NEW YEAR'S MEDITATION
Ronald J. Glossop

I. Introduction
A. The beginning of a new year can prompt all kinds of questions about the nature of time and about what constitutes the passage of time. In the Confessions, 4th century Christian philosopher and theologian Saint Augustine comments (in Chapter XIV), "What, then, is time? If no one asks me, I know; but if I wish to explain to him who asks, I know not."
B. He goes on to note how puzzling it is that while it is self-evident that only the present really exists, yet our personal awareness seems to be only of the past which no longer exists or of an imagined future that does not yet exist.
C. He also notes that we measure time by the motion of heavenly bodies such as the sun and stars; yet time is not the same as the motion of any particular bodies.
D. Augustine seems to have been led to consider such issues by the need to deal with the question of what God was doing before He created the universe, a question comparable to one might ask these days about what was happening before the Big Bang. Augustine also had to deal with the issue of why God didn't create the universe sooner. His answer to these questions is that time did not exist, even for God, before the universe was created, an answer similar to what might be given today with regard to the Big Bang theory. But even if it is agreed that time does not exist before there is a universe, it is still difficult to say what time is once there is a universe.
E. From a contemporary non-theistic view of the situation, it does not seem right to equate time with a conscious being's awareness of the passage of time since it seems evident that time passed before there were conscious beings to be aware of its passage. Time seems to be related to the occurrence of events, to some kind of bodies moving in space, but yet it seems not to be equivalent to the motion of the bodies. Furthermore, at least in relation to living things, it seems that time flows in one direction and can't flow in the opposite direction. Living things can get older but they can't get younger.
F. Well, we could spend a lot of time just speculating about the mysteries of time and measuring the passage of time. It is obvious that our measurement of days and years are related to the movements of the Earth relative to the sun. At the same time, to say that the day begins at any particular time is quite arbitrary. As is generally known, the ancient Jews regarded the day as ending at sunset and the next day beginning immediately after that. This way of measuring the day is still used by contemporary Jews with regard to the observance of particular holy days.
G. Similarly, to say that the year begins at any particular point in the orbit of the Earth around the sun is somewhat arbitrary. Why say that the year begins shortly after the winter solstice rather than right at the winter solstice or at the spring equinox or some other time?
H. And the number given to any particular year is equally arbitrary. We are now at the start of the year 2005 according to the Gregorian Christian calendar, which has now become the world's calendar. That calendar was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a revision of the Julian calendar of Julius Caesar, which had slightly too many leap years and was thus digressing more and more from the actual solar year. The number given to the year was supposed to be based on when Jesus was born, but it is now generally agreed that a mistake was made and that Jesus's birth really took place about 4-6 BCE. It is easier, however, to stay with the current numbering system than to try to change it.

I. Even though the adoption of one calendar rather than another is arbitrary, the notion of beginning a new year provides us a good opportunity to review what has happened during the past year (remembering of course that what has happened has happened and cannot be changed) and to look forward to what may happen in the coming year (where we can at least try to make a difference).
J. We can conduct this discussion of the past year (2004) and the year to come (2005) from various standpoints. I will first consider the situation in our global community and then from our individual personal viewpoints.

