Courage of the Saints

by Father Casey

In addition to being “candy hangover day” and “throw out the rotted jack-o’-lantern day,” today is also All Saints Day, one of the major feasts in the life of the Church. The word saint comes from the Latin sanctus and its Greek equivalent in the New Testament is the word hagios, or “holy.” So on this day each year, and by tradition also the subsequent Sunday, we honor the saints, all the holy ones who are gathered near to the presence of God.

We know some of the saints from history. These are the women and men whose lives were so virtuous and exemplary that the Church could recognize in them the holiness of God. They were like windows to the life of the Kingdom, or reflections of Christ that helped those around them glimpse his love. Many of us have favorite saints, people whose lives spark our imaginations and kindle our faith. I wonder who yours are?

It is our custom at Transfiguration to honor some of the lesser known saints in our weekday Eucharists. In this way, those ...

Continue Reading...

Ingathering Joy

What a special time we shared last weekend, with a fun-filled Fig Fest on Saturday, and a joyous Ingathering Celebration on Sunday. Worship in the gym was highlighted by a brass band and the Parish Episcopal School Drumline, and we followed that with an all-ages outreach project of making over 2,000 Bye-Bye Bags for our partner agency Vogel. In the midst of it all, we received pledges of financial support from 229 households for nearly $1.4M! We still need to hear from many more who call our church home in order to reach our ambitiously salty and bright goal of $2.25M in pledges. 

If you’ve not yet made your pledge, please do so soon!

In case you missed it, here is Fr. Casey’s sermon, and here is footage of the PES Drumline.

Help us reach our Stewardship Goal of $2.25M

Our Progress as of 12 noon, October 30, 2024

If you have questions about payment methods or making financial gifts,

please contact our Parish Administrator, Cathleen Dolt | (972)233-1898 ext. 230

After 6 1/2 years of faithful and loving service to the community of Transfiguration, Pastor Nancy DeStefano has decided to retire effective November 30, 2024.

She has touched the lives of many here and our community has made an indelible mark on her life and ministry.

Read Pastor Nancy's statement about retirement and Father Casey's response.

In this E-news:

• Standard Time Returns
• Figs with Kids Get Together
• Rector's Forum
• Figs With Kids Greek Food Festival
• Evensong for All Souls
• A Service of Public Healing
• Advent Festival Prep Party
• Advent Festival Next Sunday

• Vestry/Delegate Elections
• Gathering After The Table
• Christmas Stockings Collection
• Art Music Monday
• Volunteer for The Ramp Project and Angel Tree
• Formation Underway for Children and Youth
• St. Hilda's at the Fig

Standard Time Returns November 3

Next weekend we fall back 1 hour as the United States returns to Standard Time. Be sure to reset your clocks before going to bed on Saturday, November 2.

Figs with Kids Get Together

Families with young children are invited to join Figs with Kids for food, fun and fellowship on Sunday, November 3 at 8:15am. This is a meet and greet type setting so that families with young kiddos can get connected.

Figs With Kids Greek Food Festival

Join Figs with Kids at the front entrance of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (the corner of Hillcrest and Alpha) on Sunday, November 3 at 12:30pm.

Evensong for All Souls Day

Church of the Transfiguration commemorates All Faithful Departed with an Evensong for All Souls’ Day on Sunday, November 3, at 5:00pm in the Gathering Space . The Transfiguration Choir will sing Gabriel Jackson’s Magnificat & Nunc dimittis “Truro Service” as well as William Harris’ anthem for double choir Bring Us, O Lord God, a setting of a poem by John Donne. The service will conclude in the Memorial Garden where the names of all parishioners interred in the Columbium and ground will be recited.

Service of Public Healing

Our next healing service of Holy Eucharist with Unction is Wednesday, November 6, at 6:00pm. In this sacramental act, a priest will pray with you and anoint you with holy oil so that you might know the healing power of Christ’s love. Come for your own healing or to pray for the healing of those you love. This service will be part of our Eucharist service on the first Wednesday of the month until further notice.

Advent Festival Prep Party

Calling all IMPACT Kids, Crossover Students and anyone else that would like to help in preparations for our Advent Festival. We will meet on Wednesday,  November 6 from 6:30pm-8:00pm on the Labyrinth.  Pizza will be served.

Vestry/Delegate Elections November 9-17

We will elect a slate of Vestry members for a 3 year term beginning in 2025 and six Diocesan Convention Delegates to represent Transfiguration at both the 2025 Diocesan Convention and the special May 2025 Convention to elect a Bishop Coadjutor. Elections will take place November 9-17, 2024. All baptized members of the parish, in good standing, who are 18 years old or older are invited to vote in the annual parish election. Voting will take place both in-person and online. Details will be provided next week.

Gathering After the Table

Make plans to join us after The Table on Saturday, November 9 for an opportunity to enjoy light refreshments and delightful fellowship with your Fig Family.

Stockings for Our Friends Place 

IMPACT Kids will be stuffing Christmas stockings filled with items for young girls living at Our Friends Place. We need your help collecting stocking stuffers, which may include:

• Fluffy/Fuzzy Socks
• Lip balm
• Shower Steamers
• Make-up Remover wipes
• Purse-size First Aid kits
• Keychain Flashlights
• Hand cream
• Hand sanitizer 
• Candy

Send them with your child to class on Sundays or drop items off in the box located in the Gathering Space no later than Sunday, November 10. 

Art Music Monday

Transfigured Nights presents its14th season of chamber music under the direction of Gayane Manasjan Fullford. Join us on Monday, November 11 at 7:30pm in the intimate environment of Transfiguration’s Performance Hall for:

W. A. Mozart – Piano Trio in G Major K. 564

Igor Stravinsky – Suite Italienne for Violin & Piano

Robert Schumann – Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor Op. 63

Maria Schleuning, violin

Gayane Manasjan Fullford, cello

Liudmila Georgievskaya, piano

Since these concerts have become exceedingly popular, and seating is limited, it is recommended to arrive by 7:15pm.

Children's Formation Underway

This is a reminder that Children's Formation for the Fall is underway. For more details and to register see our Children's Formation Pages.

Contact

Allison Blalock

Diving Deeper with Youth

Our Youth Faith Formation (and Crossover) theme for this year is “Diving Deeper…” We will be exploring themes of community, love, friendship, forgiveness, wisdom, humility, joy, peace, courage, generosity, and patience at Crossover and during Faith Formation each Sunday in the Youth Center. For more information and details see our Youth Formation Pages.

Contact

Delynda Moravec

Starting in October, the Clothes Horse will be open “THE SECOND SUNDAY” of the month. Follow the Blue & Yellow signs!

The Kay Andrews Bookstore

Our Bookstore and Gift Shop, located in the hallway near the Memorial Garden and the Children's wing offer a variety of gifts and books for purchase. We are open:

Thursdays: 10am - 2pm

Sundays: 9am - 1pm

The Clothes

Horse

Working at the Clothes Horse gives the opportunity to meet new friends, work to sustain grants to support ministries outside the church and inside the church. All donated clothes are either sold or given to the Transfiguration Food Bank, Austin Street Shelter, New Friends New Life, and many other groups in need of clothing.

Let’s talk! Contact Cassie Bledsoe or call at 214-536-2416.

Remember to follow, rate, comment, and share our content on

Share the Good News of Christ at work at the Fig!

Share this e-news with your friends and family.

Follow Transfiguration on these Social Networks