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.
|
The Fifth Sunday
in Lent
March 21, 2021
10:00 AM
Morning Prayer
Officiant and Preacher:
The Rev. Libby Wade
Lector...............Robert Forman
Intercessor.......Sarah Sieber
Responder....... Andrea White
Counter........... Sue Gore
|
ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 21, 2021
10:00 PM
Morning Prayer
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
Grace Sunday School
11:15 AM - 12:00 AM
This a recurring meeting.
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 859 9461 5863
(Password): 508436
Tuesday Bible Study
7:00 to 8:30 PM
March 9 to April 6
This is a recurring meeting.
or call 646-558-8656
(Meeting ID):
826 0996 0553
(Password): 446609
See article in this edition of Tuesday's Child for more info.
Centering Prayer
Thursdays 5:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting.
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 203 314 800
(Password): 578877
646 558 8656 US (New York)
Third Sunday Supper
Every Third Sunday
(March 21)
at 6:00 PM to 7PM
This is a recurring meeting.
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 778 608 743
(Password): 729107
646 558 8656 US (New York)
Books and Bread,
at 7:00 PM
Wednesday
April 14, 2021
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
|
|
John 12:20-33
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
|
Now the Green Blade Riseth
|
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Will Address the
Williamstown Virtual Forum
on Christian Nationalism
Thursday, March 18, 7:00 p.m.
On January 6, 2021, a mob of insurrectionists stormed the Capitol Buildingin the name of Jesus. As some committed violent acts of destruction that led to grave personal injury, many carried crosses, signs and flags bearing the name of Jesus and quoting Holy Scripture. People of faith are rejecting this singular misuse of the Gospel and the larger insidious phenomenon of Christian Nationalism.
We invite you to join ecumenical leaders for a virtual forum,“Christian Nationalism: How It Harms Us All -an Interfaith Discussion”, sponsored by The First Congregational Church of Williamstown, United Church of Christ.
Panelists: Imam Bilal Ansari, Faculty Associate of Pastoral Theology, Director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Program at Hartford Seminary
The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, USA
Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Sheila D. Sholes-Ross, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Pittsfield
Rabbi Pamela Wax, Spiritual Care Coordinator at Westchester Jewish Community Services, White Plains, NY
|
|
|
Diocesan Confirmation Class
10 Online Sessions Beginning Tonight, March 16th
Diocesan 10 Week Confirmation Class begins March 16 (tonight) at 5:30 p.m. If you haven't yet registered, the link is above and below.
Tonight's session is "What Is Confirmation?" led by the Rev. Tanya Wallace and the Rev. Michael Tuck.
We will be meeting via Zoom from 6-7 pm on Tuesdays. Each class will last about an hour.
Celebrations with Bishop Fisher at a service on June 6 at 3pm (details to be determined later this spring).
|
|
HOLY WEEK 2021
Next week, you will find a full listing of worship opportunities for Holy Week. You will also receive a package from Grace Church next week with several items to enhance your Holy Week and Easter Day experience. While the details aren’t yet totally tied down, here are dates to mark on your calendar.
PALM SUNDAY: March 28, 10 a.m on Zoom Blessing of the Palms, Passion Reading, and Special Music with your Grace Church Family
MAUNDY THURSDAY: April 1 (time TBD) Our Deanery is joining Zion Lutheran for a Virtual observance of this Holy Day
GOOD FRIDAY: April 2, 6:00 p.m. on ZoomOur Deanery is producing an observance of this Holy Day. (A Virtual Stations of the Cross will also be available via our website to access anytime during Holy Week.)
EASTER VIGIL: Saturday, April 3 (time TBD)Our Diocese is producing an observance of thisHoly Day
EASTER DAY: Sunday, April 4, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom Celebrate the Day of Resurrection virtually with your Grace Church Family
|
|
For the most up to date information please visit the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative
website, https://www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org/. 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.
|
|
The Profile is live on our webpage now! Click here and look for the Rector Search button to see a description of how Grace members gather and grow in Love and how we go out into our daily lives and into the community with Love. There are photos and videos and stories about us and life in the Berkshires which you may not know if you are new to Grace and the area.
The Profile Committee thanks you for your steadfast prayers for us and asks your prayers for the Search Committee and the priest who is reading our profile.
Prayer for the Search Committee
O God, be with our Search Committee that they may faithfully complete their work, that your Kingdom may come into this time and place through this congregation.
