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Reflection from your Pastor
April 30, 2024
This past Sunday was the 5th Sunday of Easter and we were graced with being able to enfold into Mass a Celebration of Life for Mary Detweiler. Our Social Justice committee had an important action scheduled too, one that Mary would have championed herself. A letter- signing campaign followed Mass for four important issues chosen by members of the Social Justice Ministry. A wonderful reception for all of the above followed, organized as a joint venture between our Hospitality and Social Justice teams, with dessert and flowers donated by Maureen Dower on behalf of her mother, Mary. In accordance with Sunday’s Gospel “Abide in me as I abide in you,” our Mass, Celebration of Life, Social Justice actions, and Hospitality, all arise from the words and actions of Jesus.
As we journey together as spiritual companions along The Way, may we remember to pray for Mary Detweiler and Grace Robinson, two good friends who died within weeks of each other. May we remember to pray for each other. May we remember, “If you want Peace, work for Justice” (Pope Paul VI, 1972 as written in The False White Gospel by Jim Wallis, 2024).
“Beloved, love in me
That I may love with your love.
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May my love not merely be an imitation of yours,
But your love flowing through me,
That I may truly love as you love me.” (www.unfoldinglight.net, 4.29.2024)
In gratitude,
Pastor Jane
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In case you missed it, Mary’s daughter, Tricia, sent a message to our community which Linda Joyce read at Mary’s Celebration of Life and 5th Sunday of Easter. Here it is:
Dear Congregation of Mary of Magdala,
I want to start off by saying I’m sorry I could not be present today at this wonderful remembrance for my mother. And I thank all of you, many of who I have known over the years, for your attendance here today. I just want to share a few remembrances of my mother, especially in her last days.
I found out so much more about my mother in the last year of her life. She made me laugh and she made me cry, but more importantly, she made me really feel like she was definitely worth all the love and accolades she is now receiving.
I saw sides of my mom that I had never seen before, including her love of golf, which I did not know where I got this love from. My dad was always the comedian in the house, but I never knew my mom loved comedy so much. She never overtly laughed at Dad’s jokes, but I took her out to several comedy shows and she really loved them. In addition, beyond her love of nature and hiking, while taking her on several hikes, I found out a lot about her family which she had never disclosed before. Most of which was good, but some which was very enlightening.
As many other relatives and friends have stated, she was always feisty, and yet always fair and honest. Although my mother and I were definitely two different people, I inherited many of her qualities for which I am grateful.
I am also blessed that she lived with me in her last days. Including that her cat, Moki, could be adjusted to a new home.
Lastly, I want to thank all of you at Mary of Magdala, for making my Mom a part of your wonderful community. She loved the Church, and look[ed] highly upon Rev. Jane and Mother Rosean. And a big thank you to all who transported my mother to and from church every week after she lost her car privileges. I want to especially thank David and Cindy Cloyd who were so caring to my Mom and even brought her to your church when she was in various assisted living facilities. God bless you all from the bottom of my heart!
In Love,
Tricia Kennedy, Mary’s daughter
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Thanks to All Who Participated in the Letter Writing Campaign!
On behalf of the Mary of Magdala Social Justice Ministry, I (Tom Moos) would like to thank all those who participated in our letter writing campaign April 28. We mailed almost 220 letters to state and federal legislators on topics of “Shoot First” laws, cash bail injustice, sexual assault, and the War in Gaza. More letters are still being sent by folks from home.
Special thanks to Bruce Yeazell, Miranda Bateman and Mary Vogl for joining me in offering reflections during April and creating the form letters we signed. Deepest gratitude to Joan Chapman-Smith and her hospitality team for setting up the event and procuring pizzas (thank you Len Russ!), and to members of the Social Justice Committee who helped with cleanup. Finally, I’m grateful to the US Post Office for creating self-adhesive stamps that don’t need to be licked!
Tom Moos, Chair Social Justice Ministry
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Meal Train Request for a Member of our Community
Thank you to all who signed up to provide meals for Suzanne this week. We are truly a supportive community!
All days and specific needs have been filled! (Meal train link- here)
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Mark your Calendars-
Annual meeting of the Membership of Mary of Magdala on May 19, 2024
Please plan to attend the annual meeting of the members of Mary Magdala ECC after Mass on May 19th. As a non-profit (501(c)3), we are required to conduct an annual meeting but more importantly we will update the parish on our ministries and financial health, ratify the proposed budget, elect new leadership council members and obtain feedback from those attending.
A meal will be hosted by our Hospitality Ministry.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
David Cloyd and Michael Six, Co-chairs of the 2023-24 Leadership Council
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Upcoming RMRC Meetings Open to all MoM Members
The monthly Council meeting of the Rocky Mountain Region is open to any member of the ECC churches within our region. We are scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 2nd at 6:30 via zoom. Here is the Zoom link, or to attend via phone use the phone number below plus the meeting ID and passcode
- Dial in phone number: 1 719 359 4580
- Meeting ID: 816 7715 2445, and Passcode: 10500
For questions about the meetings or about the role of the regional council, please contact Mother Rosean via this email - marymagdalafc@gmail.com.
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Celebration of Life for Grace Robinson
A Celebration of Life honoring Grace Robinson will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 10 am.
Reception to follow. Further details to come.
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Celebrating the 5th Sunday of Easter
A recording of homilies and readings from April 28th, with Pastor Jane Reina presiding is available here. This recording includes homilies by Mother Rosean and Pastor Jane, Tricia’s message read by Linda Joyce, and a Eulogy for Mary Detweiler read by Taylor Dower.
Other Mass recordings can be accessed via our website here.
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Social Justice Reflection
Of the estimated 14 million Palestinians in the world, around half are refugees, or descendants of refugees, forced from their homeland and living in camps in Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. While the Palestine Question is an 80-year-old human rights issue, today more than 2 million Palestinians are facing humanitarian catastrophe.
In response to the violent attack by Hamas militants last October, Israel’s military has killed more than 34,000 Gazans, a majority of them women and children, and displaced more than 1.7 million Gazans. It has also destroyed or severely damaged up to 80% of civilian infrastructure - including homes, hospitals, schools, water, and sanitation facilities. The military blockade preventing access to water, food, medicine and fuel threatens to create a full-scale famine. The United Nations Secretary General said over a month ago that “This is the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded by the Integrated Food Security Classification system.” Overcrowding and lack of water, sanitation and medicine has led to widespread infectious diseases.
200 days of brutal warfare and 200 days of civilian hostages held in captivity is too much.
Let us call upon our political leaders to:
- Demand an immediate ceasefire
- Demand the release of hostages
- Demand that Israel allow the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and other relief organizations to do their work to support civilians
- Demand an open corridor to transport aid by truck
- Stop funding the Israeli military.
(We followed Mary’s reflection with a short video of the poem, “Think of Others” by Mahmoud Darwish. The video can be found here.)
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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 Devlin, 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 -
May 1, 11:00 am
- M. Rosean Amaral, Presiding
- In the Fireside Room
- No Zoom available
Sunday Mass - May 5, 12:30 pm
- Father Teri Harroun is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.
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Wednesday Midweek Mass -
May 8, 11:00 am
- M. Rosean Amaral, Presiding
- In the Fireside Room
- No Zoom available
Sunday Mass - May 12, 12:30 pm
- Mother Rosean Amaral is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.
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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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