8:00 am   The Traditional Eucharist
9:30 am   The Joyful Noise Eucharist
10:30 am   The Musical Eucharist

From the Rector

I wonder as I wander
Take a moment to look at the cover of this announcement sheet. Our staff have been spending some time working and thinking and creating and praying about our Advent Season. 
In response to the 'Wondering Together' program that has been led by the Vestry and Virginia Fox, we are continuing the theme of wondering into Advent. In 'Wondering Together' we have been thinking about the life of our parish and trying to discern what the spirit of God is calling us to in 2015.
In Advent we are continuing this wondering and adding a dimension - What do you wonder about Advent and Christmas? The imagery for this season will focus on wondering and I invite you you to take home the Advent wreath and meditation booklet for nightly reflections in your home. There are wondering questions in the book to help you think about Advent and Christmas. Not only are you being asked to wonder about the meaning of the prophets or our ancestors in faith - you are being asked to wonder about how you might be a prophet, and how you might inspire someone's faith with your actions.

Bishop's Visitation
Our Bishop, Marc Andrus is visiting us on December 13th. This is a once every two or three year event and we are excited for him to visit us and see what we are doing as a parish. We have been giving lots of thought to how we should celebrate communion on this day and have concluded that we would like to get the whole parish together for his visit at 10am. So come and join us for one service, followed by a forum for discussion of our 'Wondering Together' program with Virginia and the Vestry.

Love,   
Matthew+


News & Announcements
 - also see www.transfig-sm.org

Today: First Sunday of Advent, Nov 29
Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent and our Advent wreaths will be available for construction in the Parish Hall. Join in this ever popular Transfiguration tradition.

Next Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Advent
There will be two services on Sun. 12/6:
8am - Spoken Eucharist
10am - Advent Lessons & Carols

We are excited for the return of our Advent Lessons and Carols next week! This year, responding to your feedback, our Advent Lessons and Carols will be shorter than last year and will include Chapel Time/Kids Club. 

Also next Sunday our Giving Tree will be up and we will have a focus on our Outreach ministries for this Advent season. They include supporting homeless mothers and babies and a foster girls home. Our own Dr. Hayes Bakken and Noelle Huey will be talking about these two projects next week.

Bishop's Visitation: 3rd Sunday of Advent
One service on this day at 10am - we discussed a variety of patterns and in the end it seems appropriate for us to gather as one community to greet the Bishop on his triennial visitation. Come and join us for the service and parish forum afterwards to talk about our 'Wondering Together' program.

Stewardship
Our stewardship campaign concludes this week and as of this printing, we have received approximately 50 pledges amounting to almost 75% of our target (our target is $330,000 and we have so far achieved approximately $242,000) We hope to get about 35 more pledges in, so if you still have a pledge card at home, please mail it in this week. 

Women's Retreat Initial Planning Meeting
Women of Transfiguration, we will gather for an initial planning meeting for the 2016 Women's Retreat on Sunday, Dec. 6, Noon-1 pm in the Parish Hall. If you are unable to attend, but would like to contribute ideas, please contact Monica. Women's Retreat will be held at Bishop's Ranch on February 26-28. 2016.

Snow Day is coming!
Snow day is coming up on December 19th, 4-6pm! Thank you to George Philipp who has volunteered to take the lead. All interested volunteers, please speak to George or Matthew on Sunday. Please also consider whether you might help to fund this popular event. Be a Snow Angel, a Snow Ball or a Snow Flurry!
Snow Angels - donate $500 and pay for a whole pallet of snow.
Snow Ball - donate $200, for part of a pallet. 
Snow Flurry - donate $50, towards snow for the day.

