Step into Grace |
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Where strangers become friends |
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We are a
n 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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NEW!! ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Please note that these Zoom invitations
are new due to tightened Zoom security measures.
Morning Prayer, August 2, 2020
(Sundays at 10:00 AM)
To join this Zoom meeting,
or call +
1 646 558 8656 US (New York),
+
1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
Tuesday Bible Study at 7:00 PM
No Bible Study July 28
This is a recurring meeting
To join Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 753 016 518
(Password): 746804
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Books and Bread at 7:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Centering Prayer Thursdays 5:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting
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)
To find your local number:
Click here
Third Sunday Supper
3rd Sundays
at 6:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 778 608 743
(Password): 729107
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
To find your local number,
Be safe. Be well. Hope to see you soon.
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Healing Prayers
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, Elinor Hamill, Meredith Haider, Debbie Holmes, Mary Booton and Vonnie Frye.
Others we love:
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,
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.
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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.
You are invited to take time each day to breathe and be aware of all the ways God is present with us. Write them down or simply include them in your daily prayers. A heart that turns toward being grateful comes to see the goodness and grace of God everywhere, even in a time of hardship.
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Communications Essentials
During & After
Shelter in Place
for the updated webinar presentation
by Kem Meyer.
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Questions about Zoom ?
Robert Forman's telephone number for those who would like help using Zoom:
914 478 7802.
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Bible Study is on
vacation today, July 28
BIBLE STUDY WITH THE WORD
Tuesdays,
from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Each session will be
followed by a Compline
service.
All are welcome to join us!
New Zoom Connection:
or call in
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 753 016 518,
Password: 746804)
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Third Sunday Supper
is online on
August 16, 2020
Join our next gathering
You can prepare your own supper,
but Take Out from our local restaurants is suggested.
See the new Zoom invite for Third Sunday Supper
at the top of the newsletter.
Join us for an evening of
laughter and conversation.
For more information
contact George Raymond
413.854.1222 cell
graymond747@gmail.com
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Click here for the 
Grace Church calendar
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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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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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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 that was 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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Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures
For a summary on the Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures that went into effect Monday, April 20 please click here. Remember:
No tenant should be moving out of his/her home at the insistence of a landlord.
Please read here : From
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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A LETTER FROM BERKSHIRE SOUTH COMMUNITY CENTER
Dear Community Friends,
The Community Center has been working on a project with the United Way/Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Fund to execute a meal pick-up program.
If you've got questions, my new "office" phone is 413-717-2674 and my hours are usually Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm Please feel free to call, text or email!
WHAT:
Nourishing Neighbors south county meal program,
providing 500 meals from local restaurants weekly!
WHO:
Meals are available for all community members in the southern Berkshires needing support at this time.
WHEN: Wednesdays, 1pm-3pm (For any updates or changes, follow Berkshire South's facebook page) - Please, no early birds!
WHERE: Berkshire South Regional Community Center, drive thru*. 15 Crissey Road, Great Barrington.
**If you're not able to drive, please contact meals@berkshiresouth.org and we'll deliver to you! The deadline to request delivery every week is Tuesday at 10am so that we are able to plan ahead.
DETAILS: This is a contactless system, please stay in your car. We'll be happy to take your order curbside. Questions: please email
meals@berkshiresouth.org.
HOW: We are so grateful for Berkshire United Way and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the COVID 19 Emergency Response Fund. We're also thankful for Price Chopper, Taft Farms, SoCo Creamery, Domaney's Liquors and Fine Wines, Big Y, and M Designs for their donations.
You can donate online here.
Kate Tucci
Director of Educational and Community Programs
BERKSHIRE SOUTH REGIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER
15 Crissey Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230
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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 co
mputer 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 Church.
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You can now donate to Grace Church through PayPal.
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Celebrating Janet's Retirement
and What's Ahead
On Saturday a canopy appeared on Janet's front lawn along with a balloon display that was enormous. The tent was festooned with more balloons and flowers. As a p
arting gift from Grace Church she received the "Nantucket rocker". This will always keep a little of Nantucket in her Berkshire home. Here is a quick slideshow.
