Are you Called to Serve?

The Liturgy Ministry at Mary of Magdala could use more Lectors. If you are interested in serving in this ministry please contact Gray LaFond at graylafond@gmail.com or Kerrie Anderson at kganderson49@icloud.com. Training is provided.

April 11th 301 Pub Fellowship

After getting snowed out last month, Equinox Brewing will be our gathering location on Thursday, April 11th at 3:30!

This will be our first time at Equinox. It is located at 133 Remington Street, right off East Mountain Ave. and directly across the street from the city parking garage. Perfect place to park your car or bike. Equinox has a great lineup of brews and offers snacks as well!

We enjoy our monthly gatherings with great friends, discussion topics, and plenty of laughs! We usually number around 15 of us from all 3 of our churches! Bring your spouse and friends! We are all inclusive. No RSVP is necessary. Show up late or leave when you must. Many of us are still there until 5:30!

Calling all Spring Cleaners

Spring cleanup day on April 27th!

Join us for a Spring Cleaning day on Saturday, April 27th! It will be held 9:00am until noon. Inside projects will be planned in the case of bad weather.

6th Annual Heroes for Homeless Families Awards Dinner

Family Housing Network’s 6th Annual HEROES for Homeless Families Awards Dinner will be held

Friday, April 26th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at CSU's Canvas Stadium.

The event will include dinner, an online auction, live raffle, words from a family who has successfully used FHN’s services, and the awards presentation.

Tickets are $75 and available here.

MEXICAN FIESTA POTLUCK! 

Open to all - This Sunday

April 14th right after Mass!

Please join us for good food & community, & bring a Mexican main dish, side dish or salad to share. Dessert & beverages will be provided and feel free to bring Mexican beer if you wish☺️🌮🌶️🌽🥑🍺. Hope to see you then!

-The Hospitality Ministry

Mark your Calendars-

Annual meeting of the Membership of Mary of Magdala on May 19, 2024

Please plan to attend the annual meeting of the members of Mary Magdala ECC after Mass on May 19th. As a non-profit (501(c)3), we are required to conduct an annual meeting but more importantly we will update the parish on our ministries and financial health, ratify the proposed budget, elect new leadership council members and obtain feedback from those attending.

A meal will be hosted by our Hospitality Ministry.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

David Cloyd and Michael Six, Co-chairs of the 2023-24 Leadership Council

Open Invitation to all Members of Mary of Magdala ECC

Nominations are now being accepted to serve our community as a member of the leadership council. Nominations (and self-nominations) can be sent to 

marymagdalafc@gmail.com by April 18th to be elected at our Annual Meeting on May 19th.

The council serves as the governing body of our community dedicated to fulfilling the mission of Mary of Magdala. The Council shall be responsible for making and implementing decisions on (but not limited to): the financial and physical needs of the community, determining and providing support for ministries, parish legal and financial responsibilities, and shall exercise leadership with respect to matters of theology, spirituality and liturgy.

The term is two years with a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. Council meetings are generally held by zoom on the 4th Monday of the month.

Please pray, with an open heart, about serving on the council. Questions regarding the leadership council can be sent to marymagdalafc@gmail.com.

Here is the link to view the governing constitution of Mary of Magdala, ECC.

Service Recordings

Celebrating the 2nd Sunday of Easter

A recording of homilies and readings from April 7th, with M. Rosean Amaral presiding, and a homily via Zoom by Fr. Teri Harroun, is available here.

Other Mass recordings can be accessed via our website here.

Social Justice Reflection

In April, Tom Moos and 3 other members of MoM will be presenting a series of SJ Reflections. 

During April, some members of our Mary of Magdala community will offer Social Justice reflections on topics important to them. On April 28, the Social Justice Committee will sponsor a pizza luncheon after Mass and letter-writing campaign to government leaders on matters related to this series of reflections. I begin the series today focusing on “Stand Your Ground” (also called, “Shoot First”) laws. 



Traditional self-defense laws permit people to use force to protect themselves anywhere and at any time against someone threatening harm, especially after attempting to de-escalate the situation or safely retreat. Furthermore, so called “Castle Doctrine” laws permit the use of deadly force against someone who threatens you inside your home. These laws attempt to balance a person’s right to self-defense while valuing human life.

“Stand Your Ground” or “Shoot First” laws distort traditional self-defense laws by allowing a person to use deadly force in a confrontation anywhere and at any time they feel threatened without a duty to retreat. The first such law was drafted with the help of the NRA in Florida in 2005. Gun lobbies adopted and adapted Florida’s legislation in promoting Shoot First laws in 28 other states.

