Reflection from our Co-Pastors
August 19, 2021
Then I said, 'Here I am...I delight to do your will, O my God…' "
Psalm 40: 7, 8
Psalm 40 echoes the response of the prophet Isaiah when God asks, "Whom shall I send?" God was searching for someone to share God's Word with the Israelites, and Isaiah, not knowing where he would go or exactly what he would say answers, "Here I am Lord, send me."
Each of us are called by God to share God's Word of hope just as Isaiah was centuries long ago.
This can happen in so many ways: by delivering meals to families in need as the 301 Faith Partners have done over the summer; cooking meals for college students experiencing food insecurity; reading a book to a child in the Family Housing Network Program; volunteering for one of Mary of Magdala's ministries; giving rides to folks who do not have transportation
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to church; and on and on and on,,,
"Here I am, Lord. I delight to do your will, O my God."
We are often unaware of all the ways in which God uses us to change the world. But we are familiar with the stories of prophets like Mary of Nazareth, Isaiah, Samuel, Elijah, Teresa of Calcutta, etc., and we can see how their actions have impacted so many.
Take some time today to ask God to use you for God's work. Cry out, "Here I am, Lord," and see what God can accomplish with your help!
Amen
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301 Faith Partners' Update
August 2021
There have been a lot of question over the past several months. What is going on with the 301 Faith Partners? What's the Vision Team doing? What is up with the room arrangement?
It has now 17 months since the vision team had it's first church feedback sessions to dream BIG dreams about the possible realities of the 301 Faith Partners.
Over the course of the Covid year plus, we realized we needed to have a process for decision making, before anything could proceed forward. The Faith Partner Vision Team - including Bill Smith, Kerrie Anderson, Jane Reina (before ordination), Ruth Alexander and Yvonne Wootten from Mary of Magdala – discussed the best ways for us to work together, including sharing of expenses in an equitable way. A document for sharing expenses was presented and accepted by the leadership council earlier this year and was highlighted in our Covenant to one other, in October 2020.
This is a defining statement about the partnership that started in 2017.
301 Faith Partners' Covenant
(To read Full Covenant, Vision,
- We covenant to LOVE
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We covenant to COMMUNICATE
- We covenant to WORK TOGETHER in all Volunteer Areas
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We covenant to SHARE monthly Operations and Maintenance Expenses
- We covenant to INVITE one another into any capital expense
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What about the Room Rearrangement?
The moving of Mary of Magdala and St. Paul's offices to the west side of the building will promote working relationships and communication. Both important for our future together.
These conversations with the partners, and ministry teams, along with Covid and the building being unused, led to the discussion of ways to better utilize the building, offices, and rooms in a more efficient configuration. Which is where we are currently!
If there is any remodel, construction project, all three congregations will be vote on the feasibility and desire for a project to be completed, along with the sharing of cost. We will work by consensus, which means if any congregational body– regardless of contribution to the project – is hesitant on the proposed idea, we revisit the plan.
This model for decision making empowers and protects all three of our congregations equitably. The model for decisions works for both small and large monetary projects. We already have used this when sharing the expense of the Sanctuary Camera, and to some extent the Memorial Garden addition.
Now that our Faith Vision Partner Team has discerned the Vision and process for decisions, we can start more with the planning of ministry projects together that will benefit our community, through the shared resources of 301 Faith Partners. The planning is where our dreams may become reality, but know that you, dear church, will be part of that decision. Thank you for your faithfulness to what God is doing in this place through the joy and challenge of ecumenical partnerships.
Thanks be to God for guiding us through these times to show us we are better together.
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Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times
+Abdel Illah - nephew of Mary Vogl, member
+Mickey Bogart - friend of Cathy Engel, member
+Dan Scace, and family -friends of Dick and Sandra Life, members, as he is being prepared for chemo.
+Jim Carroll - husband of Dori Carroll, member
+Carol Lake, friend of Co-Pastor Jane
+Courtney Shook - daughter of Tom and Jean Christen, member
+Dorothea Grimm - Mother of Rosanna Bateman, member
+Sue Harari - friend of Cathy Engel
+Mary Detweiller - member
+Rob Frank - friend of Kerrie Anderson - member
+Jerry Padilla, father and Ryan Cordova nephew of Lisa Jones - member
+Aidan - grandson of Mother Kae.
+Lauren Roob - friend of Rosanna Bateman
+Liz and Ken Zornes and family, whose daughter is struggling with addiction - friends of Sandra and Dick Life
+Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe
+Joanne Gallagher - member, and for her sister, Dr. Barbara Immroth
+Dona Bosse - member
+Rosemary - Fr Michael' mother
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+Dani - niece of the Cloyds - members
+Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll
+Jim and Lucille Bowen friends of Suzanne King, member
+Sharon and Leo Six – parents of Michael Six
+Mike Gudim
+Suzanne King - member
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For the peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the families.
Michael Binet - member Joanne Gallagher's Godson
Bernice Wagner - sister of member
Fr. Jim DeMuth
Aaron - Son of Morris & Francis Burns,
past members
Adrian - Son of Joe & Ann - friends of
members Cindy and David Cloyd
Mary Crosby - member
Clint Wisdom - brother-in-law of Joan Chapman-Smith
Leon - father of Mother Cynthia
Kristin - daughter of ECC priest Scott Jenkins.
Joan Kneeland - sister-in-law of Bill Kneeland
Rita Ortiz, friend of Deacon Rosean
Margie Weitz - member
Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones
David Heyman -member
In gratitude for all who pray for and with our community..
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Recording for Sunday - Aug 15, 2021
The recording of readings and the homily given by Co-Pastor Jane Reina is available here. You can also view or print the Mass here to assist in prayer.
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Past Recordings, Bulletins, and Announcements
For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com. And feel free to call the office at 970 493-9536.
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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Who Are the 301 Faith Partners? |
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The 301 Faith Partners have a Vision,
Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
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Read the Vision, Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.
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