Looking Ahead to 2026:
Three Pro-flections for the Year Before Us

A message from CEO Dale Melton

For the last several years—some of you know this—I have anchored the New Year around three guiding words. More recently, they’ve become three phrases or pro-flection points: moments for both reflection and forward action.

On the eve of 2026, my submission follows. Hang in there with me—I believe these ideas connect in meaningful ways and point us toward a hopeful, purpose-filled year ahead.

I. Give More: Small Acts of Rebellion

Recently, Michelle drew my attention to an opinion piece by Dennis J. Gerber, Jr., president of the Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund. It appeared in Philanthropy Daily and originally ran in National Review. Its title says it all: “We All Need Almsgiving.”

Gerber draws from Pope Leo XIV’s writing to remind us that material deprivation is only one face of poverty. There are other, subtler forms, as Gerber states:

• Spiritual poverty, when we live without prayer or gratitude
• Relational poverty, when we are surrounded by people but starved for true communion
• Moral poverty, when conscience is dulled, and goodness is mocked

Gerber’s article offers several reflections that are staying with me (which I have quoted here):

• Many people possess everything—except the joy of being loved.
• We are all poor in one way or another. Wealth and efficiency can mask a deeper emptiness: the poverty of indifference.
• Almsgiving may not solve systemic poverty, but it rescues the giver from a harder fate—a closed heart. As Pope Leo writes, Whatever form it may take, almsgiving will touch and soften our hardened hearts.
• Pope Francis called the Church to be for the poor and of the poor—not only through institutional outreach, but through the renewal of our own hearts. When we give time, money, or attention, we rediscover what it means to belong to one another.
• Our modern age reveals a strange duality of poverty: We have more than ever, yet trust less than ever. We are connected by technology, but isolated in spirit.
• Acts of generosity become small acts of rebellion against that isolation. They remind us that human dignity is not measured by output or income, but by our capacity to love.
• In the end, almsgiving is not about what we give away, but about what we receive in return—the strange arithmetic of grace: the more we give, the richer we become.

Pro-flection #1 for 2026: Give more.

Even small acts of generosity can become quiet rebellions against all that isolates us—from one another and from ourselves.

II. Close the Gap

In early December, I joined 150 “Jingle Bell Gents” at a United Way of Gaston County annual fundraising event. There, I had the privilege of hearing the story of Rod Smith, former NFL defensive back (Carolina Panthers & Green Bay Packers) and member of the 1988 National Championship University of Notre Dame football team.

Rod was a Parade All-American in high school—a can’t-miss first-round NFL prospect. He arrived at Notre Dame ready to take over the world. Then, in the span of a single game, he fell: from first-team safety to the scouting team, disoriented and discouraged.

At the event, he shared a powerful lesson his father taught him during that low point.

After acknowledging Rod’s fall from grace, his father asked just one question:
“Where do you want to be, Son?”

After stumbling through answers he thought his father wanted to hear, Rod finally spoke honestly. He wanted to regain joy and fulfillment on the football field—wherever that path might lead.

His father’s response was simple: “Then close the gap.”

Wherever you are—whether in success or struggle—and wherever you know you want to go, close the gap. Invest the time, energy, passion, joy, and purpose required to move closer to who you want to be and what you are called to do.

Pro-flection #2 for 2026: Close the Gap.

Work hard. Work with passion. Work with purpose. Move closer to fulfilling—and realizing—all that you can be. In fact, who God created you to be.

III. Take the Uncommon Initiative

For much of my vocational life, I’ve drawn strength and insight from leadership and leadership-development resources. One resource I value today is Admired Leadership Field Notes.

An article, titled “The Uncommon Initiative of High Talent,” has occupied my thoughts since it was published this past October.

It begins with this distinction: Good team members act on opportunities or problems without waiting for explicit direction. They anticipate issues, identify gaps, and seek solutions.

The most talented individuals go further.

Experienced leaders consistently describe their best people the same way: they take uncommon initiative. They look beyond traditional hierarchy. Without waiting for approval—or worrying about acceptance—they identify needs and opportunities others don’t see. Then they independently create new systems, programs, tools, or processes to address them.

They act without fear. They don’t wait for permission.

Pro-flection #3 for 2026: Go deeper by Taking Uncommon Initiative

. . . and possibly go where no one has gone before. . . at least where only a few may go.

As we look toward 2026 at Covenant Village, I hope these three pro-flections give us momentum and confidence:

To give more,
To close the gap,
And to take uncommon initiative—together.

At Covenant Village, these pro-flections are not abstract ideas; they are lived out every day in the way we care for one another, serve with purpose, and build community across generations and roles and callings.

• When we give more, we soften hearts and strengthen the bonds that make this place home.
• When we close the gap, we honor our calling to grow—personally, professionally, and spiritually—always striving to be better neighbors, colleagues, and stewards of this community.
• And when we take uncommon initiative, we ensure that Covenant Village remains vibrant, faithful, and responsive to the needs of today and the opportunities for tomorrow.

As we step into 2026 together, may these pro-flections guide us toward more profound connection, renewed hope, and a shared confidence in the meaningful work God has entrusted to us—here, and now.  In doing so, I believe we will continue to aspire to be THE place Where Life Is Filled With Promise!