Why do we continue to make resolutions every year when so few of us follow through?
   Often, when things don't go as we intend, we may applaud an opportunity to start over. Being able to begin the New Year with a clean slate is akin to receiving pardon for past failures: magically, as the clock strikes midnight, December 31st, we are presented with a fresh opportunity to set new and realistic goals. Another motivator for making resolutions may be the Christian upbringing that inclines us to work toward self-improvement but many of us are simply driven by tradition, one believed to have begun in ancient Babylonian times. The fact we continue to make those resolutions, even when we're unlikely to follow through, indicates we possess (at least momentarily) some confidence in our ability to be the person we wish to be.
   The setting of resolutions may help some to arrive closer to their goals but having good intentions is simply not enough: good intentions rarely overcome lifelong habits of thought and behavior. In his book, The Power of Intention, the late Wayne Dyer suggested, "positive change comes not from pushing through with determination and perseverance but rather through getting out of your own way." By that, he meant "clearing up any negative thought patterns we carry about ourselves, or our capacity for change." (An excellent focus for prayer...)      - Chief Runamuck.

CONEY BOYS going strong!
Join other GIPC men and friends for lunch on Tuesdays at 1 pm. at Lloyds. No dues, no agenda, just fellowship.

                                             

In Case of Emergency (ICE)
The York Connection encourages you to provide GIPC with

ICE contacts for use only by our pastoral staff if need arises. Your privacy will be respected. You may contact the church office with your name, addess, phone number and the names, phone numbers, and relationship to you of those you wish to be contacted In Case of Emergency. 

HOPE Dementia Ministry
Program #5
Making Sense of Dementia
Our brain controls all our senses; dementia changes our 5 senses; these changes diminish communication; learn how to stimulate those resilient senses.
Saturday January 9, 2016 
9:00-11:30 am
 Hosted by: St. Timothy Parish, 2901 Manning, Trenton 48183  Contact: Theresa Kramer at 734-676-5115 or theresa.st.timothy@att.net

"Connecting With Our World As Christians". Beginning on January 3rd and running for 6 weeks, we're going to take a good look at racism under the direction of Steve Benton. We'll talk about racism and the Bible, whether segregated churches imply racism, even why it's so difficult to discuss racism.
    The goal is to better understand our individual identities,

to see how those are intertwined with our greater identities

and to learn more about a world not usually part of our daily experience.  We can only improve what we first understand.
    There will be a break in the Racism study on Sunday,

January  31st, when we're pleased to welcome Dr. Stephen B. Murray, President of Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Dr. Murray will preach at both services, talking about the role of the church in race relations, and he will be available for Q&A at Ed Hour that day.
    Know that we are making certain your Sunday morning Ed Hours will be a time of challenging, broadening dialogue.

HOW TO BE AN OPEN-MINDED CHRISTIAN WITHOUT LOSING YOUR FAITH:
   Wednesday night classes kick off on January 6th with a 3-

week discussion of "How To Be An Open-Minded Christian Without Losing Your Faith."  Led by Bill Rito and based on a Jan Linn book of the same title, this class will look at securing our own beliefs, yet at the same time avoiding condemnation of those who don't share Christian belief and those who are not firm in their own faith. Linn raises the questions but seldom offers the answers; that is left to us, and we are challenged to reach for a more mature faith, one that is flexible yet strong.
   Join us for conversations that will definitely offer food

for thought beyond Wednesday evenings.

WOMEN'S AND MEN'S RETREATS:
  There's still time to sign up for these much-anticipated and

much-enjoyed GIPC winter events:

*The Women's Retreat, January 22-23, 2016, at Weber's Inn in Ann Arbor. The Rev. Fran Hayes of Littlefield Presbyterian is this year's speaker and her subject will be "What Is the World Like When God's Will Is Done?"  That question is sufficiently enticing; couple it with the good food and friendly conversation that are always part of our retreats and it's an occasion you can't miss. Sign-ups, details and AN committee people to answer questions are at the Crossroads.
   Prayer Partners: It's time to identify yourself to the woman who's name you picked at last year's retreat and who you've been praying for this year. She'll be very appreciative to learn she's had extra caring.

*The Men's Retreat, February 5-6, also at Weber's Inn.  The Rev. Sean Ewbank, pastor of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, will be the speaker. He will talk about our connection with God and the way in which we can use this connection to create stronger ties with our family, our friends and the greater world.