Mary Magdalene Church
~Weekly Update~
|
|
Mary Magdalene Church is an inclusive church in the
Catholic tradition where people from all faiths and backgrounds are
welcome to the Lord's table. We strive to live the values that
Jesus taught, to honor and respect each individual and to share the joy
of God's unconditional love in our community and beyond.
|
|
~ A Message from Rev. Lori ~
Greetings!
Today, winter seems to be arriving in Rochester - finally. There are plenty of folks (including me) who will grouse about the cold, the mess, the difficulty in traveling, but to be honest, creation has been eagerly waiting for the cold and the snow. Our area's ecosystems rely upon it for health. The difference between what we prefer and what nature needs is a good reminder that what we think we know isn't always true. Warmer weather in the winter can seem like a boon, but look at the same weather from a few different angles, and you start to see the potential for it to create real harm for us and for nature. That is how things work most of the time, actually. We don't know what we are looking at except from the position we are sitting in, and that position makes us incapable of seeing other positions or viewpoints very well. New information usually means a fundamental shift in our thinking and sometimes even in us!
St. Paul figured this out as a result of his travails on the road to Damascus. Because today is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, I've been thinking a lot about how what we think we know about something isn't ever the whole story. I've also been pondering how easily we can find ourselves in the uncomfortable place of conversion - in the place of "turning about." Notice that today is not the feast day of St. Paul! It is the feast day of his conversion - the day celebrating the fact that he thought he knew exactly what the truth was; that he was able to take in an experience that contradicted that truth; and that he was willing to be converted. We celebrate that he was able to turn about - to change his mind - to see things from a different perspective and understand that "truth" changed. And! The same conversion was required of Christians in the early church who knew him as a persecutor! Remember, Paul not only hated Christians, he also literally hunted them, imprisoned them, and turned them over to authorities for further persecution and even death. The change of heart was not just Paul's! Those who knew his activities as Saul had to be willing to learn him again also.
In honor of conversions, and in order to appreciate what is out our windows, we can use today to look again at things we thought we knew and understood. For me, that will be reflecting on what I thought the week of my birthday would look like and how differently it has turned out from my expectations. I will be finding silver linings and adding up my gratitude for things like narrowly escaping COVID. Our conversion might be reading the New York State Department of Conservation report linked above that explores what climate shifts will mean in our area. Or it might be reading the scriptures linked above for today's feast day celebration and thinking on what it means that a founder of our church and traditions actually persecuted Christians and hated Jesus at one point! No matter what, thinking through our expectations, asking questions, and finding new perspectives are holy ways to spend a day...a week...a life. Therefore, I pray the work serves you well. And if you would like to share any new insights you find along the way, those are my favorite things to talk about lately. Email me here! As always, thank you for all you do to be God's love in the world, and blessings on your turnings.
All the love,
Lori
|
|
Love Links
Click here for a little love this week....
|
|
Prayer Concerns
- Betty Jerabeck
- Marty
- Ellen Moriarty
- Donna
- Sheila
- Cheryl
- Jody
- Ann, Steve and Dan
- Jim Titian
- All who are struggling with a cancer diagnosis
- Doug Mayerhofer
- Jerry Janas and Ginny
- Colleen
- Dawn and Mark and their friends
- Michele and Tom
- All who are dealing with COVID and Long COVID
- Nancy Skinner
- Jake and Mary Jane
- Sharon and Chris Cassidy
- Betty
- Michael
- Kate
- Aidan
- Justin
- Paris and her parents
- Lorien
- The family and friends of all victims of violence, including Michael Mathis
- All who grieve the loss of Bishop Matthew Clark
- All who are struggling with mental illness, suicidal thoughts and addiction
Do you have someone you
want us to pray for?
To add someone to the prayer list, contact:
Rev. Denise Donato at revdenised@gmail.com or 585-329-0895
or Joann Corso at 585-223-5682
We will include your prayer request in our Prayers of the People for two weeks. If you'd like us to continue praying for the same need longer,
please just send an email! We'll be happy to do so.
If you'd like to join our team of "pray-ers" and be notified where there are
prayer needs, please send an email to Rev. Denise Donato at revdenised@gmail.com.
|
|
Watch last Sunday's Mass on FaceBook or YouTube here! Join us any day or time you like. And let us know you are watching by leaving comments in the FB chat or emailing reverend.vail@gmail.com.
|
|
Create a Lenten Journal -
Saturday, February 18th
How would you like to create your own personal spiritual journal for Lent? Just in time for Ash Wednesday, Joyce Martelli will introduce you to a new style of journal creation and give you many ideas for your front, back and insides of your personalized journal.
