Reflection from our Co-Pastors

Thursday, January 27, 2022

In memory of Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk, teacher, ecumenist, and peacemaker who died this week on January 22 at 95 years of age. He and Thomas Merton were good friends, “Thich Nhat Hanh is more my brother than many who are nearer to me in race and nationality, because he and I see things the exact same way.” Thich Nhat Hanh was a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi along with Martin Luther King, Jr., who nominated Thich Nhat Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize on January 25, 1967 (55 years ago almost to the day).

Among the 20+ books Thich Nhat Hahn has written, one is Living Buddha, Living Christ, first published in 1995 and reissued at its 25th year anniversary in 2015. In memory of Thich Nhat Hanh here is a Buddha/Christ message from Living Buddha, Living Christ, 2015 (pg.83) giving us his constant urging for understanding and compassion as the way out of division.

Understanding Transforms

If while we practice we are not aware that the world is suffering, that children are dying of hunger, that social injustice is going on everywhere, we are not practicing mindfulness. We are just trying to escape. But anger is not enough. Jesus told us to love our enemy. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This teaching helps us know how to look at the person we consider to be the cause of suffering. If we practice looking deeply into his [her,their] situation and the causes of how he [she/they] came to be the way he [she, they] is now, and if we visualize ourselves as being born in his [her,their] condition, we may see that we could have been exactly like him [her,them]. When we do that, compassion arises in us naturally, and we see

that the other person is to be helped and not punished. In that moment, our anger transforms itself

into the energy of compassion. Suddenly, the one we have been calling our enemy becomes our brother or sister. This is the true teaching of Jesus. Looking deeply is one of the most effective ways to transform our anger, prejudices, and discrimination. We practice as an individual, and we also practice as a group.

May the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh remain relevant as a guide for us in the 21st century.

Left: Trappist Father Thomas Merton is pictured in an undated photo. (CNS photo/Merton Legacy Trust and the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University) Right: Vietnamese Monk Thich Nhat Hanh talks during an interview in Hanoi, Vietnam on March 29, 2005. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) From the article in America: the Jesuit Review.

Stewardship - Pledging your Time Talent and Treasure

With the beginning of a new year comes an opportunity to pause and reflect on the past year, as well as to anticipate with hope all the possibilities the new year brings. For most of us, we are eager to embrace a year of healing, hope, and health. It is with this hope and anticipation that your Leadership Council welcomes you to join our 2022 Stewardship Campaign--January 23 - February 20.

This past year has been a challenge for Mary of Magdala, ECC, to remain flexible and open to how best serve our community and fulfill our mission. We continue to focus on providing meaningful worship opportunities and adapting our social justice efforts based on changing needs.   

The financial support we’ve received in 2021 has allowed us to continue with our 3-year financial plan — and for this we are extremely humbled and grateful.

But equally important to Mary of Magdala are the volunteers. We estimate over 50% of the hours dedicated to ministries at Mary of Magdala and our partnership is completed by our volunteer’s Time and Talent. Contributing Time and Talent is vital and a major component of the Stewardship campaign, as we are called by the Spirit to grow our mission of love and service.We ask you to prayerfully consider contributing above your current monthly contribution and/or consider the many volunteer opportunities (See link to list of volunteer opportunities.) We are in awe and gratitude for you and for our covenant with Trinity Lutheran and St. Paul’s. Together we can become what our name confers–an ecumenical partnership.

Please complete the enclosed pledge and return it to us during our annual campaign January 23 – February 20, 2022. For volunteering please let us know of your interest by emailing us at marymagdalafc@gmail.com

In Christ’s love and mission, 

Your Leadership Council

For the full Stewardship letter, click here.

For the Financial Pledge form, click here.

For detailed list of volunteer opportunities, click here.

For information on ways to contribute one-time or recurring, click here.

Nominations Requested for Presiding Bishop of the ECC - Due January 31, 2022

The last day for nominations to the Presiding Bishop Nomination Committee is January 31.  You can send all nominations to eccpbnc@gmail.com

To read the letter from Bishop Francis, click here



Creating Community "Wherever We Are"

Join Us Via Zoom this

Sunday at 5:00 pm

Community Chat begins at 4:40 pm.



Here is the Zoom Link

Hybrid Mass (In-sanctuary and on Zoom) will begin again once the 7-day infection rate of COVID drops to 15% in Larimer County. See dashboard here.)

Recording - Sunday, January 23, 2022

View the readings, gospel and the homily by Mother Rosean Amaral and here is the Sunday Worship Aid for you to print or view.

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? Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.