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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Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
July 25
10:00 AM
All Sunday services in July will be at Crissey Farm, both in-person and live-streamed.
for up-to-date information.
Celebrant:
The Rev. Steve White
Welcome Team... Rick Gore, George Raymond
Lector.................. Sue Gore
Intercessor.......... John Cheek
Altar Guild.......... Monique Kirchoff Sarah Sieber
Tech.....................Kathy Clausen
Coffee Hour........ Kirchoff/Cheek
Counters............. Sue Gore, Margaret Layton
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
July 25
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 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)
On break until September 19.
at 6:00 PM
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,
Wednesday, at 6 pm
On break until September 8 at 6pm.
We will be meeting in person.
Movie Nite
On break until
September 2, 2021
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
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Ninth Sunday after Pentecost |
John 6:1-21
Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
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If thou but trust in God to guide thee |
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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New Website Section for Hymns
A few months ago we rearranged our website to accommodate the profile which rector candidates perused to learn about Grace. When it was time to remove the profile this presented another opportunity to look over the website content. The result has been that we now have a new section called Hymns & Prayers. Remember the hymn sing service on Sunday, June 20? You can now listen to those hymns again, sing along, and read the commentary offered by those who chose the hymn. Eventually we will be adding prayers and more hymns. Take a look; I’d love your reactions and suggestions.
Kathy,
Link:
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WELCOME UPDATE
The Rev. Tina Rathbone spent last week in Great Barrington, meeting with Grace staff and nearby clergy. She attended the Executive Committee and Wisdom Group meetings as well as Centering Prayer. She also received the enormous welcome basket organized for her by the Welcome Committee. We share with you one card in particular made for her by Ellis. She returns the last week of August to be ready for her first Sunday on August 1.
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From Ellis's card:
Dear Tina,
We welcome you to Grace Church. We hope you feel at home....Even though we meet in the back of a restaurant!...We are the church without a steeple, and we welcome you!
Thank you to our Welcome Committee for creating this wonderful welcome: Pennie Curry, Andrea and Steve White, Holly Murray, Dindy Anderson, John Cheek, Sally Brooke, Meredith Haider and John and Ellis Ericson.
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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.
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Looking Ahead
All Sunday services will be in-person at Crissey Farm and live-streamed
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Sunday, July 25 Holy Eucharist The Rev. Dr. Steve White, Celebrant
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Sunday, August 1 Holy Eucharist The Rev. Tina Rathbone, Celebrant
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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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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:
Karen LaRocque 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; 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.
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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; Christ Trinity Church , Sheffield; Franklin-Hampshire Region & Dean of Clericus. Episcopal Relief and Development; Ministries to Persons in Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Care.
The Church's wider mission: The Scottish Episcopal Church.
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:
Sarah Sieber, 7/20; Lynn Walker; Steve and Andrea White, 7/26.
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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)
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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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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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My name is Matt Bilotta, and this summer I have the privilege of serving as the Youth Supervisor of Gideon’s Garden. I’ve lived in Pittsfield since I was five years old, and currently attend Calvary Chapel Bible College in Southern California. At the start of the year, I had extremely limited agricultural experience, but my duties in the garden have lead to substantial learning opportunities that I may have never had otherwise. In my opinion, the most satisfying thing about this work is the knowledge that every ounce of effort helps to feed those experiencing food insecurity. Finally, I’ll add that seeing the garden transform from a muddy field into a flourishing environment can only be described as a significantly satisfying experience.
Contact me, Annalise, if you would like to volunteer to help.
Please text 413-644-6572
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Grace Church received a very warm thank you note from Gwendolyn Hampton Van Sant of Multicultural BRIDGE. We have supported their COVID-19 Community Response Program financially. This program delivers meals to over 90 families, and from their website here are the demographics:
"Currently, 75% of the families that BRIDGE is serving are located in Southern Berkshire County and 25% are in Pittsfield and North county. 90% are families of color: Black, Asian, Indigenous, immigrant and others living in poverty, providing foster-care and caregiving for individuals with disabilities and elders.”
Part of the recent financial donation to BRIDGE will also support the summer camp called the Happiness Toolbox which occurs in August with Gideon’s Garden serving as one of the venues. Gwendolyn encourages us to visit the website to learn more about this organization. https://www.multiculturalbridge.org.
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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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Sheryl Lechner, Development Coordinator of Berkshire Immigrant Center, wrote recently to everyone at Grace Church:
"We are so grateful for the immensely generous donation that you recently sent to us at the Berkshire Immigrant Center! It means the world to us knowing that your congregation has the backs of the Berkshire immigrant community, and that you understand the role that the Center plays in serving this important segment of our population. I look forward to meeting Rev. Tina once she settles in, and also would like to meet with church representatives to update you about the impact of your generous giving. Meanwhile, I am thrilled to share that BIC will soon become an independent 501c3 organization for the first time in its history, after 24 years of fiscal sponsorship. This is a huge step forward on the road to long-term organizational health. This change is part of a newly conceived strategic plan accomplished over a year of Zoom meetings."
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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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Are you trying to understand how Christianity and White Nationalism are linked?
Click here for a video recording of the conversation between Dr. Jones and Dr. Du Mez--each of whom grew up in the white conservative Christian world—for a discussion about the role white Christianity is playing in these battles, why they are erupting at this moment in our nation’s history, and what’s at stake for the future of religion and the country.
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Prepare To Care
A book from Fairview Hospital
This book highlights Fairview Hospital and the experiences of the hospital staff during the pandemic. The staff members reflect on their experiences during that challenging time.
Some noteworthy facts:
- Only 11 staff tested positive for Covid and it was community acquired.
- We never had a transmission from patient to staff or staff to staff/patients.
- We never furloughed or had a reduction in force. We redeployed staff to other needed roles: Greeters, testing, vaccine administration, making face shields.
Click on the link below to read:
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This oral history theater project is an exploration and celebration of Tyringham, Massachusetts’ women. Through recorded oral history interviews it reflects stories from similar rural towns where women’s voices have been tucked away for generations. |
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Join Mary Anne Grammer and Friends
Dates: July 24, 25, 31 & August 1, 2021
Time: 11am
Bring a lawn Chair Inclement weather may delay the 11am start so the show is able to be performed. Run time is approximately 1 ¼ hours.
Tickets: $5 Tyringham Residents, $15 General, Under 12 Free. Purchase Tickets at door on day of event (cash or check)
Location: Tyringham Cemetery Field, Church Road, Tyringham, MA
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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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THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship.
On break until Sunday, September 19
when we will meet at 6 PM at Koi Restaurant in
Great Barrington.
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BOOKS AND BREAD
On September 8th, at 6pm
Join us for dinner, 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), published in paperback by Farrar Strauss & Giroux.
Rev. Tina Rathbone will lead our discussion
Our hosts will be the Kirchoffs.
- Participants should contact the Host 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 7:45 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 9:00 pm. For more information email Peter at [email protected]
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This week and for all the month of July,
The Rev. Steve White is available during July for pastoral care.
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Rector (as of 8/1/21):
The Rev. Tina Rathbone
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GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
Mailing:
P.O. Box 114
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Gretchen Fairfield
Office Assistant
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Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-6572
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You can reach the church office by email:
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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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