| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
 Here at the Church of the Transfiguration, I am happy to acknowledge and recognize June as Pride Month for the LGBTQ community and allies. The message that God loves you as you are and for whom you were created to be is the life-affirming message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, he writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (3:28). Let us reflect on that for a moment, “there is neither male nor female…in Christ Jesus.” In the Church, the body of Christ, there is neither male nor female, but all of us are first and foremost, Christians. That is our unifying and central identity and, because of Christ’s incarnation, our other identities are affirmed and loved by God and find their home in the diverse body of Christ. The Episcopal Church has been a leading voice within the Anglican Communion for a fuller inclusion of LGBTQ Christians in the life of the Church. Some dioceses have ordained openly partnered LGBTQ clergy since 1976. In 2003, the Diocese of New Hampshire elected the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson as the Bishop of New Hampshire, making him the first openly gay and partnered bishop in the Anglican Communion. In 2009, The Episcopal Church voted to support prayers being said with same-sex couples with pastoral accommodation and committed to further study the possibility of formally blessing same-sex relationships. In 2012, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church formally authorized the blessing of same-sex unions followed by a change to the marriage canon in 2015 which included same-sex marriage. Also in 2015, The Episcopal Church supported the use of prayers to celebrate and affirm a trans person’s name change and to support them in their transition. Within the Anglican Communion, other member churches have also taken significant steps to be more fully inclusive of LGBTQ Christians within their congregations. In 2017, the Scottish Episcopal Church amended their marriage canon to recognize same-sex couples followed by the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil. Also in 2017, the Church of England, the ‘mother’ church of the Anglican Communion, supported the use of prayers to mark a trans person’s gender transition and name change. In 2023, the Church of England authorized blessings for same-sex couples in ordinary church services and approved of stand-alone blessings on a trial basis. In 2024, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa published draft prayers that may be said with same-sex couples which include the option for blessing same-sex couples during a church service. The Anglican churches of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Wales also allow their dioceses to bless same-sex unions. Together, these member churches represent more than 43% of baptized Anglicans worldwide. Even as there are differences among the Anglican churches regarding marriage and relationships, the majority of Anglican member churches came together at the Lambeth Conference and at the Primates’ Meeting to continue a mutual dialogue. During this past month, 30 of the 42 Anglican member churches were represented while meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, ++ Justin Welby, showing that what unites us is far more than what divides us as Christians committed to walking together in the Gospel. While these changes have been significant, they do not mark a conclusion to the need for continued advocacy and conversation around human sexuality and the LGBTQ community in the Christian life. Instead, we are called to always be examining how the Church, the very body of Christ in the world, can be a home of abundant grace, radical inclusion, and loving welcome. Being made of human persons, we sometimes sin by hurting other people and rejecting them. The Church is called to examine ourselves so that we can practice what we preach and repent when we have hurt others and work to heal woundedness while giving space for those stories to be told. This June, I invite you to prayerfully think how you can show love and support for your LGBTQ family and be an ally as Christ is our ally, our Mediator and Advocate. Amen. Blessings, Fr. Caleb |
| Fr. Caleb deeply values the connection with the members of our congregation and welcomes your input. Whether it’s through office or home visits, phone calls, or email, he is here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any needs, or concerns, or simply want to chat. |
| This Weekend |
| Sunday, May 26, 2024 First Sunday After Pentecost: Trinity Sunday 8:00am (spoken service – Rite II) Please see the Order of Worship in the pews or click here 10:00am (choral service – Rite II) Please see the Order of Worship in the pews or click here youtube.com/@transfigoffice7704/streams YouTube link (for streaming the 10:00am service) OR https://www.facebook.com/transfiguration.mesa Facebook link (for streaming the 10:00am service) Coffee, snacks and conversation follow both services in the Fellowship Hall |
 Farewell to Dr. Mackenzie Marr Dr. Mackenzie Marr and her husband, Christopher Burkhardt, are planning to move to Washington D.C. As they pursue other opportunities and move closer to family, we want to wish them the very best. Please join us at 10am on Sunday May 26 (her last Sunday with us) to say farewell and extend our thanks for all that Dr. Marr has done for our Music Ministry. Coffee hour will follow. |
 Superstition Community Food Bank Suggested donations for this week are: boxed cereals and crackers. For next week: canned and dehydrated soups. Please place items in the basket at the back of the church or in the bin in the Fellowship Hall. There were 78 pounds of goods donated in April – thank you so much! |
| Match Campaign Update It is with immense gratitude that we share, within just a month, we have met our goal for the 2024 Match Campaign. We have raised more than $32,197.33 total with the $16,000 match donation included. This will go a long way in helping us to remain financially healthy and stable during the remainder of the year leading us into 2025. While we have met our goal, we want to continue to encourage members who give from their hearts in their pledge and in additional donations. When more of our church family returns in the autumn, we are going to bless the results of the Match Campaign as well as all of the generous gifts made from now until the First Sunday of Advent. This is the growing season of the Church and we will celebrate and give thanks for the abundant harvest season in the fall. Thank you, church family, for demonstrating the love and faithfulness you all have for the life of the Church in Jesus Christ. |
| The Week Ahead |
| Monday, May 27 7:00pm Compline Tuesday, May 28 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, May 29 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, May 30 10:00am Coffee Hour & Bible Study 7:00pm Compline Friday, May 31 7:00pm Compline Saturday, June 1 9:00am The Trouble with Water Arizona Symposium Sunday, June 2 8:00am Worship Service 10:00am Worship Service Conversation, coffee and snacks after each service |
