Transfiguring Times – 7/31/25
| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
| Dearly transfigured people of God, Some big news broke yesterday within the worldwide Anglican Communion. I am sure that you, like me, don’t necessarily like reading the news. With all of the sadness, conflict, and controversy around the world, I can feel defeated and resigned. However, yesterday reminded me that there is also news that inspires and encourages. On July 30, 2025, the Church in Wales elected the Most Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales. She is the first woman to serve as Archbishop in the United Kingdom, and she is the first openly LGBTQ and partnered person to serve as a Primate within the Anglican Communion. A Primate, from the Latin meaning ‘first,’ is the bishop who is the “first among equals” within a church. In The Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe is the Primate. The Primates within the Anglican Communion are invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury to a biennial meeting to pray, study scripture, discuss important issues, and share Holy Communion together. The Primates’ Meeting is one of the four “Instruments of Communion” that unite the Anglican Communion. Growing up in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in Full Communion with The Episcopal Church, I could not imagine that I would see the ministries of women and LGBTQ people affirmed in this way. A “stained-glass ceiling” has certainly been broken with Archbishop-elect Cherry Vann’s ascension to the Archbishopric of Wales. She is the first woman to serve as an Archbishop in the British Isles in the nearly 2,000 years of Christianity on the islands. She is the first openly lesbian person with a civil partner to represent one of the 42 provinces (member churches) of the Anglican Communion. The Church in Wales is the largest Christian denomination in Wales with 56% of Welsh Christians identifying as Anglicans/Episcopalian in 2018,and they have seen attendance for services and events reach as high as 210,000 people in 2017. She will have an opportunity as Archbishop to reach out to the people of Wales as the leader of Wales’ largest Christian community. Do you ever feel your gifts are not seen? Perhaps, you have experienced moments when your gifts were not utilized because of who you are and no other reason? The Holy Spirit is not limited by our human imaginations of who is in and who is out of the ‘club.’ The Holy Spirit moves and challenges us to awaken from apathy and to be voices for love and justice in a hurting world. The Holy Spirit raises up leaders from unexpected places. Archbishop-elect Cherry Vann is a reminder to me that God lifts up those who have often been excluded or marginalized to pick up the torch of the Gospel and be a light to the world. God bless Archbishop-elect Cherry Vann in her ministry and may her leadership be fruitful and deepen discipleship in the Church in Wales and the whole worldwide Anglican Communion of 110 million baptized Christians. Blessings, Fr. Caleb |
 The Most Rev. Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales |
| 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, August 3 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 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 link (for streaming the 10:00am service) OR Facebook link (for streaming the 10:00am service) Please join us after each service in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, snacks and fellowship. |
 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, puddings, gelatin. You can place your donations in the basket at the back of the church or in the bin in the Fellowship Hall. |
 Coffee Hour Donations We would appreciate receiving donations for our coffee hour after each Sunday service. Please leave non-perishable items in the basket provided or if you prefer to make a monetary donation, a donation box is also available. Thank you for your generosity! |
| The Week Ahead |
| Tuesday, August 5 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, August 6 9:00am Blood Drive 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, August 7 10:00am Bible Study/Coffee Hour 11:45am Morning Eucharist 7:00pm Compline Sunday, August 10 8:00am Sunday Service 10:00am Sunday Service Second Sunday Plate Offering at both services |
 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. |
 Book Club Friday, August 15 | 10:00am AZ time via Zoom August’s Book Club will discuss Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. The discussion leader will be Terrie Heller and the Goodreads rating is 3.74. Click here for the review. This novel is set in a dystopian future in which some children are genetically engineered for enhanced academic ability. As schooling is provided entirely at home by on-screen tutors, opportunities for socialization are limited and parents who can afford it often buy their children androids as companions. |
