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.

Agape & Pledge
Ingathering
November 22, 2020 
10:00 AM

The Rev. Libby Wade
Officiant and Preacher

Lector ...........Tom Doyle
Intercessor....Jainee McCarroll,
John & Ellis Ericson
Responder.... Pennie Curry
Counters....... Ian Booton,
Sarah Sieber

ZOOM INVITATIONS 
FOR GRACE CHURCH


Agape & Pledge Ingathering
November 22, 2020
at 10:00 AM
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937

Grace Sunday School 11:00am - 11:45 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
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
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)

Be safe. Be well. Hope to see you soon.
A Message from Libby about Christ the King Sunday and the Advent/Christmas Season

It seems fitting that we will bless our offering of pledges for 2021 in the context of an Agape Service on Christ the King Sunday, November 22. This Christian fellowship meal recalls the meals Jesus shared with the disciples during his ministry and provides an expression of community within the family of Christ. In this strange year of pandemic when our worship must continue to be virtual, sharing a "Love Feast" (another term for Agape) reminds us of the self-giving sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, whose
kingship was expressed in serving others. We sacrifice gathering in-person for the sake of the whole community. We share our own food and drink in our own homes in solidarity with each other as a community gathered via Zoom. We pledge our time, talent, and treasure to the work of Christ in and through Grace Church in spite of uncertainties and anxiety about the future. As an expression of our love, we offer ourselves to serve the needs of the broader community certain of the love of God that grounds us and firmly holds us no matter what! For our Agape celebration this Sunday, please have simple food and drink available -- bread and wine, crackers and juice, cookies and milk, muffins and water -- it's up to you. Please send in your 2021 pledge card before Sunday. On Sunday, please join your Grace Church community for worship via Zoom from the Grace Chapel. 

Advent is Near -- Do not Fear!

New Year's Day on the church's liturgical calendar is the First Sunday of Advent -- November 29, 2020. Plans are well underway for this season of faithful waiting and expectant hoping in preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ. In this "Tuesday's Child," you'll find articles about an Advent Tuesday Bible Study series for adults, an Intergenerational packet of Advent droppable-1605579210786activities, and a virtual Christmas Pageant with parts for all ages. Please consider participating in one or all of these activities. In addition, Sue Gore is coordinating our annual Christmas Gift Card project and Pennie Curry has announced that Taft Farms is offering Advent Wreaths to Grace Church folks. You can also expect the following in our worship life (all on Zoom):

  Sunday, November 29 -- Advent Wreath Lighting as part of this and each Advent service
  Sunday, December 6 -- Special Focus on St. Nicholas Day
  Sunday, December 13 -- Service of Prayer and Healing
  Sunday, December 20 -- Farewell to the Rev. Jen Bloesch
  Monday, December 21 -- Longest Night Service of Remembrance
  Thursday, December 24 -- Christmas Eve Service
  Sunday, December 31 -- Service of Lessons and Carols
  Thursday, December 31 -- Centering Prayer and New Year's Eve Vigil 

Mark your calendars now. Details
will follow as the weeks unfold. I'm thankful for all those who have shared their ideas and are helping work out details. With the help and collaboration of many people, this Advent/Christmas Season will be filled with opportunities for healing, hope, and joy.

Peace, Libby+
   
Last Sunday after Pentecost
Christ the King

Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”


He is King of Kings
The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher addresses the 119th Diocesan Convention as part of Morning Prayer.
An Reminder from the Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee,
John Cheek Chair, Tom Doyle, Dutch Pinkston, Lynn Walker and Sally Brooke, want to remind you that this Sunday "Christ the King" is also the in gathering of our pledges, which Libby Wade will conduct on Zoom at the chapel during the service. If you have not already done so, please send
in your pledge cards before 0ur Ingathering on Nov. 22.
Thank you for your support of the ministry of Grace Church.
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.

BLAKELY, Rosemarie           
21 Crossway, #108
Lee MA 01238
413-243-0485

BOWENS, Marina             
c/o Maryella Satinover     
 (310) 749-9424 (cell)
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066
310-398-2484
 
BREASTED, John        
Fairview Commons       
Cell (413) 854-3977
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington MA 01230
johnbreasted@gmail.com
 413-429-8123

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

CRAWFORD, Ruth   
125 Woodland Road
Lee MA 01238
413-243-2575
 
EDELSTEIN, Richard 
LEP, Kimball Farms,  
235 Walker Street, 
Lenox, MA 01240. 
 
