A MESSAGE FROM REVEREND TINA |
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Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself….
This is the beginning of our opening, communal prayer next Sunday – the last before Christmas – and, to tell the truth, I find the words rather intimidating. I’ve been doing my best to make room for the coming anew of love and light and hope in my heart all Advent --- and there is still so much mess to clean up, so much junk to clear out! Perhaps I once believed I could shine everything up to sparkling perfection, but I’m old enough now to suspect that my interior life will never be fit to be described as a mansion….
Then again, Jesus was never born in a mansion – so perhaps I’ll be ok!
I find it important, every now and then, to actually sit down and remind myself of this: Jesus - who is God - chose to be born not in a place of pristine grandeur, but in a poor, shabby, cluttered spot with the animals. I went to look at the chicken barn at the edge of Gideon’s Garden this morning to get a better feel for how this might actually have looked. Then I sat in our chapel, let myself sink, and found that – yes, perhaps, with God’s grace, and with gentleness, and humility – my interior life could one day look something like this. A little messy, for sure. A little run down. And perhaps overrun with critters who are better kept safely outside. But warm for all that, and welcoming in its own imperfect way, and real – most of all, real.
I pray that you too may be blessed with some time to sit and be still and take stock of your own, imperfect beauty this week -- and that you then feel God’s gratitude for you, just as you are.
Here are the words I’ll be praying each day: Come, Lord Jesus, in humility and peace. Come, please, and bless the humble, run-down shacks of our hearts with the sustaining presence of your transforming love.
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An Abundance of Grace at Gideon’s Garden!
We are grateful to be able to announce that the wonderful Annalise Clausen has agreed to stay on at the Garden for another year -- and that she will be joined in June by Joel Jorgensen, a young man who has long dreamed of bringing youth ministry together with farming.
Annalise and Joel will serve as co-directors of Gideon’s Garden for six months (June – December 2022), ensuring a smooth transition and a stable (and doable!) transfer of knowledge, skills and responsibility. Please join us in giving thanks to God for them both, and in holding them in prayer as they plan and prepare.
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Most of you have known Annalise for many years and are well familiar with her path. Joel by contrast is a newcomer among us, so here’s a very brief bio: Originally from Iowa, Joel brings a breadth of farming experience and a depth of youth formation work that he is excited to combine through his work with Gideon’s Garden. He is dedicated to cultivating the inner lives of youth today and hopes to use the gifts of creation to help young people navigate and explore the meaning found in their lives. Joel currently serves with Lawrence House, an Episcopal Service Corps program in South Hadley, and works for St. Andrew's in Longmeadow as their church school teacher and general intern. Joel is discerning a call to Holy Orders and is can't wait to join the people of Grace in June." |
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Community Partners Spotlight: Feeding Friends
Some of you may know one of our newest partners, Amy Loveless, a local chef who now cooks out of the Guthrie Center. During the early months of the pandemic Amy started cooking, with other local chefs, for Feeding Friends. There is an excellent article about this experience in the The Berkshire Edge published this past Thursday the 9th of December.
I have also been attending some Zoom meetings of the Southern Berkshire Regional Health Network Working Group. This group brings together local school admins, chefs, pantry staff, local farmers, state representative delegates and many other organizations.
This meeting has revealed to me the faces of people who are so engaged with their work of service, they are full of joy for giving and filling their cups of gratitude. I am so grateful to be a part of a congregation that so generously acts in their community and has brought me to these revelations.
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Berkshire South Regional Community Center is hosting suppers on Mondays from 5-6pm. |
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All suppers will be a “to go” option.
Welcome back! Attached is the October 11, 2021 “List of Food Pantries & Meal Sites in Berkshire County”. Please note the following additions to my October 4th list:
We welcome the Berkshire Humane Society Pet Food Pantry in Pittsfield! They are open
Mondays – Sundays from 10am – 4pm to provide food for pets.
For list of Food Pantries and Meal Sites Click Here
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Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese
of Western Massachusetts
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Support the Resettlement of Refugees
Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and migration ministry of The Episcopal Church, is currently working in partnership with the U.S. government to assist Afghan SIVs and other arrivals with resettlement and direct services through a network of 12 affiliates across the U.S.
DFMS-Protestant Episcopal Church US
P.O. Box 958983
St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
(Include Episcopal Migration Ministries and Afghan SIV’s in the memo line.)
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CHANGE THE BABIES
It costs about $1500 a year to support a baby. The Diocese's goal is for one congregation
to support one child for a year.
