Bible Study
Tuesdays with the Word
is back.
We are studying the Acts of the Apostles.
Call the office for more information.
413-644-0022
Grace Church Office
67 State Rd., Great Barrington
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GRACE CHURCH
Please Include In Your Daily Prayers This Week
Members of the Parish Family: The Rev. Ted Cobden, Linda White, John Breasted, Vonnie Frye, Edna Leavenworth, George Raymond, Ed Hutchinson, Elinor Hamill, Pam & Bill Drumm, Dick Gore, Mimi and Dick Alford, Doreen Hutchinson, Barbara Turner, Rick Gore, Pennie Curry, Frank Vogel - Polizzi, Mark Anderson, Marion Andrews, Elizabeth Holland, Janet Zimmerman, Stacey, Claire and Mark Thomas, Richard and Pat Edelstein, Connie Garber, Ruth Crawford, Marcia Doelman, Dindy Anderson, Tom Murray, Paula Doyle, John Grammer, Aidan, Andrea, and the Rev. Steve White.
Others we love: Wendy Reeve, sister of Cathy Haywood, Keiron Lee, daughter of Doone Marshall; Andrew Artz, brother-in-law of the Rev. Janet Zimmerman; The Rev. Peter Elvin, Anne Peters, Leslie Albert,Debbie Losaw, daughter of Rosemarie Blakely, Ashley Gangell, Zeke Hills, brother of The Rev. Francie Hills, Joy Saville, Charles Olegar, Jane Williams, John Belizzi, Carole Chapple, Christy Yeo, Kathy O'Brien, Cooper O'Brien, Rosalind Haywood, Colonel John Tryon, nephew of Anne Andrews and all who serve our country.
Those who have died: Stephanie Engel, friend of Steve White; Valerie Smith, Mary Dalton, mother of Dindy Anderson; Scott Crawford, son of Ruth Crawford; Dorothy Cole Hooff, sister of Marcia Doelman; Kenneth Frye
; Sey Zimmerman;
Sarah Renfro, great niece of Annie Macheski; Bishop George Councell; Lillian Forrest; Arthur J. Gangel, Sr., grandfather of Kyle Gangel; Holly Raymond, sister-in-law of George Raymond.
Our world: For those vulnerable to the changing winds of politics, warfare, natural disasters, and human retribution.
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; Christ Trinity, Sheffield and the Rev. Erik Karas; and our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas J. Fisher; the Mampong Babies' Home in Ghana;
St. Mark's, Leominster; Commission on Ministry
The Church's wider mission: Faith Alive; The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating a Birthday this week.
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Please hold in your prayers
D
indy Anderson and her family.
The family of Valerie Smith.
Zeke Hills
, brother of Frances Hills, whose wife Barbara died.
Pat and Richard Edelstein
would love to receive "Thinking of You" cards. Please send cards to them: Kimball Farms, Pine Hill
Assisted Living, 235 Walker Street, Lenox, MA 01240.
Vonnie Frye,
has moved to this address:
Devonshire Estates
329 Pittsfield Road
Apt #216
Lenox MA 01240
413.881.4055
She would appreciate cards and visits.
Janet Zimmerman and her family; Elinor Hamill who is at Fairview Commons; Meredith Haider who is healing at home; and Barbara Turner who is healing at home.
Prayers for Charles Olegar and Jane Williams.
Charles, organist and music director at St. James for eight years, and his wife, Jane Williams would appreciate your prayers. You can send your love to them through card and notes at 131 Belleview, Troy NY 12180.
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Holy Eucharist and Healing
Wednesdays at 12pm,
Grace Church Office
67 State Road,
Great Barrington
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Centering Prayer Gathering
every Thursday
5:00 - 6:00
Join us at Grace Church Chapel.
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.
Grace Church Office and Chapel
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Click here for the 
Grace Church calendar
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ROTA
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July 28
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Welcome Team
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Sarah Sieber,
Rick Gore,
George Raymond
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Acolyte
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Linda White
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Lector
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Robert Foreman
Sue Gore
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Intercessor
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Doreen Hutchinson
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Chalice
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Lynn Walker
Rick Gore
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Healing Team
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Ted Cobden,
Kathy Clausen
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Flowers
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Gore
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Altar Guild
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Viola Bagnaschi,
Linda White
Sue Happ
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Coffee Hour
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Andersen, Haywood
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Counters
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Ian Booton,
Sarah Sieber
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COME SING WITH US!
Are You A Choral S
inger?
Why Join the Choir?
It's good for your health
Studies have shown how
choir can improve your health - it's fantastic brain food. Brain game exercises are all over the place with the Nintedo 3DS or sudoku. Well why not start keeping your mind healthy by making music?
