The E-pistle

Friday, October 25th, 2024

A Note from our Verger, Darryl Lafferty

“God Welcomes All” – The annual conference of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church (VGEC) was held at Christ Church Cranbook, MI, October 10th through October 13th. Attendees were “welcomed” and blessed with a weekend full of love - love of self, for each other, for God, and for those we serve. There were multiple opportunities for worship, learning, fellowship, and service. Through this brief article I hope to provide a glimpse into my experience.

The conference opened with a Solemn Choral Evensong. The Right Reverend Bonnie Perry; Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan, preached on the theme “Welcome Home” - how vergers set the tone of welcome. Following evensong Christopher Bahrke, one of many vergers at Christ Church Cranbook, delivered a moving keynote address based on Colossians 3:12-17. “Clothe yourselves in God’s Love.” Christopher posited that when we “clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” we will serve with those qualities. He also suggested that vergers go beyond providing welcome, they deliver God’s grace by providing love. On Saturday, Fr. Chris Harris; Associate Priest, Christ Church Cranbrook presented the process of “Invite, Welcome, Connect.” Closing out the conference with Holy Eucharist on Sunday, The Reverend Dr. William J. Danager; Rector, Christ Church Cranbrook preached a sermon titled, “The Architecture of Belonging.”

For further information, please feel free to speak with me personally. You may also refer to the links provided below.

In closing, it is my prayer that you feel God’s welcome – welcome home to St. Paul’s. Amen

Darryl Lafferty, Verger

Christ Church Cranbrook

Service Project

The Cranbrook Project

Sermon – “The Architecture of Belonging.”

Sunday, October 27th, 2024

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

Holy Eucharist

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; 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 Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost: Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52

Serving this morning, October 27 (8:00 a.m.)

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

Acolyte/LEM: Rob Maloney

Lector/Intercessor: David Pearson

Greeter: TBD

Altar Guild: Jorja Marsden

Serving week morning, October 27 (10:00 a.m.)

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

Verger/Acolyte: Darryl Lafferty

LEM: TBD

Lector: Carl Sprague

Intercessor: Vaunie Graulty

Musician: Nancy King

Greeters: Jim Wade

Fellowship: Carl Sprague

Altar Guild: Jorja Marsden

Serving next week, November 3 (10:00 a.m.)

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

Assisting Priest: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Verger: Darryl Lafferty

Acolyte: Virgil Stucker

LEM: Ginny Willcox

Lector: Frank Smith

Intercessor: Virgil Stucker

Musician: Nancy King

Greeters: Devyn and Matt Fillio, Genet Jeanjean

Fellowship: TBD

Altar Guild: Tracy Johnson

Serving next week, November 3 (8:00 a.m.)

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

Assisting Priest: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Acolyte/LEM: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: TBD

Greeter: TBD

Altar Guild: Tracy Johnson

Altar flowers last week were given by Carl Sprague in memory of Susan LeRoy Merrill. Altar flowers last week and this week are given by Vaunie Graulty in memory of Bill Graulty.

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

Those who have recently died

Franklin Ripley

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

Doug Willcox, Kayla Dillon

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 10/27)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Church of the Atonement, Westfield (The Rev’d Sandi Albom, Priest-in-Charge; the Rev’d Patricia O’Connell, Deacon)

“Believe OUT Loud” Congregations

The Church and Wider Mission

St. Stephen’s Table, Pittsfield

Episcopal Appalachian Ministries

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 10/27: The Scottish Episcopal Church

Mon 10/28: Diocese of North Karamoja (Uganda)

Tues 10/29: Diocese of Karimnagar (South India)

Wed 10/30: Diocese of Karnataka Central (South India)

Thurs 10/31: Diocese of Karnataka North (South India)

Fri 11/1: Diocese of Karnataka South (South India)

Sat 11/2: Diocese of Karongi (Rwanda)

Martha Bodine’s Stewardship Moment

If you missed Martha Bodine’s introduction to our Stewardship season on Sunday, we’ve reprinted her text below. Be on the lookout for a letter from Father Sam this week, and a letter with your pledge card from Martha in another week!

Today, I am standing here as the Chair of the Stewardship Committee. For me Stewardship is about expressing my gratitude for all the gifts and opportunities that God has given me.  I make a financial pledge and I give my time on the vestry, committees, and outreach projects where I know I can make a difference.

