[Magdalen] Paradoxical little parish

[Marilyn Cepeda]

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer was referred to as that funny little
church way out in West Mobile.
Mobile has itself moved West so we are now close to the population center.
We were the first in our diocese
to have a same sex blessing and sadly buried on of those two men all to
soon. We struggle financially
but took on a building project to have room for hosting Family Promise
monthly. We have hosted Barbara Crafton
and Marguerite Gunther in workshops for which all of our people worked very
hard, but few of our own people attended
But enjoyed the preaching on Sunday.

Our current "what are those people doing now" is another first for our
area. Next week, we will have a
Celebration of New/Shared Ministry as we formally welcome our ECLA minister
who will be shared with a local Lutheran
Church of a similar size. There was already some mingling of congregations
in terms of book studies and suppers which
just happened. Now we will share Pastor Joy, share some ministry efforts,
some social events, and some programs.

In this new world of tight finances and declining membership, it is my hope
that creative shared ministries may keep
More congregations viable as well as enable both to extend their ministries
in the community.

Prayers for our shared ministry and both congregations are welcome. Prayers
for Pastor Joy are requested. I give thanks for a creative and visionary
bishop who can see the potential richness of this relationship!

Marilyn Cepeda
Mobile, Alabama
-- 
Marilyn (Owens, Palmero) Cepeda
Mobile, Alabama