Prayer for the Priest
O God, be with the priest who will recognize your call to walk with
this particular congregation in this particular year.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Pray with Us Daily:
God of abundance and wisdom, you have blessed Grace Church with love and respect for one another and with joy in our community. Help us to discern your will and to be open to your guidance as we seek a new rector for our parish. Grant us the ability to hear your voice as we listen to one another. Give us wisdom and patience, mutual respect,and clarity of vision, that we may choose and receive a priest who serves with warmth and humor, inspiration and faithfulness, and who will lead us where you are calling Grace Church to serve the mission of Jesus in this time and place. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
|
|
|
|
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.
Anne is recuperating at home.
ANDREWS, Anne (413) 528-2766
659 South Egremont Road
P.O. Box 714
Great Barrington, MA 01230
BLAKELY, Rosemarie
21 Crossway, #108
Lee MA 01238
413-243-0485
BOWENS, Marina
c/o Maryella Satinover
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066
310-398-2484
(310) 749-9424 (cell)
BREASTED, John
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington MA 01230
413-429-8123
Cell (413) 854-3977
BROOKS, Jane
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
413-243-3367
CRAWFORD, Ruth
125 Woodland Road
Lee MA 01238
413-243-2575
|
|
FRYE, Vonnie
PineHill Assisted Living at Kimball Farms
235 Walker St. Apt #32
Lenox, Ma. 01240
413-637-7432
GORE, Barbara
50 Stockbridge Road
Lee MA 01238
413-243-4261
HAIDER, Meredith
5 Fox Hollow Road #409
Lenox, MA 01240
413-551-7319
(814)308-4865
KEENE, Sara
The Egremont Village Inn
17 Main Street
P. O. Box 275
South Egremont, MA 01258
413-528-4152
McCURDY, Deborah
Lees Landing Nursing Center
9807 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
413-507-2832
TURNER, Barbara
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
|
|
|
In this time of quarantine and physical separation you are still being prayed for. If you would like to receive specific healing prayers please contact:
The Rev. Ted Cobden 413-528-2247
Pennie Curry 413-429-7093
Sue Gore 413-243-2273
|
|
CHANGE IN PRAYER LIST IN MARCH
Praying for each other and for the needs of the world is a vital part of any faith community, and Grace Church is particularly skilled at this aspect of our communal life. During this time of transition, it’s become apparent that we need to make a few changes in our lengthy prayer list to create a more intentional system of maintaining it. On March 15, the list of “Members of the Parish Family” and “Others We Love” for whom we pray will reset to zero and we’ll begin a fresh new list. We don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks and always want to be generous in our prayers for others.
You can help by sending an e-mail to ([email protected]) if you want a person whose name is currently on the list to stay on the list beyond March 1 or if you want to add someone who isn’t currently on the list. Libby will then keep a record of the date the name was added along with who added it and either she or a member of the Healing Team will periodically call you to check on how that person is doing and if their situation has improved enough to come off the list. We can then give thanks. In this way our prayers can be both generous and more focused
|
|
GRACE
CHURCH
Please include
in your daily prayers this week:
Members of the Parish Family:
The Rev. Libby Wade, Anne Andrews, The Rev. Ted Cobden, Linda White, John Breasted, Edna Leavenworth, George Raymond, Ed Hutchinson; Mimi and Dick Alford, Doreen Hutchinson, Barbara Turner, Pennie Curry, Frank Vogel - Polizzi, Mark Anderson, Elizabeth Holland,
Janet Zimmerman, Stacey, Claire
and Mark Thomas, Richard Edelstein, Connie Garber, Ruth Crawford, Marcia Doelman, Mary Ellen Murray, Paula Doyle, Maureen Terry, Gino Furio, Meredith Haider, Debbie Holmes, Mary Booton, and Vonnie Frye.
Others we Love:
Anne Andrews; Joanne, Gretchen Fairfield's mother-in-law; Virginia Fletcher; Emily Trespas, friend of Jainee McCarroll; Tanner, friend of Sue and Rick Gore; Ed and Fran, brother-in-law and sister of Anne Andrews; Kristen Mary, cousin of Jainee McCarroll; Evie De Melker, daughter of Rev. Ted Cobden; Karen La Rocque, friend of Sue Gore; Donovan Buck, nephew of Pennie Curry; Susan and Dan Gray, Beth Grady, niece of Deborah Holmes; Alice Fitch, Rose Blakely's sister; Fred Bunce, father of Mary Booton; Khali Zabian; Matt Alford, son of Mimi and Dick Alford; Wendy Reeve, sister of Cathy Haywood; Keiron Lee, daughter of Doone Marshall; Anne Peters, Debbie Losaw, daughter of Rosemarie Blakely, Ashley Gangell, Zeke Hills, brother of The Rev. Francie Hills, Jane Williams, John Belizzi, Carole Chapple, Christy Yeo, Cooper O'Brien, Rosalind Haywood, Colonel John Tryon, nephew of Anne Andrews and all who serve our country.
