| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
 Dearly transfigured people of God, In this season of Lent, we see signs of growth emerging from the winter. No two weeks are exactly the same in the life of the Church and services vary throughout the year. However, I wanted to share with you that these last two weeks demonstrate the impact that we have in our community and the people whose lives are touched and cared for by our ministry. Last week, more than 310 people attended one of the services during the week. This week, about 140 people participated in our Sunday services. Considering that our active baptized membership is 275 people, these numbers show that our church is actively engaging with and reaching families of members, new people, and visitors alike. For perspective, 310 people represent 112% of our total active membership and 140 in attendance on Sunday represents 51% of that total! This is a great sign for the vitality and health of our church. This is because not every active member can attend every Sunday and many active members may not be present at once. To see just over half of our active membership present on the same Sunday is a blessing for a priest and congregation. We do not know what next week will bring, much less what next year will bring, but we can find encouragement in the present. Inspired by this encouragement, let us not become complacent. With the wind behind our sails, we are given a gift by Christ to continue to reach more people for Jesus and invite our friends, families, and neighbors to come and see how we worship at the Church of the Transfiguration. According to the Billy Graham Association, 80% of new Chrsitians came to church because someone they knew and loved invited them! That’s it, an invitation. Another study according to Dr. Thom Rainer found that 82% of people who do not attend church would attend church if they were invited by a friend or family member! That means that if you asked 10 of your friends and family to attend church with you on Sunday, most of us would see about 8 of them accept the invitation. We do not need to limit our invitations only to those who have never been to church before. We can also connect with our Episcopalian friends and families who perhaps have been away from the church. According to Pew Research Center, about 2.6 million American adults identify themselves as members of The Episcopal Church in 2025. Of these, about 1.6 million are active members according to our own research. That means we can reach out to 1 million Episcopalians who may not have found a new church home. Lent is an invitational season of spiritual and physical growth. The ashes from Ash Wednesday are the soil that covers the grain of wheat and the mustard seed. The ashes are the egg of the Phoenix waiting to be reborn in the Spring. In Job 29:18, the Prophet Job says that God told him, “I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days like the phoenix.” This is God’s promise to God’s people, all of humanity, generally, and the Church specifically. We experience death and rebirth throughout history, in our lives, and in the Resurrection of the dead to come. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to “come and see” what Christ is doing in our church family. Let’s take off with the wind behind our sails. 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, March 16, 2025 Second Sunday in Lent 8:00am (spoken service – Rite I) 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! |
 Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show Sunday, March 16 | after the 8:00am & 10:00am services Fellowship Hall Tickets for the ECW Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show, held on Saturday, March 22, will be available after each service this coming Sunday for $20/each. Tickets will be also available in the Parish House Office on Tuesday, March 18 – Thursday, March 20 from 9:00am – 1:30pm. Please get your tickets now for this fun event. More details in the following section. |
 Food Collection Superstition Community Food Bank Collected Weekly Suggested donations for this week are: canned fruits, pudding and gelatin. For next week: boxed cereals and crackers. You can place your donations in the basket at the back of the church or in the bin in the Fellowship Hall. There were 87 lbs. of goods donated in February; thank you to Christine Farrell for her help with the monthly collection. |
| The Week Ahead |
| Tuesday, March 18 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, March 19 8:30am Walking on Wednesday 9:30am Morning Prayer 6:00pm ECM Meeting 7:00pm Compline Thursday, March 20 10:00am Bible Study & Coffee Hour 11:45am Stations of the Cross 3:00pm Set-up for Spring Luncheon 7:00pm Compline Friday, March 21 10:00am Book Study Saturday, March 22 10:00am ECW Spring Luncheon & Style Show Sunday, March 23 8:00am Worship Service 10:00am Worship Service |
 Lenten Collection Wednesday, March 5 – Thursday, April 17 Transfiguration Daughters of the King, in partnership with Fr. Caleb who uses one of his days off to work at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, is collecting the following NEW supplies for the Chaplaincy Department at the hospital: Bibles, Electric votive candles (+ batteries), Electric pillar candles (+ batteries), Different color highlighters, Kleenex, Different color pens (blue, black, red), New (not used) stuffed animals, Yellow legal notepads. Please leave your donations in the associated bin in the Fellowship Hall. |
 Book Club Friday, March 21 | 10:00am AZ time via Zoom The March Book Club will discuss Back Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. Ellen Jackelen will be the discussion leader, the Goodreads rating is 4.09, and click here for the review. Zoom details will be listed in next week’s newsletter. |
