Reflections from our Pastors

February 6, 2024

Can I be as honest as possible? Can we be as honest as possible? If I can, and we can, then we may be open to the unconscious bias that each of us holds. Are we blind to the reality of our own racism? We must agree to being vulnerable in the moment.

Can we risk vulnerability for the sake of equity, social justice, love, and friendship? Being white, can we possibly know what it means to be a person who can be perceived as a threat simply because of having a Black body? Can we know what it is like to be threatened simply because of having a Black body? How can I possibly know what life is like for a non-white person, a person marginalized and oppressed by our dominant culture? Can we honor a race enslaved by us white people since…the Portuguese colonized Morocco? Yes, we agree to be vulnerable but how silly this sounds when compared to a lifetime of daily, life-threatening vulnerability of our Black siblings. If this sounds obnoxious or irritating to us, it may be because in some way it feels threatening. Can we can walk alongside, be present to all God’s children? Is there more we can do?

So we try again. If we have been unable to be in ‘contact,’ be in relationship with Black persons, then exposure to Black persons speaking aloud, in their own voices may help. YouTube is filled with African American poets and author’s speaking in their own voices. Through their voices perhaps we can glimpse a bit into their experience.

One of our Mary of Magdala social justice champions is Tom Moos. Tom has been researching, preparing, and delivering a Black Lives Matter reflection very Sunday before Mass since George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020. His reflections have the potential to open our hearts and enlarge our physical space of life. Thank you, Tom.

In honor of our continuing struggle to reconcile what may at times seem irreconcilable, here is one 5-minute summary of the book, Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor, in the voice of the author, Layla F. Saad. These 5-minute summaries in the authors’ voices can be found here.

Also, there is an impressive and touching Dick Cavett Show clip of an interview with James Baldwin.

Jesus, in this coming Sunday’s gospel, Mk. 1: 40-45, cures the person with leprosy. Jesus, the Way of Compassion to those who, among the already oppressed, are further ostracized from the society in which they live.

What can each of us do?

“Until the killing of black men, black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s son, we who believe in freedom cannot rest until it happens.” Ella Baker

Amen.

Rev. Jane

Artwork courtesy of Vincent Barzoni.

This Thursday: Pub Fellowship

We will celebrate together this month on Feb. 8th at 3:30 pm at Lucky Joe's Sidewalk Saloon.

For anyone new to Lucky Joe's, it is located at number 25 Old Town Square in Fort Collins. Their web site brags that "we like to think of Lucky Joe's as a friendly Irish Pub in an Old Western Saloon" Besides having an extensive lunch, snack, and dinner menu, "we feature an extensive list of beers from very near and very far, a thoughtful wine selection and cocktails." "You can't help but have a Good Ole Time at Lucky Joe's.

What a great place for us to gather just before Lent! Have a hoot!

The city parking garage is right next door across the street on Mountain Ave.

Winter Gear (and Clothing) Donations 

Do you have some winter coats and other winter clothing you don’t need? Here are some places to donate. Winter gear (tents, sleeping bags, etc.) along with food and toiletries are also needed. See the links below. Homeward Alliance ONLY accepts items on their list (due to storage limitations)

1.     Homeward Alliance 2024 Donation List can be found here. More information can be accessed at this link.

2.     For a VERY comprehensive list of other local non-profits that accept donations click here (this includes clothing of all types and for all ages).

301 Shared Service - February 18

10:30 Service Followed by Brunch

There will be NO 12:30 pm service on February 18th. February 18th will be our first 301 Faith Partners Shared Service in 2024. It will be at 10:30 AM with a Brunch/Potluck to follow. Mary of Magdala will be in charge of cleaning up after the potluck. We need 6 wonderful volunteers. You can sign-up to volunteer here for both clean-up and to bring a brunch dish!

Thank you from your Hospitality Ministry.

Simple Supper and Taizé Prayer - Mark Your Calendars

All three churches are participating in the Lenten Soup Supper beginning on 2/21. If you can assist in bringing Soup or with clean-up, please sign-up below.

