A MESSAGE FROM The Rev. Tina Rathbone |
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This is an image of Juan Diego literally beating back the power of death. I say this, simply, because it is true. Last Saturday, he and a community of 30 or 40 others took their turn slamming and beating and hammering the muzzles of guns, transforming them, hammer slam by hammer slam, into garden tools which will be used to help feed us all. Thank God for the good people of Swords to Plowshares Northeast who led the event, and for the hope of everyone who gathered under the hot sun to create together, at least for a couple of hours, a world where real guns are transformed into real garden tools. What a miracle! What a gift! What a tangible piece of hope to hold onto in a week when the doubly disastrous decisions from the Supreme Court shocked so many, and led many more into despair.
This transformation from weapons of death into tools for life it isn’t a new idea, of course. The injunction dates back about three thousand years, coming as it does from the Hebrew Scriptures, in which the prophet Isaiah declares that one day, with God’s help, all people “shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” Never has it felt more important to remember these words than today -- and never has it seemed less likely to occur….
….except that it did, in Springfield, just last weekend. And it will again – and again, and again, as long as there are people willing to say yes to the invitation; as long as there are people willing to hope.
There is so much work to be done to help heal our broken and suffering world, and this, of course, is just one small example of one small experiment in love. What will you do this week to increase your hope and beat back despair? How will you join with others – and with love - to help bring about small, real change?
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There is so much happening! And today (Tuesday the 21st) we will be embarking on our very first Internship Program Day! It took many many meetings over many months to arrive at this day and we are overjoyed, nervous and deeply blessed to hold this space for our young people and create together a program of their own, that they helped create. This garden is such a gift to this community, and me too (Annalise)! |
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Our friends from BCArc have already come 4 weeks in a row to assist with potting up for seedling distribution, filling and seeding trays, placing compost halos around the base of the field tomatoes and giving the chickens some well deserved praise and attention. |
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Come on over and visit!
Monday 9-12PM
Wednesday 9-12PM and 2-5PM
Friday 1-4PM
(A. Clausen)
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Images from
SWORDS TO PLOWSHARES
June 25th in Springfield, MA
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Bishop Doug
gives the anvil a whack
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A mother who lost two sons to gun violence speaks out. |
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A participant with a message |
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Food Pantries and Meal Sites in Berkshire County |
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Below is the January 31, 2022
“List of Food Pantries & Meal Sites in Berkshire County”.
Since program hours and days can change without notice, please call the location to be sure of times and requirements.
Please note that the Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry has changed its delivery call-in hours to 10:00am – 2:00pm.
For list of Food Pantries and Meal Sites CLICK HERE
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Berkshire South Regional Community Center
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Announcing the opening of
Stanton Home’s Food Hub
Located on 205 North Plain Rd,
Great Barrington
The Farm stand will include fresh produce grown in their greenhouse and items created in the Weavery- all grown and made by the participants of Stanton Home- a farm based program for adults with challenges.
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The People's Pantry Presents:
A NEW FACE AT THE PANTRY!
We’re thankful for our longstanding relationship with the Episcopal community in Great Barrington.
Gideon’s Garden, their youth mission project, grows food for the pantry each summer. Grace Episcopal Church and their priest, Rev. Cristina Rathbone, greets our shoppers each Monday afternoon with coffee, cookies, and conversation.
-John Cheek
If anyone wants to volunteer at the People’s Pantry, there are shifts on Mondays from 3:30PM to 5:30PM, Thursdays from 8:30AM to 10:30AM and Thursdays 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Here’s the link:
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Announcement from the Communications Office |
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Donate to Episcopal Relief & Development
MAKE AN URGENT GIFT-DONATE NOW Your immediate support will help Episcopal Relief & Development and other Anglican partners provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. By contributing today you will join our online...
support.episcopalrelief.org
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UKRAINE CRISIS FUND: Urgent aid for 4 million — Give now
CARE’s immediate crisis response aims to reach 4 million with your help.
Give now to rush urgently needed water, food, hygiene kits, and ongoing support for Ukrainian families.
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The following note is from Ludmyla (Myla), who Andrea Saville White met through a knitting, and weaving website community.
I live in NJ with my husband and our two daughters, but I was born in Ukraine - Zhytomyr, a small town near Kyiv, and lived for 21 years in Kharkiv, Ukraine. All my grandparents, great grandparents, uncles, and aunts are buried there. My first school, first love, first steps, first friends, best friends, college and smiles and laughter, and peace - all left in the past.
