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Where Our Heart Is
by Father Casey
In the corner of the Gathering Space, a huge colorful heart has been painted. The shape is comprised of small geometric pieces, each a distinct color, which when assembled together makes the shape of the heart. Those smaller pieces are the shape of the “You Are Here” tabs you sometimes see on maps, with a rounded top and a pointed bottom.
Our wonderfully creative Director of Communications TJ McCoy came up with that design this summer to symbolize the theme of our fall: Where Our Heart Is. It comes from part of the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus teaches that if you want to know where someone’s heart is, just look for where they spend their money, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt 6:19-21).”
I wonder how often you allow yourself time to ask that question: Where is my heart? What has my attention, my devotion, my love? What do I value above other things in my life? Only you can answer that for yourself when you probe your conscience. But Jesus’ teaching is a reminder that what we think we love is not necessarily what we show we love. For feelings are one thing, but actions are another, and what we say we love doesn’t much matter until we make it a priority in our lives.
That’s really what Small Bites is all about.
I hope most of us would say that our hearts are with Transfiguration. We are proud of our mission. We love our values of inclusivity and embrace. We delight in the beauty of the worship. We feel strongly that the Fig is special and important, both in our lives and in the wider community.
For Transfiguration to really flourish, for it to be a thriving, growing community of faith and love, we need everyone to match with their actions what they feel in their hearts. We need everyone who loves what we represent and supports our witness to be actively engaged in our ministry life. Because it is one thing to feel good about the Fig; it is another thing to be involved in the things about the Fig that we love.
In order to make it easier to get engaged and take some of the intimidation out of joining a ministry, we developed Small Bites: over 700 one-off, single-shot opportunities to sample one of our 50+ ministries. To further help, we created the spiritual gifts assessment to make it easier to find a “good fit” ministry that aligns with the ways God has blessed us.
We are asking everyone at the Fig to take two small bites – just two – in the next few months. Try out the Altar Guild. Ride along with a Eucharistic Visitor. Be a lector for a weekday Eucharist. And on and on.
The bottom line is to help all of us say with our lives what we feel in our heart. For that is where the true joy of the Kingdom is to be found.
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- Faithful Departed - Paul Welch
- Sign up for Small Bites
- Parish Nurses Health Screening
- Peace Post Sunday
- Bring Some Birthday Joy
- Sunday School Starts
- Vestry & Convention Delegates
- St. Elizabeth's September Potluck
- Hispanic Heritage Sign-up
- About Giving Stock
- Art Music Season Begins
- Holy Cross Solemn Evensong
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- Buy Tickets for Hillcrest Live
- SWANs Meeting
- Second Half Lunch Bunch
- EMF Shrimp Boil
- Make Arrangements with Flower Guild
- Outreach Fall Coat Drive
- Everybody Ages Registration
- Youth Bible Study
- Children & Youth Formation Registration
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Paul H. Welch
We mourn the death of Paul Welch, longtime member of Transfiguration. Paul applied his considerable financial management skills to help our church launch the Endowment nearly 40 years ago, and voluntarily managed the fund for decades as it grew from a few thousand dollars to over $3 million. He also served on the Vestry, and in a variety of other capacities. We grieve with his wife, Luann, and the entire Welch family. Funeral arrangements will be announced next week.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
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God Knows You've Got What It Takes
One of our goals at Transfiguration is to connect everyone with a good way to serve God here. That’s why we created Small Bites: hundreds of ways to sample a new ministry in order to see if it may be a good fit for your spiritual gifts. We hope you will take two small bites between now and November. Who knows, you may find a ministry that speaks to your soul! At the very least, you’ll have some fun, meet new people, and learn more about what we do. We can’t be the beautiful, Jesus-shaped church God has asked us to be unless everyone is showing up and sharing their gifts.
So if your heart is here, if you believe in our mission, won’t you come and help us?
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Parish Nurses Health Screening
Moved from last Sunday to this Sunday, the Parish Nurses will be conducting their monthly Health Screening before, between and after all services.
You will find them located adjacent to the Labyrinth to the right of the entrance to the Nave.
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Peace Post
Sunday
This Sunday we'll be writing notes to our elected officials in the Staff Conference Room from 10:00am until 1:30pm. Our suggested topics are: reauthorizing the federal Emergency Plan for AIDS relief worldwide; increasing funding for WIC in the coming budget year; and using diplomacy to help avert a second genocide in Armenia. Politicians respond to the voices of their constituents, come add your voice to that of other Christians as we fulfill our duty to make our voices heard
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Bring Some Birthday Joy
This month, Outreach asks the congregation to donate birthday kits for the Food Pantry. Please bring a complete kit including: aluminum pan, cake mix, vegetable oil, frosting, birthday candles, and decorations to the Outreach table in the gathering space on September 10 or 17.
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Sunday School Starts Sunday | |
Sunday School classes begin on this Sunday, September 10 and end on October 22, 2023. Don't miss out on these great opportunities of grow in understanding and faith. Click the Course Titles below to see details and registration information or visit www.transfiguration.net/grow for all things related to Formation. | | |
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Children & Youth Sunday School
- Youth & Children’s Choirs
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Weekday Formation Offerings |
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Children & Youth
Wednesday Evenings
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Call for Vestry & Diocesan Delegates
Throw your hat into the ring to join Vestry or become a Diocesan Delegate. These important positions provide leadership for our church and
representation in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas.
Enter your application at transfiguration.net/candidates
or email Kristin Cutts to learn more.
