Transfiguring Times – 11/13/25
The Rector’s Metamorpho-News 2025 Diocesan Convention Report It was my pleasure to attend the 65th Diocesan Convention held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Phoenix. The theme of the conference was Fabric of Faith. Highlights of the convention included a balanced budget with next year’s increase to be held in check and more representation for smaller and rural churches. Other highlights…
| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
| 2025 Diocesan Convention Report It was my pleasure to attend the 65th Diocesan Convention held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Phoenix. The theme of the conference was Fabric of Faith. Highlights of the convention included a balanced budget with next year’s increase to be held in check and more representation for smaller and rural churches. Other highlights included the keynote speaker, the Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, Ph.D., who specializes in feminist biblical translation, a beautiful choir at the communion service and many very interesting exhibits. The convention is the one time of the year to showcase the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. Respectfully submitted, LaDonna Boyd |
| 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, November 16 Twenty Third 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) We also hope you will join us after each service in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, snacks and conversation! |
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| Stewardship Campaign Sunday, November 2 – Sunday, November 30 Please pick up your Tell Out My Soul stewardship packet in the Narthex. Also check out our Giving Tree and the cork boards which outline how your dollar is spent at Transfiguration. Thank you to last Sunday’s special stewardship speaker, Lori McFadden, and we look forward to this week’s speaker, Lynn Graff. If you have any questions, contact Mary Hovden. We are also pleased to highlight a special stewardship message from Tom Blum, our talented website administrator. Click Here |
 Food Collection Superstition Community Food Bank Collected Weekly Suggested donations for this week are: boxed cereals and crackers. For next week: canned or dehydrated soups. 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 at Transfiguration |
| Tuesday, November 18 7:00pm Compline Wednesday, November 19 9:30am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Compline Thursday, November 20 10:00am Bible Study & Coffee Hour 11:45am Thursday Morning Eucharist 7:00am Compline Friday, November 21 10:00am Book Study Sunday, November 23 8:00am Sunday Service 10:00am Sunday Service Stewardship speaker at each service |
 ECW Annual Rummage Sale Thursday, November 20 – Saturday, November 22 Fellowship Hall | 7am-1pm (Th & Fri), 7am-12noon (Sat) We continue to accept donations of all kinds (except large furniture and appliances) until Tuesday, November 18. We also need help sorting donations, preparing for the sale and assisting during the sale. If you have questions or can help, please contact Barbara Press. |
 Book Club Friday, November 21 | 10:00am AZ time via Zoom November’s Book Club will discuss The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin. The discussion leader will be Dea Podhajsky and the Goodreads rating is 4.10. Click here for the review. A groundbreaking work of science fiction, which tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants spend most of their time without a gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter’s inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the completely dissimilar culture that he encounters. |
 Bill Robinson Recognition Saturday, November 22 | 4:00pm Sanctuary The Rt. Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall will join us to officiate at a Celebration for Years of Service to recognize our very own Bill Robinson, iconographer and Chili Farm Director Emeritus, for his years of ministry at the Church of the Transfiguration. Reception to follow. |
 Autumn Pie Social Sunday, November 30 | Time TBD Fellowship Hall The church will offer an assortment of pies and please bring toppings to share. More details to come! |
 25th Anniversary Celebration Date TBD, 2026 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 and next: Mabel Wilk on 11/13, Zach Vernon on 11/15, Chet Wauters on 11/16, Rosemary Hotten on 11/17, Linda Sandvall on 11/18, Ben Brooks on 11/18, Bill Weaver on 11/18, Dee Greiner on 11/19. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
  From Fr Caleb: “I worshipped this Sunday at Christ Episcopal Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It was founded in 1706 and the historic sanctuary was built in 1725.” |
| 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 What it Means to be Protestant by Gavin Ortlund. For more information or to order the book, click here. Copies of the book are also available in the church office for $10. 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 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, December 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) Tuesday, December 9 | 6:00pm Fellowship Hall ECM is for all men at Transfiguration and we will socialize and plan upcoming activities at our meetings. For questions, please contact John Collins at jartcol98@gmail.com or (480) 406-3121. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Saturday, December 6 | 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. Lord’s Soup Kitchen Tuesday, December 9 | 9:00am Fellowship Hall Kitchen In November, this dedicated group made delicious Tomato Bisque soup which is available to pick up 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. Anyone wanting to volunteer for this ministry please call Miriam Waddington at (559) 707-5810. Stitchery Ministry Thursday, November 13 | 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. All roles play 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, December 14 | 8:00am & 10:00am services November’s offering went to Episcopal Relief & Development Fund which will help facilitate transformative and lasting change – worldwide. 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 you can make Transfiguration the beneficiary of your traditional IRA, 401(k) or 403 (b) which will help Transfiguration and save on your taxes? To learn more, please click here for an informational brochure or contact the Church Office. Financial Report Click here to see the Third Quarter Transfiguration financial report. Hard copies are also available in the Narthex. If you have questions, please contact Heidi Kinney. |
| Around the Diocese |
 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 Daryl White, Sexton Polina Beymonov, Music Director Tami Root, Music Co-Director Office hours: M-T-W-Th. 9am – 1pm Leadership Fr. John Caleb Collins, Vestry Chair Wayne Smith, Senior Warden (480) 245-9310 Tom Kevern, Junior Warden Heidi Kinney, Treasurer Doug Wynn, Deputy Warden Diane Klock, Vestry Clerk Ron Gurnee, Vestry Member Anita Joy, Vestry Member Janet Krahn, Vestry Member Kelly Laiacano, Vestry Member Jo Laslo, Vestry Member Garth Seiple, Vestry Member Ruby Seyffert, Vestry Member Sharon Smorynski, Vestry Member Jane Stoneback, Vestry Member Social & Digital Ministry 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, Sunday worship service streaming |