An Edgy Advent

by Father Casey

“Why are you trying to ruin angels?” 



This was the question posed to me last week at the entrance to the Advent Festival. It was a reasonable question, I suppose, as a giant eye ball surrounded by an array of feathers, each featuring a smaller eye, was probably not what anyone was expecting to encounter at the doors to a room themed on angels. “I mean, are you trying to scare the children?” 

Let me say, for the record, that no, I’m not trying to ruin angels. After passing through those intimidating doors to Roper Hall (which, by the way, were inspired by the vision of angels in Ezekiel 10:12), participants of the Advent Festival were greeted by angels with fabulously beautiful wings, as a harpist filled a misty room smelling of incense with ethereal music. 

Our hope this Advent (and pre-Advent) is not to frighten children, but rather to expand our understanding of these mystical creatures beyond the porcelain dolls featured in so much popular culture, who have more in common with fairy princesses than anything featured in Scripture. Not that angels are always scary or bizarre – they aren’t. As we’ll discuss this Sunday in the first class of the series, sometimes angels are fearsome, and other times they are gentle. Sometimes they are intimidating, and other times they are...

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In this E-news:

• Stewardship Update
• Parish-Wide Election Results
• Youth Babysitting
• Fellowship of The Fig Fireside Chat
• Kirking of the Tartans
• Formation Starts Sunday
• Stephen Ministers at the Altar Rail
• Adopt an Angel
• Second Half Lunch Bunch

• Figs With Kids Make Pies
• Watch The Philadelphia Eleven
• Food Pantry Monday
• Austin Street Thanksgiving Meal
• Church Offices Closed
• Christmas Dedications Start
• Carter Blood Drive
• Children's Christmas Pageant
• A Visit From St. Nicholas
• Suppport St. Hilda's

See Everything Planned

for Advent in One Place

Click for Details

The results are in!

The slate of candidates recommended by the Vestry Nominating Committee was elected. The four new members of the Vestry beginning their three year term in January are:

Michael Durrance, Brian Ferrell,

Olga Ruff, Elaine Sweet

Our Diocesan Convention Delegates are as follows:

Sergio Garcia, Leslie Hudson, Bill Kesler, Mason McCamey, Mark Ramsay, David Reece

To learn more about those who were elected Click Here

90% And Counting

It truly does take a village and our Community has made amazing progress. We are at 90% of our $2.1M Stewardship goal. 60% of our Church family have submitted their pledge for the coming year. If you are among the 8% who have pledged in the past but have not yet pledged this year, there's still time. Also, if you are part of the 32% who give but have never pledged your commitment, now is the time. Help us keep doing the work we are called to do!

Make your pledge today!

For assistance making a financial gift, message Cathleen Dolt, our Parish Administrator, or call (972) 233-1898 ext.230.

Babysitting With The Youth

The Fig Youth are offering Babysitting tonight, November 17 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm in the Youth Center.

Cost is a minimum donation of $30 ($45 for 2 or more children). Sign-up using the button below.

Children must be potty trained.

Snacks provided.

Please bring blankets/pillows, etc.

Fellowship of the Fig Fireside Chat

Join Fellowship of the Fig, our ministry for young adults, tonight, November 17 at 7:00pm in the Parlor for a fireside chat with Father Ted.

We will discuss gratitude and community. A s’mores bar will be provided. Event is BYOB, but we will have non-alcoholic options as well.

Kirking of the Tartans

This Sunday, November 19 during our 11:15am Eucharist, we will remember and give thanks for Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, and the profound impact it made on the Episcopal Church.

Wear your family tartans to church for a blessing that day.

This Kirking of the Tartans tradition will be celebrated with a bagpiper and reception following the service in Roper Hall.

Formation Starts Sunday

Angels of Advent

Angels are some of the most prominent characters in the biblical accounts of the first (and second) comings of Christ, yet they are some of the most overlooked and poorly understood. Throughout this Advent, we will focus on these other-worldly creatures as we prepare our hearts for Christ’s birth. Join us in Roper Hall at 10:15am beginning this Sunday for this panel discussion where we will explore these heavenly beings as they are portrayed in scripture and popular culture. You might be in for some surprises.

Stephen Ministers Are Available

This Sunday and every third Sunday, Stephen Ministers are available at the Altar Rail following services for prayer and support. If you feel the need of prayer, please come forward to the rail after the service.

Adopt an Angel

Our Angel Tree is up in the Gathering Space. Help bring joy to families in need this Christmas. Our collections will be in support of families at Spring Valley Elementary School and families that utilize our Food Pantry.



