Opening worship for the national Synod gathering of the UCC (United Church of Christ)
SYNOD Begins Today: WORSHIP featuring Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
You can view it as a Facebook event or on Youtube live event at 5pm EST today, Sunday, July 11.
Live chat is disabled for this event, but you can participate:
- Join the conversation on Facebook event!
- You can also join the conversation with hashtags #UCCSynod #Worship
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.’s history in the United Church of Christ and the Civil Rights Movement go back years and reflect a legacy of justice orientation and activism. Chavis was a part of the Wilmington 10, a group of civil rights activists who were wrongly convicted of arson and conspiracy in 1972 after deadly racial conflicts in 1971. Chavis, a staffer with the UCC’s Commission for Racial Justice (CRJ), received a 34-year sentence. CRJ came to their defense, and the 1977 General Synod meeting in Washington, D.C. held a march outside the White House for their release. Their sentences were commuted in 1978, their convictions overturned in 1980, and in 2013, the state’s governor pardoned them. Chavis was a youth organizer in North Carolina for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., served as Executive Director of CRJ from 1985 to 1993, headed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1993 to 1994, served as national director of 1995 Million Man March in D.C., co-founded the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, and now leads the National Newspaper Publishers Association. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and Duke Divinity School and holds a D.Min. degree from Howard University. Originally published in 1983, Chavis’ Psalms from Prison is available for pre-order at The Pilgrim Press: https://www.thepilgrimpress.com/products/psalms-from-prison-chavis
JCC and Around Town: MON, Aug 24 – SUN, Aug 30
Note: Rev Gail will be on vacation/”stay-cation” during the period Aug 20 – Aug 31 while her family visits. You may continue to email Rev Gail, especially in emergency, but responses and availability will be limited during this time. You may contact deacon Meg Phillips if any urgent needs arise.
MON, Aug 24
- 1pm Leaders in Training program is concluded for the summer. We will resume in September.
- 4pm Youth Choir & Band resumes on Mon, Aug 30. We are taking a break this week as band & choir members submit their recordings. Contact Billy Carleton for more info or if you have questions.
TUE, Aug 25
- Community Event: STORY by Believe in Books
9:30am • Believe in Books Livestream - STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHOIR: Tenor & Bass Rehearsal
10am • Zoom (link available for choir member – RSVP by email to participate) 10am – Tenor & Bass - Community Event: FAMILY EXPLORATION PROGRAM – MAGNIFICANT MONARCHS
11am & 1pm • Nature Learning Center, Albany
To register for any session call 603-447-6991 or email us at info@tinmountain.org.- Please bring a mask for each participant.
- Suggested Donation $15/family for members and $25/ family for non-members. Scholarships available.
- Make a day of it and bring a picnic lunch. Each family (or families that prearrange to come together) will sign up for an 11am or 1pm start time and will travel between stations along the trail with a Tin Mountain staff member.
- And because each family group stays with the same instructor for the duration, programming can be tailored to and appropriate for any age!
- CLERGY LUNCH
12:30pm • Zoom
Local clergy gathering for meal and discussion. - Community Event: LIBRARY PICKUP/PRINTING HOURS
2-6pm • Jackson Public Library
You can place a hold –- online via your Koha account using your 14 digit library card number
- Contact by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org. or leave a voice message at 603-383-9731
- We will send you an email as soon as your item/s are ready for pickup. If you need to make special arrangements, please let us know, we want to help.
- Printing and scanning services are also available. Contact us for details.
