The E-pistle

Friday, February 28th, 2025

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

Yesterday, the Church remembered George Herbert in its liturgical calendar. George Herbert was a seventeenth century English priest and poet who wrote moving verse about his relationship with God, with his fellow humans, and with creation. He also wrote a manual for clergy called The Country Parson (which this semi-country parson admires and tries to live by!). Herbert has always been a bright star in the sky for me, a disciple of Jesus from the past who has inspired my own faith, brought me consolation in difficult times, and helped bring me closer to the Lord he so beautifully addresses in his poetry. You can learn more about Herbert and read some of his poetry here.

As we enter the season of Lent next week, many of us will be looking for ways to deepen our walk with Jesus as the momentous days of Holy Week and Easter draw near. We could do worse than to meditate on some of Herbert’s poetry. In so many places, his words bring the love of God to life, a love that is stronger than our fears, our weaknesses, our doubts—stronger even than the forces of violence and death that pervade our world. May you know God’s deep and abiding love for you in this season, and may you find strength to share that love with those around you.

Love (III), by George Herbert

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,

         Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

         From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

         If I lacked anything.

"A guest," I answered, "worthy to be here":

         Love said, "You shall be he."

"I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,

         I cannot look on thee."

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

         "Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame

         Go where it doth deserve."

"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"

         "My dear, then I will serve."

"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."

         So I did sit and eat.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite I

10:00 A.M Holy Eucharist Rite II

O God, who before the passion of your only ­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36

Serving this Sunday:

Altar Guild: Ginny Willcox

Fellowship: Ginny Willcox

Serving at 8:00 AM

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte: Rob Maloney

LEM: Diane Dillon

Lector/Intercessor: David Pearson

Greeter: Jorja Marsden

Serving at 10:00 AM

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte: Virgil Stucker

LEM: Brett Roberts

Lector: Jim Wade

Intercessor: Vaunie Graulty

Greeters: Jim Wade and Lis Stucker

Musician: Nancy King

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Jacob, Kathleen, Donna, Cynthia, Lori, Kit, David, Ann, Celia, Anne, Dawn, Bill, Tom, Tracey, Ginny, Rebecca, Jim, Travis, Faye, Linda, Mary, Emery, Martha, Anne, Win

Those who have recently died

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

Ginger, Heidi, Rick, Allie, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Khali, George, Barbara, Christy, John, Anthony, Astrida

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Lila Berle, Ann Pearson

Our Parish: St. Paul’s, Stockbridge

That we may grow in faith, hope, and love, and together strive to be the hands and heart of Christ for Stockbridge and the wider world; for Sam, our Rector; Jane and Libby, our Priests Associate; for our Wardens  and Vestry; for the students and staff of the St. Paul’s Children’s Center 

The Diocese of Western Massachusetts

Doug, Bishop

Steven, interim Canon to the Ordinary 

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 3/2)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Christ Church, Fitchburg

Reconciliation House, Inc., Webster;

Education for Ministry

The Church and Wider Mission

Episcopal Camps & Conference

Centers, Inc.;

Episcopal News Service

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 3/2: The Anglican Church of Burundi 

Mon 3/3: Diocese of Maiwut (S. Sudan)

Tues 3/4: Diocese of Makamba (Burundi)

Wed 3/5: Diocese of Makueni (Kenya)

Thurs 3/6: Diocese of Makurdi (Nigeria)

Fri 3/7: Diocese of Malabar (South India)

Sat 3/8: Diocese of Malaita (Melanesia)

Prayers for those in Authority

The Town of Stockbridge 

The Stockbridge Select Board 

Ernest Cardillo, Jamie Minacci, Patrick White

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts

The General Court of Massachusetts 

Leigh Davis (House of Representatives) 

Paul Mark (Senate) 

The United States of America 

Donald Trump, President of the United States

Supreme Court of the United States

The United States Congress 

Richard Neal (House of Representatives)

Elizabeth Warren (Senate) 

Ed Markey (Senate) 



Prayers for the World 

For lasting peace in the Middle East

For the people of the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Haiti, and other places of conflict

For kidnapped Ukrainian children and their families and friends

For all affected by natural disasters and climate change, especially in Kentucky

For all who live in fear, especially migrants and transgender children and adults

March Red Letter Days

Tuesday, March 18: Eve of Saint Joseph. Holy Eucharist at 6pm.

Tuesday, March 25: The Annunciation. Holy Eucharist at 6pm.

Stay tuned for more details about these holy days.

Ash Wednesday: March 5

Ash Wednesday services will be held at St. Paul’s on Wednesday, March 5 at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Looking for a service at another time? 

