News You Can Use – 9/22/23
| A Message from Fr. John Caleb |
 Dear people of the transfigured Christ, I am sometimes asked what relevance the Gospel of Christ has for a 21st century mindset. The canonical Gospels, and other texts related to them, were written almost 2,000 years ago. The Gospel of Mark was likely written close to 70 AD, and the Gospel of Matthew being read during this season of the lectionary was written between 75 and 100 AD. The earliest surviving manuscripts of Matthew date to the late 2nd century AD. So, what does this Gospel have to say to a 21st century world? Surely, progress has rendered its counsel and teaching obsolete or anachronistic? Yet, many of those with whom we share the Gospel, and many of us who are already followers of Jesus, may be surprised to learn that the Gospel of Matthew continues to speak about issues humanity struggles with, including economic injustice and poverty. In the Gospel for this coming Sunday, Jesus uses a parable about a vineyard owner who hires day laborers to work the vineyard. As he finds more people in need of work, he hires them. Because they were not given the same opportunities as the first hires, he pays all of them the same daily wage. Those hired first grumble that they deserved more while the others deserved less. The landowner explains that they all need to live and that the later hires did not have the opportunity to start earlier. Why should they be denied life-affirming and life-sustaining wages because of no fault of their own? Our modern society could learn from this parable and Jesus’ message of salvation in body as well as soul. Today, in 2023, in our increasingly post-Christian society, the federal minimum wage is only $7.25 an hour. Think about that. Some families are drowning in debt, poverty, and are starving while working full time and making fewer than $8.00 an hour. Even two full-time jobs at that rate could not support a single individual much less a family. Jesus’ voice is calling us still to bring in the people denied opportunities and denied justice and to advocate for them and to walk alongside them. The next time someone asks what a 2,000 year old text can teach an ‘enlightened’ society, we can point to these words of Jesus and remind our world that we are still leaving people out and that his words are as true today as they were 2,000 years ago.Blessings, Fr. Caleb+ |
| This Sunday |
| Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost September 24, 2023 Holy Eucharist Rite II, in the Sanctuary Order of Worship – click here 8am said service 10am with music The 10am service is also available on ZOOM Meeting ID: 740-940-1419 Passcode: 514 514 Coffee, snacks and conversation follow the 8am and 10am services in the Fellowship Hall; reception for Mackenzie and Chris follows the 10am service |
| Coming Up |
| The Week Ahead |
| Monday, September 25 7:00pm Compline Tuesday, September 26 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, September 27 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, September 28 2:00pm Stitchery Ministry 7:00pm Compline Friday, September 29 7:00pm Compline Sunday, October 1 8:00am Worship Service 8:45am Choir Rehearsal 10:00am Worship Service Coffee hour after both services Start accepting donations for ECW annual rummage sale |
 Transfiguration Choir Come make a joyful noise! We rehearse on Sundays at 8:45am, before the 10am service. If you are interested in singing in the choir, please reach out to Mackenzie Marr for more information. All are welcome to join! Please join us this Sunday, September 24 after the 10am service to celebrate the marriage of Mackenzie and Chris. |
 Stitchery Ministry The Stitchery Ministry will meet on Thursday, September 28 at 2pm in the Parish House. Please join us with your special talents of knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting or any needlecraft. In addition to serving the Transfiguration community, the ministry donates items to hospitals, nursing homes, shelters and other charitable organizations. For additional information, contact Linda Jo Johnson. |
 St. Francis of Assisi On October 8 we will celebrate St. Francis of Assisi. At the 8am service you are welcome to bring a photo of your pet (no live pets please). At the 10am service you are welcome to bring your pet or a photo; we ask that all live critters be leashed, crated or otherwise contained for their safety. On October 9 at 7pm, Compline will have a special blessing of remote pets via Zoom. |
 ECW Rummage Sale Please mark your calendars! The ladies of ECW will be holding their annual rummage sale on November 16, 17 and 18. We will begin accepting donations on Sunday, October 1; please bring your items to the Parish Hall. For questions, contact Jo Laslo at jfaith3844@aol.com or (818) 825-3007. |
 Book Club This month’s book club discussion will be held on Friday, October 20 at 10am AZ time via Zoom. The selection for October will be Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom; Ann Pullinger will be the discussion leader. Crow Mary is a sweeping saga inspired by the true story of Crow Mary—an indigenous woman torn between two worlds in 19th-century North America. It is 348 pages long, the Goodreads rating is 4.38 and the link to the Goodreads review is here. |
| Announcements |
 God’s Soup Kitchen Members of this wonderful group encourage parishioners to pick up their latest offering of pasta e fagioli from the Fellowship Hall freezer for the ill, the needy, and the shut-ins. |
 Church Office Updates Revised office hours are: M-T-W-Th. from 9am to 1pm Fr. John Caleb also has his church mobile phone activated and you can call or text. His contact #s are: Office (480) 986-1145 Mobile 480 980-1981 |
 Name Tags Wearing your name tag in our church service can be a helpful way for people to connect and build a sense of community. It can also help Fr. John Caleb get acquainted with us and assist newcomers to form relationships with our church members. If you would like a name tag, please contact the church office here. |
| Stewardship |
 The Crazy Chile Farm Lynn Graff captured Diane Klock and Fr. John Caleb clearing the old chili plants out of the garden this past Monday. |
