Reflections from your Pastors

January 9, 2024

May the year 2024 be the beginning of openness to our deepest desire.

What do we desire the most as a Christian? Or a maybe Christian? Or a possible Christian? Or a doubting Christian? Or a fearful Christian? Or a joyful Christian? Or not a Christian at all but a follower of some awesome-ness? Who am I?

In this 21st c. we see both the grandiose and the depraved: The grandiose such as a new cosmology with its attendant creation evolutionary understanding; deeper insights into human spirituality and mentality; medical breakthroughs; a recognition of a greater consciousness; technological searching for what we humanly have not found; and more. And, the depraved such as slavery of every kind, both within ourselves and within cultures, oppression imposed in any way that leads into deep darkness where the Light can be so dim that it is thought to be gone at worse or hidden underneath mounds of dung at best.

Yet, as people of the world regardless of our Christian understanding, we can be the Magi. Before they set off, the magi had to ask themselves what this journey had in store for them, how would it affect their reality and their purpose in life. If we ask these questions of ourselves then we take a risk because our spiritual lives might take on a certain intentionality. It can be quite a risk and yet maybe no greater a risk then that taken by Mary and Joseph who broke all cultural norms for a life they were called to but could not envision. God spoke to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the magi through angels and dreams. They had the choice to say “No” and

yet in the unknown, in faith and in hope, they said, ‘Yes.”

With faith and hope, can we allow ourselves to dream? Can we allow ourselves to imagine a life with God within us? Can we allow ourselves to imagine God to be as much ourselves as the nucleus of one cell, yet not us? Can we say ‘Yes?’ When we consider our daily ‘Yes,’ is change the result? “They opened their treasure chests…” (Matt 2: 11) What treasures of our own can we open like the magi kneeling before the Christ Child in 2024?

How might the year 2024 bring the “Holy Spirit to rest on us, converting us from the pattern of this passing world, and conforming us to the pattern of Christ?” “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of YHWH is rising upon you! Though darkness still covers the earth and dense clouds enshroud the peoples, upon you YHWH now dawns, and God’s glory will be seen among you!” Isaiah 60:1-2

What is your deepest desire in the year 2024?

May your find Joy in your deepest self,

Pastor Jane

Image by ABC Chicago.

Weekly Monday Morning Peace Prayer 

Join us in a prayer for peace in the world and within ourselves. 20 minutes every Monday morning via Zoom.



Monday mornings at 9am 

on this Zoom link

Meeting ID: 844 1669 8343

Passcode: 557026

May Mary, Mother of the World, who abhors all violence, pray for us. Rev. Jane

All are welcome to join us on Zoom



• Zoom Link here
• Meeting ID: 896 4199 2874
• Passcode: unity

The Order of Service will be available at https://www.coloradoecc.org by January 15th. Participants are asked to prepare their sacred space with a shallow bowl of oil or soothing lotion.

The service is an adaptation of that jointly prepared and published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches.

Image: JESUS MAFA. The Good Samaritan, from Art in the Christian Tradition.

Sign Up Now: Table for 4

Happy New Year! In 2024 the Hospitality Ministry will again offer “Table for 4”. This is an opportunity for MoM members to meet in smaller groups to get to know one another a little better. Participants are assigned to a group of 4 and they decide whether to go out to breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, drinks, etc. 

Each Table will meet one time during the 2 month period. “Table for 4” is open to singles and couples. You do not need to join every time reservations are open... only when it fits into your schedule. 

“Table for 4” will be offered FOUR times a year: January/February, March/April, May/June, September/October. Reserve now for January/February. If you want to participate select the RESERVE TABLE button below or call 970 224-0297. 

Reservations for January/February are due January 13th.

January Pub Fellowship

Our monthly Thursday pub fellowship will be held on Thursday, January 11th at 3:30. It' been over a year since we were at THE HORSE AND DRAGON BREWING COMPANY! 

This unique brewery was created from an airplane hangar just off the old and discontinued Fort Collins airport runway. It's a favorite of many of us! The address is 124 Racquette Dr., Fort Collins, 80524. To find it, take East Lincoln Ave., whether by continuing from East Mountain Ave., or by Timberline Drive East of Mulberry. From East Lincoln Dr., turn onto Commerce Dr. Stay on Commerce Dr. until you get to Racquette Dr. Turn right and you will see the brewery right away.

The brewery doesn't have a kitchen, but it does sell packaged snacks and also invites fans to bring their own food. Let's kick off the new year with cheers and renewed friendships!

See you on the 11th!

Save the Date for "Jesus, Justice, and Poetry"

Join Fr. Teri Harroun, ECC priest and poet laureate of Light of Christ in Longmont, 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, Link will follow.

Service Recordings

Celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family

Celebrated with Father Teri Harroun as guest presider on January 7th. The video of the readings and homily is available here.

Other Mass recordings can be accessed via our website here.

Social Justice Reflection

Last year, I offered a Social Justice reflection about the Magi who followed a star to Jesus. What motivated these Wise Ones to make a long, difficult journey to Judea? What extraordinary wisdom, faith, hope and love allowed them to see the Divine One revealed in this specific child of a poor family from Nazareth, a child that Herod would later egregiously try to kill in a slaughter of innocents? In this context, I reflected on migrants, especially Venezuelans, coming to Colorado. Many are poor, unschooled, and without power or voice in their homeland. What motivates them to leave their communities and endure a long and dangerous journey? What is their guiding star? How do their stories reveal their BIG hope and BIG faith in a BIG God as Fr Teri described so eloquently in her November homily here?



Unfortunately, the plight of immigrants remains headline news. About 36,000 have come to Denver since 2022. Facilities rented by Denver’s Department of Human Services and accommodations by non-profits are overwhelmed as buses arrive daily, mostly from Texas. Earlier this week, 277 people were moved indoors as city crews cleared an outdoor encampment. Meanwhile, 443 more arrived. Until 11/23, migrant families had to leave shelters after 37 days. Single adults are still limited to 14 days. There is simply no room at the “inn”; so, many migrants have resorted to living in make-shift tents on the streets. In 2024, Denver expects to pay $100 million, 5 times what was budgeted, to handle newcomers.

Texas continues to bus refugees to Denver, unannounced, sometimes dropping them off in front of the state Capitol in the middle of the night. They (especially children, pregnant women, and the sick) arrive ill-prepared to face freezing temperatures. Most are awaiting an asylum court date, scheduled months or even years from now, possibly in LA or another city far away. Political posturing and faulty federal work permit policies continue to worsen the chaos of a seriously broken system.

I invite your input to our Mary of Magdala Social Justice committee – what might we do to advocate for immigrants and encourage changes to US immigration?

Prayer Requests

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

+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

+Tess Peters, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Cache and Courtney, family of Jean

+David Devlin, member

+Joanne Kresl, friend of Suzanne King, 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

+Jo Anne, friend of Sandra Life, member

+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.

+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

+ Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother

+ Mother Sheila Dierks, ECC priest in Boulder

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 Jan 10 at 11:00 am

• Weekday Mass in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Sunday Jan 14 at 12:30 pm

• Mother Rosean Amaral is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.

Wednesday Jan 17 at 11:00 am

• Weekday Mass in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Sunday Jan 21 at 12:30 pm

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

Did you miss an article or announcement?



Past e-bulletins posted here

• 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 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.