Events and reflections on Earth Day: Monday, April 22.
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make. — Jane Goodall
Events to Celebrate Earth Day
From article in Conway Daily Sun written by Tom Eastman, link to full article: https://www.conwaydailysun.com/community/valley_voice/valley-voice-myriad-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day/article_cf846792-fdd7-11ee-90ba-8b5699265904.htm
- 10am: Meet the Lorax, Book Reading and Earth Day-themed Storybook Trail at Believe in Books Literacy Foundation’s Theater in the Wood in Intervale. Meet-and-greet with the Lorax himself, with a reading of Dr. Seuss’ environmentally themed book of the same name. Families can also walk along the Earth Day-themed Storybook Trail at Theater in the Wood. For more, go to believeinbooks.org.
- 10am: Earth Day Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup with he Chocorua Lake Conservancy i. Join the annual cleanup today along Route 16. Meet at the Grove by Chocorua Lake, near the Narrows Bridge at the end of Chocorua Lake Road close to Route 16. Participants are requested to register at chocorualake.org/events.
- 9am-Noon: Trail Round-Up at Tin Mountain Conservation Center, meanwhile, is hosting aits Nature Learning Center on Bald Hill Road in Albany. Bring work gloves and a water bottle for the Earth Day cleanup while discovering some spring blooms, sounds, birds and frogs.
- 10am-1pm: Earth Day Events at Settlers Green in North Conway, including a “Paint-A-Pot event” where they provide the paint, brushes, smocks and materials. Plus, everyone gets to take home an Earth Day Planting Kit made with biodegradable products, perfect for an indoor window sill flower garden. Limit 100, while supplies last They also invite you to make a $25 donation to The Nature Conservancy’s science-based work to promote biodiversity and mitigate climate change at their Green Hills Preserve here in the Mount Washington Valley. Donors receive a Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Backpack. Limit 100, while supplies last.
Take the Mt Washington Valley Pledge with its ten principles (https://www.visitmwv.com/pledge)
- I pledge to plan ahead and be prepared. Research the places you plan to visit for its reservation and parking requirements. Check the weather forecast, and a map of the area you plan to explore. and be prepared to follow pandemic guidelines wherever you stay.
- I will treat others with kindness and respect. Respect each other, each other’s property, and the environment during your visit.
- I will trash my trash. Always carry-out, what you carry-in. Bring trash bags with you to pick up after yourself, and dispose of your waste appropriately. If you see trash left behind by someone else, go the extra mile, and pick up after them.
- I will keep the wildlife wild. Remember, when you’re out on the trail, you’re the one disrupting the animals, not the other way around! Notify NH Fish and Game and Maine Fish and Game when coming across sick or wounded animals. Don’t pursue wildlife or disturb nests, dens, and homes they have built.
- I will stick to the trails. Stay on marked trails to reduce your impact on nature. The land, and its vegetation may be protected, and can be harmed when you veer off-trail. Designated trails also work to separate public property from private property.
- I will take only pictures, and leave only footprints. Keep nature undisturbed. Leave what you find when it comes to plants, flowers, rocks, and trees when climbing or walking a trail. Don’t approach wildlife for any reason, (including getting that perfect selfie shot).
- When nature calls, I will respect nature. Be sure you know the appropriate ways to dispose of human waste when recreating in nature. Always go 200 feet off the trail and away from water sources, dig a proper 6-8 in hole as a makeshift bathroom, and use biodegradable toilet paper.
- I will camp responsibly. Minimize your impact on natural vegetation, and camp on durable surfaces in designated areas and campsites only. If you build a lean-to or a shelter, be sure to dismantle it before moving on.
- I will share the outdoors. Be considerate of others and mindful of the many reasons why someone may be accessing the outdoors. If you’re playing music, be mindful of the volume, and wear earbuds instead of using a speaker. Know your right of way on the trails, and in cross-walks, politely announce your presence to others and take responsibility for yourself.
- I will protect the waterways. Don’t throw your trash away in our lakes and rivers, or dump foreign liquids out into the water. Be sure to wash your boats before launching them in the valley’s lakes and rivers to protect them from foreign pest species, and don’t use lakes and streams as a bathroom.
Ideas for Other Ways to Observe Earth Care and Justice:
- Learn about Earth Day’s history and intention: https://www.earthday.org/history/
- Creation Justice Ministries of the UCC (United Church of Christ): Earth Day resources
- Pope Francis encyclical on environment and human ecology: Laudato Si
Of the Earth
The good man is the friend of all living things. —Gandhi
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together … all things connect. —Chief Seattle
Away, away, from men and towns, To the wild wood and the downs, — To the silent wilderness, Where the soul need not repress its music. —Percy Bysshe Shelley
The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations. —John Paul II
What’s the use of a fine house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on. —Henry David Thoreau
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. —Margaret Mead
One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken. —Leo Tolstoy
Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty. —John Ruskin
The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil … the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings. — Gerard Manley Hopkins
Walking in Beauty: Closing Prayer from the Navajo Way Blessing Ceremony
In beauty I walk
With beauty before me I walk
With beauty behind me I walk
With beauty above me I walk
With beauty around me I walk
It has become beauty again …
Today I will walk out, today everything negative will leave me
I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body.
I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me.
I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.
I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.
I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.
