Tuesday's Child for January 12, 2021

or call 646 558 8656 US

(New York)

(Meeting ID): 177 160 858

(Password): 917937

Grace Sunday School 11:00am - 11:45 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

(resumes Tuesday, January 12)

This is a recurring meeting

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

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)

Books and Bread,

January 13, 2021

at 7:00 PM

droppable-1610414583136To join this Zoom meeting,

(Meeting ID): 370 191 823

(Password): 385337

or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)

A Prayer for Our Nation

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (from the Book of Common Prayer 1979)

The Second Sunday After the Epiphany

John 1:43-51

Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, has issued the following Word to the Church:

Who shall we be?

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24

FOLLOWING

10:00 AM MORNING PRAYER

A Message from Libby

On the Feast of the Epiphany, we watched in horror as the U.S. Capitol was breached by rioters interrupting Congress as it moved toward fulfilling its duty of certifying the presidential election. To its credit, Congress returned after the Capitol was secured and worked into the early morning hours to complete the process. It was particularly disturbing to see the Confederate flag in the capitol and banners proclaiming “Jesus Saves” carried by the rioters. What a misuse and gross misunderstanding of the ministry and message of Jesus Christ! As my son said later in the week, “This is not the Christianity I grew up with.” As a mainline church with a progressive theological approach to Christianity, I believe our role is to recognize the depth of despair gripping large parts of our society, to lament the insidious presence of white supremacist racist attitudes, to give voice to the notion of an incarnate Christ who brings hope into a despairing world, and to act as co-creators with God to right the wrongs of this world. Please listen to the passionate video message in this newsletter from our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Consider joining the Epiphany Bible Study on the topic of lament and hope. Participate in one of the events offered by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, Multicultural BRIDGE, or our own Diocese (see listings in this newsletter). The Feast of the Epiphany is about the revelation of Christ to the world. In your prayers and in your actions, with God’s help, be part of that revelation.

On a personal note, I want to let you know that my breast cancer surgery has been set for Tuesday, February 2 at BMC in Pittsfield. While I’m out, you will have the opportunity to worship with several fine priests: The Rev. Betsy Fisher on January 31, The Rev. Jane Tillman on February 7, and The Rev. Steve White on February 14. Thank you for all your prayers and expressions of concern.

Blessings, Libby+

Grace Clergy Transition: Preparing Our Profile

By now you should have received a letter with some "good news" about Grace Church from the analysis with Canon Simpson of the results of surveys submitted by 47 Grace parishioners during September and October. Click here to read the letter.

A rough draft of The Profile will be presented at the Annual Meeting January 24, 2021. Finalizing and uploading to the (newly renovated) Grace website will take place in February in time for Canon Simpson to present to potential applicants at the March Transition Officers conference.

The letter also describes the Profile Committee's next step--gathering photos, videos, and stories from you! What have been some of your meaningful memories of the past 5 years with Grace? What are your hopes for Grace for the next 5 years? What about Grace has brought you closer to God?

Have you heard from us yet? Give one of us a call. Our phone numbers are in the letter.

Thank you to all parishioners who submitted surveys!

Pray with Us Daily:

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.

PRAYERS AND CARES

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

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

CRAWFORD, Ruth

125 Woodland Road

Lee MA 01238

413-243-2575

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

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

CHANGE IN PRAYER LIST ON MARCH 1

Praying for each other and for the needs of the world is a vital part of any faith community, and Grace Church is particularly skilled at this aspect of our communal life. During this time of transition, it’s become apparent that we need to make a few changes in our lengthy prayer list to create a more intentional system of maintaining it. On March 1, the list of “Members of the Parish Family” and “Others We Love” for whom we pray will reset to zero and we’ll begin a fresh new list. We don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks and always want to be generous in our prayers for others.

You can help by sending an e-mail to ([email protected]) if you want a person whose name is currently on the list to stay on the list beyond March 1 or if you want to add someone who isn’t currently on the list. Libby will then keep a record of the date the name was added along with who added it and either she or a member of the Healing Team will periodically call you to check on how that person is doing and if their situation has improved enough to come off the list. We can then give thanks. In this way our prayers can be both generous and more focused

GRACE

CHURCH

Please include

in your daily prayers this week:

Members of the Parish Family:

The Rev. Libby Wade, The Rev. Ted Cobden, Linda White, John Breasted, Edna Leavenworth, George Raymond, Ed Hutchinson; 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, Tom Murray, Paula Doyle, Maureen Terry, Gino Furio, Meredith Haider, Debbie Holmes, Mary Booton, and Vonnie Frye.

