NorthJersey.com
The celebrants who rang in the new decade last January never could have predicted the cataclysm that 2020 would bring.
The COVID pandemic brought fear, heartbreak and financial turbulence. The sick were separated from their loved ones and died alone. Businesses failed. Schools and houses of worship closed.
Then came wildfires, racial protests in cities nationwide, and political turmoil. And as the new year dawns, hospitals remain full, as the virus continues to spread.
But faith leaders from an array of denominations say that as we usher in 2021, there s good reason for optimism.
Along with the hardships of the past year, they argue there have been some benefits, including newfound resilience and the discovery of what is most important in our lives.