The Voice of the Lord

This weekend we’ll hear one of the great stories in the Bible, about a boy named Samuel who is awakened in the night by a voice. He assumes the voice is that of his master Eli, so he trundles off in the dark to find out what his master wants. “Here I am,” he says to the puzzled old man, “Did you call for me?” But it is not Eli’s voice calling Samuel, so back to bed he goes. Two more times the boy is awakened by the voice calling his name, but by the third trip, Eli realizes that the voice Samuel hears is that of the Lord. Next time this happens, say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening (1 Samuel 3:1-10).” 

It's a story about the call of one of the great prophets in Biblical history, who will one day anoint David as king. It is also very much a story about us, for it begs us to consider how to discern the voice of the Lord. Most of us long to hear God communicate with us. We yearn to have encounters in which God speaks, helping us to know what to do, answering our doubts or fears. The story suggests that God may be reaching out to us, but in ways that are easy to mistake or dismiss. So then, how can we know whether God is speaking to us, and if what we hear in prayer and in our lives really is the voice of the Lord?

There is much at stake in this question. I think back on...

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In this E-news:

• Faithful Departed: Gerry Tubbs
• Adult Formation Starts
• Care Package Collection
• Join us for Dawnland
• Office Closed January 15
• Food Pantry & Austin Street
• Explore the Divine Feminine
• Second Half Lunch Bunch
• Transfigured Nights Presents

• HeRO's Break the Cycle Breakfast
• Saint John's Bible: A Canterbury Tale
• Youth Confirmation Preparation
• Sunday Funday
• Wonderfully Made Sign-ups
• VBS Reqistration Opens
• Support St. Hilda's

Leah Gerry Tubbs

We are sad to announce the death of Leah “Gerry” Tubbs on Friday, January 5, 2024. Gerry and her husband, George, were founding members of Transfiguration. Through the years, Gerry served in many roles, most especially as a tireless volunteer at the Clothes Horse and in our bookstore. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 17 at 2:00pm in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland in Dallas.



Requiem Eucharist for Hollye Fisk

This is a reminder that a Requiem Eucharist for Hollye Fisk will be celebrated tomorrow, Saturday, January 13 at 2:00pm.

Rest eternal grant them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

Adult Formation Starts

Confession & Conversion in the Lives of Peter & Paul

Every January, the Church celebrates the Confession of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul with a pair of feast days one week apart. This class, led by the clergy, will explore the ideas of confession and conversion in our lives and the lives of these two founders of the church. Join us between Sunday Services at 10:15am in Roper Hall. A recording of the class will be available online.

Second-Half Bible Study

The lectionary texts for each week are always too rich for a single sermon to contain. All self-identifying “second-half” parishioners are invited to join Pastor Nancy for this Bible Study based on the Sunday readings and dive deeper into the texts. This class meets in the Parlor at 10:15am on Sundays.

Figs with Kids

This winter, many of our older children and youth are participaing in Wonderfully Made, a faith and sexuality education curriculum (for more information see the Youth News below). This discussion-based class is an opportunity for their parents to reflect faithfully on the topics that will be covered. Join us Sundays at 10:15am in room S203.

Care Package Collection

The outreach committee is gathering care packs to give to Housing Forward during their annual homeless count. Fig organizations have been asked to contribute the following items: drawstring bags, blankets, beanie hats, gloves, socks, hand warmers, tooth brushes and tooth paste, masks, deodorant, razors and shaving cream, combs, hand sanitizer and ziplock bags. Check with your organization or with Brooke Robb for more information about what you can bring. Bring your donations to add to our collection on Sunday January 14 in the Tower Cloister.

Join Us for Dawnland

The Racial Justice Ministry invites you to join us to view Dawnland, a behind-the-scenes documentary about the first official Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the United States. Dawnland explores the struggle the commission faced as it grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations. The showing will begin at 12:30pm in Roper Hall Sunday, January 14. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided.

Church Office Closed January 15

The Church offices will be closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday January 15. The offices will reopen the next day on Tuesday.

Food Pantry Monday

This month, the Food Pantry will be organizing food distribution on Monday, January 15. we will welcome the Fig youth to help out with the pantry on Martin Luther King Day. Also, we expect several visitors from our neighbors at Temple Shalom. They have recently begun a Justice Garden on the temple grounds, where they plan to grow fresh produce for the poor. Please come and help us welcome them! Join us in Roper Hall from 10:30am to 6:00pm. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more info contact

Jodi Dalton or Alan Justice

Austin Street Wednesday

It is our privilege to server dinner at Austin Street Shelter Wednesday evening, January 17. The Fig serve dinner to approximately 400 homeless shelter guests at Austin Street Center each month. We can always use helping hands.

If you would like to participate, please let us know so that we can provide you with gathering times and other details.

Contact

Matt Harms

Explore the Divine Feminine

The Spiritual Ministries Institute is offering an opportunity to explore the Divine Feminine, Tuesday, January 16 from 10:00am - noon in Roper Hall. With image, poetry, music, journaling, and some history of theology sprinkled in, The Rev. Kyndall Rothaus will lead us through a rich exploration of the gendering of God. We will explore feminine imagery for God in a contemplative setting moving past an overly masculine-presenting God and how that may have disrupted or distorted our sense of connection with the Divine.