What can I say without tears - I stand against this horrible war; I stand with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. So, so many of my friends and their families and some of my relatives are still left in Ukraine all over the country.
We try and help every single day with whatever we can - whether it’s meds, trying to get people out from hot spots - like from under the shelling in Kharkiv and Dnipro - volunteer with local organizations, send help to so many of my friends who are refugees in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Germany, and Latvia, and help our amazing volunteers who are right there on the ground whether it’s on the border or in Ukraine.
Days begin with checking if all the people I know are alive and end with checking on the news and what I could help with following.
I can’t be on the front lines and fight for my homeland physically, but I can knit and help with information.
NO WAR. Spread the word. Don’t stay silent.
May there be PEACE in the world.
Myla’s Instagram: @mylasknitcorner
Myla’s FaceBook: mylasknitcorner
CHARITIES / NON-PROFIT:
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Handwoven and handmade by refugees in Greece, these welcome mats serve as a symbol of welcome and acceptance for refugees. Perfect to use in your home as a wall hanging or floor mat. Feel good about the products you buy at Thistle Farms and support refugees. Order yours today! Love Welcomes.
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To support BIC’s mission of serving local immigrants, become a sponsor of the One World Celebration. Please contact Development Director Sheryl Lechner at [email protected] .
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Babies are placed in the Home when their mother has died and they cannot be cared for at home. |
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It costs about $1,500 to support a baby over the time needed for the child to grow old enough to return to their home. Many years ago we at Grace decided to support babies at the Mampong Babies Home in Ghana at the rate of $1,500 per year. Your donations help us reach that goal each year. You can bring money or checks to church on Sundays and place in the jar near the Welcome table or send a check to Grace Church, PO Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
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Announcement from the Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher
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A Pastoral Word from the Bishop:
The Shooting at St. Stephen’s in Alabama
We are all distressed and deeply saddened by the shooting at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama which took three precious lives and wounded another. When you heard this I’m sure, like me, you stopped what you were doing and offered fervent prayers to the Living God. We can only imagine the anguish these families and St. Stephen’s is feeling. As St. Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians, if one member of the body suffers, we all suffer together (1 Corinthians 12:26).
But these prayers that arise from our souls are offered in a context. Unlike political leaders that offer “thoughts and prayers” and then do nothing about gun violence, the Episcopal Church is committed to stopping the carnage. We are committed to keep on praying and we are committed to action. And we have been for a long time. Bishops United Against Gun Violence has called gun violence a “a public health crisis.” In his message on Friday morning, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry went further and called it “the plague of gun violence.”
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2022 Appalachian Trail
Mini-Mission Day Trip
June - August, 2022
Sheffield
Begun in 2018 as a shared ministry of two Sheffield churches, First Congregational Church, UCC and Christ Trinity Church (Episcopal and Lutheran), Mini-Mission Trip ‘Trail Magic” is back and we’re inviting you to share it with us. Spend a day outdoors chatting with hikers and friends, and sharing refreshments!
For more information, or to register for a 2022 Mini-Mission Day Trip please contact Rev. Jill Graham at [email protected].
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Becoming Beloved Community |
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Learning our local history is a step into Becoming Beloved Community. Summer is a great time to explore the African American Heritage Trail of the Upper Housatonic Valley. South County is rich with sites.
For maps and legends click HERE
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EFM will resume after Labor Day.
THE POWER OF PRAYER
O God! Glorious Creator.
We are powerless without you.
We know you are listening even when you seem aloof and your ways mysterious.
Our gratitude knows no bounds.
Thank you especially for this group and for other spiritual circles of which we are a part.
We pray that you keep bringing us into closer relationship with you and with others.
Help all those in the world living with fear to find your peace.
Through your son Jesus Christ, Our Lord, AMEN.
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Announcement from the Communications Office |
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The Bishop established a Compline community in 2020 that continues in faithfulness. Lent is the perfect time to expand to five nights a week and create a new recurring Zoom link. In addition to The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith and the Very Rev. Jim Munroe, Licensed Lay Worship Leaders will be added for Thursday and Friday evenings. The NEW Zoom info is available HERE.
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THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship, July 17
Location TBD
Separate checks/All are welcome
For more information contact
George Raymond.
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MOVIE NITE
Join us for a discussion of a movie TBD. Stay tuned!
We will break for July and August then resume on September 1
at 7:00 PM on Zoom.
