Transfiguring Times – 5/15/25
The Rector’s Metamorpho-News Dearly transfigured people of God, Christ is risen! Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! During the Easter season, our Bible Study is focused on learning about the women of the early Church from the apostolic period, the time of the Apostles of Jesus, to the early middle ages and the ordained roles…
| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
| Dearly transfigured people of God, Christ is risen! Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! During the Easter season, our Bible Study is focused on learning about the women of the early Church from the apostolic period, the time of the Apostles of Jesus, to the early middle ages and the ordained roles and vocations to which God called them. We all know from the Gospels that the women disciples of Jesus were the first to be commissioned to go and preach the Good News of the Resurrection to the other disciples. Mary, the Mother of God, our Lord Jesus, was present with Jesus at the cross. Mary of Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Martha of Bethany, Mary the aunt of the Lord, and others were present early in the morning at the tomb. They remained faithful. They were there even when others had fled and went into hiding. They were the first to preach about Easter. Many people in society, especially if they come from another Christian background where women are not admitted to ordained ministry, are unaware that women were called as disciples and apostles and were ordained as deacons, priests, and bishops in the early Church. In particular, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, the two largest Christian denominations, do not ordain women as priests or bishops. While the Orthodox Churches acknowledge that women were ordained as deacons, as referenced in the New Testament epistles, very few continue to ordain women as deacons today; the Roman Catholic Church has not ordained women as deacons. Meanwhile, it is a historical fact, accepted by scholars of all denominations, that the early Church included many prominent women who were deacons. In Paul’s first letter to the Romans, in chapter 16, Paul entrusts his authority and message to Phoebe, a woman, a faithful disciple of Jesus, and a deacon. What about priests and bishops? Well, the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches join the Anglican Communion in recognizing St. Mary Magdalene, St. Mary of Bethany, and St. Martha of Bethany as “Equal to the Apostles.” What does that mean, “equal?” I think it means exactly what it says, “on the same footing” “of the same kind” as the other Apostles. They were Apostles. Again, the New Testament tells us that women were Apostles. In Romans 16:7-8, Paul asks the Christians in Rome to greet “Andronicus and Junia…who are notable among the apostles.” Junia, a woman, was “among the apostles.” The Apostles were the first bishops or overseers. Women were clearly exercising apostolic or episcopal authority in the New Testament. As the Church grew after its foundation at Pentecost, many women were among the Church Fathers and Mothers who laid the foundation of Christian orthodoxy that we continue to proclaim and believe today in The Episcopal Church. We can point to Theosebia, an ordained priest, and Macrina, an ordained deacon, who were the sisters of Gregory of Nyssa and Basil the Great, both bishops, all who served the Church around 381 AD. In circa 800 AD, Episcopa Theodora is known to have served as a leader in the Church. Her son became the Bishop of Rome and was known as Pope Paschal I. He built a chapel in her honor and the depiction clearly says “Bishop Theodora” or “Episcopa Theodora,” the word “episcopa” meaning “bishop.” Therefore, there is clear evidence that women served as deacons, priests, and bishops, through 800 AD. Women were and are essential to the life of the Church, just as men are, and all of us are created equally in God’s image. We are all called to ministry, whether lay or ordained, and to represent Christ in the world. There is a Church tradition, dating back to the early Church, that every person who is baptized is “ordained” as a “torch-bearer,” an acolyte who carries the candle(s) in the Sunday worship service. The vestment of the “torch-bearer” is a plain white robe called an alb. You see it on Sunday mornings and it is the first vestment worn by both the lay and ordained people serving in Sunday worship. This is the garment that people of all ages wore when being baptized, a plain white robe to represent the pure Lamb of God. When we are baptized, we put on the first vestment and are “ordained” as “torch-bearers.” The question is not “if” you are called to ministry, but “what” vocation are you called to? Is it a lay ministry? Is it an ordained ministry? The important thing to remember is that all of us are called to serve and share the Resurrection just like the disciples at the tomb. Blessings, Fr. Caleb |
 Episcopa (Bishop) Theodora, 817 AD |
| 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 18, 2025 Fifth Sunday of Easter 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) Please join us after each service in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, snacks and fellowship. |
 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. 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 vegetables, instant potatoes and rice. For next week: canned fruits, pudding and gelatin. 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 20 9:00am God’s Soup Kitchen 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, May 21 9:30am Morning Prayer 6:00pm ECM Meeting 7:00pm Compline Thursday, May 22 10:00am Bible Study/Coffee Hour 11:45am Morning Eucharist 1:00pm Stitchery Ministry 7:00pm Compline Sunday, May 25 8:00am Sunday Service 10:00am Sunday Service |
 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 BlessingsThe following parishioners are celebrating a birthday this week: Tanya Lokensgard on 5/15, Tammy Felbab on 5/17, Kerry Berquist on 5/19, Rose Zlotkowski on 5/19, Cole Storbeck on 5/19, Sandra Kramer on 5/21, Jon Traylor on 5/21. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
| 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 sign-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. They 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 plan 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 20 | 9:00am Fellowship Hall Kitchen This group prepares soups for those in need and/or homebound. For May they will be preparing tomato basil soup; containers will be available in the Fellowship Hall 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 22 | 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, June 8 | 8:00am & 10:00am services May’s offering of $126 went to the Diocesan Hispanic/Latino Ministry which serves Spanish-speaking and Latino communities throughout Arizona. June’s offering will go to Cloud Cover Streets which provides showers and laundry services to unhoused people in Phoenix. Their mission is to restore dignity through these services and help to improve the quality of their lives. 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 |
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 Creation Care Quarterly Meeting Saturday, July 12 | 10:00am – 2:00pm Transfiguration Fellowship Hall Please join us for our quarterly meeting. Lunch will be provided so please RSVP to Bill Robinson if you plan to attend in person. The meeting will also be available online via Google Meet (link will be sent out later). If you have any general questions about Creation Care, our mission and purpose, or if you would like any additional information about participation on the Council, please contact Bill Robinson.. |
 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 |