Mary Magdalene Church is an inclusive church in the
Catholic tradition where people from all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to the Lord's Table. We strive to live the values that
Jesus taught, to honor and respect each individual,
and to share the joy of God's unconditional love
in our community and beyond.
Mary Magdalene Church Bulletin   
Sunday, November 15, 2020



“You are not
a drop in the ocean.

You are the entire ocean
in a drop.”

~Rumi
(13th century Sufi mystic)
Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash
CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Tomorrow morning - Sunday, Nov 15, at 9:15 am.
The Zoom link is here.

SUNDAY MORNING MASS will be virtual only at 10 am.
Please join us on Facebook Live or YouTube!

If you haven't done so already, please consider subscribing to MMC's YouTube Channel. There is no fee involved, and you're notified when we are live. Click this link to get connected: Our Channel on YouTube

Our musicians this morning are Kathy English, Bob Pizzutiello, and Randy Jones. The song sheet is here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ A Message from Bishop Denise ~

Greetings!

As I’m sure you know, across the nation we are experiencing an exponential increase in the incidence of COVID 19. Monroe County is no exception.
Yesterday, the positivity rate in Monroe County was 5.4%!! This is a record high for our area. Please do what you can to stay healthy. Wear your mask, practice social distance and make sure you get your flu shot this year!!  

The uptick in COVID is the source of major concern for all of us, and as such we have made a decision at Mary Magdalene Church to not open the church on Sunday mornings anytime in the near future.  We’ll reconsider after the first of the year.  This brings great sadness for all of us. On the one hand, I want nothing more than to be with all of you on Sunday mornings in our sanctuary. However, as I say this, I realize there is an even greater desire – for all of us to remain healthy.  And at this time, we cannot hold both desires in the same hand. 

Please remember that the sanctuary is open Wednesdays & Fridays from 12:00-4:00. You are invited to come in for prayer, reflection and communion. You will find me and/or Lori in our offices. If our office doors are open, or you hear us chatting in the library, please feel invited to say hello! 

As we move into the holidays, we all long for family, for community, for tradition, for celebration, and we may need to hold one another closely in other ways! As I keep reminding myself, these holidays will look very different, but that is so that we will have more holidays to celebrate!!  We will be looking for ways to make the holidays special for our community, even while we're apart. In a couple of weeks, we will be decorating for Advent and Christmas. As you know, the church is always so pretty with the stars hanging from the ceiling, the Christmas lights on the trees, and the nativity sets around every corner!  It will give us something to look forward to!! And we are discussing many different options. One way of connecting before the snow flies is to join us next Saturday 11/21 for what Lori calls: Leaves & Weenies. If you aren't able to join in the raking you can come about 11:30 to help Lori cook and join us for a hotdog!

As days get shorter, and we recognize the need to close some of our circles and stay physically distant, I encourage you to take courage and hold onto your faith.  Develop the habit of taking a moment to take a good deep breath, and allow yourself to settle into the love of God.  This is especially helpful anytime you feel your anxiety rise or loneliness setting in. Feel the love of God fill your soul and know that at this moment, in this space, you are one with the giver of life, and feel her breath in your lungs. Know that you are not alone In the words of Rumi above: “You are not a drop in the ocean, You are the entire ocean in a drop.” 

One way I'd like to connect with some of you is to begin again our Wednesday Coffee, Prayer & Community Connections. We will meet on Wednesday mornings at 10:00. Each week I'll utilize different reflections & prayers, but we'll also take the time to just be together!! If you're nervous about using Zoom I'll be online beginning at 9:45. I'll make sure you can get in and join us!!! And if all else fails, give me a call or a text at 585-329-0895 and I'll give you some directions.

This week, Lori Vail will be the speaker at 7:00 for the Saturday night Check-in. Lori is our new interim associate pastor and this will give you a sweet opportunity to hear a bit more of her story! The Check-ins are sponsored by Peter Veitch through his mission, Casa Gubio. I hope you join us!!

On Friday night, Nov 20 at 7:00 you're invited to join us on Facebook Live for the Transgender Day of Remembrance, for all those trans friends who've lives were cut short. MMC is one of the sponsors of this ceremony and we have a few of our trans family members who are sharing a bit of their stories, specifically Lori Vail & Rebecca's son Kellen and Jim & Cassie Kerg's son Cedric, will each share for a couple of minutes. We'll have a watch party set up so we can communicate with one another during the ceremony.

Please don't miss the video below from Rosemary and Mike Salamone. They are some of the newer members of our community, having found us just a few months before the pandemic!!

Finally, I remind you to complete the membership survey that was sent out directly from our stewardship team. This year it is especially important that we get 100% participation, as we're launching a new database and the information from the survey will ensure that we have your contact info, etc.

Make sure you check out the announcements below!!

I love each one of you, and miss you!!
with great affection,

Bishop Denise

Bishop Denise Donato



GETTING INVOLVED!

Mary Magdalene Community Events

Stewardship Campaign
Thank you to all who have completed the survey, and if you need a copy of the Automatic Giving Form to fill out, you can find the form here!

A message this week our Stewardship Committee Chair, Rich Anderson:
"We are halfway through our stewardship and membership Drive. We have had an 11% response rate to the electronic survey, so we have a long way to go in our goal of 100% , but I know we will make it happen. Watch for those emails in your inbox and take 5 minutes to fill out the survey. It is very vital that we get up-to-date information for everyone even, if you've responded in the past. Being able to connect with everyone during this tough time is important for everyone involved in the church. Please enjoy the video from some of our parishioners talking about different ways to get involved."