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

GRAMMER, John         
86 South Beech Plain Road
Sandisfield, MA 01255
maryannegrammer@gmail.com
413-258-4212

HAIDER, Meredith       
5 Fox Hollow Road #409      
(814)308-4865       
Lenox, MA 01240                                 
merbraver@aol.com
413-551-7319

KEENE, Sara           
The Egremont Village Inn
17 Main Street
P. O. Box 275
South Egremont, MA 01258
sararkeene@gmail.com
413-528-4152

TURNER, Barbara     
(413) 243-8904
130 High Street
Lee MA 01238 
413-243-8904

Forward Day by Day
Available from
the Grace Office

Both regular size and large print editions of the November 2020-January 2021 daily devotional booklets are available now. If you would like one mailed to you, please contact Gretchen at office@graceberkshires.org.
Clergy Transition: Preparing Our Profile
Saturday, Nov. 14, Canon Rich Simpson and The Rev. Mary Rosedale met for three hours with the Vestry, the Profile Committee, and the Search Committee to review the analysis of the 110 question survey submitted by 47 Grace parishioners during September and October.

The Profile Committee will be sharing this report with the congregation over the next few weeks in addition to scheduling times with parishioners for conversation about our life in Christ together as Grace Church. From this information the Profile Committee will be able to present a faithful, authentic, and honest public profile--a portrait of Grace--for clergy candidates.

Thank you to all parishioners who submitted surveys! The Profile Committee
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.
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


GRACE CHURCH 
Please include in your daily prayers this week:
 
Members of the Parish Family: 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, Tom Murray, Paula Doyle, John Grammer, Maureen Terry, Gino Furio, Meredith Haider, Debbie Holmes, Mary Booton, and Vonnie Frye. 

Others we Love:
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: Bob Magee, former member of St. James; 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

The Church's wider mission:
Pray for the Church of Ceylon (Extra-Provincial to the Archbishop of Canterbury) The Rt Revd Dhiloraj Ranjit Canagasabey - Bishop of Colombo The Rt Revd Keerthisiri Fernando - Bishop of Kurunegal

And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:

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  
Message from Libby+ after the Election

The election results are almost all in and the “decision desks” of all the major networks have declared Joe Biden to be the President-Elect of the United States with Kamala Harris as Vice-President-Elect. The voter turnout was the highest ever and Kamala Harris will be the first woman, the first African-American, and the first person of Indian descent to serve in this capacity.  What a week it was as we waited and watched and worried while votes came in and history was made!  Now the hard work of healing a deeply divided nation must continue.  I'm
wondering how Grace Church might be part of that healing process.  I’m also holding on to hope that there can be a peaceful transfer of power while people with strong feelings and points of view sort out their places in our national life.  Here is a prayer I’ve found helpful this week:

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Announcement from the Safe Church Officer 
REMINDER:
Safe Church Workshops for Volunteers
via ZOOM

*Note: Before you register please consider your commitment 
to participation, as registration for each workshop is limited to 20.

*******
Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 9 a.m. to Noon
Registration deadline: Wednesday, December 2nd

Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Registration deadline: Wednesday, December 30th

The Rev. Tanya Wallace, Safe Church Officer for our diocese, will be presenting three-hour workshops for volunteers via ZOOM on the above dates. Materials will be provided electronically.

These workshops are open to all volunteers who work with children and youth. They are also open to Eucharistic Visitors. It is recommended that you update your training every three years.

Register with Karen Warren via email by the registration deadline listed, specifying your chosen workshop date.

Registration must include your name, home mailing address, preferred email, parish name/location, and date of workshop. You will be sent a ZOOM link to confirm your registration! 

COST: The cost of a volunteer workshop is $15.00 per person and will be billed to your parish.

Diocesan Compline
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday @ 8:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 5008 6637
Passcode501604
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.
I WANT TO HELP
REMINDER! Please send in your pledge before our Ingathering on November 22
Stewardship: Giving through a Retirement Account Distribution 

If you are planning to make your 2021 pledge for the mission of Grace Church or want to pay your 2020 pledge from the required minimum distribution (RMD) from your retirement account, this information from The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) may be helpful. Read more HERE.
Church Growing Hope:
A Conversation
with Jen Bloesch

The Food & Faith Podcast is hosted by two pastors and writers Anna Woofenden and Derrick Weston. They interview pastors, academics, and religious leaders whose work sits at the intersection of food and faith. In October, they interviewed Jen Bloesch about her work at Gideon's Garden.
To listen to Jen's interview about the work that Grace Church does through Gideon's Garden
Gideon's Garden Update
Fisher took out the plastic walls of our green house. That greenhouse has been so useful throughout the year.
Time for its hibernation!
The farm looks a little bare by this time! It's hard to believe the plants filled all this space!
This year we've extended our season into the first week of November. It's been a week of closing up shop.
Jen and David harvested the last of the carrots. We 81 lbs harvested and donated them to People's Pantry,
CHP, and Lee Food Pantry.
A beautiful fall sunset over the garden.
We had some awesome harvests into the fall-- about 650 lbs of butternut squash and acorn squash each, 329 lbs of carrots, and 923 heads of lettuce.
A grand total of 9000 lbs of produce! What a great year!
This will be the last weekly update of Gideon's Garden for the season.
Thanks all for your support this year!
For the link to Gideon's Garden 
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. 
LEARNING AND DISCOVERY
Becoming Beloved Community
Who were the indigenous peoples who lived on the land where you live now? Where you grew up? Use this handy tool to learn more about the native peoples in North America. Choose "Label" and zoom in to your neighborhood. Below is a screenshot of Massachusetts. https://native-land.ca/
*********************************For up-to-date resources and events, visit and follow the Beloved Community facebook page: 
Pennie Curry, and Lee Cheek are Grace Church members who are a part of Sacred Ground, a 10-week film-based dialogue series on race and faith. 

