Tuesday's Child for February 28, 2023

A Message from The Rev. Tina Rathbone

John the Baptist Praying in the Wilderness

No one seems to know who painted the image above. All the museum which houses it tells us is that it comes from ‘The Italian School’ (Venetian). I love it anyway, though, and have spent many hours with it these past couple of weeks.

What do you think? Are his hands clasped in praise, or in desperation? Is his head turned upwards in adulation, or in fear? Is this a moment of gratitude, or of urgent and passionate plea? I’m still not sure. My read of it changes almost every day. One thing is certain though: he is praying – which means that whatever he is feeling and however he is doing, he is bringing it all to God. He is inviting God in.

Can we do the same? I mean, even just for the season of Lent, can we dare invite God into our grief and anger and disappointment and rage as deeply as we do into our peacefulness and gratitude and joy? I’m going to try it. And I’m hoping the psalm workshop the next four Tuesdays will help me. Will you join us?

PSALM WORKSHOP

Tuesday, February 28 – Tuesday, March 21

7:00 – 8:00 PM over Zoom

Discover again how

Joy, Gratitude, Grief, Rage, Lament,

Peace, Fear, and New Life

are all

aspects of a faithful life lived

in partnership with God.

For Zoom link:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Help us buy an icon written by Ukrainian iconographies on the lids of a wooden ammunition box. All proceeds from these beautiful works of life affirming art support the Pirogov First Volunteer mobile hospital which brings medical professionals into the war zone of eastern Ukraine to treat wounded soldiers. Since the Icons from Ammo Boxes project began, the mobile hospital has served 50,000 patients - saving or repairing many lives.

No donation is too small —or too large! Just make out a check to Grace Church and add Icons from Ammo Boxes on the memo line.

Thank you - and may peace soon reign again.

The Rev. Cristina Rathbone

GIDEON'S GARDEN

Stay warm!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The People's Pantry

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:

https://www.thepeoplespantrygb.org/volunteer

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

Welcome Mats Made by Refugees | Thistle Farms Globa l

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.

thistlefarms.org

Babies are placed in the Home when their mother has died and they cannot be cared for at home.

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,

P.O. Box 114,

Great Barrington, MA 01230.

LEARNING AND DISCOVERY

Becoming Beloved Community

“I was born by a golden river and in the shadow of two great hills, five years after the Emancipation Proclamation…”

—W. E. B. Du Bois, born February 23, 1868, Great Barrington MA

On February 23, the birthday and Great Barrington Town Day of W.E.B. Du Bois, Grace Church sent $1500 with a letter and list of Negro Spirituals incuded in our 2022 worship to the Du Bois Freedom Center. For the second year in a row, this sum is donated in honor of our indebtedness for royalties never paid to enslaved Africans for the songs they sang to survive their experience. In 2022 we sang/played 44 Negro Spirituals in our worship, all of which strengthened us in our faith in God whose love for us and our worth always exceeds our own.

Daylong DISMANTLING RACISM Trainings by Zoom 2023

offered by the Diocese of Atlanta

Click here for more information

FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY

The domain of Christian ethics comes into play when freedom and responsibility are in dynamic relationship with one another. Our reflection started with this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book "Ethics:"

"Responsibility and freedom are corresponding concepts...responsibility presupposes freedom and freedom can only exist in responsibility. Responsibility is the freedom of men which is given only in the obligation to God and to our neighbor".... The action of the responsible man is performed in the obligation which alone gives freedom, and which gives entire freedom, the obligation to God and to our neighbor as they confront us in Jesus Christ."

COLLECT: AN INVISIBLE LOVING TETHER

God who holds us close

We are amazed by the freedom you give us.

Yet, we confess we are overwhelmed by freedom’s responsibility.

We ask for the wisdom to seek Your guidance.

We give thanks for our tethering relationships.

And ask that those who feel they have none, may feel your presence,

And reach for your hand.

AMEN

Announcement from the Communications Office

Bishop Doug Fisher established a Compline community in 2020 that continues in faithfulness five nights a week. 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. Zoom info is available HERE.

Daily Lenten Meditations

returns for Lent 2023

Lent invites us to reflect on our relationships with God, each other, and the Earth upon which all life depends. The Creation Care Leadership Circle invites you to sign up to receive an inspirational daily meditation during the Forty Days of Lent.

