Reflections from our Pastors

Thursday, June 12, 2025

National Loving Day

“Now God is the Spirit and where the Spirit of God is, there is freedom.”

(2 Corinthians 3: 17)

‘The freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with

the individual, and cannot be infringed by the state.’ (U.S. Supreme Court, 1967)

It is hard to imagine now that there was a time when this statement wasn’t true. The opposite of this was the reality in America. Every June 12, we honor the United States Supreme Court’s 1967 decision to strike down laws in several states that banned interracial marriage. The decision was sparked by Loving v. Virginia, a court case involving Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple from Virginia who married in 1958.

Mildred and Richard started off as childhood friends and, over the years, their friendship developed into love. On her 18th birthday, in 1958, Mildred was married to Richard in Washington, after which the couple returned to their hometown. Two weeks later, they were arrested by authorities. The two were unaware that the state where they resided considered interracial marriage to be illegal. Pleading guilty, the Lovings agreed to leave Virginia.

After moving to Washington D.C., the couple pursued legal action by writing a plea to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. The case was forwarded to the American Civil Liberties Union and, eventually, the ruling was in the Lovings’ favor. Richard and Mildred returned to their home in Virginia, where they settled with their three children. The couple fought back against the laws that forbid their partnership and ultimately won the right to marry.

Richard and Mildred’s determination changed the lives of millions of Americans and shaped the future of relationships in the country. National Loving Day is all about celebrating love beyond boundaries. The Lovings set a precedent, and have been a symbol of love against all odds for many. Today, let us give thanks to Mildred and Richard Loving. Read more here.

Blessings, Mother Rosean

Pub Fellowship Group

WE will be gathering for another SPECIAL NIGHT OUT!

Mark your calendars:

3rd Thursday - June 19
6:00 to 9:00- PM
AVOGADRO'S NUMBER
605 SOUTH MASON STREET

We will be entertained by Mary of Magdala's own Bill Smith and his jazz combo! There will be plenty of seating out on the patio in the back.

There is a ticket sale for the event - $15.00 at the door or $10.00 advanced sale - go to Avogadro's website here and scroll down to the June 19 to purchase online.

Tip: For parking other than on Mason St., use the large parking lot that belongs to First Presbyterian Church a hundred yards away. Just be sure not to park in a designated space.

Service Recordings

Sunday, June 8, 2025

The Feast of Pentecost

Mother Rosean Amaral presided and delivered the homily, in conjunction with a video from Bishop Kae Madden of the Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC. The service recording is available to view here.

Other Mass recordings can be accessed via our service recordings website here .

Prayer Requests

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

+Alexis and Steve, her grandfather, friends of Mary of Magdala

+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.

Upcoming Mass Times

Sunday Mass - Trinity and Father's Day

June 15, 12:30 pm

In person and Zoom available
Father Jim DeMuth presiding

Wednesday - Weekday Mass

June 18, 11:00 am

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

Sunday Mass - Pentecost Sunday

June 22, 12:30 pm

In person and Zoom available
Rev Jane Reina presiding

Wednesday - Weekday Mass

June 18, 11:00 am

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

... and More

Did you miss an article or announcement?

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

ECC News from the House of Laity - May - here
Spring News from the Office of Presiding Bishop - here.
Message from Presiding Bishop Paul and Bishop Kae on the passing of Pope Francis 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

Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’

Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.

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.

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.