A MESSAGE FROM The Rev. Tina Rathbone
There’s no stopping it. Some of us feel the truth of it today. And some of us will feel the truth of it tomorrow. And whether we feel it or not, it remains true. From out of the darkness the shoot springs forth. Always.
Christ is risen – He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!
GIDEON'S GARDEN
This week if you are available anytime 4/22  Friday 10-12pm AND 1-3pm Let me know! [email protected] or on the phone at 413-644-6572 / 413-429-1254

(A. Clausen)
Announcement from the Communications Office
“The Way of the Cross: Ending Gun Violence in Massachusetts” premiered on Palm Sunday, April 10th at 7 p.m. Click the video on the left and set up a reminder to watch.
Way of the Cross" video walk across MA
invites prayer & action to end gun violence.
Episcopalians statewide are invited to “walk” the Way of the Cross together this Holy Week, by visiting 14 church and ministry sites from Falmouth to Great Barrington via a video project that draws on the ancient practice of pilgrimage to bring attention to the current-day scourge of gun violence.
 
Each site featured in the video will serve as a station along the way, contributing a self-recorded video segment that invites viewers into prayer and reflection.
 
“We hope that people will see it and talk about it with others. We hope that people will be inspired to take action. Ideally, it would be wonderful if churches had viewing groups during Holy Week and led reflections on what they saw and learned,” the Rev. José Reyes said by e-mail. 
 
Even with strong gun safety laws already in place in Massachusetts, statistics gathered by Everytown for Gun Safety show that in an average year, 244 people die and 688 are wounded by guns in the state, and guns are the fourth leading cause of death among children and teens here. Nationally, gun deaths continue to be on the rise in the U.S., with gun murders increasing sharply in recent years and gun suicides accounting for a majority of U.S. gun deaths, according to the Pew Research Center.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Food Pantries and Meal Sites in Berkshire County
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
Announcement from the Communications Office
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
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.
The following note is from Ludmyla (Myla), who Andrea Saville White met through a knitting, 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
https://projectcure.org - Myla knows people who volunteer in Ukraine for this organization
https://hopeforukraine.net - Myla personally knows people who volunteer for this organization
JUNE 12, SAVE THE DATE!
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] . Ticket sales will be opened to the general public in May.
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
Becoming Beloved Community
Watch this short video about the establishment of an African-American cultural heritage center in Great Barrington at the old Clinton A.M.E. Church.

Visit the Clinton Church Restoration website here.
Two Opportunities to Support Local Black History & the Black Community
Read about the plans for a statue of W.E.B. DuBois at the Mason Library here

( Lee Cheek)
Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese 
of Western Massachusetts  

CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS
Mission Matters -- Repairing. Rebuilding. Reimagining

Concert for the Human Family’ honored for best event and livestream video in Webby Awards

The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences has named “In These Uncertain Times—A Concert for the Human Family” as Best Event and Live Stream Video in the 26th Annual Webby Awards. The May 2021 concert was an artistic collaboration created by The Episcopal Church Office of Communication and Racial Reconciliation and Justice Team.

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the digital arts and sciences academy, is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the internet.
__________________________________________________________

Province I 2022 Conference Date Changed
to June 7 and 8
June 7, 6pm
June 8, 7pm
Online

The first evening will be open to all Episcopalians in New England and guests, with a special focus on welcoming the province's General Convention Deputies, while the second evening will be a business session of the bishops and elected delegates of the Province I Conference to elect a lay representative to the Executive Council of General Convention.

More details to follow.
__________________________________________________________
Book Reading & Discussion with the
Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith
April 20, 7pm
Online

On March 22nd, Church Publishing released Seeing the Unseen: Beyond Prejudices, Paradigms, and Party Lines by Mark M. Beckwith. The Rt. Rev. Mark M. Beckwith is bishop (retired) of Newark and has served as Missioner for Spirituality and Leadership in our diocese since 2019.

We are pleased to announce a virtual meeting with the author who will read and discuss the thesis at the heart of this work.

Mark's ongoing involvement with Braver Angels and Bishops United Against Gun Violence has shaped a vision of human relationship that rejects the "us" and "them" dialectic. He suggests that thinking is not sufficient to get us out of the issue-based log jam. "This book is an invitation to see what we don’t see. To see beyond our prejudices, paradigms, and hidebound thinking, all of which can shroud us from, if not blind us to, injustice."
__________________________________________________________

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.

For more information, or to register for a 2022 Mini-Mission Day Trip please contact Rev. Jill Graham at [email protected].
__________________________________________________________

Trinity, Lenox hosts Monthly Service for Victims of Gun Violence
First Saturday of the month, 8am
Online

Community as a gift from God
 
Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church has called theologian Verna Dozier, “his Moses.” She is the author, among other things, of The Dream of God, the first part of which we read in EfM for this week. This short, but powerful book offers a vision of the Bible that is ‘insightful and persuasive’ (Marcus Borg) and lifts up the ministry of the laity, her lifelong mission. Our discussion led us to focus on community as a gift from God and we ended by writing the following collect. 
 
COLLECT
We confess that we have fallen short of Your dream
We don’t always do our part to make it come true
We place our hope in Your message and in listening to you
Forgive us for turning away, for our impatience and weakness,
Through your love we will find our way back to you
In your Holy Spirit, let us reflect your dream
AMEN
 
Announcement from the Communications Office
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.
I WANT SOME FRIENDS

THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
(In this case the fourth Sunday)
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship on
April 24, at 5:45 PM
at Koi Chinese Restaurant
300 State Rd,
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Separate checks/All are welcome
For more information contact
George Raymond.
MOVIE NITE

Join us for a discussion of
RESURRECTION
Sarah Sieber is the discussion leader
on Thursday, May 5
at 7:00 PM on Zoom.