Our inaugural series in 2022 was so warmly received that we’ve prepared a fresh collection of quotes and images for 2023. The quotes come from many sources as we honor the wisdom of many voices and traditions.

Please join us as we contemplate the gift of the natural world and our calling to reconcile humanity with the rest of God’s creation.

Lent 2023: Resources, Opportunities

Online Retreat with the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas

Healing judgment:

A Lenten online retreat

Led by the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas

Saturday, March 18

9:30 a.m. – 12 Noon • Online (free)

Lent invites us to look deeply into our lives and into the society in which we participate. How is God stretching us to live at our best? How is God calling us to wake up from our dull habits of thought and behavior and to see clearly where love urges us to change? Many people dread (and avoid) the traditional Lenten practices of self-examination and repentance because we fear that these practices will drag us into harsh self-criticism and self-attack. This retreat will encourage us to question our kneejerk self-judgment and instead to open ourselves to the healing judgment of a loving God who sees our preciousness and seeks our wholeness.

Through silence, guided meditation, personal reflection, and small group sharing we aim to create a space in which we can grow in self-awareness, self-acceptance, and compassion for ourselves, each other, and our wounded, magnificent world.

Please bring a candle, Bible, paper/pen for journaling, art supplies (if you have some), and comfortable clothes for an optional walk outside. To register, visit here.

This retreat is sponsored by both Episcopal dioceses in Massachusetts and by Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ.

I WANT SOME FRIENDS

THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER

Join us for lively conversation

and fellowship on

March 19, 6:00 PM

TBD

ALL are welcome!

Separate checks

For more information contact

George Raymond.

BOOKS AND BREAD

Will meet on Wednesday, March 8,

at 6:00 PM to discuss

Notes FROM A

SMALL ISLAND

by Bill Bryson

Join us. All are welcome!

Questions? Please contact Peter Kirchoff.

For Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Password: 917937

or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)

MOVIE NITE

Watch at home at home then,

Join us for a discussion of

The Castle

on March 2, at 7:00 PM on Zoom.

"The quirky Kerrigan family lives together in a makeshift home they built themselves -- with great pride and a bizarre attention to detail -- a few yards from the edge of a busy Australian Airport. When a building inspector condemns the building and reveals that the government plans to use their land for an airport expansion, Darryl Kerrigan and his brood recruit hack attorney Dennis Denuto and prepare themselves for the fight of their lives."

To join this Zoom meeting

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Password: 917937

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 in Lent

March 5, 2023

at 10:00 AM

In person & live-streamed

on ZOOM

Please visit our website:

https://graceberkshires.org/visitor/

for up-to-date information and a link to the digital service booklet.

Celebrant and Officiant:

The Rev. Tina Rathbone

Click here for WEB site ROTA

ZOOM INVITATIONS

FOR GRACE CHURCH

Second Sunday in Lent

March 5, 2023

at 10:00 AM

For Zoom

Click Here

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:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Psalm Workshop

Tuesday, February 28

to Tuesday, March 21

at 7:00 - 8:00 PM

on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Centering Prayer

Thursdays at 5:00 PM

In person and on Zoom

To join Zoom meetings:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Movie Nite

Thursday, March 2,

at 7:00 PM on Zoom

To join Zoom meetings:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Books and Bread,

Wednesday,

March 8, 2023

at 6:00 PM

In person and on Zoom

To join Zoom meetings:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

Third Sunday Supper

(Every Third Sunday)

March 19, at 6:00 PM

In person

More information in the

article found above.

For the most up to date information

please visit the

Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative website,

https://www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org/.

The best way to avoid serious illness from Covid and the flu is to be fully vaccinated. Here is a link to find a vaccination location in the area:

https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/

Second Sunday in Lent

John 3:1-17

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

And now, O Father, mindful of the love

that bought us, once for all, on Calvary’s tree,

and having with us him that pleads above,

we here present, we here spread forth to thee,

that only offering perfect in thine eyes,

the one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.

Look Father, look on his anointed face,

and only look on us as found in him;

look not on our misusings of thy grace,

our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim:

for lo! between our sins and their reward,

we set the passion of thy Son our Lord.