Grace Church, Great Barrington: 12:00 p.m.

Christ Trinity Church, Sheffield: 12:00 p.m.

Trinity Church, Lenox: 12:00 p.m.

St. Helena’s Chapel, Lenox: 5:30 p.m.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: March 4

Join Father Sam and Brett to celebrate this last festive day before Lent begins with a pancake supper in the Rectory at 6:00pm. We’ll gather to enjoy some pancakes, other food, and drinks, and then we’ll step outside to burn last year’s Palm Sunday palms to prepare this year’s Ash Wednesday ashes.

Lent Formation Series: “In the Garden”

Our Lenten supper series returns this year on Wednesday nights in the Rectory. This year, our theme is “In the Garden.” Have you considered that the creation story in Genesis, Jesus’ arrest, and Jesus’ resurrection all take place in gardens? Is that a coincidence? Why is there a tree at the center of Eden and a tree at the center of heavenly Jerusalem in the book of Revelation? We will explore the important gardens and agricultural images in scripture as we walk the journey towards Easter together. A simple supper of soup and bread will be served each evening.

In the Garden: 2025 Lenten Formation Series

March 12: Life Began in a Garden (Creation)

March 19: Trees by Streams of Water (Life in Christ)

March 26: Laborers in the Vineyard (The Kingdom of God)

April 2: The Garden of Gethsemane (Suffering and Death)

April 9: An Empty Tomb in a Garden (New Creation)

All sessions will be at 6:00 p.m. in the Rectory.

Attend a Virtual Listening Session or Complete a Survey for the Bishop Search!

If you would like to participate in the listening sessions for our Bishop Search, but can’t attend any of the in-person sessions, you have options! Below are the following dates we will gather online. The zoom link for all zoom sessions is below. To safeguard these conversations, we request that this link is not shared on any social media platforms. 

Final Zoom Session:

Sunday, March 2th from 4-6:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85194316305?pwd=cjHCXVmX2Z8tw8tWDQ4ABNZdJ3DGHC.1

Meeting ID: 851 9431 6305

Passcode: 798007

Dial by your location

• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Survey

The Bishop Search Committee has created a survey for anyone who is unable to participate in one of the scheduled in-person or Zoom listening sessions. You can find the link to the survey here. Please note that submissions will not be accepted after Sunday, March 2nd, 2025. We ask that you contact Caleb Ireland, Co-Chair of the Listening Subcommittee, by email at caleb.s.ireland@gmail.com if you have any technical difficulties or questions as you complete the survey. If you or any members of your parish do not have an email address and thus would like to receive the survey on paper, please ask your parish priest or senior warden to contact Caleb.

Let us pray.

Gracious God, we give you thanks for the ministry we share in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. In this season of discernment, we ask your blessing and the guidance of your Holy Spirit as we prepare to call our next Bishop. Guide us in this important work, that your mission may be furthered, and your Gospel proclaimed. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday Forum

Our Sunday Forum Bible Study continues this week after the 10 AM Eucharist. We will be discus Genesis 26 - 36: Jacob and Israel. All are welcome, even if you haven't read the text! See Brett Roberts for more information.

Journey through Lent

Attention: Parents and Grandparents

We’re offering something new for families with preschool and elementary children or grandchildren—a booklet of simple yet meaningful activities for each week of the Season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. The suggested activities center around

themes of blessing, loving our neighbors, hospitality, giving, and praying. You can pick up a copy of “Journey through Lent” on the Children’s Table in the Church beginning this Sunday, March 2. If you would rather receive a copy by mail, please e-mail our Priest Associate Libby Wade.

Hate Has No Home Here



The Jewish Federation is partnering with local chambers, businesses, cultural organizations, houses of worship, and schools to amplify the message that “Hate Has No Home Here” through posters, social media, and lawn signs (in the spring.) In addition, there will be billboards across the Berkshires in December, January, and February with the expanded message “Antisemitism threatens us all – Hate Has No Home Here.”



Praying the Offices in Church

You are invited to join Father Sam in praying the Daily Office (Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer) in the Church four days a week. Each Tuesday-Friday, Morning Prayer is offered at 8:00 a.m. and Evening Prayer at 5:00 p.m. Come begin or end your day in prayer with fellow parishioners!

Our regular weekday services of Wednesday Zoom Morning Prayer and Friday Intercessory Prayer continue at 8:30 a.m. on those days. Consider staying after Morning Prayer on Fridays to pray through the parish prayer list with others at Intercessory Prayer. Or, if you are a regular at the online Morning Prayer on Wednesdays, and would like to find more ways to pray with others, consider coming to the Church on another day of the week!