Tuesday's Child for May 16, 2023

A Message from the Rev. Tina Rathbone

Last week Steve White finished restoring this beautiful triptych and – just this past Sunday – Gino Furio and Steve worked together to hang it in our chapel. It had spent the past ten years tucked deep in our storage unit and now it feels as if it has come alive again. After ten years! How fitting that it represents both the crucifixion and the resurrection then -- both death and new life.

Sitting with it this morning, full of wonder and gratitude, I can’t help but wonder about other things in my life that seem lost and gone forever. Could it be that, with a little time and a little care and a little love, at least some of what feels lost might be brought back to life in our hearts in the present? What do you think?

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!

Join us to remember our beloved friend

Mattie Marina Bowens

Finnerty and Stevens

426 Main St

Great Barrington

Viewing hrs: May 17th 4:00-6:00PM

Memorial Service: May 18th, 10:15 AM

Followed by

Burial at Elmwood Cemetery

All are welcome for a repast following the Graveside Service

12:30 PM

Crissey Farm

426 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington

I will be a new kind of listener

BY MEREDITH HAIDER

(From ABUNDANT Times Winter/Spring 2023

by The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts)

I’m sitting in a waiting room when an acquaintance plops down next to me. “I know you’re dealing with a lot of medical issues,” she says. “Do you mind my asking what’s wrong with you?”

I want to turn to her and brightly say, “Not at all, but you go first!” Instead, I swallow my sarcasm and succinctly explain some of the chronic illnesses listed in my medical charts. I’ve learned that sharing anything more than a sound bite means people lose interest. I make sure to end on a positive note in a preemptive effort to ease this woman’s discomfort with my reality........(to continue reading, click the link below)

I will be a new kind of listener

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 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

Our reflection began with a quote from St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109): "For I do not seek to understand in order to believe but I believe in order to understand. For I believe this: that I shall not understand unless I believe" Our conversation led us to a line from a poem called "Barter" by Sara Teasdale, …'and children's faces looking up, holding wonder like a cup'

Sublime God who fills our cups with wonder,

We gratefully enter into the mystery of coming to know You.

We pray that we can remain open to Your incomparable love,

So that we may have the confidence and joy to join with others

For the sake of Jesus, the Christ.

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:

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

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 at the

Aegean Breeze,

327 Stockbridge Road,

Great Barrington

Sunday, May 21, 6:00 pm.

Order from the menu, separate checks.

ALL are welcome!

For more information contact

George Raymond.

MOVIE NITE

Watch at home at home then, Join us for a discussion of

DOUBT

Directed by John Patrick Shanley from his Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play, it is about the title word, doubt, in a world of certainty. For Aloysius, Flynn is certainly guilty. That the priest seems innocent, that Sister James comes to believe she was mistaken in her suspicions, means nothing.

on June 1, at 7:00 PM

on Zoom.

To join this Zoom meeting

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Password: 917937

Ascension Day

Thursday, May 18, 6:00 PM

St. Paul's Church

29 Main Street, Stockbridge MA

Clap your hands, all you people. Jesus is risen from the dead!

Shout to God with songs of joy. Jesus has ascended into heaven!

Sing praises to God, all the earth. Jesus will come again to reign!

Worship in the Church

Picnic Supper on the Lawn

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.

Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 21, 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

Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 21, 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, June 1

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.

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)

Seventh Sunday

of Easter

John 17:1-11

Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

King of Glory, King of Peace

King of Glory, King of Peace · Beverly Hills All Saints' Church Choir · Craig Phillips · Craig Phillips · Thomas Foster

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

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:

Ed and Doreen Hutchinson; Cathy Haywood; Linda White; Stacey Thomas, and her children, Claire, Mark and Johnny; Mark Anderson; Meredith Haider; Rosemarie Blakely; Marina Bowens; Barbara Gore; and Barbara Turner

Others we love: 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: Marina Bowens, Maryella Bowns Satinover and Loretta Bowen’s mother; Justine Harari, beloved friend of Tina Rathbone; 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; St. John’s, Millville;

Clergy living beyond the diocese

Episcopal Women’s History Project;

New England Synod of the ELCA

The Church's wider mission:

The Church in the Province of the West Indies

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

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

We listened to stories from The Family Story Bible during our church school lesson. This resource includes stories from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures for children to receive Bible stories joyfully. I say “joyfully” intentionally because our children and young adults at Grace church listen, laugh, and question these stories.

Today, we listened to three stories based on: “On the Road to Emmaus” Luke 24; “The Disciples Believe” Luke 24; “Thomas Asks Questions” John 14. When I began the last story for the morning and said, “This is the last story for today,” a child replied, “Oh, No, please keep reading ALL of them!”

During the story, "On the Road to Emmaus," a child exclaimed, “Why wouldn’t they believe! Of course the stranger was Jesus.”

We spent the most time wondering and talking about the Gospel of John. Why was Thomas doubting? Or was it really that he had great questions that invited conversation?! We are in the presence of children who ask, “How do you know? Tell me more about….”

We were comforted by the reality that Jesus welcomed and welcomes questions.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light!