And then for those, our dearest and our best,

by this prevailing presence we appeal;

O fold them closer to thy mercyís breast!

O do thine utmost for their soulís true weal!

From tainting mischief keep them pure and clear,

and crown thy gifts with strength to persevere.

And so we come; O draw us to thy feet,

most patient Savior, who canst love us still!

And by this food, so awesome and so sweet,

deliver us from every touch of ill:

in thine own service make us glad and free,

and grant us nevermore to part from thee.

~Words: William Bright (1824–1901), alt.

Music: Unde et memores, William Henry Monk (1823–1889)

Dear Parishioners,

We are pleased to announce that

Andrea White has been appointed

Grace Church Interim Parish Administrator.

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

office@graceberkshires.org 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.

BLAKELY, Rosemarie

BOWENS, Marina

BREASTED, John

BROOKS, Jane

FRYE, Vonnie

GORE, Barbara

HAIDER, Meredith

McCURDY, Deborah

TURNER, Barbara

Our Prayer Basket

We welcome you to use our 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!!

To listen to Sarah Sieber explaining the operation of the Prayer Basket CLICK HERE

(K. Clausen)

GRACE

CHURCH

Please include

in your daily prayers this week:

Members of the Parish Family:

Cathy Haywood, Margaret O’Clair, Mark Anderson, Dindy Anderson, Doreen Hutchinson, Anne Andrews, , Meredith Haider, Rosemarie Blakely, Marina Bowens, Charles Folger, Barbara Gore, and Barbara Turner.

Others we love: Michael Holmes, Debbie's grandson; Julie Mooney, Rick Gore’s sister; Kelly & Elijah ; Denise Chandler; James Driscoll; Livia Driscoll; All those grieving the death of Jack Stedman; Linda White; Stacey Thomas and her children, Claire, Mark and Johnny; All those grieving the death of Ed Hunt; all those grieving the death of Nelda Curry; Karen LaRocque friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy; Joy Milani, dear friend of Dindy Anderson; the Hardenberg family, friends of Lynn Walker; Conrad Harper, friend of John Ericson; Michael Pine, Pennie’s beloved Godson; Sophia, who is grieving the sudden death of her son; Linda Tornicelli.

Those who have died: Claire White, Steve's mother; Jeanne Litterio, Steve White's aunt; Ellen Elizabeth Hilpl;

Joe Merola; Jim Driscoll, father of Gideon's Garden intern, James Driscoll; Michael Rywkin, Monique Kirchoff's father; Wendy Reeve, Cathy Haywood’s sister; Jack Stedman; Queen Elizabeth II; Rino Aldrighetti, beloved friend of Steve White; Ed Hunt, brother-in-law of Anne Andrews; Faustino Gonzalez Nasario; Ruth Thornton, a dear friend Steve and Andrea White; Richard Edelstein, husband of Pat and beloved friend of our congregation; Hugh Pecon; Nelda Curry; Sam Raymond; Sara Keene; Vanessa Neves, daughter of Patti Poulos, friend of many in the congregation; Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes; Ruth Crawford; Neil Brandt, brother of Linda White; Jim Santolin, a dear friend of Rick & Sue; Larry Cheek, John’s brother; Patricia O’Hara.

Our world: For all those who have died, who have been wounded, or have lost someone they love in the earthquake in Syria and Turkey. For all places of violence and war around the world, that Peace may prevail, and human fear and suffering diminish. For Tyre Nichols and his mother Row Vaughn Wells and for all who love him. For all victims of gun violence in this country, and for those who inflict gun violence on others. For people who are suffering from COVID, Those who have died and those who mourn. 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: For our partners at St. Paul's and the Revs. Libby Wade, Jane Tillman; the Rev. Sam Smith as he begins his ministry at All Saints, Worcester; Christ Trinity and the Rev. Erik Karas; our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Doug Fisher; and the Mampong Babies' Home in Ghana; St. Paul’s Gardner;

Cathedral of the Beloved, Pittsfield;

All retired clergy Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN); US Disaster Program, Episcopal Relief & Development

The Church's wider mission:

Church of the Province of South

East Asia

And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:

Kathy Clausen,2/29

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.

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

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.