Reg is $30 / student $20

Second Half Lunch Bunch

January's Second Half lunch bunch is going for Chinese this month. We will gather on January 21 at 12:45pm at First Emperor Chinese Restaurant, 200 W. Polk St., Richardson, 75081. We need to reserve space so please register below by January 18.

Transfigured Nights Presents

Transfigured Nights begins 2024 with a recital by the internationally-acclaimed organist James O’Donnell on Sunday, January 21 at 7:00 pm. For 23 years, the Scottish-born musician served as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey and is currently a Professor in the Practice of Organ at Yale School of Music. Mr. O’Donnell has chosen to play a program of organ works for Christmas and Epiphany by J. S. Bach, Brahms, Buxtehude, Daquin, Duruflé, Messiaen, and Reger. This recital is open to the public and presented free of charge. 

HeRO's Break The Cycle Breakfast

Join Fr. Casey at the “HeROs Break the Cycle Breakfast” on Thursday, February 15, from 8-9:30am at Royal Oaks Country Club. HeROs is an auxiliary group of Genesis Women’s Shelter, which provides essential resources to women and children escaping domestic violence. Transfiguration is proud to have many HeROs in our midst, and we hope even more men will choose to become part of the solution to this terrible problem. To join Fr. Casey and participate, please contact Fr. Casey.

The Saint John's Bible: A Canterbury Tale

Brad Neary, The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program Director, recently shared the following: "As we enter the final third of Advent and prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, I can think of no better way to extend my warm holiday greetings than to share a short (7:45) piece that was just produced and released by PBS. The report recounts a small portion of our recent UK tour during which we honored Donald Jackson and his 36-member team who produced the original manuscript of The Saint John’s Bible and placed three fine art sets at prominent Anglican institutions. All of this is due to the incredible generosity of our dear friends, Elaine and Bruce Culver, through their Catharine Elizabeth Laney Trust.

We at Transfiguration are grateful for the faithful witness of Elaine & Bruce and all those who generously support efforts to enrich the understanding of God though scripture and art.

View the PBS Canvas presentation

Youth Confirmation Preparation Starts

Students 9th grade and up are invited to join us as we prepare for the Sacramental Rite of Confirmation this spring. Starting this Sunday, January 14, 2024,  we’ll meet in the Youth Center on Sundays during formation hour (10:15am - 11:00am) for 9 weeks. Each lesson will help guide our youth as they mature and ask the tough questions we should all ask about our traditions and beliefs. 

For more information, contact

Delynda Moravec.

Sunday Funday This Sunday

The Youth of Transfiguration are invited to join us this Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm for Sunday Funday.  Meet in the Youth Center for an evening of food, games, and fellowship. Yes, there will be karaoke!

For more information, contact

Delynda Moravec.

Wonderfully Made for Grades 5-8

Wonderfully Made is a faith and sexuality resource that will help children and youth understand their bodies, the changes they are going through, and how God loves them now and always. This program will walk with both children and parents as they seek faithful answers to some of life's great questions.

The program for grades 5-8 is made up of 2 sessions beginning January 26: One Friday night from 6:30-9:00pm and the second reconvening on Saturday at 9:00am for a full day session. Cost is $40 per youth (lunch and snacks provided). Click the button below to register and download a copy of the Parent's Guide.

If you have questions or need more information, contact Delynda Moravec.

Wonderfully Made Refresher for 9-12 Graders

Whether you have previously participated in the Wonderfully Made Retreat or not this is the perfect refresher covering topics like intimacy, relationships, and boundaries while also giving a refresher on biology and anatomy. The class will take place Sunday, January 28 from 12:30pm - 6:00pm and is appropriate for all youth in grades 9-12. Parents will be required to attend a pre-workshop meeting. Cost is $40 per youth.

If you have questions or need more information, contact Delynda Moravec.

Registration is Open

VBS this year will be June 3-7, 2024 and we are making the campsite bigger. We will have a normal morning session from 9:00am - 12:00noon but we are offering an optional extended care session from 12:00noon till 4:00pm. Registration for the 1/2 day is $75/participant and full day is $225/participant. For a full description of this year's VBS and to register click the button below.

Calling All Volunteers

We are going camping and there is work to do! We need your help! If you would like to join us as we help Transfiguration's children undertake this adventure of discovery, please click the button below.

The members of St. Hilda's Guild faithfully serve the Fig by staffing the Kay Andrews Bookstore and Gift Shop and the Clothes Horse Resale Shop.

The Kay Andrews Bookstore

Our Bookstore and Gift Shop, located in the hallway near the Memorial Garden and the Children's wing are making adjustments to their hours of Operation. Until further notice the they will be open and ready greet you at the following times:

Thursdays: 10am - 2pm

Sundays: 9am - 1pm

The Clothes

Horse

The Clothes Horse is a resale shop providing the community with a place to donate gently worn clothing and offering budget-minded customers a source of reasonably-priced, good-quality apparel. 

Tuesday: 10am - 2pm

Thursday: 10am - 2pm

Saturday: 10am - 2pm

Clothing donations are accepted at any time the shop is open.

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