The Call

published twice a month by

St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church

Submit all articles & announcements to:

thecall@marymag.com

Basil Harvest

Hanging to dry for use by the

Community Kitchen

Second Thursday

September 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 extended spiritual family. Children need all the moments we can give them in the loving fellowship of God's family, whether 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+

Upcoming Events

It's time again for the 55th Annunciation Greek Festival the weekend following Labor Day, September 9, 10 & 11. All St. Mary Magdalene parishioners are welcome to join us for dinner.

You may RSVP via email at betterthanevergroup@yahoo.com . I will have a good table reserved for all who can make it. We had a great turn-out the passed 3 years. Always over 20 members.

On Saturday, September 10th be sure to arrive by 4:30 to 4:45 so you can find a place to park. Then, we will all meet at the West Entrance of the Church at 5:00 PM so we can go inside and order our food together and sit together at the St. Mary Magdalene reserved table.

If you can't come on Saturday, please try to fit the festival into your weekend plans. Either way, you will have a great lunch or dinner, great entertainment, and a Great Time! And, if time allows, be sure to take in a Church Tour. (They will last approximately 30 minutes).

OPA!!!

Lou Petrakos

CLICK HERE FOR MENUS AND MORE...

You are all invited to attend the 12th Anniversary Celebration of Maison de Naissance

September 10 from 6 - 8 pm

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

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.

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.

Challenge Air Fly Day

September 10th

www.challengeair.org

** This event is full and they are no longer taking child reservations for this date.

But it would be great time to watch air planes.

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+

October 2016
Date	Time	Location	Description
Sun 9	12P - 1:30P	Adult Ed.	Confirmation/Inquirers Class
Sun 23	12P - 1:30P	Adult Ed.	Confirmation/Inquirers Class

November 2016
Sun 6	12P - 1:30P	Adult Ed.	Confirmation/Inquirers Class
Sun 20	12P - 1:30P	Adult Ed.	Confirmation/Inquirers Class

December 2016
Sun 4	12P - 1:30P	Adult Ed.	Confirmation/Inquirers Class
Sun 18	12P - 1:30P	Adult Ed.	Confirmation/Inquirers Class

Family Resource Center

Belton has a great resource to help families restore a sense of dignity and ability in the Family Resource Center. Fr. Evan recently had the opportunity to tour the Center and talk to the staff about their efforts to give people a "hand up" not a "hand out". He was impressed by the spirit of their work among challenged families in the area.

They offer free clothing and shoes for children, as well as counseling, computer access, free clothing and accessories to help adults get ready for job interviews in addition to other forms of assistance. They focus on people who are trying and not just coasting through life. Their goal is to enable people to restore a genuine sense of dignity and ability to their lives.

We can help by:

looking though our children's outgrown clothing to donate, and
looking through our own closets for clothing suitable for making a good impression on a job interview.

Knowing our congregation as I hope I do, I suspect you all can offer some excellent items to help people feel more confident in their appearance for that all-important first impression and help their children carry the same confidence into the classroom! All sizes are welcomed.

You can bring your donations to the church and place them in the bin marked "Family Resource Center" located in the Narthex.

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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

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OFFICE HELP NEEDED: As most of you know there is a small but dedicated group who help assemble and prepare the bulletins each week. We are currently in need of someone to fill an open slot. It is basically a once a month rotation and the bulletins are usually printed by Thursday morning. After that it is up to the volunteer to find a time to make sure they are ready and in place by 9 am on Sunday. It is a great time for contemplative prayer and reflection, or if you have a "bulletin buddy" helping, the work goes fast and the conversation is good. Contact Arni at 816-331-7015 or arni@marymag.com

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To give a family a "hand up", good used children's clothing and shoes are needed at the Family Resource Center of Belton. Bring to church.

To give a family a "hand up", good used adult clothing suitable for job interviews is needed at the Family Resource Center. Bring to church.

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Kary Mann is looking for someone who likes to work with young people and can dedicate one Saturday each month to this ministry. Each Saturday several young people come to the church to perform community service. Kary will have a list of projects for them to accomplish and the volunteer will need to be here to supervise the work and make sure they have access as needed. Volunteers have already filled the other Saturday slots, so contact Kary if you would like more information.

Benedictine Prayer and Study Group