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
October, 2023
A Message from Fr. Larry
Time to Re-Seed
As a homeowner, this is the time of year that I receive numerous offers for fall lawn care. The list includes de-thatching, aerating, fertilizing, and re-seeding. In the world of lawn care, it seems that fall is an important time to enhance one’s lawn to be that much sought after velvety, deep green lawn most homeowners crave. The impression is that if you do not engage in these important lawn services things will not be good for you or your lawn when spring rolls around.
That leads me to wonder if my life, our lives – do we also need a season to “re-seed, re-new, re-plant”?
The rhythms of nature are true for our lives also. What might be some ways to ‘re-seed’ our spiritual lives at this time of year? Here are a few suggestions:
• Start each day with ten minutes of quiet reflection – focusing on what you are grateful for in your life. You might want to simply focus on one person or thing that you are thankful for that day.
• Make a list of people who are special to you, but you have not had contact with for some time. Try to reach out to them by a phone call, note, or e-mail.
• These are the days of harvest, that will eventually lead to Thanksgiving. Consider giving some volunteer time, financial support, or other gifts to a local agency that serves those in need.
• Take some time with Scripture each day. One easy way to do this is to connect to Forward Movement (www.forwardmovement.org).
• Look around your neighborhood and notice those who may be living alone or may have special needs. Ask them if you can be of help in any way.
Please note that none of these suggestions are ‘big deals’, but they do make a positive difference, and are concrete ways that we can ‘re-seed’ our hearts and spirits to reflect God’s love in our lives.
Blessings,
Larry Ehren+
On September 17, your vestry met and discussed the following:
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We are now sponsoring a Belton soccer team of 11- and 12- year Olds. We’re even on the team T-shirts! Steve Hirtzel, who led this effort, will be setting up a date we can attend a match and bring snacks.
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Fr. Larry, as a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, reported that the Committee is accepting and reviewing applications from those wishing to be a part of the search and installation process for a new Bishop.
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Since Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, we will have one service that day at 5 PM and no service on Monday, December 25.
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We have many upcoming events on-site. See the section below.
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The Welcoming Committee will be ordering name tags.
Minutes of the August 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, this 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!
From Your Editor
We’re a little late with The Call this month. There were plenty of things going on: the picnic, the work day, Blessing of the Animals… and due to a bizarre tech fail (my tablet’s inner workings were obliterated during a demo of a 250,000-volt generator at the Tesla Museum in Belgrade), I am working on this on my phone. On a bus. In Bulgaria. I apologize for any weird formatting or other glitches.
And this is why I really could use an assistant for The Call!
It’s Trunk or Treat Time!
Trunk or Treat is scheduled after the service on October 29 from noon to 2 pm. You will be home in time to see the Chiefs game!
This is our annual opportunity to not only provide a safe and festive event for children in our community, but also to show off our church community and property.
We need at least 20 cars to participate. Plan on having enough candy for 100 to 150 kiddos. Remember to bring yourself a chair.
In addition, we need these volunteers;
— at least 1 to assist with grilling and serving a hot dog lunch
— 1 to direct parking
— 1 to keep buckets filled with treats / candy in our “haunted woods”.
–1 to keep buckets filled with treats / candy in the game area.
Please let Denise know via email mdbk041@gmail.com if you will participate with a trunk or as a volunteer.
Thanks to everyone who Helped!
Thanks to all who gave of their time and energy last for our “Parish Work Day” as we cleaned up our Memorial Garden, and made major progress in returning our Community Garden to be a functional producer of food for next year. The crops will be given to our local food bank – Heart and Hand.
Thanks to Mary Grant and Melissa for working on our Memorial Garden.
Thanks to Rich Koch, Scott Laurent, Steve Hirtzel, Don Gerhardt, and Paul Patrick for attacking the weeds, pea gravel and metal raised beds in our Community Garden.
In addition, many thanks to everyone who pitched in for our Annual Church Picnic. The food was both plentiful and tasty. Special mention is deserved in gratitude to Jane Bruckerfor rescuing the event to be a real picnic with hot dogs and hot dog buns.
Pledge Reminder
As we return to work and to school, it’s a good time to check on whether or not you’re current on your 2023 pledge. Our expenses do NOT go on vacation! To see your pledge status, log into Aplos at this link. Check with Cyndi if you need to get access to Aplos.
The search for a new Bishop has begun! If an appropriate slate of candidates has been identified, the new Bishop will be elected at the November, 2024 Convention.
A detailed description of the process, potential time line and the work of the three Committees involved (Search, Transition and Consecration) is here. The link includes an application form for anyone who wants to be a part of the process. If you are interested in serving or wish to nominate someone, the deadline is October 1.
The New Spirit is published every two weeks. Read the latest issue here.
Dates to Remember
October 28: Concert by the Kansas City Bronze Handbell Choir, 6 PM. Free will offering will be taken. See this link for more information on the handbell choir and the concert itself.
October 29: Trunk or Treat. Last year’s was hugely successful- we cooked 150 hot dogs and we ran out! Join the fun this year.
Trunk or Treat is scheduled after service on from noon to 2 pm. You will be home in time to see the Chiefs game!
This is our annual opportunity to not only provide a safe and festive event for children in our community, but also to show off our church community and property.
We need at least 20 cars to participate. Plan on having enough candy for 100 to 150 kiddos. Remember to bring yourself a chair.
In addition, we need these volunteers;
— at least 1 to assist with grilling and serving a hot dog lunch
— 1 to direct parking
— 1 to keep buckets filled with treats / candy in our “haunted woods”.
–1 to keep buckets filled with treats / candy in the game area.
Please let Denise know via email mdbk041@gmail.com if you will participate with a trunk or as a volunteer
November 19: Bishop’s Visit.
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
On November 6 we will discuss Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.
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 October 20
A Special St. Mary Magdalene God and Guinness Night
Friday October 13, 2023 6:00 p.m.- 9:00p.m.
Home of Denny and Penny Krupp
20603 South Mullen Road, Belton, MO
Please join us for a fun gathering of fellowship, drinks, and food. Host will provide hamburgers and hot dogs. Please bring drinks for yourself and a side or dessert to share.
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 Wednesday, November 15 from 2 PM to 6 PM.
Our first drive of 2024 will be on 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
