Our Vision Statement: ‘With the heart and mind of Christ, we transform the world.’ | | |
Reflections from our Pastors
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Forest Bathing
When you step into the ancient redwood forest of Jedediah State Park in Crescent City, California, you stand in awe of these giants who have survived for over 2000 years. The sounds, the smells, the sights, envelop you and you realize that you have left the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind.
Ancient redwoods can reach diameters of 18 to 24 feet. The tallest recorded redwood tree is named Hyperion, measuring approximately 379.7 feet. Looking up, the tree’s top branches cannot be seen due to its height. Cars and humans appear dwarfed when in close proximity to these trees.
And I know that while we’ve all seen these incredible creations of our God, have you ever been forest bathing? The Forest Bathing Institute in the U.K. says that “when you're forest bathing, your primary focus should be connecting with nature. It's kind of like bathing in your tub. You're there to relax and sit in the experience.”
I was blessed with the most healing and intimate experiences in the ancient redwood forest during my first week of vacation. Driving down Howland-Hill Road in Crescent City, a 25-mile dirt road featuring endless redwoods, I would choose a spot, take my fold-out chair, a journal and a pen, and sit among the trees for hours. This became a daily ritual, a silent retreat. I was there to talk with God, to deepen my relationship with the Holy. But as it turns out, decades of research has shown that what's known as “forest bathing,”-- or the act of taking in the forest through all of your senses -- is good for your health. Researchers in Japan and other countries have found that it can boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, help with depression and even help your body fight cancer cells.
So try this. Go to the woods, walk until you find a spot that speaks to you. Sit down. Then just be present with the environment. (leave the phone at home.) Once you're settled in, engage your senses. Many of the benefits of forest bathing come from inhaling the chemicals that trees release into the air. They're called phytoncides, and they can reduce our stress hormones and increase our levels of anti-cancer proteins. Take a deep breath, and ask yourself, what do I smell? Next, listen for the rustling of chipmunks or the gurgling of a creek. Notice the colors, the blue sky, the bright green leaves. Touch the bark of a tree. Is it rough or smooth? Does it have any scars from old branches? When you observe nature like this, it slows down your fight-or-flight response and lowers your body's stress hormones.
You can also work with the forest to process whatever you're going through. So, depending on what's happening in our emotional world, quite often, when we look at nature or the forest, it sends something back to us to help us make sense of what's going on in our life. Let's say you're grieving a loss. In the forest, when trees die, they become homes for woodpeckers and owls. They give mushrooms and moss a place to grow. The point is, in death, they support life. And there's so much more wisdom that the forest holds for us when we pay attention.
Dr. Qing Li, professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, designed and carried out a lot of Japan's research on forest bathing. He says the health benefits of a forest bathing session, (2-6 hours), can last for as long as 30 days.
Who knew that finding a special spot in the forest to sit and talk with God could provide such extraordinary health benefits for both body and soul?
My suggestion: Try forest bathing in this beautiful Colorado Fall season.
It’s ALL good!
Mother Rosean
(Marielle Segarra, All Things Considered , NPR News.)
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September 20, 2025, 12-2:00pm - A Panel discussion
Immigration, Suffering, and God
Lunch and Learn Forum hosted by Mary of Magdala. A presentation plus Q&A to follow.
Guest presenters: Presiding Bishop Paul Burson, ECC, Dr. David Cloyd, MoM, and Jesse Miller from ISAAC.
Where: Sun Room, Trinity Church
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 - 12:00-2:00
NOTE: New Time
What to bring: Bring your lunch or snack and a (gluten-free) desert will be provided by Tom Wilberton.
To RSVP call or text your name and number attending to Rev. Jane Reina at 973-610-6104 (Yep, 973 not 970)
-->> Zoom is available at this link <<--
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FALL EQUINOX CELEBRATION!
September 21st after Mass 🇮🇹
Our Hospitality Committee is pleased to invite you to our LITTLE ITALY 🇮🇹 themed potluck dinner!
Please bring an Italian dish or salad to share……bread, dessert, beverages including vino🍷 will be provided.
Join us, per favore, signore e signori 🍝🍕🥗. Ciao😊
No RSVP necessary and if you cannot bring a dish, that's OK! Join us anyway!
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2nd Regional Holy Synod
Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC
October 11, 2025
at Light of Christ, in Longmont
Where is the Spirit taking us?
Click here for detail information and registration.
Deadline is Sept 28th to register for the Holy Synod. Tom Moos will be available after mass to assist anyone with registering. He will also have paper registration forms available. Carpools will be set up.
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No Mass in the Sanctuary at Trinity on Sunday, October 12
Please note: There will NOT be a Mass held on October 12, in the Sanctuary.
All are invited to attend the Mass on October 11 at Light of Christ ECC or via a live link on Saturday, October 11, at 5:00 pm. *Link to be provided*
Bishop Kae Madden presiding.
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OKTOBERFEST 2025 – SEPTEMBER 27
RSVP by September 20 here
The 301 Faith Partners at Trinity Lutheran Church are excited to host the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity! This event is on Saturday, September 27 from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
There will be beer, brats, sides, Oktoberfest music, and a drawing from each table for winning a free beer stein! And together, we team up and raise money towards one of our social justice areas- Habitat for Humanity.
We will hear about the latest progress of home building for families that are approved to own their own home here in Fort Collins! Hear from the newly chosen families of their joy who actually help to build their homes.
This year we are asking EVERYONE to RSVP so we can adequately prepare food. Click HERE to RSVP.
NOW all hands on deck,
we need volunteers for food, brains, & brawn.
Sign up HERE to help!
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24th Sunday of Ordinary Time
The recording of the readings and homily for the season of creation, September 14, 2025 has been uploaded here.
Pastor Rick Reiten presided and delivered the homily.
Instead of a Social Justice reflection, Tom Moos presented an overview of the upcoming regional Synod to be held at LOC on October 11.
Missed a homily or readings? Here is the link to past recorded services.
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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
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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. | | |
Sunday Mass -
September 21, 12:30 pm
- In person and Zoom available
- Mother Rosean Amaral presiding
Wednesday - Weekday Mass
September 24, 11:00 am
- Weekday Mass in the Fireside room
- No Zoom available
- Mother Rosean Amaral presiding
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Sunday Mass -
September 28, 12:30 pm
- In person and Zoom available
- Rev. Jane Reina presiding
Wednesday - Weekday Mass
October 1, 11:00 am
- Weekday Mass in the Fireside room
- No Zoom available
- Mother Rosean Amaral presiding
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Did you miss an article or announcement?
Past e-bulletins are posted on our website here. Below are links to some key articles:
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Read the 'Hope Prayer' here.
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August ECC News from the House of Laity - here.
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Read the ECC statement on immigration here.
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Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list here.
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Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.
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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
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Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
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The 301 Faith Partners--Mary of Magdala, Trinity Lutheran, St Paul's Episcopal --have a Vision, Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Read about our Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.
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The ECC Regional Website - View here.
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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.
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