A Message from The Rev. Tina Rathbone

What is church, anyway? I mean what is it to you? --and what has it been? --and what might it be in the future?

There are as many answers to these questions as there are people answering them, of course. Which means it’s important to ask. Because every answer is valid. And every answer – carefully provided - brings life and energy to the project of being and becoming church that we are all engaged in, each in our own way. Instead of writing more today then, I’m going to stop here in the hopes that you will spend a minute or two writing down at least a shorthand version your own answer. If you’re planning on joining us at Crissey Farm on Sunday, I’d be grateful if you would bring these words with you. The vestry will be heading off on a 24 hour retreat after worship to spend some time with the question -- What is Church? -- and it would be very helpful to have a few prompting words from you. No need to be fancy. Just a simple list is fine – and feel free to be anonymous if you prefer. (Emailing answers is good too. The best address: [email protected]) Thank you!

From George the Rooster to Ellie the Dog

and a friendly Lizard,

All were blessed on October 2

This past summer stands out to me as a real triumph in community making here in the garden. With our sister internships running alongside one another, the Taft Farms Fellowship and the Gideon’s Garden Interns made a big impact.

I was listening back to a brief recording I made during our wrap-up party for the Taft’s Fellowship and noticed the language. These young people are using the words “we” and “us” to describe their activity this summer in a way that is a greater “we” than I had heard from them before.

Here is one of our most dedicated volunteers, Jim Wade. He is posing in front of some pumpkins we most certainly did not pick, but admired! In case you haven't been down to Taft's recently their pumpkin display is incredible! Best gourds in the county!

Monday 9-12 PM

Wednesdays 9-12 PM and 3-5 PM 

Come on over and volunteer or visit! (A. Clausen)

Stanton Home’s Food Hub

Located on 205 North Plain Rd,

Great Barrington

The Farm stand will include fresh produce grown in their greenhouse and items created in the Weavery- all grown and made by the participants of Stanton Home- a farm based program for adults with challenges.

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,

PO Box 114,

Great Barrington, MA 01230.

Imprinted: Illustrating Race     Through October 30

Norman Rockwell Museum       Stockbridge,MA

This powerful exhibit examines the role of published images in shaping attitudes toward race and culture. Over 300 artworks and objects on view of widely circulated illustrated imagery will be on view, produced from the late eighteenth century to today, which have an impact on public perception about race in the United States. The exhibition will explore stereotypical racial representations that have been imprinted upon us through the mass publication of images. It culminates with the creative accomplishments of contemporary artists and publishers who have shifted the cultural narrative through the creation of positive, inclusive imagery emphasizing full agency and equity for all.

Click here for more information

Evangelism

This week some participants in EfM read about the spread of the Church through missionaries, traders and slavers into the new world, Asia, and India. It is a tale of the ravages of disease and of brutal methods of conversion. Some missionaries were more respectful of the native cultures they encountered, learning the local languages and moderating their dress and their approach. But often their methods were repudiated by their superiors back home.  Evangelism in our time, we reckoned, requires a delicate balance of attraction and invitation.   

God, source of the Word,

we confess our confusion about how to spread the Message.

We seek to respect the dignity of every human being

and place our hope in Your inspiration.

Forgive our many grievous missteps.

Empowered by your Holy Spirit, let us walk in the way of Jesus. 

AMEN

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.

BOOKS AND BREAD

Wednesday, October 12

at 6:00 PM

in person and on Zoom

GREEN

by Dan Tawczynski

Our host for dinner will be Carol Way.

Pennie Curry will lead our discussion.

Our gathering ends at promptly at 9:00 PM.

Questions? Please contact Peter Kirchoff.

For Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Password: 917937

or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)

All are welcome!

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)

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.