Wednesdays - February 21, 28; March 6, 13, 20

Taizé                             6 pm

Soup Supper              6:30 pm

Tomorrow Night: "Jesus, Justice, and Poetry"

Join Fr. Teri Harroun -ECC priest of Light of Christ in Longmont, and poet laureate - for a workshop called Jesus, Justice, and Poetry. 

This workshop will expose you to poetry, some that Fr. Teri has written, and other poetry as well.  There will also be opportunities to pray with poetry, write poetry, and see poetry in Scripture.  

Bring a listening ear, an open mind, and a prayerful heart, along with some paper and pencils for this two hour long workshop.

• Wednesday, February 7th
• 6:30pm 
• via Zoom only: Click here to join

Meeting ID: 820 4363 2912

Passcode: poetry

Service Recordings

Celebrating the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Celebrated with F. Teri Harroun as presider on February 4th. The video of the readings and homily is available here.

Social Justice Reflection

Bayard Rustin was born in 1912, one of 12 children raised by his grandparents.  His grandmother participated in the NAACP and frequently invited activists like W. E. B. Du Bois and Mary McLeod Bethune to their home.  Rustin joined the American Young Communist League while in college, believing in their commitment to racial justice. When the organization shifted its focus from civil rights to the war after Germany invaded Russia in WWII, Rustin left the group.  He was opposed to war and imprisoned as a conscientious objector. In 1942, he cofounded the interracial Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) pioneering the use of non-violent direct action in America’s Civil Rights struggle. CORE members advised and supported Martin Luther King during the Montgomery bus boycott and provided a model for the Freedom Rides of 1961, testing the Supreme Court’s rulings barring segregation in interstate travel.

Rustin became a close advisor of MLK and instilled a deep understanding of Gandhian non-violence. As King’s special assistant, Rustin was a proofreader, ghostwriter, philosophy teacher, and nonviolence strategist. Rustin was instrumental in the formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and in organizing the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom and the Youth Marches for Integrated Schools in the latter 50’s.  He was arrested more than 20 times and jailed.

In 1963, he became deputy director to A. Philip Randolph to the chagrin of many in the civil rights movement because of Rustin’s Communist past and because he was openly gay. Thus, he was forced to work in the background.  He led a team of 200 individuals in organizing, in under 2 months, all the tactical elements of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom that ultimately drew an estimated 250,000 from all over the country and became, arguably, the most singular, transformative event of the civil rights movement, leading to the ‘64 Civil Rights Act and ‘65 Voter Rights Act. 



Rustin has posthumously begun to receive recognition for his contributions to civil rights in America as well as internationally.  President Obama conferred the Medal of Freedom in 2013 on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.  The Obamas also produced the film, “Rustin”, available now on Netflix.

ISAAC - Love in Action, a Heart-centered Fundraiser

ISAAC is pleased to welcome as keynote speaker for its 2024 Fundraising Gala the beloved, internationally-known keynote speaker, Father Greg Boyle. Your ticket includes a complimentary drink, light dinner and fellowship. If you would like to bring a large group, consider purchasing a table to guarantee you'll be seated together. 

301 Faith Partners Joint Social & Eco Justice Team and Immigration Task Force are coordinating one (or more) “301” tables for this event. Contact Judy Matthews if your are interested in seating at one of these tables, and/or pre-purchasing a table ($500-seats 8) to be reimbursed by individuals.

soc-ecojustice@stpauls-fc.org

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.

Wednesday Feb 7 at 11:00 am

• In the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Sunday Feb 11 at 12:30 pm

• Fr. Michael Nicosia is presiding. In-person and with Zoom

Wednesday Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday Service- 7 PM

• Mother Rosean Amaral is presiding.

There will be no 12:30 pm Mass on Feb. 18th. There will be a 301 Service at 10:30 am. followed by a brunch for all 301 faith communities.

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 Christmas newsletter from our Presiding Bishop Paul (Pablo) Burson, click here (Spanish) and here (English).
• 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.