Reflection from our Co-Pastors

Tuesday February 16, 2023

Spread Hope Around

Take heart, winter is marching on. It is already the middle of February! Students somewhere are looking forward to spring break; working folks may be thinking which week in March they will take off; and retired folk can already hear the birds singing in the morning. There was a dove calling yesterday from someone’s roof, and what a pleasant sound it was! So take heart, spring will surely arrive and in its good time, in nature’s good time.

Nature’s good time…we have been hearing and learning, we may already know, how connected we are to nature regardless of wireless and mindlessness. The sun is setting later and rising earlier. What a joy to behold! Yes, we will continue to have snow, but it will be a spring snow and we will look up into the sunlight and be glad for it, and for where we live. Spread your hope around. Share it. It’s contagious!

We hear and see God through nature and our own senses. So, let’s sharpen those senses, be more aware of nature, looking to that moment we step out the door and feel the air. There is so much more if we but calm our minds for that one instance, breathe in the cool air, see the colors around us glistening in our eyes and speaking to us, and hear the sounds we were too distracted to listen to yesterday. There is certainly new life there, and with it, hope! Spread it around. It’s contagious!

Jesus tells us not to worry about what to eat or wear, this is in the future, live this moment. Live in this moment with the gift of mindfulness. “Look at the birds in the sky… Aren’t you more important than they?” “If God can clothe in such splendor the grasses of the field...won’t God do so much more for you.” (Matt 6: 26,30)

So, hope. Keep hope alive in yourself, and then spread it around. It only takes one smile, one time of really looking at another person, one unexpected kiss for someone you love -- your spouse, your child, your friend, your pet, your plant. It’s those unexpected and surprising moments that linger in our memories ready for recall when we need them. Look at that flower’s petal and know that our God cares for us that much more. Let the Holy Spirit do her work, in our openness. She waits to work in us: yes, for ourselves, and also and always for us to show others. Let’s together open our hearts, drop into our bodies, feeling blood pulsing through veins and know that we are loved! And spread it around. It’s contagious!

Can we do that the moment when we stop reading this?

Yes - Last Week of Stewardship - 2023

As of Tuesday, we have 40 pledges and 77% of the way to meet our proposed budget!

Please consider doing a formal pledge this week. Our proposed budget is $116,000. All pledges are so appreciated and it does take a village.

You can access the online pledge form here or a down-loadable form here.

Ways to schedule a recurring contribution are listed on this web page.

Earthquake Relief Funds

Pray? Absolutely! But if you can share your good fortune, here are few NGOs to consider.

TACSCO, Turkish American Association of Colorado working with vetted partners. Click here for --> the donation site.

Turkish Red Crescent: This is the largest humanitarian organization in Turkey, and is connected to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières: An international, independent organization, MSF gives medical assistance to people affected by disasters.

CARE International: CARE Türkiye is focused on supporting refugees with food, safe drinking water, and hygiene items.

Get Scam Smart - This Saturday at 10:00 am

As a service to the community, the 301 Faith Partners are hosting this presentation to educate folks about internet and phone fraud. Please invite anyone you think might appreciate this presentation. And join us afterwards for coffee & cookies

DONATIONS NEEDED

FOR PERMANENTLY PLACED FAMILIES

The Donation Task Force could use kitchen tables/chairs, couches, living room chairs, twin/queen comforters/blankets, towel sets, and twin box springs/metal frames/mattresses. Please contact Jodi at (970)371-5345 or jodi@familyhousingnetwork.org.

DAY CENTER NEEDS

The Day Center is in need of full size shampoo and conditioner. Please check out the signup genius link here if you have any availability to help volunteer on the weekend.

Online Lenten Retreat - theme "Be A Light".

Father Teri Harroun is offering an online Lenten Retreat. Each day, you will receive a daily reflection from Father Teri. Each week Father Teri asks all to share their thoughts, feelings, awareness that can be shared with the group.

Beginning February 22 through Easter April 9

Email Father Teri at teriharroun@gmail.com to be included.

Request for Prayers

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

+ Mickey Bogart, friend of Cathy Engel

+Jeff Akkerman, member

+Kolten Weitzel, grandson of Kerrie Anderson, member

+Peter Marshall, brother of member Margie Karuzas, member

+ Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll

+Everly, five years old and Kiersten, friends of Lynne Barnes, member

+ Mary Detweiller, member

+ Peter, friend of Sharon Troyer

+ Uriah - grandson of Mother Rosean

+ Joanne Gallagher - member

+ Edward for healing and Marge for hope, relatives of Ruth Conley, member

+ Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother

+ Suzanne King - member

+ Harry, 11 year canine companion to Gray La Fond.

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A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.

+ Lee Yeazell, brother of Bruce Yeazell, member

+ Miles, young friend of Ted (nephew of the Devlin's, members)

+Steve Muzikar, cousin of Co Pastor Jane

+Wendell Schwarz, brother of Sr. Mary Colleen, OSB

+ John Hynes - father of Rev. Jane's children

+ Mother of Bishop Kae Madden

+ Dennis Snyder. brother-in-law of Ruth Alexander, member

+ John Crowfoot, friend of Jean Christen, member

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.

Service Recordings and More

Sunday Mass February 5 2023

Celebrating the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A video recording of the readings and the homily given by Father Teri Harroun is available here.

Mass and Service Schedule

Sunday February 19 12:30 pm

Mass at 12:30 pm (no 5pm Mass)
Father Michael Nicosia presiding

Wednesday February 22 - 11:00 am

Cancelled. Join us for Ash Wednesday service

Ash Wednesday February 22 - Eucharist and ashes

7:00 am - St. Paul's Episcopal
12 Noon - Trinity Lutheran
7:00 pm -Mary of Magdala, ECC

Sunday February 26 10:30 am

301 Faith Partners Shared Service at 10:30 am - Mother Rosean and Rev. Jane presiding
Followed by POTLUCK with our partners! Bring your favorite 'shareable'

Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’

Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.

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.

The ECC Regional Website is now live - 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.

Mary of Magdala Member Directory

Need to view, update information or download a copy of the member directory? Just click here.

There are mobile apps available.

Apple App Store: Get the iPhone / iPad app here

Google Play Store: Get the Android app here