WED, Aug 26
- Community Event: STORY by Believe in Books
9:30am • Believe in Books Livestream - Community Service: WAY STATION BOARD of DIRECTORS
9:45am • Zoom
Board meeting to discuss policies and programs. JCC volunteers attend as officers of board. - RING BELL
Noon • Jackson Community Church
THURS, Aug 27
- Community Event: YIN/RESTORATIVE YOGA with Anjali Rose
**8am** • Zoom (Link provided once participants complete health waiver is sent to anjalirose15@gmail.com and registration/payment for class received.) See Anjali’s website for full list of classes offered and instructions to register. - Community Event: STORY by Believe in Books
9:30am • Believe in Books Livestream - STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHOIR: Soprano & Alto Rehearsal
10am • Zoom (link available for choir member – RSVP by email to participate) 10am – Sopranos & Altos - Community Event: NATURALIST LED HIKES (Tin Mountain Conservation Center – Jackson Field Station)
10am • Jackson Field Station, Jackson, NH
Registration required: call 603-447-6991. Highlights include the summit of Tin Mountain, a tin mine on the property, and historic homestead, and a mountain pond. Tin Mountain’s naturalist will explain the historic use of the property, help identify plant species, and point out animal signs. These hikes are a great way to explore the lesser trod trails of the White Mountains and avoid the crowds. Participants of all ages a welcome. Reservations required – please call by the Wednesday prior at noon. Limited to 10 participants. Program fee of $5/person or $20/family; members free. More info: https://www.tinmountain.org/event/naturalist-led-hikes-8/ - RING BELL
Noon • Jackson Community Church - Community Event: LIBRARY PICKUP/PRINTING HOURS
2-6pm • Jackson Public Library
You can place a hold –- online via your Koha account using your 14 digit library card number
- Contact by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org. or leave a voice message at 603-383-9731
- We will send you an email as soon as your item/s are ready for pickup. If you need to make special arrangements, please let us know, we want to help.
- Printing and scanning services are also available. Contact us for details.
- Community Service: WAY STATION SHIFT
3pm • Curbside package preparation
5pm • Shift at curbside with guests - Community Event: CRAFTUP (Jackson Library)
4pm • Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/888091236
All crafts and all skill levels are welcome. - Community Event: WHITE MOUNTAIN JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL featuring GOD’s SLAVE (final in summer series) with guest speaker Marjorie Agosin.
7:30pm • Zoom 1) Contact organizer IN ADVANCE register. Please email: whitemountainjewishfilm@gmail.com
2) In advance, watch the film under discussion, GOD’S SLAVE. Available to rent on Amazon Prime for $4.99 HD, or click on “more options” for the $3.99 SD version. Here’s the link to God’s Slave on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Slave-Mohammed-Alkhaldi/dp/B00SNUT2YY The film’s running time is about 1:35 minutes. 3) Then look for followup email (once registered) that includes link to attend the Film Forum.
Additional info about Marjorie Agosin: poet, human rights activist, and literary critic. Marjorie Agosin is Professor of Spanish, at Wellesley College. Her diverse writing and teaching focuses on Jewish literature, women’s rights and human rights in Latin America, as well as migration, identity and ethnicity. Professor Agosin’s accomplishments are many — deeply tied to her love of her adopted home: Chile, and her commitment to social justice. The United Nations has honored Agosin for her work on human rights. The Chilean government awarded her with the Gabriela Mistral Medal of Honor for Life Achievement in 2000. And in the United States, she has received the Letras de Oro, the Latino Literary Prize, and the Peabody Award, together with the United Nations Leadership Award in Human Rights. Here is a link to learn more about her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Agos%C3%ADn and a sample of her books for adults and children which are available on Amazon:
A Cross and a Star: Memoirs of a Jewish Girl in Chile and I Lived on Butterfly Hill and Taking Root: Narratives of Jewish Women in Latin America (Ohio RIS Latin America Series Book 38)
FRI, Aug 28
- Community Event: STORY by Believe in Books
9:30am • Believe in Books Livestream - RING BELL
Noon • Jackson Community Church - JUDY FULLER’S MEMORIAL
3pm •Glen Cemetery, Glen, NH
Link to memorial website: https://judyfuller.alpynservices.com.
