The Roman God Janus had two faces, one looking back and one looking forward. The month of January is named for him. On the last Sunday of December we will take the time to consider the experiences of the past year and what we might let go of. In a service of healing we can restore a sense of wholeness, leading to fresh perspectives going forward. This is not a fancy way of talking about New Year’s resolutions. We will simply breathe easier as the new year dawns.

Our guest minister, The Rev. Alida DeCoster, served as Associate Minister at Cedar Lane UU Church for over ten years. Later she served as minister to the internship program at the UU Washington Office from 2003 to 2010. Having completed the program in Spiritual Guidance at Shalem Institute in 2005 she saw people as a spiritual director for many years, retiring from that ministry a year ago.  Alida has known all River Road ministers as colleagues over the last thirty years. She is happy to be visiting and offering the service.