The E-pistle

Friday, June 27, 2025

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

Perhaps like some of you, I have been on the road a lot in the month of June, traveling to different places to celebrate joyful occasions and grieve losses among family and friends. It has been a full month, and I am very glad to be back in Stockbridge with you, looking forward to a beautiful summer at St. Paul’s and throughout the Berkshires.

On Sunday, we celebrate one of our two Patronal Feasts—the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles. As a church named for St. Paul, we are lucky to get two of these feasts to celebrate. In January, we remember the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle—the beginning of Paul’s remarkable life with Christ, a ministry that took him around the Mediterranean world, spreading the good news of God’s love and grace shown in Jesus Christ. At the end of June, we remember the end of that life and ministry—on earth, at least—by observing Paul’s martyrdom in Rome. Peter and Paul both met their deaths in Rome, during a time of persecution of Christians under the emperor Nero. Both witnessed to the transforming nature of God’s love in Christ right until the end of their lives, “the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death,” as Paul wrote to the Philippians. Both could face death in the sure knowledge of Christ’s victory over death, sharing not only his sufferings, but his resurrection, too.

My prayer for St. Paul’s Church is that we, too, may witness to the love of God in Christ in everything we do, and at every moment of our life. We are likely not called to the kind of martyrdom shared by Peter and Paul, but I believe that in our own lives, and yes, in our own deaths, we too have the chance to practice God’s love, to show God’s love, for this hurting world so desperately in need of it. Sunday gives us a chance to take inspiration from our namesake, and like him, recommit to following wherever Christ leads.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, June 29, 2025: The Feast of Saint Peter & Saint Paul

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II

Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Scripture for The Feast of Saint Peter & Saint Paul: Ezekiel 34:11-16, Psalm 87, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, John 21:15-19

Serving this Sunday:

Altar Guild: Ginny Willcox

Fellowship: Special

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Assisting Priest: The Rev'd Jane Tillman

Acolyte: Virgil Stucker

LEM: Kendra MacLeod

Lector/Intercessor: Vaunie Graulty

Greeter: Liza Picoli

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, Emery, Janet, Bobbie, Ginger, Arthur, Michael, Holly, Dick, Loralee, Maggie, Michelle, Patrick

Those who have recently died

Bette Vaught, grandmother of Father Sam

Julie, niece of Linda Mason

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

Mary Berle, Ginny Willcox, Jessica Maloney; Jake & Tamara McCandless

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 6/29)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Good Shepherd, Oxford

The Standing Committee

The Church and Wider Mission

Church Publishing, Inc.

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 6/29: The Church of the Province of Myanmar           

Mon 6/30: Diocese of the Nasik (North India)

Tues 7/1: Diocese of Nasir (South Sudan)

Wed 7/2: Diocese of Natal (Southern Africa)

Thurs 7/3: Area Mission of Navajoland (Episcopal Church)

Fri 7/4: Diocese of Ndokwa (Nigeria)

Sat 7/5: Diocese of Nebbi (Uganda)

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

June Red Letter Days



Sunday, June 29: Patronal Feast: Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles

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.

A Special Invitation from the Vestry this Sunday

Dear Members of the St. Paul’s Congregation,

We hope this message finds you well and enjoying the blessings of the season.

We are excited to invite you to invite you to this Sunday’s kickoff for “The Next 100 Years”, the St. Paul’s preservation project where we will share the vision, plans, and timeline for the much-anticipated updates to our beloved church. There will be an enhanced coffee hour, a “walk about”, an opportunity to hear directly from the Preservation committee, ask questions, and learn how this project reflects our shared mission and future.

Joining us will be Ian Stewart, one of the principals of Preservation, Inc. and co-author of the report, who is internationally known for his work and advocacy of historic preservation.

Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025

Time: 10:15 - 11:30 AM

Location: Inside the church following the 9 AM outdoor service

St. Paul’s is not only a sacred place of worship, but also a living testament to timeless architecture, steeped in the history and character of Stockbridge. Its stone walls and stained-glass windows echo generations of prayer, celebration, and solace. Beyond its spiritual mission, St. Paul’s stands as a gathering place for our entire community—a haven for reflection, music, service, and shared humanity. It is a space where all are welcomed to experience beauty, grace, and belonging.

Your presence and input are deeply valued as we take this important step together. We look forward to seeing you there!

With gratitude,

The Vestry of St. Paul's

Chris Johnson, Project Co-chair

David Pearson, Project Co-chair

Jorja Marsden, Senior Warden

Rob Maloney, Junior Warden

John Davies

Virgil Stucker

Darryl Lafferty

Michael Flamini

Deb Pege

Kim Jaszlics Savery

A Prayer for the Work of the Committee:

Gracious and loving God, source of all wisdom and strength, we lift up to you the members of our Preservation committee. Grant them clarity of purpose, unity of spirit, and joyful hearts as they labor for the care and renewal of your house. May their work reflect your glory, and may this sacred space continue to welcome all who seek your presence. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Summer Bible Study

Summer Bible Study begins Wednesday, July 2. Every Wednesday through August 27, we will 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.

Sermon from Donna Gray’s Funeral

Some of you who were unable to attend Donna Gray’s funeral on June 7 have asked for the homily that Father Sam preached. You can find a link to a PDF copy here. It was a privilege to celebrate Donna’s remarkable life and to commend her to Almighty God in the care of the angels, a theme that you will notice in the text. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this difficult and important occasion so meaningful.