Our Vision Statement: ‘With the heart and mind of Christ, we transform the world.’ | | |
Reflections from our Pastors
Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2025
Season of Creation 2025
Last week‘s post introduced the Season of Creation 2025, a world-wide Christian event
honoring creation. This past Sunday we celebrated the first Sunday of this Season where we offered prayers from various countries. The prayer from Figi is a very poignant Penitential Rite of which we prayed only a portion. It is below for us to appreciate how another vulnerable country is affected by global warming.
It is possible now for us to see the Incarnation and Crucifixion with greater focus as all creation continues to suffer. A poem of the Cross can help us. It follows the prayer from Fiji below, unedited.
“We acknowledge: We ourselves cause conflict and destruction, and often fail to walk the path of peace. Everywhere on the planet, humans cause great harm, even as we know that the scope of destruction varies, and that everywhere human beings are among the victims of our deep conflict with Creation.
“All too often, we fail to live as we are called to live. We fail to be ambassadors of peace, righteousness and reconciliation. Let us confess our sins. Let us come before the Triune God and ask for forgiveness and renewal.
“Creator God, God of the oceans,
God of the land and all that is within it:
You created this world with the power of your word.
You formed humankind with your own hands,
and breathed your own breath into us.
You gave us these lands as a gift –
a source of our identity and sustenance.
You empowered us to be the guardians of what you have made.
“Loving God,
We have failed you and abused the gift you have given us.
We have offended you and defiled what you have made.
Forgive us for betraying your trust.
Forgive us for our greed and arrogance.
Forgive us for what we have done to your Earth.
Forgive us for what we have done to our oceans.
Forgive us for what we have done to your creatures –
on the land, in the sky, and in the depths.
“Hear, O God of Compassion:
The cries of the land – now a desert,
laid barren through corrupt agricultural practices,
pollution, mining, and deforestation.
The cries of the islands, drowning in rising seas,
oceans swelling with melting ice.
The cries of distress from Mother Earth –
storm and drought.
“God of Life,
Heal our wounded Earth.
Empower us to choose the road that leads to life.
Guide us in the paths of righteousness, for your name’s sake,
So that we many experience once again
your Shalom in the land and in the sea.
This we ask in the name of the one
who came that we have life in abundance –
your Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Amen.”
@2012 Rev. James Bhagwan, Fifi
In the Season of Creation Celebration Guide 2025.
Source: https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/oceania
“Cross
“Whoever does not carry the cross
and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
—Luke 14.27
Romans nailed them to it, regularly.
It wasn't jewelry. It was doom.
It doesn't mean you belong.
It means you're willing to die.
Think not of what you must accomplish
but what you will surrender;
and by that cross
great things may be accomplished.
Steve Garnaas-Holmes Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
In faith and hope,
Pastor Jane
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The Season of Creation -- September 1st thru October 4th
We will be celebrating the 'Season of Creation' beginning with our September 7th Mass. Everyone is invited to bring objects that speak to them of Creation —any and all type of objects are welcome—those from the natural world and those from the human created world.
Please come a little early to place your object around the altar and sanctuary.
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September's 301 FP Pub-Fellowship
Spirit of Joy Lutheran members also meet on the second Thursday of every month at a different brewery! They have invited our 301 members to join them!
We will all meet on:
Thursday, September 11, 3:30pm
VERBOTEN BREWING
It is located at 1611 S. College Ave., Unit 1609, which is a small shopping mall found just before crossing the railroad tracks on West Prospect Ave.
The brewery was once Black Bottle Brewing. The drink menu includes 4 different brew specials, wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. The kitchen includes a variety of pizzas, snacks, salads, sandwiches, and a few deserts.
Let's all meet some new friends! As usual, no RSVP, just know that everyone is welcome at our get-togethers! Come when you can, leave when you must. See you there!
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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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2nd Regional Holy Synod
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.
Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC
October 11, 2025
at Light of Christ
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Join the 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!)
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
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September 20, 2025, 1-2:30pm
Immigration, Suffering, and God
Lunch and Learn Forum at Trinity Church 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.
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)
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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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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." Mother Rosean
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Season of Creation
The recording of the readings and homily for the season of creation, September 7, 2025 has been uploaded here.
Associate Pastor Jane Reina presided but Linda Joyce delivered the homily.
Missed a homily or readings? Here is the link to past recorded services.
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Social Justice Reflection
By Tom Moos
The wood stork is the only native stork and largest wading bird in North America. It is usually found in southeastern swamps like the Florida Everglades and parts of Mexico. When my good friend, Teri Harroun, learned on social media that one had been spotted in Broomfield, the first sighting in Colorado in 91 years, she suggested we drive down and try to find it. Wood storks are excellent fliers, riding thermals high into the skies. However, they are not migratory in the usual sense. Many are residential or partially migratory, traveling hundreds but rarely thousands of miles.
Wood storks are essential indicators of the health of the Everglades. With food sources critically tied to the hydrology of the wetlands, wood storks experienced steep declines during the 1940s as a network of canals that humans implemented to make South Florida drier and thus more easily developed, disrupted the characteristics of the marshes. Today climate change is reshaping ecosystems, forcing the storks to find new habitats. Scientists have learned that wood stork droppings are a significant source of nutrients in wetlands. Declining stork populations contribute to changes in nutrient cycling, which drives plant community composition, vegetation density, and fish and invertebrate populations, resulting in substantial, and unpredictable consequences on wetland ecosystems. (Audubon; The Weird and Wild Migration of the Wood Stork Raises Many Questions)
| The Broomfield stork currently visiting at Alexx & Michael’s Pond is most likely a lost juvenile. It has captured the attention of hundreds of Colorado bird watchers but we encountered only a few during our search for the stork. The pond is also home to egrets, pelicans, cormorants and herons. On arriving, we first spotted the stork across the pond and slowly circled around for a closer look. As we neared the bird, Teri prayed “The Divine in me greets the Divine in you”, listening for energy welcoming us into the stork’s space. To our surprise, the stork lifted one leg, stretched out a wing and bowed to Teri in greeting. The wood stork patiently allowed me to take a few dozen pictures before we quietly and respectfully backed away again. | |
Given that wood storks are tropical and don’t migrate long distances, we share concerns whether it will find its way back to Florida this winter?
The American Bird Conservancy reports that bird populations are declining around the world. It is increasingly clear that climate change is an important driver behind this worrying trend. Warming temperatures are changing where birds live, the timing of their migration patterns and egg laying, and even the sizes and shapes of their bodies.
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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. | | |
Wednesday - Weekday Mass
September 10, 11:00 am
- Dori Healy, candidate for the deaconate will lead a communion service
- No Zoom available
Sunday Mass -
September 14, 12:30 pm
- In person and Zoom available
- Rev. Rick Reiten will lead a communion service and provide the homily
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Wednesday - Weekday Mass
September 17, 11:00 am
- Weekday Mass in the Fireside room
- No Zoom available
- Mother Rosean Amaral presiding
Sunday Mass -
September 21, 12:30 pm
- In person and Zoom available
- Mother Rosean will be 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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