THIS WEEK at Jackson Community Church and Around Town: MON, Mar 11 – SUN, Mar 17
MON, Mar 11
- EDUCATION TEAM MEETING
Meeting with church and local community leaders to work on educational opportunities for faith formation schedule, family engagement activities, camps, preschool programs, scholarships, volunteer activities, etc. - SCOUT PACK 321
Scout meeting at church including community service and work on ‘pew holders’ for sanctuary. - RELIGION, CONFLICT & PEACE
Harvard Online EdX course. Self-Paced. Continues 8 weeks • Expect: 4-8 hours of study per week. Registration Link to register for the Harvard Online EdX course.
TUE, Mar 12
- Community Event: ELECTIONS in JACKSON
8am-7pm • Whitney Community Center, Jackson, NH - Community Event: ELECTIONS in BARTLETT
8am-7pm • Bartlett Town Hall, Bartlett, NH - Community Event: WINTER BIRDS of PLUM ISLAND
7:30am-5pm • Tin Mountain Conservation Center / Nature Learning Center, Albany to carpool. Snowy owls, horned larks, short-eared owls and northern shrikes … some of the interesting birds at Plum Island during the winter. Bring binoculars, a lunch, and dress warm as we head south to Parker River Wildlife Refuge. Call 447-6991 for reservations. Unless otherwise stated, donations of $3/pp, $5/family are appreciated. - NORTH CARROLL COUNTY CAREGIVING COALITION: SMART GOAL Meeting
10:30am • Meet with Marianne Jackson in No Conway for refresher on use of SMART Goals method. - NORTH COUNTRY ASSOCIATION
Noon • Berlin, NH
Lunch for UCC clergy and lay leaders. UCC ministers in Mt Washington Valley, including Rev Gail, attend.
WED, Mar 13
- TUNE UP FITNESS with Laurie McAleer
9:30am • Parish House.Fitness class. Free; open to public. These classes will continue through the end of February, then the instructor will re-evaluate whether she can continue into March. Classes remain weather dependent; if schools are delayed or closed, the class will be cancelled.
THURS, Mar 14
- BLISS YOGA with Anjali Rose
9am • First Floor, Parish House / Jackson Community Church. Beginning stretch, flow and align yoga; safe for new practitioners. Weather dependent; if schools are delayed or closed, the class will be cancelled. - Community Event: ECOFORUM – NH BOBCAT POPULATION
12-1pm • Tin Mountain Conservation Center / Nature Learning Center, Albany
Join Patrick Tate, Wildlife Biologist with NH Fish & Game, for an update on the state’s bobcat population. - AA
6:30pm • Second Floor, Church. - Community Event: TOWN MEETING in JACKSON
6:30pm • Josiah Bartlett Elementary School, Bartlett, NH - Community Event: TOWN MEETING in JACKSON
7pm • Whitney Community Center, Jackson, NH - Community Event: JEN’S FRIENDS FUNDRAISER & ‘LOCALS’ ST PATRICK’S CELEBRATION
5-10pm • Shannon Door Restaurant & Pub
Note from Jen’s Friends: Jackson voters, please attend the fundraiser at the Shannon Door for Jen’s friends cancer foundation before or after town meeting. You’ll find a raffle and a donation is made for every pizza sold to Jen’s. A great way to fortify before the meeting or a relaxing follow up after the meeting.
PLUS: live music 7-10pm with Dennis O’Neil & Davey Armstrong to celebrate St Patricks Day.
FRI, Mar 15
- PASTOR’s DROP-IN HOURS
7-9am • J-Town Deli
Come for caffeine, conversation. Or make a separate date to meet with Rev Gail by calling her cell (978) 273.0308 or email. - Community Event: BAXTER WINTER TRIATHLON
9-11am • Start and Finish at Madeline’s Deli on the Wentworth Resort Trail at Jackson XC.