To donate to support babies at the Mampong Babies Home in Ghana please send a check to Grace Church, PO Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
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Becoming Beloved Community
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Registration for Our Annual Gathering
Join us for our third annual gathering to pray and discern the work of justice in this place, at this time. Sponsored by the Social Justice Commission of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, this online gathering is open to all who work for justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Keynote
The Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones is an Episcopal priest at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City. He serves as the Priest and Director of Spiritual Formation of Trinity’s Retreat Center in West Cornwall, CT.
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Schedule
9:00 AM -- Brief Service of Prayer
9:15 AM-9:45 first breakout session – Affinity Groups
9:45-10:20 second breakout session – Affinity Groups
10:20 AM -- BREAK
10:30 AM -- Session led by The Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones award-winning author, retreat leader
12:00 PM -- A Blessing for the Road Ahead
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Affinity Groups
Building Creation Care Justice
Facilitators: The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and the Rev. Lise Hildebrandt, Creation Care Justice Network, Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopalians Against Gun Violence
Facilitators: Bishop Fisher, Bishop Mark Beckwith and a partner from BPeace 4 Jorgé (Diocese of Massachusetts)
Neighbor to Neighbor Refugee Program
Facilitators: The Rev. Tina Rathbone and a partner from Jewish Family Services
Race, Power and Reconciliation in Marvel's "Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Facilitators: Chris Leung and Will Harron, Young Adult Ministry Network
Making Reparations
Facilitators: The Rev. Tim Crellin, Reparations Community of Practice and The Rev. Nina Pooley, Beloved Community Commission
The Poor People's Campaign
Facilitators: Cynthia Pease and partner from Diocese of Massachusetts
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Grace Church worships and gardens on the traditional land of the Mohican people.
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Our Next Community in Faith Offering:
Sing Noel!
An exploration of the music of Advent and Christmas
Tuesday, December 14, 7:00-8:00 pm, via Zoom
Of all the various aspects of Christmas, perhaps none is more beloved, and more reminiscent, than the music of the season. In this three-week study, we will explore together the music we love, learning not only the stories of the creation and meaning of these beloved songs, but also taking time to use them as tools for meditation. No preparation needed – just join us to talk about and pray on the music we cherish.
Tuesday with the Word
7:00 to 8:00 PM
To join the Zoom meeting
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EFM Readout from 12/7
DANGEROUS INTRUDERS
EfM participants in the first year read the Wisdom of Solomon and Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus) and those in the second year read the book of Jude. Jude, who may have been a brother of Jesus, writes something of a polemic against unbelievers, all those who might have a different interpretation of the “faith which was once for all entrusted to the saints.” (3b) The letter is a warning against dangerous intruders who have snuck into churches and who “pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (v. 4) Our reflection sprang out of one participant’s reading of Jude using the image of a dandelion, perhaps a “dangerous intruder” to the garden.
Dear God, Sower of seeds
You spread diversity among us.
We thank you for hearts that are open to others
We pray for the ability to discern the best in people
So that, with Your help, we may bring your Kingdom to earth.
AMEN
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THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship on
Sunday, December 19th,
at 6:00 pm
at the Morgan House
33 Main Street in Lee
Separate checks/All are welcome
For more information contact
George Raymond. His contact information is in the Grace directory.
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MOVIE NITE
Join us for a discussion of
BREAKING AWAY
An Indiana teen (Dennis Christopher) acts Italian as he and his townie buddies (Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern) compete with college snobs.
Watch at your leisure then join us on Zoom
Thursday, January 6,
at 6:30 PM on Zoom.
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823 (Password): 385337
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MOVIE NITE attendees met on Zoom in December for a rousing discussion of
About Schmidt, a movie starring Jack Nickelson. All are welcome to our next conversation!
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BOOKS AND BREAD
Book Nominations
on January 12
at the Church office
at 7:00 pm
All are welcome!
To join this Zoom meeting at 7:15 PM
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
- Participants should contact the Hosts (Mark and Dindy Anderson's) 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 7:00 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 8:30 PM. For more information email Peter Kirchoff.
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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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The Fourth Sunday
of Advent
Holy Eucharist
December 19, 10:00 AM
Sunday services
will be at Crissey Farm, both
in-person and live-streamed.
Please visit our website:
for up-to-date information and a link to the digital service booklet.
