The Call
June, 2025
A Message from the Rector
Dear Friends in Christ,
As I write this note to you just before the Ascension Eucharist, the liminal space we find ourselves in at the beginning of this new month is on my mind. It is a liminal time in several ways.
First, we are in the space between the great feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost—a time when we rejoice in Christ’s ascension to the Father and, with the disciples, wait in eager expectation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Second, after the excitement of Easter, this time around Pentecost can feel like a winding down. As we prepare to return to the long season of green—Ordinary Time—and with the arrival of summer and all it brings, it can almost seem like an ending.
I want to encourage us, as a church community, to focus on the first perspective rather than the second. Although these historical events occurred nearly 2,000 years ago, in the life of the Church they are always present. We experience them anew each time we celebrate the liturgy. And they are not an end, but a beginning—the beginning of new life in the Spirit, a season for growth and for deepening our understanding of God’s grace in our lives.
So even as summer arrives and we transition into “Ordinary Time,” don’t let this moment pass unnoticed. As we approach the day of Pentecost, ask the Holy Spirit to descend anew into your hearts and minds, upon our church, and throughout the community around us. And keep coming to church, so that together and individually we may continue to grow in knowledge and grace, day by day
Yours in Christ,
Fr. David
On Wednesday, May 14, your vestry met on-line. Topics discussed included:
Fr. Chas Marks, Diocesan Missioner for Transitions, provided the results of the Congregational Vitality Survey. Since this was sent out late last year before Fr. David joined us and only 14 people responded, the results aren’t as reliable as we’d like. Some of our strong points (not surprising): Adaptability to change, Quality of Worship, Outreach. Areas for growth include Internal and External sustainability (mostly a function of our large mortgage, which we’re actively working to mitigate, and demographics of the surrounding area) and the need for a plan with measurable goals, which Fr. David and the vestry will be addressing in a workshop in mid-June.
From Palm Sunday through the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday services and and Easter, 270 people attended services.
We raised $2,383 in the Mother’s Day collection for Maison de Naissance and will be applying for a matching grant from the Diocese.
Fr. David will be attending the Summer Mega Camp for Diocesan youth June 1-7.
The vestry approved a draft document summarizing our mortgage status to be sent to Diocesan Council. The draft has been forwarded to Tom Kokjer, Diocesan Treasurer, and Bishop Amy.
We have received a quote for work on the parking lot and agreed to get the worst of the pothole damage mitigated. Additional work also needs to be done on the heat pump. These repairs will be funded from some of the proceeds from selling Arni’s house.
We have concluded that renting out part of our space for a Montessori school will entail too many risks and costs and will not go forward with this.
The next vestry meeting will be a workshop with Walker Adams, June 13-14.
Minutes from the March meeting are at this link.
Dates to Remember in late May/June
You can view the current version of our Calendar any time at this link for May or this link for June- or by Selecting “Calendar” from the drop-down menu under News and Events at the top of our web page.
You can also download a printable calendar for the month here or pick one up in the Narthex.
Jim Grant featured in Interview on Issues in Haiti
Fr. David, Bishop Amy and others on video games, Pokemon and “All Things Episcopal”
A recent “All Things Episcopal” podcast features an interview with Bishop Amy, including questions from Diocesan youth posed by Fr. David and others. She provides candid and touching information about how her faith developed, her call to ordination and to the episcopate and her passion for youth work. There are some fun digressions into other topics, too! You can listen to the podcast at this link.
Check out our Updated Bulletin Boards!
Fr. David has re-organized the Bulletin Boards, removing old items and adding current ones. Find out what’s new on your way to or from the kitchen and the rest rooms.
We need your Help Outside!
We still need members for our Mowing Team. We have a state-of-the-art riding mower. Contact Steve or Don if you’d like to help.
A volunteer parishioner maintains the plantings at the front door and in front of the sign by the road, which make our property so welcoming to visitors and people who pass by. We’re establishing a fund to buy flowers and other plantings. If you’d like to donate, please designate any amount you put in the collection as a donation to the landscaping fund.
“Pay off Principal” Has an Impact!
Over the last two years we’ve paid off over $40,000 in principal in addition to our regular mortgage payments thanks to your generosity.
Under some reasonable assumptions (depends on the interest rate and term of the new loan) every $10,000 we pay against the mortgage now can reduce our future monthly payments by about $100.
Planned Giving Reminder: If you are in the process of revising your estate documents and wish to discuss planned giving, Qualified Charitable Distributions, CDs, donation of appreciated stock or any other non-cash forms of donation, please talk to Dave Pierson, Chair of the Finance Committee, Cyndi Troyer, our Treasurer, or Regina Berens.
Bishop Amy’s consecration was a joyous event on a perfect day! If you missed it but would like to see highlights, here’s the video link. The procession begins at 51 minutes. The actual consecration begins at 1:44. And if you watch nothing else, watch the part where Bishop Diane passes the crozier to Bishop Amy at 1:57.
The New Spirit is published every two weeks. Read the latest issue here.
