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Nov 2: GRATITUDE Daily Devotional

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Calendar, Home, Weekly MeditationsTagged , , , , , , , ,
Cultivate gratitude each day this month.

Day 2: Grateful for Creation

Genesis 1:31 — God saw all that [God} had made, and it was very good.

Reflection: The world around us is the most ancient text from Godself. Goodness is writ into every aspect of it. Enter nature, enter the world. Spend time outside, any way you are able, and look with new eyes. Touch your corner of the world. Breathe it in. Taste it. Listen to its voice. Goodness surrounds you, and you are part of what God understands to be good in the world.

Prompt: Step outside and breathe in deeply. Repeat this action. Note the world with all of the senses you are able to use: touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. What do you notice? What is the natural world sharing with you today? What about being outside feels good to you?

SONG: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong – https://youtu.be/VqhCQZaH4Vs?si=GkeXCD88XX15VdVy

KINDNESS: The First Gift by John O’Donohue

There is a kindness that dwells deep down in things; it presides everywhere, often in the places we least expect. The world can be harsh and negative, but if we remain generous and patient, kindness inevitably reveals itself. Something deep in the human soul seems to depend on the presence of kindness; something instinctive in us expects it, and once we sense it we are able to trust and open ourselves. Here in Conamara, the mountains are terse and dark; left to themselves they would make for a brooding atmosphere. However, everywhere around and in between there are lakes. The surface of these lakes takes on the variations of the surrounding light to create subtle diffusions of color. Thus their presence qualifies the whole landscape with a sense of warmth and imagination. If we did not feel that some ultimate kindness holds sway, we would feel like outsiders confronted on every side by a world toward which we could make no real bridges.

“The word kindness has a gentle sound that seems to echo the presence of compassionate goodness. When someone is kind to you, you feel understood and seen. There is no judgment or harsh perception directed toward you. Kindness has gracious eyes; it is not small-minded or competitive; it wants nothing back for itself. Kindness strikes a resonance with the depths of your own heart; it also suggests that your vulnerability, though somehow exposed, is not taken advantage of; rather, it has become an occasion for dignity and empathy. Kindness casts a different light, an evening light that has the depth of color and patience to illuminate what is complex and rich in difference.

“Despite all the darkness, human hope is based on the instinct that at the deepest level of reality some intimate kindness holds sway. This is the heart of blessing. To believe in blessing is to believe that our being here, our very presence in the world, is itself the first gift, the primal blessing. As Rilke says: Hier zu sein ist so viel — to be here is immense. Nowhere does the silence of the infinite lean so intensely as around the form of a newly born infant. Once we arrive, we enter into the inheritance of everything that has preceded us; we become heirs to the world. To be born is to be chosen. To be created and come to birth is to be blessed. Some primal kindness chose us and brought us through the forest of dreaming until we could emerge into the clearance of individuality, with a path of life opening before us through the world.

“The beginning often holds the clue to everything that follows. Given the nature of our beginning, it is no wonder that our hearts are imbued with longing for beauty, meaning, order, creativity, compassion, and love. We approach the world with this roster of longings and expect that in some way the world will respond and confirm our desire. Our longing knows it cannot force the fulfillment of its desire; yet it does instinctively expect that primal benevolence to respond to it. This is the threshold where blessing comes alive.”

 

Nov 1st: GRATITUDE Daily Devotional

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Calendar, Home, Weekly MeditationsTagged , , ,

Cultivate gratitude each day this month.

Colossians 3:15  — Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Reflection: May peace arise from the perspective offered by gratitude. May thanksgiving find its roots in the fertile soil of inner calm and focus. Our bodies are integrated physically, intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. Each emotion offers connection to others … each feeling becomes a doorway that allows resilience to enter through the channel of tour hearts and minds, as this line from a letter written by the Apostle Paul so deftly reminds each of us.

Prompt: Find a moment to pause and take stock of your inner peace. What helps you become calm? Focused? Centered? Grounded? Present to the now? When you are at peace within yourself, do you notice that you are also appreciative, too?

SONG: Thank You by Diso – https://youtu.be/1TO48Cnl66w?si=iud_yvmAALwV6cNG

This Day We Say Grateful
A Sending Blessing — Jan Richadrson

It is a strange thing
to be so bound
and so released
all in the same moment,
to feel the heart
open wide
and wider still
even as it turns
to take its leave.

On this day,
let us say
this is simply the way
love moves
in its ceaseless spiraling,
turning us toward
one another,
then sending us
into what waits for us
with arms open wide to us
in welcome
and in hope.

On this day,
in this place
where you have
poured yourself out,
where you have been
emptied
and filled
and emptied again,
may you be aware
more than ever
of what your heart
has opened to
here,
what it has tended
and welcomed
here,
where it has broken
in love and in grief,
where it has given
and received blessing
in the unfathomable mystery
that moves us,
undoes us,
and remakes us
finally
for joy.

This day
may you know
this joy
in full measure.

This day
may you know
this blessing
that gathers you in
and sends you forth
but will not
forget you.

O hear us
as this day
we say
grace;
this day
we say
grateful;
this day
we say
blessing;
this day
we release you
in God’s keeping
and hold you
in gladness
and love.

