Step into Grace
Where strangers become friends
We are an Open and Affirming church. Every one of every age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, or economic status is invited to join us as together we live out the Gospel message of love, forgiveness, service, and justice. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey- you are welcome here.
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer
April 25, 2021
10:00 AM
Officiant: The Rev. Libby Wade
Guest Speaker: Annalise Clausen
Lector...............Sue Gore
Intercessor.......John Cheek
Responder....... Dindy Anderson
Counter........... Tom Doyle
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer
April 25, 2021
10:00 PM
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
Grace Sunday School
11:15 AM - 12:00 AM
This a recurring meeting.
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 859 9461 5863
(Password): 508436
Tuesday Bible Study
7:00 to 8:30 PM
New series begins April 27th.
or call 646-558-8656
(Meeting ID):
826 0996 0553
(Password): 446609
See article in this edition of Tuesday's Child for more info.
Centering Prayer
Thursdays 5:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting.
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 203 314 800
(Password): 578877
646 558 8656 US (New York)
Third Sunday Supper
Every Third Sunday
May 16, 2021
at 6:00 PM to 7PM
This is a recurring meeting.
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 778 608 743
(Password): 729107
646 558 8656 US (New York)
Books and Bread,
at 7:00 PM
Wednesday
May 12, 2021
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Night at the Movies
at 6:30 PM
Thursday
May 6, 2021
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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John 10:11-18
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
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Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Weimar Chamber Choir
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For the most up to date information please visit the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative website,
They will post notice of appointment openings 6-12 hours in advance. You can find answers to your vaccination questions including information about the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine on their FAQ page.
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MESSAGE FROM LIBBY
This week’s “message” consists of bits and pieces!
- Earth Day is this week, April 22. In preparation, the Rev. Margaret Bullitt Jonas was our guest preacher on April 18. She referenced “‘Pray, learn, act, advocate’: MA Bishops declare climate emergency,” a document with many practical suggestions. You can read it on our diocesan website (www.diocesewma.org).
- Ms Annalise Clausen, Gideon’s Garden Director of Farming, will be our speaker this Sunday at sermon time. Annalise is full of ideas for this summer and has already accomplished a great deal in preparation for this growing season. Please join me in welcoming her.
- We received several ‘thank you’ cards from medical facilities that received Easter flowers from Grace. Berkshire Health Systems wrote: “On behalf of our patients and staff I would like to thank you for the beautiful tulips that you donated to our hospital. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.” The Cardiopulmonary Team at Fairview Hospital wrote: “Thank you for the kind gift for the Easter season! It has certainly lifted our spirits and our patients now that it adorns our waiting room.”
- Thanks to George Raymond for organizing a new fellowship opportunity for Grace. Read about the monthly “Night at the Movies” in this edition of Tuesday’s Child and be sure to let George know if you’d like to be on the e-mail list. A new Tuesday Bible Study series begins next week – April 27. Please consider taking part in one or both of these groups.
As the Easter Season continues, remember to look for resurrection moments around you. The week just past has seen an eruption of mass shootings, the death of Daunte Wright haunts us, and we await the jury’s verdict in the death of George Floyd. This pandemic of racism and gun violence is set in the context of the global COVID pandemic that continues to take lives. Hope is elusive some days, yet it is part of our belief system as an Easter People—hope that is aware of the harsh realities, yet sees possibilities for change. I leave you this week with a quote from “Blessing in a Time of Anxiety” (Celtic Prayers for Times of Crisis, p. 32): When your soul cries out in fear, may the God of peace quiet you. When the world shakes beneath your feet, may the strength of stone hold you firm. When lack and scarcity pinch your life, may the rich green Earth nourish you. When your body grows weak from exhaustion, may the oak tree lend you strength. When all seems lost, may birdsong and sunlight give you hope. When your soul quakes with anxiety, may the Christ-Spirit enfold you, and may Divine Love cast out all fear. Amen.
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Grace Clergy Transition
O God, our heavenly Father, you raise up faithful servants to be pastors in your Church and to feed your flock. We give thanks for the person who has accepted the call to be rector of Grace Church and to serve the communities around us. Give abundantly to our new rector and to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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We supply this list so you may contact members of our congregation who are at home or in a nursing facility. Please hold in your prayers and reach out as you can.
Anne is recuperating at home.
