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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Morning Prayer
October 11, 2020
10:00 AM
The Rev. Jen Bloesch
Officiant and Preacher
Lector ...........Dindy Anderson
Intercessor....John Cheek
Responder.... Tom Doyle
Counters....... Kathy Clausen
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Morning Prayer,
October 11, 2020
at 10:00 AM
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
Tuesday Bible Study
resumed Tuesday, September 29, when a new
6-week series began.
or call 646-558-8656
(Meeting ID):
826 0996 0553
(Password): 446609
See article in this edition of Tuesday's Child for more info.
Books and Bread at 7:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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
at 6:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 778 608 743
(Password): 729107
646 558 8656 US (New York)
Be safe. Be well. Hope to see you soon.
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The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Matthew 22:1-14
Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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Sing Praise to God
Who Reigns Above
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In preparation for All Saints, and in keeping with our tradition of remembering those in our lives who have died in the past year in particular, please send a photo to Kathy Clausen (by email if possible). She will compile those photos into a photo slide show which we will view during our service.
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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.
BLAKELY, Rosemarie
21 Crossway, #108
Lee MA 01238
413-243-0485
BOWENS, Marina
c/o Maryella Satinover
(310) 749-9424 (cell)
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066
310-398-2484
BREASTED, John
Fairview Commons
Cell (413) 854-3977
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington MA 01230
413-429-8123
BROOKS, Jane
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
413-243-3367
CRAWFORD, Ruth
125 Woodland Road
Lee MA 01238
413-243-2575
EDELSTEIN, Richard
LEP, Kimball Farms,
235 Walker Street,
Lenox, MA 01240.
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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
GRAMMER, John
(413) 258-4212
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Rd,
Great Barrington, MA 01230
413-258-4212
HAIDER, Meredith
5 Fox Hollow Road #409
(814)308-4865
Lenox, MA 01240
413-551-7319
KEENE, Sara
The Egremont Village Inn
17 Main Street
P. O. Box 275
South Egremont, MA 01258
413-528-4152
TURNER, Barbara
(413) 243-8904
130 High Street
Lee MA 01238
413-243-8904
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God of abundance and wisdom, you have blessed Grace Church with love and respect for one another and with joy in our community. Help us to discern your will and to be open to your guidance as we seek a new rector for our parish. Grant us the ability to hear your voice as we listen to one another. Give us wisdom and patience, mutual respect, and clarity of vision, that we may choose and receive a priest who serves with warmth and humor, inspiration and faithfulness, and who will lead us where you are calling Grace Church to serve the mission of Jesus in this time and place. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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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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GRACE CHURCH
Please include in your daily prayers this week:
Members of the Parish Family: The Rev. Ted Cobden, Linda White, John Breasted, Edna Leavenworth, George Raymond, Ed Hutchinson Pam & Bill Drumm, The family of Richard Gore, Sr., Mimi and Dick Alford, Doreen Hutchinson, Barbara Turner, Pennie Curry, Frank Vogel - Polizzi, Mark Anderson, Elizabeth Holland, Janet Zimmerman, Stacey, Claire and Mark Thomas, Richard Edelstein, Connie Garber, Ruth Crawford, Marcia Doelman, Dindy Anderson, Tom Murray, Paula Doyle, John Grammer, Aidan, Andrea, the Rev. Steve White, Maureen Terry, Gino Furio, Meredith Haider, Debbie Holmes, Mary Booton, Jainee McCarroll and Vonnie Frye.
Others we love: Ed and Fran,
brother-in-law and sister of Anne Andrews; Kristen Mary, cousin of Jainee McCarroll; Sally and Don, sister and brother-in-law of Cynthia Pease; Evie De Melker, daughter of Rev. Ted Cobden; Karen La Rocque, friend of Sue Gore; Donovan Buck, nephew of Pennie Curry; Susan and Dan Gray, Beth Grady, niece of Deborah Holmes; Alice Fitch, Rose Blakely's sister; 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; Anne Peters, Debbie Losaw, daughter of Rosemarie Blakely, Ashley Gangell, Zeke Hills, brother of The Rev. Francie Hills, 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: 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; Rev. Stephen Chinlund, friend of Jainee McCarroll and John and Ellis Ericson; Joy Saville, mother of Andrea White; Richard Gore, Sr.; Locke Larkin, brother-in-law of Maureen Terry; Charles Olegar; Marianne Felch, friend of Janet Zimmerman; Pat Edelstein; Anthony Aiuvalasit, friend of Janet Zimmerman; Patrick Barney,
nephew of Mark Anderson.
Our world: 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.
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 birthdays or anniversaries this week:
Rick and Sue Gore, 10/10; John Ericson and Jainee McCarroll, 10/11;
Barbara Turner, 10/12.
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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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Video Series Premieres on Saturdays:
Voices of Faith
Sponsored by the Diocesan Vitality Committee, supporting the vitality of congregations across our Diocese, Voices of Faith features lay people from congregations from across Western Massachusetts. The videos will be sent out via email on Saturday mornings. They will be cross-posted on the Diocesan Facebook Page, Twitter feed and and YouTube channel.
The Vitality Committee hopes the videos can lift us out of silos of congregational life, help us deal with social-isolation, and even open us to the broad diversity of our Diocese, and the diversity of experiences that people have with God.