Applications are due by September 22.
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St. Elizabeth's September Potluck
Thursday, September 14, at 6:00pm in Roper Hall, Saint Elizabeth's will host their monthly potluck gathering. This is a wonderful way to get to know fellow members at the Fig whether you are a longtime parishioner or brand new. The Spotlight Ministry for this month's meeting is the Legacy Society, represented by Linda Ayres.
Click the button below to let us know how many are coming and what dish you will bring to share.
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Hispanic Heritage Celebration
On September 16, at 6:30pm our Racial Justice Ministry invites you to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at the Fig! The festivities will include dinner catered by Mattito’s and dances from Latin America taught by accomplished ballet folklorico dancer, Joel Cortez.
Learn more, secure your spot now, and purchase tickets using the button below.
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About Giving Stock to Transfiguration
If you are someone who has given stock to the Church in the past or if you are thinking about it, please contact our Parish Administrator, Cathleen Dolt, concerning recent changes with our Financial Accounts and how things are directed.
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Transfigured Nights in September | |
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Art Music Season Begins
The first Art Music concert of the 2023-2024 season is Monday, September 11, at 7:30pm in the Performance Hall. This program will feature music by Johann Halvorsen, Josef Haydn, and Herbert Howells performed by Maria Schleuning, violin, Anna Kolotylina, viola, Gayane Manasjan Fullford, cello, and Artem Arutyunyan, piano.
The program is free and includes light desserts at intermission. Since these concerts have become exceedingly popular, and seating is limited, it is recommended to arrive by 7:15pm.
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Holy Cross Solemn Evensong
The 20th season of Transfigured Nights opens with a Solemn Evensong for Holy Cross Day on Sunday, September 17, at 5:00pm. Joel Martinson will direct the Transfiguration Choir accompanied by Stefan Engels on the organ in his Evening Service for the Transfiguration commissioned for the choir’s first trip to England in 2013. Another commissioned work connected with the parish – The Way of Jesus – on a text by Delores Dufner OSB, will be sung as the anthem. The Rev. Ted Clarkson will officiate, and the Rev. Casey Shobe will deliver the homily. A reception will follow in the Gathering Space.
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Hillcrest Live
Get Your Tickets Now
You’re invited to Hillcrest Live, Transfigured Nights’ music showcase and silent auction on September 30 at 7:00pm.
Click Here to Purchase Tickets Now
A delicious array of hors d’oeuvres and desserts prepared by our best practitioners of the culinary arts will be accompanied by wine, non-alcoholic beverages and coffee. The silent auction will showcase the hidden talents and artistic ventures of the choir members. You can expect a wide variety of experiences and curated items on which to bid. Proceeds will benefit the Transfiguration Choir’s 2024 pilgrimage to Scottland.
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SWANs Meeting Next Saturday
The Single Women Alone Network will home its newly combined meeting next Saturday, September 16 at 4:00pm in the Parlor. All single women who live alone, regardless of age, are invited to participate for support and fellowship. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Pastor Nancy.
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Second Half Lunch Bunch
Join us for the Senior Lunch on September 17 at 12:45pm. We will meet and enjoy a meal at Manny's Tex Mex located at 7601 Campbell Rd., Dallas, TX.
Please register using the button below so we can make sure we reserve enough space.
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EMF Shrimp Boil
The Episcopal Men's Fellowship kicks off the season with a Shrimp Boil and Refreshments Thursday, September 21 at 6:30pm in Roper Hall.
Cost is $25/person. You can pay when you sign-up or at the door.
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Make Arrangements with Flower Guild
Join the Flower Guild for the Fall Flower arranging class on Saturday, September 23 from 830am - 1:00pm. We’ll teach you the basics and you’ll go home with your very own arrangement. There is a $35 charge and participants will take home an arrangement and container. Minimum age to participate is 16 years. All the proceeds of this class go to the Butterfly Garden Project. Be sure to register no later than September 17, 2023!
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Outreach Fall Coat Drive
We are collecting winter coats for North Dallas Shared Ministries. Please bring gently-used or new coats to church on October 1, October 08 and October 15, to the Gathering Space All sizes are needed, from child to adult.
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Everybody Ages Workshop
Mark your calendars now for Saturday October 7, 2023, 8:30 am – 12:15 pm in Roper Hall.
We are offering a workshop for those in the Second Half of Life and those in the Sandwich Generation who love them. There will be speakers on – Faith in Aging, Senior living opportunities, Insurance Decisions, Legal Matters, Hospice.
More details and registration are available using the button below. If you have questions, contact Pastor Nancy DeStefano for more information.
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Youth Bible Study
Grow in your understanding of scripture by attending the Youth lead Bible Study. Embracing Faithful Identities is a Bible Study for Youth (grades 6th-12th grade). We meet weekly on Sundays from 5:00pm - 6:30pm in the Youth Center with the goal of reading the Bible over the next three years starting with Genesis. You are invited to bring your own dinner and we will share faith and fellowship as we discuss the important stories that help us embrace who we are as people of faith. This is a drop in group. No registration is required. A zoom option will be available.
For more info contact:
Delynda Moravec
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Children & Youth Formation Registration
Fall Formation Classes for both Children and Youth will begin September 10 at 10:15am. Register now so we can make preparations:
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Children's Formation
Godly Play
Wee Wonder
10:15am - 11:00 am
The Church
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Youth Formation
Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints
10:15am - 11:00am
Youth Center
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