Stories Behind the Years

by Father Ted

If you’ve been reading the book of Genesis along with the rest of the parish this summer, you will have noticed that the Sunday lectionary doesn’t quite capture the whole story. It skips over several bits—whole chapters, in fact. We’re hearing just the highlights, only the parts that are essential to understand the arc of the story of Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants. If the lectionary captured every part of Genesis, we wouldn’t get to the rest of the Bible. 

As a preacher, I’m glad that a few stories got skipped over; I’m not sure how I would write a sermon about the end of Genesis 19. But there are some other passages that I wish had been included. For instance, the part on Sarah’s death is very moving: the story of Abraham’s devotion to his wife and his insistence that he bury her on land that he purchased, rather than borrowed, is heartbreaking and lovely.

And then there are passages that are, for lack of a better word, tedious. I’m talking about the genealogies, long lists of men and their descendants, when their first sons were born, and how long they lived afterwards. Reading these accounts from the ambo would...

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In this E-news:

• Parish Nurse Health Screening
• Peace Post Sunday
• Second Half Summer Formation
• Reading Genesis
• Fellowship of the Fig Gets Contemplative
• St. Elizabeth's Potluck Sign-up
• Second Half Lunch Bunch
• Vestry / Delegate Nominating Committee Volunteers
• Transfiguring our Foundations Half-Time
• Spill The Tea
• Youth Babysitting Fundraiser July 28 - Sign-up
• Outreach Grants Are Open
• Parents with Kids New Ministry
• Figs With Kids at the Lake July 9
• A Ministry for Parents with Young Children
• Youth Summer Plans Listed

Parish Nurse Health Screening

Our Parish Nurses will be offering health screening adjacent to the Labyrinth this Saturday and Sunday before and after services.

Peace Post 

Sunday

Join the Episcopal Peace Fellowship for our Monthly Peace Post as we write to our elected official urging their action on critically important issues of Justice and Peace and putting acton to our Baptismal Promises. Peace Post gathers in the Church Office entry area following the 9:00am Eucharist and continues after the 11:15am Eucharist.

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

Are you Reading 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.

Fellowship of the Fig Gets Contemplative



Our Young Adults group, known as the Fellowship of the Fig, will gather 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

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 Roper Hall. 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!

Sign Up to Usher

Help us welcome parishioners and guests to our worship services and keep the services running smoothly. To volunteer or to get more information

Contact

Kurt Smith

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

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

Spill the Tea Event

On Wednesday, July 26, from 9:00am-11:00am, join us for a light breakfast and a trip down memory lane, as we pour over photo albums from the 80’s and 90’s. All are invited to help identify and share stories of these great people and events, such as the Big Fig softball team, the Monte Carlo Monaco trip with Father Roper, St. Monica’s celebrations, and Women of the Church events.

For more information contact

Alyson Thompson

Youth Babysitting Fundraiser July 28

Plan a date-night on Friday, July 28! Fig Youth are offering babysitting services, from 6pm-10pm, in the Youth Center, to help raise funds for the Scottland Pilgrimage. Cost Minimum Donation of $30 / $45 for two or more children.

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 .

Figs with Kids

Lake Day Saturday July 9

Figs with Kids Lake day will be Sunday, July 9 from Noon to 6:00pm. Figs With Kids will be heading to the lake on this Sunday and will be hosted by the Robb family. Follow Figs With Kids on Facebook to keep up with all that's happening this summer.

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.

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 Youth Service Opportunity

We’ll carpool to Vogel Acove to play indoor field day games with children dealing with homelessness. Click Here to Register

Summer Crossover Pool Party | 6:00pm - 8:30pm

The Cones will host a Summer Crossover pool party at their house.

Dinner provided.

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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