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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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Bible Study
Tuesdays with the Word at 7:00pm
We have begun a study of the Prophets followed by Compline at the Grace Church office.
Call the office for more information.
413-644-0022
67 State Road, 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: Fred Bunce, father of Mary Booton; Khali Zabian; Matt Alford, son of Mimi and Dick Alford; Wendy Reeve, sister of Cathy Haywood, Keiron Lee, daughter of Doone Marshall; Andrew Artz, brother-in-law of the Rev. Janet Zimmerman; 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, 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
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Our world: For those vulnerable to the changing winds of politics, warfare, natural disasters, and human retribution. We pray for children who are separated from their parents and locked in spaces that deny their humanity. we pray for all who seek asylum and a place of hope for themselves and their family. We pray for all who seek to find a way of welcome and shelter for all God's children.
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 and John Breasted who are at Fairview Commons; Meredith Haider and Barbara Turner who are 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
Join us for a midweek recharge
Worship and Eucharist available at the Grace Church Chapel,
Hope you will join us.
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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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October 6
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Welcome Team
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Sally Brooke,
Anne Andrews,
Viola Bagnaschi
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Acolyte
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Cathy Haywood
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Lector
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Sue Gore, Anne Andrews
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Intercessor
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Kathy Clausen
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Chalice
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Viola Bagnaschi,
Lynn Walker
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Healing Team
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Sue Gore,
Kathy Clausen
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Flowers
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Holmes
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Altar Guild
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Margaret Layton,
Sarah Sieber,
Cathy Haywood
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Coffee Hour
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Doyle, Cobden
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Counters
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Sue Gore,
Anne Andrews
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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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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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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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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 Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
Luke 17:5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
"Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, `Come here at once and take your place at the table'? Would you not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, `We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'"
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For the Beauty of the Earth
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For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light,
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild,
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
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Blessing of the Animals
On October 6th, we are gathering at Gideon's Garden for worship and a blessing of the animals. Bring your pets!*
The Garden will be decorated for fall!
*Please keep dogs or other pets on a short leash or in a carrier,
so we can all enjoy our animals being together.
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GIDEON'S GARDEN UPDATE
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We can't believe it's the end of September already!
As fall progresses, we keep on with the tedious task of closing up the garden.
He's a little blip in this photo, but here's Fisher taking off the plastic of our retired tomatillo row.
Fall has brought some beautiful sunshine, and even our farm shines in the light.
That said, we've loved the cloudy days, too, which brings
its own beauty...
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Our chickens are big enough to fly the coop! Jen arrived the other day to find a few chickens freely roaming.
That means we've had to come up with ways to cover their outdoor pens.
Here's Fisher getting started on the project. 
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Join us!
Wednesday, October 9, at 7:00 PM
BOOKS and BREAD
The book we will share is Snakebit by Sey Zimmerman.
Join us at the Grace Church office for dessert and appetizers.
The Rev. Ted Cobden 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 November 13th meeting we will be reading
Washington Black by
Esi Edugyan.
Happy Reading!! For more information email Peter at PetetheK@yahoo.com
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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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Your opinion is important!
Your voice is important and we want to hear what you have to say. This survey is asking you to look into your hearts and let us know where you see an opportunity for the people of Grace to be involved in a local community group or organization. We are making this inquiry as we prepare to launch the newly created Community Grants program.
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Members of the Vestry and Wisdom Group thank you
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The Way of Love:
Practices for Jesus-Centered Life
In October of 2018
After months of planning the Episcopal Churches of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts welcomed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at a rousing celebration in Pittsfield. This celebration marked the beginning of a Revival for the church. Bishop Curry also launched a new, or renewed, way of looking at how we live our faith. Curry has completed a series of talks and they are available to listen to as podcasts or you can go to our website and connect there.
our website:
https://graceberkshires.org/national-church/
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Food pantry item for the week of
October 6:
CANNED FRUIT
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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Dedication of Bostwick Gardens
Thursday, October 10 at 12:30pm
In 1985 a group of parishioners of St. James Episcopal Church formed a corporation to buy land and build an affordable housing complex for elder citizens in our community. Bostwick Gardens, named for the Rev. Gideon Bostwick, the first resident priest and rector of an Episcopal Church in Great Barrington, opened in 1987.
On October 10, there will be a celebration of the recently completed addition of 31 apartments and the renovation of the original 29 units.
Come be a part of our history and celebrate this much needed expansion in the Southern Berkshires.
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Read the new
report sent to us by Sheryl Lechner, Development Coordinator
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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Tutors needed for The Literacy Network of South Berkshire
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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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"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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