Others we Love:

Virginia Fletcher; Emily Trespas, friend of Jainee McCarroll; Tanner, friend of Sue and Rick Gore; Ed and Fran, brother-in-law and sister of Anne Andrews; Kristen Mary, cousin of Jainee McCarroll; 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:

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 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 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; Grace Episcopal, Amherst; St. John’s, Ashfield; For the repose of the souls of our Bishops in glory; President of the House of Deputies

The Church's wider mission:

The Anglican Church of Australia

And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:

Don Peet, 1/12; Rob Clausen, 1/14;

Peter Kirchoff, 1/15.

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)

To find your local number: Click here

A Thank You From Jen

Happy New Year everyone! I have arrived back in Madison safe and sound. It has been a quiet week here-- a week of relaxation and family time. I was able to enjoy Christmas Day with my parents and brother, and midweek I had the chance to take a walk with my grandmother on a nice day. We've had plenty of snow since I've come home, and I thank God that we were blessed with good weather during our travels because it has been nothing but sweeping national storm systems since!

I send you all my deepest gratitude for the parting gift Grace Church offered on my final Sunday and for all the gifts you have given me in the past two years. Grace Church is truly a congregation of generosity and courage, the kind that comes straight from the heart.

I will be inspired by your creativity and focus on the community as I enter into my new ministry, starting this week. I will be the interim pastor at Middleton Community Church (UCC) in Middleton, WI. The church is excited for me to lead their youth group as well as build a garden ministry on a plot of land across from the church building! (Sounds like things I learned how to do at Gideon's Garden!) I am a bit nervous to begin this new leg of my journey, just as I imagine you all are a bit nervous to start yours, but thankfully our faith tells us that God is with us every step of the way!

Many blessings to you and all your loved ones. May 2021 bring renewed hopefulness for a safe world and one that is filled with the kind of love that comes from God.

Jen's new address is

2628 Hupmobile Dr., Cottage Grove, WI 53527.

On January 15, she will start her new ministry as Interim

at Middleton Community Church (UCC) near Madison, WI.

Diocesan Compline

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday @ 8:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

FOR MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION CLICK HERE: https://bendingtowardjustice2021.eventbrite.com

Meeting ID: 824 5008 6637

Passcode: 501604

Dial by phone

+1 929 205 6099

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.

I WANT TO HELP

See the full article in the Learning and Discovery section of the TC on

Good News Gardens Book Group:

Invitation to a diocesan book-study group

for a virtual discussion of

This is God’s Table – Finding Church Beyond the Walls.

The passing of the tools of Gideon's Garden took place informally December 19th in the greenhouse of Taft Farms. The Rev. Jen Bloesch, retiring Gideon's Garden Program Director, passes her hoe to Ms. Annalise Clausen, incoming Director of Farming. Retiring Youth Supervisor Fisher Riiska, back left, passes his shovel to incoming Youth Supervisor Matt Bilotta.

Seed ordering

begins

soon!

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.

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.

LEARNING AND DISCOVERY

Thursday, January 14, 6:45 p.m. (Zoom)—

“Faith, Power and Privilege”

The Jewish Federation invites the community to a presentation featuring anti-racism activist Yavilah McCoy, who will address the challenges of diversity and inclusion in religious communities, as well as how to become deeper allies and stronger advocates in working together toward social justice. Visit the Federation’s calendar of events at www.jewishberkshires.org for a link to the program.

Monday, January 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. –

MLK Day of Service (virtual and outdoor service opportunities)

RENEW< REBUILD AND RESTORE

E-mail [email protected] for details.

