Reflection From Our Co-Pastors - Oct 5, 2021

Jonah 3: 1-10
The Word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. (3:1)

This verse of scripture from the Book of Jonah holds an especially dear and significant meaning for me...

If you would remember back to March of 2019 when our first shepherd, Father Jim DeMuth, announced his retirement effective August 2019. We grieved and mourned losing our priest of seven years. And while I was called forth by some in our community to become Mary of Magdala's next priest, God led me instead into a time of deep discernment and direction from our presiding Bishop Francis Krebs. I included other priests from the Rocky Mountain Region to be part of this process. 
I wanted to be sure that God was truly calling me to this new ministry.

Now discernment can feel a bit like being in the belly of the whale. It is a place where you must be alone with God and suspend all outcomes and expectations in hope that God's Holy Spirit will be free to do her work. It is a place where one remains suspended in darkness until the light of God awakens the soul and illumines the eye of the heart, allowing one to realize the next best step to take on their spiritual journey.

So when I was in this place of
discernment, this belly of the whale, I opened my Bible in October 2019, to read and reflect on the scripture of the day. The Old Testament reading was, as it is today, Jonah 3: 1-10. The moment I read the first verse, "The Word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time," I knew God was calling me again. The first call was to the diaconate and this second call was to the priesthood! I spoke with Bishop Francis and he proposed some additional study which I completed in July 2021.

The Holy Ones have now brought me full circle. Just 20 days before my ordination, the verse that initially made clear my call to the priesthood has come back to assure me of my true call. 

Today, I thank God, my Brother Jesus, my Mother Mary, all the Saints, the reluctant but faithful Jonah, and all of you at Mary of Magdala for your constant and persevering love, support and guidance. I look forward to continuing to serve this community, and the Ecumenical Catholic Communion, following in the footsteps of so many before me who have given their "Yes!" to our God.

Amen
This week at Mary of Magdala, ECC
Tuesday Oct 5 - Pray with Us: The Holy Rosary on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. through October. Join us on the four Tuesdays via this Zoom link

Sunday Oct 10 - Supporting our Regional ECC and the Ordination of
Alice Bradley to the priesthood (Church of the Beloved, ECC in Northglenn) Join with us in our Sanctuary at 2:00 p.m.to view the live celebration via Zoom. Communion is offered. No 5:00 pm Mass.
Mary of Magdala
Ecumenical Catholic Community
joyfully announces and invites you to
attend the ordination of
Rosean Mae Amaral
to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood
by Bishop Kae Madden
 
Sunday October 24, 2021, 2:00 pm MT in-Sanctuary and on Zoom
Zoom App Meeting ID: 431 5028 167

RSVP by October 16 to the Ordination and the Reception here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Note from our Hospitality Ministry
We would love to have our whole beloved community involved in beautifying our reception tables: if each member/family could bring one small potted mum, we can bless our tables with a lovely fall centerpiece…..and then take it home to plant in our gardens as a commemoration of Dcn. Rosean’s ordination

Individually wrapped croissant sandwiches & individual packets of veggies will be served for food safety and cake will be offered, as well. We look forward to celebrating with all of you!

If you have questions, please contact Joan Chapman-Smith
via e-mail (here) or phone (970-214-6480)
Prayer Requests
Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times

+Allison and Madison (Granddaughters); Cousin Nancy and Sister-in-law Judy - Dick and Sandra Life, members
+Estes Park Police Department - for processing the grief of a suicide within the department

+Dan Scace, Tom Dykers and Monte Bowthorpe - friends of Dick Life, member
+Charli - friend of Jean Christen, member
+Linda Joyce - member
+Joan Wershberger & Mary Etta Fothergill - friends of member Cathy Engel

+Abdel Illah - nephew of Mary Vogl, member
+Mickey Bogart - friend of Cathy Engel, member
+Courtney Shook - daughter of Tom and Jean Christen, member
+Dorothea Grimm - Mother of Rosanna Bateman, member

+Mary Detweiller - member
+Jerry Padilla, father and Ryan Cordova nephew of Lisa Jones - member
+Jim, husband, and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll, member
+Aidan - grandson of Mother Kae

+Lauren Roob - friend of Rosanna Bateman
+Michael Keefe, son of Yvonne Keefe-member
+Joanne Gallagher - member
+Dona Bosse - member
+Rosemary - Fr Michael' mother
+Dani - niece of the Cloyds - members
+Jim and Lucille Bowen friends of Suzanne King, member
+Sharon Six – Mother of Michael Six, member
+Mike Gudim
+Suzanne King - member
________________________

A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.
 
Eric Rose - Estes Park Policeman
Leo Six – Father of Michael Six, member
Dr. Barbara Immroth - sister of member Joanne Gallagher
Marie F. Bauer - friend of Joanne Gallagher
Dolores Orsi - mother of member Jared Orsi

Herman Phillip - friend of Brad Rouse
Michael Binet -Godson of member
Joanne Gallagher
Bernice Wagner - sister of
Fr. Jim DeMuth - member
Aaron - Son of Morris & Francis Burns,
past members

Adrian - Son of Joe & Ann - friends of
members Cindy and David Cloyd
Mary Crosby - member
Leon - father of Mother Cynthia
Joan Kneeland - sister-in-law of member Bill Kneeland

Rita Ortiz, friend of Deacon Rosean
Margie Weitz - member
Chris Bachman, friend of member Lisa Jones
David Heyman -member
In gratitude for all who pray for and with our community.
Service Recordings
Recording for Sunday - Oct 3 2021

The recording of the readings and the homily given by Co-Pastor Rev Jane Reina is available here. And here is the service document to view or print to assist in prayer.
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.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal  
What are our partners in ministry up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
Who Are the 301 Faith Partners?
The 301 Faith Partners have a Vision,
Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
Read the Vision, Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.