Reflections from your Pastors

Feb. 22, 2024

Transformation: Rising from Resilience

The title of this reflection is Mary of Magdala’s theme for the Lenten season. When adversity permanently changes our reality, there is no going

back to the way things were. Resilience then becomes the work of coming through the adversity so that, at least on most days, we see our life as still worth living. With this kind of resilience, we come through the adversity knowing that we are still ourselves, even though things are very different for us now. This is radical resilience.

All of us who have survived the worldwide pandemic have moved through

this most difficult time and, hopefully, have grown, been transformed, and

have endured, thanks to our experience of resilience. The profundity of

resilience is the reality of knowing that it is deep inside us, part of our very

core, where it really matters. If we follow it, it leads to something positive

happening over and over. Almost always it’s something more than merely

interesting, entertaining, or thoughtful – it’s something astounding.

As this theme evolves over the next several weeks of Lent, and because

one of our Lenten disciplines is prayer, I would like to offer this prayer for

resiliency to strengthen our resolve to live our lives in Christ, and in

community, embracing the Mystery that is God.

Creator God, Your Word promises that You “will refresh the weary and satisfy

the faint.” (Jeremiah 31: 25) Your Truth nourishes the root of our hearts,

helping us bloom in the desert. Your love revitalizes us when

circumstances threaten to dehydrate our faith.

When we are surrounded by the dryness of uncertainties, fears, or change,

saturate us with Your presence. Pour Your peace into every fiber of our

being until we radiate with resilience. No matter where You have us

planted, help us bloom for Your glory. We love You. We need You.

We praise You. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.

Mother Rosean

(By Cynthia Alloway, Pastor, Presbyterian Church of the Roses in Santa Rosa, California.)

Image can be found here.

Contact Rev. Jane Reina for more information

at this email address

Linen Washers Needed!

Mary of Magdala could use a few more Linen Washers. This is a ministry you do mostly at home—picking up used linens, laundering, ironing, folding—returning to church sacristy. If you can help please reply to Gray Lafond graylafond@gmail.com Thank you for considering this ministry!

Left Hand of Lent: For the full announcement and the list of items to contribute, go HERE All donations will benefit the Larimer Food Bank

ISAAC Reads

Save the date!

Save the date! The date of the book group will be March 19th on Zoom. The book is Our Migrant Souls by Hector Tobar.  

More details to come. Contact Lisa Jones at lpjones99@yahoo.com for more information.

For details and other 301 Faith Partners services and all links for

 'Our Lenten Journey', click HERE

ECC Holy Synod - October 2024 needs Volunteers!

Service Recordings

Celebrating the Combined 301 Faith Partners Service

A recording of homilies and readings from February 18th is available here.

For those who missed the service and wish to view the whole thing, a recording is available at the Trinity Lutheran Church YouTube site, here.

Other Mass recordings can be accessed via our website here.

Prayer Requests

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

+James Fuller, friend of Mary of Magdala and seeker, returning to Houston

+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

+Tess Peters, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Cache and Courtney, family of Jean

+David Devlin, member

+Kolten Weitzel, grandson of Kerrie Anderson, member

+Sabrina and her two children, currently homeless

+Grandneice of Father Michael Nicosia

+Linda Browell, member

+Sandra Carter, friend of Mary Vogel

+Kris Jenkins, wife of Father Scott Jenkins

+Jen Banks, friend of Mary of Magdala

+Francisco Cruz Antonio, friend of Rev. Jane

+Grace Robinson, member

+Jerry Padilla, father of member Lisa Jones

+Janessa and Hayden, sister and niece of Jen Banks

+Rachel, daughter of Mary Lou Devlin, member.

~~~~~~~~~~~

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

+Sharon L. Six, mother of Michael Six, member

+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll

+Joanne Gallagher, member

+Daniel, cousin of Pedro Engel

+Juanita Newbre, aunt of MaryLou Devlin, member

+Jeanette Marian Banks (Brown) mother of Jen Banks

+Flavian Reising Jr., Father of Steve Reising, member

+Marge Gruber, friend of Michael Six, member

+Betty Jones, mother-in-law of Lisa Jones, member

+Jean Preslan, friend of Mother Rosean and Yvonne Wootten, member

+Josy Moos, Godmother of Tom Moos

+Fr. Fred Ball, OFR, ECC priest

+Bob Colhour, father of member Mark Colhour.

+Candy Palmer, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Johnny Berlyn Thomas, friend and benefactor out of his own poverty, of Pastor Jane

+Fr Don Willet, from John XXIII

+Linn Zink, friend of MoM, Social Justice advocate

+Bishop McGrath - RC diocese of San Jose, Friend of Suzanne King

+James Ryan cousin of Mary Lyons, member

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.

Sunday Feb 25 at 12:30 PM

• R. Jane Reina is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.

Wednesday Feb 28 at 11:00 am

• Weekday Mass in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Did you miss an article or announcement?

Past e-bulletins posted here

• To read the January News from the Office of the Presiding Bishop Paul (Pablo) Burson, click here (English) and here (Spanish).
• To read the ECC Council of Bishops' statement on the War in Gaza and Israel, click here.
• Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list here
• Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.
• The purpose of the Mary Magdalene Society is to financially support aspiring and current priests and encourage the development of youth in their spiritual journeys. Read more here.

Mary of Magdala Parish Community

Members: Need to view, update information or download a copy of the member directory? Just click here.

-->If you are in need of a picture for the directory, contact David Cloyd via this email. Put 'Need Picture for the Directory' in the subject line and include your name and telephone number in your email <--

If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala, here are ways to schedule a single or recurring Sunday offertory.

All are invited and ALL are welcome to join our parish community. Here is the webpage with more information on membership



The ECC Regional Website - View here.

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

Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.