Run, snowshoe and ski to the finish. More info from Jackson XC. For more info, contact Jackson XC at603-383-9355. - Community Event: NH LISTENS – Advanced Facilitator Training
10am-4pm • Conway Library, Conway, NH Registration Link.$50 fee. Fee waived for students and those with financial need. This workshop enhances confidence to remain neutral, productively address issues, encourage and move conversation in a constructive manner. Rev Gail attends. - Community Event: GUIDED SNOW SHOE TOURS
10am & 1pm • Start from Jackson XC Ski Touring Center
$15 includes ticket and tour; rental equipment available. Tours are approx. 90 minutes. More info.
SAT, Mar 16
- Community Event: GUIDED SNOW SHOE TOURS
10am & 1pm • Start from Jackson XC Ski Touring Center. $15 includes ticket and tour; rental equipment available. Tours are approx. 90 minutes. More info. - WEDDING CONSULT
1pm • Jackson Community Church
Rev Gail meets with bride and groom. - Community Event: MINI BOOK SALE
11am-1pm • Old Jackson Library (next to church)
This month’s special is “Buy One, Get One Free”. Stop by and browse a wonderful selection of hardback and paperback books, both fiction and non-fiction, children’s books, and a small selection of CDs and DVDs. - Community Event: TRIVIA
3pm • Jackson Public Library
Jackson Community Church’s team will participate. Note from library: “Trivia!” with hosts Edith and Bob Houlihan … If you have attended any of our previous trivia events, you’ll know how popular it is and how crowded things can get. That’s why we are again requesting pre- registration. Fill out a quick form online or phone us (603-383-9731) to sign up a team of 3-6 people. You can also sign up as an individual and we’ll put you on a house team.
SUN, Mar 17
- INTERFAITH GATHERING @ OLD LIBRARY
8am • Old Library. Hot beverages available. Come for poetry, literature, conversation and prayer. - BLESSING of BODIES, BOOTS & BINDINGS
9:15am • Jackson XC Ski Touring Foundation
Rev Gail offers blessings to staff, volunteers and skiers. - WORSHIP
10:30am • Jackson Community Church.
* Story: Rev Gail
* Accompanist: Alan Labrie - Community Concert: FEELINGS of PLACE & NATURE
4pm • Tin Mountain Conservation Center
Mountain Top Music, Tin Mountain Conservation Center and Upper Saco Valley Land Trust are collaborating on a concert of special interest about the land. The concert, “Feelings of Place in Music and Nature,” features multi-instrumentalist Ben Cosgrove, a traveling composer-performer whose “electric and exhilarating” music explores themes of landscape, place, and environment. Donations will be gratefully accepted at the door (suggested donation $10/person and $20/family). - Community Event: ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION
1-10:30pm• Shannon Door Pub
Doors open at 1pm. Irish music starts from 1:30 to 7 with Marty & Jono and then from 7-10:30 with Mary, Simon, Kevin and Davey.
SAVE THESE DATES:
TUE, MAR 19
TUESDAY FULL MOON
SOUP & SKI
Evening • Jackson Ski Touring.
Co-hosted by Jackson Community Church & Jackson XC
Have fun in the backyard… the Wentworth Loop … ski or snow shoe after dark and then enjoy a community soup supper. Soup supper provided by the Jackson Community Church at the Jackson Ski Touring Center.
WED, MAR 20
THE IMPOSSIBLE CLIMB
by MARK SYNNOTT
7pm • Whitney Community Center
In The Impossible Climb, Jackson’s own Mark Synnott uses his own career as a professional climber, its intersection with that of Alex Honnold and the lead-up to Honnold’s historic ascent, to paint a insider portrait of the elite climbing community, exploring what motivates them, the paradoxical drive to keep the sport pure and at the same time to fund climbs, and the role that awareness of mortality plays in the endeavour. We watch through Mark’s eyes as Alex plots, trains and attempts his heart-stopping free-solo ascent. Ultimately this is a story not only about climbing but about what makes us human, how we respond to fear and our drive to transcend the inevitability of death. This is the story which was also chronicled as a documentary in Free Solo.
LENTEN STUDY GROUPS
Meeting in March and April
Jackson Community Church
- March: Anne Lamott’s Almost Everything: Notes on Hope. A few copies available and others on order through Jackson Public Library.
