The Ministries of our Parish
Fellowship Groups
Transfig Kids -
Parish children and their friends, in grades 3 - 7 gather for pizza parties and outings (rock climbing, bowling, etc.) to build long-lasting friendships. We’ve also taken field trips to Glide Memorial Church and KRON-TV in the City. These “Kids making a difference” also help with our community outreach, bagging lunches on Sandwich Sunday, reading for the Heifer Project and helping when, throughout the year, we host homeless families through the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
Contact - Kristin Kearns or Mike Robinson
rector@transfig-sm.org
- phone 341-8206
Youth Group – Parish Children and their friends Grades 8 -12
Young parishioners in grades 8-12 enjoy social outings (ex. Behind the Scenes at Electonic Arts) and help coordinate parish activities such as the Shrove Tuesday’s Pancake Supper. They are leaders in our monthly “Hilltop” worship service for Teens and Tweens.
Contact - TBD
rector@transfig-sm.org - phone 341-8206
God Groups - God Groups provide an opportunity for parishioners to meet in Small Groups to wrestle with questions and issues found in Scripture, deepening community and sharing their sacred stories.
Contact - Betty Strombom
bstrombom@sbcglobal.net
Dinner groups –
An ongoing series of pot-luck dinners brings together adults from different worship services.
Contact - Jenna Abel
jenna_p_abel@gmail.com
Coffee Hour –Coffee hour is a ministry of hospitality that all members support.
Call the office 341-8206
Contact - 10:30 Coffee Hour Coordinator
Our Faith Formation Ministries
Because each of us is always learning and growing in our life in God, the Faith Formation Board works to provide learning opportunities for people of all ages. We strive to provide both intergenerational events and programs geared to specific age groups, with a primary goal of enriching the faith life of all members of our community.
Faith Formation Board – Virginia Fox, Chair
vrwfox@hotmail.com
For our Younger Parishioners
Nursery care - Childcare is provided from 10 am - 12 pm each Sunday downstairs in the Parish Hall for children up to age 4. Our caregivers are certified and background checked through our Diocesan “Called to Right Relationship” program.
Contact - Kathi Masterson
kathimasterson@hotmail.com
Godly Play Storytelling - Clergy and parishioners use the Montessori-based techniques of Godly Play to tell stories from the Bible and our faith history at the 9:30 Family Service and at Kids’ Club. Please let the Rector know if you’d like to participate in our StoryTelling ministry.
Contact - TBD
Rector@transfig-sm.org
Sunday Kids’ Club / Church School
Kids’ Club (aka Church School) is for ages 3 ½ - 3rd graders and runs from 10:25 (the end of playground time) until 11:10 (when children are taken up to church, unless parents have already picked them up.) Children learn about the Christian faith through storytelling, games, skits, music and crafts. Our Church School program is run by parent volunteers and children are welcome to join us in Church School on a regular basis – or on a drop-in basis, whatever works for you
Contact - Virginia Fox
vrwfox@hotmail.com
Chapel Time - Children in 4th grade and up attend the beginning of the 10:30 service with their parents, participating in the Opening Hymn and the Opening Prayers. Then they leave for this separate Liturgy of the Word, returning to the Sanctuary during the Peace, to join in Communion. This year’s theme in Chapel Time is “We can make a Difference” and we have created a curriculum based upon the Beatitudes and the MDGs – the Millennium Development Goals. Through Bible stories, skits, games, conversation, power points and even music videos, our children are being immersed in gospel values. This year our Chapel Time children have made several micro-lending relationships with individuals in Africa and Central America through KIVA. These children are making a difference!
Children are welcome on a regular or drop-in basis and parents help lead these sessions (with provided curriculum).
Contact - Virginia Fox
vrwfox@hotmail.com
Vacation Bible Camp - Children ages 3 ½ - 12 are welcome to participate in our weeklong summer VBC. Parents and grandparents, teens and students home from college all join the staff in making this a parish-wide celebration of faith-filled fun, games, crafts, skits and . Friends from outside the parish join us too. Recent VBC themes have centered around Beach Party Beatitudes, The Transfiguration Circle-T Ranch, Circus Time, Harry Potter and Under the Sea Adventures.
