The E-pistle

June 22nd, 2023

Gathering on St. Paul’s Front Lawn in the Early 1800’s

SUMMER SUNDAYS Begin THIS WEEK

June 25 at 9:00 A.M.

Outdoors on the Church Lawn*

Holy Eucharist

Come As You Are -- Casual Attire, Open Hearts

Chairs will be set up, but feel free to bring your own.

Guitarist Doug Schmolze will be our primary musician.

If you’re donating flowers,

consider a flowering plant to be added later to the church garden.

*If it’s raining, we’ll worship in the church.

Sunday Worship

Collect for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for June 22nd: Jeremiah 20:7-13, Psalm 69: 8-11, 18-20, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39.

Worship Team for June 25^th

On the Lawn at 9 AM

Celebrate/Preacher         The Rev. Libby Wade

Assisting Priest              The Rev. Jane Tillman

Ministry Intern                           Sharon Billetter

Reader                                        Kendra MacLeod

Intercessor                                          Torey Winn

Usher/Greeter                               Jorja Marsden

Fellowship Host                             Natalie Boyce

Worship Teams for July 2^nd

On the Lawn at 9 AM

Celebrant/Preacher       The Rev. Libby Wade

Reader/Intercessor                   Darryl Lafferty

Usher/Greeter                                     Jim Wade

Fellowship Host                   Lis & Virgil Stucker

Parish Prayer List

--People we pray for on Sundays:  Bruce, Charles, Irby, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Linda, Veronica, Jeff, Karen, Lisa, Ray, Allie, Rosalind, Estreeta, and Michael Curry.

--Long-term prayer list:  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 Austen Riggs community and the Riverbrook Residence; victims of war, violence, abuse, persecution and disaster at home and abroad; and those who continue to be impacted by COVID.

--Outreach Ministry of the Week: Gideon’s Garden

--Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:  Good Shepherd, Oxford

--Anglican Cycle of Prayer:  The Church of Bangladesh

--Birthdays: Vaunie Graulty, Mary Berle, and Ginny Willcox

--Anniversaries: Donna & Jonathan Gray

--This week’s altar flowers were given by Beth Sibolski, in memory of John. A Sibolski Jr.

Healing Prayers and Anointing of the Sick

“Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.” (James 5: 14-15).

Last Sunday at St. Paul’s we resumed offering healing prayers, laying on of hands, and anointing of the sick. These ancient sacramental practices are a sign and means of God’s grace. Our catechism describes God’s grace this way: “Grace is God’s favor towards us, unearned and undeserved; by grace God forgives our sins, enlightens our minds, stirs our hearts, and strengthens our wills.” (BCP, p. 858). While there are two sacraments of the Gospel, Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist, there are five other sacramental rites we observe in the church, and Unction of the Sick is one of these. Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, and/or the laying on of hands through which “God’s grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind and body.” (BCP, pg. 861). While anointing is performed by a priest, deacons and lay members of the congregation may be called by the Rector to the ministry of laying on of hands, offering intercessory prayers for healing.

The point of healing prayers and anointing is to open ourselves to the power and mystery of God’s grace working through the Holy Spirit within us. It is God alone who heals us, and our seeking anointing and prayers are signs that we are open to God’s healing presence in our lives.

At St. Paul’s we have amended the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer and offer healing prayers following Holy Communion, rather than immediately following the Confession and before the exchange of the Peace. When indoors, those offering intercessory prayers or anointing will stand in the baptistry. When outdoors, we’ll offer healing prayers and anointing near the Memorial Garden fountain. If you wish to receive healing prayer, come to the designated spot after taking communion, and let us know what you are asking us to pray for. If the prayers are for you and your own healing, then anointing and laying on of hands will be offered. The oil, which is blessed by the bishop and distributed to clergy during Holy Week, is used to make the sign of the cross on your forehead, and this is an outward and visible sign of the inward and spiritual grace that is part of God’s loving action in our lives. When offering prayers, hands will be placed on your head during the prayer, also part of the ancient rite of healing. If you are seeking healing for someone other than yourself, when you make your request known, intercessory prayers will be offered, and those praying with you will touch your shoulders or hands as we join in prayer for the person or situation you are offering up to God for healing.

