The E-pistle

May 24th, 2024

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

On Sunday, hot on the heels of the Easter season and the Day of Pentecost, we celebrate a curious feast in the Church: Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is curious because it’s perhaps the only day of the year that we celebrate an idea, rather than an event, in the saving history of God’s story with us. This idea is unique to the Christian faith, that God is one God, and yet made known to us in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One God, three persons. We’ve been scratching our heads about that for the better part of two millennia, but it is certainly the faith that we have inherited.

We can do lots of theology, lots of thinking and writing and talking about God, in response to this idea that our one God contains three persons, but here’s why I think it’s important, and for a newsletter article, no less! In Jesus Christ, God came to be among us, to live with us. In Jesus, God stretched out toward us, and in so doing, broke open pretty much everything we thought we knew about God and how we thought God should act. The Trinity is the Church’s best understanding of how that dynamic works itself out: a God who created us, redeemed us, and still moves among us, leading us forward into the future. God is with us, closer than we can even imagine. And that’s something to give great thanks for. Below, you can read all the ways that God is moving and working through our community of faith. As we cross the threshold from the great Easter season into the expanse of the waiting summer, may we be aware of the many ways God is showing up in our midst, challenging our expectations, and dazzling us with love, grace, and comfort.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, May 26th

8:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M.

Holy Eucharist

Collect for the Day of Pentecost

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see thee in thy one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for Trinity Sunday: Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 29, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17

Serving this morning, May 26 (8:00 a.m.)

Celebrant: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte: Kim Savery

Lector/Intercessor: Kim Savery

Altar Guild: Jennifer Carmichael

Serving this morning, May 26 (10:00 a.m.)

Celebrant: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte: Kim Savery

Lector/Intercessor: Martha Bodine

Musicians: Kyra Saltman & David Smith

Greeter: Ginny Wilcox

Fellowship: Lis and Virgil Stucker

Altar Guild: Jennifer Carmichael

Serving next week, June 2 (9:00 a.m.) – Summer Worship Begins

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Server: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor:  Diane Dillon

Altar Guild: Robin Race

Fellowship: Jean Rousseau

Musician: TBD

The altar flowers are given by Deborah Pege in memory of Robert A. Pege.

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Bruce, Charles, Linda, Veronica, Jeff, Karen, Lisa, Rosalind, Jacob, Kathleen, Doug, Holly, Rick, John, Lenore, Vicki, Donna, Cynthia, Eliza, Cindy, Lori, LaDawn, Elaine, Kit, Adam, Peter, David, Ann

Those who have recently died

Margie Cosby, sister of Michael Cosby

Nina Fersen, friend of Mary Maltzoff

Joyce Monachina, former substitute at SPCC

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

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

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

For the birth of Forrest William Tierney, son of Colin and Mary Tierney, on May 6

Patty Melville, Tracy Johnson

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 5/26)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

St. John’s Church, Millville

Clergy living beyond the diocese

Reclaiming Hope: The Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

The Church and Wider Mission

Episcopal Women’s History Project

New England Synod of the ELCA

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 5/26: The Province of Central Africa

Mon 5/27: Diocese of Etche (Nigeria)

Tues 5/28: Diocese of Etsako (Nigeria)

Wed 5/29: Diocese in Europe (England)

Thurs 5/30: Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe

Fri 5/31: Diocese of Evo (Nigeria)

Sat 6/1: Diocese of Exeter (England)

Three Big Thanksgivings

Thank you: Grayson Pellegrino Memorial Run

Thank you to everyone who supported the annual Grayson Pellegrino Memorial Run to benefit St. Paul’s Children’s Center, by praying, donating, or showing up to the event! We raised a significant amount of money that will help offset the anticipated scholarship need for next school year. More is likely needed to get to the target; if you can, you can make a donation by writing a check to St. Paul’s Children’s Center and dropping it in the offering plate at church or mailing it in to the church office.

Thank you: Pentecost Church Clean-Up

A second thank you to everyone who stayed after church on Sunday to help clean out the basement and spruce up the churchyard. We made visible progress on the basement, and most importantly laid lots of eyes on the situation down there and what more is needed. And the churchyard is looking lovely thanks to the edging and weeding efforts of our crew!

Thank you: Community Preservation Committee Funds Approved

A third thank you goes to everyone in Stockbridge who attended the Town Meeting on Monday and approved the grant awarded to St. Paul’s by the Community Preservation Committee. This money will help pay for needed repairs to the slate roof and copper gutters on the church. Relatedly, we are anticipating a full report soon from Preservation, Inc. on the current state of the church building, especially related to the effect of water on its historic fabric. We’ll know more soon!