- April: Desmond & Mpho Tutu’s The Book of Forgiving A few copies available and others on order through Jackson Public Library.
SECOND CHANCES CONCERT
4pm, Sun, April 7
Jackson Community Church
to benefit the Way Station
Kathy Bennett, Thom Perkins and Taylor Whiteside: featured artists.
UKRAINIAN EGG WORKSHOP
Sat, April 13
9-Noon or 2-5pm
Whitney Community Center
- Classes limited to 8 participants. $3/pp fee.
- Follow this link for registration for Ukrainian Egg Workshop
PALM SUNDAY
10:30am • April 14
Jackson Community Church
Worship with focus on themes of Holy Week.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
5pm • April 18
- Dinner and worship around common table.
- Soup & bread supper provided by deacons.
HOLY FRIDAY
April 19
- Noon-3pm • Stations of the Cross • Jackson Community Church Sanctuary
- 6:30pm • Ecumenical Worship Service • Madison Church officiated by Clergy of the Eastern Slope (Rev Gail participates).
EASTER SUNDAY
April 21
- SUNRISE SERVICE • Gazebo by Jackson Historical Society
* Live music, scripture & reflection - 10:30am • EASTER WORSHIP • Jackson Community Church
* Choral music
* Harp
* Flowering of the cross - 11:45am • EASTER EGG HUNT • Jackson Community Church
Community easter egg hunt following worship. Children 12 and under may participate, accompanied by adults.
This Week: MON, Feb 25 – SUN, Mar 3
At Jackson Community Church and Around Town
At JCC: Mon – Scout Dinner, Tue – Clergy Lunch, NH Conference Planning Mtg, Wed – Fitness & Womens Group Thurs – Yoga & Drum Lessons & AA, Fri – Pastors Hours & Youth Group Overnight, Sat – Way Station Community Service Work Day (Nativity Lutheran) & Youth Group Overnight, Sun – XC Blessing & Worship. Around Town: Tue – Affordable Housing Panel, Thurs – Coalition on Homelessness & Grammar School Ski-a-Thon, Sat – Guided Snow Shoe Tour. Save These Dates: Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration & Ash Wednesday Observances plus Classes in Advanced Facilitator Training on Active Listening & Impact of Homelessness on Children & Harvard EdX course on Religion, Conflict and Peace
MON, Feb 25
- PACK 321 SCOUT BLUE and GOLD DINNER
5:30pm • Parish House
Scout dinner for pack sponsored by Jackson Community Church! The pack will be providing community service with the church in March.
TUE, Feb 26
- CLERGY of the EASTERN SLOPE
12:30pm • Lunch for local clergy from Mt Washington Valley faith communities. Rev Gail attends. - United Church of Christ / NH Conference Event: ANNUAL MEETING PLANNING COMMITTEE
2-4pm • Conference Call
Rev Gail participates in planning NH Conference annual meeting scheduled for autumn 2019. - AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISCUSSION
6-7pm – social • 7pm – panel discussion.
Eastern Slope Inn, No Conway, NH.
Sponsored by our local Home Builders Association.
WED, Feb 27
- TUNE UP FITNESS with Laurie McAleer
9:30am • Parish House.Fitness class. Free; open to public. These classes will continue through the end of February, then the instructor will re-evaluate whether she can continue into March. Classes remain weather dependent; if schools are delayed or closed, the class will be cancelled. - WOMEN’S GROUP
10:30-Noon • Parish House
Social gathering of friends and members of the church. - THREE MINUTE FICTION SLAM
6pm • White Birch Books, No Conway
Sponsored by Jackson Women’s Writing Group as part of the statewide NH Writers’ Project.
* Open to the public. Anyone 17 years old or older may compete. Writers take turns presenting original flash fiction pieces of no more than three minutes in length when read aloud.
* Email Anne to register.
