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.
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Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
October 3, 10:00 AM
at Gideon's Garden
The Blessing of the Animals and Harvest Celebration
Sunday services in September
will be at Crissey Farm, both
in-person and live-streamed.
Please visit our website:
for up-to-date information and a link to the digital service booklet.
Officiant/Preacher
The Rev. Tina Rathbone/Annalise Clausen
Welcome Team......Doelman/Hutchinson
Lector.................. ..Robert Forman
Intercessor.............Sarah Sieber
Altar Guild.............Layton/Sieber
Coffee Hour...........White/Fishell/Siep
Counters................S. Gore/S.Sieber
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Nineteenth Sunday
after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
October 3, at 10:00 AM
at Gideon's Garden
Now in person and on Zoom.
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656
US (New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
Tuesday with the Word
September 28,
7:00 to 8:30 PM
To join the Zoom meeting
Centering Prayer
Thursdays, at 5:00 PM
Now in person and on ZOOM
To join the Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 203 314 800
(Password): 578877
646 558 8656 US (New York)
Grace Church Men's Group
Future dates to be announced here.
Movie Nite
Thursday
October 7, at 6:30 PM
More information in the
article below.
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
Books and Bread,
Wednesday , October 13
Now in person at 6:30 PM
and on Zoom at 7:15 PM
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656
US (New York)
Third Sunday Supper
(Every Third Sunday)
October 17
Location to be announced.
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Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost |
Mark 10:2-16
Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.” “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, * and the two shall become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’
Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
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For the most up to date information:
please visit the
Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative website,
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.
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Covid-19 vaccination
booster shots
are now available for those with certain big-risk medical conditions at Walgreens and Fairview Hospital on a walk-in basis. If you think you might have a qualifying condition, we urge you to go to one of these locations for a booster shot.
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SAVE THE DATE !
Sunday, October 24th
We will be joined by St. Paul’s and Christ Trinity
and there will be a luncheon afterwards.
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After two recent scam attempts over text and email, we have decided to remove all contact information for individuals mentioned in Tuesday’s Child. Please use your parish directory to find any phone numbers and/or email addresses you may need. If you do not have a parish directory, call the Grace office at 413 644-0022, or send an email to [email protected], and we will get you the information you require and send you a new copy of the directory. Thank you for your understanding!
This past Saturday the Rev. Peter Feltman Mahan was ordained a priest in Christ’s church. It was a beautiful ceremony – full of love and hope, and a large group of worshippers from Grace were there to support Peter and to share in his joy. Ordinations are always very moving and as representatives from Peter’s sponsoring parish, this one was especially so for the people of Grace. In the privacy of Trinity Church where the service was held, many of us wept. Peter himself was so moved that he found it hard, at times, to bring his vows into speech. Thanks be to God for Bishop Doug who was both gentle and embracing, and for the palpable presence of the Spirit who opened our hearts to each other, to Peter and to God-who-is-Love who sustained us all.
The ordination service also includes one of my favorite prayers in the entire prayer book. We pray it, mostly, only at ordinations, though on Good Friday, as we gather at the foot of the Cross we sometimes pray it too – a fitting polarity, it seems to me, reminding us that death and new life are inextricably linked, and that, because of this, raising up all things and people and places that have been cast down is the very heart of the work of the Church. May it be so!
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were being cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Sunday, October 3, 10:00am
Holy Eucharist at Gideon's Garden
with Blessing of the Animals
and Harvest Celebration
Officiant/Preacher:
The Rev. Tina Rathbone / Annalise Clausen
We will celebrate together in a tent at Gideon's Garden, across the street from Taft Farms, with a Blessing of the Animals. The theme of the day is the glory of God’s creation and just a touch of St Francis through the gospel which reminds us to: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Join in the celebration after the service with apple cider and cider donuts!
An excerpt from Meister Eckhart:
Apprehend God in all things,
For God is in all things
Every single creature is full of God,
And is a book about God
Every creature is a word of God.
If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature –
Even a caterpillar –
I would never have to prepare a sermon,
So full of God
Is every creature.
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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.
ANDREWS, Anne
659 South Egremont Road
P.O. Box 714
Great Barrington, MA 01230
BLAKELY, Rosemarie
21 Crossway, #108
Lee MA 01238
BOWENS, Marina
c/o Maryella Satinover
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066
BREASTED, John
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington MA 01230
BROOKS, Jane
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
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FRYE, Vonnie
PineHill Assisted Living
at Kimball Farms
235 Walker St. Apt #32
Lenox, Ma. 01240
GORE, Barbara
50 Stockbridge Road
Lee MA 01238
HAIDER, Meredith
5 Fox Hollow Road
#409
Lenox, MA 01240
KEENE, Sara
The Egremont Village Inn
17 Main Street
P. O. Box 275
South Egremont, MA 01258
McCURDY, Deborah
Skilled Nursing Center
Loomis Lakeside at Reed's Landing
807 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
TURNER, Barbara
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
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Help needed for a fun and exciting ministry
Another great year of Church School is starting this fall and we are looking for a fourth person to assist with this wonderful ministry! No experience needed except for an enjoyment of children. It would involve participating in Church School during the first part of the service (rejoining the service at the peace) for two Sundays a month. If you want to try it once we would love to have you join us. Please let Dindy, Andrea, or Margaret know if you might be interested. Their contact information is in the Grace directory. Thank you.
