Dear all, 

What a gift to worship together a few days back for Laetare Sunday, or the 4th Sunday in Lent. In attendance with us were several guests from our community and members of Christ Church Charlotte who came simply as a way to show friendship and support for our parish. These types of connections are such helpful reminders of our important work, but also the privilege to be a faithful presence in our gorge area during this season of rebuilding. 

Please see the article below from the Sr. Warden on one of the current ways your church is serving the community. In case you missed it, in addition to our space being used and meals being served, we were able to provide over 65 individual grants (from our Hurricane Relief fund) to local neighbors who experienced loss to help with their rebuilding efforts. If you are curious about any of this, please reach out to me, Dixie, or Kathy anytime. While we are now transitioning to more long-term recovery efforts, this particular short-term relief effort has been a beautiful way to help many. Thanks be to God for the generosity of so many from around the country. 

This upcoming Sunday is the last Sunday before Palm Sunday and Holy Week. To see the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, click here. If you missed the service, and would like to watch it on YouTube, click here. Thank you for your support and perseverance. God continues to be so faithful. To give online, you can click here. If there are ways the church can help support you, please reach out any time. 

God’s peace, 

Fr. John 

Thank God for Rain! A Prayer and Way to Help Support 

While evacuation orders appear to be lifting due to the rain this week (thanks be to God!), many are still without homes or dealing with the aftermath of the recent wildfires. We want to be in a position to help support those affected. The vestry has decided that on Palm Sunday (April 13th), all loose plate offering (cash) will be used for Fr. Roberts’ Discretionary account to help support wildfire recovery efforts. Or, you can bring a check along with “Discretionary Account” in the memo. Thank you all for your generosity and prayers. 

A Prayer For Those In the Path of Fires 

Almighty God, who is our strength and our refuge; be with those who are besieged by fire, guide those who evacuate so that they may find care and comfort in a safe place; protect their homes and their pets, their neighbors and their friends, so that they may return home to a loving community. We ask this in the name of Jesus your son, who abides with you and with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Message from the Sr. Warden

You may be wondering what is happening on our beautiful church property next to the road. Land has been cleared, fallen timber has been removed and invasive vines are gone. It’s all for a great cause - the further recovery of the beautiful Hickory Nut Gorge. Local relief groups are starting to rebuild homes and infrastructure in the area. This requires a lot of building materials and a place to store them. We have offered our space as a central location for the storage of construction materials and relief supplies. Our neighbor, the Disaster Relief group, has been clearing the land as a space to store the large amount of building supplies as they are delivered. It is also a benefit to us, as they have cleared land that we will be able to use for future parking or a future special need. They have added a culvert across the drainage ditch which makes this land accessible by vehicle or motorized equipment. Although some supplies are already being stored, several loads of gravel will be applied to the area to help with drainage and any rain issues. One of our closest neighbors across the highway from us is one of the first homes to be rebuilt. We are excited to watch her recovery and future recoveries in our community.

Dixie

  Easter Lilies

Providing flowers is always a wonderful way to honor or remember family and friends, especially at Easter. We will provide a printed list of all who are honored and remembered in our Easter Service bulletin.

If you would like to make a donation toward the purchase of the Easter Lilies, please note that on the form. Be sure to also note on the bottom of your check that the donation is for Easter Lilies. 

Easter Lily form

Please put the completed form in the offering plate by April 13th, Palm Sunday or email Marily with your information.

Garden Workday

When you come to Church on Sunday, don't miss the Spiritual Garden. The Garden Angels have been hard at work. The pink dogwood is blooming and there are flowers everywhere. Thank you Garden Angels!

Simplified Coffee Hours

Sign up online

Reminder: The first Sunday of the month is for someone who likes to bring a lunch. The second, third and fourth Sundays are light snacks. When we have a fifth Sunday, we will have a Pot Luck Lunch.

We need people to sign up for Coffee Hours in May!

Drinks have been provided for every Sunday, so you don't need to bring drinks. Sign up online at Coffee Hour Take Them A Meal

Meals for Volunteers

We still need volunteers to provide a hot meal at lunchtime or dinnertime. The volunteers are still coming in and there really aren't any restaurants, so they need us to help out. They have frozen meats available (chicken, beef, etc.) for you to pick up and cook if you would like to use what has been donated to them. They just don't have a way to cook it. They are so appreciative of anything.

If you have questions, ask Saundra, Carlann, Dixie or Kathy - they have taken meals and can help you plan. Team up with someone to make it easier. The meals are so appreciated! The church can reimburse you for expenses.

To sign up for taking a meal or to find out more go to

 https://takethemameal.com/OKEB3569

Or contact Carlann for more information.

Lenten Opportunities and Holy Week Schedule 

Online Noonday Prayer

After a brief pause, we are resuming our online prayer service every Thursday at 11:30am. This is a great opportunity to connect together each week, and remember our community and each other in prayer. Once our roads are more reliably open during the week, we can move back to the church. But until then, this is a good opportunity to pause each week and pray for our church family and center ourselves during this season of Lent.

Link to Online Noonday Prayer



Bearing Witness Project



Just a quick reminder about our “The Bearing Witness Project.” Just in case you haven’t had a chance to read about it before, or on Sundays at church, below is a little bit about how it will work. 

In your bulletins each Sunday in Lent, there will be a “Bearing Witness” card. The thought is that we, as those bearing witness to all that has and is happening in our gorge, will daily or weekly write down on these cards (or create your own if you aren’t able to make it into church) where you see God. It’s a simple practice, but I think deeply meaningful as we live into our call to Bear Witness to the stories around us. We can see God moving in the kindness around us, the generosity of neighbors, and even in the stories of hardship we feel, know, or hear. Then, at the end of Lent, we will have an opportunity to bring our Bearing Witness Cards back to church and given to God as part of our offertory. You can begin this any Sunday in Lent. But as you are able, I ask you to prayerfully consider joining your church community for a Holy Lent as we begin the “Bearing Witness Project.”