Celebrant and Officiant:
The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Welcome Team..... R. Gore/M. Doelman
Acolyte...................Cathy Haywood
Lector.................. ..Laura Jordahl
Intercessor.............Robert Forman
Healing Team.........T. Cobden/K. Clausen
Tech....................... Abe Streeter
Flowers.................. Advent
Altar Guild............. C. Haywood/M. Kirchoff
Coffee Hour........... Grammer/Kirchoff
Counters................ R.Gore/Layton
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
The Fourth Sunday
of Advent
Holy Eucharist
December 19, at 10:00 AM
Now in person and on Zoom.
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656
US (New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
Tuesday with the Word
December 7
7:00 to 8:00 PM
To join the Zoom meeting
For more information please see the article below.
Centering Prayer
Thursdays, at 5:00 PM
Now in person and on ZOOM
To join the Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 203 314 800
(Password): 578877
646 558 8656 US (New York)
Grace Church Men's Group
Future dates to be announced here.
Movie Nite
Thursday, at 6:30
January 6, 2022
More information in the
article below.
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
Books and Bread,
Book Nominations
Wednesday, January 12
In person at 7:00 PM
at the Church office
All are welcome.
Third Sunday Supper
(Every Third Sunday)
Sunday, December 19th,
at 6:00 pm
at the Morgan House
33 Main Street in Lee
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The Fourth Sunday of
Advent
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In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
And Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
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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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Grace Choir Rehearsals - Sundays,
December 19, 8:55-9:45 am
Would you like to join our merry band of players? Having been at Grace Church a few months now, I know there are more folks out there interested in singing along with our awesome choir! Rather than asking you to sign up for a full-year/indefinite commitment, I would like to offer you the chance to try out Grace Choir during the season of Advent. Over the course of 4 Sundays, we will prepare 3 hymns and 1 anthem to offer during Communion. Reading music and/or prior singing experience is not required.
Musically yours,
Ryan
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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. You can ask for prayers for those who are ill, or in need of healing or encouragement of any kind, prayers for intentions, journeys, or projects, the birth or adoption of children, and prayers of thanksgiving for anything that needs celebrating. In other words, 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 requests will be prayed for 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!!
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Healing Prayers
If you would like to receive healing prayers from
The Rev. Ted Cobden, Pennie Curry, or Sue Gore,
please refer to your directory for their contact
information, or contact the Grace office.
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GRACE
CHURCH
Please include
in your daily prayers this week:
Members of the Parish Family:
Sue Gore, George Raymond; Doreen Hutchinson, Anne Andrews, 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 and Annalise Clausen.
Others we love: Rino Aldrighetti, dear friend of Steve White; Wyatt Hicks; Larry Cheek, John's brother; 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:
Sam Raymond, George Raymond's brother; 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; John Turner, husband of Barbara Turner; Leslie Albert, friend of Margaret Layton and Sarah Sieber.
Our world: For the people of Oxford, Michigan who are grieving and afraid. For the people of Afghanistan, and of Haiti, who have struggled for so long under burdens seemingly too great to bear.
For all victims of violence, 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. 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; Saint Matthew's, Worcester; Safe Church Officer, The Rev. Tanya R. Wallace; Church Interfaith Organizing (BIO); Church Pension Group (CPG).
The Church's wider mission:
The Church of the Province of Central Africa.
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Doone Marshall, 12/17; Jenny Farmam, 12/20.
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Join us for
Centering Prayer
now in person and on ZOOM
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 the 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:
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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. As we begin to gather in person, you may bring your contribution to our services on Sunday, once again.
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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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A Virtual Christmas Pageant 2021
Are you interested in participating in this year’s pageant, and you have not already talked with Andrea White? Please get in touch with her. All are welcome to participate.
Pageant participants: Andrea will contact you about the practice and filming sessions.
The filmed pageant "Do Not Be Afraid", performed by members of Grace Church, will be shared on "the big screen" via Zoom on Sunday, December 19, during the worship service. 2021.
Watch our 2020 pageant:
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WREATHS
AND GINGERBREAD
COOKIES
Each parishioner at the December 19th service will be presented with a handmade Christmas wreath, and each child with a gingerbread cookie, compliments of Taft Farms.
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Thank you all
for signing up for this year’s
Flower Dedications.
It is a beautiful way to honor our family and friends both living and deceased, and is shared by all.
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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Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden at graceberkshires.org
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Mr. Ryan LaBoy,
Grace Church Music Director
413-644-0022
RLaboy at graceberkshires.org
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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