| The Rector’s Metamorph0-News |
 Madonna Advocate, My Lady the Advocate or Intercessor in Rome. The oldest extant Byzantine icon of Mary (circa 500 AD). |
| Dearly transfigured people of God, This week, on August 15, is the feast day of St. Mary the Virgin, the Mother of our Lord. In The Book of Common Prayer, the Collect reads, “O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen” (p. 243). Since the earliest days of the Church, Mary has been known as the Mother of God because her Son, Jesus, is both fully God and fully human. The title, “Mother of God” or “the birth-giver of God,” Theotokos in Greek, is meant to affirm that Christians believe Jesus is fully human, sharing our nature, and that He is fully God, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Even in Scripture itself, St. Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, exclaims to Mary, “And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, her cousin knew that the one Mary carried was her Lord God. At the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, the Ecumenical Council reaffirmed that Jesus is both God and human and, therefore, that Mary is the Mother of God. The Council determined that Mary’s example and her motherhood of the Lord is that of a role model pointing to Christ. In saying ‘yes’ to God’s invitation to accept Christ into her life, and to literally carry Him as His mother, Mary exemplifies how we should also boldly and humbly say ‘yes’ to God’s invitation to be in our lives even if it comes with uncertainty and anxiousness about the future. In most paintings and depictions of Mary, whether icons or statues, Mary is holding Christ in her arms and is pointing to Him. This is meant to teach the faithful that Mary is pointing the way to Salvation and Jesus is the way. The earliest depictions of Mary are preserved in the Roman catacombs where Christians worshipped and buried their dead. One such image, of Mary nursing the infant Jesus, dates back to about 200 AD. This is considered one of the earliest preserved images of Mary. The oldest preserved Byzantine icon of Mary dates back to about 500 AD and is in Rome. In this latter icon, Mary is pointing her hands in prayer to Christ, again being a role model for Christians in how we are to pray for one another to Christ. These images continue to serve as the prototypes for icons and statues of Mary across cultures and across the globe. It was an icon and statue like these that I remember very clearly from my childhood, pointing me to a life of ministry in Christ’s Church. From as early as I can remember, my mom kept a diptych (double) icon on our family’s piano; one panel of the icon was of Jesus Christ Pantocrator and the left panel was of Mary, the Blessed Virgin. My parents bought this icon at the Griechische Kapelle“Greek Chapel” or St. Elizabeth’s Russian Orthodox church in Wiesbaden, Germany. I remember staring with a sense of holiness and peace at this icon on our piano. Another was the statue of Mary, Our Lady of Grace, on my Nana’s shelf above her bed. Mary stands humbly with a tenderness looking at you as if to say, “my Son has saved you.” This look of prayer and love helps to teach us that Jesus had a real human family, one that was loving and that was a family full of people just like our families. I keep a copy of the icons from the Greek Chapel on my desk and my Nana’s statue now overlooks my kitchen. In The Episcopal Church, we accept that much of Mary’s life is a mystery to us. What we do know with certainty comes from the Scriptures and what many of us accept as true also comes from ancient Church traditions about Mary’s, and Jesus’, family. We believe in what the Nicene Creed says, that Mary is the virgin mother of Jesus and that Jesus is God. When it comes to personal devotions and personal acts of piety that include the Virgin Mary, this remains a personal decision. A lot like the sacramental rite of Confession, we teach that “all may, some should, but none must” when it comes to asking the saints in heaven to pray for us. Some faithful Christians are content knowing that the saints in heaven already pray for us and they do not make the intercession of the saints a part of their personal devotions. Others take great comfort and encouragement in the intercessory prayer of the saints in heaven and do actively ask saints, like Mary, to pray for them. What unites the Anglican Communion, including The Episcopal Church, in our public worship is our celebration of the life of Mary and her faithfulness to the Lord on August 15 every year. On this day we remember that she said ‘yes’ to God’s plan of salvation, that she was brave in the face of social stigma and danger, that she accompanied her son during His ministry, that she stood by Him on the cross, and that she witnessed His Resurrection. We pray to God that we learn from the example of Mary to be faithful disciples of Jesus. 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, August 18, 2024 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 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. For our summer months, coffee hour will be a self-serve format. Single-serve coffee makers and prepackaged snacks can be found in the kitchen and homemade treats or baked goods are always welcomed. NOTE FOR THIS SUNDAY: Please join us in the Fellowship Hall after each service to celebrate August birthdays! |
 As a Christian community, fellowship and prayer are among the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please observe quietude when entering and exiting the sanctuary for worship so that members may greet one another quietly and also pray and light candles. For those in need of and seeking silence for prayer and reflection, we are opening the Parish House Chapel before each service for prayer. The Chapel will be open at 7:30am and at 9:30am respectively. Please observe silence when in the Chapel so that this may be a space for those in need of silent prayer and contemplation. |
 Superstition Community Food Bank Suggested donations for this week are: canned and dehydrated soups. For next week: canned meat and peanut butter. Please place your donations in the basket at the back of the church or in the bin in the Fellowship Hall. |
| The Week Ahead |
| Tuesday, August 20 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, August 21 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, August 22 10:00am Coffee Hour & Bible Study 1:00pm Stitchery Ministry 7:00pm Compline Saturday, August 24 9:00am Indoor Work Day – Crazy Chile Farm Sunday, August 25 8:00am Worship Service 10:00am Worship Service Conversation, coffee and snacks after each service |
| Formation & Worship |
 ComplineIn August we meet T, W and Th 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 for any questions at 847-651-1396. |
