Ready to Ignite
Father Casey
This year is off to a tough start. Newspapers have never been the most positive hubs of information, but lately, reading them has been an exercise in despair-management. This past week, the columnist David Brooks wrote about the way that our society seems to be coming apart at the seams, not only in the highly publicized events like the insurrection, but even more so in millions of smaller incidents all around us.
- Reckless driving is rising dramatically, and with it, the number of fatal accidents in 2020 and 2021 spiked – this in spite of the fact that we’re actually driving far less.
- Airlines continue to deal with a surge in altercations, and the same is true of most other service-based industries that are grappling with a crisis of aggression, abuse, and violence.
- Drug overdoses are increasing rapidly, as is alcohol abuse.
- Teachers are dealing with nearly three times the amount of disruptive student behavior as three years ago, corresponding with the unprecedented vitriol displayed by parents in school board meetings.
We could blame this on a few people who have made life miserable for everyone else, and that is partly true. The vast majority of folks aren’t yelling at teachers, driving intoxicated, or stocking up on assault weapons (January was the third-highest month for gun sales in American history).
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1963 addresses clergy who called his activities “unwise and untimely”. He asks if those of us not suffering the pain of racial injustice understand what it means to be told to wait for justice. How much of what Dr. King wrote from a jail cell, particularly to the white church, is relevant today? The mission of the Racial Justice Ministry is to transform hearts, minds and lives so racial justice becomes firmly planted in our communities. Click the image above to listen to his letter — follow along with the text here — and prayerfully consider what he has to say to us today.
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Formation Classes
Formation classes have returned during the 10:15 hour between services. In addition to children's and youth formation classes, there are two adult formation classes on offer:
Belonging to God: James Martin’s Learning to Pray (in Roper Hall and zoom): We long for connection with God – for a sense of real belonging to the One who created and loves us. This connection comes through prayer – through cultivating a relationship with God. Prayer is conversation, presence with, and deep listening for God’s voice. There is no one secret formula for prayer; rather everyone can discover forms that work best for them. In this class we’ll explore the rich history of different styles of prayer with a view toward enriching our connection with our gracious and loving God.
As part of the formation class on prayer, next Sunday (January 23) we will welcome the author of Learning to Pray James Martin via Zoom. He will speak with Fr. Casey about what happens when we pray, and how we can even know we’re talking with God. Fr. Jim is a bestselling author, Jesuit priest, and editor-at-large of America magazine. He is a sought-after public speaker and media commentator and is a passionate advocate for the LGBT community within the Roman Catholic Church.
Belonging to One Another as Parents (in the Vestry Room): Parents of children living at home are invited to join Pastor Nancy in the Vestry Room to reconnect and dream together about formation and other activities for 2022.
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The Church Cracked Open
On January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Transfiguration’s Racial Justice Ministry invites all members to join the Anti-Racism Reading Group in January for a discussion of Stephanie Speller’s book, The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community. Participants are encouraged to read the book before January 18 in order to participate fully in the conversation. If you would like to join the discussion but have not been able to read the book ahead of time, there are several videos on Youtube of Speller's discussing her thesis. Please register for this event in Realm to receive Zoom details for this online meeting.
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Chalking the Door
On your next visit to the Gathering Space at Transfiguration – as part of an Epiphany tradition we invite you to take home chalk which has been blessed and bulletins with a short liturgy for chalking your door at home.
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Church Tour
On Sunday, January 23 at 10:15 am Anne Schmidt and Bill Edwards will lead a tour of Transfiguration, offering stories of our history, altar, organ and other works of art around our church’s campus. The tour will begin in the library.
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Youth Confirmation Class
Youth confirmation classes will begin Sunday, January 23. All baptized high school students who have not yet been confirmed are welcome to sign up for this class where we will be exploring the Christian faith as we prepare to reaffirm our baptismal covenant and make it our own. This class will culminate in the Rite of Confirmation when Bishop Smith joins us in May 2022.
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Poetry and Spirituality
Poetry, through its artful use of sound and sense, is able to communicate to the emotions as well as to the intellect and so connect with both the heart and head. Join us for an exploration of the ways in which poems embody spiritual truths and become vessels for deep growth and healing. Through close-readings of poems that strongly “incarnate insight" (in the words of poet and priest Malcolm Guite) and guided writing exercises, we will work to see what poems can teach us about our common call to witness and social action.
This event will be hosted by the church on January 25 from 10:00am-12:00pm.
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Parish Council Meeting
Our next Parish Council meeting will be Saturday, January 22, from 9:00am-11:00am in Roper Hall. All ministry leaders or their representatives are encouraged to attend this semi-annual meeting. Along with updates on our life and ministry here together we will welcome Mother Erin Jean Warde who will join us (virtually) to talk about how to host fun events that are welcoming to those who are, for whatever reason, avoiding alcohol. Questions? Contact Anne Schmidt at aschmidt@transfiguration.net.
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Ann Mason Requiem
A Requiem Eucharist for Ann Mason will be held at Transfiguration on January 15 at 1:00pm. Please continue to pray for Gene, Kelly, Liza, and the entire family.
You may access a livestream of this service here.
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Annual Parish Meeting
Join us online on January 30 from 10-11:00 am for updates from Father Casey and our Vestry Leaders. You’ll learn about all the things that have happened in 2021 and new things planned for 2022. There will be time to ask questions as well. The meeting will also be live-streamed.
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Annual Parish Meeting
Youth & Children's Outreach
On Sunday, January 30, during the Annual Parish Meeting, children's and youth ministries will meet in Roper Hall to help Outreach Ministry make soup kits for North Dallas Shared Ministries. Watch for a chance for the entire congregation to participate in this project at home in February.
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Office Closure
The church offices will be closed Monday, January 17 in observance of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Bookstore Corner
Store Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sundays from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
All proceeds benefit St. Hilda's Guild and our church's ministries.
For questions about books or gifts, contact Carolyn by phone at (972) 231-1634.
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