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Reflection from your Pastor
April 23, 2024
Yesterday was Earth Day. Somehow it seems now that every day is Earth Day. We are of the earth as much as we are of God. Yet, as humans our finitude is bound up with Earth's: as a species we live and die along with it.
Our consciousness has been raised. For example, maybe we are aware of almost every piece of plastic that we see and how it won't degrade, and we keep washing and reusing the plastic we have, or choose some other reusable material like glass or silicone. Maybe we are aware of capitalism's addictive hunger for control of the 'masses' and profit and so are suspicious that any product that does less damage is overpriced and out of reach for most of us. Maybe we check product labels looking for how many chemical additives are present but we cannot know about the PFAS content or how genetically modified fruits and vegetables actually affect us. Yet we believe all creation including our species is bound up with God, the Creator, the Holy One continually creating.
Maybe because all creation is from God we 'reflect' on the strength of our attention to the original kinship of all things big and small, and we 'act:' we plant trees, buy local, use fewer chemical pesticides and herbicides or none, reduce our emissions, change out lawns for landscapes suitable for high desert, work in community gardens, teach our young ones the thrill of damp soil and new blossoms, and so much more. We 'act.'
Not that long ago, the concept of the spider web as a reality of all creation's connection might have been considered myth, or the stuff of artists and poets, surely nothing affecting our moment to moment lives. We are changing: less stuff, more renewable resources. And we have faith that science and technology will find ways to clean up our oceans and waterways, and help renew what is barely surviving, like birds and bees.
Quantum mechanics is showing us how grounded we are in creation. Each new 'discovery' from neutrinos to consciousness is a window on what is yet undiscovered. Easter is our hope. What we do today has a real impact. Our hope is bound up in our actions so maybe the next step is recalling our positive impact, that our efforts mean something. And pray for the wisdom to see how re-initiating or rejuvenating our original kinship is of God, our ultimate hope.
"We are part of earth, not separate, not foreign.
Earthlings. We are not the whole earth,
but we are not anything else.
Every molecule of our flesh
is from the planet’s dirt and water.
The tides in our veins, the forests in our gut,
our mountains and valleys of bones,
our breathing in and out, all are of the Earth.
The red oak and the white tailed deer,
the water buffalo, the giraffe and the penguin,
the worm and mycelium,
the springs and rivers and the wandering winds,
all embrace us, include us, flow in and out of us.
Here we belong.
And so it is true of God. We belong.
We are not God, or even a great part of God.
But we are nothing else. Godlings.
Made of God, contained in God,
belonging in God. We are God’s microbiome.
God flows in and out of us.
We will never comprehend the Infinite One,
but only know that God is in everything we do.
Our calling, on earth and in God,
is to honor our belonging."
-Unfolding Light. Pastor Steve Garnass-Holmes 4.22.2024
Last night the holy days of Passover began. Can we see similarities between God's call to the Israelites to follow Moses to renewed life and God's call to us to follow the life of Jesus our Christ to a renewed divinized world?
Pastor Jane Reina
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Thank you to participants in the Harmony Cottages Habitat for Humanity Build Day!
A huge THANK YOU goes out to Katie Lea and Alex Brown for braving the inclement and cold weather last Saturday, the 20th at the Harmony Cottages Habitat for Humanity Build Day! And thank you for representing Mary of Magdala. You gave your time and talent in helping to build a home for well deserved applicants who dream of owning their own home!
Katie and Alex are shown here at the far left. It looks like they had a great day in spite of the weather! Thank you Jerry Freire for bring a much encouraging hot lunch to everyone!
The very next Habitat Build Day will be on June 15. Please let us know if you are interested in having a great day working with fellow faith partners in helping build a home for our neighbors.
Call or email Len Russ, at lenandgin@yahoo.com or 970-481-5541.
