It was a glorious st
art to our journey together. The sun was shining, the air was cool, the choir and musicians gathered to practice beautiful music to lead our worship, the children robed up to serve as acolytes, and soon the people gathered to celebrate the first Sunday of my time with you at Grace Church. It was a blessing to gather with the Grace Church community to worship God and celebrate all that God is doing in our lives.
The week before I experienced other beginnings in our community. On Wednesday, 40 people gathered at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Stockbridge to begin a time of sharing and learning with people from Grace, Christ Trinity, and St. Paul’s. Together we will begin to hear each others’ stories and discover what God is calling our communities to do together with combined energy to serve God and our neighbors.
School began last week for many students and teachers here in the Berkshires. Beginnings are filled with hope, excitement, and anxiety. Sometimes the first steps are hard. Often they are less than fully perfect. But it is in beginnings that we are reminded of God’s love and our need to trust in that love as day by day we give gratitude for what has been accomplished and ask for help for the journey ahead. Our prayers are with all who have started a new year. We pray that you can rest in the assurance that God will be with you every step of the way. I pray that you will have a wonderful year, learning, making friends, and having fun being stretched and proven to be full of spirit.
On Sunday, September 14 at 10:00 am all are invited to our celebration of Holy Eucharist and Healing at our own Gideon’s Garden. Dress casually and bring your friends. Invite others to share in the possibilities God is placing in each of our lives. We will offer our thanks for the work of many hands and hearts who planted, tended, and harvested what God has provided in these two generous acres of land. I hope you will come. Your presence is greatly appreciated.
Grace and peace be with you this day.
Janet