This week, we hear from Mike and Rosemary Salome!
Cup of Change
Our Anti-Racism work continues! We are currently taking part in the United Way's 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, and it is not too late to join us! You can find more information and the sign up here, and we will meet by Zoom this Thursday, November 19 at 7 pm to discuss our experiences. You will also notice some new resources in the "Getting Informed" area below, and our Moodle platform is updated a couple of times a month with podcasts, documentaries and more. Reach out if you would like to be added to our Moodle user list! lorikvail@gmail.com

Trans Day of Remembrance
Please plan to join us on Facebook Live this Friday, November 20 at 7 pm for a service honoring the lives and struggles of Trans people, including members of our own community. Bishop Denise will lead prayers for the event, and all are welcome to view the service together in solidarity. Check our Facebook page later in the week for watch party information or just click the link above.

Leaves and Weenies (AGAIN!) - November 21, 2020
Join us this coming Saturday - November 21 from 9 am to noon as we finish preparing the church yard and parking lot for winter by raking up the remainder of leaves from our lovely trees. Phil will provide the leaf direction, and Lori will provide lunch (vegetarian dogs available- just let us know)! We look forward to your fellowship and your help.

Open Sanctuary Hours
If you are in need of a place for reflection and prayer, our sanctuary is now open a few times each week. Join us! As a general rule, the Sanctuary will be open on Wednesdays from 12:00-4:00 pm and on Fridays from 12:00-4:00 pm. One of us will be in the building during these open hours, and we are happy to connect with you if you would like to speak with us. If our office doors are open, we are available! You will also find Eucharist available at the front of the church. For the sake of safety and comfort, we ask that you use the hand sanitizer provided, that you receive communion at your seat, and that you wear a mask at all times in the church.

Mary Magdalene Advent Circles
The Ministry Team will be leading a series of four Zoom liturgies for Advent - Save the Date! We will meet Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm beginning December 2. Watch the bulletin for further information!

A message from Brother Peter - Advent Retreat
Brother Peter Veitch, OSB and youth minister and seminarian Lauren Urzetta will be leading an Advent retreat on zoom, Sundays at 5:30-6:30 EDT beginning 11/29. We will be reflecting on Anselm Grün, OSB’s
 ‘A Time of Fulfillment’ and ‘Your Light Gives Us Hope’ which can be purchased on Amazon. Please join us, ALL are welcome!

Open Door Mission - Cold Weather Gear Drive
Until December 23, Dory Deisenroth is collecting coats, hats, gloves, scarves and earmuffs for the Open Door Mission. Bring gently used or new items to church, and leave them in the marked bin outside the sanctuary. Last year we collected over 100 coats!

East Rochester Resource Center
You can always bring your donation of non-perishable food, paper products, cleaning supplies and toiletries to church at any time. The need is great.

Bulletin Announcements
Do you have an announcement you would like to see included in our bulletin? Just email Lori by Thursday at 5 pm to have your group's message or activity added to our Sunday bulletin. lorikvail@gmail.com

GETTING INFORMED!

DEFUND Deconstructed
Wondering what it means when we say or hear "Defund the police"? This amazing powerpoint put together by Rev. Myra Brown helps explain the issues around defunding and outlines the ways that re-funding is the real work at hand. This blueprint for community policing is worth your time. It is also available in our Moodle site for Cup of Change.

RARAC & Impact Interactive Anti-Racism Workshop
Uncomfortable Conversations: Confronting Privilege, Bias, & Racism- Designed to help white people become better allies and accomplices, and develop effective tactics to face racism head on, this innovative, virtual workshop presents realistic scenes that illustrate the challenges of speaking up for racial justice at home and at work. The event will be hosted via Zoom on Sunday, November 8 from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Tickets for the event are limited to the first 100 registrants and can be purchased through Eventbrite for $45 plus online processing fees. To reserve your spot, sign-up at: bit.ly/RARACWorkshop2


Understanding Black Experiences -
The Rochester Public Library has put together a great online resource page.https://roccitylibrary.org/understanding-black-experiences/
Thank you again for your generosity! If you make a donation today
and would like that donation to go towards our virtual presence,
please send an email to our treasurer: suepagano@gmail.com
Opportunities to
Come into Church for
Prayer or Reflection:

Wednesday
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Friday
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Communion will be available.

The front door will be unlocked.
Please use sanitizer provided &
wear a mask at all times.
hot_aromatic_coffee.jpg
Opportunities to Connect:

Sunday 11:00 am

Wednesdays 10:00 am

8:00 am

7:00 pm
Lori Vail will be the speaker

For those of you who would like to understand a bit more
about our Communal Blessing we participate in during our
live streamed liturgy, you'll find a document explaining the blessing
on our website. It's entitled We are a Eucharistic People.
Do you have someone you
want us to pray for?

To add someone to the prayer chain, contact:
Or Joann Corso at 585-223-5682

If you'd like to connect with Bishop Denise directly:
Or 585-329-0895

If you'd like to join our team of "prayers"
and be notified where there are prayer needs,
please send an email to Lori Vail:

Bishop Denise Donato
Phone: 585-329-0895

Mimi Youngman
Email: marymagdalenechurcher@gmail.com
Phone: 585-797-4707

Lori Vail
Phone: 585-353-5954