Dear all, 

What a joy to worship God together on our first Sunday back in Bat Cave! We had a full house and a celebratory coffee hour afterward. From all reports, driving through the checkpoint (following the protocol in article below) went smoothly, and the sun was shining. There are so many reasons to give thanks to God and so many who have walked this journey with us. Please enjoy the pictures below of our church workday and our Sunday morning worship. If you were not able to attend last Sunday, we hope to see you at 10:00am this week. 

As a church, may we continue to echo the the words of our opening hymn as we continue to be a palace of refuge, renewal, and refreshment:

Joyful, joyful, we adore You,

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flow'rs before You,

Op'ning to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;

Drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness,

Fill us with the light of day!

As you might remember, this week I am traveling to Kansas City to attend the Episcopal Parish Network conference. You can click here to learn more about this organization. I have been asked to be part of a panel discussing the topic of how to respond to disruption in personal and parish life. I am glad for the opportunity to share some of our story, and learn from other clergy who have also experienced serious disruption. I will be back by Sunday, and I look forward to worshiping together again in Bat Cave. 

Our Gospel this week, the last Sunday before Lent, is our story - the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. To see the readings for Sunday, the last Sunday in Epiphany, Click Here. If you missed the service, and would like to watch it on YouTube, Click Here. 

God’s peace, 

Fr. John 

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:

• If you have not been back to the church yet, please be aware that driving through Bat Cave is hard to see; so much amazing work has been done, but it is far from recovered. 
• 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! 

Bat Cave Resource Pop-up

This Saturday

This Saturday meet representatives from non profit and grass roots organizations in Henderson County.

Saturday Garden and Church Workday

The sign comes down and we are official open for regular worship! Halleluiah!

This Sunday, we enter the last Sunday after the Epiphany. Soon, we will prepare our Lenten walk to the fruits of Holy Week and Eastertide. In this week’s readings, we see a special passage from Luke that you may recognize, the Transfiguration! Radiant light and how to best reveal this to God’s people are recurring themes in this Sunday’s lectionary readings. First, we see Moses in a special light, though it is revealed with some apprehension and fear (like most things are in the Old Testament, these poor folks were always so confused and afraid when God appeared to them). This Sunday’s Psalm reflects on God’s gift of grace and light in a celebratory way. This week, we also have Paul’s reflection on how God’s light has shifted in perception from the Old and New Testaments. This week, I hope you see a “God moment” where a light shines forth.

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!

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.

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

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

Concert to Benefit WNC in Glendale Ohio!

Important Prayer List Information



We are going to be starting over with the prayer list. All of theses will be removed and we will start anew next Wednesday. Please send any names to be included on the new list and maybe a note about when they might be removed (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

 Sam Thompson, Harriet Taylor, Linda Carter, Lynn Morehead, Gary Seymour, Linda Munson, Sandra Chalker, Steve Gale, Carol Michael, J Michael, Robert Taylor, Marion Wilson, Jeanette Auld, Michael Webster,   April Schick, Heyward & Nancy Nettles, Cathie Dabrowski, Gracie Johnson Hutchinson, Lew Thatcher, Tony Maulden, Emily Wright, Toby Van Eyll, Michele Yackel, Elsie Luciano, Gertie Merrill, Malee Keller, Greg Lemke, Michelle Aubert, Jessica Hendley, Haley Sartain, Sherry Smith, Anita Burton, David Shook, Bill Vitti, Ken & Ann Washburn, Jerry Porter, Ann Robinson, Wendy Field, Harrison Poe, Tom Taylor, Cameron Day, Genevieve Hipps, Jeanette Dryden, Neva Sheets, Nancy McNary, Colton Corbett, Kristina Robinson, Steve Boger



All who are displaced and who are suffering   

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.