ANDREWS, Anne
659 South Egremont Road
P.O. Box 714
Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 528-2766
BLAKELY, Rosemarie
21 Crossway, #108
Lee MA 01238
413-243-0485
BOWENS, Marina
c/o Maryella Satinover
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066
310-398-2484
(310) 749-9424 (cell)
BREASTED, John
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington MA 01230
413-429-8123
Cell (413) 854-3977
BROOKS, Jane
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
413-243-3367
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FRYE, Vonnie
PineHill Assisted Living
at Kimball Farms
235 Walker St. Apt #32
Lenox, Ma. 01240
413-637-7432
GORE, Barbara
50 Stockbridge Road
Lee MA 01238
413-243-4261
HAIDER, Meredith
5 Fox Hollow Road
#409
Lenox, MA 01240
413-551-7319
(814)308-4865
KEENE, Sara
The Egremont Village Inn
17 Main Street
P. O. Box 275
South Egremont, MA 01258
413-528-4152
McCURDY, Deborah
Lees Landing Nursing Center
9807 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
413-507-2832
TURNER, Barbara
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
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Our sympathy and love is extended to Debbie Holmes upon the death of her brother, Alan Sparks, on April 14. Alan retired as Lee Fire Chief in 2017 after five decades as a firefighter. He was also a Vietnam War veteran
and one-time Lee Police officer.
May he rest in peace.
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In this time of quarantine and physical separation you are still being prayed for. If you would like to receive specific healing prayers please contact:
The Rev. Ted Cobden 413-528-2247
Pennie Curry 413-429-7093
Sue Gore 413-243-2273
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NEW PRAYER LIST
Praying for each other and for the needs of the world is a vital part of the mission of any faith community, and Grace Church is particularly skilled at this aspect of our communal life. With this week’s Tuesday’s Child, we are beginning a new prayer list. We don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks and always want to be generous in our prayers for others. If you or your loved one is in need of prayers and doesn’t appear on this new list, please contact Libby ( [email protected] or 270-519-6934). |
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GRACE
CHURCH
Please include
in your daily prayers this week:
Members of the Parish Family:
The Rev. Libby Wade, Anne Andrews, Linda White, Pennie Curry, Mark Anderson, Stacey, Claire and Mark Thomas, Meredith Haider, Linda White, Rosemarie Blakely, Marina Bowens, John Breasted, Jane Brooks, Vonnie Frye, Barbara Gore, Sara Keene, Barbara Turner.
Others we Love:
Deborah McCurdy
Those who have died: Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes; Charlotte Douglas Mott, mother of the Rev. Pam Mott; Patricia Mary Turk, mother of the Rev. Michael Tuck; Ruth Crawford; Emily Trespas, friend of Jainee McCarroll and John Ericson; John Grammer, husband of Mary Anne; Rollie Tillman, father of the Rev. Jane Tillman; Bill Alford, brother of Dick Alford; Elinor Hamill; Neil Brandt, brother of Linda White; John Turner, husband of Barbara Turner; Leslie Albert, friend of Margaret Layton and Sarah Sieber; Andrew S. Artz, brother-in-law of the Rev. Janet Zimmerman; Kathy Happ, sister of Doug and Gary Happ; Fred Bunce, father of Mary Booton; Marion Chapin Andrews; Chuck De Melker, husband of Evie Cobden De Melker; Locke Larkin, brother-in-law of Maureen Terry; Charles Olegar; Marianne Felch, friend of Janet Zimmerman; Pat Edelstein; Anthony Aiuvalasit, friend of Janet Zimmerman.
Our world: For all victims of violence; for those who suffer from the COVID-19 virus; for those who have died from this virus and those who mourn; for those who provide care and comfort in this pandemic; for all who suffer from the loss of jobs and income in this time; for all who are anxious about their future and our world; for all who offer time and treasure to support those who need to know love; for all who are alone and all who reach out to care.
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The many ministries of our local community and the Diocese of Western Massachusetts:
especially for our partners at St. Paul's, Stockbridge and the Rev. Sam Smith and the Rev. Jane Tillman; Christ Trinity, Sheffield and the Rev. Erik Karas; our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher; and the Mampong Babies' Home in Ghana;St. Helena's, Lenox; Special Justice Commission; Chruch School teachers and Christian Educators; Episcopal Youth Event (EYE); Forward Movement Publications; The Society for the Increase of the Ministry (SIM)
The Church's wider mission:
Fourth Sunday of Easter;
The Nippon Sei Ko Kai.
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Dutch Pinkston
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Join us for
Centering Prayer ONLINE
every Thursday
5:00 - 6:00
Encouraging a practice of silence and stillness we focus on practices of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina using scripture, art and music. All are welcome.
To join this Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 203 314 800
Password: 578877
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
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The new Forward Day by Day booklets are now available. If you would like a copy to be mailed to you please email Gretchen, [email protected], or leave a voicemail at the office, 413-644-0022.
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Diocesan Compline
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday @ 8:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 5008 6637
Passcode: 501604
Dial by phone
+1 929 205 6099
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WHAT ARE YOU
GRATEFUL FOR?
In this time of fear and anxiety, it can be easy to miss the daily blessings that are right in front of us. Being grateful is not just for good times. Being grateful is even more important when fear sets a place at your table and heartbreak seems to be in your every breath. Because by being grateful we become aware of all the ways God is working in us. Being grateful is a part of our healing and our deliverance. Being grateful is where our best selves reside.