RSVP to the service: https://judyfuller.alpynservices.com/rsvp/
Rev Gail facilitates the gathering. From Judy’s Family: “We would like you to join us for a beautiful memorial service planned for Judy. It will be held at the Glen Cemetary in Glen, NH. This will be a casual, socially distanced, outdoor service, in order to accommodate all those who would like to attend. We would like an RSVP and also ask that everyone be considerate and please wear a mask.” They write: “About Judy… Judy was born on April 2, 1936 to Roger A. and Isabel M. Griffin, in Boston, MA. She was the first born of the 6 Griffin children, who’s births spanned 18 years. Being the oldest, Judy was relied upon to help care for her younger siblings, and as the only girl in the first 4, she quickly learned be very resourceful. Her Life… After graduating from college, she met and married the love of her life, in a ski club in Glen, NH. Together, Judy and Carl raised a family that she was most proud of, ran a successful small retail business, and she generously gave her time and energy to many organizations including Cranmore Mountain, the garden club, and the Meister Cup Race. Upon retiring to NH full time, Judy enjoyed their social life, playing golf with the ladies, and skiing with “the gang”. Together, Carl and Judy traveled all over the US and the World to visit with their many friends and family. They enjoyed life on their many trips to fish at Jones Pond, and the chores of daily retirement life, like making homemade maple syrup. Judy will be dearly missed by her family, close friends, and the many people that came to know her.”
SAT, Aug 29
- Community Event: LIBRARY PICKUP HOURS
10am-2pm • Jackson Public Library
You can place a hold- online via your Koha account using your 14 digit library card number
- Contact by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org. or leave a voice message at 603-383-9731
- We will send you an email as soon as your item/s are ready for pickup. If you need to make special arrangements, please let us know, we want to help.
- Printing and scanning services are also available. Contact us for details.
- RING BELL
Noon • Jackson Community Church - Private Event: WEDDING
Afternoon • Jackson Community Church
SUN, Aug 30
- INTERFAITH GATHERING (pavilion only)
8am • Pavilion **ONLY** this week and next week. No zoom in Rev Gail’s absence, group will be lay-led. Small group gathering outside at pavilion. Use social-distancing protocols: bring your own mask. Join us for poetry, prayer and reflection. - CHOIR PRACTICE
9am • Zoom link & password required. Contact church for more info. - IN-PERSON WORSHIP in SANCTUARY with GUEST PREACHER REV. CANON DAN WEIR
9:15am • Social-distancing & Masks REQUIRED
We will use only designated open pews only (2 out of 3 pews are roped off). Families (and quaran-team groups who have already been in close proximity) may sit together. We will avoid passing of peace, handshaking, hugs, etc. We also ask that you use hand sanitizer as you enter and wear your own mask throughout service. Worship will be streamlined with scripture, prayer and live music by Alan Labrie (if he’s able to arrive while worship is in session): no congregational singing. When worship ends, participants are asked to leave the church with social distance between each group; we will immediately be preparing for the next zoom-based 10:30am worship service. If you have any signs of illness such as fever, cough, congestion, stomach upset, you are courteously asked to remain home and take care of yourself. - VIRTUAL WORSHIP with GUEST PREACHER REV. CANON DAN WEIR (Zoom)
10:30am • Zoom link & password required. Contact church for more info.
Join us for worship, music, reflection, prayer, scripture. Stay for virtual coffee hour. Service will also be live-streamed to website and Facebook (if technology supports this function on the day of event). Afterward, recordings of worship service will be posted to Facebook, Vimeo.com channel & Youtube.com channel. - RING BELL
Noon • Jackson Community Church
STATEWIDE NH CONFERENCE CHOIR
Virtual – Directed by Billy Carleton
We are preparing choral music for the Sat, Oct 17th Annual Meeting of the NH Conference. Choir director Billy Carleton will be working with choir participants from across the state.
Rehearsal schedule follows: Thursdays: Aug 18, 25
- 10am – Tenors & Bass
Thursdays: Aug 20, 27
- 10am – Altos & Sopranos
Sundays: Aug 16 & 30
- 2pm – Combined Practice
Recordings due:
- Final individual recordings due by Sun, Aug 30.
RSVP if interested , so we may send you email updates, links to download music and practice tracks, as well as rehearsal zoom-based links.