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Sign up for
FLOWER DEDICATIONS !
There will be a sign up form
at Sunday service.
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Healing Prayers
If you would like to receive healing prayers from
The Rev. Ted Cobden, Pennie Curry, or Sue Gore,
please refer to your directory for their contact
information, or contact the Grace office.
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PRAYERS REQUESTED
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
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GRACE
CHURCH
Please include
in your daily prayers this week:
Members of the Parish Family:
Sue Gore, Doreen Hutchinson, Anne Andrews, Pennie Curry, Mark Anderson, Stacey, Claire and Mark Thomas, Meredith Haider, Linda White, Rosemarie Blakely, Marina Bowens, John Breasted, Jane Brooks, Vonnie Frye, Barbara Gore, Sara Keene, Barbara Turner.
Others we love: Larry Cheek, John's brother; Karen La Rocque friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy.
Those who have died:
Thomas J. Fisher, father of The
Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher; Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes; Ruth Crawford; Emily Trespas, friend of Jainee McCarroll and John Ericson; John Grammer, husband of Mary Anne; Neil Brandt, brother of Linda White; John Turner, husband of Barbara Turner; Leslie Albert, friend of Margaret Layton and Sarah Sieber.
Our world: For the people of Afghanistan, and of Haiti, who have struggled for so long under burdens seemingly too great to bear.
For all victims of violence, and for those who inflict violence on others. For people who suffer from the COVID-19 virus, those who have died and those who mourn; caregivers and those who have been affected through loss of work, income, and housing.
For all who are alone or afraid or despairing. For prisoners, unhoused people, newly arrived immigrants and all our neighbors, near and far.
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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; Trinity Church, Ware; Canon for Mission Resources, Steve Abdow; Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF); Covenant Relationship with Diocese of Kumasi, Ghana.
The Church's wider mission:
The Church in Wales
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Howard Siep, 9/29; Tom and Paula Doyle, 9/30; Mark Anderson, 10/1; Frank and Virginia Vogel-Polizzi, 10/2; Mimi and Dick Alford, 10/2.
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Join us for
Centering Prayer
now in person and on ZOOM
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 the 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)
To find your local number:
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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.
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CELEBRATION OF ST. FRANCIS & GIDEON'S GARDEN
Sunday, October 3
In honor of St. Francis and the bounty of harvest, our 10:00am Sunday service will be held under a tent at Gideon's Garden across the street from Taft Farms. You may bring your well behaved pet for a blessing. After the service join Tina and the children as they bless all the Taft Farms rescue animals.
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Fall at Gideon's
As we see the leaves changing, so do our gardens reflect the changing sunlight and the slow shift into cool mornings and early evenings. We are still harvesting as much as possible out of the fields knowing that the day is soon approaching when our harvesting work will be done.
A new community group has been coming to the garden, since the beginning of September, bringing renewed energy to our work. Berkshire County Arc have been coming with a group of two to four young people. They have been picking cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers and last week started removing the plants as well. They bring smiles and enthusiasm to their work, joking with each other through the mosquitos and rain showers. We are so grateful to have our community partners' support!
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SEEKING NEW DIRECTOR OF GIDEON'S GARDEN
We have begun our search for a new Director of Gideon’s Garden. If you know someone who has a passion for working with youth, and a desire to meet and impact young people where they are, who understands that this farm is a mission of ministry, encourage them to review our listing on the website
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Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese
of Western Massachusetts
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Help New Orleans through the Episcopal
Relief and Development's Hurricane Fund
Hurricane Ida made landfall on Sunday, August 29 — on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina — as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph.
Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Program team was in touch with partners over the weekend and began holding daily coordination calls with impacted dioceses on Monday morning. Disaster response teams are beginning to assess needs created by the hurricane and to determine how best to respond.
US Disaster Program staff and partners are also using the Episcopal Asset Map as a tool for connecting churches and resources for those in need. The map now has an overlay option that shows the path of Hurricane Ida, which enables users to easily find and connect with the help they need.
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Support the Resettlement of Refugees
Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and migration ministry of The Episcopal Church, is currently working in partnership with the U.S. government to assist Afghan SIVs and other arrivals with resettlement and direct services through a network of 12 affiliates across the U.S.