Summer is around the corner!

Outdoor summer worship begins on Sunday, June 2, with one service each Sunday at 9:00am. Once again, we will worship in the churchyard and enjoy the sunshine and summer weather. Outdoor worship will continue through September 1.

There will also be a summer Lectionary Bible Study on Wednesday evenings at 5:30, beginning June 5. Each week, we will explore the readings for the upcoming Sunday. More details to come.

Appalachian Trail Ministry to resume June 17

With summer quickly approaching, it is time once again to serve our neighbors hiking the Appalachian Trail through the AT Angels ministry in Sheffield. This year, St. Paul’s is on the “home team,” which means that we will be part of the volunteer crew on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, together with Christ Trinity Church and the First Congregational Church of Sheffield. Please consider signing up for a few days on the trail this summer. There are various things needed to make the “trail magic” happen, most importantly, volunteers to offer the gracious ministry of presence that happens when we just show up! To access the online sign-up sheet, please email Father Sam. He will share your information with the team in Sheffield, and they will give you access to the sign-up. The ministry will run from June 17 to August 9. Thank you to Libby Wade and Peter Trapp for representing St. Paul’s at the organizing meeting in late April!

A New Ministry Opportunity: Sponsor Immigrants’ Road Tests

Sebastian Bonner has let us know of an exciting new ministry opportunity from our friends at Berkshire Interfaith Organizing. If you are interested in helping immigrants in our community gain driver’s licenses, read more! Contact Sebastian (link: SebBonner@gmail.com) for more information. Thank you, Sebastian!

The State of Massachusetts recently offered driver’s licenses to immigrants regardless of their legal status. Berkshire Interfaith Organizing (BIO) is recruiting churches and community based organizations to apply for 5 volunteer members to accompany immigrants to six road tests every six months (i.e., the church can help with 60 road tests per year). An individual can sponsor 3 tests per year so there’s a very large number of immigrants who are waiting for this help.

This is a powerful act of Christian charity: helping immigrants access a driver's license means enabling them to legally drive to and from work, buy groceries, get their children to school or after school activities, get to PTA meetings, get medical care during crises, etc. Moreover, a driver's license usually leads to safer, more responsible driving.

We invite you to join us if you're eager to contribute to this meaningful endeavor. BIO currently has a dedicated team of volunteers, but the demand for assistance far exceeds their current capacity. Once a new volunteer group is established, they will organize a training session to ensure everyone can effectively lend their support. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you're interested or have any questions. Your involvement could significantly impact someone's journey toward independence and mobility.

Ministry Opportunities from our friends are Grace Church

Dear friends & faith leaders, 

As you know, our community has been blessed these past few months by the presence of a community of Haitian and Latin American people who have begun new lives here. Many of you have already done a lot to help these newest of our neighbors feel welcome and connected. Thank you! 

I am writing now with a specific and pressing request: The time allocated for our new neighbors to stay at the motel in Great Barrington is now almost up.  Some are excited to move on to new places, but many have begun to make real lives here, securing employment, settling their kids into school, and creating community with friends and neighbors. For this reason there is now an urgent need for housing in the area and - as you know - housing is in short supply around here!  

Would you be willing to spread the word that if anyone has a space for rent of any size, that we have reliable, hard working, financially stable individuals and families who would be grateful to pay market rate and become their new tenants. Many are people of deep faith, and everyone comes with excellent references from several respected members of our community. 

During these times of global upheaval and pain, many in my own congregation have struggled with a feeling of powerlessness: how can they do anything that will make a difference?  I believe this is an opportunity to do just that. Please help spread the word!  

Please ask anyone with potential leads or space to reach out to Shasta Bona and Jason Godfrey at the Great Barrington Family Resource Center as they are coordinating the search.  Their emails are:  Shasta.Bona@csoinc.org and Jason.Godfrey@csoinc.org

-The Rev’d Tina Rathbone

Two Opportunities to Pray Together Each Week

Wednesday: Morning Prayer at 8:30am (Online)



Every Wednesday, a group of parishioners meet at 8:30am to pray Morning Prayer online via Zoom. All are warmly welcome to join via the Zoom link on our website. Thank you Darryl Lafferty for continuing to lead this weekly offering.

Friday: Intercessory Prayer at 8:30am (In-person)

Some may remember that several years ago, a group of parishioners met each week to pray for the needs of those on the parish prayer list. All are invited to join on Friday mornings in the church as we revive this tradition of intercessory prayer. Thank you Alice Wohl for your leadership in reviving this weekly offering.