Dear Parishioners, this new website is under construction. We hope to have it up to speed very soon! |
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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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Morning Prayer
September 13, 2020
10:00 AM
The Rev. Libby Wade, Officiant
The Rev. Jen Bloesch, Preacher
Lector: Meredith Haider
Intercessor: Robert Foreman
Responder: Pennie Curry
Counters: Sarah Sieber
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NEW!! ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Morning Prayer,
(Sundays at 10:00 AM)
To join this Zoom meeting,
or call +1 646 558 8656 US
(New York),
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
Tuesday Bible Study
will not meet again until Tuesday, September 29, when a new 6-week series will begin.
A new Zoom link will be provided before the first gathering.
See article in this edition of Tuesday's Child for more info.
Books and Bread at 7:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Centering Prayer
Thursdays 5:00 PM
This is a recurring meeting
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:
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
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
To find your local number,
Be safe. Be well. Hope to see you soon.
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SAVE THE DATE!
We will celebrate Gideon's Garden and bless the animals at Taft Farm on
September 27.
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Matthew 18:21-35
Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
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For the Beauty of the Earth -
John Rutter
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Creation Season - September Worship
Renewing, Repairing, Restoring
As we begin the transition from summer to fall, this is a natural time to express gratitude for the wonders of creation and consider our role as custodians of that goodness. Grace Church glorifies God in powerful ways through its work with Gideon’s Garden. What a great gift to the youth workers and other volunteers, as well as the food pantries that help alleviate hunger in our region! Relationships are built and lives restored through this ministry. Creation Season reminds us that all the diverse elements of creation are neighbors living in relationship, depending on each other, sharing “this fragile earth, our island home.” In Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who has wronged him. What if we re-framed that question with the Earth asking Jesus how many times humanity should be forgiven for polluting, endangering species, deforesting, strip mining, or just failing to pay attention? We will celebrate Gideon’s Garden and bless the animals at Taft Farm on September 27, but in the midst of our joyful celebrations, may we also hold the pain of the Earth and its creatures in our hearts.
--Libby+
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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.
BLAKELY, Rosemarie (413) 243-0485
21 Crossway, #108
Lee MA 01238
BOWENS, Marina (310) 398-2484
c/o Maryella Satinover (310) 749-9424 (cell)
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066
BREASTED, John (413) 429-8123
Fairview Commons Cell (413) 854-3977
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington MA 01230
BROOKS, Jane (413) 243-3367
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
CRAWFORD, Ruth (413) 243-2575
125 Woodland Road
Lee MA 01238
EDELSTEIN, Richard
LEP, Kimball Farms,
235 Walker Street,
Lenox, MA 01240.
FRYE, Vonnie (413) 637-7432
PineHill Assisted Living at Kimball Farms
235 Walker St. Apt #32
Lenox, Ma. 01240
GORE, Barbara (413) 243-4261
50 Stockbridge Road
Lee MA 01238
GRAMMER, John (413) 258-4212
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Rd,
Great Barrington, MA 01230
HAIDER, Meredith (413) 551-7319
5 Fox Hollow Road #409
(814)308-4865
Lenox, MA 01240
KEENE, Sara (413) 528-4152
The Egremont Village Inn
17 Main Street
P. O. Box 275
South Egremont, MA 01258
TURNER, Barbara (413) 243-8904
130 High Street
Lee MA 01238
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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
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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, Pam & Bill Drumm, The family of Richard Gore, Sr., 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, Dindy Anderson, Tom Murray, Paula Doyle, John Grammer, Aidan, Andrea, the Rev. Steve White, Maureen Terry, Gino Furio, Meredith Haider, Debbie Holmes, Mary Booton, Jainee McCarroll and Vonnie Frye.
Others we love: Kristen Mary, cousin of Jainee McCarroll, Sally and Don, sister and brother-in-law of Cynthia Pease; 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: 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; Rev. Stephen Chinlund, friend of Jainee McCarroll and John and Ellis Ericson; Joy Saville, mother of Andrea White; Richard Gore, Sr.; Locke Larkin, brother-in-law of Maureen Terry; Charles Olegar; Marianne Felch, friend of Janet Zimmerman; Pat Edelstein; Anthony Aiuvalasit, friend of Janet Zimmerman; Patrick Barney, nephew of Mark Anderson.
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; Christ Trinity, Sheffield and the Rev. Erik Karas; and our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas J. Fisher; the Mampong Babies' Home in Ghana; St. Mark's, Leominster; Commission on Ministry
The Church's wider mission: Faith Alive; The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:
John Grammer, 9/14
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We ask your prayers as we begin the search to find a new rector for Grace Church...
Kathy Clausen and Rick Gore, announce the results of the composition of the two committees that will lead to the discovery and hiring of our next rector. The Profile Committee’s work will begin very soon and it will involve every member of our congregation through the use of a survey to determine our gifts, dreams and challenges. The Search Committee’s work will occur primarily after the first of the year. As we begin this process please hold these people and their upcoming work in prayer.
PROFILE COMMITTEE
Chair: Lee Cheek
Chaplain: Ted Cobden
Vestry Liaison: Holly Murray
Members: Monique Kirchoff, Jainee McCarroll, Sarah Sieber
SEARCH COMMITTEE
Co-chairs: Pennie Curry, Robert Forman
Chaplain has not yet been assigned.
