WORSHIP SECTION
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 after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
June 13, 2021
10:00 AM
In-person at Crissey Farm
and on ZOOM

Officiant:
The Rev. Libby Wade

Welcome........Sue Gore
Lector............ Pennie Curry
Intercessor.....Ellis Ericson & Family
Altar Guild.....Monique Kirchoff
Counter..........Ian Booton



ZOOM INVITATIONS 
FOR GRACE CHURCH


Third Sunday After Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
June 13, 2021
10:00 AM
In-person at Crissey Farm
and on Zoom
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937


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)
June 20, 2021
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
June 9, 2021
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)


Movie Night
at 6:30 PM
Thursday
July 1, 2021
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Third Sunday After Pentecost
Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

For the fruit of all creation

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.
GRACE CLERGY TRANSITION
WELCOME COMMITTEE
Thank you to those who are planning multiple ways of welcoming Tina once she arrives in the Berkshires. Her first Sunday with us will be on August 1. In the meantime, one way you can help is to send a picture of yourself, either digitally or a real photo, which we will put into a pictorial directory. Email to office@graceberkshires.org or mail to Grace Church, P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Thank you to Pennie Curry, Andrea and Steve White, Holly Murray, Dindy Anderson, John Cheek, Sally Brooke, Meredith Haider and John Ericson.
Collect of Gratitude for Ministry

O God, our heavenly Father, you raise up faithful servants to be pastors in your Church and to feed your flock. We give thanks for The Rev. Christina Rathbone, who has accepted the call to be rector of Grace Church and to serve the communities around us. Give abundantly to Tina and to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

PRAYERS AND CARES
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 
(413) 528-2766

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
johnbreasted@gmail.com
 413-429-8123
Cell (413) 854-3977

BROOKS, Jane        
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
413-243-3367

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                                 
merbraver@aol.com
413-551-7319
(814)308-4865    

KEENE, Sara           
The Egremont Village Inn
17 Main Street
P. O. Box 275
South Egremont, MA 01258
sararkeene@gmail.com
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 
A Message from Libby

I’m so glad that my time with you as Interim Rector included the annual blessing and planting of Gideon’s Garden! This year, in response to discussion by last fall’s Sacred Ground Circle, we included a “land acknowledgement. “As we gather to bless this garden and those who tend it, we acknowledge that Gideon’s Garden is on the traditional lands of the Mohican People. We honor with gratitude the land itself, the God who created it, and the people who have stewarded in the past, as well as those who continue to steward it now.” Our lives and our work are connected with those who lived and worked here long ago.

A small but energetic group of Grace Church folks were joined for the Planting Day on Saturday by community members and a large group of families from Multicultural Bridge. Thanks to Annalise Clausen for all the preparations and to Pennie Curry, who kept us going in spite of the heat.

On Sunday, we saw photos of the garden in previous years, as prelude music reminded us that “God’s got the whole world in his hands!” Thanks to our film crew, Kathy Clausen and her son-in-law Chris, we watched the “Blessing of the Bounds of the Garden,” complete with rooster and birds in the background. I continue to be amazed at the magnitude of this Gideon’s Garden project that began 12 years ago from the seed of child’s desire for his church to feed those who are hungry.

In the spirit of the indigenous peoples who once cultivated this region, in the spirit of Gideon’s Garden, and in the spirit of all of us who are tending home gardens, I offer these “Prayers for Gardening & Tending the Earth” from Supplemental Materials of the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

Blessed be the God of all creation, for in your goodness you make all things new. Gracious God, lover of all you have made: Protect and sustain the creatures of our local habitat. Increase their well-being, watch over them with love, and give us wisdom to honor our kinship with them;

God, whose Spirit moved over the deep: We thank you for the gift of water. Bless the waters on the ground and under the ground, and the waters that fall from the sky, that our gardens may flourish and bear good fruit;

God, who alone provides seed for the sower and bread for the eater, you have taught us to ask of you our daily bread: Bless the sowing of the seed this year, grant fertility to the soil, and strengthen the hands of the gardeners who till it, that through their labor your people may be nourished; through Jesus Christ our Sustainer. Amen.