This activity will be on sabbatical for summer 2009
contact - TBD
For Young People and Adults
Confirmation Class – contact Virginia Fox
vrwfox@hotmail.com
Youth (8th grade and older) and/or adults prepare for Confirmation, Reaffirmation or Reception to the Episcopal Church by meeting regularly for 4-6 months.
Parish Retreat - Our All-Parish Retreat in late fall is a truly Intergenerational event, with infants, toddlers, and older children joining adults of all ages as we play and pray together at Bishop’s Ranch.
Especially for Adults
Contact - Virginia Fox
vrwfox@hotmail.com
Women’s Retreat - In the spring, 25 - 30 women spend a weekend at the Diocese’s Bishop’s Ranch in Napa Valley. Time is shared in prayer, conversation, hiking, art projects and just having fun together. Our All-Parish Retreat in late fall is a truly Intergenerational event, with infants, toddlers, and older children joining adults of all ages as we play and pray together at Bishop’s Ranch.
Contact - TBD
Rector@transfig-sm.org
Bible Study - Members of our parish gather seasonally for fellowship and discussion as we learn about the context of books of Scripture and their application to our lives. Truly Episcopalian in tone, we welcome a variety of approaches to Scripture. You are welcome to join us on a drop in basis or as a regular. During certain seasons of the year, we also offer Bible Study programs in the evenings, led by our Young Adults.
Contact - TBD
rector@transfig-sm.org
Parenting Group -Beginning in January, 2009, parents began meeting regularly to discuss parenting issues from a faith-perspective. Guest lecturers will join the group occasionally.
Contact - Virginia Fox
vrwfox@hotmail.com
Book Club – A bi-monthly meeting discusses books chosen by the group. You are welcome to join us on a regular basis or whenever a book especially appeals to you.
Contact - Linda Zirk
linda_zirk@hotmail.com
More Adult Faith Formation - Periodic Sunday morning and mid-week gatherings have focused upon subjects ranging from writing our own psalms to learning how to write Advance Health Care Directives. Fall and Lenten pot luck dinner series, shared with our friends at St. Ambrose, Foster City have tackled the topics of Racism, the Book of Revelation, the Millennium Development Goals and the Sermons of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Small lay-led God Groups provide an opportunity for parishioners to wrestle with questions and issues found in Scripture, deepening community and sharing their sacred stories.
Advent and Lenten materials are provided to encourage ritual and prayer in our homes. Quarterly “Sandwich Sunday,” “Sock Sunday” and other outreach collections help teach our children, alongside our adults, to share our bounty with those in need.
Contact - TBD
rector@transfig-sm.org
Congregational Vocation Committee (CVC) -The CVC assists and supports our parishioners in their discernment of their call to ministry. If you would like to work with this group to further discern your call in lay or ordained ministry, please contact the Rector
Contact - TBD
rector@transfig-sm.org
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Sacramental Preparation – For any of these pastoral services,
please contact our clergy.
Baptism - Couples seeking baptism for their infants or children, or adults seeking to be baptized, meet with our clergy and other parishioners to explore the meaning and mission involved in baptism.
Confirmation and Reception into Full Communion - Teens and adults meet over a period of several months before celebrating these rites at Grace Cathedral, or when the bishop visits the parish.
Eucharist - Everyone is welcome to receive Holy Communion at Transfiguration. Parents who would like to have their children instructed in the meaning of Eucharist meet with our clergy and other families.
Marriage and Same-Sex Blessings– Our parish offers both the sacrament of marriage and same-sex blessings. The preparation is the same for both services. Couples meet for 3-4 sessions with our clergy to prepare for this important life commitment. We are pleased to offer either of these pastoral services and are thankful that the couple would like to have the church involved in the promises and vows that they are making to one another.
Liturgy Board – Kathleen Villa, Chair
thevillas@earthlink.net
Our Liturgical Ministries
Acolytes - The Acolytes process with candles and the cross at the beginning of the service and form the Gospel procession. They assist at the altar during the service. Commitment is one service every 5-6 weeks. Training is provided for this fun and important ministry.Ages: grades 4-12
Contact - Caitlin Ellis
aaellis123@comcast.net
Eucharistic Ministers I and II - Our Eucharistic Ministers read the Prayers of the People and distribute communion during our worship services. Furthermore, with additional training, some Eucharistic Ministers bring Scripture and the Sacrament to those who are house bound.