II. So what worth noting has happened in the world during the past year?
A. In beginning this review of the year 2004, one cannot help but mention the catastrophic natural disaster which has just taken place in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and other countries around the Indian Ocean as the result of the largest earthquake in 40 years and the consequent tsunamis. As Daniel Schorr noted on NPR news, this is one of those disasters where no one can be blamed, no finger-pointing can be done. Even a better communication system would have provided most people only a few minutes of warning. Our present state of knowledge just does not permit the prediction of such earthquakes. If there is any blame, it must be cast on the whole global system, a system which produces a situation where masses of people live in such poverty that their homes are unbelievably fragile. The gap between the rich and the poor in our world continues to widen, and the proportion of people living in these poor countries continues to grow, being expected to reach 90 percent of humanity by the middle of this century. But in this great natural disaster in Asia even the wealthy visitors vacationing in resorts did not escape. As horrible as the catastrophe is, it has produced an outpouring of sympathetic concern from the whole world and a powerful reminder that we humans are now living in a truly global community.
B. Even if this particular natural disaster cannot be blamed on anyone, the fact remains that humans have a great proclivity to react to disasters rather than taking needed preventive action to avoid them in the first place. We close the barn door after the horse has escaped. We put up a stop sign or traffic signal after many people have been killed at the intersection. We get concerned about global warming only after the oceans begin to rise and coastal areas become submerged. We get concerned about the availability of nuclear weapons only after they get used on several occasions.
D. Another noteworthy development during the past year has been the spreading of real democracy to countries not accustomed to it such as Georgia, Ukraine, and Romania as well as South Africa, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. Little by little the idea is spreading that national leaders should be elected by the people rather than being determined by military battles between those who would like to gain leadership positions by force.
E. Of course a very significant event, not only in this country but for the world, was the re-election of George Bush as President and continuing control of both houses of Congress by the Republican Party. The proportion of the population voting went up to 60%, and the margin of victory for the winners was often small (except for most races in the House of Representatives where the present system of determining the borders of Congressional Districts has produced a lot of "safe" districts for members of both parties). A great deal of uncertainty remains about how to interpret the Bush victory and what, if anything, it tells us about the American public's views concerning particular policy issues, both domestic and foreign. The President himself thinks that he has received a great vote of confidence for his proposals to maintain tax cuts for the very rich and to partly privatize the social security system. At the same time this term he seems ready to adopt a less unilateralist view on foreign policy, apparently influenced more by the failure to get much support from other countries in Iraq than by the views of voters in this country.

F. The death of Yassir Arafat means that there may be some headway in the Palestine-Israel dispute, and the Bush administration seems to be recognizing how important resolving this dispute is to succeeding in the war against terrorism.
G. The ongoing genocide and suffering in Darfur region in Sudan has again raised doubts about the ability of the U.N. to deal with national governments that brutalize their own citizenry.
H. Science and technology continue to move forward with regard to nanotechnology, cloning of ever more species and increasing knowledge about DNA, development of new genetically modified crops, new discoveries about the biological basis of mental phenomena, and new successes in space exploration.

III. Turning our attention to the coming year, what can we expect?
A. One continuing story about which the general public is likely to become even more aware in the coming year is the increasing economic growth of China and India, countries which together contain almost 40 percent of the world's population. The economic growth of these two countries is going to create an unprecedented demand for raw materials at the global level, most noticeably oil and metals. Their rapid growth will also mean increasing strain on the global environment in terms of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
B. Some rather fundamental changes may occur at the United Nations. Such changes cannot occur without U.S. support, but that may be coming. The U.S. administration now realizes (because of what has happened with in Iraq) that it cannot just continue to act unilaterally. It needs a more cooperative and effective United Nations. It also wants to reduce the influence of France and China at the U.N. Thus it is conceivable that the U.N. Security Council will be increased in size with permanent seats (but without a veto) going to Japan, India, and Brazil. A compromise will probably be required by other countries that would allow South Africa and Nigeria to occupy a permanent seat on an alternating basis.
C. I see substantial inflation coming in the U.S. economy because of the growing budget deficits in this country, made even worse by an unexpectedly long involvement in Iraq (though I think that in the long run--maybe ten years--the Bush administration will ultimately succeed in establishing a democratic government there). At the same time, the large commitment of so much money over a long period of time in Iraq will keep this country from taking unilateral military action against Iran, Syria, or North Korea.
D. I think the European Union will continue its process of integration, but only haltingly. The draft of the European Constitution presently being considered will be rejected, but that rejection will lead to formulation of a new constitution in which considerably more power will be given to the elected European Parliament. That more democratic constitution eventually should be adopted, but the process may take as long as ten years.

