constant contact.jpg

Reflection from your Co-Pastors

May 24, 2022

tunnel-ge6a57c600_640.jpg

Acts 16: 22-34

 

Today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us of one of the miraculous stories of scripture. Here we have Paul and Silas, disciples of Christ, being attacked by the crowd, stripped of their clothing, and beaten with rods. They are then thrown into prison.


The magistrates “ordered the jailer to keep them securely.” The jailer followed the instructions of the magistrates by placing Paul and Silas in the “innermost cell.”


I found myself focusing on the actions of this jailer. He places Paul and Silas in the “innermost cell.” Innermost—a most intimate space, being deepest within the self, the center--a place where we meet God. The Torah teaches that the human soul came directly from God's Innermost Essence.


From this innermost cell, Paul and Silas begin to pray and sing hymns to God while the prisoners listen. As the hour nears midnight, a new day, there is suddenly such a severe earthquake that all the doors fly open and the chains of all the prisoners are pulled loose. Halleluiah! God's Holy Spirit has arrived, releasing those who are captive. But the prisoners do not flee from the building. Their freedom is achieved from within. Often the chains that bind us, that other people impose upon us, can be freed in prayer and a deepening relationship with God.


The prisoners made this spiritual connection with God, as God worked through Paul and Silas, and were freed. No physical chains could restrain them any longer once this connection was made.

Screenshot 2022-05-24 113722.jpg

This inner freedom led me to reflect on Nelson Mandela, unjustly imprisoned in South Africa for 27 years, in a cell 8’ by 7’, with only a straw mat to sleep on. Mandela was beaten and tortured by some jailers, causing him to become an advocate for the prisoners. He sent many letters to government authorities that they might intervene or establish more humane rights for inmates. Mandela's activist roots continued even from his small prison cell. 


He said in his autobiographical text that his oppressors could kill his body but not his spirit. He believed that the inhumane treatment by some of his jailers spurred on his advocacy for inmates and allowed him to still express his convictions on a new battlefield—formerly an end to Apartheid, now justice for inmates.


Once Mandela was released from prison, he thanked his jailers for keeping him alive during his incarceration and later invited some of them to his presidential inauguration.


Is there something that keeps you imprisoned today? Turn in humility and love to the one who sets the captives free. Our freedom is in the hands of God, not the hands of humans.

Amen

 Photo Nelson Mandela © Christopher Morris/Black Star

This Week at Mary Magdala, ECC

Meet Your 2022-23 Leadership Council


The Leadership Council conducted a runoff election for the third open seat on the 2022-23 Leadership Council. Congratulations to Lisa Jones who secured the third seat. At our annual meeting on Sunday, we elected David Cloyd and Joan Chapman-Smith to the other two open seats.


Your can reach any of the Leadership Council members at marymagdalafc@gmail.com, text or voice mail at 970-493-9536

Screenshot 2022-05-24 100932.jpg

Please pray that the Holy Spirit may guide their work in fulfillment of our vision and mission.

Screenshot 2022-05-24 100957.jpg
Screenshot 2022-05-24 101050.jpg
communion-1328820.jpg

Weekday Mass on Wednesdays 11:00am

In-Church Gathering Only

 

Co-Pastors Reverend Jane and Mother Rosean will celebrate weekly Mass in the Fireside Room. Please join us-- in person--to hear the Word of God, partake of the Eucharistic meal and enjoy being in community with each other. 


All are welcome.

ISSAC Reads Book Discussion


Don’t be Afraid, Gringo: A Honduran Woman Speaks from the Heart:

The Story of Elvia Alvarado


Join us for discussion. We will be meeting virtually on May 24th at 7:00 pm.   If you are new to the program - sign up here. Read about the book here. For questions, email Lisa Jones.

Screenshot 2022-05-24 103149.jpg

Join with Plymouth Church to Support LGBTQ+ Youth

Tuesday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m


Join with Pymouth Church at the PSD School Board meeting on Tuesday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. at 2407 La Porte Ave. to voice support for the rights of LGBTQ youth.


"The School Board needs to hear our support for continued rights for all students." Reverend Hall

Screenshot 2022-05-21 112206.jpg

Request for Prayers

prayer believe.jpg

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


+ Pauletta, friend of member Suzanne King

+ Cory Breslin - friend of member Kerrie Anderson

+ Jim, husband of Dori Carroll member

+ Joanne Gallagher member


+ Deacon Katie (TLC), Curtis, & Baby Theo

+ Edward for healing and Marge for hope, relatives of Ruth Conley, member

+ Heather, daughter of Don Heyse, (TLC)

+Paul Wagner, brother of Co-Pastor Rev.Jane


+ Dave Skinner, friend of Sharon Friedman.

+ Harry11 year canine companion to Gray La Fond.

+ Yvonne Keefe - member

+ Michael Juranek - friend of David and Mary Lou Devlin  

+ Everly Parks - friend to Lynne and Jim Barnes, members.

+ Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother

+ Suzanne King - member

_________________


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

 

+ Dennis Snyder. brother-in-law of Ruth Alexander, member+ John Crowfoot, friend of Jean Christen, member

+ Lauren Roob - friend of Rosanna Bateman, member


+ Dona Bosse - member

+ Blanca Mattalia Wyrzykowski, friend of Mother Rosean

+ Gloria Farrell, aunt of Co-Pastor Jane

+ Tom Froehlich, brother of Ann Russell, member


+ Howard, brother of Joan Crawford, ECC Deacon

+ Verna Bodig, member

+ Kathie Reiten, mother of Pastor Rick.

+ Mary Lynn Eyestone, sister of Joan Chapman Smith, member

holy-spirit-2424282_640.jpg

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.

Service Recordings and More

Screenshot 2022-05-24 110759.jpg

Recording - 6th Sunday in Easter, May 22, 2022


Here is the video recording of the readings and the homily by Co-Pastor Rev. Jane Reina. The worship aid is available for you to print or view to assist with prayer

Screenshot 2022-05-24 111017.jpg

Sunday's #BLM Reflection


Anyone who has watched the news this past week has seen the story of the racially-motivated mass shooting at a Tops Friendly Market store in Buffalo NY on May 14. According to evidence on social media, the shooter considered attacks in various locations such as predominantly Black churches, malls, and elementary schools before deciding to target the Tops supermarket 200 miles from his home. 


The victims included 10 dead (all Black) and 3 wounded (two white). Let us lift the names of the deceased in prayer: Ruth Whitfield (86), Roberta Drury (32), Aaron Salter (55), Heyward Patterson (67), Pearl Young (77), Geraldine Tally (62), Celestine Chaney (65), Katherine Massy (72), Margus Morrison (52), and Andre Mackneil (53).


In 1978, Maya Angelou wrote the poem, “Still I Rise” to address the discrimination that Black people face due to systemic racism in the United States and to offer hope to the oppressed. In response to this tragic and senseless racist gun violence in Buffalo, please play this Youtube video of Ms Angelou reciting her poem, 'I rise'.

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

301 Full Faith.png

Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’

Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.


The 301 Faith Partners--Mary of Magdala, Trinity Lutheran, St Paul's Episcopal --have a Vision, Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.


Read about our Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal  

What are our partners in ministry up to? Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.