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A Pastoral Message From Bishop Fisher
September 30, 2020
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Presiding Bishop calls for prayer for President and First Lady
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued the following statement on October 2:
During this time of COVID-19 pandemic I continue to pray for all affected by this virus in any way. At this particular moment I ask that all Episcopalians also pray for the President and First Lady, and all in the White House or Government who have been infected by this virus.
O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity: Be present in your goodness with your children, the President and First Lady, and all in the White House or Government who have been infected by this virus, that their weakness may be banished and their strength restored; and that, their health being renewed, they may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 458)
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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?
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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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Fall is such a beautiful season at the farm! We have been blessed with a maple tree in the back field that is just ablaze! |
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This week it's all about the squash!
We may not have much growing in the garden these days, but we have been harvesting what's left in the field. Our acorn squash, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash are all coming in large quantities!
Because of the frost, many of our squashes haven't fully ripened. In this fall season, our greenhouse has been converted into a squash ripening house!
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For the link to Gideon's Garden
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Stewardship
October, 2020
Surrendering privilege and wealth
By The Rev. Ed Gomez
This Sunday falls on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and, as if by design, all the readings speak to his exemplary life of practicing generosity. Living church in the time of COVID-19 has reconfirmed my views of poverty and generosity.
As I ponder today’s readings, Paul’s words pop out at me in Philippians, where he writes:
“Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.”
To read the rest of this letter
Ed Gomez is pastor at Iglesia de San Pablo in Houston. He also serves on the boards of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and Christian Church Homes.
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"CHANGE THE BABIES"
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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Support Ascentria Care Alliance
Donate or call to learn about volunteering
Ascentria 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
or call them at (413)-787-0725 to learn about volunteering.
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The Welcome Mat Project by Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms in Nashville, TN. came together with women refugees in Greece to provide an economic platform for women and their families to escape the refugee camps.
Every Purchase Helps a Woman Survivor Heal. Shop Now!
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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 or give online by phone or computer to Tithe.ly Using your phone you may text the word "GIVE" to 774-252-9246.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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Learn more about our local indigenous history with a Walking Tour of Stockbridge. Housatonic Heritage has made a number of brief and exceptional video conversations with members of the Munsee-Stockbridge tribe of the Mohican Nation which populated Berkshire County and Hudson Valley. The tribe now lives in Wisconsin but visit Stockbridge often. These conversations were recorded at various points in a Walking Tour of Stockbridge.
The Stockbridge Main Street Walking Tour provides an opportunity to view and understand Stockbridge as its town of origin, Indiantown. Learn about the original locations of Mohican peoples’ homes, and the role many of these property owners played in town government in the 1700s. Check out the videos by clicking on the link below. And take the walking tour in person this Columbus Weekend.
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Pennie Curry, and Lee Cheek are Grace Church members who are beginning Sacred Ground, a 10-week film-based dialogue series on race and faith.
It is being led by Grace Church's
new interim, The Rev. Libby Wade. This group is fully enrolled, but if you are interested other groups could be formed in the future. To learn more
Please contact Lee Cheek, co-chair
of the Bishop's Commission for
Beloved Community at
For up-to-date resources and events, visit and follow the
Beloved Community facebook page:
For a curated list of educational and theological books on racism
as well as links to web resources please visit
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Children and Teens Please Join Us! |
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This is the poster from our Compassion Summer Camp.
We are so pleased to welcome you to Grace Church Sunday School beginning Sunday,
October 4th, at 11:00 AM
and you will receive a Zoom link for the Sunday
School class.
Dindy Anderson, Margaret Layton and Andrea White will be offering an online bible story and activities supported by Illustrated Ministries.
We look forward to seeing you! Bring your friends from near and far! There will be story sharing, conversation, yoga challenges, and more!
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Tuesday Bible Study
in Collaboration with St. Paul’s
Sermon on the Mount:
A Beginner’s Guide
to the Kingdom of Heaven
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.,on Zoom
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, has built her career on helping Christians understand the Jewish context of Jesus’ life and ministry. Her newest book,
Sermon on the Mount, is a readable and thought-provoking look at these fundamental teachings from Matthew’s gospel. We will use this book (available in paperback, for Kindle, or in an audio version on Audible) as the guide to our six-week study.
The Rev. Sam Smith, St. Paul's Rector, is leading this Bible Study with participants from Grace, Christ Trinity, and St. Paul's. New participants are welcome to join at any time. For the October 6 session, please read Chapter 1 of Levine's book.
or call in: 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 826 0996 0553 Passcode: 446609
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JOIN OUR NEXT ZOOM DISCUSSION
Wednesday,
October 14, at 7 PM
George Raymond will lead our discussion. Meeting will end at 8:30 PM. All are welcome. For more information email Peter at [email protected]
For Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 370 191 823
Password: 385337
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THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
at 6:00 PM
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Join us online for an evening of laughter and conversation every third Sunday. The ZOOM invite is at the top of the newsletter. For more information contact George Raymond
413.854.1222 cell
You can prepare your own supper,
but Take Out from our local restaurants is suggested.
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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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The Rev. Jen Bloesch
Gideon's Garden
Program Director
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: [email protected] and by phone 413-644-0022.
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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
The Rev. Libby Wade is available for pastoral emergencies. 270-519-6934.
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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