Remembering Juneteenth
by Father Casey
This weekend Transfiguration joins with Episcopalians around the country in honoring Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, some two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, and two months after the conclusion of the Civil War, federal troops landed at Galveston to ensure that the enslaved people of Texas knew of their freedom. Similar events took place all over the American south and west in the months after the war’s end, but this particular occasion of freedom ringing has been celebrated down through the generations, and two years ago became a federal holiday.
Juneteenth holds within it an appropriate tension. On the one hand, it’s an occasion of joy, when we recall the tidings of liberation that reached enslaved people. On the other hand, it’s an occasion of lament, for that liberation was long delayed and less than complete. In this sense, Juneteenth best reflects our national paradox around race: at our founding, we declared all people equal, yet 250 years later and we are still fighting to bring that ideal to reality. Juneteenth is an occasion, then, of gratitude and humility, of joy and contrition.
This weekend, we’ll mark Juneteenth in two special ways. On Saturday, following The Table at 5:30, our Racial Justice Ministry is hosting a dinner in Roper Hall. At that meal, we’ll welcome Bishop Alex D. Byrd and Pastor Marvin T. Roberts, as well as many other members of their congregation, Living Faith Covenant Church...
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In this E-news:
- Office closed for Juneteenth
- Faithful Departed
- Civil Rights Pilgrimage Presentation
- Second Half Summer Formation
- Reading Genesis
- Food Pantry & Austin Street This Week
- Outreach Grants Are Open
- Juneteenth Celebration Registration Available
- Second Half Lunch This Sunday
- Newcomer Brunch Sunday, June 25
- Figs With Kids at the Lake July 9
- Youth Summer Plans Listed
- 2023 VBS Recap
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In observance of Juneteenth, the Church Offices will be closed Monday, June 19, 2023. If you need to reach clergy in an emergency, you may contact them by email or call 972-233-1898 and press option 9. |
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We mourn the death of Joe Marchant, who died last Saturday, June 10. It was only a few months ago that his beloved wife of 67 years, Clara Marie, also died, so we grieve with the whole Marchant family. Joe was a devoted member of Transfiguration, actively involved with the Men’s Fellowship and generous with his time, effort, and stories. He was a loving Christian man and saw each person as a friend. A Requiem Eucharist will be held Saturday, July 29, at 11:00am.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May Joe’s soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.
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Civil Right Pilgrimage Presentation
Last March, a group of 36 pilgrims (including 18 youth) from Transfiguration went on a Civil Rights Pilgrimage of the Deep South. We meet some incredible people and saw things that were life changing. You are invited to join us this Sunday, June 19 at 10:15am in Roper Hall for a presentation highlighting the people we met and how they changed the world.
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Second Half Summer Formation
This Sunday, Second Half will continue its exploration of the week's scriptural lessons. We meet each Sunday during the Formation Hour at 10:15am for fellowship and discussion. The class will gather in the Church Offices. Make plans now. For more info on this learning opportunity, contact
Pastor Nancy DeStefano.
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Reading Genesis
As Mother Rebecca shared in her sermon this past weekend, this summer Transfiguration is following a lectionary track that will take us through the cycle of readings about Abram, Sarai, and their descendants. To equip you to read along with us, we’re providing a suggested reading schedule and some resources you may want to consider.
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Food Pantry This Monday
Every third Monday of the month, the Fig Food Pantry puts together grocery orders for families in need. We can always use volunteers and are open to all ages. No special skills required. Join us in Roper Hall this Monday, June 19 from 10:30am to 6:00pm - stay all day or come for an hour. Walk-in volunteers are welcome.
For more information, contact:
Jodi Dalton
or
Alan Justice
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Austin Street Needs You
Our next visit to serve dinner at Austin Street Center will be this Wednesday, June 21. If you are interested in serving a meal to our most vulnerable neighbors at one of Dallas’ largest homeless shelters, let us know and plan to come join us.
For more information and to let us know of your interest, contact:
Mother Rebecca
or
Matt Harms
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Outreach Grant Requests Open
The 2023 Outreach Grant request process is open. In 2022 we distributed $15,000 in funds to worthy non-profits that provide services for disadvantaged children and teenagers, abused women, the homeless, and summer camps. To be considered, each agency must submit a Grant Request stating its mission and what specific need would be helped by our donation. The Grant Committee carefully reviews each application to determine who will receive our parish's money. If you have a non-profit that you would like to be considered for a grant in 2023, please contact Darla Hodge .
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Our Juneteenth Celebration Is Saturday
Our Juneteenth celebration is this Saturday, June 17, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, in Roper Hall. We will welcome Bishop Alex D. Byrd and Pastor Marvin T. Roberts of Living Faith Covenant Church (LFCC) in Dallas, an LGBTQ-affirming church that is part of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries. Our meal will be catered by Off the Bone Barbecue.
There is a suggested donation of $10 per individual or $15 per family. Proceeds will benefit the LFCC food pantry or ministry of their choice.
If you have not already registered please contact: Alyson Thompson
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Second Half Lunch This Sunday
Join other Second Halfers as they enjoy lunch together after church this Sunday, June 18th. It’s Father’s Day and we will toast the fathers in our group. This month we will meet and enjoy lunch at Don Pepe’s located at 6959 Arapaho Rd Suite 120, Dallas, TX in Hillcrest Village. We look forward to seeing you there. Use the button below to let us know you are coming.
For more information, contact
Pastor Nancy DeStefano.
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Newcomer Brunch
Are you new to Transfiguration? Join us in Roper Hall, next Sunday, June 25, following the 11:15am service, for a light brunch. This is a great opportunity to meet the clergy, make some new acquanitances and ask questions about life at “the Fig.” Contact Gabby Guion, Minister for Congregational Life to let us know you’ll be there.
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Figs with Kids
Lake Day Saturday July 9
Figs with Kids Lake day will be Saturday, July 9 from Noon to 6:00pm. Figs With Kids will be heading to the lake on this new date and will be hosted by the Robb family. More details to come. Follow Figs With Kids on Facebook to keep up with all that's happening this summer.
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Youth Program Summer Events
While our regular season of Youth Programs have drawn to a close, there is still plenty to be involved with over the Summer months. Delynda Moravec and her helpful Youth Volunteers have the following events planned.
June 21 - Summer Crossover 6:30pm - 8:30pm
July 8 - Movie Night 5:00pm - 8:00pm
July 19 - Vogel Alcove Summer Crossover
July 28 - Babysitting Fundraiser 6:00pm - 10:00pm
August 2 - Summer Crossover 6:30pm - 8:30pm
August 11 - Youth Lock-in 6:00pm
August 13 - Youth Center Open House 10:15am - noon
For more information and details please contact Delynda Moravec.
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Thirty Heroes and thirty Sidekicks were called together to serve God in this year's Vacation Bible School. Our HEROES learned bible stories about some of God’s Superheroes, played games, sang, danced, watched puppet shows, did cool science experiments, made amazing arts & crafts projects, and celebrated our snack time!
We wrapped up our week with a performance and slideshow in Roper Hall and completed our mission and outreach project to create "bye bye" bags for the children of Vogel Alcove.
VBS was hugely successful because of our volunteers who brought enthusiasm and energy each day to Hero Hotline. We are grateful for their help and support.
If you would like to be a part of the fun next year reach out to Allison Blalock for the best week of summer!
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