To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
GRACE MEN'S GROUP
We meet in person at
someone's home,
share conversation and dinner,
then listen to a guest speaker
who enlightens us on a timely and relevant subject. Our next meeting date
and place TBD. Stay tuned!
Questions?
Contact George Raymond
BOOKS AND BREAD
Wednesday, May 11
at 6:00 PM
in person and on Zoom.
Our host for dinner will be Martha Katz. Martha will lead our discussion. Bring a dessert, beverage, side dish or an appetizer.
Our gathering ends at promptly at 9:00PM. Questions? Please contact Peter Kirchoff.
For Zoom:
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
All are welcome!

PRAYERS AND CARES
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.
Second Sunday of Easter
Holy Eucharist
April 24, 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

Welcome Team..... S. Sieber/S. Brooke
Acolyte...................Cathy Haywood
Lector.....................Dindy Anderson
Intercessor.............Kathy Clausen
Chalice Bearer........Cathy Haywood
Healing Team........ Sue Gore/Ted Cobden
Tech....................... Abe Streeter
Flowers..................
Altar Guild............. C. Haywood /M. Layton
Coffee Hour........... Haywood/Grammer
Counters.................I. Booton/S. Sieber


PLEASE NOTE

that we are migrating all meeting links to this one address. If you have a saved link specific to a group,
it will not work after April 16. Use the following one from April 16 on, unless the link was created by a different church or outside group. 

To join Zoom meetings:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 91793
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)
ZOOM INVITATIONS 
FOR GRACE CHURCH


Second Sunday of Easter
Holy Eucharist
April 24, at 10:00 AM
In person at Crissey Farm
and on Zoom
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 91793
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: 91793
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)

Community in Faith
Wednesday, April  
at 7:00 PM
For Zoom: Click Here


Centering Prayer
Thursdays, at 5:00 PM
In person and on Zoom
To join Zoom meetings:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 91793
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)


Grace Church Men's Group
Wednesday,
at 6:00 PM
Next date and location TBD
Please see article above for more information, or contact George Raymond.


Movie Nite
Thursday, May 5
at 7:00 PM
To join Zoom meetings:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 91793
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)


Books and Bread,
Wednesday, May 11
6:00 PM
In person and on Zoom
To join Zoom meetings:
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 91793
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)

Third Sunday Supper 
(Every Third Sunday)
April 24 at 5:45 PM
In person
More information in the
article to follow above.
Second Sunday
of Easter
John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Lo! He Comes With
Clouds Descending
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.
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.
The Lee Food Pantry
was featured on the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, Springfield (Catholic) TV series
called Real to Reel. The segment starts at the 17.25 minute spot and goes to 24. It’s a great story and features Sue Gore. Unfortunately, when they credit Grace Church they show a picture of the former St. James Church in Great Barrington. (oops!)
For the link: CLICK HERE

(K. Clausen)

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 
[email protected] or by phone 413-644-0022.
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
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 
DR. RICHARD EDELSTEIN, 90, passed away on March 24, 2022 in Lenox, Massachusetts. He was born on May 18, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Samuel and Ida (Stelling) Edelstein. He married Patricia (Michaud) Edelstein in October 1982, in Cold Spring, New York.

Richard was Jewish but attended services at Grace with his Episcopalian wife Pat. Both he and Pat were regulars at our bible study and Richard often brought a Jewish perspective to our readings. They also would attend at Hevrah.

A graveside service will be held Monday, May 9, 2022 at Noon at Corashire Cemetery on Blue Hill Road in Monterey, where Richard will be laid to rest next to his beloved Patricia, followed by a celebration of his life at Koi on State Road in Great Barrington.

To read Richard's obituary, click here
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!!

(K. Clausen)
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.
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 Nelda Curry, especially Cooper; Rino Aldrighetti, dear friend of Steve White; 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:
Larry Cheek, John's brother; Hugh Pecon; 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; John Turner, husband of Barbara Turner; Leslie Albert, friend of Margaret Layton and Sarah Sieber.

Our world: For the people of 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, violence and who have struggled for so long under burdens almost too great to bear. For all victims of gun 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.

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; St. Helena’s, Lenox; Creation Care; Mampong Babies Home, Ghana; Trinity Church, Lenox; Social Justice Commission;
Church School teachers & Christian
Educators; Episcopal Youth Event (EYE); The Society for the Increase of the Ministry (SIM)

The Church's wider mission:
The Anglican Church of Papua
New Guinea.

And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:
Ethan Novick, 4/19; Mary Anne & John Grammer, 4/22, (in memory).

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.

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:
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.
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.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
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.
The children are "burying the alleluias” for Lent.

They made colorful pictures of the word Alleluia and then took turns covering them over.
FLOWER DEDICATIONS!
Please place your dedications in an envelop 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.
GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
67 State Road/P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230

GRACE Parish Administrator: Ms. Jean Chapin
You can reach the church office by email[email protected] 
and by phone 413-644-0022.
The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Rector
413-644-0022
revtina at graceberkshires.org
Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden at graceberkshires.org
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
Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff 
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
Please send comments by emailing [email protected]