Juneteenth
Article shared from NH UCC’s Racial Justice Mission Group:
The Racial Justice Mission Group Invites the NH Conference ChurchesTo Celebrate Juneteenth
Our Purpose in Celebrating Juneteenth in New Hampshire is based upon our desire for greater visibility, education, and alliance in a state and geographic region that is historically perceived as demographically white. This misperception is perpetuated through the mainstream and local media; socially, culturally, and politically governed institutions; and lack of cultural awareness manifested in expressions of implicit bias. On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill proclaiming an annual observance Juneteenth as an officially recognized state holiday. This act ended many decades of oversight. Juneteenth Commemorates the End of Slavery and the Beginning of a Journey into Freedom-It recalls how the states of Louisiana and Texas heard that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Slavery continued in those two states for more than two years after the proclamation was signed due to active resistance. News of Emancipation had not been fully shared until June 19, 1865. Hence this is the origin of the Juneteenth holiday which is still celebrated in many communities of African American descent. Americans, this is our collective history and a narrative that deserves to be shared. Remember that in NH, slaves were not legally freed until the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, though many NH people fought on the side of the Union. NH was not a free state. Continue reading.
Full letter and links to Facebook events and additional resources. https://www.nhcucc.org/uploads/documents/weekly-news-documents/Juneteenth_2020.pdf
Upcoming events and information focused on education, engagement, and mourning: some for COVID and many for racial justice responses.
Some additional educational resources and regional/national events and correspondence focused either on lamentation for COVID or mourning and engagement around racial justice. Use what you find helpful, and please set aside those notices that you find out of alignment with your approach to these events. What is happening in this nation is complicated, and cannot be simplified into absolutes, binary/dualistic categories, or declarations that make us only “either/or”, “good/bad”, “right/wrong”, “in/out”. These can only be viewed and used as starting points for deeper and more comprehensive engagement in our own community.
From our local grammar school, some excellent resources:
- Sesame Street Town Hall on Racism for families to watch together to begin or support the conversation in your home.
Additional links families (and adults) may find useful, per school leaders:
- https://medium.com/lions-story/talking-to-children-after-racial-incidents-46843a062f27
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/in-the-news/talking-about-race/#close
- https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2018/teaching-learning-race-and-racism
The NH Council of Churches has written letters and recommended next steps regarding racial justice responses to deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery,. See below.
- Joint letter from multiple Christian organizations.
- Statements from each member denomination as well as ideas for further action.
The NH UCC offers this Theological Roundtable on Racial Justice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iczYc42Y1Rw&feature=youtu.be.
- This video features reflections shared by The Rev. Gordon Rankin, Conference Minister, New Hampshire Conference, United Church of Christ (NHCUCC); and members of the NHCUCC Racial Justice Mission Group, Kira Morehouse, Member and Delegate, Brookside Congregational Church U.C.C., Manchester; Rev. John Gregory-Davis, Co-pastor, Meriden Congregational Church; Rev. Renee’ Rouse, Pastor, Northwood Congregational Church; Harriet Ward, Member, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Brentwood-Kingston; and Rev. Dr. Dawn Berry, Member, First Congregational Church, UCC, Hopkinton, and Chair, Racial Justice Mission Group.
Other interfaith and Christian organizations have planned national and regional memorial observances for COVID and in remembrance of recent deaths of African American citizens:
- Sunday, June 7 @ 10am – A National Eulogy and Interfaith Service of Mourning for those who have Died of COVID. The service will be co-led by Revs. Barber and Theoharis and Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Imam Omar Suleiman and Valerie Kaur.
- Sunday, June 7 @ 2-4pm – Boston Black Memorial for George, Breonna and Ahmaud. See link for details.
- Monday, June 8 @ 3:30pm – Peaceful Rally at Schuler Park, North Conway, NH. Details not available, learned of this via colleagues, so not sure of organizer identity or specific focus of rally, assuming a racial justice theme.
- Monday, June 8 – National Day of Fasting and Focus planned by Poor People’s Campaign.
- Noon EST/ 9am PST – “We Won’t Be Silent” Virtual Art Buildat to be together and heal together through art-making, share messages of justice and get prepared for the day of action. Register here.
- 5-5:30pm – Time of Silence and Liturgy with Dr. William Barber. The Day of Fasting and Focus will culminate at 5pm when we are asking people to stop where you are for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in silence. Event on Facebook.