* Questions? Call Anne at 603-236-6724 or White Birch Books at 603-356-3200
The judges keep a private score for each piece. At the end of the night, the contestant with the highest score wins. Regional winners are invited to participate in the Three Minute Fiction Slam state finals run by the NH Writers’ Project. Among other prizes, the winner of the finals gets free entrance to The 603 Conference (the region’s largest literary conference) on April 27, 2019. There they will read the winning work before an audience of publishers, editors, agents, and fellow writers.
THURS, Feb 28
- Community Event: MEETING of MWV CARE & SERVICE PROVIDERS (public, nonprofit, private) re HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING INSECURE ISSUES
9-11am • SAU#9 Professional Development Building
Rev Gail attends. - FLOW & ALIGN YOGA with Anjali Rose
9am • First Floor, Parish House / Jackson Community Church. Beginning stretch, flow and align yoga; safe for new practitioners. Weather dependent; if schools are delayed or closed, the class will be cancelled. - Community Event: GRAMMAR SCHOOL SKI-A-THON
12:30-4:30pm • Jackson XC Center Fields
This annual fundraiser by the PTO provides funds to support the enrichment programming for the school! The PTO splits the profits with a charity selected by the Student Council, which selected “Molly’s Place” at the Children’s Hospital in Dartmouth as the recipient of their proceeds. Molly’s Place is a center at the hospital where children can play, relax or unwind while they or a sibling are being treated. - Private Event: DRUM LESSONS with Brian Craig
4:30-7:30pm • Parish House - AA
6:30pm • Second Floor, Church.
FRI, Mar 1
- PASTOR’s DROP-IN HOURS
7-9am • J-Town Deli
Come for caffeine, conversation. Or make a separate date to meet with Rev Gail by calling her cell (978) 273.0308 or email. - PASTOR’s OFFICE HOURS
9:30-11:30am • Church. Drop by or make an appointment to meet with Rev Gail by texting or calling her cell (978) 273.0308 or by email. - Community Event: GUIDED SNOW SHOE TOURS
10am & 1pm • Start from Jackson XC Ski Touring Center
$15 includes ticket and tour; rental equipment available. Tours are approx. 90 minutes. More info. -
YOUTH GROUP OVERNIGHT
9pm, Fri – Noon, Sun • Parish House.
Youth Group from First Church in Ipswich, UCC will be hosted at our church on Friday and Saturday. They will participate in community service and recreation at local ski areas (XC and downhill) and also join us for worship on Sunday morning. Local middle and high school youth are welcome to join them for community service, recreation and dinner on Saturday.
SAT, Mar 2
- WAY STATION WORK DAY
9am – 4pm • Nativity Lutheran Church
Come help paint and prep more rooms at Nativity Lutheran Church to welcome guests of the Way Station, a day resource center to provide essential services to the valley’s homeless and housing insecure population, including showers, laundry, internet access, post office box, lockers and more. Wear old clothing. Supplies and paint will be provided! - YOUTH GROUP OVERNIGHT
9pm, Fri – Noon, Sun • Parish House.
Youth Group from First Church in Ipswich, UCC will be hosted at our church on Friday and Saturday. They will participate in community service and recreation at local ski areas (XC and downhill) and also join us for worship on Sunday morning. Local middle and high school youth are welcome to join them for community service, recreation and dinner on Saturday. - Community Event: GUIDED SNOW SHOE TOURS
10am & 1pm • Start from Jackson XC Ski Touring Center. $15 includes ticket and tour; rental equipment available. Tours are approx. 90 minutes. More info.
SUN, Mar 3
- YOUTH GROUP OVERNIGHT
9pm, Fri – Noon, Sun • Parish House.
Youth Group from First Church in Ipswich, UCC will be hosted at our church on Friday and Saturday. They will participate in community service and recreation at local ski areas (XC and downhill) and also join us for worship on Sunday morning. Local middle and high school youth are welcome to join them for community service, recreation and dinner on Saturday. - INTERFAITH GATHERING @ OLD LIBRARY
8am • Old Library. Hot beverages available. Come for poetry, literature, conversation and prayer. - BLESSING of BODIES, BOOTS & BINDINGS
9:15am • Jackson XC Ski Touring Foundation
Rev Gail offers blessings to staff, volunteers and skiers. - WORSHIP
10:30am • Jackson Community Church.
