Scam Alert - An old scam has resurfaced
If you receive a text that appears to be from our pastors asking for 'gift cards for cancer patients,' know that is a scam . This latest scan came from the number 1-571-453-0450.
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Reflection from your Co-Pastors - December 22, 2020
Yesterday, Dec. 21, was Winter Solstice, the first day of winter and a turning point for daylight. I love the Winter Solstice; the days now get longer. Little by little we gain seconds, then minutes, then hours of daylight. The long nights shorten, and the short days lengthen. Covid 19 can’t stop the seasonal traditions, otherwise known as rituals, and otherwise lived as liturgy, that celebrate this turning point. Like all liturgies, it is communal. My immediate community has expanded beyond my dog, Rosebud, and now includes my grandson, Andrew.
The day started before sunrise by viewing the brightest light visible since 1226*! Jupiter and Saturn are so closely aligned this Solstice that they appeared from earth as one light, and what brilliance and size! I couldn’t help but wonder if the story of the Magi following the Star was this same alignment over 2000 years ago.
Turning back to earth, Andrew and I made a fire for our liturgy. We used the Taoist five elements of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. We burned a Native American healing sage bundle in a metal fire pit, along with small pieces of wood, made a joyful sound with a glass and a spoon, sprinkled water, and I prayed. We honored Creator and creation. The Psalmist sang “May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering” (Psalm 141). The burning sage bundle created the incense that carried my prayer for healing for all.
While I continued to nurture my little fire, Andrew ‘grilled’ supper in the kitchen and smoke from the grilling inside caused all the house smoke alarms to blare. We had a lot of
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‘incense’ going up into the heavens. We had to laugh!
If you happen to gaze at the sky tonight, and breath in the brilliance of the stars, then I invite you to join hearts with this prayer:
“Holy is this night, holy is the Earth and the heavens,
for all is filled with your glory.
may my prayer glisten with the star’s brilliance
as I now proclaim my love for you…
O Guardian of the Galaxies,
Mother of the Cosmos and
Father of stars beyond counting,
may I sleep in you tonight.
Amen.”
Adapted from Planetary Pilgrim by Edward Hays
Hope arises when we mark turning points! A vaccine, the Winter Solstice, and Christmas. Jesus is called ‘the Light of Lights.’ His radical message is a turning point, as is our community. We are called to be the Light of Christ in the world. How will we be that Light today?
May you be filled with endless blessings at this turning point of Christmas after waiting, watching, and preparing.
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* The last time Jupiter and Saturn showed up this close together in the sky was in 1623, but the planets were near the sun then, so by the time it dipped below the horizon, they had gone with it. The last time the planets appeared this close and could be seen from the ground was in 1226. Source and more information
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Christmas Week Calendar - Dec 21 - 27 |
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301 Faith Partners
Inviting all to a
Live Nativity
Starting new Christmas traditions
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Live Nativity – Dec 19 to 24 – 4:00 to 6:00 pm |
301 E. Stuart Street, Fort Collins
Come and create a new Christmas Tradition for you and your family!
301 Faith Partners presents the inaugural Live Nativity! Real live people! Real live animals!
Covid – Safe, Meaningful, and Accessible! Viewers will stay in cars, sing carols, and be able to drive past the portrayal of the First Christmas.
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Dec 24 - Christmas Eve Service - *3:00 pm* Pastor Jane presides assisted by Dcn. Pastor Rosean via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87512339277 Phone (audio): +1 669 900 6833, Meeting ID: 875 1233 9277#
Dec 25 - Christmas Day Service - *11:00 am* Hosted gathering via Zoom with music, liturgy and homily from Christmas Eve - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81256935449, Phone (audio): +1 669 900 6833, Meeting ID: 81256935449#
Dec 27- Sunday Service - 5:00 pm Feast of the Holy Family. Pastor Jane presides assisted by Dcn. Pastor Rosean via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85666509115 Phone (audio): +1 669 900 6833, Meeting ID: 856 6650 9115 #
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Hearts filled with gratitude |
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2020 Colorado Poor People’s Campaign “Holiday Party” &
Mary of Magdala's Blanket Advent Project Wrap-up
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For December 2020, the Northern Colorado region of the Colorado Poor People’s Campaign (CPPC) worked with members of Mary of Magdala, ECC church community and Buena Vista incarcerated Crochet Artists to provide stuff sacks with winter provisions and goodies for unhoused folks living in Fort Collins.
Members of Mary of Mary of Magdala and CPPC collected donations and assembled stuff sacks. A special thanks to all the MoM members who donated blankets and masks and particular thanks to Lisa Jones and Cindy Cloyd who sorted items and assembled the sacks.
See more pictures and read the story of this wonderful Christmas project here
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Sunday Service Recordings
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry here up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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