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

Reflection from our Pastors

July 29, 2026

“Who Do You Say That I Am?”*

There is a graduate course titled: Religion and Psychology. It is packed with images of God and how our view of life, glass half empty or half full at any one time or over a long time, is a main driver of that image.

As Jesus’ ministry becomes more public he asks people who they think he is, yet it seems more important that he asks his disciples who they think he is. In the three synoptic gospels, he turns from the people to his disciples and asks them directly, “Who do you say that I am?” In other words, what image of me do you have, what inner knowledge and experience of me do you have within you?

In Matthew’s Gospel it is written that Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Firstborn of the Living God!” (16:15-16)

In Mark’s Gospel Jesus it is written that Peter answered, “You are the Messiah!” (7:29-30)

In Luke’s Gospel it is written that Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” (9:20)

In all three Synoptic Gospels Peter answered and the answer is Messiah.

John’s Gospel writes metaphorically and of greater interest to me is that Jesus himself defines his being. John, the youngest evangelist, the poet, and the dreamer of dreams, shows a Jesus with greater nuance through metaphor. Jesus speaks to the question in John chapters 6,8,9,10,11,14,15. You are invited to look into the context of one or more of these citations and consider what message might be there for you.

It is written in John:

“I am the Bread of Life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry; no one who believes in me with ever be thirsty.” (6:35)

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness, but will have the gift of life. (8:12)

“The Chosen One is speaking to you now.” (9:37)

“I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be safe – you’ll go in and go out and find pasture.” (10:9)

I am the Resurrection and I am Life: those who believe in me will live even if they die; and those who are alive and believe in me will never die.” (11:25-26)

“I am the Way – I am the Truth, and I am the Life.” (14:6)

“I am the true vine, and my Abba is the true grower who cuts off every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, but prunes the faithful ones to increase their yield.” (15:1-2)

I wonder if Jesus, as a life fully lived, is the fulfillment of humanity and divinity, and the example leading us to this same wholeness? If so, then it seems we as disciples are called to live our lives as journeys to wholeness, the journey of a lifetime!

And then we might ask of ourselves, “Who do I say I am?”

What do you think? Responses welcomed.

A Prayer For The People

Turning to the light

the light turns to us.

Moving toward the source

the source moves us.

Holding on to hope

hope holds on to us.

Jesus of Nazareth,

you encountered many lives

calling people to justice

love and curiosity.

May we—in all our nights, days

and activities—act with more

justice, love and curiosity.

Because this might save us,

and make us more like you,

who turns to us in love.

Amen.

by Padraig O Tuama, in being here.

Pastor Jane

*Scripture quotations from The Inclusive Bible by Priests for Equality. Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc. 2007.

Image by Muzaffer Karademir from Pixabay

This Week at Mary of Magdala

Do you have any gently used medals, Holy Cards or Rosaries that are ready to be passed on? The supply at PVH is almost gone and we have patients periodically requesting them. Bring them in during August and Dori Healy will make sure to pass them on with your blessings during their admissions. 

MoM Reading Group

You are invited to join Mary of Magdala Spiritual reading Group. We start again on August 11 with "The Soul's Slow Ripening " by Christine Valters Painter." Her subtitle says it all: "12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred." We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 10:30am for deep discussion.

To try us out, contact Rev. Jane Reina at jdelysswagner10@gmail.com.

301 Faith Partners

Join Us for a Spring Creek Trail Cleanup!

Help us care for our local environment by joining the Joint Ecological Team (JET) of the 301 Faith Partners for a community trail cleanup on:

Correction -> Saturday, August 1
at 9:00 a.m.

We'll meet in the Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot before heading out to clean the section of the Spring Creek Trail adjacent to the church.

Please bring your own cleanup supplies, including gloves, a bucket or bag for collecting litter, and a trash grabber if you have one. Participants should also be comfortable walking approximately one mile.

Whether you're a longtime environmental steward or simply looking for a meaningful way to serve our community, we'd love to have you join us! If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Caroline Conley Norris (carolnorris050@gmail.com).

Trinity Readers

Trinity Readers will meet in the Fireside Room on Monday, August 3, at 9:30 AM to discuss Follow the Stars Home by Diane C. McPhail - a novel of America's history during Western Expansion. 

The story is told by Lydia Latrobe Roosevelt who is the daughter of one of the architects of the U.S. Capitol. She married Nicholas Roosevelt, an inventor twice her age who is her father's colleague. He is the inventor and builder of the "New Orleans," a steamboat with dual-side paddles. She is Theodore Roosevelt's great-grand aunt. 

It is Lydia's story of the first steamboat voyage on the Mississippi River. She shares her challenges of being pregnant, Indian unrest, disease, injury, flooding, the Falls of the Ohio River and other dangers. Lydia's experience and her record of it helped to redefine our country. Please join us.

Service Recordings

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For the recording of the readings and homily (7/19) click here.

Mother Rosean was the presider and homilist.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The recording of readings and homily for today (7/26) is here

Mother Alice Bradley from Church of the Beloved was presider and Kerrie Anderson was the homilist.

Missed a homily or readings? Here is the link to past recorded services.

Social Justice Reflection

Tom Moos, Chair Social Justice Ministry

Almost everyone I talk to about the weather seems to agree this past year has been unusually warm and dry. Lack of water for irrigation has pushed farmers to make difficult decisions about how much and what to plant which in turn has manifested reductions in meat industry production levels.

I have spoken previously on climate change as a fundamental existential issue of our time. But climate change also has social justice implications. Climate Justice recognizes the disproportionate impacts of climate change on low-income communities and communities of color around the world, the people and places least responsible for the problem.

The University of California’s Center for Climate Justice and other organizations have noted how the climate crisis is deeply entangled with social, racial and environmental issues. For example, refineries and other polluting industries are often located in or near low-income communities and communities of color putting residents at disproportionate risk for cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems, and other health issues. Deeply interwoven with land and water, Indigenous communities around the world are facing some of the most severe climate impacts and are leading efforts in climate change mitigation and adaptation across the globe. Low income countries and communities often have less resilience and lower ability to adapt to hurricanes, droughts or floods that have intensified with climate change. Climate justice also recognizes humanity’s relationship to forests, agriculture lands and the need for systemic approaches to regenerative farming, agroforestry, permaculture, urban gardens, and forest restoration. (https://centerclimatejustice.universityofcalifornia.edu/what-is-climate-justice/)

Climate migration refers to the movement of people who leave their homes, temporarily or permanently, largely because of sudden- or slow-onset changes in their regional environment due to the climate crisis. In the United States, the existing legal protections for displaced people primarily consider refugees and asylum seekers, people unable to return home due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. Environmental degradation, even when severe, does not meet this criteria, so people displaced by climate events do not qualify as refugees under U.S. law. While most climate migrations historically have happened “within country”, this could change as the planet heats up and legal systems for protecting displaced people will need to adapt accordingly.

Prayer Requests

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

+ Jennifer Gerachi, 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.

+ Jim Barnes, husband of Lynne Barnes

+ 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.

Sunday Mass

August 2 at 12:30 pm

• In the Sanctuary and on Zoom
• Mother Rosean Amaral presiding

Wednesday Mass -

August 5 at 11:00 am

• In person in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Sunday Mass

August 9 at 12:30 pm

• In the Sanctuary and on Zoom
• Rev. Jane Reina presiding

Wednesday Mass -

August 12 at 11:00 am

• In person in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Did you miss an article or announcement?



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

• May Newsletter 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

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.