Transfiguring Times – 2/13/25
The Rector’s Metamorpho-News Dearly transfigured people of God, I am writing this to you from Chapel Rock, the camp and conference center for the Diocese of Arizona. Chapel Rock is our own ‘home’ for rest and renewal, and it is also open to other faiths and secular organizations as well. I enjoy walking the grounds,…
| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
  Dearly transfigured people of God, I am writing this to you from Chapel Rock, the camp and conference center for the Diocese of Arizona. Chapel Rock is our own ‘home’ for rest and renewal, and it is also open to other faiths and secular organizations as well. I enjoy walking the grounds, taking in the fresh pine-filled air, and seeing, and hearing, the animals that share this beautiful refuge with us. Everywhere is a reminder of God’s creative energies and omnipresence in our world. On Monday night, I was reading a fictional story about owls (no, you are never too old to read fun adventurous fantasy!), when I began to hear the hooting. I thought, is my imagination getting just a little too real with this book? Then, I heard it again. I went outside and there were two, or more, owls calling to each other. My blessings did not stop there. As I was listening to the owls, I heard a rustling in the bushes and two deer emerged walking just beneath my balcony! Deers and owls! On Tuesday, we joined Bishop Jennifer in practicing our archery skills. I hit the target for each of my 12 shots! I think Bishop Jennifer hit the yellow center more often than I did; so, I will need to practice for next year. As we practiced with our bows and arrows, we were reminded of the Greek word from last Sunday’s sermon, ἁμαρτία, or to sin or “miss the mark.” The Christian life has often been compared to the practice of archery. It requires discipline, reflection, focus, and practice to hit the mark. When you “miss the mark,” you pick up your arrow and you amend your practice and you try again. All of us are going to miss the mark sometimes. All of us need repentance and amendment of life. Jesus Christ gifts us with forgiveness and grace so that we can repent and improve our lives, relationships, and world. This year, I hope that all of you will consider opportunities for Christian formation, discipleship, and retreat. I know that we cannot all go to all things, but maybe we can all try to go to some things. Please, consider attending Bible Study, our Catechism courses when we restart our seasonal Christian Education online, or finding time to attend a Chapel Rock retreat. These practices and gatherings help to nourish our souls, expand our knowledge, and to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to belong to The Episcopal Church which is not just a denomination, but a branch of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, finding our place in the worldwide Anglican Communion and in Full Communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of the worldwide Lutheran World Federation. To be an Episcopalian is to be a Christian in the catholic Church and is to be a Christian who is part of a Communion of Anglican and Lutheran churches and, possibly, soon to be in Full Communion with the United Methodist Church as well (the initial votes have passed to support Full Communion and the final vote will be at General Convention in 2027). I experienced a deepening of my relationship with the whole body of Christ at this year’s Priests’ Retreat and I hope you will experience that this year as well. 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, February 16, 2025 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany 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) Join us after the service in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, snacks and conversation! |
 Crazy Chile Farm Saturday, February 15 | 9am – 12noon Field behind Fellowship Hall Chile seedlings are ready to go, maize (aka corn) and sorghum will be planted from seed. A BBQ lunch will be provided. Please let Bill Robinson know if you’re able to help. For additional information about these workdays, click here. |
 Planned Giving Workshop Saturday, February 15 | 10 – 11:30am Fellowship Hall Clyde Kunz, Canon for Stewardship and Planned Giving for the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, will conduct a planned giving workshop, The Basics of Legacy Giving. For more details click here. So we can make logistical arrangements, please let us know if you can attend by clicking here. |
 Food Collection Superstition Community Food Bank Weekly Suggested donations for this week are: canned or dehydrated soups. For next week: canned meat and peanut butter. You can place your donations in the basket at the back of the church or in the bin in the Fellowship Hall. |
| The Week Ahead |
| Tuesday, February 18 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, February 19 8:30am Walking on Wednesday 9:30am Wednesday Morning Prayer 6:00pm ECM Meeting 7:00pm Compline Thursday, February 20 10:00am Bible Study & Coffee Hour 7:00pm Compline Friday, February 21 10:00am Book Club Saturday, February 22 11:30am Secret Prayer Sister Reveal Luncheon Sunday, February 23 8:00am Worship Service 10:00am Worship Service |
 Book Club Friday, February 21 | 10am AZ time via Zoom The February Book Club will discuss Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Linda Soper will be the discussion leader, the Goodreads rating is 4.33, and click here for the review. |
 Secret Prayer Sister Reveal Saturday, February 22 | 11:30am Fellowship Hall Come and let your sister know who’s been praying for her, enjoy lunch and have some fun together! Fr. Caleb will be joining us too! Please bring a wrapped gift for your sister with a maximum value of $25. On the outside of the package, include a few clues to help her guess your identity. The big reveal will happen when she opens the gift where your identity will be revealed inside! For the ‘Secret Garden’ luncheon sign up, contact Jo at (818) 825-3007 or Barbara at (847) 651-1396. |
 Spring Luncheon & Style Show Saturday, March 22 | 10am – 2pm Fellowship Hall Mark your calendars for Hawaiian Delight, this year’s ECW spring luncheon and style show. We will start selling tickets to the event on Sunday, February 16 after both services. |
| Worship & Formation |
