Daily Advent Devotional: WEEK of JOY: Day 20-Fri, Dec 17
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them … —Psalm 5:11
What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?—Job 38:24
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Joy is fueled by the same source as hope and peace: it is fed by gratitude. As you light the three Advent candles, give thanks for the time and opportunity to reflect.
Re-framing each day through a lens of gratitude and appreciation is an excellent place for light to take hold. You perceive your world, your context, your life, and ideally yourself, with greater compassion and more perspective. You grow closer to connecting with those parts of your life that embody your values.
Before you blow out the candles, give thanks for the presence of light in the world. Give thanks for the ways you find to share your own light. — Rev Gail
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You show your humanity by how you see yourself not as apart from others but from your connection to others.—Desmond Tutu
When you show compassion, when you show caring, when you show love to others, do things for others, in a wonderful way you have a deep joy that you can get in no other way.—Dalai Lama
Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.—Yogi Bhajan
TUE, DEC 14 – SUN, DEC 19
TUE, Dec 14
- CLERGY LUNCH
12:30pm • Zoom (private meeting)
Local clergy convene for conversations, ecumenical event-planning, and peer support. Rev Gail attends. - Community Event: CHAIR YOGA
9:15am • Zoom.
Pre-registration required. Register for the Zoom link. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvd-CpqD4sEtdFkuT2horCr6QrTMdCHnGD. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Classes resume, after this week, on 1/4/22. This class is sponsored by the Whitney Community Center in Jackson for Jackson residents however, non-Jackson residents are encouraged to attend. Non-Jackson residents pay a class fee .More info: https://www.anjali-rose.com/yoga - Community Event: FLOW & ALIGN YOGA
4:30pm • Zoom.
Pre-registration required. Register for the Zoom link. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrf-Gvqz0sRf0_-P230qBI9VLMei_Ytw Classes resume, after this week, on 1/4/22. This class is sponsored by the Whitney Community Center in Jackson for Jackson residents however, non-Jackson residents are encouraged to attend. Non-Jackson residents pay a class fee. More info: https://www.anjali-rose.com/yoga - Community Resource: LIBRARY OPEN
10am-7pm • Jackson Library
Contact the library for additional help: 603.383.9731 or by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org
WED, Dec 15
- FITNESS with Laurie McAleer
9am • JCC Parish House
Free to participants. Last class of 2021: sessions resume January at 9:30am on Wednesdays. - Community Resource: LIBRARY OPEN
2pm-5pm • Jackson Library
Contact the library for additional help: 603.383.9731 or by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org - SANCTUARY DECORATING
1pm • JCC
Rev Gail and volunteers continue decorating the sanctuary, - ADVENT 3-Week Study Group: The Redemption of Scrooge
5pm: Dec 15, Dec 22 (zoom)- Co-facilitated as shared Jackson-Bartlett program by Rev Gail Doktor (Jackson) and Rev Pojen Lee (guest preacher at Bartlett)
- Free copies of book available in front entrance of Jackson Community Church. Judy Ludgate also has a few copies available for Bartlett Conrgegational Church’s friends and members who may wish to participate.
- Attend via Zoom link. COntact church for link and password: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org.
- The Redemption of Scrooge is written by Matt Rawle. Book description: Is redemption possible for Ebenezer Scrooge? Pastor and author Matt Rawle discovers the teachings of Jesus in the words of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Rawle dives deep into the dark, sad, greedy world of Scrooge and discovers a man in dire need of a second chance. Along with Scrooge, we meet the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and in the process learn about living with and for others in a world blessed by Jesus. Rediscover and reinvigorate your faith this Advent and Christmas season and look at this familiar classic through the lens of faith.
- COUNCIL MEETING
7pm • Zoom.
Contact church for link and password: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org.
Leadership meeting with staff, church officers, and team leaders to make decisions that support the church’s mission and operations. Open to public. This month we prepare budget for consideration during January 2022’s annual meeting.
