St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church
Our Vision: To be a community… Real. Rooted. Relevant.
Our Purpose: To follow Jesus Christ so that we will be His hands and feet in the world.

The Call

December, 2023

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 A Message from Fr. Larry

 

 

Advent’s Invitation

 

Recently I heard of churches that extended the season of Advent from the usual four weeks to seven weeks. I immediately thought of Advent calendars that were much larger than the ones we are accustomed to (more chocolate for everyone!), and Advent wreaths that were huge to accommodate seven candles.

On reflection, this idea does have merit. It is so easy to let Advent become some kind of countdown to Christmas. In fact, Advent has an integrity of its own. No one really knows the origin of Advent. What we do know is that it was observed in Western Christianity by 480. Later it became a time of penitence. Violet was the liturgical color that was used, as it was also used in the season of Lent. Thanks to German Christians, Advent wreaths made of fir branches were used in churches and homes in the sixteenth century. The gradual lighting of candles was an expression of the stages of salvation and revelation that occurred in the Jewish and Christian faith experiences.

However, the scripture readings that are used during Advent focus squarely on justice and peace as preparation for the Reign of God. They seem to invite us to work for justice and peace so that the Christ Child can be warmly welcomed in our midst. Let’s face it – things are not right in the world. With God’s help, Advent is a season that calls us to create a more just and peaceful world – starting in our own homes and relationships and then radiating out to the entire world.
We use the color blue to express the unique invitation that Advent holds for us as we prepare to recall the gift of Christ, the Prince of Peace.

This Advent, we will offer an Advent faith formation series on Wednesday nights by Zoom that focuses on the readings of the prophet Isaiah. You are invited to participate and experience the true meaning of this Advent season.

Blessings of this Holy Season be yours!

Larry Ehren+

On November 12, your vestry met and discussed the following:

• The Pledge mailing was sent out the first week in November.  Additional pledge packets are available in the narthex.

• The Greening of the Church will be after the service on December 3, the first Sunday of Advent.

• Bishop Bruce will be visiting November 19 and will have lunch with the vestry.

• We distributed announcements of the On-Line Safety/Human Trafficking Workshop 11/30 at Trunk or Treat.

• Vestry Elections:  Rich has agreed to serve again; Penny will be stepping off vestry.  We need to nominate someone for a 3-year term starting with the 2024 Annual Meeting.

Minutes of the October vestry meeting are at this link.

 

Pay off Principal- a Great Start!

 

If you’ve ever been moved by the Spirit to show your appreciation for a special blessing God has given you- an anniversary, a landmark birthday, the birth of a grandchild- the envelopes in the Narthex are for you.  We’ve launched a “Pay off Principal” drive to reduce our mortgage balance.  We’ve already collected over $16,000.  Given the likelihood that interest rates will rise before we have to refinance in a couple of years, your gifts will have an even bigger impact.

This will be an ongoing effort to encourage year-round awareness of stewardship as one way to give from what God has given us.  Please take an envelope home so you can add donations to the offertory plate when you’re moved to do so.  No amount is too small!

 

The Bishop Search Begins

 

The first meeting of the Bishop Search Committee and the Chairs of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council was a two-day retreat over November 16-17.  Regina, Fr. Larry and Brock are all on the Committee.

The search will be led by a consultant who has guided many other dioceses through the selection process.  We have a lot of work ahead of us, and hope to have a new Bishop named at the November 2024 Convention, but our priority is to find the best candidate and not be bound to a time line.

We were reminded that this process requires strict confidentiality.  Most of the candidates will be current parish priests and would be put in an awkward position if their congregation knew about their candidacy, so Search Committee members will likely be unable to answer your questions as we start to select candidates.

We are, however, committed to communicating what we can and the Bishop Search page of the Diocesan Web site will be updated weekly.

Please pray for us during this challenging and important process.

Learn to Keep Your Kids (and Yourself) Safe On-Line

A detailed description of the process, potential time line and the work of the three Committees involved (Search, Transition and Consecration) in the selection of the new Bishop is here.

The New Spirit is published every two weeks. Read the latest issue here.

 

Dates to Remember

November 30:  On-Line Safety Workshop directed to parents, 7 PM at the church.  If you suspect your children or grandchildren know more about social networking than you do, this workshop will help you keep them out of harm’s way.  Free-will offering will be taken.

December 3:  Greening of the Church. Join us after the service as we decorate our spce in anticipation of Christmas.  Lunch will be provided.  If you’d like to help with lunch, you can sign up at this link.

 

On-Line Training:  We Especially Need a Sunday School Team!

If you’re involved in any kind of ministry at St. Mary Magdalene (and most of you are!), the Diocese strongly recommends the “Safe Churches, Safe Communities” series of on-line 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.

As we think about how to attract young families, having Sunday School is key.  For this effort in particular, we need a team of people who can be “on call” if there are children in the congregation who want to be in Sunday School.  You won’t be put on a schedule but if you’re in church and there are kids in Sunday school you’d be asked if you can serve.  All you need to do to prepare is to go over the readings in the Bulletin and lead a discussion on one.  There are plenty of supplies in the classroom for recreation and crafts afterwards!  We require two adults for Sunday School so you’ll have help.  Please let the clergy or any vestry member know if you’re interested.

If you haven’t started these courses, contact Cyndi and she’ll set up an account for you.

Women‘s Book Club

 

We will not be discussing a book at our December 18th meeting since we will be having our annual Christmas Potluck luncheon.

 

At the January 8th meeting (2nd Monday due to the New Year’s holiday) we will discuss Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. The location of the meeting will be announced soon.

 

  

Daughters of the King 

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 December 15

God and Guinness Night at Conroy’s

 

Please join us for a fun gathering of fellowship, drinks, and food.

Contact Rich Koch 913-707-0148 or koch0520@sbcglobal.net for questions or information.

KC for Refugees

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.  You can help by filling a reusable bag with supplies shown below and placing them on the table by the Family Rest Room in the narthex.

 

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.

New tax information: Missouri residents who donate money to a food bank can claim a 50% credit on their Missouri taxes for their donations.  They must get Form MO-FPT from the organization.  Heart n Hand makes it easy; if you donate through their web site you can request it when you make your donation.

 

 

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

We collected 21 units of blood at our September 7 Drive!

Our Next Blood Drive will be Thursday, January 25.

We still need plastic bags to make mats for the homeless. If you’d like to learn how to crochet them, contact Regina at berensregina@gmail.com.

Single Moms KC needs clothing for women and children and full-size toiletries.

 

Missouri Puppy Mill Rescue needs bleach and Lysol multi-surface cleaner.

 

 

The Call

We are still looking for another person to create The Call every other month (alternating with Regina). It can be done gradually as you get announcements of events, etc. Many other items are provided by others and you just have to incorporate them with some pretty straightforward “drag-and- drop” software. Please let Regina know if you are interested.

Events

We need someone to take over co-ordination of church events — the earlier, the better so Denise can show you how it works. Please contact her if this interests you.

More About Us

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.

 

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.

If you have a family illness or a personal concern, please contact the church office at 816-331-2222 and leave a voicemail.

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St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church | 16808 Holmes Rd., Belton, MO 64012

(816) 331-2222 | http://www.marymag.com