The Words We Sing

by Father Casey

There is something about music that is able to penetrate both the human mind and soul at the same time. Music enters through the head but lodges in the heart, in a way that other things we encounter in life do not. Consider how little we can remember from our early childhood, but how easily we can still sing along with songs we sang in kindergarten. Or consider how just a few notes of the Jaws theme makes your skin crawl, and a few notes from The Lord of the Rings score makes you pine for home. Or consider how music, like nothing else, is able to soothe someone as they journey through their final days of life. They may be struggling with pain or losing touch with reality, but a beloved piece of music can work like a magician’s snap.

Music is a huge aspect of our life at Transfiguration. We are a congregation of musicians and music-lovers. We are home to five choirs, a chamber music concert series, three organs (one is a WW2-era pump model), two harpsichords, and numerous pianos. The Transfiguration Choir is comprised of nearly 50 volunteer singers, including music educators and choir directors who could be paid somewhere else. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t meet a visitor who mentions that they’d heard about our music program and wanted to experience it in person. I am deeply grateful for the direction of Joel Martinson, who has elevated our program to great renown in the Episcopal Church, and so, too, am I thankful for our congregation-wide commitment to creating beauty that gives glory to God.

One of my favorite things about music at Transfiguration is...

In This Enews...

Faithful Departed
Reception for Allison & Gabby
Racial Justice Meeting
Offices Closed Thurs & Fri
George Mason Preaches Aug 2
Bake-Off Bakers Needed
Michael Explains It All For You
The Howlelujah Tour
Fall Foyer New Participant Sign-up

Support Youth Outreach
Women Discussing a Good Book
Back to School Blessing
Vestry & Diocesan Delegate Applications Open
Upcoming Important Dates
Children's Chapel
Be a part of the Youth Lock-in
Bookstore & Clothes Horse

Faithful Departed

Bruce O'Donnell

We are sad to notify you that Bruce O’Donnell died on July 19 and the Burial Office will be prayed at 1:00pm on Saturday, July 25. A private committal will take place at a later date. We pray with Bruce's husband, Kevin Brown, and Bruce's daughters and their families, and we also remember in prayer Bruce's former wife, the Rev. Liz O'Donnell.

Nino Torres Arrangements

We notified you of Nino Torres' death in last week's E-news. We now have details concerning his service. A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated Saturday, August 15 at 2:00pm at the church. Burial will take place offsite at a later date.

Rest eternal grant to 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.

This Weekend and Next

Reception for Allison and Gabby

Join us for a reception this Sunday, July 26 between services, to bid farewell to Allison Blalock, outgoing Director of Children’s Ministries, and Gabby Guion, our retiring Minister of Congregational Life. Help us celebrate these two amazing women who have encouraged our children and church community!

We invite you to contribute to purses in their honor:

Gabby's Retirement Purse

Allison's Farewell Purse

Racial Justice Quarterly Meeting

The Racial Justice Ministry meeting wil be Monday, July 27 at 6:30pm-7:30pm on Zoom. Everyone is encouraged to attend. We need your ideas, insight, and passionate engagement.

For details on how to join the Zoom Meeting, contact
Lisa Magee

Church Offices Closed Thurs & Fri

The Church Offices will be closed for maintenance on Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31. Meetings with staff are by appointment only. Offices will reopen on Monday morning, August 3.

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.

Guest Preacher Next Sunday

Next Sunday, August 2 we welcome the Rev. Dr. George Mason as our preacher. George served as Senior Pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas from 1989 to 2022. He is a nationally recognized leader, involved with Pastors for Texas Children and Faith Forward Dallas. Since 2018, he has hosted the Good God podcast about faith and public life. He also founded and leads Faith Commons, a nonprofit promoting public discourse rooted in shared values. George has long been a friend to Transfiguration, and we are grateful to have him preach and teach with us.

Bake-Off Bakers Sign-Up

On Sunday, August 9, we will hold our fifth annual Outreach Bake-Off! Whether you’re a chef extraordinaire or a confectionery connoisseur, we hope you'll be there! All proceeds will benefit Water for Sand Branch Coalition, to bring safe water and sewer infrastructure to an impoverished community in Dallas.

All bakers, sign up by August 2 using the button below. If you need more information, contact Jacqui Neylon using the link in the registration.

Bakers Sign-up Here by August 2

Michael Explains It All For You

On Sunday, August 2, between services, Michael Durrance will host a table in the Gathering Space to answer questions about Ministry Scheduler Pro and the 3rd Quarter Serving Schedule, Realm usage, and assist in applying to be considered for Vestry and Diocesan Delegate. To apply for either of these important roles, see the article explaining them below. Michael is there to help and urges you to stop by with your questions.

August 6 | 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Join us for a joyful event of songs and heart-warming stories presented by musician Joey McGee and author and priest “Padre” Bill Miller, as well as, a shelter dog, Sister Mary Rosetta Tharp. Join us for socializing in a happy hour-like lead-in to a wonderful time benefiting Operation Kindness!

Learn More About The Howlelujah Tour

Support the Youth Outreach Project

Help the Fig Youth collect backpacks and school supplies for The Samaritan Inn, a homeless shelter that supports families in McKinney. We will backpacks during the Youth lock-in (see below) and they will be blessed at the 9:00am and 11:15am Holy Eucharists on Sunday, August 9.

You are invited to support the Youth in this act of service. Order supplies from our Amazon wish list using the link below, and they will be delivered directly to the church. Please indicate “Attn: Fig Youth” when ordering. You may also drop off new, unopened supplies in the Tower Cloister.

All supplies are needed by August 2.

Order From Amazon Here

Women Discussing a Good Book

Join the Women's Thursday Evening Book Group on August 6 at 7:00pm for a discussion of The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali. Julie Smith will be facilitating the discussion and all are welcome.

Back-to-School Blessing

August 9 is our annual blessing of the backpacks! All children, youth, and adults are encouraged to bring their backpacks, bags, or briefcases for a blessing. Transfiguration will honor and bless all students and teachers returning to school at the 9:00am and 11:15am services.

Foyer New Participant Fall Sign-up

It's Fall Foyer Kickoff and Group Reveal time again. Join in the fun on Sunday, August 16 at 4:00pm in Roper Hall. The Foyer Dinner Group Ministry provides a setting where Transfiguration members and returning guests get to know one another better through having meals together. Foyer provides participants a relaxed way to develop a sense of belonging and make friends in a small more intimate setting. Twice each year a large number of participants gather to be sorted into groups of 6 to 10 to host dinners where we share in food, fun, and fellowship. Foyer groups are assigned randomly which makes Foyer one of the most popular ministries at The Fig! If you are not already part of Foyer and would like to sign up, click the button below to sign-up by August 7. If you participated in the last round of Foyer Dinners your are already included and sign-up is not necessary.

Sign-up By August 7

Being a Disciple

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.

View Qualifications & Apply

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.

Upcoming

Dates

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

Aug 9 - Fig Bake Off

Aug 16 - 3rd Grade Bible Presentation

Aug 16 - Figs with Kids Meet Up on the Playground

Aug 23 - Carter Blood Drive (sign-up in next week's E-news)

Aug 27 - Together We Dine (sign-up in next week's 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.

Be a Part of the Youth Lock-in

Start the year off right with our annual Youth lock-in on Friday, August 7. Events during the lock-in will include swimming, games, movies, and more. Please bring a sleeping bag and a pillow and be prepared for a great night! We will conclude the lock-in with a yummy breakfast! Register to attend using the button below. If you require additional info, contact Bailey Roberts.

Sign-up to Attend Today