Through this summer, the Rev. Jane Tillman and Ministry Intern Sharon Billetter will be the ones who offer this ministry of healing, not every Sunday, but most Sundays.

Healing prayers, laying on of hands, and anointing are all powerful moments in a life of faith offering our concerns to God for solace, healing, and restoration.

                                                                                                                       --Jane Tillman+

“My Soul in Silence Waits”

Meditation and Prayer Group 

Last Session Tuesday, June 27th at 4:30 p.m. on Zoom

Our format will include a brief reflection on a psalm followed by a time for silent prayer, meditation, or journaling, and ending with spoken prayers. 

Come into this quiet time for centering, reflection, and prayer.  Nourish your soul in silence and safety. You will be welcomed!    Contact: The Rev. Libby Wade at ( libby_wade@yahoo.com )  

Morning Prayer on Zoom

Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.

Led by Darryl Lafferty

Form community….Offer prayers….Learn about Saints’ Days

Is God Calling You?

Dear sisters and brothers, as we approach the end of another academic year, I find myself reflecting once again on my gifts and how God is calling me to use them for the uplifting of the church. Similarly, I wonder how God might be calling each of you. I pray that some may feel called to assist with our worship. There are many opportunities to serve: greeter, usher, altar guild, acolyte, lector, and hospitality host. Please reach out to me or Mother Libby or Martha Bodine for additional information. For Sundays in July and August, Martha will have a clipboard on Sundays so that you can sign up for a role. Thanks to those who’ve almost filled the hospitality host slots for July and to our faithful altar guild (they would welcome new help!). All other slots are open!

– Darryl Lafferty, Verger

Summer Volunteer Hours at Gideon’s Garden

Now that plants are in the field, new volunteer hours start this week. If you would like to volunteer at the Garden, please come on Mondays from 9 am-12pm or Wednesday from 1-5 pm. Come for the whole time or just a little while. Come for the work and stay for the conversations! Gideon’s Garden is on Division St. across from Taft Farms in Great Barrington. It is a ministry of Grace Church that supplies Lee Food Pantry and other area food programs with fresh produce. Jim Wade and Gale Smith from St. Paul’s are regular volunteers. 

St. Paul’s Team at Lee Food Pantry

On June 10, our team of 12 volunteers served 52 family units at the Lee Food Pantry. Need is great. Your contributions of time and of non-perishable food are much appreciated. Our next Saturday to work at the Pantry is July 8.

An Invitation from Our Stockbridge Neighbor

First Congregational Church, UCC

Affordable Housing Panel Discussion

Sunday, June 25, 11;30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Panelists: Carolyn Valli, CEO, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity

Eileen Peltier, CEO, Berkshire Housing Services, Inc.

Jennifer Meehan, Director of Community Engagement, Berkshire Housing Services, Inc.

Matthew Russett, Legislative Assistant to Congressman Neal

June Wolfe, Housing Director, Construct

The entire Berkshire region is in the midst of a high-end housing expansion. Learn about the impact of housing affordability and how housing initiatives in our area are making an impact.

Appalachian Trail Angels Ministry

Tuesday, July 18

Saturday, August 12

If you’d like to be part of a St. Paul’s team on one of these dates, please contact our Ministry Intern Sharon Billetter (sharonwillis2@yahoo.com) or sign up on Sunday at church. In addition to volunteering in person, donations toward Kroger gift cards will be gladly accepted to purchase food for the meals provided at the Trail Angels site.                                                                                             

Calendar of Upcoming Events

 + Sunday, June 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – First Congregational Church, Stockbridge, Affordable Housing Panel Discussion

+ Tuesday, June 27, 4:30 p.m. (Zoom link) – Last Session of current Meditation and Prayer Series

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

+ Every Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist on the Church Lawn

(In the case of inclement weather, worship will be inside.)

+ Saturday, July 8 – St. Paul’s Team serves at Lee Food Pantry

+ Wednesday, July 12, 5:30 p.m. – Vestry Meeting

Welcome Back from winter homes to the Berkshires and St. Paul’s—John and Helen Davies, Barbara and Leonard McCue, Mary Taylor and Allen Anderson.



Congratulations to Linda Boborodea and Naren Dhamodharan on their marriage on June 16. Mother Libby officiated, though the site had to be moved from St. Paul’s to Baystate Medical Center’s Chapel. 

