New Wednesday Community Connections
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You are invited to a Mary of Magdala's weekly video chat beginning this Wednesday with Deacon Jane and Deacon Rosean. These are recurring, so mark your calendars.
- If you prefer mornings, Deacon Jane is the host beginning Wednesday, beginning April 15th at 10:00-11:00 A.M.
- If you prefer evenings, Deacon Rosean is the host beginning Wednesday, April 15th at 6:30 - 7:30 P.M.
Please contact Deacon Jane to discuss options for zoom sessions for school age children.
Zoom details will be sent tomorrow
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you and hearing from you more often! Feedback is always welcomed.
Love in Christ,
Deacons Rosean and Jane
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JUST REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN'T QUARANTINE JOY!
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An article submitted by Yvonne Keefe - by Janet Seahorn, Columnist, Fort Collins Coloradoan, USA Today Network, Apr 3 "You Can't Quarantine Fear or Joy"
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Several days ago, while watching the endless news about coronavirus, I heard a newscaster say something that has stuck with me, "You can't quarantine tears."
As I thought about this, even when trying to go to sleep and find some semblance of rest during these challenging times, the words kept playing over and over again in my head: "You can't quarantine tears." He was absolutely right--you can't.
We can't quarantine suffering, either; never have and probably never will. We can't quarantine fear. Fear mainly of the unknown, which is far greater than fear of the known. Fear of the known we can see more clearly, put boundaries around, perhaps contain to some degree. But fear of the unknown has an unlimited projectile. It can go on in endless ways and directions. Places that only our unlimited imagination can invent or conceive.
Practicing joy is an exercise in gratitude.
However, the more I thought about these words, I realized if we can't quarantine any of these frightening things, then certainly we quarantine some of the more positive behaviors as well.
We can't quarantine hope. We can't quarantine kindness. We can't quarantine courage. And, just as important, we can't quarantine joy.
So often we say to ourselves that once this virus situation is over, we can go back to being happy, to being joyful. Yet, that is not how the world works. We must choose these behaviors just as we must choose to contain the scary ones.
Practicing joy is an exercise in gratitude. Waking up each morning and seeing a beautiful sunrise; being greeted by two overjoyed, four-legged children whose exuberance in seeing you almost drops you to the ground with their 70 pounds of pure energy. They emulate joyfulness at its fullest.
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Getting a phone call or text from a family member to remind us that someone is thinking about us each day is joy. Seeing the first signs of spring--green sprouts of grass, daffodils, budding trees--these are all signs of hope, of new beginnings, of joy.
Just as it is true that we can't quarantine all the horrible things that occur some days, we can't quarantine the good either.
And just as there was a beginning of this coronavirus, there will eventually be an end. There will be a new beginning when people can gather without fear, when families and loved ones can hug each other with more joy and gratitude than ever before because we now don't take for granted what was given to us each and every day.
This new beginning will offer us greater gratitude in our work, whatever it is, in being able to be doing something, anything other than sitting at home, sometimes alone and scared.
This new beginning will show us how much we took for granted in the past without ever noticing the gifts right in front of us. As we go forward each day, remember not what we have lost--at least for the time being--but what we have always had and hopefully will have again.
Remember to practice hope, kindness, courage, love and compassion. And, remember, if we choose, we can't quarantine any of these behaviors and we won't quarantine joy.
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Recordings and Daily Reflections
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A Poem preparing for Maundy Thursday
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Expressions of Easter Gratitude from our Community
"It was so wonderful! It was almost like being in the sanctuary together again. Thank you to all who make this possible. You make us a joyful community. Love . Peace of Christ to all!"
"Thank you to everyone for doing this and it was so uplifting to see everyone and celebrate the meaning of today. Technology being used in a very positive way. Amen sisters and brothers!"
"It was so uplifting to see/hear our community’s voices again. And it took less than a minute to “drive” to church!!!"
"Thank you, all! It was truly a beautiful and blessed time together. Seeing all the smiling faces was great."
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Prayer List -
Father Don Sutton - Priest at St Paul's ECC Church in Denver.
Dani - Niece of the Cloyds. Wilson - grandson of Deacon Rosean. Mary Crosby – parishioner. Anita Keller - sister of Tom Moos. Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones. Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. Lynne Barnes and family. Joanne Gallagher - parishioner. Macrina Wiederkehr - friend of Kerrie Anderson. Edwin White- brother-in-law of Deacon Jane. Becky Orsi and family. John Nystrom and family. The Dunn Family. Leo Six – father of Michael Six. Dorothea Grimm, Lauren Roob, Mike Gudim, Kim Speaker, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell
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