* Story: Rev Gail
* Accompanist: Alan Labrie
* Guests: First Church of Ipswich, MA Youth Group/UCC
Holy Week Events: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Holy Friday, Easter
SUN, MAR 25: Palm Sunday
- PALM PROCESSION
9:45am • Walk from church, singing and waving palms, and return to church for 10:30am worship service. - PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP
10:30am • Jackson Community Church
THURS, Mar 29: MAUNDY THURSDAY
- SOUP SUPPER & TABLE WORSHIP
5pm • Parish Hall of Jackson Community Church
Gather with members and friends for soup supper and worship at the table.
THURS, Mar 29 – FRI, MAR 30: HOLY FRIDAY VIGIL
- VIGIL
6pm Thursday until 3pm Friday • Shifts held at home.
Individuals and families can sign up in one-hour shifts from 6pm Thursday until 3pm Friday, to pray, meditate and stay awake during the hours of Christ’s arrest, trial and crucifixion. This vigil will be held ‘by trust’ in people’s homes, or at church if they so choose, so that each person who takes a one-hour shift to keep vigil may do so in their own environs. To be organized in cooperation with friends and members of the Bartlett Congregational Church.
FRI, MAR 30: HOLY FRIDAY
- WAY of the CROSS
1pm • Jackson Community Church
Come for journey through ‘stations of the cross.’ Walk the stations, or meditate with Stations coloring pages - HOLY FRIDAY SERVICE
6:30pm • Bartlett Congregational Church.
Worship services organized by Clergy of the Eastern Slope and hosted at Bartlett Congregational Church.
SUN, APR 1: EASTER
- SUNRISE SERVICE
6:30am • Gazebo.
Gather outside at gazebo by Jackson Historical Society for worship & song, Return to Jackson Community Church for hot beverages and breakfast. - EASTER SERVICE
10:30am • Jackson Community Church.
Easter worship with “flowering of the cross.” - EGG HUNT
Follows worship service • Jackson Community Church.
Hunt for eggs on grounds of church. Hunt will take place outdoors if weather permits, inside if weather is inclement.
LENTEN RESOURCES
Acts of Kindness & Giving for Lent
(guides and calendars sourced from several organizations)
- Illustrated Lent for Families:
*Already printed and available* at front of church, which is always open. Or accessible as downloadable multi-page PDF with coloring pages, scriptures and activity guides. Due to licensing, the link will be sent by email to all church friends and members … if you want to participate, and didn’t receive this email already, sign up on this site to receive our email and we will forward the links to download the PDF files. Or email us directly for the link. - 40 Ways to Keep Lent Holy:
List from Rev Nadia Bolz-Weber’s blog. - Carbon Fast Calendar:
Sign up to receive daily messages/prompts on environmental acts of kindness for Lent. - Solidarity Lent Calendar:
(Includes acts of kindness and generosity and social justice. Download this calendar with acts of kindness and giving) or use their Lent Calendar App to participate - 40 Acts of Generosity Lenten Calendar:
Sign up to access and participate. - 100 Acts of Kindness for Kids:
Printable list.
Reflections and Meditations
- Coloring the Psalms Devotional Guide and Coloring Pages.
*Already printed and available* at front of church, which is always open. Or accessible as downloadable multi-page PDF files from Jackson Community Church’s website. Due to licensing, the link will be sent by email to all church friends and members … if you want to participate, and didn’t receive this email already, sign up on this site to receive our email and we will forward the links to download the PDF files. Or email us directly for the link. - UCC (United Church of Christ)’s Still Speaking Daily Devotional messages. Sign up to receive these.
- UCC (United Church of Christ)’s Still Speaking Podcast. Sign up for podcast
- Mindfulness Applications for computers and mobile devices from Thich Nhat Hahn’s Plum Village (in the engaged Buddhist tradition)
- Jan Richardson’s Painted Prayerbook blog entries
- Maren Tirabassi’s Gifts in Open Hands blog with daily Lenten posts
- Daily Meditations by Fr Richard Rohr, sign up to receive these
- Living Lent Daily: Ignatian Spirituality daily meditations for Lent . Sign up to receive daily email meditations and devotional activities.
