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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Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
July 4
10:00 AM
In person at Crissey Farm
and on ZOOM
Celebrant:
The Rev. Dr. Steve White
Welcome Team....Sally Brooke,
Sarah Sieber
Lector................. Peter Kirchoff
Intercessor.......... Ellis Ericson and Parents
Altar Guild.......... Linda White,
Cathy Haywood
Coffee Hour........Dindy Anderson
Counter...............Ian Booton,
Sarah Sieber
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Six Sunday After Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
July 4
10:00 AM
in person and on ZOOM
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
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)
July 18, 2021
at 6:00 PM to 7PM
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,
On break until September 8 at 6pm.
We will be meeting in person.
Movie Night
at 6:30 PM
Thursday
July 1, 2021
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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Sixth Sunday After Pentecost |
Mark 6:1-13
Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
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Love Divine, all loves excelling
(Blaenwern) (+lyrics) - Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Day 2020
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For the most
up to date
information
please visit the
Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative website,
They will post notice of appointment openings 6-12 hours in advance. You can find answers to your vaccination questions including information about the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine on their FAQ page.
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WELCOME COMMITTEE
Thank you to those who are planning multiple ways of welcoming Tina once she arrives in the Berkshires. Her first Sunday with us will be on August 1. In the meantime, one way you can help is to send a picture of yourself, either digitally or a real photo, which we will put into a pictorial directory. Email to [email protected] or mail to Grace Church, P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Thank you to Pennie Curry, Andrea and Steve White, Holly Murray, Dindy Anderson, John Cheek, Sally Brooke, Meredith Haider and John Ericson.
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Collect of Gratitude for Ministry
O God, our heavenly Father, you raise up faithful servants to be pastors in your Church and to feed your flock. We give thanks for The Rev. Christina Rathbone, who has accepted the call to be rector of Grace Church and to serve the communities around us. Give abundantly to Tina and to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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MESSAGE FROM LIBBY
Sunday, June 27, was my last time to celebrate Eucharist as your Interim Rector. It has been such a joy to work with this congregation during your transition time. I leave this role knowing that you will be well-served by those who lead worship during July and by your new Rector beginning in August.
On August 1, I’ll pause in my morning to give thanks for the arrival of the Rev. Tina Rathbone as your rector. I have no doubt that you and she will bond quickly, and your ministry together will be fruitful and exciting.
I will continue to value your friendship, though no longer as your pastor or priest. I’m also sure our paths will cross again in the small world of southern Berkshire Episcopal churches!
Our final prayer on Sunday, June 20 was “A Collect for All Christians in Their Vocation.” It is my prayer for all of us as we move forward on our individual and corporate paths: “Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayer, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (BCP, p. 256)
Looking Ahead
All Sunday services will be in-person at Crissey Farm and live-streamed
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Sunday, July 4 Holy Eucharist The Rev. Dr. Steve White, Celebrant
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Sunday, July 11 Holy Eucharist The Rev. Canon Dr. Rich Simpson, Celebrant
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Sunday, July 18 Morning Prayer The Rev. Deacon Peter Feltman-Mahan, Officiant
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Sunday, July 25 Holy Eucharist The Rev. Dr. Steve White, Celebrant
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Sunday, August 1 Holy Eucharist The Rev. Tina Rathbone, Celebrant
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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.
ANDREWS, Anne
659 South Egremont Road
P.O. Box 714
Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 528-2766
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
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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
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
Reed's Landing Nursing Center
807 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
413-507-2832
TURNER, Barbara
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
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If you would like to receive 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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PRAYERS REQUESTED
Praying for each other and for the needs of the world is a vital mission of Grace Church. To add a prayer request to this list, please contact the Rev. Libby Wade ([email protected] or 270-519-6934).
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GRACE
CHURCH
Please include
in your daily prayers this week:
Members of the Parish Family:
Doreen Hutchinson, Anne Andrews, Linda White, Pennie Curry, Mark Anderson, Stacey, Claire and Mark Thomas, Meredith Haider, Linda White, Rosemarie Blakely, Marina Bowens, John Breasted, Jane Brooks, Vonnie Frye, Barbara Gore, Sara Keene, Barbara Turner.
Others we love:
Karen LaRocque friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy.
Those who have died:
Thomas J. Fisher, father of The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher; Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes; Ruth Crawford; Emily Trespas, friend of Jainee McCarroll and John Ericson; John Grammer, husband of Mary Anne; 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; Kathy Happ, sister of Doug and Gary Happ; Locke Larkin, brother-in-law of Maureen Terry; Charles Olegar.
Our world: For all victims of violence; 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.
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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 Church Oxford; Central and West Worcester Region and Dean of Clericus.
The Church's wider mission:
Fifth Sunday after Trinity; The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea.
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:
Ed Hutchinson, 7/4.
