The E-pistle

September 21, 2023

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Fisher

will be joining us at our 9:00 AM 

worship service on Sunday, 

September 24th.

COME CELEBRATE WITH US!

This Sunday – In the Church at 9:00 AM

Creation Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Grant us, Lord, your vision of a renewed earth in which heaven comes to rest; and even now, while we too often despair of healing and wholeness, to hold fast to your promise and commit again to hope; through Jesus Christ the Wisdom of Creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Scripture for September 24^th: Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Matthew 20:1-16

Worship Team for September 24^th

Celebrant/Preacher            The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher

Assisting Priests      The Rev. Libby Wade, The Rev. Jane Tillman

Reader                      Diana French

Intercessor               John Davies

Acolyte                      Robert Maloney

Usher/Greeter         Matt & Devyn Fillio

Coffee Hosts             Ginny Willcox, Natalie Boyce

Musician                   David Smith

Worship Team for October 1^st

Celebrant/Preacher            The Rev. Libby Wade

Assisting Priest                    The Rev. Jane Tillman

Reader (8 a.m.)       Sebastian Bonner

Reader (10 a.m.)      Sharon Billetter

Intercessor (8 a.m.) Torey Winn

Intercessor (10 a.m.) Sharon Billetter

Acolyte                      Sharon Billetter

Usher/Greeter         Vaunie Graulty

Coffee Host              Ginny Willcox

Musician                   Nancy King

Parish Prayer List

-People we pray for on Sundays: Bruce, Charles, Linda, Veronica, Jeff, Karen, Lisa, Rosalind, Estreeta, Kit, Jacob, Kathleen, and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

- People on our Long-term prayer list: Allie, Irby, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Tom, Khali, George, Doug, Barbara, Christy, John, and Anthony

- Our partners at Grace Church, Great Barrington, and their priest Tina Rathbone; Christ Trinity Episcopal-Lutheran Church, Sheffield, and their priest Erik Karas; the residents and staff of the Austen Riggs community and the Riverbrook Residence

- Outreach Ministry of the Week: Gideon’s Garden

-Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Trinity Church, Ware

- Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of Ireland

- Birthdays: Carl Sprague, Jane Tillman

- Anniversaries:Pam & Bill Drumm, Donald & Kim Savery.

Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis

Calling all cats, dogs, and other pets

(on leashes or otherwise restrained, please)

Sunday, October 8, 2023       3:00 P.M.

On the Front Lawn

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

29 Main St., Stockbridge, MA

Pet Food Donations for the Lee Food Pantry are Welcomed

Refreshments and Blessings Provided

In honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis, patron saint of animals and ecology, we will bless our lovable creatures on the church lawn. This service acknowledges our belief that our loving Creator fashioned not just human beings, but also the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and the creatures of the forests and fields. It also acknowledges our calling to be stewards and caretakers of all God’s creatures.

All Are Invited!!!

Student Care Packages

Bring items for the boxes no later than Sunday, October

Greetings,

    As our college students from St. Paul’s settle into the new school year, we would like to again send them care packages to remind them that they are always in our thoughts and prayers and have support within their faith community. As the fall term progresses, we know that work, lack of sleep and feelings of isolation from being far from home can often feel overwhelming. A small package of thoughtful gifts can serve to brighten up a day. You can contribute by purchasing some of the items on our list, helping us to pack the care packages, or posting the packages.

    We compiled a list of much-appreciated items by interviewing two of the students. Included are: small note cards, candy, pens, pencils, bookmarks, popcorn, small flip notebooks, and stickers for laptops. We’ll let you know soon when items need to be brought to the church for inclusion in the packages.                  

     If you have a college student (or a high school student in boarding school), please let Libby know and we will include them in the list of recipients.

Thank you for your help in this project,

Kim Savery and Rob Maloney       

“Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices” (Inquirers’ Class)

This 6-week series will begin in early October. It can be either zoom or in-person or a mixture of the two. This class would be a great refresher for anyone, but is especially intended for those who are new(ish) to the Episcopal Church and perhaps considering becoming an Episcopalian through either transfer of membership, reception, or confirmation. The Rev. Libby Wade will lead the group. The meeting days and times will be set with input from participants, so please let Libby know if you’re interested. 

