Transfiguring Times – 5/29/25
The Rector’s Metamorpho-News Dearly transfigured Easter people, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! This Sunday is our last Sunday of Easter. I invite you to say “Christ is risen!” loudly for this last Sunday of Easter as we prepare for Pentecost. The joy of Easter is not the same thing as the…
| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
 Dearly transfigured Easter people, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! This Sunday is our last Sunday of Easter. I invite you to say “Christ is risen!” loudly for this last Sunday of Easter as we prepare for Pentecost. The joy of Easter is not the same thing as the “happiness” we associate with instant gratification. Jesus promises us that we will experience joy eternally in Christ and that we will share in his resurrection. That is not a promise to be happy every moment of every earthly day. It is also not a promise that we will get as many cars, houses, or luxury items as we want. In last Sunday’s gospel, Jesus said that he does not give as the world gives. He gives what the world cannot give, eternal joy and life. Still, the Church, being in the world but not of the world, struggles with the same issues as our neighbors who are not a part of the Church. We struggle with wanting to feel happy, with wanting to be instantly gratified. If we are inconvenienced or if one of our preferences is not met, we may become dissatisfied, disgruntled, and angry. While the Church has certainly declined in recent history because of complex issues ranging from changing demographics to the exposure of terrible sins committed by leaders of the Church, and these deserve our attention, compassion, understanding, and empathy, the Church has also faced decline due to nominal members leaving because of dissatisfaction with the “services” offered by the Church. Too much of Western, American and European, Christianity treats faith and spirituality like a cafeteria. If someone doesn’t put the right flower color in the line you’re in, you just step out of line and find another restaurant in the food court. This is not discipleship or the authentic expression of Christian Communion with one another. According to Lifeway Research, a Southern Baptist research group, a survey of 23-30 year olds who left the Church found that many left the Church, the Chrsitian faith, altogether over localized issues, denominational issues, or superficial reasons. According to Lifeway Research, 34% left the Church when they started attending college; they simply decided to not find a new home church. Thirty-two percent left because church members seemed hypocritical and judgemental. The sins of individual members of the Church are of course serious and people are hurt by our actions. However, everyone sins. There is nowhere in the world where people are perfect. More abuses, crimes, and harm occurs in Supermarkets than in the Church. Hypocrisy and individual sins are not a reason to leave the faith of Christ; they are reminders of why we all need Jesus. Additionally, 29% said they didn’t feel connected, 25% disagreed with a church’s political stance or stance on social issues, and 24% said their employment prevented them from being a part of a church. The Church needs to constantly engage in self-reflection, practice Confession, and repent of our sins, both collective and individual. The Church is made up of humans and we certainly have sinned against God and our neighbors in countless ways. That is also why we all need Jesus and his forgiveness and grace. We also need to remind ourselves that too often we give up on our relationships, on our fellowship, and on our commitments because of inconvenience, hurt feelings, and putting work or hobbies above our relationship with Christ. Instead, what we can find is that when we put Christ first, when our relationship with Christ is deepening, our work, our relationships, our hobbies etc. can all thrive in ways more profoundly joyous than they would be without putting Christ first. We need to lead by example for those who have left the Church. We need to demonstrate humility, repentance, and commitment to the faith of Christ. Leading by example, we can teach people that instant gratification and happiness every day is not the goal, but joy beyond our understanding is the gift that Jesus gives us. 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, June 1, 2025 Seventh 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. |
 ECM Sponsored Workday Saturday, May 31 | 8:00am – 10:30am Meet in Fellowship Hall All are invited to this work session; work tasks range from light to semi-heavy. Donuts will be provided! If you have questions, please contact Junior Warden, Tom Kevern. |
 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. |
| The Week Ahead |
| Tuesday, June 3 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, June 4 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, June 5 10:00am Bible Study/Coffee Hour 11:45am Morning Eucharist 7:00pm Compline Saturday, June 7 9:30am Altar Guild Meeting 10:30am ECW Meeting Sunday, June 8 8:00am Sunday Service 10:00am Sunday Service Second Sunday Offering at both services |
 Altar Guild Meeting Saturday, June 7 | 9:30am Sacristy Please join us at our monthly meeting as we are seeking dedicated individuals to join the Altar Guild. Members play a vital role in setting the altar table with holy sacraments and preparing the worship space. If you’re interested in serving in this meaningful ministry, please come to the meeting or contact Barbara Press at: 847-651-1396 or at barbarapress02@gmail.com |
 ECW Meeting Saturday, June 7 | 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. Bring your favorite dish to share; after the meeting we’ll enjoy a potluck lunch. |
 Book Club Friday, June 20 | 10:00am AZ time via Zoom The June Book Club will discuss Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. The discussion leader will be Linda Soper and the Goodreads rating is 4.14. Click here for the review. Next month at the end of book club discussion time we will be taking suggestions for books for our new book club year’s reading list. Please send your suggestions ahead of time via email to Dea & Linda. |
 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 |
 The following parishioners are celebrating a birthday this week: Don Burrough on 5/30, Lonica Franco on 5/30, Elizabeth Geilen on 6/2, Shirley Gizas on 6/3. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
 Please welcome our Interim Music Director, Taylisse Boissonneault, who will join us for June and July. Taylisse holds her Masters in Collaborative Piano from Louisiana State University, where she studied under Dr. Ana María Otamendi. Taylisse is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts specializing in Collaborative Piano with full scholarship and serving as a Graduate Assistant under the tutelage of Dr. Andrew Campbell and Dr. Miki Aoki at Arizona State University. She has extensive experience and in the Fall of 2025, she will be a vocal coach and rehearsal pianist for ASU’s production of Ravel’s L’Enfant. |
 As we move towards more sustainable practices, we are no longer using plastic utensils in the fellowship hall. We sincerely want to thank everyone who has generously donated those items in the past, but we have found that using biodegradable plates and cups, and our own kitchen utensils has helped move us to a greener future. Your support is greatly appreciated. |
 |
  Gorgeous night blooming cactus on display at the Desert Botanical Garden. Please send your summer fun photos, along with a brief description/caption, to Mary Hovden and we’ll publish them! |
| 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, June 25 | 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 June cooking session TBD Fellowship Hall Kitchen This group prepares soups for those in need and/or homebound. For May they prepared tomato basil soup; containers are 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 29 | 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 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 some 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 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 |