Our Vision Statement: ‘With the heart and mind of Christ, we transform the world.’

Reflection from our Pastors

Tuesday, August 18, 2025

“I have come to bring fire upon the earth”

This past Sunday’s Gospel was just two paragraphs: “While speaking many things to the disciples and the crowds, Jesus said: ‘I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!

‘Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, for division! From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’” (Luke 13:

One interpretation of FIRE: Jesus is on fire with a job to do. The fire in his belly (think Sam Keen*) won’t be constrained any longer and he is pushing his disciples to move on, to grow, to evolve, to understand what he brings for their growth in God. Our response of anxiety and fear to that push, to that understanding that we also are invited into the same flame, is well described in the first reading from Sunday: Fire on the Earth, by Macrina Wiederkehr, from Seasons of Your Heart”

“One of the powerful symbols of our Christian heritage is fire. The Spirit of Jesus came upon the disciples in tongues of fire. Fire burns and purifies. It destroys. It warms, and it transforms. This transforming fire that Jesus wants to cast upon the earth cannot be received without pain. Whatever God’s fire touches will be changed. I long for the fire of God as much as I dread it. Who can bear such transformation? who can be satisfied with trivia after being burned with this baptism of fire?

I have come to light a fire

on the earth

Oh how I wish

the flames

were already leaping.

Yes, there is a Baptism

awaiting me

How distressed I feel

until it is accomplished.

After a statement like that

from. a Person like that

I still allow the fire of my life

to be a simple glimmer

instead of a flame.

That Baptism he struggled with. . .

I, too, walk around it

instead of into it

into the flame

where death

waits for me,

only, to show me

the face of life.

Jesus wrestled with the fire

but he didn’t walk around the flames

He plunged into the fire

into the flames

into the death

When he came out

it was Resurrection

and his anguish turned to joy.

I am called to the same vocation

the same bath of fire waits for me,

the same God calls out to me:

I placed you here

to light a fire on the earth

Oh how I wish the flames

were already leaping

But you have a baptism

to receive

and like me

you’ll be restless

until it’s over.

Words Inspired by God. All: Thanks be to God.

Many blessings on your week,

Pastor Jane

*Author’s Sunday homily correction. “Fire in the Belly” is from Sam Keen not Joseph Campbell.

To All Members of Mary of Magdala:

While Mother Rosean is on vacation/retreat 8/18-9/16, please know that your needs will be met by our Pastoral Care Team.

This team consists of Rev. Jane Reina, Dori Healy, Jim Berry, Cindy Cloyd,

Marylou Devlin, Len Russ, Pastor Rick Reiten, and Pastor Felicia SmithGraybeal

Whatever your need may be, please call the church office at

(970) 493-9536. Your call will be returned and your need addressed.

Rest easy in the loving arms of your capable pastoral caregivers.

In Christ’s peace,

Mother Rosean

Weekly Morning and Evening

Peace Prayer 

Join us in a prayer for peace in the world and within ourselves. 20 minutes every Monday and Tuesday via Zoom. (Families invited!)

Monday Morning Peace Prayer

At 9:30 am on this  Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 844 1669 8343, Passcode: 557026

Tuesday Evening Peace Prayer

At 7:00 pm on this Zoom Link < New Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 881 2656 0118 Passcode: 295075

May Mary, Mother of the World, who abhors all violence, pray for us. Rev. Jane

You are invited to the ISAAC Community Picnic

ISAAC is excited to be hosting the first ever ISAAC Community Picnic.

This is an ALL ISAAC COMMUNITY PICNIC - our community, volunteers, and our coalition and congregational partners. Join us Sunday, August 24, from 5-8pm. Our goal is to celebrate our community with joy and laughter.

The picnic will take place at 301 E. Stuart, Fort Collins hosted by our 301 Faith Partners on our beautiful back lawn for this wonderful event. ISAAC will grill meats (we will provide halal meats). You may, if you wish, bring a side dish, a lawn chair and/or blanket.

We are planning games for children AND some for all ages. Come and enjoy being together in community. 

LuMin's Student Housing Security Initiative (SHSI)



Saturday, August 23 from 10 am–1 pm

Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ

916 W Prospect Road, Fort Collins

CSU’s Office of International Programs and the Fort Collins International Center help welcome their students to campus. SHSI students will be housed this year at Rams Village, where apartments come with beds, desks, chests, table and chairs, couch/chairs/coffee table, major appliances, and empty kitchen cabinets. Housing for international students varies in size and what is provided.

The purpose of the Welcome Event is to provide, at no cost to the students, items that will help them make their space functional, conducive to study, comfortable and HOME.

How can you help? Spread the word with friends, neighbors, fellow faith community members, anyone you know who might be downsizing, relocating or simply has more than they need. For further information and a list of most-needed items, go to plymouthucc.org/studentsupport.

