Words to Stand On
by Father Casey
If the identity of a nation can be captured in a handful of words, the United States certainly stands on these: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights: that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
It was a radical notion when penned by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. He drew from Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, who made the case for the innate worth and dignity of every person. He also drew upon the very first chapter of the Bible, which proposes that human beings are made in the image of God. Jefferson simply made explicit the connection between universal human dignity and the rights all people should be guaranteed as a result.
All these years later, and those words still offer our nation a strong foundation, even as they remain incompletely realized. We are not nearly so brazen in our limitations of their plain meaning as the founders, who somehow...
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In this E-news:
- Fellowship of the Fig Taizé and more
- Honoring Independence Day
- Curate Graduation
- Second Half Summer Formation
- Reading Genesis
- Our Solar Roof At Work
- Church Offices Closed Monday & Tuesday
- Women's Book Group
- Vestry / Delegate Nominating Committee Volunteers
- St. Elizabeth's Potluck Sign-up
- Transfiguring our Foundations Half-Time
- Outreach Grants Are Open
- Parents with Kids New Ministry
- Figs With Kids at the Lake July 9
- Youth Summer Plans Listed
- Become a Ruler of Realm
- St. Hilda's Summer Schedule
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Fellowship of the Fig Taizé
Join our Young Adult Ministry, known as the Fellowship of the Fig, for a special Taizé service that we'll lead together. It'll be a great way to decompress after the week as well as spend time together in worship. We will gather on the Labyrinth tonight, Friday, June 30 at 7:00pm.
Join us Friday, July 14th at 7:00pm in the Parlor for a contemplative coloring session. Did you know that coloring can be a meditative activity? We'll have the coloring pages and colored pencils. This event is BYOB, but we'll have non-alcoholic beverages and snacks available. Join us!
For more information contact
Colleen Carson
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Honoring Independence Day
this Weekend
Come be with us this weekend as we honor our nation’s independence with special prayers and activities. You are invited to use the Intercessions Book, found on the podium in the Gathering Space, to inscribe your prayers for our nation: for its diverse people, majestic places, and noblest principles. The American and Episcopal flags will be carried in procession, and our music will feature hymns asking for God’s blessing on all the people of our land. And, as an added treat, we’ll celebrate with ice cream after The Table on Saturday and between services on Sunday!
A Collect for Independence Day
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Curate Graduation
This weekend marks Fr. Ted Clarkson’s second anniversary on the clergy staff of Transfiguration. By tradition, new priests serve as curates, or “priests-in-training.” Beginning this week, Fr. Ted’s position changes to Associate Rector, as he has completed the requirements of curacy. He will continue his duties as pastor and preacher, overseeing Christian education, and coordinating liturgical ministries. We thank God for his ministry among us!
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Second Half Summer Formation
This Sunday, Second Half will continue its exploration of the week's scriptural lessons. We meet each Sunday during the Formation Hour at 10:15am for fellowship and discussion. The class will gather in Conference Room 2 by Roper Hall. Make plans now. For more info on this learning opportunity, contact
Pastor Nancy DeStefano
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Continuing to Read Genesis
This summer Transfiguration is following a lectionary track that will take us through the cycle of readings about Abram, Sarah (Sarai), and their descendants. It is never too late to join in. To equip you to read along with us, we’re providing a suggested reading schedule and some resources you may want to consider.
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For the month of June the Church roof has:
- Generated 5.4 Megawatt Hours of electricity
- Offset 4.4 tons of carbon
- Equaled planting 65 trees or charging 489,744 phones
For the 1st half of the year we have generated 19.1 Megawatt Hours of electricity. The equivalent of planting 287 trees or charging 2.2 million phones!
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Church Offices Closed Monday & Tuesday
In observance of Independence Day, the Church Offices will be closed Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Staff will be back in the offices on Wednesday. If you need to reach clergy in an emergency, you may contact them by email or call 972-233-1898 and press option 9.
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Thursday Evening Women's Book Group
If you are a person who loves books, loves talking about books, and rejoices in the company of others who feel the same way, join us the first Thursday of every month for the Women's Evening Book Group. We will meet in the Parlor this Thursday, July 6 at 7:00pm. Bring a refreshment to share!
