| The Rector’s Metamorpho-News |
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| Dearly transfigured people of God, Merry Christmas! Christ is born! Glorify Him! I pray that you feel the joy and hope given from God during these 12 days of Christmas. We begin on the evening of December 24 and we continue celebrating Christmas for 12 full days! The commercialized culture around us gives the impression that unless you are buying gifts, the holiday is over. It is just the opposite. Christmas begins on Christmas Day but it does not end after the gift-giving. Christians have commemorated the Nativity of Christ, or Jesus’ birthday, since the earliest days of the Church. St. Clement of Rome, writing circa 192 A.D., said that Christians of the time believed that Jesus was born sometime between November 18 and January 6. Although the early Christians did not celebrate birthdays, they nevertheless learned about and discussed Jesus’ birth to His mother, the Virgin Mary. By 336 A.D., St. Hippolytus documented that Christians fully celebrated the Nativity of Christ on December 25th, as new Christians brought their cultures with them into the Church. Today, there are still three dates where Christmas Day is celebrated. The Western Church, including Roman Catholics and Protestants, the Greek Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas Day on December 25th. The Eastern Church has more variety. The Russian, Serbian, Ethiopian, Coptic, Armenian, and Syriac Orthodox churches celebrate on January 7th. Uniquely among the churches of the world, the Armenian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem celebrates Christmas Day on January 19, the only church to celebrate on that date. If you are like me and want to keep celebrating Christmas as long as possible, you can join me in remembering each of these days where Christmas is celebrated. Next year, you can also remember the history of Christmas by beginning to decorate on November 18, when Clement believed Jesus was born, and continue to celebrate through January 19! Merry Christmas! Blessings, Fr. Caleb |
 Icon: The Nativity of Christ |
| 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, December 28, 2025 First Sunday after Christmas 8:00am (spoken contemplative service, approximately 1 hour) Please see the Order of Worship in the pews or click here 10:00am (choir service, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes) 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 hope you will join us after each service in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, conversation and snacks! |
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| Enjoy photos from the 4:30pm and 7:00pm Christmas Eve services. We hope to see you at the 10:00am Christmas Day service as well! Merry Christmas! |
 Stewardship Campaign We are currently at 91% of our goal and 72 households have returned pledges. We would appreciate receiving additional pledges – online (see link below) or by completing a pledge card. Extra handouts and pledge cards are in the Narthex. For questions, please contact Mary Hovden. https://onrealm.org/EpiscopalChurchTransfiguration/AddPledge/pledge2026 |
 Superstition Community Food Bank Collected Weekly Suggested donations for this week are: canned or dehydrated soups. For next week: canned meat and peanut butter. 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 |
| Saturday, January 3 9:00am Altar Guild Meeting 10:30am ECW Meeting and potluck lunch to follow Sunday, January 4 8:00am Sunday Service 10:00am Sunday Service w/ Music |
 Church Office Holiday Schedule The church office will be closed from December 23 through January 2. |
 Ministry Reports Submit by Sunday, January 11 If you lead a ministry at Transfiguration, please send your annual ministry report to Janice and Fr. Caleb via email by Sunday, January 11. Please contact the church office if you need example reports from past years. |
 Book Club Friday, January 16 | 10:00am AZ time via Zoom For January the Book Club will discuss The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. The discussion leader will be Sue Burrough and the Goodreads rating is 4.08. Click here for the book review. Synopsis: The narrative alternates between Joe, a Mi’kmaq man from Nova Scotia, and Norma, a woman living in Maine who, unbeknownst to her, is Joe’s long-lost sister, Ruthie. Joe, grappling with terminal cancer, reflects on his life, marked by the tragedy of Ruthie’s disappearance from a berry-picking field in Maine during their childhood. |
 Vestry Nominations Elected on Sunday, January 18 There will be six open seats on the Transfiguration Vestry that we will vote on at the Annual Meeting. If you are interested in serving in this very important role, please contact Fr. Caleb. |
 Annual Meeting Sunday, January 18 | 10:15am Fellowship Hall Save the date for our annual meeting where we celebrate our wonderful ministries, elect Vestry members and learn more about the annual budget. It follows one combined 9:00am worship service. Potluck lunch to follow the meeting, so please bring your favorite dish to share. |
 Sunday Morning Ministry Training Sunday, February 8 | 9:15am & 11:15am Sanctuary For current, new and potential Sunday Morning Ministry servers; Acolytes, Chalice Bearers, Greeters, Readers, Counters, and Digital Ministry members. Fr. Caleb will review the roles and provide training. This vital group plays an essential part in our worship experience and helps nurture the spiritual life of our community. |
 New Member, Confirmation, Reception, and Re-affirmation of Faith Classes March 2026 – exact dates TBD Fellowship Hall These classes will begin again in March. Please email Janice or Fr. Caleb to sign up and receive an enrollment form. Based on responses, exact dates and times will be determined. |
 ECW Spring Luncheon & Style Show Saturday, March 21 | 10:00am Fellowship Hall Save the date for this very fun annual event! Ticket sales will start in mid-January and stay tuned for additional needs and volunteer opportunities. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact luncheon co-chairs Peg Wier or Jo Laslo. |
| FYI |
 Birthday Blessings The following parishioners are celebrating birthdays this week and next: Craig Kinney on 12/25, Ruby Seyffert on 12/26, Charles McGimsey on 12/28. Please wish them a very happy birthday and keep them in your prayers! |
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| The Work of ChristmasWhen the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart. Howard Thurman Bread for the Preacher (Thank you to Lynn Graff for submitting this wonderful poem) |
| Worship & Formation |
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| 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. NOTE: There will be no Compline the weeks of Christmas and New Year. 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 finishing up our study of What it Means to be Protestant by Gavin Ortlund. Copies of the book are available for $10/each. NOTE: There will be no Bible Study & Coffee Hour on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and January 15. On January 8, we will start studying The Way of the Pilgrim by Anna Zaranko (see Amazon link). Books will also be available in the church office to purchase for $15/each. 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 Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and January 15. 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 Daughters of the King, and in the Sunday Services. Please contact the Church Office with your requests and updates. |
| Ministries |
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| 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, January 3 | 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. Daughters of the King January, February and March Discernment Classes This sisterhood will be holding discernment classes this winter & spring for women interested in joining the order. For more information, please contact Lori McFadden or Jo Laslo, co-presidents of Transfiguration’s chapter. Episcopal Church Men (ECM) Tuesday, January 13 | 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, January 3 | 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, January 13 | 9:00am Fellowship Hall Kitchen In December, this dedicated group made delicious Taco Chicken soup which is available to pick up in the Fellowship Hall freezer for those that may need a little comfort this holiday season. Anyone wanting to volunteer for this ministry please call Miriam Waddington at (559) 707-5810. Stitchery Ministry Thursday, January 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, Offering Counters and Digital Ministry; we especially need help with counting the offering and digital ministry. 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 |
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| Second Sunday Offering Sunday, January 11 | 8:00am & 10:00am services January’s offering will go to Naco Wellness Center Initiative which is a partnership providing health care, garden and wellness education, and economic development to the residents of Ambos Naco (Both Nacos) on the U.S.- Mexico Border in Naco, Arizona (pop. 1,100) and Naco, Sonora (pop. 5,770). 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 life insurance policy and that this is very easy to do? 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 |
 Advent & Christmas Resources The Episcopal Church wants to help you and your congregation share that Good News with each other and your neighborhoods, especially this Advent and Christmas. Find our free resources based on invitation, the Way of Love, racial reconciliation, faith formation, and more below. Resources |
 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 |