MILLENNIUM ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS; LOOKING FORWARD AWARD OF MERIT: IT'S ALL ABOUT US

We heard the question, "Is your computer Y2K compatible?" With the dawn of the new millennium, the focus will shift from computers to more personal matters. This whole Y2K thing is not just about what is inside our computers. It is all about us! How compatible are we? How do we treat each other when it comes to push and shove? How quick are we to offer a helping hand to someone in need? How encouraging are we to others when we speak out? How good are we at what Jesus taught about in that "Love thy neighbor" stuff? It seems to me we can all become more compatible in Cape! We can become better neighbors and visitor friendly in the new millennium. Some hope, trust, sharing and caring make us all Y2K compatible! We all need this millennium reminder. Morals should matter more to all of us in the new millennium. Vision with values can correct our path into the future.

Another millennium matter has to do with how we view the new millennium.

Are we looking for the perfect future? The future is pretty exciting stuff.

We have the rare privilege to come face to face with this new age. We have the opportunity for a new start in the fresh new millennium! We also have the opportunity to discover new leadership that will instill new confidence and conviction of character.

God knows our world could use a fresh new start. Sure, there a lot of unknowns ahead. There are uncertainties, surprises and situations we can not plan for at this time. This is why we call it the future. Our millennium vision calls us to move forward by faith and not by fear. Our millennium vision is grounded on hope over despair. By working together with vision and values like faith and hope our community can claim its proud history and promising future.

It is a privilege to live in these times. There is a reason for us to be here and now. Our challenge is to find meaning in our life together. In this fresh new millennium, we get the chance for a new beginning. But with all privileges come responsibilities. We can leave our mistakes behind. We can learn from our past. And with a more informed present we can find new and more caring ways to work together in our area to "get it right" this time. Yes, it matters how we say goodbye to the past and hello to the future. The new millennium matters! What really matters in this new millennium is obvious if we take the time to comprehend the gift of this new age. It is a shame when we look so hard at the Y2K problem that we have missed the most obvious gift. What really matters in the new millennium has nothing to do with computers or our technology. What really matters is discovered when we find the best in ourselves.

And we can discover the best in ourselves and others by becoming more community focused and less self-centered and isolated. The new millennium offers us the opportunity to encourage someone who is afraid, lend a few dollars to feed the hungry, give some precious time as a volunteer to our churches or community helping agencies, and visit those who are lonely.

After all, is not this why God gave us this new millennium? Is not this why God gave us each other? Let us love our neighbors instead of ignoring them. Let us welcome the stranger instead of fearing them. Let us share the gift of encouragement in the new millennium. Yes, the new millennium matters!