What a great way to keep your thoughts, clippings, cards drawings, and other spiritual keepsakes for Lent this year!
You will learn a binding that will allow you to take the pages out when they are full and insert new pages to start again. We will use collage techniques along with painting and drawing. Bring your lunch, favorite pictures, cards, letters, glue stick, etc. and create with us all day. Special paper for pages and collaging will be provided. The program will begin at 10:30 AM and end at 4:00 PM. The workshop is $50 per person, AND all are welcome! If you need assistance with the fee for any reason at all, please just contact Sue Gerber. ALL are welcome - always.
|
|
Tax Season is Here! A Message from Mike Salamone, Treasurer
If you would like a statement disclosing your 2022 charitable donations to Mary Magdalene Church, please notify Sue Gerber. A statement will be sent to you via email or USPS. Please note: we can only provide statements based upon MONETARY donations. In-kind donations cannot be verified. Since many do not itemize deductions any longer, there will be no automatic mass mailing to the congregation. You must request a statement. Thank you, as always, for your thoughtful and generous contributions to the church!
Cup of Change 2023
Our first session of Cup of Change - both in person and on Zoom will be held on Monday, January 30th from 7 to 8 PM. This session concentrates on medical care and social justice, led by Kevin and Linda Beckford. Our discussion will focus on the two videos linked here and here. We look forward to seeing you! To join the session, please use this link.
Mary Magdalene Church Coffee Hour Series: Who We Are (NEW DATES)
- Feb 5 ~ History: “Herstory”
-
Feb 12 ~ Guiding Principles & Values: Practicing What We Preach
- Feb 19 ~ ECC: A Different Kind of Catholic
- March 5 ~ Mary Magdalene: Saint or Sinner
Bishop Denise will lead a series during upcoming Sunday Coffee Hours entitled “Who We Are.” This is reinstating a pre-Covid series that we ran once or twice a year, that is helpful for those who are fairly new to our community, those who join us on livestream, and anyone who has questions about us, and those who love discussing different aspects of our journey! Feel free to bring friends to church for any or all of these discussions, and for those of you who join us online, you can join us at this: Coffee Hour Zoom
Food for the Journey: Thresholds
Food for the Journey addresses our three sacred concerns: Mind - Body - Spirit. Working in collaboration with Rev. Lori, participants will have a brief time of setting intentions and addressing the MIND. This will be followed by a 30 to 40-minute massage session, allowing the BODY to become aware of the mind’s desires. The sessions will end with a final brief time spent integrating into SPIRIT with Rev. Lori.
If you are moved to provide a love offering, there is a suggested donation range (as well as envelopes for anonymous gifting). This ministry is being offered to all – no matter what. All bodies welcome! Contact Sue Gerber to sign up for the February 25th session. The theme for February is Thresholds.
Rummage Sale: April 28th & April 29th
Donations for our semi-annual Rummage sale are now being accepted! Please, no Christmas decorations or TVs. Contact Tammy Drollette 585-362-1155 to arrange drop off.
Knit, Purl, Crochet & Pray Ministry
Please join us and put your needles and hooks to good use bringing comfort and prayers to those in need. Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is extending an invitation to all parishioners who wish to participate at home. The shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient and continues as the shawl is created. All sizes are welcome! Place your completed shawl in the basket by the altar or in Sue Gerber’s office. Tags will be provided. If you have any questions, contact Ronnie MacCallum mccallumrhonda@gmail.com
SNOW ANGELS Needed!
Winter is upon us and we could use your help with clearing the sidewalks and steps of snow and ice on Sunday mornings. We have a power shovel that is relatively easy to use by holding in the lever. There are also regular shovels and rock salt inside the back door and near the elevator in the front of the church. If we have 4 or 5 people who would be willing to help, we’d only need you once a month! You would need to come to church early, between 9:15-9:30. If you can help please let Sue know sgerber.mmagdalene@gmail.com or call the church office 585-586-4104.
InReach-OutReach Money Ball FUNdraiser!
Congratulations to Pat Davidson, our most recent Money Ball winner! Numbers are still available and drawings continue throughout the year.Please contact Tammy Drollette tdrollette@rochester.rr.com if you would like to purchase a ticket anytime throughout the year. Proceeds benefit Mary Magdalene Church and our InReach/OutReach ministries. Click here for the informational flyer.
Library Refresh!
Please help yourselves to any book(s) on the library shelves. We will be doing a library "refresh" in the near future and you are welcome to take a book(s) and pass it on when you're finished!
