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

Reflections from our Pastors

Thursday, December 4, 2025

United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3, 2025

Yesterday was International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December). This day is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. (https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities)

Jesus, the greatest healer known to us, was always followed by crowds of people wanting to be cured from their infirmities. “I want to see,” “I want to walk,” “Please make me clean,” “Dispel the demons.”

Disability can be any number of conditions -- physical, mental, emotional, psychological -- that may limit certain abilities. However, at the same time, someone without sight may develop a heightened sense of smell or hearing. Someone confined to a wheelchair can still be a writer or an artist. Someone experiencing dementia may live in a utopian world which brings them a sense of peace. Rather than being disabled, which expresses limitation, they are differently-abled which supports the abilities they still demonstrate.

During Covid, a time when many of our abilities were greatly limited, an organization called Disability Talk put out a call for poetry about disability. Amazingly, 123 poems were sent in. Below are two of the poems received. How do they challenge you to think differently about disability?

Lose the “T”

It’s not what I can’t

It’s what I can.

My T-shirt reads

“Lose the ‘T’ "

Always achieve, every day.

Write a song, read a book.

In desperation,

do the laundry.

You may fail today

But always, always try.

Too easy to mourn for what you’ve lost.

Not me

Not poor me

No, not poor me.

Rich me.

Look at what I can do

Not always every day

But in a small way

I can do,

Yes I can do.

by Christine Lavelle

My Uncle is disabled

My Uncle is disabled

But why do they call it disabled?

He still loves

He still chats

He still laughs.

Which to me means he is still able.

In fact, to me he is more than able

He is my Uncle and I love him

by Henry Tayler

In Christ’s peace,

Mother Rosean

https://disabilitytalk.co.uk/2020/10/21/my-disabled-world-here-are-all-the-poems/

For Zoom links and information on Mass, Prayer and Service scheduled in December click here. (Updated 12/2/25)

Join the 301 Faith Partners Tomorrow!

Friday December 5th at 12pm....

...as we joyfully prepare the Sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas season.

There’s a job for everyone—flutters, doers, gophers, unpackers, and more. Come be part of the fun! (No registration needed, 😇)



Mark Your Holiday Calendars for Next Sunday!

On Sunday, December 7th, please join us after Mass for a Saint Nicholas Party! Santa came early this year with a generous anonymous gift to the Hospitality Committee, so we are using it to celebrate together.

There will be catered light appetizers, cookies, wine and other beverages, table games to win some Saint Nicholas surprise gifts, music, group singing of carols, and lots of celebration! 

Since all food and beverages will be provided, you need bring nothing but your community and joy filled spirits! We hope that you will join us, and leave feeling a little bit lighter and filled with the spirit of Christmas.

Alternative Christmas Gift Fair



The Alternative Christmas Gift Fair is an opportunity to shop for Fair Trade gift items and to donate to local, national, and international non-profits.

The event will only be held Sunday, December 7, from 8:30 am-12:30 pm. There will be several returning nonprofits. The Fair is put on by the 301 Faith Partners. The Joint Social and Ecological Justice ministry sponsors the fair and is looking for volunteers to help with planning, and Saturday setup and/or on the day of the event, so if you want to help, please contact Patti Smith at 970-988-8529.

Family Housing Network Sign-Up

Our community is working with CUMC & Saint Paul’s again this December to serve our families during the holidays. Our days to serve are Monday December 29th & Tuesday December 30th, and if you can help in any of these capacities, we & the families will be most grateful: we need cooks (5:30-7:30), Evening hosts (6:00 -8:00, eating dinner with the families), & Overnight hosts (8:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.).

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions- Jean at 970-213-7808, or Lynne at 970-420-6462.

This can be such a difficult time for these families, and as busy as the holidays are, if you can find it in your hearts and in your schedules to help, you will bless them mightily. Here is the sign up.

Poinsettias Donations

You are invited to remember family and friends this Christmas with a suggested donation of $12 for poinsettias that we will display right before Christmas. Your name and intentions (“In memory of …” “In celebration of …”, etc.) will be listed in the Christmas bulletins.

If you would like a poinsettia to take home or to a shut-in, they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis after the Christmas services of all three congregations are over. If you would like to remember or celebrate someone with poinsettias, please email Amanda by Monday, December 15.

Service Recordings

Service Recording for the 1st Sunday of Advent

The recording of the readings and homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent, November 30th, has been uploaded here. Associate Pastor Jane Reina presided and delivered the homily.

Instead of a social justice reflection, Lisa Jones delivered a Leadership Council report. Some members of MoM have asked that a recording of these reports be made available especially for folks having a hard time hearing at Mass. The report can be found here.

Service Recording for Feast of Christ the Servant - Sunday, 11/23/25,

The recording of the readings and homily for the feast of Christ the Servant, has been uploaded here. Mother Alice Bradley from Church of the Beloved in Northglenn presided and gave the homily.

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

Prayer Requests

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

+Deborah Hughes, for healing, spouse of Laura Templet, member

+Len Russ, member

+Fr. Frank Quintana, ECC priest

+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

+Julie Lucas, daughter of Bruce & Carol Yeazell

+The Grant and Cloyd families, for healing

+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.

+Roy Harsh - brother-in-law to linda Joyce, member

+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

+Pauline Devlin, David Devlin's mother

+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.

Sunday Mass -

December 7, 12:30 pm

• In person and Zoom available (see above for Zoom link)
• Mother Rosean Amaral presiding

Wednesday - Weekday Mass

December 10, 11:00 am

• Weekday Mass in the Fireside room
• No Zoom available
• Mother Rosean Amaral presiding

Sunday Mass -

December 7, 12:30 pm

• In person and Zoom available (see above for Zoom link)
• Rev. Jane Reina presiding

Wednesday - Weekday Mass

December 17, 11:00 am

• Weekday Mass in the Fireside room
• No Zoom available
• Mother Rosean Amaral presiding

Did you miss an article or announcement?



Past e-bulletins are posted on our website here. Below are links to some key articles:

• October - News from the Office of Presiding Bishop here
• Read the Sept 29th pastoral letter from Bishop Pablo here.
• Read the 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.