The Road to Damascus

January, 2010

From the Rector:

Epiphany is a time of light. The days are growing longer and the light of Christ is being revealed in the world. We began the season with the star shining out from the tower of our church. Now we are to be the light that continues to shine in the world around us.

This theme runs throughout our worship this month. We enjoyed a homily this past Sunday by Dr. Jane Tillman, a graduate of Duke Divinity School, who preached on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.  Doug Rose, student at Gordon Conwell Seminary, and Bill Graulty, our communications specialist, will preach at 8 and 10 am respectively on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, January 24.

Epiphany is also a traditional time for blessing our homes, invoking the light of Christ where we live. Please see me if you’d like to know more about this possibility.

On Sunday, February 7, we’ll come together as one parish family for worship at 9:00 a.m., brunch and our annual meeting.  This is a favorite occasion for many of us and very important to our life together. Don’t miss it!

Finally, Epiphany will conclude with on February 14 when we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord and begin our very special and bold step of 10:00 a.m. common worship, as further described below.

Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glory your Father in heaven!

Worship from February 14 to March 21

2009 was a year when every congregation in our area faced new challenges, and we began to work together proactively in new ways.  In November, we had an incredible celebration when all our neighboring Episcopal churches suspended their regular worship and joined with us to celebrate the 125^th anniversary of our church and 175^th anniversary of our congregation.

Now we’re going to gather together for a combined main worship service on six Sunday mornings in February and March. Why are we doing this?

·        Support to our neighbors in Great Barrington, South Lee and Lee as they work towards major congregational decisions, returning the support they’ve showed to us.

·        Further explore the resources available to us when we collaborate.

·        Demonstrate serious environmental commitment.

·        Save money.

Our service schedule for February 14 to March 21

8:00 a.m. Worship at St. Paul’s

10:00 a.m. Joint Worship at Crissey Farm

426 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington

Multi-class Sunday school, combined choir & shared worship

Preachers: Tom Damrosch, Francie Hills, Donna Trebilcox, Ted Cobden 

St. Paul’s will remain open every day throughout this period, with the thermostat at its normal weekday setting. A simple service of the Holy Eucharist or Morning Prayer will be offered each Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Morning Prayer on February. 14, 28, and March 14; Holy Eucharist on February 21, March 7 and 21. Evening Prayer will continue to be held at 5:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Intercessory Prayers Friday at 8:00 a.m.  We’ll all be back in our home churches for Palm Sunday and Easter Day.

Lent was chosen because it is a season of renewal and reflection.  “Lent” is the root of “lengthen”: it is the springtime season when the first signs of new life begin to emerge.  It is a suitable time to stretch ourselves and experience worship in a community somewhat beyond our usual experience.

Planning is well under way for all the details of this plan, especially car pooling arrangements. (Crissey Farm is exactly 5.0 miles south of us on Route 7.)

Your Rector and Vestry and our counterparts in the other churches see this Season of Common Worship as a substantial opportunity to present our Episcopal (and Lutheran) fellowship in the Southern Berkshires to our community as vibrant, bold, innovative and attractive.  We welcome this opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to ecological stewardship to the wider community. And we believe that we will be better able to support each other in our mission and ministry throughout this area now and in the years to come.

2010 Pledges

2009 was a very challenging year. As of January 6 we have received $ 66,000 towards 2009 pledging, surpassing our budgeted expectation of $65,000, although this still leaves us with a deficit for the year.  Pledges for 2010 are now coming in, amounting to $39,500 as of January 6.  Thank you to everyone who has responded so promptly.  Your support in the coming year is vital and deeply appreciated. 

- The Stewardship Committee

Stockbridge Carol Sing

A hardy group gathered at the Red Lion Inn for the annual Stockbridge Carol Sing that marks the conclusion of the Christmas season.  The star over the door to the St. Paul’s Tower Room shone brightly on the snowy night. Biting wind and driving snow forced the event from the Inn porch into the cozy confines of the living room. 

Carols led by members of the Marian Fathers Community reminded us – and quite a few Inn guests – that the Christmas season is more than a one-day celebration.

As the gathering sang We Three Kings, the Magi (bottom picture) braved the weather to process toward the star.

An Anniversary to Remember

 St. Paul’s stalwarts Mary and Bill Parsons recently celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary with a renewal of their marriage vows, conducted by Fr. Tom at Laurel Lake.

Safe Church Training Event

We are committed to ensuring that St. Paul’s is a safe place for our children and everyone who participates in activities here.  We believe that this policy helps us live out our Baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being.

All clergy, lay employees and volunteers who work with children or youth are required to attend training on how to prevent child abuse and promote healthy boundaries in church settings.  Other members are also welcome to attend.

Canon Sarah Shofstall will present Basic Safe Church Training workshops in February and April of 2010. These sessions are open to all church employees and volunteers. The workshops will cover material concerning the protection of children, and also address issues in the workplace. Lunch and materials will be provided.

The first workshop will take place on Tuesday, February 23^rd at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Holyoke from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  A second Basic Training will take place on Saturday, April 24^th at St. John’s Church in North Adams from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost is $25.

Registration deadline is February 16 for Holyoke and April 17, 2010 for North Adams.  Registration fee before the deadline is $25.00 made payable to the Diocese of W. MA, 37 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01103, Attention: Karen Warren. Registration form is at  www.diocesewma.org/  parishmatters/safechurch.html  For more information, speak with Linda Day, our safe church officer

Season of Need

Those involved in helping our neighbors know all too well that the “season of giving” is followed immediately by the “season of need.”  January brings increased demand for programs like Open Table and the Food Pantry.  Your help is needed more than ever.

Please leave donations of non-perishable food at the rear of the church.  If you are interested in helping out at the Food Pantry, please see Torey Winn or Bill Graulty.

Our next Open Table will be on January 28^th.  If can help plan, prepare or serve the meal, please contact Tracy or Chris Johnson.