| Prayer and Reflection Sundays | 7:30am and 9:30am Parish House Chapel 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. Please observe silence when in the chapel so that this may be a space for those in need of silent prayer and contemplation. Compline Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays | 7pm via Zoom Compline/Evening Prayer is held via ZOOM. Meeting ID: 740-940-1419. Passcode: 514 514. Contact Barbara Press with questions at (847) 651-1396. Walking on Wednesday Wednesdays | 8:30am Apache Junction Library You are invited for a walk in the desert! We will walk for about 45 minutes on fairly level dirt paths on land belonging to the city park. Meet us in the parking lot behind the Apache Junction Library on Idaho. Lynn Graff and Laura Whayne will be there to guide you. Future plans, times, ideas are open for discussion. Contact Lynn Graff if you have questions or suggestions. Morning Prayer Wednesdays | 9:30am via Zoom Please join us via ZOOM to prayerfully start the day. Meeting ID: 740-940-1419. Passcode: 514 514. Contact Barbara Press at (847) 651-1396 for questions. Morning Eucharist Wednesdays | 11am Parish House Chapel Please join us in a small group setting as we celebrate Holy Eucharist. Bible Study & Coffee Hour Thursdays | 10am Fellowship Hall We are studying Jesus in Egypt: Discovering the Secret of Jesus’ Child Years. We will learn about Jesus’ early life from history, scripture, and early Church legends. The book is free from Amazon Audible Audiobook and Amazon Kindle by clicking here. Please bring a snack to share! Prayer Requests 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. |
| 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 donate altar flowers, please sing-up on the flower sheet posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Ruby Seyffert will then reach out to you regarding any special requests. NOTE: When using Zelle or a check, designate ‘Altar Flowers’ in the memo field. Altar Guild Monthly Sanctuary Sacristy 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. Contact Barbara Press to volunteer or to learn more. Episcopal Church Men (ECM) Wednesday, February 19 | 6pm Organ Stop Pizza, Stapley and US 60 All men who attend Transfiguration are included in ECM. The February meeting will focus on planning for the rest of the year. If you have any questions, contact John Collins at (480) 406-3121. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Saturday, March 1 | 10:30am Fellowship Hall All women who attend Transfiguration are included in ECW. This vibrant group meets the first Saturday of each month to plan their projects and activities – a potluck lunch follows. For questions, contact Peg Wier. God’s Soup Kitchen Monthly Fellowship Hall Kitchen This group meets monthly to prepare delicious soups for those in need. The latest offering is Chicken Taco Soup (gluten free) located in the freezer in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry, contact Miriam Waddington. Stitchery Ministry Thursday, February 13 | 1pm Parish House This group meets the second and fourth Thursday each month to knit, crochet, sew and quilt. In addition to giving to our own members in need, the ministry donates prayer shawls and other hand stitched items to hospitals, nursing homes, shelters and other charitable organizations. Contact Linda Jo Johnson if you have questions. Lay Servers Would you like to be a greeter, member of the welcome team, chalice bearer, reader, torchbearer, crucifer or help count the offerings? Contact the Church Office to learn more. |
| Giving |
| Second Sunday Offering Second Sunday of each month | 8am & 10am services Last week’s loose plate collection of $254.51 was donated to Camp Genesis at Chapel Rock. The mission of Camp Genesis is to create a safe space for children who have had or have an incarcerated parent to have fun, grow in self-esteem and encounter Christ. 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/legacy 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, reference our Planned Giving brochure (online or copies in the Narthex and Fellowship Hall) or contact the Church Office. |
| FYI |
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| Last Saturday, 19 Transfiguration parishioners, guided by Fr. Caleb, had a wonderful visit to St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence. After their visit, they enjoyed a delicious lunch at a local Greek restaurant. |
 Walking on Wednesday had a good but chilly walk this week. Please consider joining them on a future Wednesday morning! |
 Birthday Blessings The following parishioners/staff are celebrating birthdays this week: Linda Lavoie-McKinney on 2/14, Betsy Herron on 2/14, Fr. John Caleb Collins on 2/18, Chris Hodge on 2/18. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
 Annual Meeting If you were unable to join us for our annual meeting and would like to see the reports, please click here to read about and celebrate our accomplishments in 2024. |
| Around the Diocese |
 Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop Sunday, February 23 | 11am – 2pm Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that can serve to prepare one to receive the gifts of God’s presence. The method is simple, yet profound in its effects. The goal of this workshop is to provide participants with the tools for Centering Prayer and to encourage a daily practice.The workshop is presented by members of the Contemplative Outreach of Phoenix and Trinity Cathedral. Centering Prayer is for anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God. Register Today |
 Discipleship Day Saturday, March 1 | 9:30am – 3pm Christ Church of the Ascension, Paradise Valley This one day gathering is to help you learn, inspire, and connect. Lunch will be provided and childcare is available upon request. Registration for this event is $30 per person. This event is open to all lay leaders and clergy within the diocese.Who should come to the Discipleship Day? Anyone who wants to grow in their faith and has a ministry of leadership in a congregation. That includes clergy and laypeople! Register Today |
 Diocesan Publication 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. |
| 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 Eileen Chandler, Interim Music Director Office hours: M-T-W-Th. 9am – 1pm Vestry Fr. John Caleb Collins, Chair transfigurationrector@gmail.com Wayne Smith, Senior Warden (480) 245-9310 wsmith17@cox.net Tom Kevern, Junior Warden keverntom@gmail.com Heidi Kinney, Treasurer churchtransfigtreasurer@gmail.com Diane Klock, Clerk Ben Brooks Anita Joy Bob Kistler Janet Krahn Jo Laslo Joe Myshko Ruby Seyffert Garth Seiple Jane Stoneback Social Media Tom Blum – website Fr. John Caleb Collins – Facebook page Mary Hovden – weekly e-newsletter (please send stories, announcements, photos, etc. to Mary here) Peg Wier, Joe Myshko, Frank George IV – worship service streaming |