IV. When we look over the past year from our personal points of view, it obviously will vary from person to person.
A. For some there will be unbelievable tragedies. Here in our own congregation we have experienced the deaths of 3 long-time members--Margaret Joyce Tickner, Julia Thompson, and Mae Mugge. We have also seen the departure of our part-time minister Carol Wolff. We have suffered from two break-ins at the church, one of which resulted in the loss of all of our electronic equipment.
B. For some there will be some wonderful memories. Such moments need to be savored while they are still somewhat fresh in our minds.
C. Although we cannot change the past, we can learn from it. We can also critically examine what we have done during the past year. How did we spend our money? How did we spend our time? Are we satisfied that we spent our money and time in that general way, or do we want to do reorder our priorities in the coming year?
D. Let me insert a tip here for those of you who are making New Year's resolutions in order to do better in the coming year. I suggest you make your resolutions in affirmative terms rather than in negative terms such as, "I'm not going to do this" or "I'm not going to do that." Psychologists tell us that our brains tend to overlook those negatives. Saying over and over to yourself, "I'm not going to smoke anymore" is not likely to help you quit smoking. Resolutions need to be formulated in affirmative terms: "I'm going to keep my lungs clean" and "I'm going to promote my health and the health of those around me."

V. As interesting as it is to consider what is going on in the world, we need to realize that we can do little to influence much of what happens; we need rather to focus our attention on that which is within our power. What can we do here and now to make a difference in the future?
A. The answer to this question differs for each of us. For some, the main point of impact on the future is the care and education of our own children, and maybe our grandchildren.
B. There is also the influence we have on other individuals with whom we come in contact. Usually it is difficult to say in advance what kind of consequences may flow from some random act of kindness. Someone's whole life may be radically changed by an unexpected assist or by an understanding smile at the right moment. Often, "little things mean a lot."
C. An important decision for young people is the matter of what they will undertake as an occupation. A good deal of our lives is devoted to doing what we must in order to earn income. Consequently, it is very important to make a good decision on this issue early in one's life.
D. For many of us a good way to have an impact is to join and support non-governmental organizations which carry out humanitarian work or which promote public policies that will improve the life of the community locally, nationally, and/or globally. As many of you know William Schulz, once the president of our denomination, is now the chief executive officer of Amnesty International. The local Sierra Club meets at this church. Some of our members are active in organizations such as the National Organization for Women, Citizens for Global Solutions, Heifer International, Common Cause, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, the United Nations Association, CARE, New Forests Project, The Interfaith Alliance, Southern Poverty Law Center, Campaign for a Landmine-Free World, the American Red Cross, and so on.
E. Another way to work for a better society is to get involved in the activity of a political party or support the campaign of a particular candidate. This is where the rubber meets the road, the place where it is possible directly to help those who are seeking to advance policies we want to see implemented by the government.

VI. One place where our individual actions can make a big difference is in supporting this church.
A. The First Unitarian Church of Alton has an important role to play in the city of Alton and in the northern Metro-East area. I think we could and should make much more of a difference than we do. I doubt if many residents of Alton even know that we are here or what we stand for. There are some in the city of Alton itself as well as in the rest of the northern part of the metropolitan area who really need to have us here for them, but they unfortunately are not aware of our existence.
B. This congregation is part of the Unitarian-Universalist Association and thus has an important role to play in the life of this country and in this world. Look again at the Seven Purposes and Principles listed on the back of our program:
(1) to promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person,
(2) to promote justice, equity, & compassion in human relations,
(3) to promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations,
(4) to promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning,
(5) to promote the right of conscience & the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large,
(6) to promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, and
(7) to promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. What a wonderful set of goals for us to pursue as a religious community! Is there any other religious body in the history of humanity that has anything like this kind of program? We need to take pride in what we are and to make a stronger commitment to become what we should be.
C. To paraphrase President John Kennedy, "Ask not what your church can do for you. Ask rather what you can do for your church." This church and this denomination deserve and need your support because of what they have been, what they are, & what they must continue to be.

D. Are we together on this? Are we all going to increase our commitment to the work of this church in the coming year, so that it can become what it should be, indeed what it must be, for this metropolitan community, for this country, and for this world community?