On-Line Training
If you’re involved in any ministry at St. Mary Magdalene (and most of you are!), the Diocese strongly recommends the “Safe Churches, Safe Communities” series of online modules. Each can be covered in 15 minutes or less. Everyone- Chalice Ministers, Lay Readers, Acolytes, Vestry members, people with a key to the church, Sunday School teachers, etc.- needs to be educated on risks and risk mitigation to keep God’s people safe.
If you haven’t started these courses, contact Cyndi, and she’ll set up an account for you.
Women‘s Book Club
We will be meeting on Monday, June 2nd at 1:00 p.m.at the home of Susan Petrakos (13204 Jefferson Ct, Kansas City, MO). We will be discussing Selling Sexy by Lauren Sherman. All women are welcome to attend. Please come anytime you see a book you would like to discuss. Dessert is always served.
Daughters of the King – Volunteer opportunities
On Thursday, March 13th, Daughters provided and serve lunch to the homeless at Heart-n-Hand right here in Belton. Volunteer opportunities include meal contributions and/or helping set up and serve at Heart-n-Hand during the day on Thursday. Approximately 100 people are fed at these events. Please text Linda Wallace, 816-520-2342, if you are interested or need more information.
On Monday March 31st, Daughters will provide and serve dinner to the staff and visitors of Hospice House on Wornall Road in Kansas City, MO. Volunteer opportunities include meal contributions (which can be dropped off the Sunday before at St. Mary’s) and/or helping set up and serve at the House on Monday evening. 20-30 people are fed. Please call Kim Gerhardt, 913-515-7599, if you are interested or need more information.
Daughters of the King meets the third Sunday of the month in Education Room right after church. If you’re interested, please contact Cyndi Troyer.
God and Guinness Night at Conroy’s:
June 20
Join your friends at St. Mary Magdalene on Friday, June 20th, at 6 p.m. for our monthly God & Guinness Night.
This month, we will gather at the church around the new BBQ patio!
The church will provide brats and hot dogs, so bring your favorite beverage and a side dish to share, and join us for a wonderful evening of food, fun, and fellowship.
In June we will be gathering items to stock the Necessities Pantry for SingleMom KC. They need full-size packages of items such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razors and feminine hygiene items.
They can be left in the bin marked for SingleMom KC in the narthex.
KC for Refugees Needs Household Items
A few years ago we opened up the basement of the House of Grace to KC for Refugees, an organization that provides support for newly-arrived refugees from war-torn countries. They’re in need of all the basic necessities. Here’s their most recent communication:
We need your help! Our Welcome Closet is nearly out of all supplies! We need lots of help to replenish our storehouse for the refugees arriving weekly to the KC Metro area!
Needed donations include: Towels, blankets, small kitchen appliances (rice cookers, electric tea pots, pressure cookers, etc), dishes, silverware, pots and pans (the bigger the better), diapers, sheets (twin and queen size) and hygiene and cleaning kits, diapers, maxi pads, socks and underwear for children and adults.
Our Amazon wishlist is available for easy donation! All items purchased are delivered to a KC for Refugees volunteer who delivers to our Welcome Closet.
Amazon Wish List Link
Or donations are always welcome in person! All donations should be new, or very gently used with lots of life left in them. They can be dropped off at the lower level of the House of Grace on Thursdays from 9-11am, or brought to church.
Thank you so much for your help! We cannot do this great work without your help and support!!!
Heart-n-Hand Ministries
Heart-N-Hand Ministries, right here in Belton, serves the homeless as well as others just needing a hand up. At their website, www.heartnhand.org, there is always a current list of donated items they are seeking.
Heart-N-Hand would also appreciate volunteers to assist in their Thrift Store, Monday-Saturday; the store hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For for more information, please contact Alexis Butterfield, Executive Director, at 816-322-1133 or 417-551-2470. Her e-mail is alexisjbutterfield@gmail.com.
Here’s the latest list of items they need most. Donations can be left in the Narthex.
Canned meals like Chili, Ravioli, Spaghetti-O’s, stew (pop top preferred)
Pancake Mix Eggs
Pork & beans Crackers
Refried beans Ready to eat Soup
Spaghetti sauce White rice
Boxed mashed potatoes Baking goods: Flour, Sugar, cooking oil
Peanut Butter Grape Jelly
Canned chicken, ham, or pork Canned fruit
Condiments Powdered milk
Fresh produce Meat ( ground beef, ground turkey)
Lunch meats Cheese
Juice Dressing
Baby wipes Dish soap
Toilet paper Paper towels
Household cleaning products Shampoo and conditioner
Tampons and pads Kleenex
Here is a link to items you can order from Amazon
Help Save Lives with Your Donation!
At our drive on March 31 we collected 15 units of blood. The need for blood products never stops! Please donate if you can.
Our next drive will be on Wednesday, June 4 from 2 to 6 PM.
Single Mom KC needs clothing for women and children and full-size toiletries. They can be left in the bin marked for SingleMom KC in the narthex.
