Jackson Community Church

Summit, Spirit, Sky: connect to community and creation!

Outreach

This week’s Lenten Fast suggestion: Tips to Use Less Plastic

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Home, Justice & Activism, Lent & Easter, Outreach

From: THE UCC’s Environmental Justice Mission Group

Check out these easy ways you can start reducing your waste in your everyday life! Did you know that of the 30 million tons of plastic waste generated in the US in 2009, only 7 percent was recovered for recycling? 
Here are 17 ways to reduce your plastic waste:

  1. Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw
  2. Use a reusable produce bag. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade. Purchase or make your own reusable produce bag and be sure to wash them often! 
  3. Give up gum. Gum is made of a synthetic rubber, aka plastic. 
  4. Buy boxes instead of bottles. Often, products like laundry detergent come in cardboard which is more easily recycled than plastic.
  5. Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk bins and fill a reusable bag or container. You save money and unnecessary packaging. 
  6. Reuse containers for storing leftovers or shopping in bulk.
  7. Use a reusable bottle or mug for your beverages, even when ordering from a to-go shop
  8. Bring your own container for take-out or your restaurant doggy-bag since many restaurants use styrofoam. 
  9. Use matches instead of disposable plastic lighters or invest in a refillable metal lighter. 
  10. Avoid buying frozen foods because their packaging is mostly plastic. Even those that appear to be cardboard are coated in a thin layer of plastic. Plus you’ll be eating fewer processed foods! 
  11. Don’t use plasticware at home and be sure to request restaurants do not pack them in your take-out box.
  12. Ask your local grocer to take your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.) back. If you shop at a farmers market they can refill it for you.
  13. The EPA estimates that 7.6 billion pounds of disposable diapers are discarded in the US each year. Use cloth diapers to reduce your baby’s carbon footprint and save money. 
  14. Make fresh squeezed juice or eat fruit instead of buying juice in plastic bottles. It’s healthier and better for the environment.
  15. Make your own cleaning products that will be less toxic and eliminate the need for multiple plastic bottles of cleaner.
  16. Pack your lunch in reusable containers and bags. Also, opt for fresh fruits and veggies and bulk items instead of products that come in single serving cups.
  17. Use a razor with replaceable blades instead of a disposable razor.

Trying even one or two of these ideas can lead to good habits that will last well beyond Lent!

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY OBSERVANCES

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Calendar, Home, Justice & Activism, Outreach

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY PEACE WALK
Noon • Departing at noon from Eagles Way (parking along Eagles Way – the access road to Kennett HS – will be available).
Walk proceeds north along Rte 16 sidewalks for 2.6 miles to Schouler Park, North Conway. A closing Peace Circle will occur at Schouler Park approximately within time frame 1:30-2:15. SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK WEARING is requested and will be monitored at all Being Peace MWV events.A PEACE TREE for writing and hanging messages of peace will be at both live events.
More info or to follow along virtually: On Being Peace Mount Washington Valley:  www.beingpeacemwv.org

VIRTUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY DAY CELEBRATION
(World Fellowship Center & UUFES Co-Sponsor)
6pm •  Zoom link required.

  • For more information, please call Andy Davis at 603.452.4446. For the link to attend the event, contact andy@worldfellowship.org.
  • FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1571401533057894
  • The evening’s featured speaker, Arnold L. Farr, is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kentucky. He is also founder and President of the International Herbert Marcuse Society. Arnold has published dozens of articles and a couple of books on race, critical theory, and a wide range of other social issues in social/political philosophy. He is a member of the state coordinating committee for Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival and several other activist and political organizations. With a passing comment Dr. King once made to Harry Belafonte as a springboard, Dr. Farr will reflect on living with dignity, aplomb, courage and resistance in the current social and political climate.
  • Also featured will be Rhode Island-based storyteller Valerie Tutson, who has been telling stories in schools, churches, libraries, festivals and conferences since 1991. She draws her stories from around the world, with an emphasis on African traditions. Her repertoire includes stories and songs she learned in her travels to South Africa and West Africa, and stories from African American history. Valerie is a founding member and Director of the Rhode Island Black Storytellers, and FUNDA FEST: A Celebration of Black Storytelling. Valerie has received numerous awards for her work using storytelling to foster community. She has appeared at the National Storytelling Festival, and the National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference.
  • Shana Aisenberg will round out the program with a variety of musical offerings.

ALSO: Wednesday, January 20, (Inauguration Day). PEACE VIGIL
At Schouler Park, 10 am – 11:40 am  Being Peace through sitting and walking meditation. Closing Circle to follow meditations.   Instruction in meditation available. More info or to follow along virtually: On Being Peace Mount Washington Valley:  www.beingpeacemwv.org

Giving Tuesday

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Advent & Christmas, Home, Justice & Activism, Mt Washington Region, Mt Washington Valley, OutreachTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reminder about the church’s charitable partners.

INTERNATIONAL CAUSES
which our faith community supports through giving or volunteering:

  • Heifer International cards are available inside the church’s front entrance. You may take a card and make a donation (cash or check). Drop it in the wonderful church model made by Sandy Louis’ dad, which we’re using to collect these funds. Learn moreabout Heifer International.
  • Zimbabwe cards are available in the front of the church. These support partner faith communities and communal projects through the NH-Zimbabwe Ukama Partnership, including sister churches like JCC’s partner: Chikanga Church, City of Mutare, Zimbabwe. You can leave donations in the model church inside the front doors, or make an online donation: https://jacksoncommunitychurch.org/. Representatives from regions — including our churches — have traveled back and forth to establish strong ties between the partner faith communities.
  • Honduras Hope is a NH-based partnership with communities in Honduras. Church member Meg Phillips has traveled there several times to provide direct volunteer service in the communities and can answer your questions! Link to site for giving: https://www.hondurashope.org/donate

LOCAL CAUSES
the church supports financially and/or through volunteering. We respond to many local partners, so may not have included all such missions and initiatives here.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Missions team, contact the church: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org

Health and wellbeing of our community from many angles:

Education and Environment:

  • Mountaintop Music provides music education and performances throughout the valley. Learn more and/or donate (or join): http://www.mountaintopmusic.org/
  • Jackson XC Ski Touring Foundation: This foundation maintains trails for XC skiing in Jackson, offers classes, provides affordable youth education and access for snow shoeing and XC skiing, and works with local nonprofits and landowners on conservation initiatives. Learn more and/or donate (or join):  https://www.jacksonxc.org/
  • Tin Mountain Conservation Center is a local partner in environmental education and preservation. They have sites in Jackson and Albany, offer programs regionally and in our classes and community centers, as well as on their own sites. Learn more and/or donate (or join): https://www.tinmountain.org/
  • Upper Saco Valley Land Trust is quietly preserving land throughout the region, including many local sites. Learn more and/or make a donation (or join): https://www.usvlt.org/
  • Appalachian Mountain Club is integral to the culture and conservation of the White Mountains. Learn more: https://www.outdoors.org/
  • Believe in Books works on literacy and performing arts in the valley and conserves land along the Saco: http://www.believeinbooks.org/

Nov 29 Service: Advent 1 Hope

By jacksonnhccPosted on Posted in Home, Justice & Activism, Worship, YouthTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Worship Service with Candle-lighting by Roberts family, flute by Jeantte Heidmann, Q&A with Maeve Weeder and Clare Long re fighting forest fires, faith & hope and reprise of choral music ‘I Believe’

Advent Hope Message: Q&A by Maeve Weeder with Clare Long

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