Events at JCC and around town: Thurs, Oct 24 – Sun, Oct 27

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Calendar, Home, UCC NewsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

THURS, Oct 24

  • Community Resource: LIBRARIES
  • CELEBRATION of LIFE of  ROBERT SANTORO

    6pm • JCC Sanctuary & Parish Hall

    • Come for a service to remember Bob Santoro
  • Community Event: MAJESTIC CAFE FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Heather Pierson & The Potboilers
    7pm • Majestic Cafe, Conway

    • Walk-ins are always welcome, but space is limited; reservations are available to guarantee your seat and to indicate a seating choice.
    • $5 per person cover charge.
    • Doors at 6 pm; music  at 7pm.
    • Come in early and grab a panini before the music starts
    • Info and tickets:: https://www.conwaymajestic.com/cafe
  • Community MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT around town:
    • Shannon Door: Bobby Sheehan • 6-9pm
    • Shovel Handle Pub: Dan Parkhurst • 6-9pm

FRI, Oct 25

  • FITNESS CLASS  with Laurie McAleer

    9:30am • Jackson Community Church

    • Free to all participants.
    • Gentle, chair-based stretch and fitness for all levels of ability
  • Community Resource: LIBRARIES
    2-5pm • Jackson Library (more info: https://jacksonlibrary.org/)
  • Community Event: MAJESTIC CAFE FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Chris Osborne Quartet
    7pm • Majestic Cafe, Conway

    • Walk-ins are always welcome, but space is limited; reservations are available to guarantee your seat and to indicate a seating choice.
    • The Friday Night jazz series has a $10 per person cover charge.
    • Doors at 6 pm; music  at 7pm.
    • Come in early and grab a panini before the music starts
    • Info and tickets:: https://www.conwaymajestic.com/cafe
  • Community Event: REDSTONE QUARRY (full program)
    9:30am – Noon • Hemlock Lane, North Conway, NH

    • Outreach coordinator Heather McKendry will lead an exploration of the history and geology of the Redstone Quarry, one of the most sophisticated stone cutting operations of the past century. Wear sturdy shoes for a moderate hike.
    • Please call 603-447-6991 to be added to the waitlist for this program
  • C3: Cocktails & Christian Conversations
    Resumes Fri,  Nov 8
  • WELCOME DINNER for KEYNOTE SPEAKER of ANNUAL MEETING of NH UCC
    6:30pm • Meredith, NH Geneva Poiunt Conference Center

    • Rev Gail & Chris Doktor attend and work at this event
    • Guestr: Rev. Darrell Williams
  • Community MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT around town:
    • Wildcat Tavern: Al Shafner • 6:30pm
    • Red Parka: Blue Matter • 8-11pm
    • Shannon Door: Mitch Alden • 6-9pm
    • Ledge Brewing: Food for Bears  • 6-8pm
    • Shovel Handle: Bobby Sheehan • 6-9pm

SAT,  Oct 26

  • CHURCH WORK DAY

    9am-Noon • Outside of JCC and inside of JCC

    • Outdoor cleanup: sweeping, raking, leaf removal, spresding mulch, organizing outdoor storage
    • Indoor: kitchen organization, closet organization & cleanup, storage & shelving organization, stairwell cleanup
    • Wear layers, sensible shoes, clothing that can get dirty, bring work gloves, and yard tools if possible
  • ANNUAL MEETING of NH UCC
    All Day • Geneva Poiunt Conference Center, Moltonborough

    • Rev Gail & Chris Doktor attend and work at this event
    • Keynote speaker: Rev. Darrell Williams
    • Dlegates and clergy from NH UCC churches attend this meeting to conduct business of the conference and to worship together
  • Community Event: NOSFERATU
    7:30pm • Majestic Theater

    • The Arpeggione Ensemble recreates the original live accompaniment to F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent cinematic masterwork of horror – Nosferatu: a Symphony of Horror. A unique and unmissable experience, just in time for Halloween!
    • Watch the original movie on the Majestic’s full-size movie screen while you enjoy the original score, reconstructed by Arpeggione and played live on instruments of the period.
    • Doors open an hour before showtime. Visit the Majestic Café for beer, wine, craft cocktails and mocktails, bottled water and a selection of soft drinks. Reserved seats are $35; 18 and under attend for $5 with a parent or guardian.
  • Community Resource: LIBRARIES
  • Community Event: OPEN HOURS @ Jackson Historical Society
    9am-3pm • Jackson Historical Society

  • Community MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT around town:
    • Shannon Door: Dan Aldrich • 7-10pm
    • Red Parka: Carbon 14 • 8-11pm
    • Wildcat Tavern: Randy Messineo  • 7pm
    • Ledge Brewing: Lazy River Riders • 6-9pm

SUN, Oct 27

  • INTERFAITH GATHERING
    8am • Outside or indoor at Old red Library (weather determines location)

    • Join us for poetry, prayer, and conversation
  • WORSHIP
    10:30am   • Jackson Community Church & Zoom

    • Join us for song, prayer, scripture and message
    • Livestreaming to Facebook & jxncc.org (church website)
    • Music by Sharon Novak
    • Theme: Sermon on the Mount
    • Message: rev Gail Doktor
  • HOSPITALITY following church
    11:30am • Parish Hall
  • Community Event: COMMUNITY POTLUCK

    4pm • Whitney Communtiy Center

    • Join other community members, enjoy a potluck meal, and hear local storytellers share Adventures in the White Mountains stories.
    • You bring some food to share and drinks will be provided.
    • Rekindle old friendships and make new acquaintances.
    • This program is hosted by the Friends of the Whitney Community Center, is FREE and runs  4-7 pm at the Whitney Community Center.
    • To help us better plan, please Click Here to sign up and let us know what you will be bringing.
    • More info: https://whitneyccprograms.com/
  • Community Event: OPEN HOURS @ Jackson Historical Society
    1-3pm • Jackson Historical Society (Also open by appointment.)

  • Community MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT around town:
    • Shannon Door: Mitch Alden • 6-9pm
    • Red Parka: Packmann Dave • 5-8pm
    • Ledge Brewing: Al Hospers’ 77th Birthday Jam! • 4-7pm
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