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A parent falsely suggesting his child might be trapped in a runaway air balloon orchestrates a “world-is-watching” moment — to get the family a reality show.

The country underpays  the military — “while we are telling them how much we love them,” said Michael Usey  of College Park Baptist Church . “All the rhetoric ... and then not paying them a living wage.”

These are just two of the sort of things local faith leaders want left behind in 2009, a year when greed sent the likes of Bernie Madoff  to jail, and bad judgment cost Tiger Woods and others a good name. Those should  stay in ’09 too, the faith leaders said.

That’s not to say 2009 didn’t have  moments of extraordinary courage, like US Airways pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger   landing a passenger jet in the Hudson River  without fatalities.

Now come “do better” and  “do over” opportunities.

“We do have a phrase in Hebrew at the end of the old year — 'Tichleh shanah v’kil’loteha, tahel shanah u’virchoteha. ’ May the old year with its curses cease; may the new year with its blessings commence!’ ” said Rabbi Eli Havivi of Beth David Synagogue .

These are just some of the things those faith leaders are talking about:
 

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“In a word, fear. I know that’s simplistic, and that fear is sometimes the appropriate reaction, but we seem to be an increasingly fear-driven society. We’re afraid of immigrants, gay people, Muslims, liberals, conservatives, epidemics, health care reform, socialism — take your pick.

“Fear keeps us focused on surface issues and quick remedies rather than the core issues and opportunities for substantive change.”

— the Rev. Julie Peeples, pastor, Congregational United, Church of Christ
 

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“I posed (what do you want to leave behind in 2009) to our middle school Sunday school class:

“Stop murdering people and learn to get along.”

“Stop being self-centered and start giving.”

“Stop animal and child abuse — it is a bad thing to do.”

“Don’t be selfish and pray how you can help others.”

“We should try and reduce poverty.”

— Russell Parsons, pastor, Centre Friends Church
 

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“Reality shows! I feel that reality shows are not good . It makes one think we are able to do that which is unreachable. It gives false hope to desperate people: Make money by doing immoral and unethical things, especially on “Big Brother” and “Survivor,” which teach one to lie to get ahead and to cheat on one another to get ahead of something that they are not entitled to.  We will sell our souls for a dollar.”

— the Rev. Phyllis K. Coates , pastor, Raleigh’s Crossroads and Peace United Methodist churches
 

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“I wish we could leave our fear of collaboration behind! Sometimes nonprofits and even churches get a bit competitive with one another. Instead of fearing that “the other” might get the credit or the limited resources, we might do well to invite everyone to come together and use our collective creativity to solve the challenges before us.

“When we do come together, the results are  amazing  .”

— Ruth Anderson,  director, The Servant Leadership School of Greensboro
 

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“Although the ongoing economic crisis has compelled so many workers to carry heavier-than-usual burdens, it is my prayer that we might leave behind 2009’s legacy of stress and  reclaim the spiritual practice of keeping Sabbath. In today’s 24/7 world in which the need to stay busy—– whether real or perceived — can so often entrap us, Jesus calls us to release our burdens and find rest for our souls.”

— the Rev. Emily E. Odom, National Presbyterian Church (USA) leader (attends Starmount Presbyterian)
 

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“The year 2009 was one of down-turning financial markets, countless job layoffs, buyouts, and overall tightening of individual pocketbooks. Let’s choose to forget the headaches, frustrations, and anxiety that this caused  us. Let’s remember the blessings in the midst of the trials and tribulations.

“We were reminded that life isn’t about how big our TV is, but about the friends and family gathered around to watch it with us. Instead of expensive trips to obscure places, we stayed closer to home and spent time getting to know the people and places in our communities. We ate out less and cooked at home.   

“As we go into 2010, we can wipe the slate clean of the mistakes we made and of the missteps done to us.” 

— the Rev. David McGee, pastor, Calvary Chapel of the Triad , Kernersville
 

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“The belief that we can have wealth without hard work; that we can have meaningful and enjoyable relationships without effort and conflict; that it is only the smart, the strong, the healthy that can make the best contribution; that good can only come to us through our own efforts.

“I hope that we leave behind the belief that embracing a reality where there is a God is antiquated  and unsophisticated and accept that a universe with God is the most rational thing in the world to believe.”

— the Rev. Nathan Kline,associate pastor, Friendly Hills Church, Jamestown
 

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“Our 'addiction to division,’ which is a quote from the Rev. Dr. Peter Storey , retired bishop of the United Methodist Church in South Africa . I heard him say it at a gathering here in Greensboro three or four years ago at First Baptist Church. I hope we will not take into 2010 such a rigidity of thought that we are no longer open to the  realities of others. We need to put aside egos and agendas and really listen to those with whom we disagree.”

— the Rev. Jill Alventosa-Brown, pastor, St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church
 

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 “The most important thing that must not enter the new year with us is basically sin. Sin has so many branches and every bad thing we can mention. Anyone who aspires for  better things in a new year must first forsake sin and give room for God’s grace.”

— Patrick Mubobo, pastor, Change the Nations Evangelical Methodist Church
 

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“Our narrow view of 'who is my community?’ I have seen an increased emphasis  on 'me and mine’ and less on 'ours.’ It  is at the root of international, civic, religious, racial and ethnic strife. Let’s leave behind the artificiality of the imaginary walls —and even the physical ones — that divide us.”

— Max Carter , Campus Ministry coordinator, Guilford College 
 

* * *
 

“Men talking about abortion. Just for a year, could we men  be quiet and listen to women discuss, both publicly and privately, this crucial issue that concerns them intimately?

“Endless news stories about the sex lives of public people.   

“Gay people staying in the closet. I’m trying not to be arrogant about this issue as a straight guy, since being straight costs me nothing, and coming out does cost people friends, family, jobs and even their very lives. But lots of us who are vocally supporting gay rights and for their rightful place in our congregations could use some help.

“Tolerating children going hungry. That wily Presbyterian pastor Frank Dew  said at the fall Greensboro Urban Ministry fundraiser, 'Let’s keep working for that day when we can say, “Remember when there were hungry people in Greensboro? Remember when there were homeless in our city?” ’

— the Rev. Michael Usey, pastor, College Park Baptist Church

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com