Dear all, 

This week begins the turning point in our liturgical year. In just a few days we are invited to “enter in” the story of Jesus as we experience the power and beauty of Palm Sunday. This year we are particularly blessed to welcome the congregation of St. Paul’s to our worship space. As we know, they provided warmth and hospitality to us when we were displaced, and now they are coming to worship with us this Sunday as a continued sign of friendship. Our musicians will work together and both our congregations will participate in the Passion Reading. Like prior years, weather permitting, the service will start outside the church, and we will walk in together with palms and sing, “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” 

Just a reminder that our vestry has decided for this Sunday’s loose plate offering (cash) to be used for Rector’s Discretionary account to help support wildfire recovery efforts. You can also bring a check with “Discretionary Account” in the memo. Thank you all for your generosity and prayers. 

I look forward to worshiping together for Palm Sunday, to see the readings Click Here. If you missed last week’s service, and would like to watch it on YouTube, Click Here. Thank you for your support and perseverance. 

God’s peace, 

Fr. John 

Ways to Serve

We have a wonderful community of believers in our small beautiful church. So many have been so faithful through the years with all the little and big tasks which keep our worship and service work strong. As we finally are able to return to our campus, there are many opportunities for all of us to serve and work to help with the mission of our faith community. Below, you will find some of the many ways that you can become involved and a contact person. 

Altar Guild: Marily Floyd 

Chalice Bearers: Fr. John 

Ushers: Fr. John 

Scripture Readers: Fr. John

Coffee Hour: Carlann Scherping  or sign up online

Offering money counter: Dixie Robinson 

Weekly Cleaning: Dixie Robinson 

Outside or inside maintenance: Randy Penn or Dixie Robinson 

Many of the responsibilities are a group of smaller tasks that are grouped together, so they could be split between people. An example is Altar Guild. They also arrange the flowers and fold the bulletins. An example for outside maintenance, is a volunteer who would mow the spiritual garden and the side yard of the sanctuary every other week. We have a volunteer who accepts the responsibility to keep the batteries changed in our electronic door locks. A small task that can have a big effect if someone cannot access the building. 

Please prayerfully consider where you can serve. If you have any questions, please contact  Dixie Robinson, Senior Warden.

Lenten Opportunities and Holy Week Schedule 

Here is the tentative Holy Week Schedule for Transfiguration - we may add more opportunities as our road situation continues to evolve. Stay Tuned! 

• Palm Sunday April 13th One combined 10:00am Service at Transfiguration, the congregation of St. Paul’s will join us! 

• Stations of the Cross Thursday, April 17th Noon at Transfiguration (unless you have a pass, you will not be able to drive through Chimney Rock to church for this service) 

• Maundy Thursday April 17th 6:00pm in Edneyville, this is a joint service with St. Paul’s.  

• Good Friday April 18th 6:00pm in Bat Cave, this is a joint service with St. Paul’s. (we have special approval, like on Sunday mornings, to drive through Chimney Rock for this service) 



• Easter Sunday April 20th 8:00am Service in Outdoor Chapel, 10:00am Service in Sanctuary with Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch to follow 

Online Noonday Prayer

This week there will be no noonday prayer. Fr. John will be at the annual renewal of vows for all diocesan clergy hosted by the Cathedral. 

7th Annual Jesus Christ Superstar Sing-Along

Sunday, April 13 at 7 PM

 (Doors opening at 6:30 PM)

The Tryon Theatre. Ticket price $10.00

May be purchased in advance. https://www.tryontheatre.com/movie/jesus-christ-superstar

Join M&M in attending & supporting The Tryon Congregational Church for their quirky and meaningful Holy Week tradition of an interactive showing of the 1973 film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. There will be crowd participation and (of course) sing-alongs. Dress up in your favorite 70’s garb, invite your friends, and spread the word! This event is a partnership between The Congregational Church, UCC, WithALL and The Tryon Theatre.

Dawn

  Easter Lilies

Providing flowers is always a wonderful way to honor or remember family and friends, especially at Easter. We will provide a printed list of all who are honored and remembered in our Easter Service bulletin.