On Sunday after the service which officially closes the relationship between priest and congregation, she was presented with the photo of a red cedar arbor, which will be custom-made, to be erected at the entrance of Gideon's Garden. A plaque will commemorate Janet's contribution to Gideon's Garden.
Additionally a new fund has been established at Grace Church. "In honor of The Rev. Dr. Janet W. Zimmerman and her six years as Grace Church's second rector, in recognition of the extraordinary contribution she made as spiritual leader, and as an active member of the local community, and in memory of Sey Zimmerman, beloved parishioner, husband, father, grandfather and passionate supporter of education, we establish The Rev. Dr. Janet W. Zimmerman and Louis S. Zimmerman Educational Fund. This fund will support the internship program at Gideon's Garden and other community-based educational programs. It will be endowed by the memorial funds given to Grace Church during your tenure at Grace."
The video which followed included short messages from many members of the congregation. If you missed it or would like to see it again, you may email kclausen at graceberkshires.org for the private link.
Schedule of Upcoming Clergy
Beginning Sunday, August 2, the Rev. Betsy Fisher will lead Morning Prayer each Sunday in August with the exception of August 16. On that Sunday the Rev. Rich Simpson, Canon to the Ordinary, will be our guest preacher and in addition to leading worship will offer information about the search process.
On Sunday, it was also announced that Grace Church has entered into an agreement with the Rev. Libby Wade to serve as our Interim Rector. She will begin on August 15 and her first Sunday will be September 6.
Libby's full message to Grace Church can be read by clicking here.
In her conclusion, she says:
"I am blessed to be following Janet, knowing how much she loves each of you and how much time and energy she has invested in growing and deepening Grace Church's ministry and fellowship. I've also gotten to know many of the outstanding lay leaders of Grace through deanery and diocesan activities. Now I look forward to working with the Rev. Jen Bloesch and all the staff, vestry, and congregation of Grace Church. Our God, who both cries and laughs with us, has gifted you in so many ways and now calls you into a challenging, yet hopeful future. Thank you for asking me to join you for this transition time. I pray for Grace Church each day and ask that you do the same for both myself and your retiring rector, as we take on our new roles."
WELCOME, LIBBY AND JIM
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Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
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HYMN
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| All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly (HOLY MANNA) |
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Morning Prayer
August 2, 2020
Our guest clergy will be The Rev. Betsy Fisher
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Lector
Intercessor
Responder
Counters
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Anne Andrews
John Cheek
Dindy Anderson
Anne Andrews
Sue Gore
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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 (413) 243-0485
21 Crossway, #108
Lee MA 01238
BOWENS, Marina (310) 398-2484
c/o Maryella Satinover (310) 749-9424 (cell)
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066
BREASTED, John (413) 429-8123
Fairview Commons Cell (413) 854-3977
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington MA 01230
BROOKS, Jane (413) 243-3367
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
CRAWFORD, Ruth (413) 243-2575
125 Woodland Road
Lee MA 01238
EDELSTEIN, Richard
LEP, Kimball Farms,
235 Walker Street,
Lenox, MA 01240.
FRYE, Vonnie 413-881-4055
Devonshire Estates
329 Pittsfield Road #216
Lenox, MA 01240
GORE, Barbara (413) 243-4261
50 Stockbridge Road
Lee MA 01238
GRAMMER, John (413) 258-4212
86 South Beech Plain Road
Sandisfield MA 01255
HAIDER, Meredith (413) 551-7319
5 Fox Hollow Road #409
(814)308-4865
Lenox, MA 01240
KEENE, Sara (413) 528-4152
The Egremont Village Inn
17 Main Street
P. O. Box 275
South Egremont, MA 01258
TURNER, Barbara (413) 243-8904
130 High Street
Lee MA 01238
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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.
Meeting ID: 203 314 800
Password: 578877
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
To find your local number:
Click here
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Announcement from the Communications Office
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Summer Compline: NEW Days & NEW Link
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Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday @ 8:00 PM
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Compline Leaders for Summer 2020
MONDAY: The Very Rev. James G. Munroe
TUESDAY: The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher
WEDNESDAY: The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith
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Summer Compline
Please do not post this info on Facebook or Twitter; e-news is fine.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID:
824 5008 6637
Passcode:
501604
Dial by phone
+1 929 205 6099
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Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has completed a series of podcasts in which he discusses the Way of Love. They are available to listen to on The Episcopal church website.