DONATIONS MAY BE DROPPED OFF AT PLYMOUTH AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES:

• Wednesday, August 20 from 1-4 pm
• Thursday, August 21 from 3-6 pm

Service Recordings

20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

The recording of the readings and homily for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary time, August 17, 2025 has been uploaded here.

Rev. Jane Reina was the presider and homilist.

Missed a homily or readings? Here is the link to past recorded services.

A Blessing

Mother Rosean and her partner Laurie are leaving on an extended vacation/retreat to northern CA. Tom Moos wrote and delivered the following blessing after Communion:

Creator God, we thank You for the faithful service and loving leadership of our pastor, Rosean, and her partner, Laurie. As they begin their well-deserved, extended vacation, we ask You to bless them with renewal and joy. 

May the mountains, rivers, redwood forests, ocean, and skies speak peace to their souls. May whales and birds greet them with song and may the beauty of Your natural handiwork deeply refresh them in body and spirit. Grant them restful unhurried days and moments of delight and stillness in which to discern Your Will and Leading in their lives.

Please grant them safety on the road and protect them from accidents and harm. As they journey, may they carry our love and prayers in their hearts until we joyfully get to welcome them back home. This we pray, with the Spirit, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Prayer Requests

Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times.

+Len Russ, member

+Fr. Frank Quintana, ECC priest

+Kendal, daughter of Steve and Lisa Jones, member

+Zoe Wahl, sister of Kristina Bulik-Hocum, member

+Colleen DeMuth, member

+Courtney and Cache, family of Jean Christin, member

+Jane Kommrusch, spouse of Richard Kommrusch, member

+ Jeff Klein, son of Debbie Klein

+Mary Powers and Katie Richards, members healing from long COVID

+Milo Pasquale Cushman -- brother of Liz Urban, member

+Hope Kunze,  granddaughter of Mother Rosean

+ Valerie Dorr, mother of Deana Andrist, TLC

+Cindy Cloyd, member

+Sandra Life, member

+Julie Lucas, daughter of Bruce and Carol Yeazell

+The Grant and Cloyd families, for healing

+Carolyn Sue Cecil and family, friends of Mary of Magdala

+ Mary Lou and David Devlin, members

+Rachel, Ryan, & Chloe Honeybourne, family of Julia Morrow, friend of Mary of Magdala

+ Sharyl Hoepfinger, for prayers of healing

+Jenny Witzke, for prayers of support

+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

~~~~~~~~~~~

A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.

+Donna Lusby, friend of Ralph, Anne, Debbie, Mark, Dori, and Tom, members

+Lois Hug, mother of MaryAnne Heyman, member

+Richard Life, member of Mary of Magdala

+Donald Sherlock, brother-in-law of Dori Healy

+Joseph Grant, nephew of David and Cindy Cloyd

+Dennis Healy, Tom Healy's brother and Dori's brother-in-law

+Barbara Lange, grandmother of Gray La Fond

+Leonard Urban, husband of member Liz Urban

+Tess Peters, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Kelly Cahill, friend of Ruth Alexander

+Pauline Devlin, David Devlin's mother

+James Lyons, brother-in-law of Mary Lyons, member

+Carole Lyons, sister-in-law of Mary Lyons, member

+Jessica Melton, family friend of Jane Reina

+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll

Please send prayer requests to marymagdalafc@gmail.com. Prayers will be listed for one month unless requested for longer. Prayers for the repose of souls will be listed for six months unless requested for a longer time.

Wednesday - Weekday Mass

August 20, 11:00 am

• On this day, Jim Berry will host a communion service.

Sunday Mass -

August 24, 12:30 pm

• In person and Zoom available
• Rev. Jane Reina presiding

Wednesday - Weekday Mass

August 27, 11:00 am

• On this day, Dori Healy will host a communion service.

Sunday Mass -

August 31, 12:30 pm

• In person and Zoom available
• Dori Healy presiding over a communion service

Did you miss an article or announcement?



Past e-bulletins and reflections are posted on our website here. Past recordings of readings and homily are posted here. Below are links to some key articles:

• July News from the Office of Presiding Bishop - here
• ECC News from the House of Laity - May - here
• Spring News from the Office of Presiding Bishop - here.
• Read the recent ECC statement on immigration here.
• Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list here.
• Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.

Mary of Magdala Parish Community

Members: Need to view, update information or download a copy of the member directory? Just click here.

-->If you are in need of a picture for the directory, contact David Cloyd via this email. Put 'Need Picture for the Directory' in the subject line and include your name and telephone number in your email <--

CONTRIBUTIONS TO MARY OF MAGDALA

If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala,

click here to schedule a single or recurring Sunday offertory.

All are invited and ALL are welcome to join our parish community. Here is the webpage with more information on membership

The ECC Regional Website - View here.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal  

Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.