The E-pistle

Friday, July 11, 2025

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

Who is my neighbor?

That is the question Jesus is asked by a lawyer in Sunday’s Gospel reading. That is the question that sparks Jesus’ famous parable of the Good Samaritan. The lawyer has affirmed that God commands us to love God and love our neighbor—that much is fairly obvious. But who is my neighbor? That question takes us out of the realm of theory and into the real, solid world in which we live.

It’s a good question, and one that should always be on our lips. Jesus responds with the incredible story of a man left for dead on the side of the road, and the Samaritan man who recognizes his duty to his neighbor, despite their social differences. We’ll get the chance to hear our Verger, Darryl Lafferty, preach on this story, as he shares with us the fruits of his participation in the Diocesan Lay Preaching Course earlier this year.

We’ll also explore the question further with activities after church, with something for all ages, thanks to our Children’s Formation Team.

Who is my neighbor? May that be the question on our hearts as we seek to love God and love those around us. Who might that be? Those who live next door, surely. But who else? Those we meet throughout our day? Those in particular need? Those who are being targeted right now because of who they are, like immigrants, and transgender people, and the poor? Those with whom we disagree vehemently, even on the most basic ideas?

In the words of Jesus, “Go and do likewise.”

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, July 13th, 2025

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost: Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37

Serving this Sunday:

Altar Guild: Natalie Boyce

Fellowship: Ginny Willcox

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: Darryl Lafferty

Acolyte: Kim Savery

LEM: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: David Pearson

Greeter: Martha Bodine

Musician: Doug Schmolze

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Jacob, Kathleen, Cynthia, Lori, Kit, David, Ann, Celia, Anne, Dawn, Tracey, Jim, Mary, Janet, Bobbie, Ginger, Arthur, Michael, Holly, Dick, Loralee, Maggie, Michelle, Patrick, Martha

Those who have recently died

Lucianne Shoffner, mother of Loralee Brontë

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

Josh, Mike, Ginny, Travis, Faye, Heidi, Rick, Allie, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Khali, George, Barbara, Christy, John, Anthony, Astrida

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Helen Davies, Anne Covell

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

Search Committee for the next Bishop 

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 7/13)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Christ Church, Rochdale

Worcester South Region & Dean of Clericus

Big Blue Drop-in Center, Christ Church Cathedral

The Church and Wider Mission

Anglican Fellowship of Prayer

The Episcopal Church in the United States of America; Sean, Presiding Bishop

The Anglican Communion throughout the world; Stephen, Archbishop of York

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 7/13: The Church of North India           

Mon 7/14: Diocese of New Jersey (Episc. Church)

Tues 7/15: Diocese of New Westminster (Canada)

Wed 7/16: Diocese of Central New York (Ep. Ch.)

Thurs 7/17: Diocese of Newala (Tanzania)

Fri 7/18: Diocese of Newark (Episc. Church)

Sat 7/19: Diocese of Newcastle (Australia)

Prayers for those in Authority

The Town of Stockbridge 

The Stockbridge Select Board 

Ernest Cardillo, Jamie Minacci

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

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

July Red Letter Days

July 4: Independence Day

July 22: Saint Mary Magdalene

July 25: Saint James the Apostle

Lee Food Pantry: Current Needs

Baby wipes

Laundry detergent

Flour

Sugar

Rice

Paper towels

Toilet paper

Items can be dropped off at the back of the church. On the second Saturday of the month, a team from St. Paul’s volunteers to distribute food. Questions? See Jim Wade.

Family Event this Sunday!

Another special family event is being planned! It will take place after the 9am service Sunday, July 13.

Inspired by the July 13 Gospel lesson, the story of the Good Samaritan, and by the children’s book, “Who Is My Neighbor” by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Sasso, about the Blues and the Yellows, who “just don’t mix. No one remembers why…” What happens when Midnight Blue takes a tumble and other Blues don’t stop to help?

The event will encourage new ways of seeing others and ourselves.

As always, people of any age can participate. We may take a short walk, considering what it means to be a neighbor and asking other questions about being neighborly. There will be a story walk to read along with paints to create our own art work.

Themed snacks will be provided. Please come and bring YOUR neighbors and friends, of any generation.

Summer Seminary Intern

We are pleased to welcome Molly Gouran as a summer seminary intern. Molly Gouran is a seminarian who just completed her first year at Yale Divinity School and a postulant in the Diocese of New York. She grew up worshiping at her sponsoring parish, Grace Church, in Hastings on Hudson, New York. She will be at St. Paul’s this summer after spending several summers with family in West Stockbridge. She graduated from Haverford College in 2023 and spent her gap year working in Spanish-speaking and youth ministry at Trinity Church, Wall Street. Molly is so excited to be here this summer, and looks forward to worshiping and getting to know everyone in this parish!

Diocesan Summer Reading Author Events

To: All the Faithful

From: Canon for Communications

Re: Summer Reading Author Events

Date: July 2, 2025

The Asylum Seekers

BY THE REV. CRISTINA RATHBONE

JULY 15 @ 6 PM

Join author, Cristina Rathbone, for a discussion of her most recent book. The Asylum Seekers offers a rare narrative account of the horror of the US-Mexico border. Borders run through author Cristina Rathbone too, whose mother was a Cuban refugee. So in 2019 she travels to Juarez, unsure what to do but determined to learn.

The conversation will be hosted by the Rev. Tim Crellin.

The Land of the Living

BY THE REV. TIMOTHY CRELLIN

AUGUST 19 @ 6 PM

Join author, Tim Crellin, for a discussion of his first novel.

The Land of the Living is a historical novel that explores the themes of immigration and assimilation, war and its impact on families, the role of race and class in forging identity, and what it means to find home.

The conversation will be hosted by the Rev. Dr. Nina Pooley.

Episcopal Relief and Development– Disaster relief in the Texas Hill Country

Dozens are dead and dozens remain missing following the recent flash flooding in Texas Hill Country. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with the Diocese of West Texas to provide support in the coming days and weeks. Many in Kerrville, in their diocese and across Texas have personal connections to the missing campers and staff members impacted by this devastating crisis. As the scope of the disaster continues to unfold, we need your help. Episcopal Relief & Development is accepting donations to help with disaster relief here.

Summer Bible Study

Summer Bible Study continues!  Each Wednesday through August 27, we gather at 5:30 p.m. on the screen porch of the Rectory to explore the readings for the upcoming Sunday. We let our curiosities guide the conversation, and we never know quite where we’ll end up! Bring a Bible if you have one (we have plenty here, too), and come with questions and an open spirit! You can enter on the west side of the house, from the church gardens. Questions? Email Father Sam.