 Spring Luncheon & Style Show Saturday, March 22 | 10:00am Fellowship Hall Join us for a fabulous ‘Hawaiian Delight’ Luncheon & Style Show!Doors Open: 10:00am to view and purchase clothing from New Image Fashion. Luncheon: 12:00noon, followed by an exciting style show. You will also be able to purchase tickets for beautiful raffle baskets and buy $2 grab bags. Tickets: $20 each (Only 104 seats available). Tickets will be sold after the 8:00am and 10:00am services in the Fellowship Hall and in the Church Office T – Th from 9:00am – 1:30pm. |
 St. Patrick’s Social Sunday, March 30 | after the 8:00am and 10:00am services Fellowship Hall We will celebrate the life and ministry of St. Patrick with Irish Cream Coffee after the 8am service and a Baked Potato Potluck after the 10am service. For the Baked Potato Potluck, please bring your favorite baked potato toppings (e.g. sour cream, bacon bits, shredded cheese, scallions, chili, etc.) to share. We will also welcome new members at both socials. |
| 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 | 7:00pm 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. Bible Study & Coffee Hour Thursdays | 10:00am Fellowship Hall Our Lenten bible study will be Genesis and the Book of Adam and Eve found here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/398/398-h/398-h.htm Please bring a snack to share! Stations of the Cross Thursdays | 11:45am Sanctuary During Lent, please join us for this beautiful worship service. Morning Eucharist Thursdays | 11:45am Parish House Chapel Please join us in a small group setting as we celebrate Holy Eucharist. NOTE: This service will take a break during Lent, resuming on April 17. 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 Weekly donations needed 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 Saturday, April 5 | 9:30am 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. Monthly meetings are held to plan for upcoming services, Episcopal Church Men (ECM) Wednesday, March 19 | 6:00pm Fellowship Hall All men who attend Transfiguration are included in ECM. The group meets monthly to plant future projects and socialize. If you have questions, contact John Collins at (480) 406-3121. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Saturday, April 5 | 10:30am Fellowship Hall All women who attend Transfiguration are included in ECW. The group meets the first Saturday of each month to plan their projects and activities with a potluck lunch following the meeting. For questions, contact Peg Wier. God’s Soup Kitchen Monthly cooking sessions Fellowship Hall Kitchen This group prepares soups for those in need and/or homebound. For March, they prepared a delicious Pasta e Fagioli; containers are available in the Fellowship Hall kitchen freezer. Their heartfelt efforts continue to make a positive difference in the community, one delicious bowl of soup at a time. If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry, contact Miriam Waddington. Stitchery Ministry Thursday, March 13 | 1:00pm 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. No previous experience required – the group can help you learn how to knit, crochet, etc. Contact Linda Jo Johnson if you have questions. Sunday Morning Ministry 8:00am and 10:00am services We are looking for committed individuals to serve in various roles during our Sunday services. Positions available include Acolytes, Chalice Bearers, Greeters, Readers, and Counters who count the donations after the 10:00am service. These roles plays an essential part in our worship experience and help nurture the spiritual life of our community. Training and guidance will be provided to ensure you feel well-prepared and confident in your role. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the office at (480) 986-1145 or email officetransfig@gmail.com. |
| Giving |
| Second Sunday Offering Second Sunday of each month | 8:00am & 10:00am services This month’s loose plate collection of $533 was donated to Gathering Humanity which is a grassroots, non-profit organization that provides essential goods to those experiencing resettlement and other vulnerable populations. 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 “When my will/trust is read, what will my children and grandchildren learn about my values?” If you want to learn more about making a significant impact on Transfiguration and its mission, please contact the Church Office. |
| FYI |
 Birthday Blessings The following parishioners are celebrating birthdays this week: Ferdy Sant on 3/14, Julie Ball on 3/16, Harley Felbab on 3/17, Marti West on 3/17, Bill Gee on 3/18, Cruz Hughes on 3/18, Clare Malcolm 3/18. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
  |
  |
| Lynn Graff and Laura Whayne recently traveled to Patagonia Lake State Park and southern AZ and shared some of their beautiful photos: “We went to church on Sunday at St. Francis in Green Valley, AZ, with chili ristras hanging by brightly colored windows, wandered in a giant thrift store operating for over 50 years giving support to the community, and explored Tubac art galleries (burros). At the state park, we stayed in a cabin above the campground with great views of the lake and mountains and spectacular vista of the stars and sunsets. Herons nested in large trees on an island in the lake. We also visited the Tucson Botanical Gardens which had lovely plants, sculptures, a train display with models of various Mission Churches, and a butterfly & orchid pavilion where we saw the largest moths in the world (size of 2 hands), and a variety of beautiful butterflies. The glory of God is in all of creation.” |
| Rector’s Gift Shop Narthex This wonderful space is stocked with the following gift items:In commemoration of St. Patrick’s Day, the mini statues of St. Patrick are 50% off or $6 each ($25 retail price)Prayer cards for $1Crosses for $1Small framed icons for $5Large wooden icons for $30All proceeds go to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund which supports the Welcoming Committee and New Members’ Ministry. |
 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 |
 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 |