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
September, 2023
A Message from Fr. Larry
September – A month of Transitions
Where did the summer go? September is already with us. As long as I can remember, this month has always held various kinds of changes – transitions.
For many, both educators and students, it is a month of returning to school and the beginning of a new academic year. For some families with college age children, it may be the first time their children are away from home. As the month goes on, nature around us will slowly let go of summer and begin to move into Autumn and cooler temperatures. Labor Day, at the very beginning of this month, is often seen as the last days of the summer vacation season. Many try to catch the final days of summer by going to a lake or having family gatherings. We intuitively sense that something is changing – a transition of some kind is taking place, so we do something to mark the time.
In the Christian spiritual experience and tradition, times of change are considered sacred. It is in these ‘in between’ times that God can be most at work in our lives. We know where we have been and may or may not have a sense of what is next. Sometimes we have used the term ‘liminal’ to describe these times of change, of transitions in life. Celtic spirituality likes to refer to these times as “thin places” in our journey of life. They are moments in life when we can be open to God’s Spirit shaping us in new and often surprising ways. What is important is that we choose to notice them, savor them in our hearts, and ask to be open to these special moments as unique times for God to be active in our lives.
My hope and prayer for you is that you may be open and free to allow the changes and transitions that occur at this time of year to truly be sacred. God is not finished with any of us yet. We are all in the process of becoming God’s new creation. What a holy time this can be if we are open to it!
Blessings,
Larry Ehren+
On August 20, your vestry met and discussed the following:
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Cyndi introduced Rachel Segobia, Executive Director of The Single Mom KC, an organization that supports and empowers single mothers and their children, many of whom need help healing from trauma. Kim Gerhardt and Cyndi are both very active volunteers in the organization. Rachel and the vestry discussed the best ways for St. Mary Magdalene to support the organization going forward.
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Repairs on the roof are completed. Some work remains to be done on interior ceilings damaged by leaks in the roof.
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The Children and Youth sub-group reported on a conversation Steve Hirtzel had with Kim Snodgrass at the Diocesan office; she had some good suggestions and the sub-group will meet to develop a plan based on, among other things reaching the large numbers of families we attract for Trunk or Treat.
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The Welcoming Committee will be ordering name tags.
Minutes of the July 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 nearly $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!
Reminder to Our Lay Readers
The acoustics in our space are wonderful for Wagnerian opera but bad for the spoken word. The time between when you speak and when it reverberates against the walls (even if you don’t hear it) is very long. If you speak too quickly, what you’re saying is muffled by the echo of what you said before that. Here are a few tips to help people hear you:
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Pause between sentences.
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Adjust the microphone to your height and make sure it’s a few inches from your mouth.
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Make an effort to speak clearly and distinctly, maybe above your normal volume.
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Note which readers you can hear clearly and, to the extent you can, follow their techniques.
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Thanks for your work in spreading The Word!
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
September 7: Blood drive. Details in this newsletter below,
September 15: God and Guinness. Details in this newsletter below.
September 30: Church workday, 8 AM-Noon. Rain Date October 7. See details below.
Blessing of the Animals, 4 PM.
October 1: Church Picnic and Welcoming of New Members
October 28: We’ve agreed with a local handbell choir to let them use our beautiful space for a concert Saturday evening, October 28. Details to follow!
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.
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
At our September 11th meeting (change of Mondays because of the Labor Day holiday on the 4th) we will discuss The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda.
At the October 9th meeting we will discuss The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.
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 September 15
Church Work Day, September 30 (Rain Date: October 7)
Our large, beautiful property is maintained solely by volunteers- another example of our careful stewardship of our resources. We need YOU to help tend to the outdoor spaces (Remembrance Garden, Community Garden, paths) on Saturday, September 30 from 8 AM to noon. Lunch will be provided! In case of rain the work day will be postponed to October 7. 
Get Extra Blessings for Your Donations!
You’ll notice from the items below that KC For Refugees, Heart n Hand, Single Moms KC and Missouri Puppy Mill Rescue need many household and grooming items available through Proctor and Gamble. If you’ve got a Costco membership and buy from an extensive list of P&G Products between August 28 and September 24 and upload your receipts, you’ll receive a Costco Gift card for $25 if you’ve spent $100 and for $50 if you’ve spent $200. Details, including the list of products and how to submit receipts for gift cards, are available at Costco.com/PG.
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.
If you’re moved to donate funds, they’ve just announced that an anonymous donor has agreed to match all donations during the month of September, up to $25,000! This would allow them to purchase a new box truck to replace the one that unexpectedly broke downn.
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
Our Next Blood Drive will be Thursday, September 7 from 2 PM to 6 PM.
Our May drive results brought in 10 donors including one first-time donor and three who donated double units of red blood cells.
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
