Transfiguring Times – 9/19/24
The Rector’s Metamorpho-News Dearly transfigured people of God, We are going to be focusing on these words in our next Bible Study, “Jesus said, “If those who lead you say to you, ‘See, the kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in…
| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
 Dearly transfigured people of God, We are going to be focusing on these words in our next Bible Study, “Jesus said, “If those who lead you say to you, ‘See, the kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father.” This verse may seem familiar to you. You have likely heard and read these words of Jesus, with slightly different phrasing, in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This verse is not from any of the four Gospels. This phrase is one of the 114 sayings attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas, so-called because the text is attributed to St. Thomas the Twin, or ‘doubting’ Thomas, and which was discovered in 1945 in Nag Hammadi, Egypt. This discovery revolutionized and reenergized biblical archaeology and the study of the historical development of the Christian canons of scripture. According to Steve Davies, writing for Biblical Archaeologist in 1983, the Gospel of Thomas was likely written around 70 AD as a part of the Jewish Wisdom tradition among early Christians (14), while Quispel, writing for Vigiliae Christianae in 1957, points out that half of the 114 sayings are found in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (189). But, what about the other half? Quispel identifies the other half other sayings as being found in a ‘harmonized’ text, meaning one that tried to combine many sources into one, probably the Greek Gospel of the Egyptians (a mostly lost apocryphal text not to be confused with the entirely different and gnostic Coptic Gospel of the Egyptians). Why is this important for Bible Study as we study and reflect on the canonical texts of the Bible? This information is critical to understanding the context in which the books of the Bible developed from the Old Testament, including the Apocrypha found in the middle of our Anglican Bibles, to the New Testament. When studying scripture, you find a literary ecosystem of interconnectedness. History, sociology, theology, myth, legends, and much more all contribute to the process of interpreting the scriptures and studying their origins. For example, because the Gospel of Thomas is an early text that developed alongside the synoptic Gospels, it serves as an early source with which we can compare the sayings of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Their commonality points to a common source and therefore increases the reliability and confidence in the dating and in the authenticity of the Gospels. Then, the Gospel of Thomas’ apparent similarities to and possibly relationship with the Greek Gospel of the Egyptians means that, to understand Thomas and where it is congruent with the synoptic Gospels and where it differs, one must also learn about the Greek Gospel of the Egyptians. Already, by just studying the common sayings from Thomas and the synoptic Gospels, we are learning about Matthew, Mark, and Luke, about Thomas, and about other early Christian literature. From 114 sayings alone, we explore a treasure of Christian history, theology, and scripture. While most Christian scriptures are not inspired in the way that the Bible is inspired, they are nevertheless important to our formation as students of the Bible. Even the literary texts that are heretical are valuable because they help us to understand the orthodoxy of the New Testament and the orthodoxy of the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. Identifying and understanding the heresies discussed by such early Christian luminaries as Origen, Eusebius, Marina, and Athanasius is exciting. In Bible Study, we seek the Kingdom of God through reading, reflection, and conversation. Studying the Bible is a critical part of the life of a Christian. In Luke 17:2–24, we read, “Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.People will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.” To seek the Kingdom of God is a journey of discernment and we do not discern alone; we discern as part of the body of Christ, the universal Church. Some may say, look over there! Or, the kingdom is over here! Yet, the words of Jesus, recorded in writing even as early as 70 AD with the Gospel of Mark, the oldest Gospel, and as evidenced by the nearly as old sayings of the Gospel of Thomas, teach us that we are to look for the Kingdom of God among us because it is already here, among the body of Christ. Join us in Bible Study for more of this exciting discovery. 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, September 22, 2024 Eighteenth 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 |
 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 vegetables, instant potatoes and rice. For next week: canned fruits, puddings and gelatin. Please place your donations in the basket at the back of the church or in the bin in the Fellowship Hall. |