THURS, Dec 16
- Community Resource: LIBRARY OPEN
10am-7pm • Jackson Library
Contact the library for additional help: 603.383.9731 or by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org - 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, more. - Community Event: WINTER BIRD ECOLOGY (TIn Mountain Conservation Center)
7pm • Zoom Link pending.Brush up on your winter bird identification as we review local winter bird field marks as well as pass on a few bird feeding tips for the winter season ahead. This program is a great refresher for the fast approaching Christmas Bird Count. More info: https://www.tinmountain.org/event/winter-bird-ecology-7/ - Community Event: CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS with Heather Pierson Jazz Trio (Mountain Top Music)
7pm/8pm • Majestic Theater, Conway
Heather Pierson, piano and vocals; Shawn Nadeau, bass, and Craig Bryan, drums, will perform Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Majestic Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 and refreshments will be available in the Majestic Cafe. Info & tickets: https://mountaintop.ludus.com/index.php - Community Event: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (M&D Theater Productions)
7:30pm • M&D Theater, North Conway
Patrick Barlow, writer of the Broadway and West End hit The 39 Steps, has retold Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens’ most beloved characters to life. From Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Fezziwig, Barlow’s A Christmas Carol uses nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality, and the power of imagination to convey this timeless story of redemption. Witness Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a stingy miser to a man who generously celebrates the spirit of the season all year long, in this highly theatrical adaptation. Tickets and info: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=124639 - Community Events: MUSIC AROUND TOWN
- Wildcat Tavern: Rafe Matregrano • 6-9pm
FRI, Dec 17
- Community Resource: LIBRARY OPEN
2pm-5pm • Jackson Library
Contact the library for additional help: 603.383.9731 or by email: staff@jacksonlibrary.org - C3: COCKTAILS & CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION
5pm • Zoom.
Contact church for link and password: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org.
Bring your adult beverage and your curiosity for a conversation about our sacred texts. - Community Event: MAJESTIC CAFE Concert: Dan Moore on piano, with Rick Gordon and Mike (Mountain Top Music)
7pm • Majestic Theater, Conway
$10/pp. More info: https://mountaintop.ludus.com/index.php?step=seats - Community Event: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (M&D Theater Productions)
7:30pm • M&D Theater, North Conway
Patrick Barlow, writer of the Broadway and West End hit The 39 Steps, has retold Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens’ most beloved characters to life. From Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Fezziwig, Barlow’s A Christmas Carol uses nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality, and the power of imagination to convey this timeless story of redemption. Witness Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a stingy miser to a man who generously celebrates the spirit of the season all year long, in this highly theatrical adaptation. Tickets and info: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=124639 - Community Events: MUSIC AROUND TOWN
- Wildcat Tavern: Al Shafner • 6-9pm
- Shannon Door: Marty Quirk • 6-9pm
- Red Parka: Shark Martin• 8-11pm
- Shovel Handle: Rek’lis Duo • 6-9pm
SAT, Dec 18
SUN, Dec 19
- INTERFAITH GATHERING
8am • Old Red Library next to church (indoors) & Zoom.
COntact church for link and password: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org.
Poetry and conversation. Join us. Bring your own hot beverage on cold mornings! - WORSHIP IN-PERSON & ZOOM – Advent 4: Love
10:30am • Zoom & Live. Contact church for link and password: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org.- Join us for worship with music, scripture, prayer and reflection.
- Live music by Alan Labrie
- Advent 4: Love candle-lighting by Robert Carper & Elizabeth Polansky
- Choral song debut
- In-person attendance requires social distancing and masking for 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.