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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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Announcement from the Communications Office |
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NEW Compline link for Summer 2021
MONDAY @ 8 PM EST: The Very Rev. Jim Munroe
TUESDAY @ 8 PM EST: The Rt. Rev. Mark M. Beckwith
WEDNESDAY @ 8 PM EST: The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher
Diocesan Compline service will continue in June, July and August with new access information. Same days, same time, same people - NEW link beginning May 31st. Please share this with your congregations, but please do not post the meeting ID or passcode on social media.
Join Zoom Compline
Meeting ID: 889 8799 4498
Passcode: Bishop
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 889 8799 4498
Passcode: 795560
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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.
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We are preparing for our first harvest this week after the heat breaks. The zucchini, kale, peppers and even a few cherry tomatoes are gaining weight and color.
Remember to water yourself as well as your plants in this stressful heat, and thank you to all for your prayers for the garden.
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The field looks like it's bursting!
Contact me, Annalise, if you would like to volunteer to help.
Please text 413-644-6572
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To the Berkshire Bounty Community
Berkshire Bounty is now preparing for its monthly Mobile Food Drive on Tuesday, July 6th from 9-11am.
We are focusing the July food drive on food for families with children attending the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, Farmington River Regional School District and Berkshire Hills Regional School District. Each district is working closely with community organizations. We will also donate to the South Congregational Church to help provide food to families in need.
As before, Berkshire Bounty volunteer drivers go to Donors’ homes to pick up canned and/or packaged goods left by Donors on their doorstep. Donors may also drop their food donations at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire or at People’s Pantry.
Consider:
a) donating canned and/or packaged food;
b) driving to pick up donations at food donors’ homes; and/or,
c) helping unload food from drivers' cars as they deliver food on the day of the
Mobile Food Drive
d) helping sort and organize food for each district at People's Pantry.
If you are interested in participating, please email Berkshire Bounty at [email protected] to tell us what you would like to do.
Please include your street address, email address and best contact telephone number.
To Food Donors:
Foods in most demand are: pasta, tomato sauce, canned fruit, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly.
If donating from your own pantry, please check out dates.
Thank you for your generosity during this difficult time.
Please pass on this request to your friends and neighbors.
Mark Lefenfeld & Jay Weintraub
Co-Presidents, Berkshire Bounty
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Welcome to the Bloomin' 4 Good Program!
A Brand New Program to Benefit Lee Food Pantry
Let's Fight Hunger Together. One Bouquet at a Time.
We are thrilled to announce the Bloomin' 4 Good Program, a brand new program from Stop & Shop that works to fight hunger in our local communities. In this program, every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet sold sends a $1 donation to a hunger organization local to the store in which it was purchased.
For the month of June 2021, Lee Food Pantry has been selected to receive a $1 donation for every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker (pictured on the left) sold at the store located at 1 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield MA.
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SHINE YOUR LIGHT
Thank you for giving generously to support the ministry of Grace. You may continue to mail your contributions to Grace Church, P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230. As we begin to gather in person, you may bring your contribution to our services on Sunday, once again.
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Berkshire Immigrant Center
Sheryl Lechner, Development Coordinator of Berkshire Immigrant Center, wrote recently to everyone at Grace Church:
"We are so grateful for the immensely generous donation that you recently sent to us at the Berkshire Immigrant Center! It means the world to us knowing that your congregation has the backs of the Berkshire immigrant community, and that you understand the role that the Center plays in serving this important segment of our population. I look forward to meeting Rev. Tina once she settles in, and also would like to meet with church representatives to update you about the impact of your generous giving. Meanwhile, I am thrilled to share that BIC will soon become an independent 501c3 organization for the first time in its history, after 24 years of fiscal sponsorship. This is a huge step forward on the road to long-term organizational health. This change is part of a newly conceived strategic plan accomplished over a year of Zoom meetings."
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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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Becoming Beloved Community
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As the nation looks back on the first official federal commemoration of Juneteenth and looks forward to the Fourth of July, it is clear that the new battle lines in the culture wars are less about social issues and more about American identity itself.
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MOVIE NIGHT
Join us for a discussion
of Big Night on July 1 at 6:30PM.
Peter Kirchoff will lead the discussion.
Watch at your leisure then join us
on ZOOM.
To join, or to find out more
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
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We are on summer break until
Wednesday, September 8,
at 6pm. ALL are welcome
On September 8th, join us for dinner, fellowship, and a lively discussion.
The book is The Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer (translated from the Yiddish by the author and Cecil Hemley), published in paperback by Farrar Strauss & Giroux.
Rev. Tina Rathbone will lead our discussion
Our hosts will be the Kirchoffs.
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Participants should contact the Host if they plan to attend but have not signed up at Grace Church (Crissey Farm Welcome Desk)
- If you are a "regular" and are not planning to attend, please let the Host know.
- Discussion begins at 7:45 pm regardless of whether it's a Dinner gathering or an A&D gathering.
- 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.
- Please sign up to bring appetizers or dessert items.
Meeting is over promptly at 9:00 pm. For more information email Peter at [email protected]
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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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Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
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:
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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
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This week and for all the month of July, The Rev. Steve White is available during July for pastoral care.
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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