The theme for the evening was “New Beginnings” being inspired from 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”. The evening started with raising of incense and was then followed by presentations from our Sunday School children, a skit by our youth, and meditations on the 7 C’s which are Creation, Change, Challenge, Choices, Commitment, Celebration, and Christ. Throughout the night we viewed several video clips and engaged in discussions on the topics. Fr. Pishoy shared a meditation on “New Year’s Resolutions” and we received the New Year in prayer where each member of the congregation wrote a prayer on a leaflet, was read out loud, and then posted on the “Rooted in Love” tree. After having a few minutes to congratulate one another for the New Year, we concluded the evening with celebrating the Divine Liturgy. We pray for a blessed beginning to the New Year to our entire beloved congregation and may this year bring forth joy and good tidings.