Prayers from the Past

by Father Casey

In the runup to our nation’s semiquincentennial, I’ve traded in reading the news for reading history. I wanted to reacquaint myself with the origins of the nation, and I also remembered the great quote by William Faulker that “the past is never dead; it’s not even past.” Or as James Baldwin put it, history is not something we read, so much as something we carry within us.[1]

I reread The Soul of America:The Battle for Our Better Angels by Pulitzer winner and fellow Episcopalian Jon Meacham. I read a collection of speeches by historian David MacCullough titled The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For. I read Our Declaration by Danielle Allen to reconsider the origin of our founding document and the famous phrases that sit like bedrock beneath our national identity. I read The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen, which explores the deeper meaning of those famous words and the classical virtues upon which the founders sought to build the nation (wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice). And I read the Pulitzer winning biography of Frederick Douglass by David Blight, to learn more about one of the most influential figures in our nation’s history, whose writings both soar and sear.

Each of these books has helped me connect with the history of our country, not merely to remember the past but to consider where we are and where we may be going. What I’ve noticed in all this reading is that ...

In This Enews...

Church Offices Closed July 3
Venezuela Earthquake Relief
Celebrate with Music, Prayers, and Deacon Rodriguez
Outreach & Ice Cream
Celebrating Marilyn Martinson
Vestry & Diocesan Delegate Applications Open
St. E's Monthly Potluck
DAI Initiative Needs Support

Youth Pilgrimage Informational Session
Congrenational Retreat Sign-Up
Seek...Serve...Pray
EMF Grant Requests Open
Upcoming Important Dates
Children's Chapel
Bookstore & Clothes Horse

Happening This Weekend

Church Office Closed July 3

The Church Offices will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday today, Friday, July 3. Offices will reopen on Monday morning:

During this time if you have an urgent Pastoral need you can contact our clergy by clicking here or calling 972-233-1898 and pressing option 9.

Venezuela Earthquake Relief

The recent earthquakes in Venezuela have displaced tens of thousands of people, leaving many without homes or basic necessities. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and thousands are still missing. Your support can make a difference. Please consider donating to Episcopal Relief and Development, which is directing vital aid to those most in need. Click the button below to contribute.

Click Here to Make a Contribution

Music, Prayers, and Deacon Rodriguez

Join us this Sunday, July 5 for special hymns and prayers for our nation, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. As an added treat, we welcome Deacon Susie Rodriguez, who was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons last weekend. It is a joy to celebrate with a member of our church family who has gone on to serve God in his wider church.

Remember the full Transfiguration Choir will sing the 11:15am service and the 9:00am service will feature anthems by our section leaders. Both services will conclude with a "four-hands, four-feet" organ transcription of The Stars and Stripes Forever, played by our own Joel Martinson and Jonathan Gregoire.

Outreach & Sundaes

Help us “Beat the Heat” by supporting immigrant community members this Sunday, July 5, between services. We will stuff 250 envelopes with important information for families in case a loved one is detained and we will fill 120 zip-lock bags with sunscreen, cooling pads, and other essentials to help people stay cool at the outdoor respite center. All of this supports La Colectiva North Texas.

Join us afterward for ice cream sundaes!

Marilyn Martinson's 90th

Celebrate Marilyn Martinson's (Joel's Mom) 90th birthday in the Parlor following the 11:15am service this Sunday, July 5.

Much of her family will be gathered celebrate with her and you are invited to join in. Please come and raise a toast to this special woman!

Important Happenings

Vestry & Delegate Applications Are Open

Applications to be nominated for the 2026 election for Vestry and 2027 Diocesan Delegate are now available. Applications are submitted online by clicking the button below with a deadline of August 10, 2026. You may direct any questions you have to Michael Durrance or to the church office.

Vestry Members

Each year, Transfiguration replaces 4 members of the Vestry, installing new members to a three-year term. Serving on the Vestry is one of the parish's highest honors. Vestry service is an enriching and deeply meaningful experience, and their sacrifice of time and effort is crucial to the strength of our parish.

Diocesan Delegates

Transfiguration sends six delegates to the Diocesan Convention each year to represent our congregation on many important matters in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. Serving in this way opens a window into the role Transfiguration plays in the diocese and gives you an opportunity to have a major impact on the church beyond our walls.

View Qualifications & Apply

St. Elizabeth's Monthly Dinner

St. Elizabeth's Guild is hosting their monthly dinner this Thursday, July 9 in Roper Hall where new and longtime members of the the parish get to mingle, form friendships, and learn. This month's spotlight speaker is Robin Caldwell, the church treasurer. We are expanding our "spotlight ministry" to a "spotlight speaker" so that we can invite people who play important roles in our church, but maybe don't head up a "ministry" as such.

As always, bring a dish and a bottle of wine to share (or your favorite NA beverage)! Invite your friends to come and share in the fun!

5:30pm Socialize / Appetizers

6:30pm Dinner

7:10pm Spotlight Speaker: Robin Caldwell

We will provide ice for beverages, water, and plates and eating utensils. The kitchen will be available for keeping food warm and for any plating or after dinner cleanup.

St. E's Members RSVP Here

Join the St. E's Group

DAI Initiative Needs Your Support

Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration is a proud partner of Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI), an organization that brings together congregations and communities of all kinds to work for the common good in our area. DAI is currently working on an initiative called “Dallas Childcare Works,” which seeks to greatly expand access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education for families across Dallas County. We invite you to click the button below to learn more about this important effort and why DAI is encouraging our Dallas County Commissioners Court to place it on the November ballot. Together, we can give voters the opportunity to invest in our children, strengthen working families, and build a brighter future for our entire community.

Learn More / Voice Your Support

Youth Pilgrimage Informational Meeting

Join Youth Minister Bailey Roberts next Sunday, July 12 from 10:15am - 11:15am in the Parlor for an informational session on next year's youth pilgrimage! Eligible Youth are encouraged to attend with their parents and siblings. Come prepared with any questions, and to hear about the exciting plans for next year.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Deserving Your Attention

Congreational Survey Results Online

If you were unable to attend Father Casey's review of the Congreational Survey results last weekend, you can get up to speed by watching the recording of Sunday morning's presentation on our YouTube channel.

View the Recording

Learn More & Reserve Your Spot Today

Seek...Serve...Pray

Transfiguration offers so many wonderful ways for you to grow in your faith. Take the opportunity that Summer affords to get involved. The buttons below allow you to search all the events on our Church Calendar and to explore all the ministry groups available for your participation.

View the Church Calendar

View Ministry Groups in Realm

EMF Grant Requests

Episcopal Men’s Fellowship encourages ministries and members of Transfiguration to submit 2026 grant requests before August 14.

Over 80 percent of fundraising proceeds collected by EMF are allocated to support ministries and outreach efforts at Transfiguration.

To Apply Contact

Jack Skelton

Upcoming

Dates

Make note of the following imporant dates coming up over the Summer:

3rd Grade Bible Presentations - Aug 16

Blessing of the Backpacks - Aug 16

Fig Bake Off - Aug 23

Watch for more information in future
editions of E-news.

Children's Chapel

Each Sunday we host Children’s Chapel where kids are able to experience scripture, prayer, song, and worship in a way they can understand and enjoy. Children are able to attend this service while parents attend the regular Sunday Holy Eucharist at 9:00am. We meet on in the Gathering Space prior to the service.