To join this Zoom meeting,
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Password: 917937
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We meet in someone's home at
6:00 pm on a date to be announced.
Men of Grace, join us for some great food and fellowship!
We will hold this year's BBQ at John Cheek's house
on August 24, 6:00 pm.
Questions? Contact George Raymond
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BOOKS AND BREAD
Wednesday, September 14
at 6:00 PM
in person and on Zoom
HAMNET
by Maggie O'Farrell
Our hosts for dinner will be Frank Garretson. Dindy Anderson will lead our discussion.
Our gathering ends at promptly at 9:00PM. Questions? Please contact Peter Kirchoff.
For Zoom:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Password: 917937
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
All are welcome!
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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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Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
July 3, 10:00 AM
In person at Crissey Farms and
live-streamed on ZOOM
Please visit our website:
for up-to-date information and a link to the digital service booklet.
Celebrant and Officiant:
The Rev. Tina Rathbone
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
July 3, at 10:00 AM
In person at Crissey Farm
and on Zoom
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 917937
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)
Contemplative Eucharist
Wednesday at 10:00 AM
In person at Grace Chapel and on Zoom:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 917937
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)
Community in Faith
resumes in the Fall.
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
Centering Prayer
Thursdays at 5:00 PM
In person ad on Zoom
To join Zoom meetings:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 917937
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)
Grace Church Men's Group
August 24, 6:00 PM,
in person
Please see article above for more information, or contact George Raymond.
Movie Nite
Resumes on Thursday, September 1
at 7:00 PM
To join Zoom meetings:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 917937
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)
Books and Bread,
resumes September 14
on Wednesday at 6:00 PM
In person and on Zoom
To join Zoom meetings:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 917937
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)
Third Sunday Supper
(Every Third Sunday)
resumes in September
In person
More information in the
article to found above.
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Fourth Sunday after Pentecost |
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.'
"Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."
The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
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Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
(Arr. B. Ellingboe)
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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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Covid-19 vaccination
booster shots
are now available for those with certain big-risk medical conditions at Walgreens and Fairview Hospital on a walk-in basis. If you think you might have a qualifying condition, we urge you to go to one of these locations for a booster shot.
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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 Church Office
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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
BLAKELY, Rosemarie
21 Crossway, #108
Lee, MA 01238
BOWENS, Marina
c/o Maryella Satinover
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066
BREASTED, John
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
BROOKS, Jane
165 George Street
Lee, MA 01230
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FRYE, Vonnie
PineHill Assisted Living
at Kimball Farms
235 Walker St.
Apt #32
Lenox, Ma. 01240
GORE, Barbara
50 Stockbridge Road
Lee, MA 01238
HAIDER, Meredith
5 Fox Hollow Road
#409
Lenox, MA 01240
McCURDY, Deborah
Skilled Nursing Center
Loomis Lakeside at Reed's Landing
807 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
TURNER, Barbara
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
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Our New Prayer Basket
We welcome you to use our new prayer basket.
On Sundays you will find a basket near the Welcome Table with slips of paper available for you to write down prayer requests. Please ask for any prayers that are important to you and those you love. You may identify yourself and those for whom prayers are needed, but names are not necessary or required. These prayers will be offered by our healing ministers both during the service and during the week for a period of one month. Keep an eye out for the basket!!
(K. Clausen)
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GRACE
CHURCH
Please include
in your daily prayers this week:
Members of the Parish Family:
John and Lee Cheek; Sue Gore, George Raymond; Doreen Hutchinson, Anne Andrews, Pennie Curry, Dindy and Mark Anderson, Stacey, Claire and Mark Thomas, Meredith Haider, Linda White, Rosemarie Blakely, Marina Bowens, John Breasted, Jane Brooks, Vonnie Frye, Barbara Gore, Barbara Turner.
Others we love: All those grieving the death of Ed Hunt; all those grieving the death of Nelda Curry, especially Cooper; Wyatt Hicks; Karen La Rocque, friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy; Joy Milani, dear friend of Dindy Anderson.
Those who have died: Rino Aldrighetti, beloved friend of Steve White; Ed Hunt, brother-in-law of Anne Andrews; Richard Edelstein, husband of Pat and beloved friend of our congregation; Larry Cheek, John's brother; Hugh Pecon, beloved member of our congregation; Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Nelda Curry; Sam Raymond, brother of George; Vanessa Neves, daughter of Patti Poulos, friend of many in the congregation; Sara Bowers; Sara Keene; Jim Santolin dear friend of Rick and Sue Gore; Robert Bruce Martin, and Alexandra Pratt, friends of Monique; Bernadette McCarroll, beloved family member of Jainee, John & Ellis; Thomas J. Fisher, father of The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher; Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes; Ruth Crawford; John Grammer, husband of Mary Anne; Neil Brandt, brother of Linda White.