A Special Lenten Invitation

Since we are not able to do many midweek gatherings yet, our sister church, The Church of the Transfiguration in Saluda, NC, has invited us to join them for their Wednesdays in Lent dinner and book study. The address is 72 Charles St, Saluda, NC 28773. This opportunity begins with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, followed by a Soup Supper and Book Study. The book is: The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J. M. Nouwen. The conversation is facilitated by Fr. Will, Henry Mitchell, and Ellen Lind. April 9: Conclusion and Epilogue



Holy Week Schedule

Here is the tentative Holy Week Schedule for Transfiguration - we may add more opportunities as our road situation continues to evolve. Stay Tuned! 

Palm Sunday April 13 One combined 10:00 am Service at Transfiguration, the congregation of St. Paul's will join us!

Maundy Thursday April 17th 6:00 pm in Edneyville, this is a joint service with St. Paul's

Good Friday April 18th 6:00 pm in Bat Cave, this is a joint service with St. Paul's

Easter Sunday April 20th 8:00 am Service in Outdoor Chapel

10:00 am Service in Sanctuary with Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch to follow.

Re-Gathering on Sundays

What a gift to return to our beautiful church building in Bat Cave; thank you all for your patience and understanding during this long season away. While this is an amazing step to celebrate, there certainly are some important things to be aware of, as Bat Cave is far from normal:

• Each week things may change in terms of our road access, please stay tuned from week to week - God willing we will continue to worship there each week! Our presence back in Bat Cave is so important. 
• Road Access - as of now, you can drive in from Route 64 or Highway 9. As you are likely aware, the road through Chimney Rock is not open for regular use - however - we WILL be able to use it on Sunday mornings only. 
• We have been told by Chimney Rock leadership that if we go to the checkpoint on Sunday morning, just say you are going to church at Transfiguration and they will let you through. If you are having trouble, call Barbara Meliski at 828-289-9911. 
• It will be good to limit the cars going through, so we do encourage some possible carpooling. Also, be aware the road through is getting better every day, but it’s not an easy drive. Larger vehicles are ideal if you have the option. 

While there are some challenges in returning, it will be so good to be back in our church home.  All are welcome. See you Sunday morning! 

As we are approaching Holy Week, our Gospel focuses on Jesus’ last weeks of his life and ministry. Here, we hear Judas’ scolding of Mary Magdalene for anointing Jesus' feet with fine oils in celebration of Lazarus’ renewal of life alongside his sisters, Mary and Martha of Bethany. Judas’ scolding, according to the author of John, comes from false pretenses of him wishing to save the money spent on the perfume for the poor whereby he will then take such money for his own keeping. Yet, in our lectionary readings, we also see Paul’s admission to his past transgressions atop his reflection on all of the things which he has lost and gained as a person who has found life in Christ. This week, I invite you to, as the Collect asks, “be fixed where true joys are to be found;”



Colin Rice is joining us by way of Blue Ridge Service Corps, a program for young

adults in our Diocese to discern career paths in an intentional and spiritual way. He is discerning between full time ministry or a career in social work. Colin is thrilled to join our community for the coming months!

Family Camp Experience at Lake Logan

Join Camp Henry and the Outdoor School for an unforgettable Spring Break Family Camp April 14th - 16th. Camp Henry staff will plan activities fun for the whole family, such as guided hikes, boating, games, arts and crafts, campfires, and more. Eliminate the stress of planning and travel and let Lake Logan staff take care of the cooking, cleaning, and preparation. With options to camp on the field or rent a Lake Logan cabin, all families can find the perfect fit for their Spring Break adventure. Two nights isn’t enough? Book extra nights at a reduced rate and enjoy some additional family time at beautiful Lake Logan. To register and more info. click here.

Cold Mountain Music Festival

Tickets are now on sale for Cold Mountain Music Festival (May 30-June 1) and team registration is now open for the Bishop’s Cup Golf Tournament (May 30). All proceeds from these events support the programs and ministries of Lake Logan’s Retreat Center, Camp Henry, and the Outdoor School. To learn more about both of these events, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.coldmountainmusic.org.

Praying for those who have asked for our prayers and whom we know to be in need

Ken and Ann Washburn, Margie Moore, Tom Taylor,

Cameron Day, Marion Wilson, Michael Webster, Sam Thompson,

Heyward and Nancy Nettles, Carol and J Michael, Harriet and Robert Taylor, Malee Keller, Aliesa Bowman, Neva Sheets, Lynn Morehead, Wendy Field, Harrison Poe, Ann Robinson, Kristina Robinson, Kim Lutthans,

Tony Gambee, Macy Weaver, Lori Loftus and Ken Schoewer, Tommy Edwards, Gale Wilson, Matthew Rogers, Jerry Porter, Miriam McClure

All who are displaced and who are suffering   

Please send any names to be included on the prayer list to Julie Maziarka.

April Birthdays

Jessica Covey 9, Silvana VanEron 10, Marlise 11,

Mike Maziarka 22, Sara Gray 27, Elizabeth Dixon 29

April Anniversaries

Crystal and Buddy Morrison 20 Carl and Saundra Nelson 30

If you have a birthday or anniversary that is not listed for March, please let Carlann know so we can add it to the directory.

Link to the Lay Ministry Schedule

To apply for reimbursement for church expenses please print and fill out the reimbursement form

Please include name, details of expense, who authorized the expense and attach receipts.

If you have questions, please contact Kathy at

finance@ectransfiguration.org.

Forms are also available outside of the office in the Saylor House.