Faith and Wonder News

Family Ministry at Transfiguration Episcopal Church
September 29, 2020

Happy Michaelmas!

The feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, also known as Michaelmas, is today, September 29! The reading from Revelation (12:5-12) that is appointed for the day tells of a battle in Heaven between St Michael and the good angels and the dragon and his angels. I found a clever lego reenactment of the story on YouTube that your family might enjoy. Here’s the link: 

Historically Michaelmas marks the end of the harvest season and has been accompanied by festive celebrations. The traditional meal for Michaelmas is roasted goose, but since that would be hard to find you might want to have a roasted chicken instead. In the Irish tradition, blackberries are eaten for Michaelmas. Legend says that when Lucifer was expelled from heaven he fell to earth on a blackberry patch and ruined them. As a consequence blackberries eaten after September 29 will not be sweet and tasty. You might want to try a blackberry smoothie or milkshake to celebrate the end of blackberry season. Here’s my recipe:

Blackberry Milkshakes
12oz frozen blackberries
1 cup milk (we use lactose free)
1 cup vanilla ice cream (we use non-dairy ice cream)
1 T honey (or to taste)
Whipped cream to garnish

Place everything in the blender and whirl until smooth. Pour into glasses. Top with whipped cream and serve. Makes 2-4 servings depending on the size. 

Happy Michaelmas and happy harvest season!
Service Project for the Peninsula Humane Society

PHS needs our help to make toys for kittens and cats waiting to be adopted. Newly adopted pets take their toys home with them, so PHS is in need of fresh supplies of entertaining toys. Some ideas for easy DIY cat toys with directions to make them are here: Spider Cat Toy, Catnip Socks, Cork Cat toy. They can all be made with materials that you probably already have at home.

We are collecting the toys at Transfiguration. Please place the toys in box next to the memorial garden door by October 3.They will be blessed and donated to PHS as part of our Blessing of the Animals on October 4.
My kitty particularly likes the spider cat toy! All of the toys should be made so the roughest kitties can’t break small pieces off and potentially swallow them. You can use the suggestions here or look up other ideas on Pinterest. Just make sure the toys are sturdy and safe.

Thank you so much for your help with this project!
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 4 at 10 am
Transfiguration zoom room

Bring your special animal with you to the Transfig zoom for a special blessing! All pets and stuffed animal friends are welcome to receive a virtual blessing. Come along and meet everyone’s beloved pets.
Faith and Wonder Walk
Saturday, October 10, 9:30 am
Waterdog Lake Park, Lyall Dr. Entrance

Come celebrate the start of the Community of Wonder (C.O.W) program year with a family hike. All families are invited to a socially distanced walk at Waterdog Lake in Belmont. This is a great opportunity to appreciate the beauty of creation and the joy of seeing each other in person in a safe, healthy way. We will meet at the Lyall Drive entrance to the trail and walk up to the lake. It’s about a one mile hike to the lake and back on a wide trail. Dogs are welcome to come along as well. Bring along a water bottle and a snack and wear your face covering. RSVP to Michele, michele@transfig-sm.org.
Welcome Back Community of Wonder (C.O.W)!
October 12, 2020
Monday 4 pm 
Faith Formation zoom

Welcome back to our community of wonder! All children are welcome to join us Mondays at 4pm beginning on October 12 for stories, games and activities. We will gather in the Faith Formation Zoom room. Come and greet old friends and make some new ones as we explore the wonder, wisdom, witness, welcome and other “wows” of our faith. For more information please email Michele Maia, michele@transfig-sm.org
Joyful Noise Storytelling
A delightful ministry looking for storytellers 

Every Sunday at our 9:15 am Joyful Noise service we gather on zoom to tell sacred stories, pray and sing songs. The stories are simple, just 3-5 minutes, and we are always looking for new voices to share our stories. No special skills are needed, just a desire to share a story. You can choose your own story or I can provide you with a story and script. Please contact me, michele@transfig-sm.org and let me know if you’re interested in learning more about the art of storytelling. 

Joyful Noise is happening every Sunday at 9:15 am

Everyone is invited to join Michele and Matthew Burt on Sundays at 9:15 am for our Joyful Noise service. We gather together for songs, a story, and prayer time followed by coffee hour. Our gathering lasts about 30 minutes and all ages are welcome! The zoom link is here: Faith Formation zoom, password: 2020
Please fill out the Family Information Form if you have not yet done so. We ask for this information in order to better serve your family and keep your children safe during our activities. To fill it out, click here.