Here are a few things you'll see improve with choir
- Multi-tasking - you've got to watch the conductor, keep an eye on the music and know when to come in
- Memory - you've got to sing by heart sometimes
- Focus - concentrating for an hour on a performance
- Math - Yes, you've got to count!
Contact Chris Clark, Music Director, or Lee Cheek, chorister
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Birthdays and
Anniversaries Celebrated on Sundays
Following the
announcements we invite up all celebrating birthdays and anniversaries so we can share in your accomplishment and joy.
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John Breasted is at Fairview Commons
and would enjoy having visitors. You can call at
(413) 528-4560.
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Rd, Great Barrington
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Sunday Liturgy on yo
ur iPad or tablet!
S
wap your worship bulletin for the liturgy on your iPads or tablets?
Using a tablet allows you to adjust the size and contrast of the print.
It also can help us be more responsible by saving paper.
If you would like to receive the emailed worship bulletin that goes out on Friday by noon, please email Janet or Maria at
graceberkshiresma@gmail.com.
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Tutors needed for The Literacy Network of South Berkshire
.
No prior teaching experience is necessary.
All you need are curiosity, patience, and a willingness to help your neighbors!
Training and support for tutors is provided.
Please contact Executive Director Jennifer Hermanski at 413-243-0471 or jhermanski@litnetsb.org.
You can also visit us at www.litnetsb.org.
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The Welcome Project Mat by
Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms in Nashville, TN. has come together with women refugees in Ritsonia, Greece to provide an economic platform for women and their families to escape the refugee camps. Lee and John Cheek have brought us a mat woven from materials the women took on their journey to Greece.
The mat on our altar is a symbol that love is the greatest force for change in the world.
Every Purchase Helps a Woman Survivor Heal. Shop Now!
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Support Ascentria Care Alliance
Donate or call to learn about volunteering
A
scentria Care Alliance provides resettlement resources for refugees who have received extreme vetting by the U.S., are sponsored by the United Nations, and have been invited to live in our country.
Ascentria partners with the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and a host of other volunteer organizations to do God's work in caring for the most vulnerable in our world.
Donate on-line at
http://www.ascentria.org/donate-today
or call them at (413)-787-0725 to learn about volunteering.
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What are you grateful for?
T
he priest invites the congregation to take a few moments to think of one thing during the past week for which they are grateful.
After some time the priest invites anyone to share their gratitude with the congregation by coming to the microphone.
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Support the Berkshire Immigrant Center. You can donate on-line at www.berkshireic.org.
Please consider donating $25, $50, or $100 or more to support BIC's work with our local immigrants and refugees.
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Interested in helping with the 2020 Census?
With the 2020 census just a year away,
are you available to help educate local residents and insure the Berkshires has a
complete count?
The Berkshires Regional Planning Commission invites you to reach out to hard-to-reach populations throughout Berkshire County.
If you are interested please contact Mark Maloy, 413-442-1521
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Gospel for the Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Luke 11:1-13
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.' He said to them, 'When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.'
And he said to them, 'Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him." And he answers from within, "Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything." I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
'So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'
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Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!
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Agencies that Support Immigrants on the Border
Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that aims to reunite families and help kids feel safe, this Texas-based nonprofit aims to "directly fund the bond necessary to get parents out of detention and reunited with their children while awaiting court proceedings" and "ensure legal representation for EVERY child in Texas' immigration .courts.
"https://www.raicestexas.org
Immigrant Families Together
works quickly to post the bond of one immigrant at a time and get them out of these terrible prisons and reunited with family as fast as possible. They then partner with immigration attorneys to get the migrants legal representation; then, they provide for the migrants' needs while they await their day in court.
https://immigrantfamiliestogether.com/what-we-do
American Immigration Council
This organization gets on the ground at detention centers helping families, documenting conditions of detention and bringing lawsuits to challenge them. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org
Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
The faith-based organization "works with refugees, children, and migrants to ensure they are protected and welcomed into local communities throughout the United States."
https://www.lirs.org
South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) A joint project of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, ProBAR "is a national effort to provide pro bono legal services to asylum seekers detained in South Texas by the United States government.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/projects_initiatives/south_texas_pro_bono_asylum_representation_project_probar/
Is a group effort that "includes nearly 250 organizations representing Americans from all backgrounds who have joined together to fight family separation and promote dignity, unity, and compassion for all children and families.
Kids In Need of Defense:
According to its website, KIND "partners with major law firms, corporations, law schools, and bar associations to create a nationwide pro bono network to represent unaccompanied children through their immigration proceedings."
Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center:
States it is "dedicated to serving the legal needs of low-income immigrants, including refugees, victims of crime, and families seeking reunification." The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights: Provides independent Child Advocates to stand up for unaccompanied immigrant children and "champion the child's best interests".
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GIDEON'S GARDEN UPDATE
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There is no question, summer is in FULL swing!
For the past three weeks, we have been regularly harvesting and donating cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, kale, basil, Swiss chard, and lettuce. 
(Our Swiss Chard plants are VERY happy...)
But this week, some new arrivals showed up, including green beans and jalapeno peppers!
And here is a sneak peak of what's to come...
This week, the boys found an old horse carriage and had fun walking around with it.
Old farm treats!
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Birds! Birds! Birds!
The chickens continue to be a favorite with the youth...
 
(The chickens now play a game called "tomato ball". Throw in a tomato and watch the chickens play a vigorous game of football with it.)
(This chicken took an interest in the camera. We ended up with some interesting looking birds...)
We had another bird friend this week...a sparrow had somehow gotten into our butterfly house! Thank goodness we had Juan Diego, our skilled bird capturer, to rescue the butterflies from the invader. 
We were happy to release the sparrow back to freedom!
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Food pantry item for the week of
July 28:
Although we usually have an "Item of the Week",
any appropriate food items are always welcome!
Thank you, Sue & Rick Gore, and George Raymond for the Lee Pantry and the People's Pantry.
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Third Sunday Supper
Join us! On the third Sunday of almost every month
we gather for good food, great conversation, laughter
and blessings in one of our local restaurants.
All are enthusiastically welcomed!
For more information contact George Raymond
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Join us!
Wednesday, September 11, at 7:00 PM
BOOKS and BREAD
The book we will share is
Join us at Doone Marshall's house for dinner
Dindy Anderson will lead our discussion.
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Dinner-Appetizers, wine, soft drinks, main dish, side dishes, dessert, decaf and tea. One main dish serves 8 people.
- The Host is responsible for planning the meal. Participants are encouraged to make offerings in consultation with the Host.
- Participants should call the Host if they plan to attend but have not signed up at Grace Church.
- If you are a "regular" and are not planning to attend, please let the Host know.
- Please sign up to bring appetizers or dessert items. All are welcome! For future books, please see the website http://graceberkshires.org/who-we-are/ministries/
- Discussion begins at 7:45 pm regardless of whether it's a Dinner gathering or an A&D gathering.
Meeting is over promptly at 9:00 pm
For our October 9th meeting we will be reading Snakebit by Sey Zimmerman. If you need a copy of this book, please contact Janet Zimmerman. Happy Reading!! For more information email Peter at PetetheK@yahoo.com
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We need:
Acolytes, choir members, lectors, hospitality leaders, healing ministers, Eucharistic visitors
Prayerfully consider ways you can support the work of this church community. Each of us have something to give that the world desperately needs.
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Appalachian Trail Ministry
July and August
Every Wednesday and Saturday
from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
We have been invited to participate in a "small corner of kindness" in providing hospitality to hikers on the Appalachian Trail. In July and August, a tent is set up with homebaked treats, hot dogs, hamburgers, and water to greet and offer a way station for those hiking.
Contact the Rev. Erik Karas at pastorkaras@gmail.com or the Rev. Jill Graham at grahamj@firstuccsheffield.org for more information or to arrange to be a part of this ministry.
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"CHANGE THE BABIES"
Please put your loose change in the jar that will be at the Welcome Table.
This money that is insignificant in our day-to- day life is life-giving for these babies and those who care for them.
It costs about $1500 a year to support a baby and the Diocese's goal is for one congregation to support one child for those years.
Everything you give will go to support babies at the Mampong Babies Home in Ghana.
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Worship Schedule
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Eucharist & Healing Prayers
Sunday at 10:00 am
at Crissey Farm
Children's Sunday School during the service and a special prayer for them at the end of the service.
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Eucharist and Healing Prayers
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You can now donate to Grace Church through PayPal.
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For Janet's sermons click
here
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On occasional weeks there will be a reflection by Janet. Click
here.
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Vestry Minutes are posted on our
website
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OFFICERS
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Class of 2019
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Junior
Warden
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Class of 2020
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John Cheek
Dindy Anderson |
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Treasurer
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Sue Gore
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Class of 2021
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Anne Andrews
Dutch Pinkston
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Clerk
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Class of 2022
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Cathy Haywood
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GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern B
erkshires
The Rev. Dr. Janet Zimmerman,
Rector
The Rev. Jen Bloesch
Gideon's Garden Program Director
Mailing:
P.O. Box 114
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Maria Mayorga
Office Assistant
Office and Chapel:
67 State Rd.,
Great Barrington
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