Bless and protect our gardens and all who keep them. Strengthen and uphold them in their labor, that these plants may bear good fruit and our care for the earth may witness to your love and justice; in the name of the Creator, Word, and Spirit. Amen.
Diocesan Confirmation Service
Under a tent in Wilbraham on Sunday, June 6, 28 people from across our diocese were Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church. Placing his hands on Holly Murray’s shoulders with Tom Murray and Rev. Libby as sponsors on behalf of Grace Church, Bishop Fisher spoke these words: “Holly, we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.
”Congratulations, Holly!
Grace Church Festival of Hymns
Sunday, June 20 at 10 AM on Zoom

Thanks to all who submitted favorite hymns. We received more suggestions than we can use on June 20, but hope to use all your favorites in the near future. Now that the deadline for submissions has passed, your Music Director and Interim Rector will begin to weave together hymns, prayer, and scripture into what promises to be a delightful and inspiring morning worship service on June 20. Since the service will be on Zoom rather than in-person, you can sing along to your heart’s content in your loudest voice! In the words of one of our hymns (Hymnal 1982, no. 420):
When in our music God is glorified, and adoration leaves no room for pride, it is as though the whole creation cried, Alleluia! Alleluia! Let every instrument be tuned for praise! Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise! And may God give us faith to sing always. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

This online retreat is co-sponsored by The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Open to all at no cost.

Jesus calls us to fullness of life (John 10:10), yet many of us feel anything but fully alive – we may feel melancholy, distracted, anxious, or numb. In this morning retreat we will explore ways of prayer that make us available to the healing and enlivening power of the Spirit. The first part of the retreat will focus on our inner lives; the second part will focus on how our outer lives can create the conditions for experiencing what Joseph Campbell called “the rapture of being alive.” Our time together will include presentations and guided meditation, with options for solitary reflection and small group conversation. If possible, please bring a candle, Bible, and Book of Common Prayer.
The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas serves as Missioner for Creation Care in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ. Her latest book (co-edited) is Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis. Her collection of daily meditations for Advent and Christmas, Joy of Heaven, to Earth Come Down, calls us to a practice of prayer grounded in reverence for the earth and to intentional living in harmony with the natural world. Her Website: RevivingCreation.org.


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
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 Rev. Libby Wade (libby_wade@yahoo.com or 270-519-6934).
GRACE
CHURCH 

Please include
in your daily prayers this week:
 
Members of the Parish Family:
Doreen Hutchinson, Anne Andrews, Linda White, 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: Rev. Nick Jaeger, friend of Libby & Jim Wade; Karen LaRocque friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy.

Those who have died: Jeff Roosa; Jane Wade, sister-in-law of Libby & Jim Wade;
Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes; Charlotte Douglas Mott, mother of the Rev. Pam Mott; Patricia Mary Turk, mother of the Rev. Michael Tuck; Ruth Crawford; 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; Kathy Happ, sister of Doug and Gary Happ; Locke Larkin, brother-in-law of Maureen Terry; Charles Olegar.

Our world: For all victims of violence; 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; Christ Memorial Church, North Brookfield;
Trustees for the Diocese; Covenant of Friendship with Diocese of Asante-Mampong, Ghana.


The Church's wider mission:
Second Sunday after Trinity
The Church of Nigeria ( Anglican Communion).

And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:
Paula Doyle, Michael Haywood, 6/12.
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)
 
To find your local number: Click here  
Announcement from the Communications Office
NEW Compline link for Summer 2021

MONDAY @ 8 PM EST: The Very Rev. Jim Munroe
TUESDAY @ 8 PM EST: The Rt. Rev. Mark M. Beckwith
WEDNESDAY @ 8 PM EST: The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher

Diocesan Compline service will continue in June, July and August with new access information. Same days, same time, same people - NEW link beginning May 31st. Please share this with your congregations, but please do not post the meeting ID or passcode on social media.

Join Zoom Compline
Meeting ID: 889 8799 4498
Passcode: Bishop

Dial by your location
 +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 889 8799 4498
Passcode: 795560
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.
I WANT TO HELP
GIDEON'S GARDEN

My deepest gratitude and thanks to everyone who came to plant the garden and for those who have offered their prayers. The planting day was an absolute success! We planted over 500 plants on Saturday in the heat and sunshine.

Our largest group from the community was from Multicultural Bridge who turned out in smiles and laughter.

Now we tend, and encourage, pray and irrigate. Soon we will be harvesting a great bounty for our community in need. Thank you so much for all your support.

