The Call
May, 2025
A Message from the Rector
Dear Friends in Christ,
Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection this Easter Season, I want to once again express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made our Holy Week and Easter celebrations so meaningful. Even with the rain, it was a wonderful and joyous time—and it was such a blessing to see so many of you there!
A special word of thanks goes to:
- Marsha, for all her hard work on the bulletins;
- Donna and the Altar Guild;
- Cyndi and the Acolytes;
- Frank and Rick, for livestreaming the services;
- Gabriel, for organizing the Gethsemane Watch on Maundy Thursday;
- Jane, for the wonderful coffee hour;
- And Denise, for putting together the Easter Egg Hunt.
We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated group of members who generously share their time and talents to make our community what it is. I am deeply grateful!
Our Easter celebrations continued this past weekend as we welcomed Paige, Billie, and Maisie into the Body of Christ through the waters of Baptism. And the joy continues in the weeks ahead with the ordination of Bishop-Elect Amy this Saturday, the Yard Party on Sunday, and the first meeting of our new youth group on the 18th.
There is so much new life to give thanks for—what a powerful reminder that we are called to be Easter people, no matter the season.
So keep on celebrating, because Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. David
On Sunday, April 13, your vestry met after church. Topics discussed included:
Fr. David will be attending the Summer Mega Camp for Diocesan youth June 1-7.
Discussions continue with Fr. David, Tom Kojker (Diocesan Treasurer), Bishop-Elect Amy and our bank on the upcoming reset for our mortgage in early July. There will be no Diocesan Council meeting in May and the vestry will be drafting a summary information document so that the Diocesan Council can make a decision at its meeting on June 14.
Fr. David is continuing discussions with the Episcopal Church Fund about the advisability of creating a formal Endowment Fund with the bequest from Arni, our former Business Manager, and future donations/bequests from parishioners. This would include determining the fund’s objectives, rules for withdrawals, and investment strategies.
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.
The couple who had discussed using our building as a Montessori school with Fr. Larry is still interested. Fr. David is discussing legal implications with the Diocesan Chancellor.
Possible dates to commemorate National Labyrinth Day were discussed but not finalized. A post-service barbecue to celebrate the new grilling patio will be held Sunday, May 4.
Regina provided a summary of the previous day’s Diocesan council meeting. See section below.
The next vestry meeting will be via Zoom at 7 PM on May 14.
Minutes from the March meeting are at this link.
Dates to Remember in May and June
Sunday, May 4: Please join us after service for a cook-out to celebrate and bless our new BBQ patio, Labyrinth Day, and to bless our Community Garden. You can sign up to contribute to our meal here:
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 download a printable calendar for the month here or pick one up in the Narthex.
Highlights of the April 13 Diocesan Council Meeting
Date: May 18, 2025
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Location: House of Grace
Join your friends at St. Mary Mag for our first monthly Youth Group Meeting on May 18!
Youth Group is for kids in 5th-12th grade. It is a space for young people to build community, have fun, and engage with their faith growing closer to God and one another. Each meeting will have a lesson that relates to a topic of faith, and a fun activity. We will also have occasional opportunities for service as a way to put our love of neighbor into practice.
We’d love to have you join us and be part of this community! If you have any questions please contact Steve Hirtzel, Lauren Stokke or Fr. David.
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.
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
The May 5th meeting will be held at the home of Susan Petrakos (13204 Jefferson Ct, Kansas City, MO) at 1:00 p.m. We will discuss Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano. All women are welcome to attend. Please come anytime you see a book you would like to discuss. Dessert is always served.
Lenten Book Discussion with the Author of “Life in Christ” at St. Mary Mag
This book is currently the source for our Lenten Bible Study on Wednesday nights. The author, Rev. Dr. Julia Gatta, will be presenting a session based on her book on Saturday, May 24, between 10 AM and 2 PM, with lunch provided.
Registration is free but you must register by May 17 . More information and the registration form are at this link.
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:
May 16
Please join us for a fun gathering of fellowship, drinks, and food.
Contact Karen Hauswald for questions or information.
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.