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Become a Member of the Vestry and Delegate Nominating Committee
We are looking for members to join this year’s Nominating Committee for both Vestry and Diocesan Convention Delegates. This committee helps elect our church’s leadership and those who will represent our parish at the Diocesan Annual Convention. To express interest or for more information contact
Kristin Cutts
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St. Elizabeth's Monthly Potluck July 13
St. Elizabeth's will be hosting their monthly potluck supper on Thursday, July 13 at 6:30pm in the Parlor. Father Ted will be the evening's speaker discussing The Way. If you wish to attend, please register as soon as possible so they can plan accordingly. All members of the parish are welcome, especially new folks among us. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and fellow members at the Fig! We look forward to seeing you there!
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Transfiguring Our Foundations
Half-time Celebration
On July 23 between 10:00am and 1:00pm we’ll be celebrating the accomplishments made repairing and improving our beloved church during over the past two and a half years. These improvements were made possible by the generous support of parishioners’ contributions to the capital campaign. Meet us in Roper Hall to tour the newly-rennovated Roper Hall Kitchen. We’ll visit the Sacristy for an update on planned renovations. And, we’ll share more about the projects that have been completed and those that are planned.
For more info contact
Robbi Dietrich
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Outreach Grant Requests Open
The 2023 Outreach Grant request process is open. In 2022 we distributed $15,000 in funds to worthy non-profits that provide services for disadvantaged children and teenagers, abused women, the homeless, and summer camps. To be considered, each agency must submit a Grant Request stating its mission and what specific need would be helped by our donation. The Grant Committee carefully reviews each application to determine who will receive our parish's money. If you have a non-profit that you would like to be considered for a grant in 2023, please contact Darla Hodge .
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A Ministry for Parents With Young Children
Are you a parent of a young child seeking community, support, and fellowship during the weekday? Please join us on Sunday, July 23 in the Parlor from 10:15- 11:30 for conversation and fellowship. We will wonder together on how to begin a new ministry for parents with young children. If you are unable to attend but interested in becoming a part of this group, please contact Allison Blalock for future meeting days and times.
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Figs with Kids
Lake Day Saturday July 9
Figs with Kids Lake day will be Saturday, July 9 from Noon to 6:00pm. Figs With Kids will be heading to the lake on this new date and will be hosted by the Robb family. More details to come. Follow Figs With Kids on Facebook to keep up with all that's happening this summer.
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Youth Program Summer Events
While our regular season of Youth Programs have drawn to a close, there is still plenty to be involved with over the Summer months. Delynda Moravec and her helpful Youth Volunteers have the following events planned.
July 8 - Movie Night 5:00pm - 8:00pm
We will be watching CLUE. Come dressed as your favorite color or character.
Dinner provided.
July 19 - Vogel Alcove Summer Crossover
July 28 - Babysitting Fundraiser 6:00pm - 10:00pm
August 2 - Summer Crossover 6:30pm - 8:30pm
August 11 - Youth Lock-in 6:00pm
August 13 - Youth Center Open House 10:15am - noon
For more information and details please contact Delynda Moravec.
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Did you know...
Realm is the primary tool we use to share information with our Fig Family! It is where you can find a Directory of our Members. It is also the tool we use for online giving and pledging. Our Ministry groups use the tools within Realm to share news, events, photos, and documents with their members.
What you may not be aware of is that the members of Transfiguration maintain and curate the information in Realm. The Directory's information is directly updatable by the member themselves. You choose what information is visible and to whom. You can update a new phone number, street address, or email address without needing to contact the Church Office. You can even post a photo so members, new and old, can put a name with a face!
And what about the News you see when you first open Realm either through the website or the Connect App on your mobile device? That information is posted by the Ministry Group Leaders for the Groups you have joined. As a member of a group you decide how you want to be informed of news posted to your groups. This is done by using the Notification Settings within Realm. You can elect to receive an email notifying you of a new post or event. You can choose to receive email notification of replies posted to those items as well. Or, you can choose to only be notified through the app or website itself. You are in control.
And speaking of groups, everyone who has access to Realm is automatically a member of the Episcopal Parish of Transfiguration group. Within this group you will see important posts of interest to all members. Beginning this week, you will be able to find copies of this Weekly E-news letter, as well as, the Vestry Minutes for the past year.
If you don't have access to Realm or need some assistance learning how to use it more effectively, feel free to let us know. You can answer most of your questions by consulting our Realm Help Hub. From the Help Hub, you can contact us for assistance, as well.
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The members of St. Hilda's Guild faithfully serve the Fig in the Summer Season by staffing the Kay Andrews Bookstore and Gift Shop and the Clothes Horse Resale Shop. Support their efforts through your purchases and donations.
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.
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
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