Opportunities Abound for Learning, Outreach, Fellowship, and Worship

Participants in our Forum on Ministry on September 10^th had an opportunity to complete a survey to express interest in a wide variety of activities, forums, classes, concerts, and outreach ministry. The survey will be available in church for the next couple of Sundays. Some things listed are definitely happening. Others are possibilities. It’s important that we hear from as many of you as possible as we decide which to include in the schedule this fall and which will be ideas held in reserve for the future. 

To that end, you can access the survey here (link to PDF) and mail it to St. Paul’s or bring it to church on Sunday. 

Creation Season Photo Challenge

I made this photo several years ago. It looks like a topographical map with a watershed in the center. It also seems to show the texture of human skin on the left. What is it? It’s a close-up of an early fall leaf. Creation is amazing in its complexity and its beauty! 

What photo can you share?                      -- Libby Wade+

Prayer for Rector Search

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-      Every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer on Zoom

-      Sunday, September 24, 9:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with Bishop Fisher as Celebrant and Preacher

-      Every Sunday beginning on October 1 – Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

-      Sunday, October 8, 3:00 p.m. – Blessing of the Animals at St. Paul’s

-      Wednesday, October 11, 5:30 p.m. – Vestry Meeting

-      Saturday, October 14 – St. Paul’s Team serves at Lee Food Pantry

-      Friday, October 20, 6:00 p.m. – Concert at St. Paul’s

-      Gideon’s Garden Volunteer Hours: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m. – Noon

Fascinating and Illuminating Reading

A Review from Patty Mellville

S.A. Cosby is an author on the SJ reading lists who has become an absolute favorite and is on my ‘can’t wait till the next one comes out’ list. Unlike many books on the lists, Cosby writes fiction - crime fiction mostly, and justice has a big hand in them. If you like Jack Reacher kind of justice, these are for you and you know what I mean! The four books I’ve read are each entirely different. Doesn’t matter the order you read them, other than following Cosby’s growth as an author. My first read was Blacktop Wasteland, on to Razorblade Tears, then a reprint of an earlier story My Darkest Prayer, and finally All the Sinners Bleed. These Southern-based stories, harkening from Black enclaves in towns rife with racial history, bring deep issues to the surface, all to be reckoned with by characters and readers alike. Confederacy, LGBQT, religion, bigotry, violence, social standing, you name it - it’s in his stories. A surprising element that I LOVE about his writing is his sense of humor! It’s everywhere, especially in his powerful and prolific gift of metaphor and simile… page after page after page. The newest book, All the Sinners Bleed, is perhaps his most difficult (and definitely most gruesome) story, nevertheless a good church read filled with questions of Faith and Salvation.

I found the following excerpt from https://www.childsavers.org/the-healing-power-of-black-storytelling/ worth sharing: “Through Black storytelling, Black language, musical styles, food, and history become a little more normal in the reader’s mind. If the client we’re supporting is Black, telling stories about Black culture and history may be healing for them. It can serve as an affirmation of who they are. If the client is not Black, this may be an opportunity to learn about the day-to-day strengths of different cultures.

“Black stories often involve rhythm, metaphor, and emotion. Sometimes Black storytellers take the long and scenic way to give a fuller picture of what could be said much quicker. For a person, whether they’re Black or not, who works best in metaphor and detail, Black storytelling can validate or strengthen how they communicate. We live in a society where we are told to talk, think, and write based on White cultural values. Black storytelling can be a symbol of healing and resisting. Black storytellers offer historical and cultural truths about Black community from their own perspectives. Black storytelling welcomes people to see Black culture for how beautiful it. This leads to healing between Black community and those who don’t know much about it. Finally, Black storytelling leads to healing for people whose life doesn’t fit into White cultural expectations as they find validation and home in the rhythm and metaphor.”

A Webinar sponsored by Our Diocese

Monday, October 16 at 7:00 P.M. (online)

Register here