Dear all, 

Lenten blessings to you. It is hard to believe we are already in the midst of a liturgical change, it feels particularly soon this year (even though Lent and Easter are actually later than usual) as we have just started to adjust being back to our church home, thanks be to God. Talk about living our own resurrection story! Please see below for information on Ash Wednesday and an invitation to join in a community Lenten Practice. 

As always, if there are ways we can help assist or get you connected into the life of the church, please reach out. We look forward to seeing you back in Bat Cave for worship together. To see the readings for Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, Click Here. If you missed the service, and would like to watch it on YouTube, Click Here. 

God’s peace, 

Fr. John 

Bearing Witness Project

A few years back, right after the first intense year of COVID and churches began resuming in-person worship, I had a priest colleague share how they were doing a different Lent that year, a “lighter” one. Her thought was that everyone had been living through a whole year of Lent already. As we know, Lent is the liturgical season that can feel “heavy” as it is a season of repentance and growth. But I think for us, we too have already been living in the season of Lent in our Gorge area. So, as a church, we too are doing a different type of Lent. Some of this is because regular access for gatherings (fasting, formation, soup dinner, healing service, etc.) are difficult right now with the roads, but also because we need something a little “lighter.” I am inviting us to something called “The Bearing Witness Project.” I think this might grow into more as time goes on, but for this Lent, I am hoping that each of us can start a new practice - to Bear Witness. 

Here is 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 give them to God as part of our offertory. 

More information to come on this. You can start this Sunday, or any Sunday after. 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.” 

No Ash Wednesday Service at Bat Cave



Ash Wednesday is a deeply meaningful way to begin the church season of Lent, a season of penitence, reflection, and growth. We receive Ashes on our foreheads, and are reminded of our mortality and God’s grace. In all this, it’s a time to both feel and realize the deep love of God. 

As we are just beginning to return to services on Sunday mornings, we are not yet able to safely hold a mid-week or evening service until there is more daylight. We are not able to drive through Chimney Rock mid week, and we do not want to get in the midst of the heavy construction going on in our area. This provides another beautiful opportunity to accept the hospitality and welcome of our neighboring churches, all of which many of us have worshiped on Sunday mornings over the last few months. Fr. John will only be able to attend and assist at the services in Saluda and Edneyville. Please choose whichever of the services listed in the graphic above that works best for you. We will plan to join back in Bat Cave for the first Sunday in Lent on March 9th. 

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! 

Simplified Coffee Hours

We are trying something new for coffee hour.

The first Sunday of the month will be "Lunch Sunday". This is for those who enjoy bringing a lunch for coffee hour.

The other Sundays are all "Snack Sundays". Bring something light - chips and dip, cheese and crackers, a bunch of grapes .... easy things that you pick up at the store. Just enough so we have something to sit down and enjoy while we visit each other.

If we have a 5th Sunday (and we do on March 30th), that will be a POT LUCK Sunday. If you can, bring a dish to share. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Mark your calendar for the Pot Luck Sunday.

You will not need to furnish drinks for coffee hour or Pot Luck Sunday. Those have been generously donated and will be available each week.

We do need volunteers for coffee hour.

Sign up online at Coffee Hour Take Them A Meal

Important Prayer List Information



We are going to be starting over with the prayer list. Julie Maziarka will be keeping the list updated for us. Please send any names to be included on the new list and maybe a note about when they might be removed if it is short term (for example for a surgery). Send names to Julie Maziarka.

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

For those who mourn

The family and friends of Doug Bowman

All who are displaced and who are suffering   

Meals for Volunteers

We still need volunteers to provide some meals for the volunteers serving in the Bat Cave community. 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.

This week, we enter the first Sunday in Lent. In every year of our three year lectionary cycle, this reflects upon Jesus’ temptation in the desert after forty days of fasting. This is a pivotal moment that reflects Jesus’ maturity as he begins his public ministry. In Lent, like our Collect beseeches, this is time to really audit where we feel tempted by sin and the ways of worldly life. In Deuteronomy, we see how to best use the gifts God has given us. In this week’s Psalm, we get an exalting reflection at God’s saving works through the poetic language of shelter. Lastly, in the Epistle to the Romans, we hear that God’s love and word will provide for all who truly believe. This week, especially on Ash Wednesday, I invite you to remember the radiant love from God that we reflected upon last week, while remembering that it is unconditional this week. But, we should always remember how it was given unto us and atone to the best of our abilities.

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!

March Birthdays

Saundra Nelson 2, Alice Garrard 8, Richard Glassen 11,

Hannah Marie Roberts 16, Carol Michael 18,

Gabriel Roberts 19

March Anniversaries

Kathy and Mike Boff March 12

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 send an email to

finance@ectransfiguration.org

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