The E-pistle

Friday, November 8th, 2024

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

On Wednesday night, a group of parishioners gathered in the church at the end of what felt like a very long day. On the heels of the election of new political leaders, including President, we gathered around the altar to pray, read scripture, and break bread. The hearts of many were heavy. Perhaps, the hearts of some were light. All of us felt the seriousness of the moment of change facing our country and our communities.

As we prayed for the nation and our newly elected officials, I reflected on Jesus’ words to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” While we may be American citizens, and therefore feel the weight of our collective choices this week, I reminded us (and myself) that we are also, and in fact, primarily, citizens of the Kingdom of God, a “country” whose only law is love. And the mission of the Church, no matter who the President of the United States is, doesn’t change. We are called to show the love that Jesus shows to every single person in this world, especially the vulnerable, especially those most easily tossed aside by governments and societies. It’s the same mission the Church had yesterday, and ten years ago, and a hundred years ago, and a thousand years ago.

We’ll gather again on Sunday, as we do on the first day of every week. And we will pray together, and break bread together, and Jane will preach the Gospel in our midst. We will be with one another in our griefs, and in our joys. And we will remember that our primary calling is to share the love of God with everyone around us.

God loves you, my beloved friends. Beyond measure. Let us love one another as God loves us.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, November 10th, 2024

8:00 AM and 10:00 AM

Holy Eucharist

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: 1 Kings 17:8-1, Psalm 146, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44

Serving this morning, Nov 10 (8:00 a.m.)

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Acolyte/LEM: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: Torey Winn

Greeter: TBD

Altar Guild: Ginny Willcox

Serving next week, Nov 17 (8:00 a.m.)

No 8:00 a.m. Eucharist– Come at 10:00 a.m. for the Anniversary of Dedication!

Serving this morning, Nov 10 (10 a.m.)

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Verger/Acolyte: Darryl Lafferty

LEM: Ginny Willcox

Lector: Jean Rousseau

Intercessor: Vaunie Graulty

Musician: Nancy King

Greeters: Lis and Virgil Stucker

Fellowship: Patty Melville

Altar Guild: Ginny Willcox

Serving next week, Nov 17 (10 a.m.)

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

Assisting Priests:

The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

The Rev’d Libby Wade

The Rev’d Theodore H. Evans

Verger: Darryl Lafferty

Acolyte: TBD

LEM: Diane Dillon

Lector: Frank Smith

Intercessor: Jean Rousseau

Musician: David Smith

Greeters: Carl Sprague and Jim Wade

Fellowship: Patty Melville, coordinator

Altar Guild: Jennifer Carmichael 

Altar flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Don Cook on the fifth anniversary of his death.

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Charles, Jacob, Kathleen, Donna, Cynthia, Cindy, Lori, Elaine, Kit, David, Ann, Jessica, Heidi, Lisa, Shawn, Betty Jo, Celia, Anne, Dawn, Natalie, Bill, Tom, Ginger, Tracey, Mary

Those who have recently died

Caleb

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

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

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 11/10)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Christ the King–Epiphany Church, Wilbraham (The Rev’d Martha Susan Sipe, Rector; the Rev’d Michael Hamilton, Deacon)

Secretary of Convention Wende Wheeler

The Church and Wider Mission

North Berkshire Community Action

Pioneer Valley Project

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 11/10: The Church of South India

Mon 11/11: Diocese of South Kerala (South India)

Tues 11/12: Diocese of Kericho (Kenya)

Wed 11/13: Diocese of Khahlamba (Southern Africa)

Thurs 11/14: Diocese of Khartoum (Sudan)

Fri 11/15: Diocese of Kibondo (Tanzania)

Sat 11/16: Diocese of Kibungo (Rwanda)

On Wednesday, November 6, Bishop Doug sent this pastoral letter to the Diocese:

Friends in Christ,

Our country has decided our next president will be Donald J. Trump. His agenda carried majority support. Those who chose differently are the minority. The early church was a small minority in the Roman Empire but their courage in following the crucified and risen One launched a movement to change the world. As followers of Jesus, we are all called to recommit ourselves to what Michael Curry calls the Way of Love, to what I have called Jesus’ mission of mercy, compassion and hope. And with our new Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, I remind you that “at every turn, we will stand for the dignity and human rights of all of God’s people.”

I promise that our Diocese in Western Massachusetts will continue to be a place of inclusion where we “respect the dignity of every human being.” We will continue to be guided by the ordination vow I took twelve years ago as your bishop -- “to defend those who have no helper.” We will continue to address climate change and the public health crisis of gun violence. Our robust ministry to our beloved Veterans is needed more than ever and we will welcome the stranger in our midst who shows us the face of Christ.

