December 2, 2024

Dear Beloved Friends,

Through the help of many donors, the Mary Magdalene Society is planting the seeds of growth for the ECC. With scholarships for new priests or deacons and grants that feed the sparks of interest in our ecumenical catholic theology with young adults, much progress is being made but more needs to be done. 

This Synod reflected on how the gifts of radical inclusion and equality envisioned by the founders of the ECC and the greater inclusive Catholic movement of which we are a part, can be passed on to the next generation of leaders.  

Thanks to your generosity and a grant provided by MMS, four of our young adult leaders in ECC were able to attend the Synod.  Not only did they participate in all aspects of the Synod, one couple stepped up and agreed to be the new Co-Vice Chairs of the House of Laity.  This probably would not have happened without your help.



Having given grants totaling over $50,000 since 2015, we look ahead with excitement to the opportunities that are being dreamed of by our communities.  Last year $11,800 in grants was distributed.  Each year we want to give more, helping more aspiring deacons, priests and the youth in our communities.  



This year we hope to raise $14,500 by December 31, 2024.  To date, new and renewing donors have given $10,400.  We are close but in order to give more scholarships and grants, we need your help to meet our goal.  



Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference.  Whether through a one-time donation or monthly giving, your support before the end of the year will help us reach our goal and continue to uplift and empower the next generation. 

 

As 2 Corinthians 9:6 teaches us,

Together, we are making a profound impact, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. Come be a part of “Passing the Torch!"

All the best to you and your family in 2025 and thank you in advance for your contribution to the Mary Magdalene Society.



Bishop Paul "Pablo" Burson, M.Div., L.P.C.

Presiding Bishop, ECC

BishopPaul@ecumenicalcatholics.net



This is how you can make a donation to MMS:

Visit our website and click on the word PayPal

(upper left, under the cover picture)

https://ecumenical-catholics.org/

(Please write a note on the transaction page

stating that it is a MMS Donation)

Or

Write a check to us

(Please write in the memo: MMS Donation)

and mail it to:

Mary Magdalene Society

Ecumenical Catholic Communion

10 West Lockwood Ave

Webster Groves, MO 63119



Photos from Cecil Farms and Riney Farms, Kentucky

We welcome you to attend the MMS annual meeting by zoom on

Monday, December 9

4:30 PT/5:30 MT/6:30 CT/7:30 pm ET

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718042819?pwd=99xUEPGDOZc1OOrC27Voqx53bxOwat.1



Mother Tammy Fuqua

Bishop Frank Krebs

Mo. Tammy Fuqua with Holy Angels Church and member of the Mary Magdalene Society Advisory Committee, sat down with Bishop Frank Krebs to talk about how the society started and its importance to the growth of the ECC. You can watch the full interview here:

April 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqzoBfH3-C0 

Maria Budgett

Youth Grant – God is Good

July 2024

 https://youtu.be/RUZRDX_xICo

Members of the Youth Group from Light of Christ ECC in Longmont, Colorado who participated in the Cross-Cultural Immersion Trip in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.



August 2024

https://youtu.be/7i4SprgX6VM

Tammy Fuqua created a video for use at Synod 2024, featuring many recipients of Mary Magdalene Society Grants, expressing their gratitude to MMS for the help and support received.

Oct 8, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKfb_tOaKOY

Clergy Scholarships totaled $5,700   

Besem Etchi 

Azinwin Tentow

James Berry 

Trish Vanni

Betty Jerabeck 

Mimi Maki

Youth Grants totaled $6,500 

Charis/Rev. Trish Vanni 

Holy Trinity/Maria Budgett 

Holy Angels/Ricky Villareal 

Light of Christ/Fr. Teri Harroun 

On September 27, 2024, Mary Magdalene Society donors, award recipients, and Bishop Pablo gathered in Southern California for the annual MMS SoCal fundraising dinner. 

Saying "yes" to the future of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion, they shared their stories and dreams and wrote generous checks. $3200 was raised.



Bishop Pablo and our gracious hostess, Merry Lee.



December 1, 2024

Dear Pastors/Parish Leaders,

I am writing to tell you that it is time to request applications for grants from the Mary Magdalene Society for distribution in the first quarter of next year. There are two categories of grants:

Assisting newer/potential priests 

with their “getting established” expenses,

e.g., tuition debt, 

and

Assisting ECC communities

to provide youth programs.

I am including below an announcement which I hope you are willing to put in your community communication instruments (e.g., a newsletter) and which I hope you would be willing to address with your parish council. For each type of grant, application forms and lists of our criteria for selection are available below:

(click on the name to download the form)

Application Form for Clergy/Potential Clergy Grants

Criteria for Clergy/Potential Clergy Grants

and

Application Form for Youth Program Grants

Criteria for Youth Program Grants



Applicants and other interested parties may also want to contact Carolyn Sue Cecil with any questions or concerns at Admin@ecumenicalcatholics.net.

These two types of grants are two ways that generous donors throughout the Ecumenical Catholic Community want to support the future of the ECC. Please help them do this by spreading the word about these opportunities!

Please forward this email to those you know would be interested. Thank you!

Your brother in the vineyard,

Bishop Paul "Pablo" Burson, M.Div., L.P.C.

Presiding Bishop, ECC

BishopPaul@ecumenicalcatholics.net

The ECC Mary Magdalene Society is now accepting applications for grants. A grant or grants will be given in each of two categories:

1.   Assisting newer/potential priests with their “getting established” expenses, e.g., tuition debt for ministerial training, and

2.   Assisting ECC communities to provide youth programs.

Applicants may contact Carolyn Sue Cecil admin@ecumenicalcatholics.net for an application, for selection criteria, and/or for further information. 

Application deadline for Clergy/Potential Clergy Applicants is January 17, 2025.

Application deadline for communities applying for Youth Programs is February 14, 2025.



Mary Magdalene Society

Ecumenical Catholic Communion

10 West Lockwood Avenue

Webster Groves, MO 63119