The E-pistle

May 31st, 2024

Beginning this Sunday: One Service at 9:00 AM

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

The trees are in full leaf, the days are warmer, the tourist traffic on Main Street has picked up, and Memorial Day has come and gone—summer must be here! With the new season comes changes to our common life, notably our summer worship schedule. Every Sunday through September 1, join us at 9:00 a.m. for worship in the churchyard, outdoors in the full glory of the sun and sky and birds and trees that God has made. We join with them to praise the God who has made us, too, and loved us, and redeemed us in Jesus Christ—and to make that praise a little more publicly than usual, too! I will be away this weekend for a family event in Indiana, but can’t wait to join you next Sunday to experience this for the first time myself.

You might consider other ways to engage with the parish this summer—other opportunities to deepen your love of God and neighbor. Here are a few:

• Join our summer Bible Study on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., beginning June 5
• Help immigrant neighbors gain driver licenses
• Provide hospitality to hikers on the Appalachian Trail

All the details are below. However you spend your summer, may you know the deep love of God in Jesus Christ, and help share that love with those around you! I’ll see you soon.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, May 31st

9:00 A.M.

Holy Eucharist

Collect for the Second Sunday after Pentecost

O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Second Sunday after Pentecost: Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Psalm 81:1-10, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23-3:6

Serving this morning, June 2

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

Server: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: Diane Dillon

Musician: Nancy King

Greeter: Jean Rousseau

Fellowship: Anne Covell

Altar Guild: Robin Race

Serving next week, June 9

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Assisting Priest: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Server: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: The Rev’d Libby Wade

Musician: David Smith

Greeter: Jim Wade

Fellowship: Genêt Jeanjean

Altar Guild: Jorja Marsden

The altar flowers are given by Libby & Jim Wade, in thanksgiving for our grandchildren, Audrey, Clara, and Jimmy.

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, Jessica

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

John Tedeschi and Joel Levi

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 6/2)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

All Saints’ Church, North Adams (The Rev’d Mary Frances Curns, Rector; the Rev’d Margaret Skene Page, Deacon)

Human Resources Committee

The Liturgical Commission

The Church and Wider Mission

Spiritual Formation and Leadership Development

Southern New England Conference of the UCC

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 6/2: Iglesia Anglicana de Central de America

Mon 6/3: Diocese of Ezo (South Sudan)

Tues 6/4: Diocese of Faisalabad (Pakistan)

Wed 6/5: Diocese of False Bay (Southern Africa)

Thurs 6/6: Diocese of Fianarantsoa (Indian Ocean)

Fri 6/7: Diocese of Florida (Episcopal Church)

Sat 6/8: Diocese of Central Florida (Episcopal Church)

Newcomers’ Brunch

Are you new to St. Paul’s? Would you like to learn more about our community? Join Father Sam and other parish leaders for a Newcomers’ Brunch after church on Sunday, June 9. We will gather to get to know each other better, learn more about St. Paul’s, and discuss our ministries. All are welcome—you decide if “new” applies to you!

Summer Bible Study begins Wednesday, June 5

We are pleased to offer a summer Bible Study beginning next Wednesday, June 5. In the months of June, July, and August, we will gather each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to explore the readings for the upcoming Sunday. Bring a Bible if you have one, and come with your curiosities, questions, and an open spirit! We will meet on the screen porch of the Rectory—you can enter on the west side of the house, from the church gardens. Questions? Email Father Sam.

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.

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.