A Message from The Rev. Tina Rathbone

What else could you possibly need on the day of first snow than a hand-knit prayer shawl, made just for you? Our own Sarah Sieber began hatching her plan to knit these gifts last year and yesterday we all got to bless them before finally delivering them to the wonderful young people you see above, each of whom began - almost immediately - to make use of them in their own, unique way.


It all got me thinking: If it is true that God showers us all with gifts, as I believe that it is, then isn’t our main task also to figure out how best to make use of them -- me in one way, you in another – for the good of us all? As we get closer and closer to Christmas, I’m wondering if it may not be worth spending a moment or two thinking about the gifts we’ve already been given – especially, perhaps, those we might try to hide, or to bury, so we won’t stand out. How might you acknowledge your own, real giftedness this Advent and beyond? And how might you then put it to work in the service of others? In one, small way Sarah did just that -- and look at the result!



Zoom Link

Advent Bible Study

Tuesdays 7-8 p.m. on Zoom

December 13, 20  

Isaiah 2:1-5, Isaiah 11:1-10,

Isaiah 35:1, Isaiah 7:10-16



The Rev. Libby Wade, St. Paul's Interim Priest, will lead folks from the three South County Episcopal/Lutheran churches in a study of the wonderfully evocative Isaiah passages from our Advent Sunday Lectionary.  Invite friends to join us. 

 

For Zoom link:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)

GIDEON'S GARDEN

On Sunday, December 4, Grace Church honored Annalise Clausen for her two years of service in the mission of Gideon’s Garden. Annalise is the out going Gideon’s Garden Director (co-director since June of this year when Joel Jorgensen joined the team). Words of appreciation were spoken by members of the congregation, an extraordinary vegan cake was shared and a (stuffed) chicken was given as well. Annalise received the prayers of the congregation. We’ll still see her at church as she continues to discern her next position. Thank you, Annalise.

Stay warm!     (A. Clausen)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The People's Pantry


If anyone wants to volunteer at the People’s Pantry, there are shifts on Mondays from 3:30PM to 5:30PM, Thursdays from 8:30AM to 10:30AM and Thursdays 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Here’s the link:

https://www.thepeoplespantrygb.org/volunteer

Announcement from the Communications Office
Donate to Episcopal Relief & Development
MAKE AN URGENT GIFT-DONATE NOW Your immediate support will help Episcopal Relief & Development and other Anglican partners provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine. By contributing today you will join our online...
support.episcopalrelief.org

Welcome Mats Made by Refugees | Thistle Farms Global

Handwoven and handmade by refugees in Greece, these welcome mats serve as a symbol of welcome and acceptance for refugees. Perfect to use in your home as a wall hanging or floor mat. Feel good about the products you buy at Thistle Farms and support refugees. Order yours today!

Love Welcomes.

thistlefarms.org

Babies are placed in the Home when their mother has died and they cannot be cared for at home.

It costs about $1,500 to support a baby over the time needed for the child to grow old enough to return to their home. Many years ago we at Grace decided to support babies at the Mampong Babies Home in Ghana

at the rate of $1,500 per year. Your donations help us reach that goal each year. You can bring money or checks to church on Sundays and place in the jar near the Welcome Table or send a check to:

Grace Church,

PO Box 114,

Great Barrington, MA 01230.

LEARNING AND DISCOVERY
Becoming Beloved Community

Becoming Beloved Community

starts with ...


The Work of Christmas


When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among others,

To make music in the heart.


by Howard Thurman (1899-1981) American author, philosopher, theologian, mystic, educator, and one of the principal architects of the modern, nonviolent civil rights movement, and a key mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Swords to Plowshares speaker, Chelsea,

shared her experience

at the Guthrie Center on

November 12, 2022.

Watch and listen to her speak here:

https://vimeo.com/770834293

In our penultimate meeting of the year, EfM discussed the materials we read for the year and wrote the following collect: 



Dear God of wonder,

You present us with the unfathomable.

We thank you for the book of Revelation which does not reveal anything to us (yet). 

We thank you for the 3000-year history of Christianity, which is still being worked out.

We pray that in this world of noise and confusion we focus on the core truth to love God and love our neighbor

So that we may live joyfully. 

