The Call
February, 2026
A Message from the Rector
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we move through this part of the Church year, the focus begins to shift a bit. The weeks of Epiphany have been helping us learn who Jesus is, what his kingdom is like, and what it means to follow him as his disciples. In the Gospels we have watched him teach, heal, and call ordinary people to walk with him. Those stories linger with us, even as the Church begins to turn our attention toward Lent.
Epiphany is a season of learning and paying attention. It invites us to look closely at Jesus and to listen for what his life and ministry reveal about God’s reign. Lent asks a different but closely related thing of us. This is a season that calls us to repentance, and asks us to place our lives in the light of Christ, and to remember that our salvation is God’s work, not our own. It gives us space to be honest about ourselves and about where we are in our walk with Christ, to name our sin, our distractions, and the ways we fall short, and to cooperate with grace by turning again toward God and the life God desires for us.
As we look toward Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, I want to encourage you to receive this season as a gift rather than a burden. Lent invites us to renew our faith and repentance, to return to prayer, and to remember that we are not our own. God already knows us fully and meets us with mercy. My hope is that this season will draw us closer to Christ and deepen our trust in him, and that you will join us as we begin this journey together on Ash Wednesday.
With every blessing,
Fr. David
Lent at St. Mary Mag
Lent is just around the corner, and we’ll soon be entering this season of prayer, repentance, and renewal together. We are invited to slow down, be more intentional in our spiritual lives, and to make space for God through prayer, self-examination, and acts of discipline and self-denial.
As the Prayer Book reminds us, the weekdays of Lent are days of special devotion, and Ash Wednesday (February 18) and Good Friday (April 3) are both observed as fast days.
Lenten Study: Will You? A Lenten Study on the Baptismal Promises
During Lent, we’ll gather for a parish study exploring the promises we make in baptism and how they shape our daily lives. We’ll meet Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., February 25 through March 25, with options to join in person or online. Please see Cyndi Troyer if you’d like to order a study book.
Stations of the Cross
We’ll pray the Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., beginning February 25, so to remind us of the depth of God’s love for the world.
Private Confession
Private confession will be available in the church during Lent and Holy Week at the following times:
- Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m.
- Good Friday, April 3 at 1:00 p.m.
We hope you’ll join us as we walk the Lenten path together.
Your 2026 Vestry gathered briefly right after the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 11, to get organized for the year ahead.
At that meeting, Fr. David reappointed Steve Hirtzel to serve another year as Senior Warden. The Vestry also elected the following members as officers if the vestry for one-year terms:
• Paul Patrick, Junior Warden
• Cyndi Troyer, Treasurer
• Gabriel Sparks, Clerk of the Vestry
Looking ahead, our next time together will be the Vestry’s annual retreat at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 21.
Minutes from the November 9 meeting are at this link.
Give, and You Shall Receive, from the IRS
The recent tax changes include a potential benefit for people who don’t itemize their deductions (currently 90% of taxpayers) and thus haven’t been able to get any tax breaks when they donate to charity. Starting with the 2026 tax year, those who take the standard deduction can also deduct up to $1,000 in charitable contributions for Singles ($2,000 for Married filing Jointly) in addition to the Standard Deduction.
And don’t forget two other ways to save on taxes through charitable donations which have been around for a few years: If you’re 70.5 or older you can make a donation directly from your IRA to a qualified charity (called a Qualified Charitable Distribution) without incurring taxes and without it increasing your Adjusted Gross income. If you’re 73 and making Required Minimum Distributions, any portion of your RMD which is donated directly to a qualified charity is also not taxed and does not add to your Adjusted Gross Income. St. Mary Magdalene does have a brokerage account to receive these donations.
As always, if you have questions about how this affects your individual situation, please consult a tax accountant.
We’ve been gathering on Wednesday evenings to walk together through The Path, exploring the sweeping story of Scripture and how God’s purpose unfolds from Genesis through Revelation in a way that draws us deeper into faith and understanding.
Our last session for the time being will be Wednesday, February 11. After a pause for Lent and Easter, The Path will resume on Wednesday, April 15, with Chapter 6: “The Waters Were Divided.”
Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we continue this rich journey through God’s Word!
Dates to Remember in February and Beyond
Monday, February 2: Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, 6:00 PM Eucharist.
This is one of six days designated in the Prayer Book as “Feasts of the Lord” which we will observe with a weekday Eucharist: Feast of the Holy Name on January 1, the Presentation on February 2, the Annunciation on March 25, the Visitation on May 31 (which we will observe on Monday, June 1), the Transfiguration on August 6 and Holy Cross Day on September 14.
Sunday, February 8: KC 4 Refugees Presentation
Join us after worship on Sunday, February 8, for a presentation on KC 4 Refugees and their ministry of welcome and support for refugees in our community. We’ll learn more about their work including the Welcome Closet located in the basement of the House of Grace. Come learn how this ministry offers practical support and how we, as a parish, can be part of that work.
Sunday: February 8: Youth Group Super Bowl Party, 2-3:30 p.m.
The youth of the parish are invited to gather for a Pre-Super Bowl Party on Sunday, February 8, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the church. We’ll spend the afternoon enjoying food, games, and time together as we gear up for Super Bowl Sunday. Food will be provided, so come hungry and ready to have some fun. Friends are always welcome.
Sunday, February 15: Mardi Gras Brunch
Join us after the service for a Mardi Gras celebration, with pancakes, sausage, a mimosa bar and the traditional King Cake. If you’d like to contribute food or drink sign up at this link. Let Denise know if you can help her make pancakes.
Wednesday, February 18: Ash Wednesday: Private confession at 5 PM in the church, service at 7 PM.
Thursday, April 9: Red Cross Blood Drive, 2-6 PM.
You can view the current version of our Calendar any time at this link – or by Selecting “Calendar” from the drop-down menu under News and Events at the top of our web page.
You can also pick up a printed copy in the Narthex.
The New Spirit is published every two weeks. Read the latest issue here.
Women‘s Book Club
Let the Good Times Roll! Celebrate Mardi Gras after the service on February 15.
February 20
Join your friends at St. Mary Magdalene on Friday, February 20 at 6 p.m. for our monthly God & Guinness Night at Conroy’s, 12924 State Line Road in Leawood.
Daughters of the King will be serving meals at Heart n Hand Thursday, February 12 at 9 AM. Contact Cyndi or any other member of Daughters of the King if you’re able to help.
Single Mom KC needs clothing for women and full-size toiletries. 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.
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 last drive on Thursday, January 22, we collected 9 units of blood from 10 donors. Winter is usually a slow period but the needs for blood products never stops.
Our next drive is Thursday, April 9 from 2 to 6 PM. Please donate if you can!
If you have a family illness or a personal concern, please contact the church office at 816-331-2222 and leave a voicemail.
We miss you when you cannot participate in church, and we want to know when one of our members can be comforted from a pastoral visit, being added to our prayer list, or by receiving communion at home.
St. Mary Magdalene offers in-person Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m. We are also live streaming the service for those who prefer to join us from home, on our YouTube channel at this link.
St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church | 16808 Holmes Rd., Belton, MO 64012
(816) 331-2222 | www.marymag.com
