News You Can Use – 9/28/23
| A Message from Fr. John Caleb |
 Dear friends of Transfiguration, This week’s Gospel calls us to pay intention on the intent of the heart rather than on the words we may say on the outside. In Matthew 21:23-32, Jesus compares God once again to a landowner and the kingdom of God to the vineyard. In this parable, Jesus says that one of the landowner’s sons says he will not go work in the vineyard, rejecting his father’s will. The second son says he will do his father’s will. However, the first son later repents, literally turns around, and goes to work in the vineyard having had a change of heart while the second son did not go to work the vineyard. Jesus makes it obvious that our actions show the true intent of our heart rather than saying the right words only. This week, we introduced a new spiritual practice into our Monday Night Compline. On Mondays, we will pray for Spiritual Communion. What is it? Spiritual Communion is a prayerful practice whereby a person who cannot physically receive Holy Communion due to a medical need or because of physical distance reflects on the meaning of the Eucharist and remembers that the grace received in Communion the last time they were able to receive, no matter when that was, never leaves them. The prayer then expresses our desire to be united in body and in spirit with the real presence of the body and blood of Christ. Our hope is that with Jesus in our hearts, we will conform our actions outwardly to match that intention we have to be united with Christ. Our unity is therefore expressed in those words and in the actions of being together. Sometimes, like the first son, we may say ‘no’ and feel like giving up. But, if we repent and our actions say ‘yes’ to God’s love, we are finding our way back to our relationship with Jesus. Join us Mondays and pray for yourself or for those you love to experience Spiritual Communion in our words and through our actions. Blessings, Fr. Caleb+ |
| This Sunday |
| Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost October 1, 2023 Holy Eucharist Rite II, in the Sanctuary Order of Worship – click here 8am said service 10am with music The 10am service is available on ZOOM Meeting ID: 740-940-1419 Passcode: 514 514 All services may be live streamed and recorded Coffee, snacks and conversation follow the 8am and 10am services in the Fellowship Hall |
| Coming Up |
| The Week Ahead |
| Monday, October 2 7:00pm Compline including Spiritual Communion Tuesday, October 3 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, October 4 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, October 5 10:00am Coffee Hour 7:00pm Compline Friday, October 6 7:00pm Compline Saturday, October 7 9:30am Altar Guild 11:00am ECW Sunday, October 8 8:00am Worship Service & St. Francis of Assisi celebration 8:45am Choir Rehearsal 10:00am Worship Service & St. Francis of Assisi celebration Refreshments after both services |
 Thursday Coffee Hour Starting on Thursday, October 5 from 10 to 11am, please stop by on Thursdays for Coffee Hour in the Parish Office living room. This is a great opportunity for us to become better acquainted with Fr. John Caleb and with each other. Coffee will be provided and you’re welcome to bring potluck snacks. |
 St. Francis of Assisi On Sunday, 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 pets be leashed, crated or otherwise contained for their safety. On Monday, October 9 at 7pm, Compline will have a special blessing of pets via Zoom. |
 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. |
 Trunk or Treat Please join us on Tuesday, October 31 from 5-7pm in the church parking lot for Trunk or Treat. More details to come! |
 ECW Rummage Sale The ladies of ECW will hold their annual rummage sale on November 16, 17 and 18. Please bring your donations to the Parish Hall. For questions, contact Jo Laslo at jfaith3844@aol.com. |
| Announcements |
 Congratulations Mackenzie & Chris After last Sunday’s 10am service, we enjoyed a wonderful reception in celebration of Mackenzie (our Music Director/Pianist) and Chris’ marriage. The choir also serenaded them with a fun song to an old tune “he’s not heavy – he’s my husband and she’s not heavy – she’s my wife.” |
 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 Chili Farm Diane Klock and Bill Robinson are shown shelling Yoemi Blue Corn from our garden of seed stock used for distribution and replanting. For the latest Crazy Chili Farm updates, including the most recent farm report click here. |
 The Superstition Community Food Bank suggestions for this week are: boxed cereals and crackers. For next week: canned meat and peanut butter. 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! |
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| Worship Service Streaming Starting on Sunday, October 8, we will start streaming our 10am worship service to Facebook and YouTube. Links will be sent out next week and you will not need a Facebook account to view the worship service on our Facebook page. |
 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. |
 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! |
 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. For additional information, please contact Thomas Blum. Every Monday at 7pm, Compline will include Spiritual Communion for those who cannot receive the Sacrament of Communion due to physical distance or medical reasons. On October 9 at 7pm, Compline will have a special blessing of pets via Zoom. |
 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. October collection: Coffee Pot Farms |
 Coffee Pot Farms is a 36-acre farm located in Dilkon, Arizona. Yazzie says she founded the farm on the belief that “food is the first medicine, as it comes from Mother Earth, and that food sovereignty is the critical first step to creating healthy communities and healthy families.” Our focus is on producing the highest quality produce and making them available to low-income families. In addition, we grow good food for the health of our people. |
| Parishioner Adventures & Travels |
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| From Dea Podhajsky: We have completed a busy summer of travel (see above photos). I look forward to seeing you all soon!” Upper row (left to right): Mexico, Washington DC, Amsterdam Middle row (left to right): Kelowna British Columbia, Belgium Lower row (left to right): Mexico, British Columbia, Czech Republic. Please send your travel/adventure photos and accompanying stories/text to the News You Can Use editor, Mary Hovden at click here. |
| Diocesan News |
 Creation Care Ministry We are called to be caretakers of the gift of God’s creation. On these Creation Care pages, you can explore more about that call, learn about actions you can take for the Earth, explore resources to increase your knowledge, find prayers and liturgies to use in your church or home, and learn about new Creation Care events and initiatives. Bountiful God, you call us to labor with you in tending the earth: Where we lack love, open our hearts to the world; where we waste, give us discipline to conserve; where we neglect, awaken our minds and wills to insight and care. May we with all your creatures honor and serve you in all things, for you live and reign with Christ, Redeemer of all, and with your Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.from “Liturgical Materials for Honoring God in Creation,” in the Book of Occasional Services 2018 (page 291). |
| 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.com Office 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 – Worship service streaming Lynn Graff – Vestry liaison |