A MESSAGE FROM The Rev. Tina Rathbone
“The frost performs its secret ministry” so wrote the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge one frigid morning in the winter of 1798 as he marveled at the beauty of winter.

I tried to hold onto this line as the temperatures plummeted this past week because it reminded me that however frozen and hard and stopped things can seem in the endless feeling course of COVID, that ‘secret ministries’ are in fact being performed everywhere: along the frozen surface of the Housatonic River for sure, but also in the rooms of people who are sick and alone and who nonetheless summon the courage to persevere with hope, and in pantries across the county where lifegiving food continues to be delivered, and in supermarkets and hardware stores and gas stations where workers continue to provide essential services to the rest of us with no accolades any longer, and little thanks; in the workshops of artists, and the studies of poets, and the yards of children, and the prayer corners of the faithful, and in the shelters and hospitals private homes of so many, where tender care continues to be provided invisibly, to those who need it.

It makes me wonder: Is all of life like this? I mean, does even the coldest and bleakest seeming place hold the secret ministry of love in its heart if you plumb it deep enough? I don’t know. Do you?
Please Note: Icon workshop (below) begins TODAY,
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Community in Faith
(Tuesday with the Word)
led by The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Tuesday, January 18, 7:00 PM
To join the ZOOM meeting
GIDEON'S GARDEN
I am so grateful to be a part of this congregation that reminds me over and over how inter-connected we are. I am also reminded of the radical perspective that Jesus brought to his community and in turn Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Even now the messaging we receive is turned palatable by those who may have good intentions and some who may not. In the name of love and mutual respect, Gideon's Garden professes that all children are loved and valued. And that ALL people, even those our society may deem unworthy, are welcome in God's love. Gideon's Garden has and will continue to spread the gospel of love through our actions in the community.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Berkshire South Regional Community Center is hosting suppers on Mondays from 5-6pm. 
All suppers will be a “to go” option.

Welcome back! Attached is the October 11, 2021 “List of Food Pantries & Meal Sites in Berkshire County”. Please note the following additions to my October 4th list:
 
We welcome the Berkshire Humane Society Pet Food Pantry in Pittsfield! They are open
Mondays – Sundays from 10am – 4pm to provide food for pets.

For list of Food Pantries and Meal Sites Click Here
Mission Matters

News from the
Episcopal Diocese 
of Western Massachusetts
Support the Resettlement of Refugees
Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and migration ministry of The Episcopal Church, is currently working in partnership with the U.S. government to assist Afghan SIVs and other arrivals with resettlement and direct services through a network of 12 affiliates across the U.S.

Those who want to financially support these efforts can make a donation online here or donate by mail and send checks to:
DFMS-Protestant Episcopal Church US
P.O. Box 958983
St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
(Include Episcopal Migration Ministries and Afghan SIV’s in the memo line.)
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
Registration for Our Annual Gathering
Join us for our third annual gathering to pray and discern the work of justice in this place, at this time. Sponsored by the Social Justice Commission of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, this online gathering is open to all who work for justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.





Keynote
The Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones is an Episcopal priest at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City. He serves as the Priest and Director of Spiritual Formation of Trinity’s Retreat Center in West Cornwall, CT.
Schedule
9:00 AM -- Brief Service of Prayer
9:15 AM-9:45 first breakout session – Affinity Groups
9:45-10:20 second breakout session – Affinity Groups
10:20 AM -- BREAK
10:30 AM -- Session led by The Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones award-winning author, retreat leader
12:00 PM -- A Blessing for the Road Ahead
Affinity Groups
Building Creation Care Justice
Facilitators: The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and the Rev. Lise Hildebrandt, Creation Care Justice Network, Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopalians Against Gun Violence
Facilitators: Bishop Fisher, Bishop Mark Beckwith and a partner from BPeace 4 Jorgé (Diocese of Massachusetts)
Neighbor to Neighbor Refugee Program
Facilitators: The Rev. Tina Rathbone and a partner from Jewish Family Services
Race, Power and Reconciliation in Marvel's "Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Facilitators: Chris Leung and Will Harron, Young Adult Ministry Network
Making Reparations
Facilitators: The Rev. Tim Crellin, Reparations Community of Practice and The Rev. Nina Pooley, Beloved Community Commission
The Poor People's Campaign
Facilitators: Cynthia Pease and partner from Diocese of Massachusetts
_____________________________________
Grace Church worships and gardens on the traditional land of the Mohican people.
The first EFM
Readout for 2022

EFM in the Southern Berkshires gathered on January 11 for its first meeting of 2022 with ten participants, seven of whom will be reading Church History and three of whom will be reading the New Testament. 
 
