A Message from The Rev. Tina Rathbone

A New Deacon-for-the-Summer at Grace!


I am delighted to announce today that The Rev. Jimmy Pickett will serve our church as Deacon both at Gideon’s Garden and Crissey Farm this summer. Jimmy was ordained to the deaconate last Saturday at our cathedral in Springfield, and will be ordained a priest in a few months’ time. He will join Joel, me and the rest of us on June 1st – just in time for our Gideon’s Garden planting day – and will stay through the first Sunday in October when we gather to worship together under the tent in the Garden. Please pray for Jimmy as he enters this new phase of his becoming. Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Rev. Jimmy Pickett grew up in the Diocese of Western Mass before running away to Maine, Michigan, and Boston to study agriculture, grow food and pray in community, and explore monastic life in the Episcopal Church. Upon graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary, Rev. Jimmy is eager to come home to WMA to spend the summer serving as Deacon at Grace. He believes deeply in the fact that God empowers each of us with a vocation and that the Sacraments feed us to go out into the world to live that vocation.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We have a couple of promised donations still on their way and, knowing this, and that we would soon have all we needed, Andrea contacted the co-founder of the Pirogov First Mobile Hospital and bought the icon above! All proceeds from this beautiful work of art, written in the Ukraine on the lid of an ammunition box, will go to support the mobile hospital which brings medics to the front lines of eastern Ukraine. Since the Icons from Ammo Boxes project began, the mobile hospital has served 50,000 patients.

 

We have been told it will take anywhere from one to three months for the icon to arrive and when it does, we will celebrate! May God’s peace prevail before then, and may bloodshed and death cease…

 

The Rev. Tina Rathbone



GIDEON'S GARDEN

Spring Garden Volunteers!    

Pictured above is our completed greenhouse made possible by Taft's generosity and a grant that Gideon's received last May. Thank you all who came out last week to help finalize and move into Gideon's new propagation house! Thank you Jim, Dutch, Laura, Alex, and Louise for all of your help.


With a space free for propagation, our Spring open volunteer hours will begin this week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-12pm. We will be seeding and doing light preparation work for the coming season. Even if you don't have a green thumb, everyone is welcome!



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 Global

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 Mampong 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

Episcopal churches and communities across the Northeast are confronting their historical involvement in the slave economy


At the 2020 annual convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Resolution #7 was passed with the intent to recognize and confront systemic racism, white supremacy, and anti-Black bias in the nation and the diocese.


Read diocesan archivist Greg Farr's informative and personal account of the work they have done: Reflection from Connecticut


Are you interested in exploring the early records of St. James?

Contact Lee Cheek after Worship Service or leave a message at the Church Office

Daylong DISMANTLING RACISM Trainings by Zoom 2023

offered by the Diocese of Atlanta

Click here for more information

EfM held an interesting discussion on the Trinity this past week which drew on our reading of an essay by the British theologian Sarah Coakley, “God as Trinity: An Approach through Prayer.” Coakley argues that deep sustained Christian prayer is a vehicle for encountering and understanding the trinitarian nature of our God. The Trinity is a complicated idea and one that has generated much theological debate—both within Christianity and between Christianity and other religions--since it was originally set down in the Nicaean Creed of 325 (and amended in 381). Using the image shown here of a man with an intense gaze looking through a window, we likened our experience of the Trinity to being ‘on the outside looking in.’

 

God, the great trinitarian enigma

We are on the outside looking in.

You know us completely; we know you only in facets. 

Help us, through prayer, to be mindful of your many dimensions,

So that we may be present in godly ways to others. 

We thank you and praise you, God the Father.

We ask for your understanding, God the Son.

We ask for your guidance, God the Holy Spirit.

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.

Province 1: The Episcopal Church in New England

Conversations

with Noted Speakers


The Province 1 Christian Formation Network is hosting a series of online conversations. On the third Thursday of each month, participants will have the opportunity to hear from people at the forefront of Christian Formation. Registration required.


2023 Schedule


  • Apr 20 - "Interactive Family Church: an introduction to liturgy" - Dean Kristi Maulden and Becky Moseman
  • May 18 - "Confirmation: The Lost Sacrament Finds Fresh Purpose" - The Rev. Josh Hosler
  • Jun 15 - "Atrium for Everyone: Incorporating practices from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd or Godly Play into any program" - The Rev. Joyce Scherer-Hoock


Register here

I WANT SOME FRIENDS

BOOKS AND BREAD

Will meet on

Wednesday, May 10

at 6:00 PM to discuss

Beautiful World, Where Are You?

by Sally Rooney

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)


THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER


Join us for lively conversation

and fellowship in

a local restaurant .....TBD

on May 21 at 6:00 PM

ALL are welcome!

Separate checks

For more information contact

George Raymond.

