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

Reflection from our Pastor

Wednesday, October 13, 2026

October is Awareness Month

The Month of October shines like a beacon to bring us into the awareness of many of our social ills as well as to celebrate much of our progress in successfully challenging some of those same societal issues.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence Awareness

Month (DVAM) is observed every October to raise awareness, support survivors, honor victims, and work toward ending intimate partner violence. Roughly 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute in the U.S. totaling over 10 million victims annually, with nearly 75% of victims being female. Hotlines receive about 20,800 calls on a typical day. (National Domestic Violence Hotline)

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, free, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799- SAFE (7233) or texting "START" to 88788.

In Fort Collins, call Crossroads Safehouse, 24/7 Helplines 970-482-3535, or 1-888-541-7233.

October is also National Bullying Prevention Month. Common forms of bullying

include: name-calling, teasing, threats, spreading rumors, excluding others, damaging social standing, hitting, kicking, tripping, destroying property, harassment or intimidation sent via text messages, social media, or online platforms. About 1 in 5 students, roughly 20%, report being bullied at school or online. (stopbullying.gov)

If you or someone you know is being bullied, call STOMP Out Bullying HelpChat

Crisis Line, 1-877-602-8559 a free, confidential service specifically for youth (ages

13–24) dealing with bullying and cyberbullying, or, Childhelp National Child Abuse

Hotline, 1-800-422-4453 if the bullying involves abuse, neglect, or unsafe situations at home or school.

On a more positive note, October is also the month that celebrates the International Day of Non-Violence. Observed on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, this celebration was established on June 15, 2007, by the United Nations General Assembly. The day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence through education and public awareness and reaffirm the desire for a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence. It is not a public holiday, but is observed around the world in various ways, often to draw attention to global issues." (Wikipedia)

October continues with National Coming Out Day on October 11. Psychologist Robert Eichberg and gay rights activist Jean O’Leary founded the day in 1988, exactly one year from the historic 1987 march, where roughly half a million people gathered in Washington, D.C., to advocate for LGBTQ+ civil rights. The day is rooted in the idea that personal visibility is a form of activism. By coming out to family, friends, and colleagues, individuals humanize the movement. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign emphasize that coming out is a personal choice, and visibility depends on whether an individual feels safe and supported in their environment. (Wikipedia and Human Rights Campaign)

October 12 is Indigenous People’s Day, an official holiday celebrated on the second

Monday in October to honor the history, cultures, and resilience of Native American and Indigenous communities. This celebration serves as an alternative to Columbus Day, shifting the focus from European colonization to the first inhabitants of the Americas. Communities mark the day with traditional ceremonies, powwows, educational events, youth fashion shows, food festivals, and advocacy for environmental justice. (Brittanica)

These are only a fraction of the celebratory days of October, with Hangul Day, October 9, marking the invention of the Korean alphabet; United Nations Day, October 24, to raise awareness of the goals and achievements of the United Nations and reaffirm the principles of international peace, human rights, and sustainable development; and Halloween or Samhain, an annual holiday celebrated on October 31 that combines ancient Celtic harvest traditions, Christian liturgical customs, and modern secular celebrations.(Wikipedia)

In our Catholic tradition, October is officially recognized as the Month of the Holy

Rosary. October 7 was the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary. The key reason for

the designation of this feast day was because on October 7, 1571, a Christian fleet won a major naval victory against the Ottoman Empire. Pope St. Pius V had asked all of Europe to pray the Rosary for protection and attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

And so, as we both grieve the losses and simultaneously celebrate the progress,

perhaps we could gather to pray a Rosary for all these causes and more. Join Mother Rosean on zoom at 6:30pm on Wednesday, October 28, and we will end this month of the Holy Rosary with meditating on key events in the lives of our brother Jesus and our Blessed Mother Mary.

Blessings, Mother Rosean

Link to use for praying the Rosary on October 28 is here

And for those interested in ways to pray the Rosary, click here

This Week at Mary of Magdala

Rocky Mountain ECC Regional Council

We need just 2 volunteers !!

House of Laity Steering Committee

Mary Lu Stensen from Light of Christ will be stepping down from serving as a regional representative to the ECC House of Laity Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee meets once monthly on Zoom to discuss ECC issues and concerns that pertain particularly to the lay members of the ECC. If you are interested in serving our region in this capacity, please contact Tom Moos (970 219-9441 or tjmoos@aol.com). Mary Lu is happy to provide training and guidance.

Board of Directors Member in the Colorado Council of Churches

The Colorado Council of Churches (CCC) is an interdenominational organization working together for justice focusing on affordable housing and housing justice, criminal restorative justice, education of children, Environment, Health Care, Poverty, Immigration, Racism, Sexuality, Families and Abuse.

The CCC has historically also been the primary organizer of the Easter Sunrise Services at Redrocks. As vicar for ecumenical engagement, Fr Michael Nicosia served on the Board and eventually became Chairman, raising visibility for the ECC especially in the Denver area and northern Colorado. Bishop Kae Madden has continued to be an ECC presence as an Adjudicator but is not a member of the Board.

The region is looking for someone to take Fr Nicosia’s place. Although many representatives to CCC are clergy, being ordained is not a requirement. If interested, please contact Tom Moos (970 219-9441 or tjmoos@aol.com) or Mother Rosean.