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Social Justice Letter Writing Campaign
The Social Justice committee will be hosting a pizza luncheon after Mass on Sunday, April 28 combined with a letter writing campaign in response to the Social Justice reflections delivered during the month of April:
1. “Stand Your Ground” or “Shoot First” laws. Presented by Tom Moos on Apr 7. A letter will be sent to Katie Hobbs, Governor of Arizona, thanking her for vetoing HB2843 which would have expanded the definition of “premises” beyond a home to include all of one’s property. Critics of the bill asserted the redefinition sets a dangerous precedent allowing ranchers to shoot trespassing immigrants, a new form of legalized lynching. One letter will be sent. Members of the community can sign on a signature page which will accompany the letter.
2. Cash Bail Injustice. Presented by Bruce Yeazell on Apr 14. Form letters will be available for Colorado Senators Bennet and Hicklenlooper and Congressman Joe Neguse encouraging them to introduce or support legislation that ends the use of cash bail in federal courts. Form letters for each recipient will be provided which you can personalize and/or simply sign.
3. Sexual Assault Awareness. Presented by Miranda Bateman on April 21. Each of the 4 sponsors of Colorado HB24-1072 will be sent a letter with signature pages thanking them for their work protecting victims and witnesses of sexual assault and encouraging them to continue introducing further protections for victims. Members of the community are encouraged to sign on one signature page for each of the 4 sponsors.
4. War in Gaza. To be presented by Mary Vogel on April 28. (Details still being worked out.) We will send a letter to officials in Washington DC encouraging them to push for ceasefire and an end to the genocide and displacement of people in Gaza.
The letter writing event is structured for simplicity and efficiency. The letters will be preprinted. In some cases, signers may be able to add a personal note before signing and including your mailing address. Members of the Social Justice committee will collect the letters, stamp and mail them. Your participation is 100% voluntary. No one will be pressured to sign a letter whose message you do not endorse or support.
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Baptism of Jonathan Richard Poché on Friday, April 26th
All are invited to the baptism of Jonathan Richard Poche, son of David Ponché and Zaria Torres-Poché, member of Mary of Magdala on Friday, April 26th at 9:30am. The baptism will be held in the sanctuary.
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Celebration of Life for Mary Detweiler
A Celebration of Life honoring Mary Detweiler will be held during the April 28th Sunday mass. Mary was a long time member of Mary of Magdala. Eucharistic Ministry and Social Justice projects were her passion. Her obituary is on Legacy.com. The Social Justice letter signing and refreshments will occur after the mass, which Mary would have loved.
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Monthly Leadership Council Meeting
Our Mary of Magdala Leadership Council will meet via Zoom on Monday, April 29th at 6:30 pm.
Any member of Mary of Magdala can attend any open meeting. If you have an interest in attending, please email us at marymagdalafc@gmail.com.
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6th Annual Heroes for Homeless Families Awards Dinner
Family Housing Network’s 6th Annual HEROES for Homeless Families Awards Dinner will be held
Friday, April 26th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at CSU's Canvas Stadium.
The event will include dinner, an online auction, live raffle, words from a family who has successfully used FHN’s services, and the awards presentation.
Tickets are $75 and available here.
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Celebrating the 4th Sunday of Easter
A recording of homilies and readings from April 21st, with Fr. Michael Nicosia presiding is available here.
Other Mass recordings can be accessed via our website here.
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Social Justice Reflection
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 1 in 2 women, 1 in 3 men, and 1 in 2 transgender individuals have experienced sexual assault during their lifetime. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] Division of Violence Prevention, 2022). Sexual violence is anything that negatively affects someone physically or emotionally using sexual acts, sexual language, or something that targets their sexuality. This is a prevalent issue in our society and is something that impacts everyone regardless of gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, ability, creed, or socioeconomic status.
Another common form of violence we see in our world is victim blaming. In other words, believing violence is partly or completely a victim’s fault, rather than a perpetrator’s choice. Examples include: what they were wearing, how much they had to drink, if they were walking alone at night, and past sexual experiences. You can never blame a victim for what the perpetrator did.