Those who have died: Emily Trespas, friend of Jainee McCarroll and John Ericson; John Grammer, husband of Mary Anne; Rollie Tillman, father of the Rev. Jane Tillman; Bill Alford, brother of Dick Alford; Elinor Hamill; Neil Brandt, brother of Linda White; John Turner, husband of Barbara Turner; Leslie Albert, friend of Margaret Layton and Sarah Sieber; Andrew S. Artz, brother-in-law of the Rev. Janet Zimmerman; Kathy Happ, sister of Doug and Gary Happ; Fred Bunce, father of Mary Booton; Marion Chapin Andrews; Chuck De Melker, husband of Evie Cobden De Melker; Locke Larkin, brother-in-law of Maureen Terry; Charles Olegar; Marianne Felch, friend of Janet Zimmerman; Pat Edelstein; Anthony Aiuvalasit, friend of Janet Zimmerman.
|
|
Our world: For those who suffer from the COVID-19 virus; for those who have died from this virus and those who mourn; for those who provide care and comfort in this pandemic; for all who suffer from the loss of jobs and income in this time; for all who are anxious about their future and our world; for all who offer time and treasure to support those who need to know love; for all who are alone and all who reach out to care.
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; Grace Church, Great Barrington; Cathedral in the Night, Northampton; The Board of Examining Chaplains The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF); Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church
The Church's wider mission:
5th Sunday of Lent
Prayer for Repentance
The Church of England
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:
Geoff Perkins, 3/17; Zara Robitaille, 3/21; Sally Vaun, 3/21; John and
Lee Cheek, 3/21.
|
Join us for
Centering Prayer ONLINE
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 this 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)
|
|
|
|
Meet Our Transitional Deacons
The transitional diaconate is a period of not less than six months in preparation for ordination to the priesthood (CANON III.8.7).
Peter Feltman-Mahan has roots in the Capital region of New York and is trained as a classroom teacher, school psychologist, and school leader. As a young adult, Peter was active in the ministries of the Metropolitan Community Church in San Francisco, CA. This is also where he experienced God’s profound presence in liturgical worship.
Peter returned to the northeast and was confirmed at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Albany. While teaching, he discerned the need to more deeply engage the scriptures and church history. Peter began attending Yale Divinity Schools in 2015 and completed an internship at St. Andrews Church in Albany, NY.
Peter found “home” in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, and particularly at his sponsoring parish, Grace Church in the Southern Berkshires. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School in 2020. As a seminarian Peter has served at Trinity Church, Lenox since 2020.
Peter and his husband Keith Feltman were married in 2000, and again (a week after the Supreme Court ruling) in 2013. They have three teenage sons, Micah, Lucas, and Noah, and are grateful for both human and divine adoption. Peter is interested in ministries that build community, deepen our care for each other, and celebrate God’s presence in our everyday interactions.
After ordination Peter will be assigned to a congregation to be mentored and formed by the community.
If you would like to send a congratulatory note or card to Peter, his address is
60 Rowland Dr.,
Delmar, NY 12054.
|
|
|
|
Anna Woofenden is originally from Washington state and currently lives in Northampton MA. St. John’s Episcopal Church, Northampton is her sponsoring parish. (Anna was strongly supported by St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal in San Francisco, where she started her journey with The Episcopal Church).
She is passionate about being the church in our current time and context, matters of justice (especially around food, environment, poverty, housing and race), liturgy, and young adults. Anna is married to Dr. David Howlett.
|
|
Ordination to the Diaconate |
|
By the Grace of God
and the consent of the people
The Right Reverend Douglas J. Fisher
IX Bishop of Western Massachusetts,
Will Ordain
Anna Woofenden
and
Peter Feltman-Mahan
to the Sacred Order of Deacons
in Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church
On Friday, March 19, 2021
At 5 o'clock in the evening
At
Christ Church Cathedral
35 Chestnut Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Your prayers and virtual presence are requested
This liturgy will be live streamed from our cathedral via YouTube and FaceBook
|
|
Diocesan Compline
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday @ 8:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 5008 6637
Passcode: 501604
Dial by phone
+1 929 205 6099
|
|
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
In this unpredictable time, your church continues to give thanks for and need your support. If you are capable of sending in your pledge, thank you. If you are unable to give at this time, we understand. If you are capable of giving a bit more so we can respond to the needs of our community, we are very grateful. If you are in need, please contact a member of the Vestry listed at the top of the newsletter. Since we are not gathering in person in community, we ask that you send your gifts via mail to Grace Church, P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230. We are truly all in this life together. We pray, trusting that God will see us through this season and beyond.