AMEN

Announcement from the Communications Office

Bishop Doug Fisher established a Compline community in 2020 that continues in faithfulness five nights a week. In addition to the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith and the Very Rev. Jim Munroe, Licensed Lay Worship Leaders will be added for Thursday and Friday evenings. Zoom info is available HERE.

To: All the Faithful

From: Canon for Communications

Re:Advent 2022

Date: December 2, 2022


The Bishop's Advent Message

Shareable link: https://youtu.be/bxgVE98Rz0A

I WANT SOME FRIENDS

THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER

Join us for lively conversation and fellowship on December 18,

6:00 PM at the

Morgan House

33 Main St, Lee, MA


Join us for a Yankee Swap.

Separate checks

For more information contact

George Raymond.


RULES for YANKEE SWAP:


Each person brings a small gift that costs about $10.00. The wrapped gifts are placed in a pile so they're visible to everyone. After the first person opens a gift, the next person has the option to either a) open a new gift from the remaining pile of choices or b) take the already opened gift from the first player. If he or she decides to steal the gift from the first person, that person then gets to unwrap a new gift.

This continues with each consecutive player. For example, the third person then has the choice to either a) also unwrap a new gift or b) steal from any of the already opened gifts. Keep in mind that the person whose gift is taken can only unwrap a new gift—he or she cannot swap at that point. This goes on until every gift has been unwrapped and each person has gotten a chance to pick a gift.


BOOKS AND BREAD

Will meet on January 11, at 7:00 PM

to decide what books

we will read in 2023.


Questions? Please contact Peter Kirchoff.


For Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Password: 917937

or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)

All are welcome!

MOVIE NITE


Watch at home at home then,

Join us for a discussion of LOCKE


A man's (Tom Hardy) life unravels after he leaves a construction site at a critical time and drives to London to be present for the birth of a child conceived during a one-night stand.


on January 5, at 7:00 PM

on Zoom.



To join this Zoom meeting

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Password: 917937

Saturday,

December 17, 3:00PM

St. James Place

PRAYERS AND CARES

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.

The Fourth Sunday

of Advent

Holy Eucharist

December 18, 10:00 AM

In person & live-streamed

on ZOOM

Please visit our website: 

https://graceberkshires.org/visitor/

for up-to-date information and a link to the digital service booklet.


Celebrant and Officiant:

The Rev.Tina Rathbone


Click here for WEB site ROTA

ZOOM INVITATIONS 

FOR GRACE CHURCH



The Fourth Sunday

of Advent

Holy Eucharist

December 18, at 10:00 AM

For Zoom

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


The Grace Christmas Eve 

Holy Eucharist Service

will be at

Taft’s Farm Greenhouse

at 4:00pm, 119 Park St,

Great Barrington, MA 01230


Contemplative Eucharist

Wednesday at 10:00 AM

In person at Grace Chapel

and on Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Lectionary Bible Study

Tuesdays at 7:00 PM

For Zoom:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Centering Prayer

Thursday at 5:00 PM

In person and on Zoom

To join Zoom meetings:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Movie Nite

Thursday, January 5

at 7:00 PM on Zoom

To join Zoom meetings:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Books and Bread,

January 11, 2023

In person and on Zoom

To join Zoom meetings:

Click Here

Meeting ID: 177 160 858

Passcode: 917937

Or call:646 558 8656,

(New York)


Third Sunday Supper 

(Every Third Sunday)

December 18, at 6:00 PM

In person

More information in the

article found above.



The Fourth Sunday

of Advent

Matthew 1:18-25


Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:


“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.”


When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.


Hark a Thrilling Voice is Sounding 

For the most up to date information

please visit the

Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative website

https://www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org/.



For those who may still be looking to get their Covid booster and/or flu shot the

Southern Berkshire

Public Health Collaborative

will be hosting a clinic at the

W.E.B. DuBois School

(313 Monument Valley Road)

in Great Barrington on Tuesday December 13th from 4 – 7 pm.

Regular dose flu and Pfizer Bivalent Booster will be available.

For more information, and to register, go to this website:

https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/tritown


The best way to avoid serious illness from Covid and the flu is to be fully vaccinated. Here is a link to find a vaccination location in the area:

https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/




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.


BLAKELY, Rosemarie           


BOWENS, Marina             


BREASTED, John        


BROOKS, Jane        



FRYE, Vonnie          


GORE, Barbara        


HAIDER, Meredith                                       


McCURDY, Deborah


TURNER, Barbara     



Our Prayer Basket

We welcome you to use our 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. 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 prayers will be offered 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!!