Adopt Angels now through the end of November and return gifts by Sunday, December 3. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please email Pamela Sternweis or call her at 214-587-2675.

Second Half Lunch Bunch

Second Halfers are invited to be a part of lunch after the 11:15am service on Sunday, November 19. 

This month we will meet at Cafe de France located at 17370 Preston Road. We will meet at the restaurant at 12:30pm.

All are then invited to return to the Fig for the Movie: The Philadelphia Eleven.

Figs With Kids Make Pies

Figs with Kids will host their annual pie making event on Sunday, November 19 at 11:15am in Roper Hall following Formation. 

Pies that are made will be delivered to Austin Street Center for their Thanksgiving Meal.

Please register in Realm so that we can prepare for the number of pies. The cost is $10/pie. 

The Philadelphia Eleven Documentary

In 1974, The Episcopal Church ordained women to the priesthood for the first time (known as “The Phliadelphia Eleven”). The first ordination of a woman in the Diocese of Dallas occurred eleven years later at Transfiguration. Join us in Roper Hall this Sunday afternoon, November 19 at 3:00pm to watch The Philadelphia Eleven, a new documentary about this dramatic and transformational event. Join in a discussion after the film with many of the women who have served as priests at Transfiguration through the years. We are expecting a sizable number of people so arrive early to nab a seat.

Food Pantry

Every third Monday of the month, the Fig Food Pantry puts together grocery orders for families in need. Join us this Monday, November 20 and experience the joy of working with your fellow church members in service to those who need us. We can always use volunteers and are open to all ages. No special skills required. Join us in Roper Hall from 10:30am to 6:00pm - stay all day or come for an hour. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more info contact

Jodi Dalton or Alan Justice

Volunteer for Austin Street

Thanksgiving Eve

Approximately 400 homeless shelter guests at Austin Street Center look forward to the annual Thanksgiving Eve dinner served by members of our parish. If you would like to be a part of this Transfiguration tradition and volunteer to serve the meal on the evening of Wednesday, November 22, let us know. We only have a limited number of serving positions; so, please volunteer early.

Also, donations to help fund the Thanksgiving meal and our monthly meals will be greatly appreciated. Please make your check payable to Transfiguration and note “ASC Thanksgiving Dinner” on the memo line or go to Realm and select “Austin Street” from the Fund dropdown options.

Email to volunteer:

Matt Harms

Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving

The Church Offices are closed this

Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24 

for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The offices will re-open Monday, November 27 at 9:00am.

In the event of an urgent pastoral need contact the clergy here

or call 972-233-1898 & press option 9.

Make Christmas Dedications Now

Christmas will be here before you know it and it is time to make your dedications of flowers, music, and Christmas trees. We need to know your dedications by December 10 so that everything will be in place for Christmas Eve.

Carter Blood

Drive

Help save lives by donating blood. The Carter Blood Care Bloodmobile will be in Transfiguration's parking lot on Sunday, Dec 3 from 10am - 2pm.

Calling All (Little) Angels

All children and toddlers - 5th graders are invited to participate in our annual Christmas Pageant, which takes place at the 3:00pm Christmas Eve service. There will be both speaking and non-speaking roles. Junior High and Youth students are invited to assist with the pageant. We will also need adult volunteers to help with costume fitting, props, rehearsals etc.

St. Nicholas To Visit

St. Nicholas is scheduled to visit Transfiguration

December 3, 2023 



St. Nicholas has been known to leave sweet treats for those who leave their shoes outside their doors, so we want to remind all our children and youth to leave their shoes outside their Sunday school classroom door on December 3rd. After class feel free to visit or have your picture taken with St. Nicholas on the Labyrinth. 

The members of St. Hilda's Guild faithfully serve the Fig by staffing the Kay Andrews Bookstore and Gift Shop and the Clothes Horse Resale Shop. As we prepare for Advent and the Nativity, it's the perfect time to support their efforts through your purchases and donations.

The Clothes

Horse

The Clothes Horse is a resale shop providing the community with a place to donate gently worn clothing and offering budget-minded customers a source of reasonably-priced, good-quality apparel. 

Tuesday: 10am - 2pm

Thursday: 10am - 2pm

Saturday: 10am - 2pm

Clothing donations are accepted at any time the shop is open.

The Kay Andrews Bookstore

Our Bookstore and Gift Shop, located in the hallway near the Memorial Garden and the Children's wing are making adjustments to their hours of Operation. Until further notice the they will be open and ready greet you at the following times:

Thursdays: 10am - 2pm

Sundays: 9am - 1pm

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