News You Can Use – 10/5/23
| A Message from Fr. John Caleb |
 Dear disciples of Jesus at Transfiguration, This week The Episcopal Church joins many others in remembering St. Francis of Assisi whose life of service and charity has inspired many to pursue monastic life or to pursue social justice on behalf of Christ. To commemorate his memory we are going to continue the time-honored tradition of the Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 8. Growing up Lutheran and Greek Orthodox, neither of the churches I attended had done a Blessing of the Animals service. While I am sure that some Lutheran and Orthodox churches also participate, it was The Episcopal Church that first introduced me to this joy-filled blessing. I remember seeing on the news that there was a huge turnout for the Blessing of the Animals at St. John the Divine’s Cathedral in New York City. They had dogs, cats, birds, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards, and pythons! It reminded me of going to the Rainforest Café but instead of a restaurant, it was a church! I loved it. During the Blessing of the Animals, we remember that “God is everywhere present and fillest all things.” God looked out on creation and saw that it was good (Genesis 1:31). While sin and death have hurt God’s creation, the Blessing of the Animals reminds us that Jesus’ resurrection has redeemed all of creation because what God created was good. Jesus’ salvation reconciles all of creation to God. Blessings, Fr. Caleb+ |
| This Sunday |
| Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost October 8, 2023 Holy Eucharist Rite II, in the Sanctuary Order of Worship – click here 8am said service 10am with music Facebook link (don’t need an account) https://www.facebook.com/transfiguration.mesa YouTube link (don’t need an account) https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC-hoZ1hcJ7O1AEAJwZPbIiQ/livestreaming/manage Direct link https://player.castr.com/live_7b7216d05c8e11eeac38cda98672d4e1 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 9 Office closed in recognition of Indigenous People’s Day 7:00pm Compline including Spiritual Communion Tuesday, October 10 7:00pm Compline 1:00pm Vestry Meeting Wednesday, October 11 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, October 12 10:00am Coffee & Conversation w/Fr. Caleb 11:00am Daughters of the King 7:00pm Compline Friday, October 13 7:00pm Compline Sunday, October 15 8:00am Worship Service & Acknowledgment of Indigenous People’s Day 8:45am Choir Rehearsal 10:00am Worship Service & Acknowledgment of Indigenous People’s Day Refreshments after both services |
 ECW Meeting We’ll meet this Saturday, October 7 in the Parish Hall. We have a busy meeting at 11am, followed by lunch with Fr. Caleb joining us. If you have never come before, please join us. It’s a great way to get to know each other. All ladies of the church are part of ECW. The Zoom link for the meeting is shown below if you’re unable to join us in person. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83206441912?pwd=RWV1a3M1bm0wTzJmSGNnT3VVWlVCZz09 Meeting ID: 832 0644 1912Passcode: 329329 |
 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. |
 Daughters of the King Daughters of the King will meet on Thursday, October 12 at 11am in the Parish House. This group serves our community through prayer, service, and evangelism. Prayer for the care and support of our congregants and rector is a primary focus of our ministry. We also host receptions following a memorial or funeral service as an act of Christian service to the people of God. For more information and/or how to join, please contact the church office at officetransfig@gmail.com. |
 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. Please contact Adrian Sanchez at 480-396-9161 if you have a pick-up truck to assist him in getting donations of large items for the rummage sale. |
| Announcements |
 Church Office Updates The church office will be closed on Monday, October 9 in recognition of Indigenous People’s Day. |
 Thursday Coffee & Conversation Every Thursday from 10 to 11am, please stop by for Coffee & Conversation 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. |
 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 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: canned meat and peanut butter. For next week: canned vegetables, instant potatoes and rice. 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 this Sunday, October 8, we will start streaming our 10am worship service to Facebook and YouTube. Links are noted in the This Sunday section above and you will not need a Facebook or YouTube account to view the worship service. Please let Peg Wier or Fr. Caleb know if you encounter any issues. |
 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. |
| Adventures & Travels |
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| From Janice Scalzo: “Here is Glacier Bay in Alaska which is definitely God’s Country, as the attached photo will prove!” 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 |