In beauty all day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons, may I walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With dew about my feet, may I walk.
With beauty before me may I walk.
With beauty behind me may I walk.
With beauty below me may I walk.
With beauty above me may I walk.
With beauty all around me may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk.
My words will be beautiful…
London School of Jewish Studies and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Legacy Offer Torah on Violence in Name of God
- Rabbi Alex Israel will speak about Cain, Abel and Rabbi Sacks’ thoughts on violence in the name of God (7.00 pm – 7.45 pm UK time).
- Following that, we will be hearing reflections and words of Torah from some … educators who live in Israel (7.45 pm – 8.15 pm), including Rabbi Johnny Solomon, Dr Tanya White, Rabbanit Leah Herzog and Rabbanit Surale Rosen.
- Register using this link (sign-up is free). Registration is required. LINK: https://www.lsjs.ac.uk/covenant-and-continuity-sefer-bereshit-the-book-of-genesis-1921.php
WALK to END ALZHEIMERS: Sat, Oct 14 @ Great Glen Trails
WALK to END ALZHEIMERS!
Sat, Oct 14
Great Glen Trails
Meet @ 10am – JCC Parking Lot
Join JCC and the Eagles Rest team or offer your support to Cure Alzheimers: http://act.alz.org/goto/eaglesrest2023
- Meet in the Jackson Community Church parking lot at 10 to carpool or caravan north to Great Glen
To register please go to : Alzheimers Walk, Find and select register, follow the prompts, (you want to Join a team) search for Eagle’s Rest, Our team should come up and you can then Join.
- Register with JCC’s Eagle’s Rest team (begun in memory of Steve Farish): http://act.alz.org/goto/eaglesrest2023
We will meet at the Jackson Community Church poarking lot, then carpool or caravan up to Great Glen.
Those who wish to extend the day are invited to stay and enjoy lunch together at the Glen House (everybody picks up their own bill).
Join or Support JCC’s Teams to Climb and Walk for Causes!
Jen’s Friends
CLIMB AGAINST CANCER
Sat, Sept 16 • 8am-Noon
Mt. Cranmore, North Conway
- Link to more info: https://jensfriends.salsalabs.org/jensfriendsclimb2023/index.html
FOR JCC TEAM, contact:
- Email or text Claire Mallette. Contact info available through church office.
WHY?
Jen’s Friends gives 100% of monies raised to MWV cancer patients to help defray costs incurred during treatment such as groceries, utility bills, gas cards, mortage,rent,taxes, specialty items for cancer patients, etc.,expenses not covered by insurance. All volunteer run!
WHO STARTED THIS?
Jen Hill’s friends and family supported her financially through cancer treatment and she requested it was to be shared with other cancer patients 26 years ago.
WHAT IS JCC DOING?
We have a team! Our goal is 15 walkers, raising $2000. We hope to exceed both! Many of our friends and members live with cancer now, are survivors, or grieve someone who died due to cancer.
WHAT IF I CAN’T CLIMB OR WILL BE AWAY?
No problem! You can ride the chairlift up,down, or both,for free! Watch Jean Limmer dancers at the summit. Enjoy a free lunch, music, silent auction. Or you can donate to our team, “JCC Jen’s Friends and solicit friends,neighbors and family to donate to our team.
HOW DO I DONATE OR REGISTER FOR OUR JCC TEAM?
- Soon the Jensfriends.org website will have the Hill Climb team registration and donations up and running, watch for reminders!
- Or use a donation envelope at church, with check payable to: Jen’s Friends Climb Against Cancer for checks, Memo: JCC Team, Jen’s friends Climb Against Cancer. On envelope for checks or cash write: JCC Team, Jen’s Friends.
HOW DO I HONOR A LOVED ONE?
Info forthcoming about ordering a sign that will be posted along the route with “In Support of” or “In memory of.” To learn more about this organization go to: Jensfriends.org
Please consider registering for the Jackson Community Church Team. You don’t have to hike! If you join us at Cranmore on September 16th you can also ride the chairlift up and down for free, enjoy the music, dance performance, Zumba warm-up with Dottie, amazing free lunch, festive atmosphere! If busy that day still register and walk virtually.
Use the link below to register and/or donate. When asked if you’d like to join an existing team PLEASE click on Jackson Community Church Team! It would be so much fun to enjoy this day with you!”
Thanks for you support! Claire”
WALK to END ALZHEIMERS!
Sat, Oct 14
Great Glen Trails
Join our JCC team or offer your support to Cure Alzheimers
http://act.alz.org/goto/eaglesrest2023
We’ll walk locally on Oct 14, same day as the walk in Greater Portland, because this gives us a “matching day” to do our local walk.
To register please go to : Alzheimers Walk, Find and select register, follow the prompts, (you want to Join a team) search for Eagle’s Rest, Our team should come up and you can then Join.
- Join our JCC team or offer your support to Cure Alzheimers: http://act.alz.org/goto/eaglesrest2023
This event is open to everyone who wishes to participate or support (registration required). Hopefully we will have great weather and foliage as we did last year.
FAITH on the MOVE! Climbing, Walking & Biking to Make a Difference!
Join or Support JCC’s Teams to Climb, Walk, Bike for Causes!
Continue reading “FAITH on the MOVE! Climbing, Walking & Biking to Make a Difference!”