- CHRISTMAS STORYTELLING with Doug Brendel
4pm • JCC
Author, minister, and humanitarian Doug Brendel performs Christmas stories in Parish House. Join us for seasonal reflections and delicious goodies. Donations will benefit the nonprofit New Thing and the local nonprofit the Way Station. This will also be livestreamed to Facebook and church website. - Community Event: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (M&D Theater Productions)
3:30pm • M&D Theater, North Conway
Patrick Barlow, writer of the Broadway and West End hit The 39 Steps, has retold Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens’ most beloved characters to life. From Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Fezziwig, Barlow’s A Christmas Carol uses nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality, and the power of imagination to convey this timeless story of redemption. Witness Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a stingy miser to a man who generously celebrates the spirit of the season all year long, in this highly theatrical adaptation. Tickets and info: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=124639 - Community Events: MUSIC AROUND TOWN
- Shannon Door: Riley Parkhurst • 6-9pm
Advent Daily Devotional: WEEK of PEACE: DAY 12 -Thurs, Dec 9
Peace be within your walls. — Psalm 122:7
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. — Isaiah 60:1
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The two Advent candles create more light together. The pair of lights suggest a relationship.
Peaceful relationships involve communication, reciprocity, and cooperation. People connected in such a way also recognize, accept, and trust each other.
How do you spend time being present to people with whom you have relationships? How do you ‘show up’? How do they ‘show up’ for you? How do you share time and connection? What forms of communication do you choose? In what ways do you build trust between yourself and others?
Clarity about being ‘okay’ yourself, so that you can be available to someone else, actually strengthens your ability to contribute to relationships. Think of it as the oxygen mask lesson on an airplane, when you are told to put on your own mask first, before assisting someone else. For instance, be sure you continue to be attentive to your own equilibrium via self-care: sleep, exercise, good nutrition, strategies for relaxation and renewal. Set reasonable limits to the way you offer your presence to others, whenever you can establish such boundaries, though sometimes caregivers are in situations that challenge self-care). Always check your boundaries within relationships.
Sometimes, when you are connected to people who are struggling with circumstances outside their control, and beyond your capacity to change, showing up is the most significant contribution you can make. In caregiving circles, this can be called ‘bearing witness.’ Sometimes it takes the shaping of being a consistent presence or companion, perhaps it takes the shape of mentoring or coaching, or just being a friend who listens and hangs out. This attentiveness may often be the best, most significant response you can offer someone.
Ultimately, peaceful relationships permit each participant to honor the light within other(s). Such a bond also enables you to shine your own light, too. Shine on! — Rev Gail
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No person, no place, and no thing has any power over us, for ‘we’ are the only thinkers in our mind.
When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, we will find it in our lives. — Louise Hay
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. — St. Francis de Sales
Advent Daily Devotional: WEEK of PEACE: DAY 11 – Wed, Dec 8
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. — John 14:27
You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. — Job 22:28
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For today, allow the lighting of candles to be an act of naming the blessings in your life. Let it bring awareness of how you can contribute to peace in your own heart and also in your corner of the world.
As you light each of the candles, name one thing you appreciate. For what are your grateful? Gratitude fosters perspective, which leads to a sense of balance and peace. — Rev Gail
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We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. — Dalai Lama
No degree of worldly darkness can extinguish the glow of a soul’s inner light. — Wes Fesler
Advent Daily Devotional: WEEK of PEACE: DAY 10 -Tue, Dec 7
Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—
in peace because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord
shall be your rear guard. — Isaiah 58:8
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When you light Advent candles or read and reflect, you are participating in a contemplative practice. Peace grows out of such habits.
Such practices strengthen the spiritual muscles upon which you draw. They create resilience and balance in your body, heart and mind. It can be a still and quiet experience: holding a yoga pose, maintaining a prayer position, or observing utter silence. Sometimes it involves movement of the body such as walking, dancing, or kinesthetic activities like knitting. Maybe it takes the form of unleashing a restless mind through journaling or creative expression. One way or another, set apart time and nurture your spiritual being.
By renewing your energy, you sustain radiance to share and nurture wellbeing to cradle the light within.— Rev Gail
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Sometimes you need to know that you have good people at your back when things go awry in your life.
Good relationships can bring peace of mind, not to mention longer life, companionship, health, happiness, and a host of other benefits. At bottom, we are social creatures who need each other. — Meg Selig
Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light
shining somewhere nearby. – Ruth Renkel