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The Call

published twice a month by
St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church

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Tuesday, August 30
3-7 pm

REMEMBER, not only are you saving lives, there are also free tickets to 
World's of Fun.
Third Thursday
August 2016
Walking the Road....
 
One of the most confusing roles I have ever had to play in my life is being a parent. I have often suggested to God that He should issue an instruction manual with every baby! I suppose in some way that is one use of the Bible, to guide us to know how to love and raise our children. Heaven knows He has had to raise each and every one of us!

Having a grandchild brings that reality home again. I am amazed what my grandchildren reveal about how they are growing up. One minute they are caught in make-believe, the next saying profound things you wonder where those words and thoughts came from. I am grateful for moments like when our 6 year-old grandson told his joking uncle there is only one God, not many gods. And our grandson meant it!

Where do children get their sense of God? From faith-making memories...memories of times and experiences that brought a child face to face with God... simple moments... spirit-filled moments... in church, at communion, being greeted with a warm smile at the door, taking part in a class with a caring Sunday School teacher who is energetically telling a story of one of God's heroes, a child being gently carried through the congregation after their Baptism to meet their extend spiritual family. Children need all the moments the can get in the loving fellowship of God's family that we can give them, be at church or at home.

I urge parents to give their children, of all ages, opportunities for as many faith-making memories as possible, so they can grasp the grace and love of God, to know their brother Christ, and to grow in faith and the Spirit. The world's lessons are far from enough. Our children need the lessons that live beyond the world's shallow cares, so they can find the fullness of their lives that make living so worthwhile.

And may the Lord's blessing be your constant companion...

Fr. Evan+
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DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS OFF TO COLLEGE THIS YEAR? 

If so, you might want to join with the Diocese of West Missouri.  The Diocese is reaching out college students and offering encouragement in the form of some goodies.  

So if you are a parent and can help us get the website to them.  Just click the link below and fill out the required info.  Good things will come....

Diocese of West Missouri Campus Ministry
 
St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross 

Tuesday, August 30th 
3:00 P.M. to 7:00 p.m. 

16808 Homes Road in 
Belton, MO

Don't forget there are free 
World's of Fun tickets too!!

Walk-ins are welcome, but the bloodmobile can only handle a limited number of people at a time.  So during a busy time you might have to wait.  Appointments are recommended.  To make an appointment to donate, sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org.

"St. Mary Magdalene is committed to strengthening our community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations," said Fr. Ash. "This blood drive is our way of giving our parish members and our neighbors an opportunity to help save lives."

Fr. Ash refers to himself as a "career" volunteer donor, having recently started his seventh gallon. Reaching back to the 1980s, this has been a way for him to help save lives.

Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the Red Cross.

"We urge community members to donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs. There's no better feeling than knowing that your blood donation may give someone a second chance at life."

According to the Red Cross, donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.
 
glasses-woman-books.jpg Women's Book Club

The Women's Book Club will meet on Monday, September 12th due to the Labor Day holiday at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Ida Cox (12323 Ash, Overland Park, KS). We have changed the regular  meeting time from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. 

At the September meeting we will be discussing "The Two Family House" by Lynda Cohen Loigman. All women and their friends are welcome to attend with no on-going commitment. Dessert is always served. The contact person is Susan Petrakos, 816-810-4362, swpetrakos@yahoo.com.
 
cheers_beers_table.jpg God and Guinness Night - For All Members of our Parish

St. Mary Magdalene's Men's Fellowship Group is sponsoring for all members of our parish

Friday September 16, 2015 6:30 p.m.- 8:00p.m.

Frankie's and Johnny's Bar
17207 S. US Highway 71
Belton, MO 64012

Join us for a fun gathering of fellowship with great bar food and drinks.  Please come and participate in the fun and planning. Contact me for questions and information: Richard Koch 913-851-4834; 913-707-0148; koch0520@sbcglobal.net. 
 
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I am glad to tell you we are sharing in the efforts of the 
Cass County Non-profits, an informal partnership between local churches, healthcare systems, assistance programs, school districts and civic leaders.  

If you live in the Cass County area, I ask you to please 
take a few moments to complete the survey below, to help 
all of us identify the transportation needs of the local community to which our parish ministers. This survey is anonymous, and only the survey results will be shared.


Bless you for taking the time to help us be more aware of our neighbors in an informed way...

Fr. Evan+
Confirmation

Many of us were baptized as children. At that time our parents and Godparents committed to us growing up in a life of faith. They vowed to take the lead in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Holy Confirmation is that sacrament where a person takes the adult step of personally affirming those vows of their Baptism. Like all sacraments, it is a moment of change, when the commitment of others ends and we step up to the plate, accept the grace of God ourselves, and make our own personal commitment to follow Christ.

Fr. Evan is asking all of those, teens and adults, who feel called to this moment of personal commitment to let him know. He plans on offering a Confirmation/Inquirer's class this fall. This class will help participants learn and reflect on the full scope of our faith as preparation for Confirmation.

It also is an opportunity for anyone who wishes to refresh their awareness and for those confirmed in another faith tradition to update their understanding of the Anglican way.

Please let Fr. Evan know if you are at this moment in your walk with God.

Thanks...

Fr. Evan+
 
Around the Diocese



Ministry Quick Links







Ministry Want Ads

Jim Grant is looking for volunteers to help out at the 12th anniversary celebration of Maison de Naissance on Sep 10th from 5-9 pm.  He needs help setting up, serving, and clean up.  Contact Jim at jim@globalbirthinghomefoundation.org or 913-515-8980

Needed: people willing to pass on their faith to children. Contact Denise Koch

Serve our neighbors by volunteering at Heart-n-Hand or West Central Community Action Agency in Belton. Contact Geri Jackson- (816) 322-0700.

MEETING FOR COFFEE HOUR SERVERS
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There will be a meeting of coffee hour servers after church on Sunday August 28. 

We will meet in the area in front of kitchen.  If you have questions contact Celia at 816-589-7950. 

It's a bird, it's a plane,....


As Fr. Ash came to the church office on Tuesday morning, August 2nd, he thought he was watching a plane crash in a nearby field, as he saw only the tail section move through the break in the trees. 

It quickly became apparent he was seeing a crop duster covering nearby fields. This continued all day around the church. It was like being on the set of a WWII movie! 

This view is from the front porch of the House of Grace as the plane prepared for another pass on cropland to the south. 
Walk the Labyrinth each Sunday Morning
Add a description
at 10 am 

Join Lisa Inman and others as they walk the labyrinth on Sunday mornings, weather permitting.  

This is a time of prayer and reflection before worship.  
Benedictine Prayer and Study Group
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will meet 
September 13th
6:30 pm to 8 pm

at the House of Grace

If you have questions, contact Arnetta Johnston at 816-331-7015 or arni@marymag.com
 
WEMO YOUTH

Diocese of West Missouri Youth Community


Bishop Kemper School of Ministry 
Theological Education 
for All People

BKSM UPDATE
Upcoming Events

 

MN's 12 Anniversary 
6:00 - 8:00 PM, September 10, 2016
Please plan to join us for the 12th anniversary of Maison de Naissance.

We have much to celebrate with the resumption of deliveries at Maison de Naissance in June!

This year we are excited to have mobile bidding available to anyone in the USA for our silent auction. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged (especially if you want to bid, but cannot attend). Keep watching for the auction item list and updates on the Global Birthing Home Foundation website or Facebook page.

Date:

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Location:

Lionsgate Clubhouse
5861 Edgewater Drive
Overland Park, KS 66223

Time:
6:00 - 8:00 pm