Sing with the Choir on Christmas Eve!
Advent and Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Our collection of carols are of the most heartwarming, beautiful, and rich pieces of music in our hymnal. It is the perfect opportunity to enhance our musical offering at Transfiguration. If you are interested in singing with our choir but can't make a year-long commitment, we'd love to open up our Christmas Eve service to anybody who wants to sing with us. Simply come along to our rehearsal on Wednesday, Dec. 16th and join us for an evening of musical offering on Christmas Eve. Contact Music Director, Eric Choate, for details. [email protected]

Peninsula Ballet Nutcracker
The Peninsula Ballet Theatre presents  Nutcracker at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, December 19, 20 and 21 and "The Nutcracker Sweet" a magical condensed version for the youngest ballet fans, at San Mateo Studio One Theatre, December 5,6,12 & 13.  Camila Krause will be performing in this production on Dec. 6, 12, 19, 20 and 21. For ticket information visit:
PeninsulaBallet.org or call 650.369.7770.

Happy Birthday:  
Dace Samta on Monday.


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This Week
Sunday, November 29
The First Sunday of Advent
8am                The Traditional Eucharist
9:30am          The Joyful Noise Eucharist
10:30am        The Musical Eucharist
Home & Hope Hosting Week begins
Monday, November 30
Home & Hope Hosting Week(Parish Hall)
3:15pm           Snake Dragon Club-Japanese language storytime(classrooms)
7pm                FA Meeting (Parish Hall)
Tuesday, December 1
Home & Hope Hosting Week(Parish Hall)
9am              Morning Prayer(Good Shepherd, Belmont)
10:30am        Parish Care Committee(Parish Hall)
5-10pm           PMAA Rehearsal(Church)
7pm                AA Meeting  (Parish Hall)
7:30pm          Finance Committee(Peters home)
Wednesday, December 2
Home & Hope Hosting Week (Parish Hall)
9am                Morning Prayer(Chapel)
10:30am        Gospel Preview(Parish Hall)
3:15 -5:45pm Looking Glass Korean Learning Center(classrooms)
4-5:30pm     Looking Glass Korean Learning Center(classrooms)
5-10pm           PMAA Rehearsal(Church)
6:30pm          Ministry Team Mtg (Noreen's)
Thursday, December 3
Home & Hope Hosting Week(Parish Hall)
9am               Morning Prayer (Chapel)
10am              Transfig Fireflies(Parish Hall)
2pm                Staff Meeting(Parish Hall)
7pm                Transfig Choir Rehearsal
Friday, December 4
Home & Hope Hosting Week(Parish Hall)
3:30pm          Girl Scout Brownie Troop Mtg(classrooms)
Saturday, December 5
Home & Hope Hosting Week (Parish Hall)
8:45-11:15am Looking Glass Korean Learning Center(classrooms)
1-7pm              PMAA on-site (Church & Classrooms)
3pm                 PMAA Choral Concert (Church)

Sunday, December 6
The Second Sunday of Advent
Home & Hope Hosting Week ends
8am                The Traditional Eucharist
10am              Advent Lessons & Carols
noon              Women's Retreat Planning Mtg
noon              Transfig Teens - Off Topic
1-7pm             PMAA on-site(Church & Parish Hall)
3pm                PMAA Choral Concert (Church)

​

From the Rector

#PortOuvert
It has been a long week, and I am pausing on my day off to try and absorb what has been happening, and particularly the desire to close our borders to those in need in the face of fear over terrorist attacks.
In re-watching some of the coverage this week I found myself wondering about the French in Paris last Friday night and how so many opened their doors to strangers who were in need of shelter. I wonder if they asked the people at the door to pass some test in order to be let in whilst gunmen were shooting in the streets?
This week France has engaged in air strikes against Daesh targets - and I don't know quite what I think about that, but I do know that their commitment to the 30,000 refugees who they already agreed to take has been encouraging.
So if we want to know what we should do for those who are fleeing violence and asking us for shelter - I am pretty content to follow the Parisian example:
#PortOuvert
Love,   
Matthew+

Thanksgiving
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week. At this time of year we are often asked how people might be able to give back to those less fortunate during this season. Please see the thankgiving basket ministry on the News Page, and also sign up for Home & Hope volunteering on our parish website members page:
www.transfig-sm.org/members.html
Home & Hope hosting week at Transfiguration is November 29 - December 6.


