Resolutions

This is the time of year many of us make New Year’s Resolutions – vows to exercise more, read more books, learn a new language.

I revisit the same resolutions each year. They’re really a constant renewal of my rule of life – to have a balance of and to nurture spiritual, intellectual, and physical disciplines.

A resolution is a named intention to accomplish something.

Why do we often fail to accomplish our good intentions? I’ve read that our general goals are harder to keep. Research shows that the more specific the goal, the greater the probability for success. For example:

I will drink 5 glasses of water every day

I will walk ½ mile 2 days a week in January, then 3 days a week in February, gradually increasing the distance and duration each month to reach a specific number of miles and days per week

I will check-in with one friend each week.

I will read my Forward Day by Day every day.

When I think of resolutions, my experience at General Convention of the Episcopal Church comes to mind. Resolutions are the key dimension of the Church’s work. Resolutions capture the values of our Church – respecting the dignity of all people, caring for creation, welcoming the stranger, enriching our worship and liturgy.

General Convention resolutions are not just empty promises. There are a variety of mechanisms to ensure implementation of the resolutions. For example, when I served on the Standing Commission for World Mission, we prepared a resolution for the Guiding Principles for World Mission. Both houses approved the resolution which asked that each diocese have a Global Mission Advocate who would represent the stated principles and would inform, educate, and advocate for those principles. Over half of the dioceses now have appointed Global Mission Advocates who meet regularly and are proclaiming the good news of God’s mission in the world.

The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations advocates with federal government leaders for legislation and policies that support General Convention resolutions which reflect the values we hold dear. Our Church puts faith into action as scripture calls us to do.

As we reflect on our resolutions for 2026, may we honor those vows that give glory to God and live into the Church’s mission of reconciliation with God and with each other.

Perhaps one of the best resolutions is in this prayer For New Year’s Day:

O Lord, you who make all things new, I consecrate myself to you on this new day of a new year and I ask that you would grant me the gift of a new song, so that by your Spirit I might sing myself into the reality of Christ’s ever-renewing life in this new year to come. I pray this in the name of the One who makes a new heaven and a new earth. Amen. (Prayers for the Pilgrimage, p. 38)

Happy New Year, Judy Q +