A MESSAGE FROM REVEREND TINA |
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What makes something holy? This is what I woke up wondering this morning. Does it always have to do with being pure, and pristine, and set apart from the world? Or can holiness also be birthed from the day-to-day heart of the world itself?
I’ve come increasingly to believe that the incarnate God calls us to proclaim the holiness of all of God’s creation – that which is fresh and clean and just one thing, like an altar freshly set before a high feast of the Church, and that which belongs to the more humdrum every-day - like a bag of stuffing for a Thanksgiving feast.
Another way of putting this might be that it is at least in part our intentions that make something holy – and that the intention to feed another without any expectation of return is enough to make even the humblest box of Jiffy corn bread mix as sacred the grandest liturgical offering.
The photo above is of our altar in the Grace office chapel, set now not only with a gorgeous, engraved cross, but also with offerings for those in our community who cannot simply assume there will be food on the table this Thanksgiving holiday and beyond.
Some items on the altar – the fresh linen cloth, and the cross and the candlesticks (which were just this morning edged out) - recognizably belong to the realm of the sacred. Others are made sacred now by the love they represent and make manifest. Through both, God’s people are fed. And through both, God’s people feed. How superabundantly blessed we all are to be able to give and receive in this way – why not join us?
The deadline to drop off food at the office or, on Sunday mornings, at Crissy Farm is November 21st. And the deadline to request all the fixings for a meal is the same. Whether you give or receive, we rejoice in your joining us in this great spiral of holiness that has become our preparation for Thanksgiving. Want to know more or to request a meal? Drop me a line at [email protected] and I’ll be sure to get back to you – in confidence.
Tina
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Sue Hayden, from Taft Farms, found this poster in a back storage area over at Taft farms and brought it to me at the garden last week. This poster is a lovely collection of pictures from the last ten years of Gideon's Garden, maybe even dating back to 2010. Some of the children pictured in this poster are now fully grown adults, some people in this poster have since moved away from this area. I will bring this poster to church soon and please help me pick out who all is in this picture! |
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Fall at Gideon's
This year has been so full of challenges and gifts. Thank you all for your abundance of support this year so the garden could reach another milestone of service, and of course begin a new course of leadership in our community.
The harvest total is not quite complete because I'm waiting on some crates of butternut squash to be delivered this week to food pantries to tally the total number. However, I think in all the total will be close to 8,000 pounds. This is a pretty healthy number considering the crop loss the garden experienced because of the excessive rain. Stay tuned for more details!
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Berkshire South Regional Community Center is once again hosting suppers on Mondays from 5-6pm. All suppers will be a “to go” option. Welcome back! |
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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
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Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese
of Western Massachusetts
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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.
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.)
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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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Becoming Beloved Community
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"This tribe helped the Pilgrims survive for their first Thanksgiving. They still regret it 400 years later. Long marginalized and misrepresented in U.S. history, the Wampanoags are bracing for the 400th anniversary of the first Pilgrim Thanksgiving in 1621." Read, listen, and watch this important story of human and Massachusetts history in the Washington Post here.
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'It's Been Erased: Stockbridge Mohicans Retell, Reclaim Their Story In Berkshires.
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"Pauli Murray Should Be a Household Name. A New Film Shows Why. "The lawyer, activist and minister made prescient arguments on gender, race and equality that influenced Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg." from NYTimes article, read here.
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Grace Church worships and gardens on the traditional land of the Mohican people.
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Community in Faith
Tuesday Bible Study -- New Series
An Invitation to Small Acts of Courage
The Book of Ruth
November 16 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Grace, St. Paul's & Christ Trinity
Three congregations coming together for study and support each week under a new name -- "Community in Faith" -- makes for lively discussion on a variety of topics in 3-6 week sessions. Our November series led by the Rev. Libby Wade will be a study of the Book of Ruth. Since our primary source is the scripture, there's no need to purchase a study book, but please have a Bible (any translation) handy each week.
This intriguing and beautifully written short story from the Hebrew scriptures makes a rare appearance in our Sunday lectionary readings twice this fall. The Book of Ruth is about scarcity and abundance, chaos and loss, loyalty and love, human action and redeeming grace. Tragedy, romance, and even a bit of comedy -- it's all there in four chapters. Ruth, a destitute widowed Moabite refugee in Israel, becomes the great-grandmother of David and thus one of the foremothers of Jesus named in Matthew's genealogy. How does she make that move? In our Tuesday evening sessions, perhaps our exploration of Ruth's small acts of courage in her ancient context will invite us to our own present-day small acts of courage.
Tuesday with the Word
7:00 to 8:30 PM
To join the Zoom meeting
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Our EfM group read Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes and James this week. These writers all participate to a greater or lesser extent in the wisdom tradition of the Bible, grounding their theology in practical matters of community living and interpersonal relations. This image was prompted by James’ focus on lifting up the poor and condemning the rich. James indicates that God has a preference for the poor both in this life and in the next (see James 2:5). We took a ‘slow-looking’ approach to this image, asking questions such as “What do you see?” “Where is the darkness?” “What draws your attention?” And “What is the source of the light?” The image is a painting by the artist Chris Richford called “Poverty.”