Another Great 301 Shared Sunday

Adult Forum, Shared Service and Chili Potluck - This Sunday, October 18

Adult Forum & Service On Zoom and in-person

9 am Shared Adult Forum: will be led by Nizhoni Valdez, Executive Director of the First Peoples Community Center in Fort Collins. She will share information about the vision, mission and activities involving this non-profit organization founded in 2026.

Use this link for Adult for and Shared Worship if attending via zoom

10:30 am Shared Worship (no Mass at 12:30 pm)

Use this link for Adult for and Shared Worship if attending via zoom

11:30 am Shared Meal It’s fall, y’all, so you know what that means! Time to bust out some of those delicious chili recipes!

➡️➡️Sign up to bring a dish to the shared meal HERE.

Keeping Our Grounds Looking Great!

HELP! We are in need of kind hearted people to help mow for the next two weeks! No experience necessary

If you can help us mow on the 17th and or 24th

we would greatly appreciate it!

Help care for our shared church grounds. Tasks include mowing, trimming, weed-whacking, blowing off walkways, and general grounds cleanup. No experience is necessary! New volunteers will receive equipment training at 9:00 AM on their first Saturday.

Sign up with a friend or come meet someone new. Together, we can keep our grounds looking neat, tidy, and green! Sign up here.

Upcoming Events

SafeLot Update and Open House at Trinity

The Fort Collins City Council held a work session on September 8, 2026, in which changes to the code to allow safe parking in Fort Collins was discussed. Support was unanimous. You can watch the video here.

The City of Fort Collins is holding two open houses at the North Aztlan Center (112 E. Willow St.) to discuss Safe Parking in our city. SafeLot committee members, Fort Collins Police HOPE team, city staff, and Outreach Fort Collins will be in attendance.

Monday, October 19 from 5:30 – 7:30pm (First United Methodist Church)
Thursday, October 22 from 5:30 – 7:30pm (Trinity Lutheran Church)

The City Council will discuss the Safe Parking Pilot on November 3. Public comment will be allowed. You must sign up by 5:30 pm.

If the City votes to make code changes to allow safe parking to occur for licensed programs, they will develop a licensing procedure which specific locations will have to apply for.

Adult Education

America the Beautiful?

History and faith as guides to understanding

the United States on its 250^th anniversary

October 29, 2026, 7-8:30pm

Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 East Stuart, Fort Collins, CO 80525

The 301 Faith Community will offer an Adult Education Evening Seminar

co-led by two members of Mary of Magdala, ECC: Ruth M. Alexander,

Professor Emerita of History (CSU) and Jared Orsi, Professor of History

(CSU).

Jared and Ruth will share historical and ecumenical Christian perspectives

that deepen understanding of the complexity and contradictions in US

history, the existential challenges of the present day, and reasons to remain

committed to communities of faith and civil society. They will reference the

materials below. Participants are invited to review them in advance. (Click on each link.)

Please RSVP to motherrosean@gmail.com

++++++++++++++++

Suggestions and Recommendations for Adult Education:

Is there a topic you’d like our community to address in an Adult Education gathering in 2027? Please send a brief description of your idea(s) to Ruth Alexander and Mother Rosean at ruthalexander323@gmail.com and motherrosean@gmail.com

Mary Powers 80th

Birthday Bash

And you are invited!

October 24, 11am-4pm

in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity Lutheran

For a head count please

RSVP to cafemonkey03@hotmail.com or text/call 303-652-7400 to leave a message

No Gifts + Kids are Welcome

Costumes Encouraged

(Prizes will be awarded)

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Service Recordings

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The recording of readings and homily for October 4th can be found here . Mother Rosean Amaral presided and Tom Moos delivered 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.

+Diane Riley, mother of Linda O’Toole, member

+ Tyler Dahlquist, Kerrie Anderon's great niece's husband

+ Carlos Orsi, son of Jared Orsi, member

+Fr. Don Sutton, Pastor Emeritus, St. Paul, ECC, Denver

+ Jennifer Geraci, for discernment, member

+ Sean Raynes, grandson of Sandra Life

+ Rachel Devlin, daughter of MaryLou and David Devlin, members

+ Audrey Coleman, mother of Laura Williams, friend of ECC

+ Cindy Cloyd, member

+ Peter Postma son of Sharon Troyer, friend

+ Karen Neuman friend of Lisa Jones, member

+ Yvonne Keefe, member

+ Hannah Zehner, daughter of Cheryl

Zehner, member of ECC, East Rochester, NY

+ Cathy Engel, member

+ Lili Grimm, niece of Rosanna Bateman, member

+Ryan Mayer, nephew of Denise Mayer, member

+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

+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

+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.

+ Karen Johnson, member of Church of the Holy Family, ECC

+ Jim Barnes, spouse of Lynne Barnes, member

+ Audrey Coleman, mother of Laura Williams, friend of ECC

+Donna Colhour, mother of member Mark Colhour.

+Larry Johnson, father of Russ Johnson, 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

+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

301 Faith Partners Shared Service

October 18 at 10:30 am

In the Sanctuary and on Zoom
No 12:30 pm Sunday Mass

Wednesday Mass -

October 21 at 11:00 am

In person in the Fireside Room
No Zoom available
Mother Rosean presiding

Sunday Mass

October 25 at 12:30 pm

In the Sanctuary and on Zoom
Rev. Jane Reina presiding

Wednesday Mass -

October 28 at 11:00 am

In person 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:

October news from the Presiding Bishop here
August news from the House of Laity here.
Prayer request for Poland 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

Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’

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

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.