Contact - Gari Patton
garipatton@rcn.com
Lectors and Lay Readers - Lectors assist in Sunday worship services by reading the Old and New Testament lessons and (at the 10:30 service) the Prayers of the People. They may also read at special services held at Christmas and during Holy Week. Lectors can expect to read about twice a quarter. Training is provided, and Scripture lessons are mailed to the reader ahead of time.
Contact - Neill Masterson
ntmiv@yahoo.com
Altar Guild -This group of volunteers prepares our church for worship each Sunday with much care and love. They ensure that every person who worships with us has a bulletin to follow our services and a beautiful and clean worship space in which to receive the love of God.
Contact Holly Bailey
bailey_fam@hotmail.com
Flower Guild -This group of volunteers arranges our weekly altar arrangement and provides special decorations for our Easter and Christmas celebrations.This is a great place to be involved if you are interested in learning about flower arranging.
Contact Lauren McCombs
flowergazr@aol.com
Ushers - Ushers meet and greet parishioners as they arrive at the 8 a. m. and 10:30 a. m. services and distribute the bulletins. They also pass the offertory plate, carry the Communion elements to the altar, and help manage the flow of people taking Communion. Commitment is for one service every 5-6 weeks.
Contact Anne Ellis
aaellis123@comcast.net.
Choir - The choir provides music and leadership in the liturgy for the congregation’s principal services. In preparation for our services, the choir rehearses from 7:15 – 9:00 each Thursday evening during the program year.
Contact Joe Hansen, Director of Music
joe.h@comcast.net
Healing Ministry - Several times a year we hold Healing Services in order to bring our places in need of healing into contact with the grace of God. The service includes a meditation, hands-on healing and prayer, and a Eucharist. Laying on of hands, anointing and prayer is also available from the clergy at any time.
Contact - Lauren McCombs
flowergazr@aol.com
Children in Worship
Children’s faith is also formed when they take on liturgical roles. Parishioners ages 7 and up participate in Gospel Dramas and serve as lectors, ushers and as acolytes. Questions- contact the clergy.
Nursery Care – Children up to age 4 are cared for in our Nursery between 10:15 and 11:45, while parents attend the 10:30 service and coffee hour. The nursery has both indoor games, toys and dress up play areas as well as a large fenced-in playground. At least two caregivers are in attendance. We do provide nursery care, but remember: children of all ages are always welcome at all our services.
Contact Kathi Masterson
kathimasterson@hotmail.com
The 9:30 Family Service
A Wworship servic e created specially for families with children (newborns up to age 7).contact Melanie
The ½-hour 9:30 service introduces young children (and older siblings) to stories from the Bible and is a full (shortened) communion service. We sing, we pray, we move and we provide a safe sacred space where children are free to roam and explore. Children (and adults) draw or write our prayers and participate fully. All are welcome to come to the altar, either for communion or a blessing. Coffee hour/snack time on the playground follows, providing an opportunity for play and for parents to chat.
The 9:30 - 10:30 option for Some Families
Some of our parents find a meaningful way to "come to church" on Sundays is to begin by worshiping with their young children at the 9:30 service. Then, following Coffee/Snack Time on the playground, they drop their young children off at Church School or Nursery Care while the adults and older children go to the 10:30 service. Some parents stay for the entire 10:30 service. Others stay until "The exchange of the Peace" and leave before Communion (having already received Communion as a family at the 9:30). It’s certainly not “traditional,” but it works for many people!
Chapel Time Grades 4 and up
Children in 4th grade and up attend the beginning of the 10:30 service with their parents, participating in the Opening Hymn and the Opening Prayers. Then they leave for this separate Liturgy of the Word, returning to the Sanctuary during the Peace, to join in Communion. This year’s theme in Chapel Time is “We can make a Difference” and we have created a curriculum based upon the Beatitudes and the MDGs – the Millennium Development Goals. Through Bible stories, skits, games, conversation, power points and even music videos, our children are being immersed in gospel values. This year our Chapel Time children have made several micro-lending relationships with individuals in Africa and Central America through KIVA. These children are making a difference!
Children are welcome on a regular or drop-in basis and parents help lead these sessions (with provided curriculum).
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