- Social Justice Lectionary: Downloadable guide to readings and activities surrounding social justice issues. Extension of MLK Day initiatives.
Meditations: Risks, Rising & Renewal (Holy Week)
Bread by Helena Minton
The dough rises in the sun,
History of the human race inside it
Orgies, famines, Christianity,
Eras when a man could have his arm
Chopped off for stealing half a loaf.
I punch it down, knead the dark
Flour unto the light, let it bake,
Then set it on the table beside the knife,
Learning the power,
Cooks have over others, the please
Of saying eat.
The Exodus from Egypt occurs in every human being, in every era, in every year, and in every day. — Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
The Seder nights… tie me with the centuries before me. — Ludwig Fran
from A Short History of Israel, Notes and Glosses By Charles Reznikoff
XI
A hundred generations, yes, a hundred and twenty-five,
had the strength each day
not to eat this and that (unclean!)
not to say this and that,
not to do this and that (unjust!),
and with all this and all that
to go about
as men and Jews
among their enemies
(these are the Pharisees you mocked at, Jesus).
Whatever my grandfathers did or said
for all of their brief lives
still was theirs,
as all of it drops at a moment make the fountain
and all of its leaves a palm.
Each word they spoke and every thought
was heard, each step and every gesture seen,
by God;
their past was still the present and the present
a dread future’s.
But I am private as an animal.
I have eaten whatever I liked,
I have slept as long as I wished,
I have left the highway like a dog
to run into every alley;
now I must learn to fast and to watch.
I shall walk better in these heavy boots
than barefoot.
I will fast for you, Judah,
and be silent for you
and wake in the night because of you;
I will speak for you
in psalms,
and feast because of you
on unleavened bread and herbs.
Bread By Richard Levine
Each night, in a space he’d make
between waking and purpose,
my grandfather donned his one
suit, in our still dark house, and drove
through Brooklyn’s deserted streets
following trolley tracks to the bakery.
There he’d change into white
linen work clothes and cap,
and in the absence of women,
his hands were both loving, well
into dawn and throughout the day—
kneading, rolling out, shaping
each astonishing moment
of yeasty predictability
in that windowless world lit
by slightly swaying naked bulbs,
where the shadows staggered, woozy
with the aromatic warmth of the work.
Then, the suit and drive, again.
At our table, graced by a loaf
that steamed when we sliced it,
softened the butter and leavened
the very air we’d breathe,
he’d count us blessed.
The piece of bread is an ambassador of the cosmos offering nourishment and support … In the Christian tradition … The bread is Jesus. Jesus is not someone, something, that is outside the bread, Jesus is the bread. And with mindfulness, and concentration, you get in touch with Jesus. In Buddhism, we don’t say that, but we say the piece of bread in your hand is the body of the Cosmos. And when you see the sunshine, the cloud, the rain, the earth, everything in the piece of bread, you have seen the bread … A few seconds of mindfulness help you to see the bread as it is, as it is, the body of the Cosmos. Everything is in there. And with that, you put it into your mouth, and you get in touch with the whole Cosmos. You don’t have to think … there’s awareness … there’s getting in touch … there’s a feeling that’s inside. But there is no thinking. — Thich Nhat Hanh
The spiritual task of life is to feed hope. Hope is not something to be found outside of us. It lies in the spiritual life we cultivate within. The whole purpose of wrestling with life is to be transformed into the self we are meant to become, to step out of the confines of our false securities and allow our creating God to go on creating. In us. — Sr. Joan Chittister
Easter By Jill Alexander Essbaum
is my season
of defeat.
Though all
is green
and death
is done,
I feel alone.
As if the stone
rolled off
from the head
of the tomb
is lodged
in the doorframe
of my room,
and everyone
I’ve ever loved
lives happily
just past
my able reach.
And each time
Jesus rises
I’m reminded
of this marble
fact:
they are not
coming back.