Transfiguring Times – 4/3/25
| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
 Dearly transfigured people of God, As Holy Week approaches, I am reflecting on the presence of both suffering and joy in our lives. People get sick. People die. People grieve loved ones lost. People recover. People are born. People celebrate their loved ones’ special milestones in life. Suffering and joy exist simultaneously in our human experience. Lent is a time when we are acutely aware of this reality. I’m often asked, why emphasize that Jesus suffered and died? Why not just talk about the resurrection. We like to skip to the good parts in a story. However, you can’t get to the resurrection without the selfless sacrifice of Jesus. Skipping over suffering and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away and won’t help the suffering. Jesus’ example shows us that God did not want humanity to suffer alone and adrift from God’s grace. God chose to become human, to experience suffering and joy, to know what it means to be human. God does not cause or want suffering; even Jesus asked allowed if the cup could pass over him. Yet, he was willing to be killed by the Roman authorities so that by his death, death itself would die. Having been a hospital chaplain, and working one day a week at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, I regularly hold space for reflection around the hardest and most painful moments in a family’s life. Because of that, not everyone can just be a chaplain. The typical pathway to serve as a hospital chaplain is to complete a 4 year university degree, a Master’s degree, and to undergo four approximately five month units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). For me, CPE felt like a prolonged Lenten season, two years of challenging oneself mentally and spiritually and experiencing the strain of interpersonal relationships in the face of some of life’s toughest moments. All of that work is important because you are holding space for vulnerable and hurting people, including people who are completely different from you. Yet, in that space you are not just ‘you,’ you are a mirror for them to reflect and learn from themselves. Lent forms us and makes us aware of the need for empathy. God showed the ultimate empathy in becoming human himself. God is the perfect and eternal “chaplain” who is really present to us. In Holy Communion, Jesus is really present in the bread and the wine. We receive this Communion together to draw closer to Christ and to one another. In being drawn closer to Christ, we prepare ourselves to be really present with those around us, those in need. We are Christ to the world. Remember that to get to the victory and joy in the story we must not forget the empathy and mercy needed along the way for those suffering and those hurting. 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, April 6, 2025 Fifth Sunday in Lent 8:00am (spoken service – Rite I) Please see the cream Order of Worship in the pews or click here 10:00am (choral service – Rite II) Please see the white 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 fellowship. |
 ECW Meeting Saturday, April 5 | 10:30am Fellowship Hall Every woman who attends transfiguration is a member of ECW. Please join us for our monthly meeting and you will meet new ladies and be “in the know” about our church happenings. We meet at 10:30am followed by a potluck lunch. |
 Food Collection Superstition Community Food Bank Collected Weekly Suggested donations for this week are: canned meat and peanut butter. For next week: canned vegetables, instant potatoes and rice. 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 |
| Monday, April 7 5:00pm Endowment Committee Meeting Tuesday, April 8 4:30pm Vestry Meeting 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, April 9 8:30am Walking on Wednesday 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, April 10 10:00am Bible Study & Coffee Hour 11:45am Stations of the Cross 1:00pm Stitchery Ministry 7:00pm Compline Sunday, April 13 8:00am Palm Sunday Worship Service 10:00am Palm Sunday Worship Service |
 Lenten Collection Wednesday, March 5 – Thursday, April 17 Bins in Narthex and Fellowship Hall 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 stuffed animals, Yellow legal notepads. |
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 Book Club Friday, April 18 | 10:00am AZ time via Zoom The April Book Club will discuss Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian. Sue Burrough will be the discussion leader, the Goodreads rating is 3.84, and click here for the review. A young Puritan woman–faithful, resourceful, but afraid of the demons that dog her soul–plots her escape from a violent marriage in this riveting and propulsive historical thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant. |
 ECM Outing Thursday, April 24 | time TBD Organ Stop Pizza The Episcopal Church Men’s group invites the congregation to join them for an evening of pizza and organ music. Time TBD. |
| 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. For the remainder of Lent, floral arrangements will be white and green only. 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) Tuesday, April 15 | 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 soup creations 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, April 10 | 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 Sunday, April 13 | 8:00am & 10:00am services April’s offering will be donated to Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. providing a wealth of support for parents and families, including child & parent workshops, resource referral, SNAP and AHCCCS enrollment, developmental screenings, parenting, coaching, and education, and much more. 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 Blessing The following parishioner is celebrating a birthday this week: Jo Laslo on 4/9. Please wish her a very happy birthday and keep her in your prayers! |
| 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 $1, Crosses for $1, Small framed icons for $5, Large wooden icons for $30, All 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 |