 This event, sponsored by the Creation Care Ministry, is free to attend and lunch is provided. For more information about the conference click here. For questions, please email Bill Robinson. RSVP Today |
 Camp for Adults Camp for Adults: “The Gathering: Body, Mind, Spirit – Exploring God’s Love” will be held July 1-4 at Chapel Rock Camp and Conference Center. This spiritual summer retreat welcomes adults from all walks of life. It offers an opportunity to disconnect from daily routines and provides a sanctuary for listening to God and fellow attendees. Unwind and partake in diverse outdoor activities, enriching dialogues, and personal spiritual development. To register, click here and then please inform Fr. Caleb or Janice to note your participation and if you need assistance with the deposit. For more information, click here. |
| Formation |
 Compline 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. Call Barbara Press at 847-651-1396 with any questions. The summer schedule will be announced soon! |
 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. |
 Bible Study & Coffee Hour The Bible Study with Fr. Caleb will be held on Thursdays at 10am in the Fellowship Hall; the topic for June and July is “Acts of the Apostle”. Please bring a snack to share. NOTE: There will be no Bible Study on June 20th, July 4th and July 11th. |
 Book Club The book discussion will resume on Friday, June 21 at 10am AZ time via Zoom (link will be sent the week before the book study). The book for June will be The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem by Sarit Yishai-Levi. Our discussion leader will be Dea Podhajsky, the book is 374 pages, the Goodreads rating is 3.98 and to read the Goodreads review click here. The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem is a dazzling novel of mothers and daughters, stories told and untold, and the binds that tie four generations of women. At the June book club discussion meeting we will also compile the new reading list for our book club. Please send your book suggestions with an overview of the book to Dea Podhajsky before June 21. Dea would like those making suggestions to say a little something about the book they recommend at the June meeting. |
| FYI |
 ECW Updates Please see above photo as Linda Ostmeyer was honored at the May ECW meeting. Cleaning your closets? ECW will accept gently used clothing for the fall rummage sale in the Fellowship Hall. Other gently used items can be brought in the fall. If you can sign up for coffee hour (after the 8am and 10am Sunday services), sheets are in the Fellowship Hall. |
 Please contact the contact listed in each section below if you are interested in serving in and/or supporting the following ministries. Altar Guild This group of volunteers cares for the altar, vestments, vessels and linens under the direction of the Rector, and prepares the altar and worship space for services including weekend worship, weddings, funerals and baptisms. Please contact Barbara Press to volunteer or to learn more. 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 as a general thanksgiving. If you would like to contribute to future altar flower displays, please contact our Flower Guild Director, Ruby Seyffert with your special requests. When using Zelle or a check, please designate ‘Altar Flowers’ in the memo field. God’s Soup Kitchen This group gathers once a month to prepare soup for the ill, the needy, and the shut-ins and make such a positive impact on the community. The latest offering is: Chicken and Rice Soup located in the freezer in the Fellowship Hall. Anyone interested in volunteering for this ministry, please contact Miriam Waddington. Lay Servers Would you like to be a greeter, member of the welcome team, chalice bearer, reader, torchbearer, crucifer or help count the offerings? Please contact the Church Office so you can find out more and help out – as soon as this summer. Stitchery Ministry This group meets the second and fourth Thursday each month in the Parish House living room to knit, crochet, sew, quilt and other needlecraft. In addition to giving to our own members in need, the ministry donates items to hospitals, nursing homes, shelters and other charitable organizations. Contact Linda Jo Johnson if you have questions. |
 People on our prayer list are posted in the Narthex. Prayers are offered up for them each weeknight at Compline, by the Daughter’s of the King, and in the Sunday Service. Please contact the Church Office with your requests and updates. Prayer cards are available in the Narthex; a suggested donation of $1.00 is appreciated. |
 Second Sunday Giving On the second Sunday of each month, all loose plate collection money (not tithes) will be given to a non-profit organization selected by your Vestry. Each organization reflects the mission and values of the Transfiguration Community and the Episcopal Church. Our June collection goes to Gold Canyon UMC Food Bank which has been helping those in need for more than 20 years. Each family receives emergency bag(s)s of groceries, depending on their family size. We do not impose any geographical limitations, and all client information is kept confidential. Online Giving Pledging and financial gifts to the Church of The Transfiguration can be made using ZELLE (officetransfig@gmail.com) or using the QR code shown in the service bulletin. Planned Giving Planned Giving signifies the wise stewardship of personal resources bestowed upon us by God. Transfiguration offers various opportunities for making immediate and deferred gifts that reflect your dedication and devotion to God and our congregation. If you’re interested in exploring planned giving at Transfiguration, please reference our Planned Giving brochure (online or copies in the Narthex and Fellowship Hall) or contact the Church Office. |
| Around the Diocese |
 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.” |
| Clergy and Staff Fr. John Caleb Collins, Rector transfigurationrector@gmail.com; office (480) 986-1145 or mobile (480) 980-1981 (call or text) Dr. Mackenzie Marr, Music Director www.mackenzielynmarr.com Janice Scalzo, Bookkeeper transfigbookkeeper@gmail.com Office hours: M-T-W-Th. 9am – 1pm Vestry Fr. John Caleb Collins, Chair transfigurationrector@gmail.com Lynn Graff, Senior Warden lwgraff@yahoo.com Tom Kevern, Junior Warden Heidi Kinney, Treasurer churchtransfigtreasurer@gmail.com Diane Klock, Clerk John Bishop Ben Brooks Anita Joy Bob Kistler Janet Krahn Barbara Press Ruby Seyffert Garth Seiple Jane Stoneback Social Media Tom Blum – website Tom Blum, Jo Laslo & Bill Robinson – Facebook page Mary Hovden – weekly e-newsletter (please send stories, announcements, photos, etc. to Mary here) Peg Wier & Lynn Graff – Worship service streaming |