The E-pistle

June 29th, 2023

A Message from Libby

Before he was even two years old, my grandson could spot an American flag with ease and loved to proclaim gleefully, “Merica!” Next week is our nation’s annual celebration of Independence Day. It is a day to be proud. Yet it’s also a time to reflect on the divisiveness rampant in our country today. In that spirit I offer these prayers:

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (from The Book of Common Prayer)

God of compassion, you have reconciled us in Jesus Christ, who is our peace: enable us to live as Jesus lived, breaking down walls of hostility and healing enmity. Give us grace to make peace with those from whom we are divided, that, forgiven and forgiving, we may ever be one in Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns for ever, one holy and undivided Trinity. Amen. (from A Great Cloud of Witnesses)

Summer Sundays—Holy Eucharist on the Lawn

(indoors if it’s raining)

Come as You Are – Casual Attire, Open Hearts

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

If you’re donating flowers, consider a plant that can be added later

to the church garden, such as hostas, astilbe, other shade-loving plants.

Collect for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for July 2: Jeremiah 28:5-9; Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42

Worship Team for July 2^nd

On the Lawn at 9 AM

Celebrate/Preacher – The Rev. Libby Wade

Reader/Intercessor – Darryl Lafferty

Usher/Greeter – Jim Wade

Fellowship Hosts – Lis & Virgil Stucker

Musician – Doug Schmolze

Worship Team for July 9^th

On the Lawn at 9 AM

Celebrant/Preacher – The Rev. Jane Tillman

Reader – Sebastian Bonner

Intercessor – Martha Bodine

Usher/Greeter – TBD

Fellowship Host – Carl Sprague

Musician – Doug Schmolze

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, Michael Curry, and Kit.

– 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: Lee Food Pantry

– Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:  St. Stephens, Pittsfield

– Anglican Cycle of Prayer:  Ingreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil

– Birthdays: Jessica Maloney, Jorja Marsden

– Anniversaries: Jake & Tamara McCandless

– The plants in front of the altar were given by Jorja Marsden in memory of Bob Marsden and Francis and Anna Pilling.

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-12 pm or Wednesdays 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.

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

+ 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

+ Saturday, July 15 – Berkstock (see below)

+ Sunday, July 16, after Worship – Garden Work Hour

+ Tuesday, July 18 – Appalachian Trail Angels Work Day

+ Saturday, August 12 – Appalachian Trail Angels Work Day

+ Gideon’s Garden Summer Volunteer Hours: Mondays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or Wednesdays from 1-5 p.m. Come for the whole time or just a little while. Gideon’s Garden is on Division St. across from Taft Farms in Great Barrington. Produce harvested goes to local food programs, including Lee Food Pantry.

Welcome Back from winter homes to the Berkshires and St. Paul’s—Jo Dare and Bob Mitchell.

Congratulations to Robin Newton-Irelan’s son, Julian Newton-Demary, for his work restoring a historically significant bench from the original Lenox Town Hall as part of a shop class project at Lenox Memorial High School this year. In an article in The Berkshire Eagle on June 22, Julian said that “when he began the project, he didn’t realize the full historical value of the bench. ‘Now that I know more, it’s much cooler.’” The bench will soon be on view at the Lenox Historical Society’s museum.

Did you see the excellent article on High Lawn Farm in the July issue of Berkshire Magazine? This is the 100th year for High Lawn Farm in Lee. Lila Wilde Berle says “it was the start of something huge for the Jersey cow herds of the world—all because of one amazing woman, Marjorie Field Wilde.” Marjorie was Lila’s mother. Transforming Jersey cow breeding and preserving land to “keep the Berkshires green” are the legacy of this farm’s beginning in 1923.