To listen to Sarah Sieber explaining the operation of the Prayer Basket CLICK HERE

(K. Clausen)

GRACE

CHURCH 



Please include

in your daily prayers this week:

 

Members of the Parish Family:

Cathy Haywood, Margaret O’Clair, Mark Anderson, Dindy Anderson, Doreen Hutchinson, Anne Andrews, , Meredith Haider, Rosemarie Blakely, Marina Bowens, Charles Folger, Barbara Gore, and Barbara Turner.



Others we love: James Driscoll and Livia Driscoll; All those grieving the death of Jack Stedman; Linda White; Stacey Thomas and her children, Claire, Mark and Johnny; All those grieving the death of Ed Hunt; all those grieving the death of Nelda Curry; Karen LaRocque friend of Sue Gore; Rosalind Haywood, Sue Gore's mother; Deborah McCurdy; Joy Milani, dear friend of Dindy Anderson; the Hardenberg family, friends of Lynn Walker; Conrad Harper, friend of John Ericson; Michael Pine, Pennie’s beloved Godson; Sophia, who is grieving the sudden death of her son; Linda Tornicelli.


Those who have died: Jim Driscoll, father of Gideon's Garden intern, James Driscoll; Michael Rywkin, Monique Kirchoff's father; Wendy Reeve, Cathy Haywood’s sister; Jack Stedman; Queen Elizabeth II; Rino Aldrighetti, beloved friend of Steve White; Ed Hunt, brother-in-law of Anne Andrews; Faustino Gonzalez Nasario; Ruth Thornton, a dear friend Steve and Andrea White; Richard Edelstein, husband of Pat and beloved friend of our congregation; Hugh Pecon; Nelda Curry; Sam Raymond; Sara Keene; Vanessa Neves, daughter of Patti Poulos, friend of many in the congregation; Alan Sparks, brother of Debbie Holmes; Ruth Crawford; Neil Brandt, brother of Linda White; Jim Santolin, a dear friend of Rick & Sue; Larry Cheek, John’s brother; Patricia O’Hara.


Our world: For all places of violence and war around the world, that Peace may prevail, and human fear and suffering diminish. For all victims of gun violence in this country, and for those who inflict gun violence on others. For people who are suffering from COVID, Those who have died and those who mourn. 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: For our partners at St. Paul's and the Revs. Libby Wade, Jane Tillman; the Rev. Sam Smith as he begins his ministry at All Saints, Worcester; Christ Trinity and the Rev. Erik Karas; our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Doug Fisher; and the Mampong Babies' Home in Ghana; St. Matthew’s, Worcester; Safe Church Officer, The Rev. Tanya R. Wallace Berkshire Interfaith Organizing (BIO); Church Pension Group (CPG)


The Church's wider mission:

The Anglican Church of Korea


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

12/13; Doone Marshall, 12/17.





Join us for
Centering Prayer
now in person and on ZOOM


Every Thursday
5:00 - 6:00 PM

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.
Meeting ID: 177 160 858
Passcode: 917937
Or call:646 558 8656,
(New York)
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.

WELCOME

TO CHURCH SCHOOL!

A Note from Grace Church Sunday School:

Advent III


During our Sunday school lesson, we continued with our Advent Calendar and making our nativity scenes. We welcomed a friend from Brooklyn, via zoom! We laughed, we prayed, and we pretended to be some of the animals in the manger - cows, donkeys, and sheep. Joy all around.


Sending Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love out to all.


(Above) Our friend from Brooklyn

FLOWER DEDICATIONS!

Please place your dedications in an envelope and include the name of the person you wish to honor.


Please note that your $35.00 contribution toward the flower purchase 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
Mx. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden atgraceberkshires.org
Mr. Joel Jorgensen
Director of Programs for Gideon’s Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden at graceberkshires.org
OFFICERS
Senior Warden ........Kathy Clausen
Junior Warden ........Pennie Curry
Treasurer ..................Sue Gore
Clerk ...........................Mary Anne Grammer

VESTRY - AT LARGE
Class of 2023..........Dindy Anderson, Holly Murray, John Cheek
Class of 2024..........Anne Andrews, Dutch Pinkston
Class of 2025..........Cathy Haywood, Andrea White, Laura Jordahl

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