COLLECT
Blessed are you, O Lord God of generosity and love.
Make us continually aware of the humanity of those in need
And inspire us to share our time, treasure, and attention with them.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
Please Note: EfM will not meet on November 16,
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THIRD SUNDAY SUPPER
Join us for lively conversation
and fellowship on
Sunday, November 21, at 6 PM
when we meet at
Agaves Mexican Grill
389 Stockbridge Road
Great Barrington
Separate checks/All are welcome
For more information contact
George Raymond. His contact information is in the Grace directory.
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MOVIE NITE
Join us for a discussion of
ABOUT SCHMIDT
A 66-year-old (Jack Nicholson) retires, deals with his wife's sudden death and tries to stop his daughter (Hope Davis) from marrying a salesman (Dermot Mulroney).
on Thursday, December 2, at 6:30 PM
Watch at your leisure then join us on Zoom
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823 (Password): 385337
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BOOKS AND BREAD
RESUMES IN JANUARY
for fellowship,
and a lively book discussion.
All are welcome!
To join this Zoom meeting at 7:15 PM
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656 US (New York)
- Participants should contact the Hosts (Mark and Dindy Anderson's) if they plan to attend but have not signed up at Grace Church (Crissey Farm Welcome Desk)
- If you are a "regular" and are not planning to attend, please let the Host know.
- Discussion begins at 7:00 pm regardless of whether it's a Dinner gathering or an A&D gathering.
- Dinner-Appetizers, wine, soft drinks, main dish, side dishes, dessert, decaf and tea. One main dish serves 8 people.
- The Host is responsible for planning the meal. Participants are encouraged to make offerings in consultation with the Host.
- Please sign up to bring appetizers or dessert items.
Meeting is over promptly at 8:30 PM. For more information email Peter Kirchoff.
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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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The Last Sunday
after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
November 21, 10:00 AM
Sunday services
will be at Crissey Farm, both
in-person and live-streamed.
Please visit our website:
for up-to-date information and a link to the digital service booklet.
Officiant/Preacher
The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Welcome Team......Doelman/Layton
Lector.................. ..Robert Forman
Intercessor.............Kathy Clausen
Tech.......................Abe Streeter
Altar Guild.............Haywood
Coffee Hour...........Anderson/Doelman
Counters................Booton/Sieber
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ZOOM INVITATIONS
FOR GRACE CHURCH
The Last Sunday
after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
November 21, at 10:00 AM
Now in person and on Zoom.
For Zoom
or call 646 558 8656
US (New York)
(Meeting ID): 177 160 858
(Password): 917937
Tuesday with the Word
November 9,
7:00 to 8:30 PM
To join the Zoom meeting
For more information please see the article below.
Centering Prayer
Thursdays, at 5:00 PM
Now in person and on ZOOM
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, December 2
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,
on break until January
Now in person at 6:30 PM
and on Zoom at 7:15 PM
To join this Zoom meeting,
(Meeting ID): 370 191 823
(Password): 385337
or call 646 558 8656
US (New York)
Third Sunday Supper
(Every Third Sunday)
November 21, 6 PM
Agaves Mexican Grill
389 Stockbridge Rd., Great Barrington
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The Last Sunday after Pentecost:
Christ the King
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John 18:33-37
Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
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O Day of Radiant Gladness |
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.
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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.
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Above and below,
images from the Feast of All Saints at Crissey Farm
on Sunday, November 7.
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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
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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.
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
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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
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Former St. James member Patti Poulos’s daughter died this past week. Vanessa Neves had two children, Zia, age 13 and Stone, age 10. Vanessa'a sister Tori is also with her mom. Here is Patti’s address so you can write to her:
Patti Poulos
12800 Turtle Rock Rd. Apt. 13103
Austin, TX 78729
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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.
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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: Rino Aldrighetti, dear friend of Steve White; Wyatt Hicks; Larry Cheek, John's brother; 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:
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 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.
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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, Williamstown; Chaplain to Williams College; For the spiritual life of our people; Vergers' Guild; Integrity USA.
The Church's wider mission:
Christ the King; The Church of Bangladesh
And we offer thanks: for all those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this week:
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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:
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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An Episcopal Community in the Southern Berkshires
67 State Road/P.O. Box 114, Great Barrington, MA 01230
GRACE Parish Administrator: Ms. Jean Chapin
and by phone 413-644-0022.
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The Rev. Tina Rathbone
Rector
413-644-0022
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Ms. Annalise Clausen, Director of Farming for Gideon's Garden
413-644-0022
gideonsgarden at graceberkshires.org
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Mr. Ryan LaBoy,
Grace Church Music Director
413-644-0022
RLaboy at graceberkshires.org
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Tuesday's Child Editor Monique Kirchoff
Associate Editor Kathy Clausen
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