A MESSAGE FROM REVEREND TINA |
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I will light candles this Christmas, Candles of joy, despite all the sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. Candles of courage where fear is ever present, Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens. Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all the year long. -Howard Thurman
This is such a blessed time, such a time of potential and hope – and it is also, again this year, a difficult time, full of uncertainty and unknowing. Christ is born again in our midst, this we know. And sometimes, still, the truth of Christ remains hard for us to see. Christ is with us. And we feel all alone. Christ is with us. And we hardly dare hope.
The lines above from the extraordinary teacher, mystic and theologian Howard Thurman, seem to me to offer a clear way through, and I am going to follow him literally this week, setting aside twenty minutes each evening to light six candles -- of joy, of hope, of courage, of peace, of grace, and of love. By so doing I hope to lean deeply into the Christmas love-truth even as I dare open my heart to the fear and the struggle all around us with this latest surge in Covid numbers. Will you join me?
God willing we are still planning on gathering in person, safely socially distanced, at Crissey Farm next Sunday morning. We will let you know if this changes over email – so please keep your eye out for a message through Constant Contact. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. My number is: 617 852-4916. My email: [email protected]
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Blessings to all and a Happy New Year! I am so excited to start a field planting plan and seeding schedule, meet with new community partners and build the program for our interns. With Love and Gratitude, Annalise |
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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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The last EFM
Readout for 2021
EfM held its final meeting for the year. We discussed our readings: an essay on women in wisdom literature, a second essay providing an overview of the Old Testament, “From Tradition to Canon,” and the New Testament Book of Revelation. We reviewed the year of study and wrote the following collect:
We are searching, curious, and grateful.
We come together in awe and wonder at the spread of the loving message of your son and pray that we can embody it in our daily lives.
AMEN
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The following members of Christ Trinity Church, Grace Church, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church participated in EFM
this past year. They each read the entirety of either the Old Testament or the New Testament in addition to a variety of other texts and essays. They each entered faithfully and enthusiastically into the theological reflection discussion process, embodying a spirit of curiosity and wonder at the sacred text and its impact on our lives today.
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A shout-out with my deepest gratitude to:
John Cheek, New Testament
Fred Clark, Old Testament
Estie Dallett, New Testament
Imelda Mueller, New Testament
Bob Mercurio, New Testament
Lillie Mikesell, New Testament
Nancy Murray, Old Testament
Peter Schuyten, New Testament
Gail Shaw, Old Testament
Sarah Sieber, Old Testament
Liz Wells, New Testament
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THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship on
January 16th, 2022
Next location to be decided
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
in person on January 12
at the Grace Church office
at 7:00 pm
Bring an appetizer or dessert to share.
All are welcome!
Write a paragraph about the book or two you would like to nominate. The books should be less than 400 pages. Forward your nominations to Peter Kirchoff no later than January 5th. His contact information is in the Grace Directory.
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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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Second Sunday after
Christmas
Holy Eucharist
January 2, 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..... Sue and Rick Gore
Acolyte...................Cathy Haywood
Lector.................. ..Pennie Curry
Intercessor.............Doreen Hutchinson
Healing Team.........S. Gore/K. Clausen
Tech....................... Abe Streeter
Flowers.................. Cheek
Altar Guild............. Sieber/Layton
Coffee Hour........... White/Doelman
Counters.................S. Gore/I. Booton
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Second Sunday after
Christmas
Holy Eucharist
January 2, 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 28
7:00 to 8:00 PM
To join the Zoom meeting
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.
Email your nominations to Peter Kirchoff by January 5th.
Third Sunday Supper
(Every Third Sunday)
January 16,
Location TBD
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Second Sunday after
Christmas
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Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
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We Three Kings
Kings College Cambridge
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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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Announcement from the Communications Office |
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The Bishop's Christmas Message 2021
Bishop Doug Fisher reminds us that like the shepherds, "we are surrounded by angels, We are surrounded by grace."
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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, 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 all those whose lives have been affected by extreme weather- especially for those who were in the path of tornadoes this past week. 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; Parishes of the Boston Harbor Deanery
Christ Church (Old North), Boston
Church of the Advent, Boston;
Ecclesia Ministries and common cathedral, Boston;The Diocesan Staff;
The Massachusetts Council of Churches.
The Church's wider mission:
Province de L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Sally Brooke, 12/29; George Raymond, 1/2; Connie Garber; 1/3.
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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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So much coloring, cutting, pasting, exploring, learning,
and playing to be done at Sunday School !
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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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