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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Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
August 29
10:00 AM
All Sunday services in August
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.
Celebrant and Officiant:
The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Welcome Team... Brooke/Doelman
Lector.................. Sue Gore
Intercessor...........Ellis & John Ericson, Jainee McCarroll
Altar Guild...........Sieber/Haywood
Coffee Hour.........Anderson/Fishell/
Sieber
Counters..............R. Booton/S. Sieber
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Fourteenth Sunday
After Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
August 29, at 10:00 AM
in person and on ZOOM
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656
US (New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
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
Wednesday,
August 25, 6:00 PM
at the Cheek's home
For more information see below.
Movie Nite
Thursday
September 2, at 6:30 PM
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
Books and Bread,
Wednesday
September 8, at 6:00 PM
On Zoom
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)
September 19, at 6:00 PM
Will be in person at
Koi Restaurant
in Great Barrington
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Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost |
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
When the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
‘This people honors me
with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts
as doctrines.’
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
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Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
arr. Samuel Metzger
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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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Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
(Where kindness and love are, God is there.)
Gideon’s garden was so bursting with life last Friday that it was hard to take it in at first. Tomatoes, egg plant, squash, kale and tomatoes were all ripe for the picking and their bright colors made the field look ready for an Easter egg hunt. Pennie, Fisher and Matt had been working all morning to get things ready for the visit from a large group of kids from Multicultural Bridge’s Happiness Toolbox summer camp. Annalise joined in as well, of course, directing and helping and welcoming visitors large and small, beaming love to everyone, despite her broken foot. By 1:30, the garden was full of kids visiting with the chickens, meeting the animals across the road at Taft, and harvesting the bountiful crops which some had come earlier in the year to help plant.
“How many tomatoes do you think you have in there?” I asked a six-year-old girl named Roe who had found a friend (Kathy’s grand-daughter, Vivi) to help her lug a bright yellow tub of cherry tomatoes down the row. ‘Ummmm,” she replied, thoughtful for a moment, figuring it out. “One-thousand-seven-sixty-hundred!!” she finally guessed. Vivi beamed them, proud as can be. “Yup,” she said. “Team work makes for dream work!” and then they were off again, down the row together to another vine rich with ripe, red fruit.
The day finished with an ice cream extravaganza under the tent (at least 10 flavors to choose from, all donated by the Big Y, and more toppings than I could count), and then with a dance performance, choreographed by one of the Happiness Toolbox counselors, and finally with the distribution of bags bulging with freshly picked produce for everyone to take home.
It was an extraordinary day, full of love and friendship and the kind of abundant generosity that speaks of God’s love for us all. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your continual presence with us – and thank you Pennie, Annalise, Fisher, Matt, Dutch, Kathy and everyone who helped make the day such a miracle for us all.
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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
(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
413-429-8123
Cell (413) 854-3977
BROOKS, Jane
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
413-243-3367
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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
Skilled Nursing Center
Loomis Lakeside at Reed's Landing
807 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
413-507-2832
TURNER, Barbara
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
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WE ARE RESUMING FLOWER DEDICATIONS !
There will be a sign up form
at Sunday service.
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Grace parishioners, Tom and Paula Doyle,
recently relocated to South Carolina. While they occasionally plan to rejoin us here in the Berkshires, they invite us to stay in touch. Their new address, 40 minutes from Savannah, GA airport, is:
21 Newberry Court
Bluffton, SC 29910
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If you would like to receive healing prayers please contact:
The Rev. Ted Cobden 413-528-2247
Pennie Curry 413-429-7093
Sue Gore 413-243-2273
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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:
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; Southwick Community Episcopal Church, Southwick; Admin. Asst. to Canons and Trustees, Karen Warren; Seminaries of the Episcopal Church; Multicultural Bridge, Berkshires.
The Church's wider mission: Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Marcia Doelman, 8/25.
