| Dearly transfigured people of God, Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Easter is not over. In the Christian Church, we celebrate a whole Paschal season. It starts on Easter Sunday and ends with Pentecost Sunday. This whole season reminds us about the story of God’s people and the birth and rebirth of new life. At the center of our Christian faith, is the newness of life that we are gifted through Jesus Christ. I was recently talking to parents my age whose son loves dinosaurs. We talked about how we used to watch the movie “The Land Before Time” as kids. The parents remarked about how the story was a sad one. The main character, Little Foot, a Brontosaurus or Apatosaurus dinosaur, is the only baby hatched in his family; his father is not present in the movie (his fate unknown) and he is raised by his single mother and his maternal grandparents. Still a “child,” Little Foot meets a new friend, a Triceratops named Sarah, who is mischievous and bossy. They engage in a game of trying to catch a frog (yes, frogs have existed since even before the dinosaurs!) and while they play further and further away from the safety of their parents’ nests, they are attacked by a Tyransaurs Rex. When all hope seems lost, Little Foot’s mother comes to the rescue. She takes on the T-Rex and beats him back, but not before the T-Rex leaves fatal wounds. An earthquake swallows up the T-Rex but also leaves Sarah and Little Foot separated from their families. Little Foot’s dying mother tells him she loves him and to go to the “Great Valley” and find his family again. So, Little Foot and Sarah meet a Pterodactyl named Petree, a Parasaurolophus named Ducky, and an Ankylosaurus named Spike, all of them lost and separated because of the earthquake. They learn that friendship and cooperation are powerful forces and, when the T-Rex unexpectedly returns having survived the earthquake, they team up to outsmart him and find their way to the beautiful “Great Valley.” Yes, there’s no doubt that the movie is sad for a children’s movie and when you couple the plot with the fact that most of the dinosaurs later went extinct due to a cataclysmic asteroid strike over the Americas, it can be glum. However, did life end there? No. Little Foot’s mother’s love gave him a chance at life, and direction to find his way, and through friendship they discovered the power of community. That isn’t the only lesson we can glean from “The Land Before Time.” We can also learn that the dinosaurs did not disappear entirely; they did not all go extinct. Surprised? In 1964, a scientist from Yale discovered a theropod dinosaur that was remarkably like modern birds. In the 1990s, feathered dinosaurs were discovered in China. It turns out that, scientifically, birds are the surviving dinosaurs. Today, all birds are categorized by scientists as “avian dinosaurs.” Most of you have probably heard of the famous line from “Jurassic Park,” the line “life finds a way.” This is as true spiritually as it is scientifically. The dinosaurs did not all die; their legacy survived and has thrived in the form of their avian dinosaur/bird descendents. Perhaps, this makes it even more fitting that the symbols of Resurrection in Christianity have long been the egg and the Phoenix. The birds really did rise from the ashes and take to the skies. They emerged from the ashes of the asteroid and grew up alongside mammals and modern reptiles to repopulate the earth. God’s promise to us is Resurrection and eternal life. We face challenges. One day, we will die on this earth. However, we will live forever through Jesus Christ and one day be bodily resurrected. Jesus died on the cross so that he could rise from the tomb. The tomb is empty and life is full. Happy Easter for this whole season! Blessings, Fr. Caleb |
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| Top (or first): Archaeopteryx, National Geographic, 150 million years ago in Germany; Botton left (or middle): Cassowary, Getty Images modern-day Australia; Bottom right (or last): Ukrainian Easter eggs. |
| 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, May 11, 2025 Fourth Sunday of Easter 8:00am and 10:00am services This morning we welcome the Venerable Amy Bryan, the Archdeacon for the Diocese of Arizona, to preach and lead us in Morning Prayer. Here are the streaming links for the 10:00am service: 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) Please join us after each service in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, snacks and fellowship. |
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 Second Sunday Offering Sunday, May 11 | 8:00am & 10:00am Sunday’s offering will go to the Diocesan Hispanic/Latino Ministry which serves Spanish-speaking and Latino communities throughout Arizona. |
 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 |
| Tuesday, May 13 9:00am God’s Soup Kitchen 4:30pm Vestry Meeting 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, May 14 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, May 15 10:00am Bible Study/Coffee Hour 11:45am Morning Eucharist 7:00pm Compline Friday, May 16 10:00am Book Club Sunday, May 18 8:00am Sunday Service 10:00am Sunday Service |
 Book Club Friday, May 16 | 10:00am AZ time via Zoom The May Book Club will discuss Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simison. The discussion leader will be Judy Nixon and the Goodreads rating is 3.73. Click here for the review. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Rosie Project comes a story of taking chances and learning to love again as two people, one mourning her husband and the other recovering from divorce, cross paths on the centuries-old Camino pilgrimage from France to Spain. |
 Blood Drive Wednesday, August 6 | 9:00am-1:00pm Fellowship Hall The blood drive is open to Transfiguration parishioners and the public. Please consider participating in this very worthy cause. The need for blood is great and donations tend to decrease over the summer months. Click here to make a donation appointment. |
| FYI |
 Birthday Blessings The following parishioners are celebrating a birthday this week: Bruce Van Zandt on 5/10, Barbara Turner on 5/12, Dana Whittmann on 5/13. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
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| Summer Sunday services will continue at 8:00am and 10:00am. |
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| Our congregation continues to grow! We have baptisms scheduled during All Saints’ Sunday. If you or a loved one is interested in being baptized or having your child baptized, please reach out to Fr. Caleb. |
| 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 AZ time 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. Morning Prayer Wednesdays | 9:30am AZ time 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 We are studying 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 for $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, June 7 | 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. 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, June 7 | 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 Tuesday, May 13 | 9:00am 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, May 8 | 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, May 11 | 8:00am & 10:00am services May’s offering will go to the Diocesan Hispanic/Latino Ministry which serves Spanish-speaking and Latino communities throughout Arizona. 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 sone future date and that they may be designated for specific purposes? To learn more please contact the Church Office and click here for a copy of our new brochure. Financial Report Click here to see the Q1 25 Transfiguration financial report. Hard copies will also be available in the Narthex and in the Fellowship Hall. If you have questions, please contact Heidi Kinney. |
| Around the Diocese |
| Creation Care Heats Up for Summer by Bill Robinson Last week’s quarterly meeting of the Diocesan Council for Creation Care was held at the NAU Canterbury Center in Flagstaff with both live attendance and e-participation via Google Meets. In preparation for that meeting, yours truly, and several Council members, “chain-called” some of our parishes and missions not currently attending Council meetings– to invite both their clergy and laypeople to join us at NAU. It is the unexpected consequences of those calls that I would like to speak to today. Read more HERE. |
 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 Anita Joy Ben Brooks Bob Kistler Garth Seiple Jane Stoneback Janet Krahn Jo Laslo Ruby Seyffert Sharon Smorynski 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 |