As we continue to welcome and resettle Afghans to the U.S. through our affiliate network and engagement programs, the greatest need continues to be assistance with housing. Those who want to financially support these efforts can make a donation online here or donate by mail and send checks to:
DFMS-Protestant Episcopal Church US
P.O. Box 958983
St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
(Include Episcopal Migration Ministries and Afghan SIV’s in the memo line.)
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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. As we begin to gather in person, you may bring your contribution to our services on Sunday, once again.
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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.
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
September 28, at 7:00 PM on Zoom
in collaboration with Christ Trinity, Sheffield & St Paul’s
One of the good things to come out of this past year was our three congregations coming together for a time of study and support each week. Something well worth continuing, pandemic or not! So after a summer off, it is good to be back!
Join us beginning September 28th at 7 p.m. via Zoom as we look at Gregory Boyle S.J.’s best selling book, Tattoos on the Heart.
For twenty years, Gregory Boyle has run Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program located in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, the gang capital of the world. In Tattoos on the Heart, he distills his experience working in the ghetto into a breathtaking series of parables inspired by faith.
For our first meeting, please read the introduction and chapter one. For each of the four following weeks we’ll discuss two chapters per week. This zoom link will be good for all five weeks of this series.
September 28, at 7:00 PM
For Zoom,
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Kids of all ages: Please join us for Sunday school on September 12, 2021. We will meet during the first part of the service and then re-join the service at the Peace. |
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Becoming Beloved Community
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Help make Lift Every Voice and Sing our National Hymn |
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September 30, 11:30am – 12:30pm EDT
The Office of Government Relations and the Office of Black Ministries invite you to join us for a live virtual event to celebrate the history and legacy of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and urge the passage of H.R. 301 to make this uplifting, unifying anthem our new national hymn. Over the course of the hour, you’ll hear from faith and government leaders including:
- Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry
- Congressman James E. Clyburn
- Rev. Canon C.K. Robertson
- Byron Rushing, Vice President, House of Deputies
- And more!
James Weldon Johnson, author, lived and wrote in his Alford, MA, home during the late 1920's and 1930's
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Grace Church worships and gardens on the traditional land of the Mohican people. |
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There is no charge for this retreat which is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
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Philippians, Colossians, Second Isaiah and the minor prophets encompassed the sweep of our reading for this meeting. Our theological reflection focused on prophesy. We used the image of the glass church (The “Fish Church,” aka First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, CT) to reflect on one aspect of prophesy, that it invites us to look out and look up, to ‘set your mind on things above’
Colossians 3:2.
COLLECT
God, we affirm that voices speak your Word
We know that we must listen to your truth
We wonder at your majesty and goodness
And we doubt we can survive the chaos
Our longing is to have an open heart as we struggle through the darkness
So we pray for the possibility of a center of calm enlightenment in the storm.
AMEN
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Attend our Men's Group
Next meeting date to be announced here.
For more information
contact George Raymond
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MOVIE NITE
Join us for a discussion of
CODA
CODA, an acronym for children of Deaf adults, tells the story of the Rossi family, who live in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Ruby is the only hearing person in her family and at the age of 17, she wakes up at three in the morning to help her father, and older brother
as a deckhand on the family fishing boat.
But she wants to be a singer....
on October 7, at 6:30 PM
Watch at your leisure then join us on Zoom
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823 (Password): 385337
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BOOKS AND BREAD
Join us on Wednesday, October 13,
in person at 6:30 PM for appetizers
on Zoom at 7:15 PM
for fellowship,and a lively book discussion.
All are welcome!
The Stranger in the Woods
by Michael Finkel
George Raymond will lead our discussion
To join this Zoom meeting at 7:15 PM
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
- Participants should contact the Hosts (the Kirchoff's) if they plan to attend but have not signed up at Grace Church (Crissey Farm Welcome Desk)
- If you are a "regular" and are not planning to attend, please let the Host know.
- Discussion begins at 7:00 pm regardless of whether it's a Dinner gathering or an A&D gathering.
- Dinner-Appetizers, wine, soft drinks, main dish, side dishes, dessert, decaf and tea. One main dish serves 8 people.
- The Host is responsible for planning the meal. Participants are encouraged to make offerings in consultation with the Host.
- Please sign up to bring appetizers or dessert items.
Meeting is over promptly at 8:30 PM. For more information email Peter.
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THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship on
Sunday, October 17
when we will meet at 6 PM
Location to be announced here.
Separate checks/All are welcome
For more information contact
George Raymond. His contact information is in the Grace directory.
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GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
67 State Road/P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Parish Administrator: Ms. Jean Chapin
and by phone 413-644-0022.
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The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Rector
617-852-4916
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Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-6572
gideonsgarden at graceberkshires.org
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Mr. Ryan LaBoy,
Grace Church Music Director
413-644-0022
RLaboy at graceberkshires.org
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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