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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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Announcement from the Communications Office |
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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
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Applications Open for Loving the Questions
God has planted within each of our hearts a way of being and seeing the world that only we can bring. When we offer the fullness of who we are, we give this world an irreplaceable and priceless gift: our very selves. How do I offer the fullness of who I am? How do I live my best life? What form does this take? These are the questions, we seek to wrestle out in Loving the Questions
Loving the Questions is a discernment space that honors the Spirit’s call to both lay and ordained individuals, and aims to enable you to:
• Know and understand your unique giftedness
• Understand what God is calling you to do
• Identify the tools you will need for your ministry; and
• Develop a plan of formation for ministry
Loving the Questions will be held online via Zoom from 6:30-9:00 pm.
Sept 17-18th Opening Retreat (Friday-Saturday overnight.
Applications due no later than September 1, 2021.
Click Here for more information and for the program application.
Program Fee: $250
We encourage participants to split the cost of the program with their parish.
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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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MULTICULTURAL BRIDGE AT GIDEON'S GARDEN
This Friday we had an amazing group of young people and counselors come to the garden. About 25 different campers were accompanied by counselors with Gwendolyn VanSant for the final day of the Happiness Toolbox Summer Camp run by Multicultural Bridge. The final day of camp includes activities at Gideon's Garden and Taft Farms and the annual ice cream social at the garden. At the end we made a circle and each shared our favorite part of the day.
The kids harvested tomatoes, beans, kale and peppers. Each family received a bag of mixed vegetables from the garden to take home! The bags contained corn from Taft Farms, cauliflower, kale, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant and squash.
Thank you Fisher and Matt for leading the groups. Thank you Pennie for bringing the whole day together, and Tina for being the shining support that kept everyone smiling. Matt's last day in the garden is Tuesday the 24th.
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Fisher leads campers in how to wash and pack kale with Tina. |
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Campers wash kale with their counselor and Tina. |
Matt, Fisher, Jim and Dutch pack bags for each camper to take home. |
VOLUNTEERING AT GIDEON'S GARDEN
Come and help out Monday, Thursday and Friday 9am - 12pm
That's what Laura Jordahl is doing in this picture. Thank you Laura!
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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.
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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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Becoming Beloved Community
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“Muh-he-con-ne-ok: The People of the Waters
That Are Never Still,”
curated by Heather Bruegl, director of cultural affairs for the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, is on display through Jan. 9, 2022.
Click here for article in Berkshire Eagle. Grace Church worships on the traditional land
of the Mohican people.
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[Episcopal News Service] As the song known as the “Black national anthem” achieves wider recognition in the United States, its significance is also being celebrated in The Episcopal Church. “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” sung by generations of African Americans as a tribute to their struggles and triumphs, was introduced to white American Christians by Episcopalians and Lutherans 40 years ago, and a congressional bill endorsed by The Episcopal Church now proposes designating it as the U.S. national hymn.
James Weldon Johnson, author, lived and wrote in his Alford, MA, home during the late 1920's and 1930's
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Attend our Men's Group Annual BBQ
TOMORROW!
August 25, at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, night at 6PM at
John and Lee Cheek's home in South Egremont. Tina will be the guest speaker.
For more information contact
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MOVIE NITE
Join us for a discussion of
Departures
on September 2, at 6:30 PM
Watch at your leisure then join us on Zoom
To join, or to find out more
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
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BOOKS AND BREAD
Join us on Wednesday, September 8th, at 6pm
for fellowship, and a lively discussion. All are welcome!
The book is The Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer (translated from the Yiddish by the author and Cecil Hemley).
Rev. Tina Rathbone will lead our discussion
On ZOOM
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting is over promptly at 7:00 pm. For more information email Peter at [email protected]
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THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship on
Sunday, September 19
when we will meet at 6 PM
at Koi Restaurant in
Great Barrington.
Separate checks/All are welcome
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GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
Mailing:
P.O. Box 114
Great Barrington, MA 01230
You can reach the church office by email:
and by phone 413-644-0022.
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Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-6572
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VESTRY CONTACT INFORMATION |
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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 413-274-6565
Cathy Haywood 413-464-6664
Holly Murray 860-977-9198
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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