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The new Forward Day by Day booklets for May - July are now available in regular or large print. If you would like a copy mailed to you please email Gretchen at office@graceberkshires.org.
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Wednesdays at 11:00am to 12, July 15-August 12
All children (between 4 and 10 years old) are invited to join Dindy, Andrea, and Margaret for
Stories, Art, Movement/Yoga, and General Fun.
Please let us know if you can join us by emailing
We can't wait to see you on Zoom❤
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The Beloved Community Team of the Diocese of Western MA invites all people and all parishes to join in the Episcopal Church's
long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation and justice.
Join us online!
Have you wondered about how and when different treatment for whites and blacks began and continued to exist? Pennie Curry's 15-year-old great-nephew Harrison and his two friends in Texas have. They were not getting answers and expressed their frustration to Aunt Pennie.
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In response, the
Tuesday Bible
Study Group decided to send these young fellows each a copy of
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a remix of the National Book Award-winning
Stamped from the
Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, written for ages 12 and up.
It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited.
Please contact Lee Cheek, co-chair
of the Bishop's Commission for
Beloved Community at
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For a curated list of educational and theological books on racism as well as links to web resources please visit here
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JOIN OUR NEXT DISCUSSION
Wednesday, September 9, at 7PM
Monique Kirchoff will lead our discussion
Meeting will end at about 9:00 PM
We look forward to seeing you. Details to follow
For more information email Peter at PetetheK@yahoo.com
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This year, Gideon's Garden is feeding even more families! We have begun offering produce to families who are served by Multicultural Bridge!
Multicultural Bridge offers support to 90 families. This week, we donated lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, parsley, jalapeno peppers, and swiss chard to be given to these families.
Dan, pictured in these photos, picked up the produce on behalf o Multicultural Bridge.
Around the farm, we have lots of insects...
Many of them good, like these bees on our zucchini flowers...
(YAY BEES!)
We are thrilled to be a thriving habitat for the many bee species we've seen around the farm.
Some of the insects are not so welcome...
Here you can see our summer squash are struggling. A
cucumber beetle is our culprit.
Every year there is bound to be some plants that have issues. This year, pests have bothered our squash.
On a lighter note, we've been catching butterflies for our butterfly house! Here our interns were beginning their journey into the flower fields to try their hand at netting the flying beauties.
For the link to Gideon's Garden
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Why We Join, Why We Give
Meet four members of our community. Each tells the story of what being a member of Grace means.
Why We Join
is a new feature on our website. Would you like to add your story? Contact
Kathy
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Faith Communities Census Weekend of Action is Coming Soon: July 24-26, 2020
Promote the 2020 Census
in Your Faith Community
Shape the future of your congregation, neighborhood, and community by supporting the 2020 Census. Over the next 10 years, data from the 2020 Census will inform the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds each year that support education, health care, emergency services, housing and food assistance, and more.
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So many thanks for all you do!
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HIO Sponsorship Transforms Lives
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The HIO family is a tightly knit group and totally committed to caring for one another. Loyal sponsors are our backbone. Your yearly support covers school tuition, books, uniforms, healthcare and emergency family relief for our girls.
The new school year in Nepal would normally have begun the third week of April. Our partner schools' openings will be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but we'll begin paying 2020 tuition bills for sponsored girls soon. Such a blessing to have received so many of your sponsorship donations and contributions to HIO's family relief efforts during these unsettling times. Your kind generosity is truly appreciated.
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Worship Schedule
Morning Prayer and Sunday Service
at 10:00 am
In this time of COVID-19 our public gatherings
have been suspended for the good of all.
Please join us online
for worship, study, and fellowship.
We pray for all who are affected by this virus
and we give thanks for the many people who are giving themselves in service to others.
May God hold you close in these anxious times.
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GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern B
erkshires
The Rev. Libby Wade, Interim Rector
(effective August 15)
The Rev. Jen Bloesch
Gideon's Garden Program Director
Mailing:
P.O. Box 114
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Gretchen Fairfield
Office Assistant
or by phone at 413-644-6572.
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