In the state of Colorado, things like clothing or past sexual experiences could be used as evidence of the victim’s consent. A recent bill would amend such things in the hopes of reducing victim blaming and holding perpetrators accountable. I invite you to join us next week to write thank you letters to the bill’s sponsors and encourage similar legislation.
For the past few years, I have worked as a prevention educator at the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (also known as SAVA) Center. This non-profit supports those impacted by sexual violence through group and individual therapy, advocacy services, and a 24 hour hotline. SAVA envisions a world free from sexual violence and our prevention education branch aims to do just that. Our prevention programs work closely with partnering organizations, like local school districts, to reach several thousand youths each year.
While all of this is great, it will take all of us working together to create a culture where survivors are believed and supported, and perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. Only then can we hope to live in a world without sexual violence. You can do your part by believing survivors, offering support and resources, asking for consent, and calling out victim blaming statements. Lastly, no one has to handle anything alone. If you or a loved one is in need of support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to SAVA.
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Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times.
+Ellen Williams, sister of Mary Cobb, friend of Mary of Magdala
+Pauline Devin, David Devlin's mother
+Vanity, for comfort at this time of loss
+Eli Crocker, for healing
+Ruth Wolfe, member of Light and Christ ECC
+Frederique Pesin, and her family, friends of Mother Rosean
+Patsy Connor, friend of Linda J.
+Natalie Rochester, for prosperity, love, and happiness
+James Fuller, friend of Mary of Magdala and
seeker, returning to Houston
+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran
+Tess Peters, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member
+Cache and Courtney, family of Jean Christen
+David Devlin, member
+Kolten Weitzel, grandson of Kerrie Anderson, member
+Sabrina and her two children, currently homeless
+Linda Browell, member
+Sandra Carter, friend of Mary Vogl
+Kris Jenkins, wife of Father Scott Jenkins
+Jen Banks, friend of Mary of Magdala
+Jerry Padilla, father of member Lisa Jones
+Rachel, daughter of Mary Lou Devlin, member
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A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.
+Grace Robinson, member of Mary of Magdala
+Jack Wolfe, member of Light and Christ ECC
+Promise, age 22, for the peaceful repose of her soul
+Mary Detweiler, member of Mary of Magdala
+Allen Wilberton, brother of Tom Wilberton
+Sharon L. Six, mother of Michael Six, member
+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll
+Joanne Gallagher, member
+Daniel, cousin of Pedro Engel
+Juanita Newbre, aunt of MaryLou Devlin, member
+Jeanette Marian Banks (Brown) mother of Jen Banks
+Flavian Reising Jr., Father of Steve Reising, member
+Marge Gruber, friend of Michael Six, member
+Betty Jones, mother-in-law of Lisa Jones, member
+Jean Preslan, friend of Mother Rosean and others
+Josy Moos, Godmother of Tom Moos
+Fr. Fred Ball, OFR, ECC priest
+Bob Colhour, father of member Mark Colhour.
+Candy Palmer, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member
+Linn Zink, friend of MoM, Social Justice advocate
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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. | |
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Wednesday Midweek Mass -
April 24, 11:00 am
- M. Rosean Amaral, Presiding
- In the Fireside Room
- No Zoom available
Sunday Mass - April 28, 12:30 pm
- Pastor Jane Reina is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.
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Sunday Mass - April 28, 12:30 pm
- Pastor Jane Reina is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.
Wednesday Midweek Mass -
May 1, 11:00 am
- M. Rosean Amaral, Presiding
- In the Fireside Room
- No Zoom available
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Did you miss an article or announcement?
Past e-bulletins posted here
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To read the ECC House of Pastors Newsletter and Holy Synod Updates, click here.
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To read the ECC House of Pastors Newsletter and Holy Synod Updates, click here.
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To read the January News from the Office of the Presiding Bishop Paul (Pablo) Burson, click here (English) and here (Spanish).
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To read the ECC Council of Bishops' statement on the War in Gaza and Israel, click 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 <--
If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala, here are ways 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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