Nov 6: GRATITUDE Daily Devotional
Cultivate gratitude each day this month.
Scripture: Micah 6:8 — God has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.Reflection: We are relationship with all humans, and we live ina world that is defined by its interconnectedness. Adovacy and justice work help us understand our responsibility to bear witness and to act in alliance and partnership with those who face injustice.Prompt: Reflect for yourself how you volunteer or support causes that make a difference in the life of your neighbors, near and far. Then ask yourself, who has advocated for you, when you have needed support, because you were vulnerable?
SONGS:
- Justice Song by IJM Ghana: https://youtu.be/yxTGsxxX_fA?si=hxdC9-Yt8GA5g6XL
- Then I Will by Lauren Daigle: https://youtu.be/kKBQrWWX570?si=t-yZX7_kGD2CFyA9
Excerpt from Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings—Joy Harjo,
… Bless the poets, the workers for justice,
the dancers of ceremony, the singers of heartache,
the visionaries, all makers and carriers of fresh
meaning—We will all make it through,
despite politics and wars, despite failures
and misunderstandings. There is only love…
Nov 5: GRATITUDE Daily Devotional
Cultivate gratitude each day this month.
Day 5: Grateful for Challenges
Scripture: James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…
Reflection: Rather than becoming a point of failure, conflict and challenge become opportunities for growth. Difficult experiences can help cultivate wisdom. Finding gratitude in difficult times can transform our perspective.
Prompt: On a day when the nation votes, consider this social situation or other current challenge and write down or discuss with someone else what you are learning or how you are growing through it.
full article: https://plumvillage.app/generating-joy-and-embracing-suffering-in-times-of-crisis/Do you know how to generate a feeling of joy? Do you know how to handle a feeling of pain? If I ask myself those questions, the answer is partly yes, partly no. We can also ask ourselves, ‘How often do I remember that I can generate a feeling of joy? Could I do it more? In what situations?’If you’re with a group of friends and everybody’s in a good mood and something lovely is happening, it’s not difficult to generate joy. So the real question is, ‘Do I know how to generate a feeling of joy when things are difficult or neutral? When I’m feeling restless or distracted?’ These are practices that we have to look into.Another question is: ‘Do I know how to do it when I’m on my own? And do I know how to do it collectively?’ Do you know how to recognize when you are avoiding a painful feeling?This has something to do with knowing how to handle a painful feeling – because we can’t transform it until we recognize it. That must be the first step: recognizing. …
In my approach to the practice, I focused on suffering for many years. I didn’t understand that generating a feeling of joy and being in touch with the wonders of life is a way of handling suffering. So I need to recognize that I may be underestimating how powerful well-being, joy, and simple happiness can be as a response to the situation we are in globally and collectively.
In the 16 exercises of mindful breathing, the Buddha was very clear: generate a feeling of joy and happiness before getting in touch with a feeling of pain. That way, we create an environment where the feeling of pain can be held and embraced, and where it doesn’t overwhelm us.
Nov 4: GRATITUDE Daily Devotional
Cultivate gratitude each day this month.
Day 4: Grateful for Community
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 — Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Reflection: Humans are designed to be in relationships and to cultivate belonging. Gratitude flourishes in community. Together, even when we are divided in our views and perspectives, we often fund common causes and values that bring us together. In community, at our best, we offer support, love, and encouragement to each other in ways that enrich our lives.
Prompt: Reach out to a friend or family member to express gratitude for their presence in your life.
A Community of the Spirit — Rumi
There is a community of the spirit.
Join it, and feel the delight
of walking in the noisy street
and being the noise.
Drink all your passion,
and be a disgrace.
Close both eyes
to see with the other eye.
Open your hands,
if you want to be held.
Sit down in the circle.
Quit acting like a wolf, and feel
the shepherd’s love filling you.
At night, your beloved wanders.
Don’t accept consolations.
Close your mouth against food.
Taste the lover’s mouth in yours.
You moan, “She left me.” “He left me.”
Twenty more will come.
Be empty of worrying.
Think of who created thought!
Why do you stay in prison
when the door is so wide open?
Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking.
Live in silence.
Flow down and down in always
widening rings of being.
PRAYING for the CANTY FAMILY
PRAYING for the CANTY FAMILY
Since this event has been reported, and the family requested prayers, we sadly share that Pete Canty died in a car accident on Saturday, Nov 2. The family is gathering in response to this news. As they make decisions, we will share their plans to honor and remember Pete Canty. For now, please pray for Pete’s widow Karen, Pete’s children and grandchildren, Karen’s children and grandchildren, and their extended family, during this time. The family celebrated Pete and Karen’s wedding in Maine just a few months ago.
Pete Canty had recently recommended Psalm 62 for those who are struggling with a heavy load. We share an excerpt from this scripture below.
Psalm 62 (excerpts)
Song of Trust in God Alone
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken…
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God…
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
according to their work.
REMEMBERING DAVID HOVEY
We also honor the life of former neighbor, friend, and faith community member David Hovey, a gentle soul who died following a long journey with Alzheimers, on Friday, Nov 1st. He had relocated to southern NH several years ago, but held deep ties to Jackson and the surrounding area. He will be missed. More information will be shared as available from the family.
Sun, Nov 3rd – 10:30am Worship
Live from Facebook:
Livestream from JCC sanctuary:
Bulletins for Service (pdf and jpg): 