Research finds strong evidence that Shoot First laws haven’t reduced violent crime. On the contrary, States with Shoot First laws see increased firearm homicide rates, injuries requiring emergency room or hospitalization and are linked to 700+ gun deaths each year, The laws have a disproportionate impact on people of color: whites shooting Blacks are deemed justifiable 5 times more frequently than when Blacks shoot whites. Finally, Shoot First laws are often used to defend people with violent backgrounds and encourage the escalation of situations that could have been defused.



In the context of anti-immigrant rhetoric, one such “Shoot First” bill raises particular concern for me. Arizona’s Republican-dominated legislature recently passed a bill that extends the definition of “premises” beyond a home to anywhere on one’s property. The bill’s supporters claim that this redefinition is a 2nd Amendment win and protects ranchers, not only in their homes but anywhere on their land, from human trafficker or illegal immigrant trespassers. Critics claim the bill introduces a modern form of legalized lynching targeting the murder of immigrants. The bill is currently on the Governor’s desk. In our letter writing, we will discourage signing the bill into law on account of its dangerous potential and precedent for other border states.

Prayer Requests

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

+Vanity, for comfort at this time of loss

+Eli Crocker, for healing

+Ruth Wolfe, member of Light and Christ ECC

+Frederique Pesin, and her family, friends of Mother Rosean

+Patsy Connor, friend of Linda J.

+Natalie Rochester, for prosperity, love, and happiness

+James Fuller, friend of Mary of Magdala and seeker, returning to Houston

+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

+Tess Peters, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Cache and Courtney, family of Jean Christen

+David Devlin, member

+Kolten Weitzel, grandson of Kerrie Anderson, member

+Sabrina and her two children, currently homeless

+Linda Browell, member

+Sandra Carter, friend of Mary Vogl

+Kris Jenkins, wife of Father Scott Jenkins

+Jen Banks, friend of Mary of Magdala

+Francisco Cruz Antonio, friend of Rev. Jane

+Grace Robinson, member

+Jerry Padilla, father of member Lisa Jones

+Janessa and Hayden, sister and niece of Jen Banks

+Rachel, daughter of Mary Lou Devlin, member.

~~~~~~~~~~~

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

+Jack Wolfe, member of Light and Christ ECC

+Promise, age 22, for the peaceful repose of her soul

+Mary Detweiler, member of Mary of Magdala

+Allen Wilberton, brother of Tom Wilberton

+Sharon L. Six, mother of Michael Six, member

+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll

+Joanne Gallagher, member

+Daniel, cousin of Pedro Engel

+Juanita Newbre, aunt of MaryLou Devlin, member

+Jeanette Marian Banks (Brown) mother of Jen Banks

+Flavian Reising Jr., Father of Steve Reising, member

+Marge Gruber, friend of Michael Six, member

+Betty Jones, mother-in-law of Lisa Jones, member

+Jean Preslan, friend of Mother Rosean and others

+Josy Moos, Godmother of Tom Moos

+Fr. Fred Ball, OFR, ECC priest

+Bob Colhour, father of member Mark Colhour.

+Candy Palmer, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Johnny Berlyn Thomas, friend and benefactor out of his own poverty, of Pastor Jane

+Fr Don Willet, from John XXIII



+Linn Zink, friend of MoM, Social Justice advocate

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.

Wednesday Midweek Mass -

April 10, 11:00 am

• M. Rosean Amaral, Presiding
• In the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Sunday Mass -

April 14, 12:30 pm

• M. Rosean Amaral is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.

There will be NO Wednesday Midweek Mass on April 17th.

Sunday Mass -

April 21, 12:30 pm

• F. Michael Nicosia is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.

Did you miss an article or announcement?



Past e-bulletins posted here

• To read the January News from the Office of the Presiding Bishop Paul (Pablo) Burson, click here (English) and here (Spanish).
• To read the ECC Council of Bishops' statement on the War in Gaza and Israel, click here.
• Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list here.
• Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.

Mary of Magdala Parish Community

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

-->If you are in need of a picture for the directory, contact David Cloyd via this email. Put 'Need Picture for the Directory' in the subject line and include your name and telephone number in your email <--

If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala, here are ways to schedule a single or recurring Sunday offertory.

All are invited and ALL are welcome to join our parish community. Here is the webpage with more information on membership



The ECC Regional Website - 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.