When the Stewardship committee met recently to chat about the Stewardship campaign for 2025, we realized that there are very likely newcomers here that haven’t been a part of the Stewardship campaign before.  So my purpose here today is to tell you why we do this and what to expect between now and November 17th.

Here in the Episcopal church we have a stewardship process for planning from year to year.  One aspect of the planning is financial.  Thanks to our treasurer John Davies and our Finance Committee, we have certainty about where our money comes from and where it goes.  Another aspect of Stewardship is making a commitment to giving our time and talent to our church and community we serve.

So how does this work? It starts here today!  It ends on Sunday November 17th on our “Ingathering” Sunday. Here is what to expect.

At the end of this week or the beginning of next week, you will get a letter from Father Sam about Stewardship. 

Then each Sunday we expect to have someone from our church give a short talk about their relationship with stewardship.

The week of November 4th, you will get a letter from me that includes a pledge card, also called a commitment card.  We ask that you prayerfully consider what you can commit to contribute in 2025.  A financial pledge helps the finance committee to plan responsibly for next year.  You also have the opportunity to let Father Sam know how you would like to contribute your time and/or talent here at church.  (Hold up the pledge card) Cooking, taking care of the altar for services, participating during the service, helping at the food pantry , helping with the Care boxes that we send to our college students, helping at any of our outreach projects, helping with our buildings and grounds, administrative work.  Whatever you think you might like to do, I bet that we can find the perfect place for you!  

Signing a pledge card helps us plan. Your pledge is not a bill.  We know that things happen in our lives.  Circumstances change sometimes. That is okay.  We are a loving community, not a shaming community.

Finally, what to do with your card?  You can bring it with you to church on November 17th, which is our Ingathering Sunday, the culmination of the campaign.  If you won’t be in church that day, you can mail it back to the church, or you can put it in the offering plate on any other Sunday.  You are welcome to chat with Father Sam, or me, or anyone on the Stewardship committee if you have any questions.  In addition to me,  members of the committee are Jim Wade, Tracy Johnson, and Brett Roberts.



Thank you!

All Saints’ Day: Submit Names of the Departed

On Sunday, November 3, we will celebrate All Saints’ Day, when we give God thanks for all the saints—all of those people who have been the lights of Christ in their generations—and pray especially for our departed loved ones, who are now part of that “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us at all times. If you have names you would like included in the prayers for the departed, please fill out the form in your bulletin on Sunday or email Kyra Saltman at parishoffice@stpaulsstockbridge.org no later than Thursday, October 31.

Newcomers’ Lunch November 3

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’ Lunch after the 10:00 service on Sunday, November 3. 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!

Organ Pipes returning on Saturday, November 2: Help needed

John Bishop has been hard at work repairing some of our organ pipes at his workshop in Maine. His work is finished, and it’s time to get the pipes back into the organ! If you like working with your hands and can help lift moderately heavy pipes, or if you’re interested in learning more about how pipe organs work, come to St. Paul’s next Saturday, November 2, at 9:00 a.m. We need a small crew to get the work done, and it promises to be a fun task! Father Sam will have some snacks on hand, too. If you’re planning to come, please email Father Sam so that we know how many folks to expect. Below are some pictures from the workshop. Thank you, John!

Vote and Pray for the Nation

You are invited to approach Election Day in a spirit of prayer and hope as together we pray for peace, a fair election, and unity amidst our deep social divisions. On Election Day, November 5, the church is open all day, as always. Special prayers for the nation will be offered at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, and 6pm. Consider joining for one of these prayers on your way to or from the polls. On November 6, the day after the election, there will be a service of Holy Eucharist at 6pm in the church for those who would like to gather in a spirit of prayer amidst likely uncertainty around the outcome of some elections. Come, let us pray.

Relatedly, you might like to read some of Bishop Doug’s recent essays on his blog in the runup to the election. You can find them, and more, here.

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.

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

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.

Watch at home or together: Investiture of next Presiding Bishop

The Rt Rev’d Sean Rowe, currently Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Provisional Bishop of Western New  York, will be invested as the next Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 2. You can watch the investiture, live from the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City, at the link in the image above. Are you interested in joining or hosting a watch party for fellow parishioners? Speak to Father Sam or email the office, and we’ll organize a gathering if there is enough interest! Please do continue to pray for Bishop Sean as he prepares to take up this new ministry on behalf of the entire Episcopal Church.

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.