If you would like to make a donation toward the purchase of the Easter Lilies, please note that on the form. Be sure to also note on the bottom of your check that the donation is for Easter Lilies. 

Easter Lily form

Please put the completed form in the offering plate by April 13th, Palm Sunday or email Marily with your information.

Simplified Coffee Hours

Sign up online

Reminder: The first Sunday of the month is for someone who likes to bring a lunch. The second, third and fourth Sundays are light snacks. When we have a fifth Sunday, we will have a Pot Luck Lunch.

We need people to sign up for Coffee Hour April 27 and in May!

Drinks have been provided for every Sunday, so you don't need to bring drinks. Sign up online at Coffee Hour Take Them A Meal

Remembering



Our former Rector The Rev. Wes Shields' mother passed away. For those wishing to send a card or a note, their address is

1420 48th Ave, Vero Beach , FL 32966

Meals for Volunteers

We still need volunteers to provide a hot meal at lunchtime or dinnertime. The volunteers are still coming in and there really aren't any restaurants, so they need us to help out. They have frozen meats available (chicken, beef, etc.) for you to pick up and cook if you would like to use what has been donated to them. They just don't have a way to cook it. They are so appreciative of anything.

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.

Bearing Witness Project



Just a quick reminder about our Lenten “The Bearing Witness Project.” Please plan to bring these cards back to the church with you on Easter Sunday. They will be kept private, and offered back to God as part of our liturgy by leaving them in a basket as you head to communion.

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:

• 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! 

Friends, 

Holy Week is now upon us! The culmination of our Lenten journey shall now lead us into Easter Joy. There is, however, much preparatory work to still be done. One of my favorite things about Holy Week is the intentional, sacramental and tangible signs of God’s love for us in the world through Christ. This will begin through our recollection of the Passion this Sunday via dramatic reading, a tradition shared with Parishes all over our Diocese and greater Communion. We will then be shepherded to the Triduum, one service across three parts. The services of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter on Sunday. One practice that may be of benefit as well is to find a local Easter Vigil to see new life in the Church through baptism or the reaffirmation of baptismal vows on Saturday evening, as well as the new Easter Fire and the witnessing of God’s saving history through scripture and song. I truly relish this week, and pray you do as well.

Colin

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!

Cold Mountain Music Festival

Tickets are now on sale for Cold Mountain Music Festival (May 30-June 1) and team registration is now open for the Bishop’s Cup Golf Tournament (May 30). All proceeds from these events support the programs and ministries of Lake Logan’s Retreat Center, Camp Henry, and the Outdoor School. To learn more about both of these events, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.coldmountainmusic.org.

Praying for those who have asked for our prayers and whom we know to be in need

Ken and Ann Washburn, Margie Moore, Tom Taylor,

Cameron Day, Marion Wilson, Michael Webster, Sam Thompson,

Heyward and Nancy Nettles, Carol and J Michael, Harriet and Robert Taylor, Malee Keller, Aliesa Bowman, Neva Sheets, Lynn Morehead, Wendy Field, Harrison Poe, Ann Robinson, Kristina Robinson, Kim Lutthans,

Tony Gambee, Macy Weaver, Lori Loftus and Ken Schoewer, Tommy Edwards, Gale Wilson, Jerry Porter, Miriam McClure, Sandra Chalker,

Michele Yackel, Steve Boger, Debra Jean Borg

For those who mourn

The Rev. Wes Shields and Family

All who are displaced and who are suffering   

Please send any names to be included on the prayer list to Julie Maziarka.

April Birthdays

Jessica Covey 9, Silvana VanEron 10, Marlise 11,

Mike Maziarka 22, Sara Gray 27, Elizabeth Dixon 29

April Anniversaries

Crystal and Buddy Morrison 20 Carl and Saundra Nelson 30

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

To apply for reimbursement for church expenses please print and fill out the reimbursement form

Please include name, details of expense, who authorized the expense and attach receipts.

If you have questions, please contact Kathy at

finance@ectransfiguration.org.

Forms are also available outside of the office in the Saylor House.