Advent Daily Devotional: WEEK of HOPE – DAY 7 – Sat, Dec 4
Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord. — Psalm 31:24
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path. — Psalm 119:105
______________________________________
The final day of its solo vigil, this candle sums up the week’s theme of hope. Alone it burns. Signals to you. Symbolizes everything you can imagine that hope might offer or promise. Dares to challenge its surroundings and add its small brightness to the world. Reminds you that your life, your heart, your mind, your choices, your voice, and your acts make an impact. — Rev Gail
______________________________________
A lot of people have their big dreams and get knocked down and don’t have things go their way. And you never give up hope, and you really just hold on to it. Hard work and perseverance. You just keep getting up and getting up, and then you get that breakthrough. — Robert Kraft
In the right light, at the right time,
everything is extraordinary. – Aaron Rose
Advent Daily Devotional: WEEK of HOPE – DAY 6 – Fri, Dec 3
… hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem. — Psalm 130:7
O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
— Psalm 43:3
______________________________________
By now, the Advent candle has melted down and lost some height, especially if it is used every day. Yet its flame flares and rises upright: one small beacon.
‘Grounded hope’ requires a sense of empowerment and agency. In response to whatever is happening in your life, you develop confidence that you can exert some control over whatever comes next. Hope includes this proactive, reality-based troubleshooting approach to the issues in life.
Writing about resiliency for Option B, Kravetz observes,
‘We start by asking, “Given what’s happened to me, what am I going to do about it? How can I build a better life on top of it?” Then we set goals for ourselves and find sources of motivation to pursue those goals.’ Perhaps events occur that are beyond your control. Perhaps circumstances include situations that involve your own choices and actions.
Scientist and change-maker Jane Goodall reflects, in her book Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey, “Each one of us matters, has a role to play, and makes a difference. Each one of us must take responsibility for our own lives, and above all, show respect and love for living things around us, especially each other.”
What plans might you make in response to whatever requires change in your life? Break your strategy into small do-able steps. Pace yourself. Set up the opportunity to succeed incrementally as you implement your strategy.
Look again at the candle. Focus on its capacity to change its surroundings and how it affects your perception of your world. Hope is achievable! — Rev Gail
______________________________________
They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy
in this world: someone to love, something to do,
and something to hope for. – Tom Bodett
There’s a sorrow and pain in everyone’s life, but every now and then there’s a ray of light that melts the loneliness in your heart and brings comfort like hot soup and a soft bed.
– Hubert Selby, Jr.
Advent Daily Devotional: WEEK of HOPE – DAY 5 – Thurs, Dec 2
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:31
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? — Psalm 27:1
______________________________________
Watch the edge of the candle flame. It shifts. Changes color. Jumps and flickers. It seems to be alive.
In your own body, your heart leaps. Your breath catches. You, too, are alive.
Writer and researcher Lee Daniel Kravetz suggests that during the urgency of crisis and other life-changing events, we especially seek hope. Such experiences shift ‘our focus to the legacy we’ll leave … It pushes us to ask the question, “What is truly important to me?”’ Extreme circumstances or changes in perspective cause such clarification of our priorities.
What has become important to you over the past year or more? What, in this season, arises to claim your energy and imagination? Part of hope is channeling your time and resources into those areas of your life that matter the most and offer the greatest sense of purpose.
Let your flame be fed by what you value above all else. — Rev Gail
______________________________________
Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality. — Jonas Salk
Light must come from inside. You cannot ask the darkness to leave; you must turn on the light. —Sogyal Rinpoche
This week with JCC and around town: THURS, DEC 2 – SUN, DEC 5
THURS, Dec 2
- Community Service: WAY STATION SHIFT
All Day • Way Station, 15 Grove St, No Conway
Volunteers open day resource center for showers, mail pickup, grocery distribution, and more - Community Event: CONIFER TREE ID (Tin Mountain program)
7pm •Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86854117167 Meeting ID: 868 5411 7167 Conifers, or cone bearing trees, are easy to tell from deciduous trees, but how about from one another? How do you tell a spruce from a fir from a hemlock from far away? Join David Govatski for an overview of needle bundles, bark, and other clues to help you better identify the diverse class of conifers in the region. You’ll never refer to all cones as ‘pine cones’ again! - Community Events: MUSIC AROUND TOWN
- Wildcat Tavern: Rafe Matregrano • 5:30pm-8:30pm
FRI, Dec 3
- WOMEN’S GROUP CHRISTMAS SEASON POTLUCK
11:30am • JCC Parish House
Please RSVP to Linda Hastings by email if you plan to attend. - Community Resource: LIBRARY OPEN
2-5pm • Jackson Library- Masks and distance will be strictly required while in the building. If you’re unable to mask, you can still take advantage of our pickup or delivery service – simply let us know what you need.
- Contact the library for additional help: 603.383.9731 or by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org
- Community Event: FIRST FRIDAY-REED ORGAN CHRISTMAS (Mountain Top program)
Noon • Brown Church, Conway
George Wiese plays Christmas-themed music, familiar and not-so-familiar, on his 1903 harmonium (reed organ), with Chris Nourse, viola, and Kate Vachon, flute. Hear the sounds of a Victorian family parlor at the holidays! The concert lasts about an hour, and is free – of course donations are gratefully accepted. Sign up and donate on line if you’re able; walk-ins are OK too. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative test w/in 72 hours is required. Info & tickets: https://mountaintop.ludus.com/index.php?step=seats - C3: COCKTAILS & CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION
5pm • Zoom link & password required.
