| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
| Dearly transfigured people of God, Blessed Holy Week! I hope that you will join us for one or more of our Holy Week services at the Church of the Transfiguration. As we reflect on the new life given to us in Jesus Christ, we will celebrate with visible signs and celebrations of the inward grace of the Holy Spirit. This Easter season, we will be welcoming two new Christians into the catholic (universal) Church! Baptism comes from the Greek word, βαπτίζω, or baptizo, and it means “to wash,” “to dip,” “to immerse,” or “to cleanse” with water. This is why Christians baptize using water either by aspersion (sprinkling) or immersion (dipping). Pouring water over the newly baptized is not the only thing that happens; as Episcopalians we know that there is grace in Baptism. The Episcopal Church, as a branch of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, traces our faith back to the Apostles and Jesus Christ who taught that, in Baptism, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the newly baptized. Jesus said in John 3:5 that we are going to be “born again” with “water and the Spirit” together. We have faith that Baptism is a Sacrament or a mysterious means of grace by which God gives us the gift of new life, eternal life. In Baptism, the curse of death is washed away and any sins we have committed are forgiven. This is why even infants and children are baptized. Baptism is not only for the forgiveness of sins; it is the Sacrament that brings the person into the Church and removes the stain of death. Our human ancestors brought spiritual death into the world by choosing to do evil and sin. Jesus, by dying and rising again, causes death to work backwards as C.S. Lewis said. By being washed in the waters of Baptism, the stain of death is banished and we are made free and alive in Christ. The New Testament also tells us that whole households were baptized and the infants and children of those households were no exception. If the entire households were baptized, that included infants and children (Acts 16:15, 16:33, 18:8). Celebrate with us as we welcome the newly baptized into the Church! Blessings, Fr. Caleb Note: If you or a loved one would like to be baptized, please, talk to Fr. Caleb who is happy to work with you to find a time to celebrate Baptism.  |
| 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 20, 2025 Easter Sunday 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 fellowship. |
 |
 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. Zoom details: The book club Zoom link is: Launch Book Club To enter manually: Meeting ID: 740 940 1419 Passcode: 514514 |
 Food Collection Superstition Community Food Bank Collected Weekly Suggested donations for this week are: canned fruits, puddings, 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. |
| The Week Ahead |
| Tuesday, April 22 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, April 23 8:30am Walking on Wednesday 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, April 24 10:00am Bible Study and Coffee Hour 11:45am Morning Eucharist 1:00pm Stitchery Ministry 6:00pm Organ Stop Pizza Outing 7:00pm Compline Sunday, April 27 8:00am Sunday Service 10:00am Sunday 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. |
 ECM Outing Thursday, April 24 | 6:00pm Organ Stop Pizza 1149 E Southern Ave, Mesa The Episcopal Church Men’s group invites the congregation to join them for an evening of pizza and organ music. Please contact John Collins at jartcol98@gmail.com or call (480) 406-3121 so he will have a head count to make reservations. |
 Blood Drive Wednesday, August 6 | 9:00am-1:00pm Fellowship Hall The blood drive is open to Transfiguration parishioners and the public. Click here to make a blood donation appointment. |
| 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 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 study resumes today and will read When Women Were Priests (Women’s Leadership in the Early Church & the Scandal of their Subordination in the Rise of Christianity). The book is available in the Church Office and is $10.00. Morning Eucharist Thursdays | 11:45am Parish House Chapel Please join us in a small group setting as we celebrate Holy Eucharist. Prayer Requests Updated Weekly 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 requested 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, May 3 | 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, May 21 | 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, May 3 | 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 April they prepared a delicious Potato Soup w/ Ham & Cheese; 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 24 | 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 We collected $255.30 during April’s offering 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 Did you know that planned gifts are philanthropic gifts made in the present that are received at some future date and that they may be designated for specific purposes? To learn more please contact the Church Office. |
| FYI |
 When you’re at Church, please take a look at our parking lot ‘island refresh’ complete with new gravel and decorative boulders. |
 Birthday Blessings The following parishioners are celebrating a birthday this week: Janet Krahn on 4/17, Kara Ann McRae on 4/17, Ellen Jackelen on 4/19, Bonnie Hinsley on 4/19, Rose Brooks on 4/21, Doug Wynn on 4/22. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
  |
  Photos from our 8:00am and 10:00am Palm Sunday services last weekend; what a glorious day! |
 Financial Report 1st Quarter 2025 Hard copies will be available in the Narthex and in the Fellowship Hall. If you have questions, please contact Heidi Kinney. |
| 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. |
| Around the Diocese |
 Creation Care Council Saturday, April 26 | 10am – 2pm NAU Episcopal/Lutheran Campus Ministry Chapel & Meeting Hall 319 South San Francisco, St., Flagstaff Epiphany Church in Flagstaff will host the next meeting; in-person and virtual attendance (via Google Meets) options available. In addition to the meeting, in person attendees will be given a tour of Epiphany’s amazing sustainability efforts, that include rooftop PV, rain water harvesting, composting, battery, bulb and glass recycling. Please RSVP to Bill Robinson here and let him know if you will be attending in person or virtually. Lunch is provided for in person attendees and we want to make sure we have enough food. We look forward to seeing you there! |
 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 Ruby Seyffert Garth Seiple Sharon Smorynski 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 |