Contact me if you would like to come and plant as we have more plants to go in the ground.
Please text 413-644-6572


Thank you everyone!
Pennie kept us laughing all day!
Dick and Mimi Alford even came from Florida to help plant!
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us on Sunday, June 13th, at 5pm on our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmJD7BKJb6wQn6HrEapX2vg to learn about BIC, celebrate immigrants, and listen to talented musicians and poets! To donate to our One World Celebration please send a check to "Berkshire Immigrant Center" at 67 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thank you for your support.
Appalachian Trail Mini-Mission Day Trips
Take One Day this Summer
Bring Four Volunteers to Sheffield
Sit 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Begun in 2018 as a shared ministry of two Sheffield churches, First Congregational Church, UCC and Christ Trinity Church (Episcopal and Lutheran), ‘Trail Magic” is back and we’re inviting you to share it with us.

We have all the supplies, we’ll guide the set up and clean up, we’ll even bring most of the day’s food. You simply pick a day, bring four people and a $50 Big Y gift card, sit in the shade, and create a corner of kindness in the world. It’s the easiest, most rewarding, least expensive, most volunteer inclusive mini-mission trip you’ll ever do!

Our 2021 Appalachian Trail Ministry will run from June 21 – August 14. Guest Mission Days will occur on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the season.

For more information, or to register for a 2021 one-day Mini-Mission Trip please contact Rev. Jill Graham at grahamj@firstuccsheffield.org
Welcome to the Bloomin' 4 Good Program!
A Brand New Program to Benefit Lee Food Pantry
Let's Fight Hunger Together. One Bouquet at a Time.
We are thrilled to announce the Bloomin' 4 Good Program, a brand new program from Stop & Shop that works to fight hunger in our local communities. In this program, every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet sold sends a $1 donation to a hunger organization local to the store in which it was purchased. 

For the month of June 2021, Lee Food Pantry has been selected to receive a $1 donation for every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker (pictured on the left) sold at the store located at 1 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield MA.
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. 

CHANGE THE BABIES
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.

LEARNING AND DISCOVERY
Becoming Beloved Community
"Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863." ©JUNETEENTH.com

Join us as we celebrate the day when freedom finally reached the last enslaved persons in America. All people of faith might mark this particular moment in our history mindful that the sin of white supremacy continues to impact Black lives in our time. This diocesan liturgy is being planned by the Beloved Community Commission as an entry point for deeper engagement with the story and to gather us all for prayer on this great day. Our presider will be the Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher.

Join via YouTube and FaceBook Watch

I WANT SOME FRIENDS
Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 4:00 PM
Come hear LIVE Classical Music
under the Pavilion
in Sheffield Town Park!

Christ Trinity Church is launching a new concert series in Sheffield called Lich Gate Concerts. The first concert of the new series, with music for string quartet and clarinet, will be on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 4 pm, with Pavilion and Lawn seating available.

Artistic Director and Violinist Jorge Ávila will open the concert with a movement from Haydn’s “Lark” String Quartet, op. 64, no. 5, followed by the superb Brahms Clarinet Quintet, op. 115, featuring guest artist William R. Hudgins, Principal Clarinetist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. After intermission, the program will feature Mozart’s String Quartet No. 19 in C Major, K. 465.

Pavilion tickets are $35 per person and Lawn tickets are $15 per person, with children under 18 on the lawn free. To purchase tickets:

Please join us! Bring the family!
And please share this email with your friends who enjoy music!

Trudy Weaver Miller
Producer
Lich Gate Concerts
Concerts@ChristTrinityChurch.org

P.S. COVID rules from the state and the town will be followed.
P.P.S. Concert #2 is scheduled for Saturday, September 4, 2021!
MOVIE NIGHT

Join us for a discussion
of a movie on the first Thursday of every month. Watch at your leisure then join us the first Thursday of the month.
To join, or to find out more
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
BOOKS and BREAD
JOIN the DISCUSSION
1776
by David McCullough

   Wednesday, on Zoom
June 9, 2021 at 7:00PM
Peter Kirchoff will lead our discussion.  
Meeting will end at about 8PM
 
To join this Zoom meeting, Click here
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Rev. Libby Wade,
Interim Rector
270-519-6934 libby_wade@yahoo.com

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
413-644-6572
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: 
office@graceberkshires.org and by phone 413-644-0022.
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 at 270-519-6934 or libby_wade@yahoo.com.

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