Like you, I look around and see signs of this season of anticipation - lights twinkling in the night, theme music playing on iPods and radios and calendar dates filling up with times for meals and camaraderie with friends, colleagues and family.

As you and I enjoy this season of Advent, it is my prayer that we also look with anticipation toward the New Year.  May we anticipate new opportunities to authentically build relationships with those who do not share the same ethnic background, language or culture. May we anticipate responding to those who are part of the family of God,  and yet are marginalized by our lack of humanity. And may we give each other the gift of caring conversation, knowing that it is in the caring, the listening and heeding, that we take steps closer to moving from racism to relationships.

Blessings to you all, from all of us at GCORR.