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How we grow our onions... |
The onions were started on March 2nd. Koa and Vivi helped Annalise put seeds into trays filled with potting soil. We pressed down on the soil to make a divot where we placed 3 to 5 seeds. Now, more than a month later the seedlings are almost the width of a pencil. They are safe in the high tunnel during these cold nights but don't worry, they are frost hardy and almost ready for transplanting! Enjoy the April rain showers.
Onions are in the back of this picture. In the front are Swiss chard and red Russian kale.
Plans are being discussed for our annual blessing of Gideon's Garden on the first Saturday in June (the 5th of June). Save the date!
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SHINE YOUR LIGHT
In this unpredictable time, your church continues to give thanks for and need your support. If you are capable of sending in your pledge, thank you. If you are unable to give at this time, we understand. If you are capable of giving a bit more so we can respond to the needs of our community, we are very grateful. If you are in need, please contact a member of the Vestry listed at the top of the newsletter. Since we are not gathering in person in community, we ask that you send your gifts via mail to Grace Church, P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230. We are truly all in this life together. We pray, trusting that God will see us through this season and beyond.
Thank you for giving generously to support the ministry of Grace.
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It costs about $1500 a year to support a baby. The Diocese's goal is for one congregation
to support one child for a year.
To donate to support babies at the Mampong Babies Home in Ghana please send a check to Grace Church, PO Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
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Becoming Beloved Community |
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A 4 hour series about one of America's most important institutions, produced by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., for PBS. Watch both 2-hour segments for free on YouTube. Part 1 is linked here. Both episodes and special interviews can be found here.
Want to talk about it? SAVE THE DATES
Online Conversations About PBS Series with Beloved Community Commission
The Black Church, PART I
Wednesday, April 21st 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST: The Black Church, PART II
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Education for Ministry Reflection
This week we read The Sabbath, Abraham Joshua Heschel’s classic on the practice ordered by God in the fourth commandment: “Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.” (Exodus 20:8-11) Heschel’s insight is that the Sabbath is uniquely a holy practice connected to time rather than place; time for restoration set aside for God and for humans that empowers and enlivens our return to work and gives us a momentary glimpse of eternity. Our group reflected on the iconic image of Harold Lloyd hanging from a large clock in Times Square from the 1923 silent film “Safety Last.” This picture exemplified for us how difficult it is in our culture to let go of time to simply ‘do nothing’ and rest. We wrote this Collect: God who is outside of time, we are amazed by the gift of the Sabbath, which gives us a moment in Your presence. We ask for patience to become humans being, not humans doing. We confess it isn’t always easy or simple. We give thanks for the moments of clarity and insight. We ask on behalf of all in our culture, to reframe the balance of work and rest, so that we can cultivate Sabbath time and glimpse eternity. Amen.
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Children and Teens Please Join Us! |
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GRACE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays, at 11:15 AM to 12:00 AM
The Beatitudes
Grace Sunday School
This is a recurring meeting
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 859 9461 5863 (Passcode): 508436
To read Nobody Goes Alone, A Silly Story written by our Sunday School students
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Tuesday Bible Study – New Series
April 27 – May 17,
7:00 – 8:00 PM
“A Portrait of Love” – The Letters of John
Throughout this Easter Season, our first scripture reading each Sunday is from the First Letter of John. This four-week Bible Study Series led by the Rev. Libby Wade will explore all three Letters of John. No book to purchase and no advance preparation necessary, but be sure to have a Bible with you each week as we gather on Zoom for discussion and Compline.
or call in: 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 826 0996 0553
Passcode: 446609
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NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
Join us for a discussion of
NOMADLAND
on May 6th, at 6:30 PM
"A woman in her sixties who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad."
Watch at your leisure then join us for a discussion the first Thursday of the month.
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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JOIN the DISCUSSION
on Rules of Civility
by Amor Towles
Wednesday, on Zoom
May 12, 2021 at 7:00PM
Mark Anderson will lead our discussion.
Meeting will end at about 8PM
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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Rev. Libby Wade,
Interim Rector
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GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
Mailing:
P.O. Box 114
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Gretchen Fairfield
Office Assistant
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Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-6572
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In an effort to care for each other, our church office will be closed until further notice. You can reach the church office by email:
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VESTRY CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Kathy Clausen 413-329-1724
Rick Gore, Jr. 413-441-7036
Sue Gore 413-243-2273
Mary Anne Grammer 413-258-4212
John Cheek 413-446-8863
Dindy Anderson 413-274-3854
Anne Andrews 413-528-2766
Dutch Pinkston 413-274-6566
Cathy Haywood 413-464-6664
Holly Murray 860-977-9198
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The Rev. Libby Wade is available for pastoral emergencies at 270-519-6934 or [email protected].
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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