Bring your adult beverage and your curiosity for a conversation about our sacred texts. - Community Event: Mountain Top Music Concert: MAJESTIC CAFE: Justin Ramos & Eric Rollnick
7pm/8pm • Majestic Theater, Conway
$10/pp. More info: https://mountaintop.ludus.com/index.php?step=seats - Community Events: MUSIC AROUND TOWN
- Wildcat Tavern: Al Shafner • 6-9pm
- Shannon Door: Marty Quirk • 6-9pm
- Red Parka: Now Is Now • 8-11pm
- Shovel Handle: Scott Baer • 6-9pm
SAT, Dec 4
- JOHN PEPPER CELEBRATION of LIFE
11am • JCC
Celebration of Life for John Pepper. Friends and family invited. Masking required. Livestreaming also available for those unable to attend in person. Alternately, people can watch the service live-streaming on the church’s website at this link: https://jacksoncommunitychurch.org/memorial/. The video on this page will be deactivated shortly after the service ends. - Community Resource: LIBRARY OPEN
10am-2pm • Jackson Library Return to full hours of Tu&Th 10-7, W&F 2-5, Sa 10-2. We will continue to close on Sunday for the time being.
Masks and distance will be strictly required while in the building. If you’re unable to mask, you can still take advantage of our pickup or delivery service – simply let us know what you need.
One family at a time in the kids room.
Bathrooms and meeting room remain closed.
Contact the library for additional help: 603.383.9731 or by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org - PIANO RECITAL
6pm • JCC
Students of Molly Dellavalla hold recital. Masking required. - Community Events: MUSIC AROUND TOWN Wildcat Tavern: Jeremy Dean • 6-9pm
- Shannon Door: Marty Quirk • 4-6:30pm / SHeehan & Holden • 7-10pm
- Red Parka: Now Is Now • 8-11pm
SUN, Dec 5
- INTERFAITH GATHERING
8am • Old Red Library next to church (indoors) & Zoom link & password required.
Poetry and conversation. Join us. Bring your own hot beverage on cold mornings! - WORSHIP ZOOM & IN-PERSON – Advent 3: Peace
10:30am • Zoom link & password required.- Join us for worship with music, scripture, prayer and reflection.
- Live music by Alan Labrie
- Advent 2: Peace candle-lighting by Roberts family
- Message with Rev Gail Doktor
- Angels & Elves gifts and gift tages must be returned by noon today.
- In-person attendance requires social distancing and maskingfor all attendees (additional precautions may be changed based on COVID stats and CDC guidelines).
- 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.
- GREENING the SANCTIARY
1pm • JCC
Volunteers continue decorating sanctuary. - Community Event: WREATH-MAKING
4pm • Whitney Community Center Reservations required: Link: https://www.dutchbw.com/product/12-5-21-wreath-making-class/
Join Carrie Scribner, owner of Dutch Bloemen Winkel, and learn how to create a fragrant and bountiful wreath for a festive accent on your front door. All supplies, tools and materials are supplied for this workshop including seasonal embellishments such as ribbons and pinecones. Bring gloves. Value of this workshop is $50. The Friends of the Whitney Community Center in Jackson have been so kind as to sponsor part of this workshop, bringing the cost to only $35 per person. This is event is for the Jackson Community only. https://www.dutchbw.com/product/12-5-21-wreath-making-class/ Let’s continue to keep our community safe this holiday season. Dutch Bloemen Winkel kindly asks that all participants be vaccinated or a have a negative Covid test in order to participate in this indoor class. Masks will also be required. - PEACE CONCERT with Dellavalla Bluegrass Trio
4pm • JCC
Join us for peace, protest and resistance songs performed by the Dellavallas! Masking required. Free concert. - Community Event: ARTISAN NIGHT
5-9pm • Shannon Door
Shop among the goods of local artisans! - Community Event: MUSIC AROUND TOWN
- Shannon Door: Sheehan & Holden• 6-9pm
- Red Parka: Blue Sunday – Erin Harpe & Delta Swingers – 5-8:30pm
Advent Daily Devotional: WEEK of JOY: Day 17- Tue, Dec 14
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be complete. — John 15:11
Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
— Ecclesiastes 11:7
______________________________________
For now, begin with the simple act of being present to whatever is going on within you and around you. Pay attention to your body and its experience.
For instance, engage your senses. What do you see? Hear? Smell? Feel? Taste? Ground yourself by taking this inventory of your senses.
Now focus on a few simple strategies to cultivate joy through bodily self-care.
Inhale. Hold your breath a moment. Exhale slowly. Breathe.
Mindful breathing offers healthful benefits. It lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, and helps regulate your body’s capacity to manage stress and fatigue. It reduces depression, burnout, and negative thinking. It boosts your capacity to manage chronic pain and positively affects the side effects of other illnesses or conditions such as diabetes.
Repeat your breathing cycle. Then repeat it again.
Now smile. Science urges that the act of smiling triggers healthy neurological responses. Floods your brain with positive, empowering chemistry. Improves your wellbeing psychologically and physically.
Joy is connected to your body-mind-spirit connections. While it grows out of spiritual, emotional, and psychological practices, it remains an embodied experience, too.
Let your senses ground you in your surrounds and in your own skin. Now inhale deeply. Hold your breath. Smile wider. As you exhale, blow out the Advent candles. — Rev Gail
______________________________________
To get the full value of joy you must have
someone to divide it with. ― Mark Twain
An age is called “dark,” not because the light fails to shine
but because people refuse to see it. – James Michener