 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; we are in the process of picking our next discussion topic. Please bring a snack to share. |
 Book Club The August book club will meet this Friday, August 16 at 10am AZ time via Zoom; the Zoom link is: Launch Book Club. The 432 page book will be “Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon and Terri Heller will be the discussion leader. The Goodreads rating is 4.44; click here for the review. |
 Autumn Pie Social On Sunday, September 29 we are going to have our first New Members and Returning Members Welcome meet and greet. We will gather after church services, at about 11:45 am, to get to know new members and for current members to become better acquainted with our new members and one another. The church will provide a variety of pies for the social. Members are encouraged to sign up and bring a dish or snack from home to share for a potluck luncheon. |
 Wednesday Morning Eucharist Starting Wednesday, October 2 we are going to start having Holy Eucharist Rite II on Wednesdays at 11am in the Parish Chapel. |
| FYI |
  Summer Fun Photos From Terri Beck: “My sister and brother in law went to New York and saw Niagara Falls (US side). I just wanted to share and remind us of this beautiful earth God creates for us.” Please send your summer fun photos to Mary Hovden , along with a caption or brief story. |
 The Farm Report: An Overdue Update on the Crazy Chile Farm Thirteen months ago, just as our chile crop had reached full production (35-50 pounds per week), we lost the entire crop. Also lost were 90% of our Yoeme Blue Maize, along with all our squash and Tepary Beans. The villain? Fusarium Wilt (a soil fungus that destroys the vascular system of plants) coupled a weed infestation (Bermuda Grass and Globe Chamomile aka Stink net). After meeting with Cooperative Extension, U.of A. Ag School, and several top nurseries, we embarked on a program of restoring our soil that included fallowing both fields for a year. To put the project in Biblical context, we are now referring to it as our Year of Jubilee. Click here to read more including information about an indoor workday to package Navajo/Hopi Blue cornmeal on Saturday, August 24 at 9am. |
 Mid-Year Financial Report Hard copies are available in the Narthex. Thank you Heidi for this informative resource! |
 Interim Music Directors We are so excited and grateful to announce that we have two parishioners who have come forward to help us as interim Music Directors.Tami Root will be our Interim Music Director from August 11 to October 27. Tami has experience as an accompanist in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). See photo of the summer choir rehearsing. Eileen Chandler will begin serving as our Interim Music Director on November 1 for All Saints’ Sunday. Eileen has an extensive background in voice and keyboard.Thank you to Tami and Eileen for sharing their talents with us! |
 Bella is Looking for a New Home Linda Ostemeyer is looking for a new home for her beloved pet companion, Bella. Bella is a Staffordshire Terrier. She has up-to-date paperwork and is good with people. Bella is easy-going and she enjoys going for walks and playing with her doggy bones. She is best housed as a single dog and has not had experience with cats. Please, contact the church office if you or someone you know and trust is interested in an animal companion who could provide Bella with a loving home and family. |
 Please get in touch with the contact listed in each section below if you are interested in serving in and/or supporting the following ministries. 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. Altar Guild Altar Guild members care for the altar, vestments, vessels and linens under the direction of the Rector, and prepare the altar and worship space for services including weekend worship, weddings, funerals and baptisms. Please contact the Church Office to volunteer or to learn more. NOTE: Altar Guild will not meet in July. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) ECW will not meet in August but here are a few summer updates: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. If interested in learning more, please contact Peg Wier. God’s Soup Kitchen This group meets monthly in the Fellowship Hall kitchen 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: Taco 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 assist. Stitchery Ministry This group meets the second and fourth Thursday each month at 1pm 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. |
 A list of those on our prayer list is posted in the Narthex. Prayers are offered up at Compline, by the Daughter’s of the King, and in the Sunday Services. 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. August’s Second Sunday plate donation will be: A New Leaf in Mesa. A New Leaf helps families, children & adults overcome challenges. They provide life-changing services to move households from crisis to stability. Online Giving Pledging and financial gifts to the Church of The Transfiguration can be made using the following methods: For credit card or ACH gifts, you can use the QR code on the back of the weekly bulletin or this link: https://onrealm.org/EpiscopalChurchTransfiguration/GiveIf you prefer to use Zelle via your banking app, you can find the church via our email address, officetransfig@gmail.com 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 |
 “Love God, Love God’s World” Creation Care Curriculum Love God, Love God’s World is a nine-session, film-based curriculum, ideal for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry—from newcomers looking to take their first step to seasoned leaders seeking a transformative small-group experience. READ MORE… |
 Listening & Healing Pilgrimage 2024Lake Havasu Site September 7, 2024 You are invited to attend the Lake Havasu gathering of the 2024 Boarding School Listening & Healing Pilgrimage. It will take place, Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at Grace Episcopal Church, Lake Havasu City Arizona.There is no registration fee to attend this gathering, but space is limited. The deadline to register is today, Thursday, August 15. Learn More and Register Today |
 Registration for the 64th Annual Diocesan Convention is Now Open This year, the convention will take place in person on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at Saint Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson. Our theme this year is “Rising Joy” as we pray for joy to rise in each of us and each one of our congregations. Visit Our Website Today! |
 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) Janice Scalzo, Office Administrator transfigbookkeeper@gmail.com Tami Root, Interim Music Director 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 Ruby Seyffert Garth Seiple Wayne Smith 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 – Worship service streaming |