Growing into the New Year ~ 2026

We are at the dawn of a new year. In fact, each new day brings a new dawn, a new beginning, a new opportunity to grow toward becoming a better version of ourselves. (Author unknown)

An old adage states that “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Let’s discard that mindset out of hand. A more promising outlook is that “Older adults (and those of any age) can, indeed, learn new ways.” New opportunities to learn present themselves to us every day. If we are open to this more optimistic perspective, it will open the door to greater growth and fulfillment in life, something to which we should aspire as elders – or as people of any age.

As we begin a new year, let us also leave behind the notion of New Year’s resolutions, resolving to become “better people” in some way, then leaving those intentions behind within days or weeks. A meditation offered at last year’s Longest Night Taizé service (and which re-surfaced at this year’s service) presents us with a more compelling way to think about growing in the new year.* At times of transition and personal reflection, we are invited to “plant a seed of intention” for the change we seek to make, then to nurture it, practice it, feed it and revisit it regularly to help it grow within us. If we are faithful to this process, revisiting it regularly, we can harvest fruit from our seeds of intention.

Our intentions need not be elaborate. Simple, but significant intentions might include such things as: practice kindness and respect to others; notice and appreciate nature; practice gratitude; discern a calling to serve others and strive to respond to it more fully; or any other intentions that call to you. If we plant our intentions in our heart, review them regularly in meditation, and practice them intentionally, we have a very good chance of making meaningful progress over time and thereby to help make our corner of the world a better place as well. Let us all aspire to have a good growing season this year. (*Thank you to Robin Detmer, FCC Adult Education and Spirituality chair, for offering this meditation.)

Third Act Luncheons

We host occasional luncheons, each featuring a light, nutritious lunch and a speaker or discussion on a topic related to the spiritual aspects of aging or another contemporary theme.

Mon., Feb. 16, 2026 – Third Act Luncheon Program and catering to be announced.
Mon., May 18, 2026 – Third Act Luncheon Speaker: Bob Welch, local writer with catering by Johnny Ocean’s Grill

Elder Sunday

We celebrate Elder Sunday, usually in the Fall each year. We hope you will join us in gratitude and community for the interconnected lives we share across time and generations with those family and community members who came before us and those who will follow us. We encourage you to engage in conversation within your own family or circle of connections about what gifts we have received from our ancestors, what values we are striving to live out in our own lives, and what lessons we want to pass on to younger and future generations to sustain what matters most to us.

Seeking Elder Council members

If you are interested in FCC’s ministry for the “Third Act” of life, we invite you to attend a meeting of the FCC Elder Council and perhaps to become a member. We are open to new topical ideas and activities which nourish an emerging spirituality of later life. For more information, or to share questions or ideas, please email Stan Paine at eldercouncil@fcceugene.org.

New in print ~ Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life (by Carol Orsborn).

This treasure of a spiritual guide offers a series of brief inspirational readings, one to read each week, that covers a two-year spiritual practice. There is a focus on the spirituality of later life.

The readings in this book “focus on the issues and concerns that arise among those who view aging as a path to spiritual fulfillment. They are seasoned by quotes and stories by and about mystics, sages, and old souls from ancient through contemporary times who illuminate the path to living a full life while embracing old age. The connecting thread is the reminder…to accept the challenges of aging in a spirit of gratitude as they help us grow not just older, but more whole.”

Watch for a variety of opportunities to engage in discussion with congregational friends about this and other books on the topic of Aging and Spirituality, sponsored and hosted by the FCC Elder Council.