"It's Friday, but Sunday's coming."

Anyone who's heard Tony Campolo speak is familiar with the legendary line repeated throughout his most notable sermon. He's referring primarily to Jesus' death and resurrection, when all seemed lost on Good Friday, only to be changed so dramatically when the sun rose two days later on that first Easter morning.

Campolo, who may be known better now as a social reformer than a preacher, also was talking about what that historical event means for people struggling in life. Things may seem bleak at the moment, but we know there's hope ahead.

Others may put it differently — the old saying, "It's always darkest before the dawn," comes to mind — but no matter which you prefer, it's an essential truth for anyone who deals in philanthropy or ministry. When you're always looking at the difficulties in life, focusing only on what's not working and needs to be changed, it's easy to lose perspective. And that's been particularly true recently, with so many people needing short-term help.

The good news: As the new year dawns, we might be seeing the first rays of light. While it's too early to say for sure, the economy seems to be starting its inevitable recovery. Manufacturing expanded again in December for the fifth-straight month. Unemployment claims continue to drop. Consumers are more confident and optimistic than before.

There's even more reason for hope in the new year.

As difficult as the economy has been for nonprofits and ministries, many have met the challenge by sharpening their focus. The United Way did this last year, when a drop in donations spurred the staff and volunteers to look closely at what the community's most pressing problems might be. That analysis was valuable in itself, because it gave everyone a clear look at what needs to be done. But it also allowed the United Way to use contributions for their greatest impact.

One result of the introspection and change among organizations caring for people is that all should be even more effective in coming months, as contributions and services begin to increase once again.

More hope comes from news that the Compassion roundtable will return this year. Last spring's inaugural gathering to improve human services in Lee County drew scores of people dedicated to finding better ways to work together and tackle community challenges.

Some ideas were generated that morning at the roundtable, but others were developed by groups continuing their work long after the event ended. Initiatives like area food pantries sharing freezer space may seem like a minor change to some, but it was a big change for groups who sometimes didn't know each other existed. And, it allowed many more local families to receive a free turkey this year during the holidays.

Compassion '10 should follow a similar path. Slated for Feb. 25 in Sanford, the roundtable will feature an interactive presentation by Susan Pennock helping participants understand poverty — everything from how "generational poverty" differs from "situational poverty" to what practical effect economic class has on how people behave, interact and learn.

After providing that background, Pennock will return to Sanford over the following weeks to help local leaders use that information to enhance their specific work. She'll meet one day each with groups providing meals and food, employment assistance, financial assistance and counseling, housing and shelter, and educational support and dropout prevention. When it all concludes, people serving our neighbors should be far more prepared and effective than ever before.

It's not unusual to begin the new year with a renewed sense hope. This time around, there's good reason for "guarded optimism." Nobody's sure what will happen over the coming months, of course, but with the economy looking up, local nonprofits newly focused and more assistance on the way, perhaps Friday's already passed and Sunday is dawning.