Our journey for the year began with a reflection on Genesis 32:22-31, depicted in the image, wherein Jacob wrestles with a man at a place he later calls Peniel. One of the outcomes of this struggle is that Jacob is renamed Israel. To start our year of study we wrote the following collect:

COLLECT
You call us by name to wrestle with your Word
We thank you and recognize that we must hold fast.
We pray we rise to the challenge and live into it
So that we become people renewed in You.
AMEN
I WANT SOME FRIENDS
THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship on
February 20th, 2022
More information will be forthcoming.
Separate checks/All are welcome
For more information contact
George Raymond. His contact information is in the Grace directory.
MOVIE NITE
Join us!
Movie title to be decided.
Thursday, February 3,
at 6:30 PM on Zoom.
To join this Zoom meeting, Click Here
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823 (Password): 385337
MOVIE NITE attendees met on Zoom on January 6 for a rousing discussion of
Breaking Away. All are welcome to our next conversation!
BOOKS AND BREAD
Book Nominations
on Wednesday, February 9
on Zoom at 7:00 pm

Beneath a Ruthless Sun
by Gilbert King
(Discussion leader, Frank Garretson)

To join this Zoom meeting at 7:00 PM
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
All are welcome!
Questions? Contact Peter Kirchoff. His contact information is in the Grace Directory.
PRAYERS AND CARES

ANNUAL MEETING SUNDAY,
JANUARY 30 on ZOOM
More information will be forthcoming

Following our worship service on Sunday, January 30, we will gather for our annual meeting. At this meeting we will take a look back at 2021, elect members of vestry and convention delegates. We will hear about the new, exciting expansion of Gideon’s Garden. Sue Gore, our treasurer, will present the budget for 2022, and Tina Rathbone, our rector, will highlight the unfolding work of the parish. This is an important meeting, which only occurs once a year. It is a time where you can ask questions and give your thoughts on how we are moving into our future. Currently committee chairs and group leaders are compiling their reports for the annual meeting booklet which will be available to read before the meeting. I encourage you to take the time to read the reports and bring your questions, hopes and dreams to our meeting on Sunday, January 30.
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
the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist
January 23, 10:00 AM

This Sunday service
will be live-streamed on ZOOM
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..... S. Brooke/S. Sieber
Acolyte...................Cathy Haywood
Lector.................. ..Sue Gore
Intercessor.............Robert Forman
Healing Team.........S. Gore/K. Clausen
Tech....................... Abe Streeter
Flowers.................. Kathy Clausen
Altar Guild............. C.Haywood/M. Layton
Coffee Hour........... Booton/Haywood
Counters.................Sieber/Booton


ZOOM INVITATIONS 
FOR GRACE CHURCH


Third Sunday after
the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist
January 23, at 10:00 AM
Now only on Zoom
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656
US (New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937

Community in Faith
(Tuesday with the Word)
February 25
7:00 to 8:00 PM
To join the Zoom meeting

Centering Prayer
Thursdays, at 5:00 PM
To join the Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 203 314 800
(Password): 578877
646 558 8656 US (New York)

Grace Church Men's Group
Future dates to be announced here.

Movie Nite
Thursday, at 6:30
February 3, 2022
More information in the
article below.
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US
(New York)

Books and Bread,
Wednesday, February 9
7:00 PM
On Zoom until further notice
To join this Zoom meeting
at 7:00 PM Click Here
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)


Third Sunday Supper 
(Every Third Sunday)
February 20th,
at 6:00 PM
On Zoom until further notice
This is a recurring meeting.
To join this Zoom meeting
(Meeting ID): 778 608 743
(Password): 729107
646 558 8656 US (New York)
Third Sunday after
the Epiphany
Luke 4:14-21

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

I know the Lord laid his hands on me
(Moses Hogan)
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.
Covid-19 vaccination
booster shots

are now available for those with certain big-risk medical conditions at Walgreens and Fairview Hospital on a walk-in basis. If you think you might have a qualifying condition, we urge you to go to one of these locations for a booster shot.

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 
office@graceberkshires.org or by phone 413-644-0022.
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 
BLAKELY, Rosemarie           
21 Crossway, #108
Lee MA 01238

BOWENS, Marina             
c/o Maryella Satinover    
11908 Windward Ave.
Mar Vista, CA 90066

BREASTED, John        
Fairview Commons       
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington MA 01230

BROOKS, Jane        
165 George Street
Lee MA 01230
FRYE, Vonnie          
PineHill Assisted Living
at Kimball Farms
235 Walker St. Apt #32
Lenox, Ma. 01240

GORE, Barbara        
50 Stockbridge Road
Lee MA 01238

HAIDER, Meredith       
5 Fox Hollow Road
#409            
Lenox, MA 01240                                 

McCURDY, Deborah
Skilled Nursing Center
Loomis Lakeside at Reed's Landing
807 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109

TURNER, Barbara     
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230 
Our New Prayer Basket

We welcome you to use our new prayer basket.
On Sundays you will find a basket near the welcome table, with slips of paper available for you to write down prayer requests. You can ask for prayers for those who are ill, or in need of healing or encouragement of any kind, prayers for intentions, journeys, or projects, the birth or adoption of children, and prayers of thanksgiving for anything that needs celebrating. In other words, please ask for any prayers that are important to you and those you love. You may identify yourself and those for whom prayers are needed, but names are not necessary or required. These requests will be prayed for by our healing ministers both during the service and during the week for a period of one month. Keep an eye out for the basket!!
Healing Prayers

If you would like to receive healing prayers from
The Rev. Ted Cobden, Pennie Curry, or Sue Gore,
please refer to your directory for their contact
information, or contact the Grace office.
      
GRACE
CHURCH 

Please include
in your daily prayers this week:
 
Members of the Parish Family:
Sue Gore, George Raymond; 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 and Annalise Clausen.

Others we love: All those grieving the death of Nelda Curry, especially Cooper; Larry Cheek, John’s brother; Rino Aldrighetti, dear friend of
Steve White; Wyatt Hicks; Karen
La Rocque, friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy; Joy Milani, dear friend of Dindy Anderson.

Those who have died:Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Nelda Curry;
Sam Raymond, brother of George; Vanessa Neves, daughter of Patti Poulos, friend of many in the congregation; Sara Bowers;
Sara Keene; Jim Santolin dear friend of Rick and Sue Gore; Robert Bruce Martin, and Alexandra Pratt, friends of Monique; Bernadette McCarroll, beloved family member of Jainee, John & Ellis; Thomas J. Fisher, father of The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher; Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes; Ruth Crawford; 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 all those whose lives have been affected by extreme weather- especially for those who were in the path of tornadoes this past week. 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.

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; St. John’s, Athol; Church Without Walls, Springfield; Spouses of deceased clergy; The House of Deputies;
Jubilee Ministries.

The Church's wider mission:
Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui.

And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week: Marina Bowens, 1/19; Edna Leavenworth, 1/21; Pat Carlson, 1/22.
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:
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.
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.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Kids of all ages: 
Please join us for Sunday school. We will meet during the first part of the service and then
re-join the service at the Peace.
So much coloring, cutting, pasting, exploring, learning,
and playing to be done at Sunday School !
Thank you all
for signing up for this year’s
Flower Dedications.
It is a beautiful way to honor our family and friends both living and deceased, and is shared by all.

Please note that $35.00 contributions toward the flower purchases can be sent to the Grace Office or placed in the Offertory Collection.
GRACE CHURCH
An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
67 State Road/P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230

GRACE Parish Administrator: Ms. Jean Chapin
You can reach the church office by emailoffice@graceberkshires.org 
and by phone 413-644-0022.
The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Rector
413-644-0022
revtina at graceberkshires.org
Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden at graceberkshires.org

Mr. Ryan LaBoy,
Grace Church Music Director
413-644-0022
RLaboy at graceberkshires.org
Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff 
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
Please send comments by emailing tuesdayschild@graceberkshires.org