Time & Talent Volunteers
We now have a Time & Talent logbook on the table outside of the office to track your valuable service hours. Please log in and out when you perform a volunteer service. We appreciate all that you do to help keep our church and community running!
|
|
Things to do in the community!
|
|
Perinton Pastoral Assn. Honors Black History Month
Join us Wednesday, February 15th at 6:30 to hear guest speaker, Tiffany Porter discuss "Being Black in the Burbs". Click here for more information.
Bridging the Black/Jewish Divide: A Dialogue
At a time when white supremacy is on the rise, and hate speech has become normalized, we will unpack the myths, misconceptions, and shared history of these two minority groups and model effective dialogue that creates a foundation for understanding and allyship. Join us on February 16th from 7-9PM at the Otto A Shultz Community Center at Nazareth College 4245 East Avenue. Click here for more information and to register.
Angels of Mercy NY: Celebrating 15 Years
Please join us on March 11th at Midvale Country Club to celebrate 15 years of supporting women in need with friends, food, drinks, fun & dancing! If you are interested in purchasing tickets for this good 'ol Western Hoedown, click HERE
Martial Arts & Fitness Classes
Did you know that martial arts and fitness classes are held in Fellowship Hall? Local instructor, Aric Keyes is currently renting our space to lead these classes. If you would like more information about his instructive sessions for children and adults, click here for the flyer.
Opportunities to help efforts in Ukraine:
Bishop-Elect Tomasz Puchalski is a beautiful, spirit-filled ECC priest that I've known for at least a decade. His church community in Poland is helping refugees. Tomasz church is working very closely with a group of Dominican Sisters directly ministering to the refugees that cross into Poland from Ukraine.
If you wish to donate to this organization:
Bulletin Announcements
Do you have an announcement you would like to see included in our bulletin? Just email Sue Gerber by Tuesday at 5 pm to have your group's message or activity added to our Wednesday newsletter. sgerber.mmagdalene@gmail.com
|
|
Ways to Give to MMC!
Thank you, as always, for your generosity! We have numerous ways you can choose to donate. You can use the button below to make a one-time donation, and you can contact our treasurer, Mike Salamone, at msalamone273@gmail.com to set up ongoing support.
Additionally, we now have an account with Can Kings! Your donation of cans and bottles can be made at any of the three Can King locations: 1276 Fairport Road, Fairport; 1183 Bay Road, Webster; or 505 East Main Street, Palmyra. Just let them know to put your donation down for Mary Magdalene Church! Please ask for a receipt, and if you're able please send the receipt to us, so we know to watch for your donation.
And if you shop on Amazon, consider setting up Amazon Smile for your account and choosing Mary Magdalene Church as the recipient. You can find more information on Amazon Smile and set up the service here.
To view this year's Annual Appeal Letter, click here.
|
|
Weekly Services at Mary Magdalene Church |
|
Wednesday Reflection
Come to church for prayer, communion and reflection every Wednesday from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
|
|
Thursday Morning Contemplative Prayer
All are welcome every Thursday from 7:30-8:30 am
either in-person or via Zoom!
Join us for meditative music, reflective readings, silent contemplative prayer & communion.
Please use the parking lot door and join us in the sanctuary.
Meeting ID: 814 3387 8080. The Passcode is 'presence'.
|
|
Casa Gubbio
Saturday Morning Rosary
Casa Gubbio is the ministry of Brother Peter Veitch, a Mary Magdalene parishioner and brother in the Benedictines of Holy Wisdom, ECC. The mission of Casa Gubbio is to provide a place of retreat for progressive/independent ‘seekers’ in keeping with the Benedictine charism of hospitality.
Casa Gubbio is a safe place to gather outside of traditional organized religious communities. All are welcome. For more information, contact Brother Peter at peterthomasveitch@gmail.com
|
|
Sunday Morning Mass:
Join us in-person at 1008 Main St. in East Rochester, NY or join us virtually every Sunday at 10 am on Facebook Live or YouTube!
~ Join Us on Zoom ~
Sunday 11:00 am
|
|
Our Weekly Update email includes a letter to the community, current prayer concerns, and ways to get involved and be the change in our community and beyond. If you would like to include social justice opportunities and community activities in the Wednesday edition, email Sue by 5 pm on Tuesdays at sgerber.mmagdalene@gmail.com. |
|
Winter 2023 Church Hours
In general, our church is open the following hours:
- Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm
- Saturdays from 1:30-5:30 pm
Please note: These hours may change due to unforeseen circumstances. If you would like to make an appointment to see Reverend Lori, please email her directly. Click here for our Church Calendar!
|
|
|
|
Rev. Lori Vail
Pastor
Phone: 585-353-5954
Bishop Denise Donato
Pastor Emeritus
Phone: 585-329-0895
Sue Gerber
Parish Admin Assistant
Phone: 585-586-4104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