 25th Anniversary Celebration Date TBD, 2025 As we prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our church sanctuary next year, we are creating a digital photo album to capture its history. We are especially looking for photos from the construction phase and any renovations or improvements since. If you have relevant photos or documents, please email them to Thomas Blum. Your contributions will help make this celebration truly special! |
| FYI |
 Birthday Blessings The following parishioners are celebrating birthdays this week: Andrew Daniel on 7/31, Candy Trumpfheller on 8/3. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
 Choir Update Tami Root has agreed to serve as our Acting Music Director for the months of August and September. Please, give a hearty thanks to Tami for returning in this role. |
 Bible Study Bible Study for August – September (The Book of Revelation, Left Behind, and why there is no Rapture): “Left Behind”. For more information and to order the book, click here. Bible Study for October – November (The Epistles of Paul and Always Reforming): “What it Means to Be Protestant”. For more information and to order the book, click here. |
 Rector’s Vacation Fr. Caleb will be on vacation from Sunday, August 17 through Saturday, August 23. |
| Summer Fun |
  |
  |
| This week’s photos come from Tammy Felbab. The first three are from a trip to the Pixar inspired movie Cars town along old Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona and last one is from Vacation Bible school at St Marks in Mesa. Harley Felbab is well traveled this summer!! Please send your vacation and/or summer activity photos, along with a brief description/caption, to Summer Fun Photos 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 currently studying The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations: Understanding the History, Beliefs, and Differences. Books are available in the Parish House office for $15. NOTE: There will be no Bible Study on August 21. Morning Eucharist Thursdays | 11:45am Parish House Chapel Please join us in a small group setting as we celebrate Holy Eucharist. NOTE: There will be no Morning Eucharist on August 21. 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 Donations requested for weekly flowers 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, September 6 | 9:00am 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) September meeting TBD | 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, September 6 | 10:30am Fellowship Hall All women who attend Transfiguration are included in ECW. The group typically meets the first Saturday of each month to plan their projects and activities with a potluck lunch following the meeting but will be taking a break for the summer. For questions, contact Peg Wier. God’s Soup Kitchen August Meeting Date & Time TBD Fellowship Hall Kitchen This group prepares soups for those in need and/or homebound. For July they prepared hamburger vegetable 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, August 14 | 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, Offering Counters and Digital Ministry; we especially need help with the last two roles. 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, August 10 | 8:00am & 10:00am services August’s plate donation will go to the United Food Bank which partners with more than 120 food pantries, mobile food truck markets, and hot meal sites across Arizona, changing lives by providing essential food support. 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 click here for an informational brochure or contact the Church Office. Financial Report Click here to see the Mid-Year Transfiguration financial report. Hard copies are also available in the Narthex and in the Fellowship Hall. If you have questions, please contact Heidi Kinney. |
| Around the Diocese |
 Diocesan Convention Registration Opens Friday, August 1st by Laurel Way, Director of Communications … One of the many privileges I have working for The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona is participating in our annual diocesan convention. It is so inspiring to see all of our congregations, ministries, and organizations come together in a time of fellowship and connection. While planning the convention can be stressful and a bit chaotic, when the day arrives, my soul is filled with the love of Christ and our community. 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-Pistleclick 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 Office (480) 986-1145 or Mobile (480) 980-1981 (call or text) Janice Scalzo, Office Administrator Heidi Kinney, Treasurer Tami Root, Interim Music Director Daryl White, Sexton Office hours: M-T-W-Th. 9am – 1pm Vestry Fr. John Caleb Collins, Chair Wayne Smith, Senior Warden (480) 245-9310 Tom Kevern, Junior Warden Doug Wynn, Deputy Warden Diane Klock, Clerk Anita Joy Bob Kistler Garth Seiple Jane Stoneback Janet Krahn Jo Laslo Ruby Seyffert Sharon Smorynski Social Media Thomas Blum – Website Fr. John Caleb Collins – Facebook page Mary Hovden – Transfiguring Times (please send stories, announcements, photos, etc. to Mary here) Peg Wier, Joe Myshko – Digital ministry |