| The Week Ahead |
| Monday, September 23 7:00pm Compline Tuesday, September 24 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, September 25 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, September 26 10:00am Coffee Hour & Bible Study 1:00pm Stitchery Ministry 7:00pm Compline Friday, September 27 7:00pm Compline Sunday, September 29 8:00am Worship Service 10:00am Worship Service 11:30am Autumn Pie Social/Welcome Meet & Greet |
 Fall Quilt Raffle The ECW is selling tickets for a raffle of this beautiful handmade quilt done in fall colors. Tickets will be sold on Sunday, September 22. If you know of someone that is not able to purchase raffle tickets in person, they can do so online (1 ticket for $3, 2 tickets for $5 or 5 tickets for $10 – see Online Giving section below). Please mark your gift for ECW Quilt Raffle. The drawing will be on Sunday, September 29 at the Autumn Pie Social. You don’t need to be present to win and proceeds will go to Superstition Community Food Bank Thanksgiving Turkey Drive. This is a great opportunity for church members to help such a worthy and needed cause. |
 Autumn Pie Social On Sunday, September 29 we will 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. There will also be a raffle of pies (both sweet and savory) to raise funds for the Welcome Committee. |
 Trunk or Treat On Halloween evening, Thursday, October 31, we will host Trunk or Treat in our parking lot. Decorate your vehicle trunk, dress up, and hand out wrapped candy as we invite our neighbors to enjoy All Hallows’ Eve with us while socializing with our fellow Transfiguration members. |
 Fall Rummage Sale The annual Fall Rummage Sale will be held on November 21-23 in the Fellowship Hall. There are two rooms set up in the Fellowship Hall for collecting gently used clothing for the sale. There are also labeled boxes available for you to sort and place your donations. We are encouraging everyone from the church to be involved. For more information or to volunteer, please see Mary Lou Lockwood. |
| Formation & Worship |
 Compline We meet M, T, W, Th and 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 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 from 10 – 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a snack to share. |
 Book Club The September book club will meet this Friday, September 20 at 10am AZ time via Zoom (Launch Book Club). The 341 page book will be “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Laura Whayne will be the discussion leader. The Goodreads rating is 4.06; click here for the review. |
 Wednesday Morning Eucharist Starting Wednesday, October 2 we will start celebrating Holy Eucharist Rite III on Wednesdays at 11am in the Parish House Chapel. NOTE: There will be no Eucharist on October 16. |
 Movie Night Starting Monday, October 28 at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall you are invited to join us for a monthly movie night. Bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages (e.g. soda, tea, coffee, etc.) to share. Our first movie will be Luther (2003) to commemorate Reformation Day. |
| FYI |
 Birthday WishesThe following parishioners are celebrating a birthday this week: Linda Ostmeyer on 9/22 Eileen Chandler on 9/24 Karen Bickford on 9/24 Please wish them well and keep them in your prayers! |
 Mid-Year Financial Report Hard copies will be available in the Narthex. |
 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. Our next meeting will be on Saturday, September 14 at 10:30am in the Sanctuary.Please contact the Church Office to volunteer or to learn more. Episcopal Church Men (ECM) The men launched their first meeting last Sunday. The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 10th at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall; pizza and drinks will be provided and all men are invited! If you have any questions, please contact John Collins at (480) 406-3121. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) All women who attend Transfiguration are included in ECW and invited to attend meetings and activities. ECW meets on the first Saturday of each month at 11:00am in the Fellowship Hall followed by a potluck lunch. Please join us! For questions, 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: Chicken Noodle Soup located in the freezer in the Fellowship Hall. If you are 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. September’s Second Sunday plate donation is: Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) which is a global medical relief organization that is working on the front lines of crisis relief in Syria, in neighboring countries, and beyond to save lives and alleviate suffering. SAMS proudly provides medical care and treatment to every patient in need. Our September 2nd plate donation raised $251.00 for the Syrian American Medical Society. 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 |
 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 |