The current Sacred Ground series led by the Rev. Libby Wade will conclude in December. If you are interested, another group could be formed in 2021. To learn more 

*********************************
Please contact Lee Cheek, co-chair 
of the Bishop's Commission for 
Beloved Community at 

   
Children and Teens Please Join Us!
GRACE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays, at 11:00 AM.

Families and Advent:
Grace Church Sunday School is providing: 
An Illustrated Advent for Families: Do Not Be Afraid, a resource for engaging families in faith formation at home during Advent, published by Illustrated Ministries.

"The inspiration for our theme comes from the angels’ message in the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” This phrase is an instruction God gave to God’s people throughout their history, and it’s a message God continues to give to us today. This Advent, we invite you to explore what it looks like to hold hope when life feels uncertain, to bring peace in the face of fear, to practice joy when everything seems burdensome, and to choose love, when sometimes, it’s just really hard. You’ll be invited to wonder more deeply about this classic story, to imagine some of the details that aren’t filled in for us, and to make connections to your context this season.”

The packet contains weekly intergenerational devotion activities and an Advent calendar. 

The packets will be available for pick up at the Grace Church office. We are also glad to mail them to families who live far away. Please contact Andrea White at andreawhite@berkshirespeech.com or 413-884-4836 for assistance.
Grace Sunday School
This is a recurring meeting
To join this Zoom meeting
Click Here (Meeting ID): 859 9461 5863 (Passcode): 508436
Please join us:
Grace Church Sunday School
is in the beginning stages of planning for a Virtual Christmas Pageant
and anyone (intergenerational!)
interested in participating,
please contact Andrea White 
or 413-884-4836. And remember,
because it is virtual, we welcome any children or adults connected to Grace
that live anywhere with internet access.
Bible Study

Tuesday Bible Study
in Collaboration with St. Paul’s
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.,on Zoom
Advent Bible Study Series begins December 1 on Zoom
Four Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
"Songs in Waiting--Reflections on Christ's Birth"

This four-week series led by the Rev. Libby Wade will draw on meditations by the Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler to explore the wonder, mystery, and hope surrounding Christ's coming. We'll focus on four ancient Middle Eastern songs from Luke's narrative of the birth of Jesus set alongside paintings from the contemporary artist Daniel Bonnell. Chandler says that in Advent "God surprises us when we least expect it, usually when we are in the midst of a difficult time and need God the most," and "provides surprises that are so much more wonderful than we could ever have imagined." Join folks from Grace Church, Christ Trinity, and St. Paul's for Bible Study on Tuesdays in Advent to look for surprises as we wait in hope. No book to purchase. Questions? Contact Libby. 

or call in: 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 826 0996 0553               Passcode: 446609
Questions? E-mail Libby at libby_wade@yahoo.com.

Seminar forming for 2021
Education for Ministry (EfM)


EFM at Christ Trinity Church will form a new seminar group for 2021. We invite members of the Grace community to consider participating; you can speak with John Cheek (who is currently participating), or with Karen Byers, if you have questions.  

EFM is a course in practical theology for seekers wanting to deepen the connection between faith and engagement with the world, We meet in a weekly seminar over 36 weeks (we break for the summer) as participants engage through study, prayer and reflection with the bible, Christian history and theology. If you want to read the Bible and discuss theological issues with fellow seekers, EFM may be for you. We would love to have you join us!

To read more:  Click here

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we meet by Zoom. When it is safe to regather, we will meet in person at Christ Trinity Church.  

Time (When in Person):  Tuesday mornings 10:00am – 12:30 pm
Time (When meeting by Zoom): Tuesday mornings 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Time span 36 weeks with a break in the summer
Dates in 2021: Jan 12 – June 1 and Sept 7 – Dec 14.
Fee: $375  
Mentor: Karen Byers
If interested contact the Christ Trinity Church office, at  christtrinitychurch@gmail.com and Karen Byers will get back to you. 
I WANT SOME FRIENDS
THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
at 6:00 PM
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 
graymond747@gmail.com  
You can prepare your own supper,
 but Take Out from our local restaurants is suggested. 
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 
 
The Rev. Jen Bloesch 
Gideon's Garden
Program Director  
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 for pastoral emergencies. 270-519-6934.

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