At another change in administration, President Jimmy Carter quoted his teacher, Miss Julia Coleman, in his Inaugural Address. She said, “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” We hold to the unchanging teachings of our Redeemer, to love one another and do God’s justice.

As St. Paul inspires us, “Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” We will ask much and be given enough for the day.

In Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher

Bishop, Western Massachusetts

140 Pantry items for 140 Years

On Sunday, November 17, we will gather for the 140th Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Paul’s Church, with one festive Eucharist at 10:00am (no 8am service). We have been challenged by one of our dedicated volunteers to gather 140 items for the Lee Food Pantry in honor of 140 years in our current building! Please bring your donations of food (along with your pledge card) on November 17! Suggested items include cooking oil, coffee, gluten-free pasta, salt, and baking items such as sweetened condensed milk.

College Care Packages

Greetings:

As our college students from St. Paul’s settle into the new school year, we would like to again send them care packages to remind them that they are always in our thoughts and prayers and have support within their faith community. As the fall term progresses, we know that the work, lack of sleep and the feelings of isolation from being far from home can often feel overwhelming. A small package of thoughtful gifts can serve to brighten up a day. You can contribute by purchasing some of the items on our list, helping us to pack the care packages or posting the packages.

We have complied a list of much-appreciated items by interviewing two of the students. Included are:

Small note cards

candy

pens

pencils

bookmarks

Small flip notebooks

stickers for laptops   

popcorn

If you have a college student, please let Father Sam know and we will include them in the list of recipients.

Thank you for your help in this project,

Kim Savery, Rob and Jess Maloney

Are you looking to deepen your faith? New EfM group forming!

Do you want to know more about the Bible, Christian Tradition, and Church History? In our

complex world, do you find yourself longing for a group to reflect on your personal experiences

and how they connect to our Christian Tradition? If so, EfM (Education for Ministry) may be for

you!

EfM is a four-year Christian Formation program founded by the School of Theology at Sewanee and designed for lay (non-ordained) people. Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM groups journey together through Scripture, Church History, and Tradition to help make sense of our own Faith and the world around us. At the end of four years, it is our hope that Christians will be empowered to take on ministries in their home parishes in whatever way God calls them! While EfM is a four-year program, we only ask that you commit one year at a time. You can learn more about EfM here.

There is a new EfM group forming in the Berkshires! If you’d like to be a part of the group or

simply want to know more, please contact Brett Roberts from St. Paul’s, Stockbridge at

brett.roberts25@gmail.com.

Thank you to all who helped with the organ!

On Saturday, 12 organ pipes returned from John Bishop’s workshop in Maine and were placed back inside the instrument, thanks to the hard work and help of a faithful team of parishioners! Thank you to James Bodine, Jim Wade, Vaunie Graulty, Father Sam, and John Bishop. Well done, team! Pictures from Vaunie Graulty and Wendy Strothman.

Message from Episcopal Relief and Development

We can pray. We can give.

Episcopal Relief & Development is in touch with partners in the southeastern US as they meet the needs of people impacted by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in southwestern Florida on Wednesday, October 9. 

Two weeks following the devastating Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton has killed at least five people and left over three million people without power. Episcopal Relief & Development is continuing to accompany diocesan leaders as they assess the impact and respond to the needs of their communities over the coming days.  

“Our hearts go out to the people who have been affected by Helene and Milton,” said Katie Mears, Senior Technical Specialist, Disaster Risk and Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are continuing to work on responses that were already underway due to Helene, and are adapting and creating new plans in collaboration with dioceses to meet new needs.” 

Please pray for the people affected by Milton and Helene. Support to the Hurricane Relief Fund will help people affected by the storms to restart their lives with dignity and agency.

Be on alert for Email Scams

Once again, it has come to our attention that parishioners have been targeted by email scams pretending to be Father Sam. These emails come from a generic email address such as “pastor65@...” or “churchp082@...” and may even come with the name “Rev. Samuel T. Vaught.” They might ask for a favor, such as purchasing gift cards for someone in need, or detail some kind of financial update. 

Father Sam will never email you from any address other than rector@stpaulsstockbridge.org. Father Sam will never ask you over email to buy anything for anyone. If you ever suspect that a communication purporting to be from the church is a spam, please call Father Sam’s cell phone at 765-401-6112. Thank you for your vigilance in looking out for one another.

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.