MOVIE NITE

Watch at home at home then,

Join us for a discussion of

SCENT OF A WOMAN

(Our discussion leader will be Mark Anderson.)



This is an American drama film produced and directed by Martin Brest that tells the story of a preparatory school student who takes a job as an assistant to an irritable, blind, medically retired Army lieutenant colonel.

on May 4, at 7:00 PM

on Zoom.

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.



Third Sunday of Easter

April 23, 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

HOLY WEEK SERVICES and ZOOM INVITATIONS

FOR GRACE CHURCH

Third Sunday of Easter

April 23, 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 to join on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Bible Study

Tuesday (Resumes soon. Stay tuned for updates)

at 7:00 - 8:00 PM

To join 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 on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Movie Nite

Thursday, May 4

at 7:00 PM on Zoom

To join on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Books and Bread,

Wednesday,

May 10, 2023

at 6:00 PM

In person and on Zoom

To join on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Third Sunday Supper 

(Every Third Sunday)

May 21, at 6:00 PM

In person

More information in the

article found above.

Third Sunday

of Easter

Luke 24:13-35


Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.


As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns

Norwich Cathedral Choir 23 Favourite Hymns Artist: Simon Johnson Choir: Norwich Cathedral Choir Conductor: Neil Taylor Composer: Jeremiah Clarke

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)


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     



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: Justine Harari, beloved friend of Tina Rathbone; Vincent Pelletier, beloved family member of Kevin and Desside; Michael Holmes, Debbie Holmes’ grandson; Kelly & Elijah; Denise Chandler; James Driscoll; Livia Driscoll; All those grieving the death of Ellen Elizabeth Hilpl; All those grieving the death of Jack Stedman; Wendy Reeve and Ed Hunt; Cynthia Griesing, Holly Murray’s mother; Karen LaRocque friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy; the Hardenberg family, friends of Lynn Walker; Sophia, grieving the sudden death of her son.


Those who have died: Claire White, Steve White’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; Ed Hunt, brother-in-law of Anne Andrews; Richard Edelstein, husband of Pat and beloved friend of our congregation; Sam Raymond; Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes


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 the people of the Ukraine and of all places of violence and war, that peace may prevail and human fear and suffering diminish. For Tyre Nichols and his mother RowVaughn Wells and for all who love him. For all victims of gun violence and institutionalized racism in this country. We pray also 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;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 Church of the Province of Uganda


And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Garrett Happ, 4/18; Ethan Novick, 4/19



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.

WELCOME

TO CHURCH SCHOOL!

Church School Sunday


During our church school lesson, we listened to a story by Sandy Sasso, God Said Amen. This tale is about two rulers, the Prince of the Midnight Kingdom and the Princess of the Desert Kingdom, each having a problem. The Midnight Kingdom is overflowing with water but desperately needs of oil to light its lamps. The Desert Kingdom has oil but is in dire need of water to grow its gardens. Each faces disaster. After all, the Prince cannot be princely without his royal pajamas and cannot find them in the dark; the Princess cannot be princess-ly without her royal tea, and she cannot make tea without water!


The royal rulers ask God for help, but they are too stubborn and proud to ask each other. It takes a minstrel, a pair of opinionated royal riding birds and their young keepers, and a simple act of kindness for the kingdoms to learn that they only need to read out to each other to find God’s answers to their prayers. 


We also listened to the Gospel of John 20:19-31. 


We realized that both stories share the incredible truth that when we have faith and believe, we see. One child said, “You don’t have to see to believe!” Jesus reminded us when he said, “Peace be with you,” to love one another and to go out into the world and tell everyone that God loves ALL of us.


The children said, “Peace be with you, and you, and you, and me!"


Dear God, Thank you for this Easter Season when we celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead. Thank you, God, that Jesus gave us your peace. Amen.

FLOWER DEDICATIONS!

Please place your dedications in an envelope and include the name of the person you wish to honor.


Please note that your $35.00 contribution toward the flower purchase 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 Church Parish Administrator: Ms. Andrea White

You can reach the church office by emailoffice@graceberkshires.org  and by phone 413-644-0022.

The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Rector
413-644-0022
revtina at graceberkshires.org

Ms. Andrea White

Grace Church Administrator

office@graceberkshires.org 

Mr. Joel Jorgensen
Director of Programs for Gideon’s Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden at graceberkshires.org



OFFICERS

Senior Warden ........Pennie Curry

Junior Warden ........Laura Jordahl

Treasurer ..................Sue Gore

Clerk ...........................Mary Anne Grammer


VESTRY - AT LARGE

Class of 2024..........Anne Andrews, Dutch Pinkston

Class of 2025..........Cathy Haywood

Class of 2026..........Mary Booton, Gino Furio, Meredith Haider


Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff 
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
Please send comments by emailing tuesdayschild@graceberkshires.org
Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest