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
November 15, 2020
10:00 AM
The Rev. Libby Wade
Officiant and Preacher
Lector ...........Pennie Curry
Intercessor....John Cheek
Responder.... Robert Forman
Counters....... Rick Gore, Tom Doyle
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
Morning Prayer
November 15, 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.
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Twenty Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus said, “It is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
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O God, Our Help in Ages Past |
The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher addresses the 119th Diocesan Convention as part of Morning Prayer. |
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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
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.
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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
GRAMMER, John
(413) 258-4212
Fairview Commons
151 Christian Hill Rd,
Great Barrington, MA 01230
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
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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.
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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.
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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; 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:
Lee Cheek, 11/14; Dick and Barbara
Gore/11/15.
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A Prayer for Veterans’ Day, November 11
God of peace, we pray for those who have served our nation and who laid down their lives to protect and defend our freedom. We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war, whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for the light of day. We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm's way. Shield them from danger and bring them home. Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and our enemies to the work of justice and a harvest of peace. Let the peace you left us, the peace you gave us, be the peace that sustains, the peace that saves us. 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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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.
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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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Diocesan Compline
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday @ 8:00 PM
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?
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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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.
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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
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Fisher took out the plastic walls of our green house. That greenhouse has been so useful throughout the year.
Time for its hibernation!
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The farm looks a little bare by this time! It's hard to believe the plants filled all this space! |
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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.
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A beautiful fall sunset over the garden. |
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This will be the last weekly update of Gideon's Garden for the season.
Thanks all for your support this year!
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For the link to Gideon's Garden
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UNITED THANK OFFERING
COVID-19 Fall Grant Awards
Thank you to everyone who, through a personal spiritual discipline of gratitude, contributed to the United Thank Offering’s 2020 Ingathering through August 2020. As a result of your gratitude and generosity, we raised $450,000 .
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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. 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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Do you work with children, teens, or the elderly in person or on-line? Are you a vestry member? Was your Safe Church Training more than 3 years ago? If your answer to any of these questions is "yes," then it's time to take advantage of this Safe Church Workshop offered by our Diocese.
SAFE CHURCH WORKSHOP-FULL DAY
(Two short sessions) via ZOOM
*Note: Before you register please consider your commitment
to participation, as registration for this workshop is limited to 20.
(You must attend both sessions to be certified)
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Wednesday, November 18, 2020, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Thursday, November 19, 2020, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Registration deadline: Thursday, November 12th
The Rev. Tanya Wallace, Safe Church Officer for our diocese, will be presenting a 'Full Day' Safe Church workshop via Zoom. These two sessions are the equivalent of the Basic full day workshop.
This workshop is open to all Clergy, parish staff, lay leaders and vestry members. It is recommended that you update your training every three years. Materials will be provided electronically.
Register with Karen Warren via email by the registration deadline.
Registration must include your name, home mailing address, preferred email, and parish name/location. You will be sent a ZOOM link to confirm your registration!
COST: The cost of the Full Day workshop is $25.00 per person and will be billed to your parish.
Questions or to Register: Email Karen Warren
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Becoming Beloved Community |
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The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Episcopal priest and lawyer, was a landmark in and of her very life — in mission and in her very person. By unflinchingly connecting American values with disenfranchised communities, Pauli contributed directly to Title VII’s prohibition of sex discrimination in employment in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Thurgood Marshall called Pauli’s magnum opus on race “the Bible for civil rights lawyers.”
Murray gave voice to many who suffered the hegemony of an unaware and unbothered majority. She dared to make the ideals of Jesus true on earth.
Listen to Presiding Bishop Curry's tribute to Pauli here:
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For a curated list of educational and theological books on racism
as well as links to web resources please click Here
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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 series 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 Click here.
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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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Children and Teens Please Join Us! |
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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
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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.
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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
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.
The Rev. Sam Smith, St. Paul's Rector, is leading this Bible Study with participants from Grace, Christ Trinity, and St. Paul's. New participants are welcome to join at any time.
Assignment for Tuesday, November 10, is Chapter 5 of Amy-Jill Levine's book.
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
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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!
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
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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.
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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:
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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 413-274-6566
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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