THANK YOU to…

… Matt Fillio for getting our internet working again in the church and to Martha Bodine for managing the livestream of our June 18 worship service. We won’t be livestreaming the outdoor worship services.

…Patty Melville and Rich Bradway for moving the new website closer to completion.

…Jenny Prescott for taking on the job of librarian for our Children’s Book Box.

…All who made our celebration of graduates, educators, and the 50^th Anniversary of the St. Paul’s Preschool such a marvelous occasion: Our speakers – Libby Wade, Tad Evans, Carolyn Kane, Lisa Kane, Vaunie Graulty, Tom Damrosch, and Jim Wade; all who prepared food under the coordination of Natalie Boyce; our special musicians, Kyra Saltman and David Smith; our worship team; the parents and students (present and former) who attended; Pat Tarrant and her daughter for their presence; and all who joined in worship and brunch. We reminisced about the past, honored the present, and prayed for a strong future.

Children’s Center Director Lisa Kane

and former Rector, the Rev. Tad Evans,

greet people after worship on June 18^th

^{Photo: John Davies}

A Reflection from Vaunie Graulty

Hello everyone, I'm just back from the June 18^th service and brunch honoring the 50th anniversary of the Children's Center. What a great success! To each of you who contributed to the celebration, I wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

In my busy life, I don't often take time to pause and reflect. But today gave me the opportunity. I appreciated the chance to connect with the past and embrace the present. 

The Children's Center was a lifesaver for Bill and me with our children, all three Children’s Center grads. One year, I drove each one to a different destination before heading to work... Home day care for Sam, the Children's Center for Lyon and Plain Elementary School for Sarah. Those were pretty frantic and lean years for us. I sometimes wonder, as do so many grandparents when they observe their own children as parents, how we survived. But the Children’s Center was our safe harbor. We knew our kids would be loved and happy there. 

And TODAY, what an achievement for the Children’s Center to still be thriving with a reputation for excellence! As Carolyn Kane said, Lisa Kane is the reason! She persisted. She navigated working with the Vestry, doing paperwork for the state, hiring wonderful teachers, and comforting the children and families through sad, dark days. Lisa's deep love of the kids and families is obvious. That must be a lot of love to sustain her through all these years! (And Lisa, how do you remember all those names...amazing!) 

We can all be proud of the CC. Hundreds (maybe more?) of children, some now in their early 40's!, were given a strong foundation and launched from St. Paul's. So today was a special day. Great turnout. So many heartfelt remarks. And a delicious brunch. Thank you all....for planning, organizing, setting up, prepping food, making calls... all of it!

Honoring Our Graduates and Educators

On June 18th, marking stepping stones from one level of education to the next, we asked God’s blessing on these students and on those who give their time and skill so generously to teach, guide, and support learners. 

    St. Paul’s Children’s Center Preschool Graduates

Trevor Daley 

Norah Delorme

Alex Frye

William Huff

Liam Kapchinske

Benny Dobson

Bowie Kozlowski

Jan Lanoue

Cole Pegorari 

Victoria Salvini

Hollis Smith

Monroe Smith               

Kindergarten Graduate

Holden Crosby (grandson of Kim Savery)

High School Graduates

Abbey Kinne, Monument Mountain (St. Paul’s Children’s Center Intern)

Arthur Schwartz III, Lenox High School

College Graduates

Nick Dillon, Wesleyan University

Alex Johnson, University of Alaska (December 2022)

Jane Taylor, Kenyon College (granddaughter of Mary Taylor)

God of creation, we ask your blessing on these children and young adults as they enter a new period of their lives. Bless them and grant them the fruits of your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As they continue to grow in knowledge, may they also grow in compassion for others and keep alive their joy in your creation. Amen.

Educators

Peter Dillon

Jake McCandless

Dan Weston

Rachel Bodine Cannon

Matt Fillio

Tracy Weston

Diane Dillon

St. Paul’s Children’s Center Staff  

Lisa Kane, Director

Cara Walker, Teacher

Kaden Kelly, Teacher

Abbey Kinne, Intern

Josephine Monserud, Volunteer

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, we ask your blessing on all teachers, administrators, and support staff in schools and colleges. Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.