The E-pistle

August 25th, 2023

 A Message from Libby

Many Gifts, One Body

This Sunday, we’ll hear Romans 12:1-8. In that short passage, St. Paul uses a metaphor that appears frequently in his letters: the idea that “we who are many are one body in Christ.” Naming a variety of gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ, Paul asserts that each of these gifts is activated by God and that our individual gifts fit together beautifully to make a whole. That interdependence means that if we withhold our particular gift, then the community suffers, but it also means that no one person must or can supply all the needs of the community. Especially strong in this passage is the emphasis on being “members one of another.” It’s the difference between simply a group gathered and a community. A group of people can sit together in the same room for many purposes – to hear a concert, listen to a lecture, eat a meal in a restaurant, watch a sports event. Until they form a relationship with each other that goes beyond the surface, they’re not a true community. Active involvement with and concern for each other is called for as we use our gifts within the community of St. Paul’s and reach outward toward the wider communities of which we are part. 

This Sunday - In the church at 9:00 AM

Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for August 27th: Exodus 1:8-2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20

Worship Team for August 27^th

On the Lawn at 9 AM

Celebrant     The Rev. Libby Wade

Preacher       Sharon Billetter

Reader          Sharon Billetter

Intercessor   Darryl Lafferty

Usher/Greeter    Ginny Willcox

Lemonade Host  Lis & Virgil Stucker

Musician              David Smith

Worship Team for September 3^rd

Celebrant/Preacher   The Rev. Libby Wade

Reader                          Vaunie Graulty

Intercessor                   Sharon Billetter

Usher/Greeter             Vaunie Graulty

Lemonade Host          Ginny Willcox

Musician                       Doug Schmolze

Parish Prayer List

·      People we pray for on Sundays: Bruce, Charles, Linda, Veronica, Jeff, Karen, Lisa, Rosalind, Estreeta, Kit, Anne, Rose, and Jacob

·      Long-term prayer list: Allie, Irby, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Michael Curry, 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 Austen Riggs community and the Riverbrook Residence

·      Victims of war, violence, abuse, persecution, and disaster at home and abroad; and those impacted by the pandemic

·      We pray for the repose of the soul of James William Harpst.

·      Outreach Ministry of the Week: Gideon’s Garden

·      Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield

·      Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui

·      Flowers for today’s service are provided by Carl Sprague, in loving memory of Maria and Milos Krofta

Beginnings and Endings

On Saturday, August 26, 9:30 a.m., James W. (Jim) Harpst’s ashes will be interred in St. Paul’s Memorial Garden after a brief service of committal in the church. Jim died on August 26, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1989, Jim married his wife and best friend, Frances, in the Berkshires where he owned a small fine art silk screen printing company. They were active members of St. Paul’s and their love for the Berkshires continued after moving to Pittsburgh. He is survived by his wife Frances, his daughter Lauren, son Sean, and a granddaughter. The Rev. Tad Evans was priest during their time at St. Paul’s. What a comfort it is to the family that he, along with Libby, will be part of Jim’s coming home to Stockbridge. 

On Saturday, September 9, Graham Higgins and his fiancée Natalie will begin their life together as a married couple. Graham is the son of Bill Higgins and Anne Covell. Please keep Graham and Natalie in your prayers.

Search Committee Update

The Search Committee (David Pearson, Martha Bodine, Darryl Lafferty, Donna Gray, Robin Race, Matt Fillio, & Anne Covell) has begun its work as the next step in St Paul's search for a new minister. Visit our new church website and click on the rector search button for more information on the process and how potential candidates can "look" at our church. The committee will keep the congregation updated as we progress.

-Anne Covell, Chair

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.

Rectory Renovation Update

Picture your new rector drinking morning coffee next summer with this view from the bay window in the Rectory Kitchen

Though still a work in progress, the Rectory Kitchen is looking great. The appliances are waiting to be fully installed among the cabinets. Then painting will be finished and the floor uncovered. The only things remaining from the old kitchen are the refrigerator, washer, and dryer. Everything else is new, efficient, and attractive.  

Calendar of Upcoming Events

+ Every Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. (on Zoom) –Morning Prayer

+ Sundays, August 27, September 3, and September 10, 9:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist in the Church

+ Saturday, September 9 – St. Paul’s Team serves at Lee Food Pantry

+ Wednesday, September 13 – Vestry Meeting

This photo of Gideon’s Garden Monday volunteers and staff is taken from Grace Church’s

newsletter (“Tuesday’s Child”) along with the following article. St. Paul’s members Jim Wade

(left in photo) and Gail Smith (right in photo) are regular volunteers.

Volunteer Appreciation

I love our volunteers. I cannot stress how much I appreciate the time, dedication, and

even their expertise that they bring. Without them, the Garden would have never been

possible nor could be possible. Since arriving at Gideon’s, I have slowly pieced together

a sort of oral history going back to Jen’s time and I am constantly struck by the grace

and generosity of our volunteers both new and old. What a gift it is to do something as

grueling and often arduous as farming, and to have the simple, willing presence of a few

folk to make the load lighter – both physically and spiritually. There are days (often

Mondays) that I wake up and dread the seemingly endless list of tasks and chores, but

the moment a car pulls up the driveway, the dread transforms to joy. Because not only

does it mean there is simply less for me to do on my own, but the sheer givenness of

everyone reminds me of why this place, this Garden, exists. So on behalf of Gideon’s

Garden and from the bottom of both my heart and Jimmy Pickett’s, thank you all who

come (and thank you all who can’t come and keep us in your prayers!). Blessings on this

unseasonably cool August day.

Joel Jorgenson, Gideon’s Garden Director

Gideon’s Garden in August



If you would like to get involved with the Garden this season, swing by for our open volunteer hours on Mondays from 9 am – 12 pm and Wednesdays from 1 – 5 pm. Come for the work and stay for the conversation and connection! Stay tuned for our Fall volunteer hours starting in September!

(From the Episcopal News Service)

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is resting at home following a hospitalization to address a reoccurrence of internal bleeding, according to an August 23 release from the Episcopal Church’s Office of Public Affairs. On September 8, Curry will undergo surgery to remove his right adrenal gland and an attached mass. His surgeon estimates his recovery period will be two to three weeks, after which Curry is expected to resume his regular work schedule. Curry was admitted to the hospital on August 17, after a reoccurrence of the internal bleeding that required him to be hospitalized over Memorial Day weekend. Please continue to pray for the presiding bishop, his family, and his entire medical team.