[Magdalen] Paradoxical little parish

[James Oppenheimer-Crawford]

It is so much FUN to be a part of a "what-are-those-people-doing-now?"
Church.

James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
*“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy

On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 10:35 AM, Marilyn Cepeda <mcepeda514 at gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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
>