough to keep us moving forward in both the days we’re in and the days to come.

We’ll gather online here  at 10:45 a.m.; some music to reach into our hearts, some Community Time to remind us we’re not alone, and some Talky Bit exploring to stir our minds and lives. Afterward, all are welcome to the regular Zoom Hangout (link below).

Just a quick detail about “And Lunch After” – this week, we’re going to start that event at 12:00 noon instead of 12:30. As always, feel free to drop by and leave as you are able, or as it works for your schedule during these “not quite typical” days.

Here’s where you can find “And Lunch After”, the Sunday Hangout online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81978070666?pwd=aWc2SjFWWE1sZUVMNG5IUi9VQ0duZz09

Our Wednesday Evening Zoom Hangout will take place at the usual  time – 7:30 Wednesday evening: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85777988652?pwd=UGR2ZkxtWklEaFZ5bXE1b3RkdUJXdz09

IR