Thank you for giving generously to support the ministry of Grace.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Becoming Beloved Community |
|
Tuesday March 16, 7-8 p.m.
Webinar from Williams College. Free.
|
Isabel Wilkerson will participate in a virtual conversation with Hari Ramesh ’11, a College Fellow in Social Studies at Harvard University, followed by a moderated audience Q&A. This event is sponsored by the W. Ford Schumann ’50 Program in Democratic Studies as part of a three-year series on Race and Democracy.
Open to the public. All are welcome. No registration required. Please click link below to join the webinar:
LINK Passcode, if needed: 222146
|
|
|
A 4 hour series about one of America's most important institutions, produced by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., for PBS. Watch both 2-hour segments for free on YouTube. Part 1 is linked here. Both episodes and special interviews can be found here.
Want to talk about it? SAVE THE DATES
Online Conversations About PBS Series with Beloved Community Commission
Wednesday, April 14th 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST: The Black Church, PART I
Wednesday, April 21st 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST: The Black Church, PART II
|
|
Weekly Reflection from the South Berkshire EFM Group
Our reflection was drawn into focus by listening to a short segment of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, the voice of the Centurion in Matthew 27: 54: “Wahrlich dieser ist Gottes
Sohn gewesen” (“Surely this man was the Son of God”). This link will take you into a beautiful recording beginning at Matthew 27:45: https://youtu.be/3k4Ph-H5ZO4?t=8211 The Education for Ministry Group’s discussion reminded several of us, who have been to the Vatican, of the relationship between Jesus and Mary depicted in Michelangelo’s Pietà. More about that famous sculpture, housed in St. Peter’s Basilica can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet%C3%A0_(Michelangelo)
Here is the Collect we wrote in response to our discussion:
God, who seems so remote and yet is in us. We pray that you make yourself known to all and soften our hearts, so that we may live together in love. Amen
|
|
Children and Teens Please Join Us! |
|
|
|
GRACE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays, at 11:15 AM to 12:00 AM
The Beatitudes
Grace Sunday School
This is a recurring meeting
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 859 9461 5863 (Passcode): 508436
To read Nobody Goes Alone, A Silly Story written by our Sunday School students
|
|
Tuesday Bible Study for Lent
in Collaboration with
St. Paul’s, Christ Trinity, and Hevreh
Six Week Series at 7 PM
|
|
Using the books “Sabbath as Resistance” by Walter Brueggemann as our primary study guide and “The Sabbath” by Abraham Joshua Heschel as a supplement, we hope to explore Sabbath beyond the ideas of simple legal prohibitions and discover together Sabbath’s potential to change the culture in which we live. How do we break our culture’s addiction with consumption and busyness? The Sabbath may just be the answer we’ve been looking for! How will this work? First purchase the book “Sabbath as Resistance” from your favorite independent book seller and read the first chapter. Then join us beginning March 2, 2021 at 7 p.m. for six weeks on Zoom. Rev. Erik Karas along with Rabbi Jodie Gordon will facilitate the discussion with congregants from Hevreh, Christ Trinity, Grace, and St. Paul’s. We are excited to have the chance to be with one another before Passover and Easter!
or call in: 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 826 0996 0553
Passcode: 446609
|
|
THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
March 21, at 6:00 PM to 7:00PM
Join us online for an evening of laughter and conversation every third Sunday. The ZOOM invite is at the top of the newsletter. For more information contact George Raymond
413.854.1222 cell
You can prepare your own supper,
but Take Out from our local restaurants is suggested.
|
|
|
JOIN the DISCUSSION
Wednesday, on Zoom
on April 14, 2021
at 7 PM
Monique Kirchoff will lead our discussion.
Meeting will end at about
8:00 PM
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
|
|
|
Rev. Libby Wade,
Interim Rector
|
|
GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
Mailing:
P.O. Box 114
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Gretchen Fairfield
Office Assistant
|
|
Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
|
|
In an effort to care for each other, our church office will be closed until further notice. You can reach the church office by email:
|
|
VESTRY CONTACT INFORMATION |
|
Kathy Clausen 413-329-1724
Rick Gore, Jr. 413-441-7036
Sue Gore 413-243-2273
Mary Anne Grammer 413-258-4212
John Cheek 413-446-8863
Dindy Anderson 413-274-3854
Anne Andrews 413-528-2766
Dutch Pinkston 413-274-6566
Cathy Haywood 413-464-6664
Holly Murray 860-977-9198
|
|
The Rev. Libby Wade is available for pastoral emergencies at 270-519-6934 or [email protected].
|
|
Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