 Thank you for your donations to Brinton Elementary; school supplies as shown plus $500 in cash for them to use as needed. |
 The Superstition Community Food Bank suggestions for this week are: canned vegetables, instant potatoes and rice. For next week: boxed cereals and crackers. Please place items in the basket at the back of the church. |
 Pledging and Financial Gifts Financial gifts to the Church of the Transfiguration can be made using Zelle. Find us in Zelle by our email address: officetransfig@gmail.com |
| Worship |
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| Please consider serving as an usher, offering counter, chalice bearer, lay reader or crucifer. These are all very important and impactful roles and a great way to get more involved in the Transfiguration community. You can e-mail Janice Scalzo so she can add you to the service schedule and make sure you have the information and training you need. All of God’s people are called to share in our Sunday-morning and other special services! |
 Altar Flowers Altar flowers can be dedicated in honor of special life events such as birthdays and anniversaries, in memory of a loved one or just as a general thanksgiving. If you would like to contribute to future altar flower displays, please contact the Church Office, use Zelle or put “Altar Flowers” in the memo when placing your check in the offering plate. |
 Compline Come pray with us! We meet M-F at 7pm via Zoom for Compline/Evening Prayer. The service is available on ZOOM. Meeting ID: 740-940-1419. Passcode: 514 514.Each of six different services consists of a designated reader and a responder followed by prayers for those in need. For a list of the compline prayers, click here. For additional information, please contact Thomas Blum. |
 Morning Prayer Please join us every Wednesday morning at 9:30am via Zoom to prayerfully start the day. The service is available on ZOOM. Meeting ID: 740-940-1419. Passcode: 514 514. For additional information, please contact Ann Williamson. |
| Second Sunday Giving |
| On the second Sunday of every month all loose plate collection money (not tithes) will be given to several non-profit organizations. These organizations were selected by your Vestry because they reflect the mission and values of the Transfiguration Community and The Episcopal Church. For a complete list click here. September collection: United Food Bank |
 Since 1983, United Food Bank has been dedicated to providing hunger relief to people in the East Valley and eastern Arizona. As a member of Feeding America, our food bank collects, acquires, stores, and distributes food to 150 partner agencies and programs in five counties, serving over two million Arizonans. Our efforts result in the distribution of more than 21.6 million pounds of food each year, equating to 50,000 meals a day. Our mission of uniting communities to alleviate hunger is achieved through the hard work of volunteers, agency partners, and donors who join us each day. |
| Parishioner Adventures & Travels |
| From Lynn Graff: “I started my day by visiting The Coffee Shop at Agritopia located at Joe’s Farm Grill 3000 E. Ray Rd. in Gilbert. It has a good variety of coffee, wonderful baked goods, and a full menu of breakfast items using many of the fresh produce from their community gardens and local marketplace.After walking at the Riparian Preserve, I visited the Saturday Farmers Market in Gilbert near the water tower. There is a variety of vendors, food trucks, farm produce, sweet treats, things for pets, fresh bread, spices, and crafts.” |
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| Please send your travel/adventure photos and accompanying stories/text to the News You Can Use editor, Mary Hovden at click here. |
| Diocesan News |
 63rd DIOCESAN CONVENTION October 17th, 2023 via Zoom & October 21st, 2023 at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church, Scottsdale. This FRIDAY, Sept 22nd is the LAST DAY to register for the 63rd Annual Diocesan Convention. If you are a delegate you MUST register in order to vote during the business meeting. REGISTER TODAY If you need hotel accommodations, TOMORROW is the last day to get special discounted rates at the Comfort Suites at Talking Stick Entertainment District To reserve a room with the special rate, click on the link below or call 480-476-7600. Group Name: Episcopal Diocese of AZ. Group Number: BB82L9 |
| Diocesan Publications Please contact the church office if you would like to receive the Arizona Episcopalian, a free quarterly publication from the Diocese. To sign up for the weekly Diocesan email E-Pistle click here. |
| Who We Are |
 The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration is an open and affirming Christian community in the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement. We acknowledge the living culture of the Salt River Pima and Maricopa people, the traditional custodians of the land we stand on, and pay tribute to the unique role they play in the life of this region. We are a member of the Union of Black Episcopalians, whose mission is “to unite the diverse cultures, concerns and gifts of Black Episcopalians by providing preparation and encouragement for living the Baptismal Covenant and fully participating in the mission and governance of The Episcopal Church.” |
| Photo taken by Jack Hovden |
| Clergy and Staff Fr. John Caleb Collins, Rector transfigurationrector@gmail.com; office (480) 986-1145 or mobile (480) 980-1981 (call or text) Mackenzie Marr, Choir Director & Pianist www.mackenzielynmarr.com Linda Ostmeyer, Office Manager officetransfig@gmail.com Janice Scalzo, Bookkeeper transfigbookkeeper@gmail.comOffice hours: M-T-W-Th. 9am – 1pm Vestry Lynn Graff, Senior Warden lwgraff@yahoo.com; mobile (480) 201-2939 Heidi Kinney, Treasurer churchtransfigtreasurer@gmail.com Diane Klock, Clerk John Bishop Ellen Jackelen Bob Kistler Barbara Press Garth Seiple Jane Stoneback Peg Wier Social Media Tom Blum & Ben Brooks – website Tom Blum, Jo Laslo & Bill Robinson – Facebook page Mary Hovden – News You Can Use e-newsletter (please send stories, announcements, photos, etc. to Mary here) Peg Wier – Zoom worship service Lynn Graff – Vestry liaison |