We give thanks for this journey, for this new year,
Reflection from our
Co-Pastors, Thursday January 6, 2022
Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6th. One of the many perspectives this feast offers is the common theme of seeing divergent peoples joined by light: a star or the brightness of singing angels.

First, there are the lowly, the shepherds, and second, there are the wealthy advisors. (It seems to me that the early Christian writers intended the message that the first shall be last and the last shall be first (Matt 20.16). 

If we go earlier than the early Roman and European medieval kings, we might find any number (3?) of priests/astronomers who were aware of and looking for a sign in the sky for a spiritual event, of the fulfillment of what the Israelites believed: that the Messiah was coming.

So let’s say we have a small band of priests/astronomers coming from as far away as Persia where Zoroastrianism was still being practiced. Contrast the Israelite community of servants/slaves/despised shepherds, ‘nearby tending their sheep,’ who probably no one would listen to and whose religious lineage was by genealogy, with astronomers/priests coming from Persia who had authority to teach and whose religion asked that they spread their ‘Word’ as missionaries, and go out evangelizing!

Both of these divergent cultures with their spiritual and religious understandings were so different and yet they were brought together by the physical birth of a baby boy.

So much power for good attributed to and expected of Jesus. Yet, we Americans are able to use that same Name for division and hate. We are so challenged today within our own American cultural by the spiritual/religious divide spilled over and/or wrapped up in the political/social/psychological divide.
May we pray this Prayer for Epiphany to find peace and bring peace:

May we continue to search for the Light,
The Bright Star which guides us
To places we did not plan to go,
To people we did not plan to encounter.

We have been moving through darkness,
Through pain and fear;
Like the ancient Wise Ones
We had hoped for an easier journey.

But grace opens us in new ways:
We are called to move beyond darkness,
To a deeper sense of the possibilities
Of the kingdom of God, of justice, of peace.

May we become wise in our journeys,
May we follow the traces of the Light,
Glimpsed in the night, always returning,
To recognize its brilliance in our encounters with the least of these,
To see it illuminate the connecting web
That binds us together on this fragile planet.

We give thanks for this journey, for this new year,
For the Love that moves us towards wisdom,
For the Light that brings us healing and peace.
 Amen

By Jane Deren, Ph.D. Copyright © 2019, Education for Justice, a project of the Ignatian Solidarity Network. With permission.
Celebrate the Day of the Epiphany
This coming Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany and are calling for "Kings" and "Gifts!" to be brought to Mass, and then taken home after Mass. 

Please bring your 3, 4 or 5 Kings and/or a gift of yourself for the Feast of the Epiphany.  

The gift of yourself can be anything you made or treasure, such as a ball of yarn or knitting needle, golf club or ball, writing or card or photo, drawing or sketch, cookies you've made or are your favorite, crocheting, a test that was hard but you did better than you thought, an old Velveteen Rabbit/book, plant you talk to, wood-working, ceramics, painting, or anything that holds a piece of your heart! No limits on what touches your heart and opens it wider! If you are on zoom with us, please bring you king/gift to the screen!

You might want to share a brief story or email a picture that we can print out, or add to The Prayers of the People. Imaginations are God's gift so all expressions of gifts in the manger are welcomed! All are blessed and holy.

Please place it near the manger when you come in and remember to take it home with you after Mass!
Donations to help victims of the Boulder County fires
If you’ve wondered how you can help folks from Boulder county who have lost their homes in the Marshall Fire, the City of Westminster’s recommended channel for monetary donations is Colorado Gives.  

Thank you for your help! Other ways to help are available here.
Volunteer and Giving Opportunities
Request for Volunteers

Mary of Magdala is in need of more Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors.

If you can be part of these valuable ministries please contact:
Service Recordings
Saturday, January 2, 2022 - Mass Recording
View the readings, gospel and the homily by Father Michael Nicosia and here is the Sunday Worship Aid for you to print or view. 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? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
Requests for Virtual Mass Feedback
We are soliciting feedback from mass virtual attendees. We tried a new approach, overlaying words for prayers and songs over a live camera view. 

The motivation was to share the words while giving folks a view into what was happening in the church during each respective part of the service. Previously, we displayed text filling the entire screen so that folks could not simultaneously see what was happening in the church. 

Feedback request on:
  1. Did you find the overlays of words onto a live camera view helpful to your overall zoom experience of the service?
  2. Was the text suitably sized or too small to see clearly?
  3. Any other feedback or criticism?
 
Please email your feedback to Tom Moos at tjmoos@aol.com
Who Are the 301 Faith Partners?
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.
Read the Vision, Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.