Becoming Beloved Community

Saturday January 23

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Keynote Speaker:

The Reverend Stephanie Spellers

About Our Speaker: Stephanie has served as Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Evangelism, Reconciliation and Stewardship of Creation since 2015. She is the author of several books, articles and resources focused on embracing emerging cultures and Episcopal traditions, including Radical Welcome and The Episcopal Way (with Eric Law), and her newest work, The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community. Canon Spellers is also the co-creator of the 10 Session Film-Based Race Dialogue Series, Sacred Ground.

Cost: There is no cost for this online event; however, we invite you to make a $10 donation to Human To Human (more info at Registration)

This fall, The Rev. Libby Wade led a group of South County Episcopalians in the Episcopal Church Film-Based Race Dialogue Series Sacred Ground. Pennie Curry, Jim Wade, and Lee Cheek completed the course and they encourage all to take advantage of the next opportunity in 2021,TBA.

Watch this brief description of the course from priest Cindy Vorhees of St. James, Newport Beach, CA. Click here:

Intro to Sacred Ground

The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers

Announcement from the Communications Office

Good News Gardens Book Group:

Invitation to a diocesan book-study group

As we welcome the promises of a new year, please join friends from around Western Massachusetts for a virtual discussion of This is God’s Table – Finding Church Beyond the Walls.

In this compelling and readable new book, local writer and pastor Anna Woofenden, a prophetic voice in the faith and food movement, writes about her experience founding and nurturing the Garden Church in San Pedro, California. As Sara Miles (author, and founder/director of The Food Pantry) says in the book’s Foreword, “Woofenden shares the story of what happened when she gardened, worshiped, and ate with anyone who would join her. As churches across the Western world wither, what would it take to find a raw, honest, gritty way of doing church – one rooted in place, nurtured by grace, and grounded in God’s expansive love? What would it take to carry the liturgy outside the gates? What if we were to discover that in feeding others, we are fed? This is God’s table. Come and eat.”

Our conversations will take place on Zoom over four Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Jan. 14 and 28, Feb. 11 and 25. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you can. The final meeting will include a Q and A session with the author. Click here to register for this event. We will send out the zoom link the day before our gatherings. For more information, please email one of the facilitators: Maggie Sweeney ([email protected]) or Harvey Hill ([email protected]).

Children and Teens Please Join Us!

GRACE SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sundays, at 11:00 AM.

Please contact Andrea White at [email protected] or 413-884-4836 for assistance.

Grace Sunday School

This is a recurring meeting

To join this Zoom meeting

(Meeting ID): 859 9461 5863 (Passcode): 508436

Tuesday Bible Study

in Collaboration with St. Paul’s

and Christ Trinity

Epiphany Bible Study Series

“Into the Light: Finding Hope through Prayers of Lament”

January 12 – February 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

In a sermon called “Learning to Lament,” Duke Divinity School professor Ellen Davis says “lament is a cry of human powerlessness, but it is…at the same time an appeal to God’s power and mercy. Strange though it may sound, lament is something we need to learn how to do. As with other kinds of prayer, we need to learn how to appeal to God in good faith, how to speak to God without deceiving ourselves and dishonoring God. Scripture is altogether our best guide to prayer, but you have to ask: How can it guide us in this situation?” (Preaching the Luminous Word, 2016, p. 216) The situation behind Davis’ call to lament was the Gulf Oil Spill of 2010. Now a decade later, in the midst of a pandemic that has taken an incredible toll on the world and affected so many of us personally, the call to a practice of lament is even more pressing.

To that end, the South Berkshire Episcopal/Lutheran Churches will offer a six-week Epiphany Bible Study Series on Tuesdays beginning January 12. The Revs. Sam Smith, Erik Karas, and Libby Wade will be our guides as we engage Biblical laments to help us acknowledge the depths of suffering and lead us to find hope in the midst of that suffering. Contact Libby ([email protected]) to register for this series or to ask questions. We hope you will join us as part of our Zoom Community!

Zoom link click here

or call in: 646-558-8656

Meeting ID: 826 0996 0553

Passcode: 446609

Questions? E-mail Libby at [email protected].

I WANT SOME FRIENDS

THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER

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.

BOOKS and BREAD

JOIN the DISCUSSION

Wednesday, on Zoom

January 13, 2021

at 7 PM

Dindy Anderson will lead our discussion

Meeting will end at about 9:00 PM

To join this Zoom meeting,