Our world: For the people of Buffalo, Uvalde, Ukraine and of Russia, that Peace may prevail, and human fear and suffering diminish around the world. For the people of the Holy Land, and of Afghanistan and Haiti, who continue to struggle with insecurity, and violence and who have struggled for so long under burdens almost too great to bear. For all victims of gun violence, especially those who died in Buffalo, New York and for those who inflict violence on others. For people who suffer from the COVID-19 virus, those who have died and those who mourn; caregivers and those who have been affected through loss of work, income, and housing. For all who are alone or afraid or despairing. For prisoners, unhoused people, newly arrived immigrants and all our neighbors, near and far.
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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. Libby Wade, Interim, 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; St. Helena’s, Lenox; Creation Care; Mampong Babies Home, Ghana; St. Stephen’s, Pittsfield; Central & West Worcester Region & Dean of Clericus
Girls’ Friendly Society;Bishops United Against Gun Violence
The Church's wider mission:
The Anglican Church of Tanzania
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Ed Hutchinson
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Join us for
Centering Prayer
now in person and on ZOOM
Every Thursday
5:00 - 6:00 PM
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: 177 160 858
Passcode: 917937
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)
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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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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.
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Kids of all ages:
Please join us for Sunday school. We will meet during the first part of the service and then
re-join the service at the Peace.
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Mark commented on Koa’s work, “Dude, that is so beautiful.”
Koa answered, “Thanks, I like yours too.”
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Vivi - I love these stamps!
Andrea - I love how you placed them on your picture.
We also learned about some garden vegetables relevant to our pictures.
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A DAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:
- We thought about things we cannot see before we listened to a story.
- Vivi - the wind, ghosts
- Koa - Love; and we see the trees bend from the wind
- Mark - Heaven. But I know what heaven looks like. (Andrea asks - I wonder…. Mark, how do you see heaven?) Heaven is a big green lawn with a bridge at the end. When we die, we go over the bridge, and we don’t fall; we go up. (Motions with his hands.) (Andrea - Is that where we meet Jesus?) And all the people who have died
- We wondered about the Holy Spirit, and the words of Peace Jesus said to help his friends not feel sad about him leaving. And even though we can’t see Him, we know Jesus is with us always. God loves us.
- We colored pages with the scripture and garden flowers; next week, we will make drawings to hang up in Gideon’s garden to give pictures and words for reflection.
- We missed the timing to say the Our Father with the congregation - we’ll work on this timing - but we held out our hands to receive the prayer and prayed the Our Father together, bringing our hands to our hearts at the end.
- AND we had a visit from Mark’s mom, Stacey, who brought Johnny up and some juice and gummy snacks for all to share - and bubbles if we wanted another activity sometime.
- Vivi showed Johnny how to work the musical turtle. Johnny practiced walking and saying “mmm” with Andrea after each sip of juice. Johnny and Annalise made sounds on different textures around the room and talked about how they sounded and felt.
- Mark brought “Catboy” and “Spiderman” to hold to help him listen and feel ok. Catboy is from a show that Mark, Koa, and Vivi all know! We, adults, need to catch up.
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FLOWER DEDICATIONS!
Please place your dedications in an envelope and include the name of the person you wish to honor.
Please note that $35.00 contributions toward the flower purchases can be sent to the Grace Office or placed in the Offertory Collection.
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An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
67 State Road/P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230
GRACE Parish Administrator: Ms. Jean Chapin
and by phone 413-644-0022.
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The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Rector
413-644-0022
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Mx. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden atgraceberkshires.org
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Mr. Joel Jorgensen
Director of Programs for Gideon’s Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden at graceberkshires.org
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OFFICERS
Senior Warden ........Kathy Clausen
Junior Warden ........Pennie Curry
Treasurer ..................Sue Gore
Clerk ...........................Mary Anne Grammer
VESTRY - AT LARGE
Class of 2023..........Dindy Anderson, Holly Murray, John Cheek
Class of 2024..........Anne Andrews, Dutch Pinkston
Class of 2025..........Cathy Haywood, Andrea White, Laura Jordahl
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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