Vestry Liaison: John Cheek
Members: Sally Brooke, John & Ellis Ericson, Meredith Haider,
Andrea White
Thank you, all of you, for being willing to do this important work on behalf of Grace Church.
Kathy
Here's the link to the Transition Manual provided by the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
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We ask your prayers for Libby as she begins her ministry with us...
Everliving God, strengthen and sustain Libby, that with patience and understanding she may love and care for your people, especially our congregation and our community in the southern Berkshires, and grant that together we may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you our gifts and talents, through your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
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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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Video Series Premieres on Saturdays:
Voices of Faith
Sponsored by the Diocesan Vitality Committee, supporting the vitality of congregations across our Diocese, Voices of Faith features lay people from congregations from across Western Massachusetts. The videos will be sent out via email on Saturday mornings. They will be cross-posted on the Diocesan Facebook Page, Twitter feed and and YouTube channel.
The Vitality Committee hopes the videos can lift us out of silos of congregational life, help us deal with social-isolation, and even open us to the broad diversity of our Diocese, and the diversity of experiences that people have with God.
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Announcement from the Communications Office
Summer Compline: NEW Days & NEW Link
TUESDAY
Bishop FIsher
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday @ 8:00 PM
Compline Leaders for Summer 2020
MONDAY: The Very Rev. James G. Munroe
TUESDAY: The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher
WEDNESDAY: The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith
Summer Compline
Please do not post this info on Facebook or Twitter; e-news is fine.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 824 5008 6637
Passcode: 501604
Dial by phone
+1 929 205 6099
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WHAT ARE YOU
GRATEFUL FOR?
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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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It may be September, but we haven't slowed down yet! This week we continued our melon harvesting. We picked from our "miscellaneous melons" row, and our melons shapes and sizes sure are miscellaneous! Featured in the picture above is a giant watermelon variety (over 20 lbs!) and gherkins, which are small 'cucumber-melons'.
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We have also started more planting in our open filed. This week we harvested cilantro and planted new cilantro and basil sprouts into the ground! Hopefully they can grow big enough for a harvest before the frost comes! |
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We finally caught the pesky woodchuck that's been eating our pumpkins! We were quite happy to release the critter far away from the garden. And finally in wasn't a skunk!!
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For the link to Gideon's Garden
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"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.
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Support Ascentria Care Alliance
Donate or call to learn about volunteering
Ascentria Care Alliance provides resettlement resources for refugees who have received extreme vetting by the U.S., are sponsored by the United Nations, and have been invited to live in our country.
Ascentria partners with the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and a host of other volunteer organizations to do God's work in caring for the most vulnerable in our world.
Donate on-line at
or call them at (413)-787-0725 to learn about volunteering.
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The Welcome Mat Project by Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms in Nashville, TN. came together with women refugees in Greece to provide an economic platform for women and their families to escape the refugee camps.
Every Purchase Helps a Woman Survivor Heal. Shop Now!
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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 or give online by phone or computer to Tithe.ly Using your phone you may text the word "GIVE" to 774-252-9246.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.
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Join us online!
Did you ever wonder about how theology shapes American history?
Robert P. Jones, religious
scholar and commentator, explores how white churches allowed chattel slavery and institutional racism to co-exist with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is a 37 min. interview with Dr. Jones on Fresh Air:
For a curated list of educational and theological books on racism
as well as links to web resources please visit
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Pennie Curry, Meredith Haider, and Lee Cheek are Grace Church members who are beginning Sacred Ground, a 10-week film-based dialogue series on race and faith.
It is being led by Grace Church's
new interim, The Rev. Libby Wade. This group is fully enrolled, but if you are interested other groups could be formed in the future. To learn more
Please contact Lee Cheek, co-chair
of the Bishop's Commission for
Beloved Community at
For up-to-date resources and events, visit and follow the
Beloved Community facebook page:
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Tuesday Bible Study in Collaboration with St. Paul’s
Sermon on the Mount:
A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.,on Zoom beginning September 29
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, has built her career on helping Christians understand the Jewish context of Jesus’ life and ministry. Her newest book,
Sermon on the Mount, is a readable and thought-provoking look at these fundamental teachings from Matthew’s gospel. We will use this book (available in paperback, for Kindle, or in an audio version on Audible) as the guide to our six-week study, in partnership with the folks of St. Paul’s in Stockbridge.
The Rev. Sam Smith will teach this Bible Study.
(The Zoom link will be made available before September 29.)
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JOIN OUR NEXT ZOOM DISCUSSION
Wednesday, September 9, at 7 PM
Monique Kirchoff will lead our discussion. Meeting will end at 8:30 PM. All are welcome. For more information email Peter at [email protected]
For Zoom link:
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
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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
You can prepare your own supper,
but Take Out from our local restaurants is suggested.
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Rev. Libby Wade,
Interim Rector
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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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The Rev. Jen Bloesch
Gideon's Garden
Program Director
413-644-6572
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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: [email protected] and by phone 413-644-0022.
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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 413-274-6566
Cathy Haywood 413-464-6664
Holly Murray 860-977-9198
The Rev. Libby Wade is available for pastoral emergencies. 270-519-6934.
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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