News & Announcements
 - also see www.transfig-sm.org
TODAY: Thanksgiving Baskets
The Parish Care Committee is preparing Thanksgiving baskets for parishioners who are unable to attend church services or are recently bereaved.  Please help by bringing fruits and small baked goods or cookies to the parish hall this Sunday, Nov. 22. Contact: Gillian Hartford

Today, Nov. 22: Christmas decor meeting
If you are interested in helping, please gather immediately following the 10:30 service today for a brief discussion about plans for Advent/Christmas decorating.

Transfig Teens - Today at 12noon
Our program for Transfig Teens takes on a slightly different tone for this week as we invite Virginia Fox to come and wonder with us about our life together at Transfig. Come and help us shape the Teens (and whole church!) program for the next year & we will take more photos for the Stations of the Cross.

Distil - Tonight: November 22nd, 6:15pm
Our second Dinner Club evening takes place tonight, Nov. 22 at 6:15 at Jessica and Aidans. The theme is: "Muddy Field vs Bright Field" - we explore light and dark on a Fall evening.  Bring along fall foods to share and talk about this theme with Fr. Matthew and Dawn. Questions? speak to Dawn Bailey.

Peninsula Ballet Nutcracker
The Peninsula Ballet Theatre presents  Nutcracker at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, December 19, 20 and 21 and "The Nutcracker Sweet" a magical condensed version for the youngest ballet fans, at San Mateo Studio One Theatre, December 5,6,12 & 13.  Camila Krause will be performing in this production on Dec. 6, 12, 19, 20 and 21. For ticket information visit:
PeninsulaBallet.org or call 650.369.7770.

Snow Day is coming!
Snow day is coming up on December 19th, 4-6pm! Thank you to George Philipp who has volunteered to take the lead. All interested volunteers, please speak to George or Matthew on Sunday. Please also consider whether you might help to fund this popular event.
Be a Snow Angel, a Snow Ball or a Snow Flurry!
Snow Angels - donate $500 and pay for a whole pallet of snow.
Snow Ball - donate $200, for part of a pallet. 
Snow Flurry - donate $50, towards snow for the day.
First Sunday of Advent, November 29
Next week is the first Sunday of Advent and our Advent wreaths will be available for construction and to take home. Come in and be ready to put your advent table centerpiece together.
'Women who knew Jesus' author conversation and book signing
Come hear the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Ring talk about her new book, Women who knew Jesus. Copies will be available for purchase and author-signing. Rev. Ring invites readers to experience these women and their encounters with Jesus as part of the continued spiritual journey of the followers of Jesus.
Saturday, Nov. 28, 5 p.m. @ Holy Family, 1590 So. Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay
Sunday, Nov. 29, 5 p.m. @ Good Shepherd, 1300 Fifth Avenue, Belmont
Contact: Michael Arase-Barham, 
[email protected], 650.593.4844 

Happy Birthday:  
Loretta Faulkner on Monday, Jessica Clouse on Wednesday and Jennifer Robinson on Friday.


​This Week
Sunday, November 22
The Last Sunday after Pentecost/Christ the King
8am          The Traditional Eucharist
9:30am    The Joyful Noise Eucharist
10:30am   The Musical Eucharist
11:30am    Christmas decorating meeting
noon         Transfig Teens Off Topic
6:15pm     Distil Dinner Club
Monday, November 23
3:15pm      Snake Dragon Club -Japanese language storytime(classrooms)
7pm           FA Meeting (Parish Hall)
Tuesday, November 24
9am           Morning Prayer(Good Shepherd, Belmont)
6:30pm    Thanksgiving Eucharist (based on 12 Steps), Good Shepherd, Belmont
7pm          AA Meeting  (Parish Hall)
Wednesday, November 25
9am          Morning Prayer (Chapel)
10:30am   Gospel Preview (Parish Hall)
2pm           Staff Meeting (Parish Hall)
3:15 -5:45pm   Looking Glass Korean Learning Center(classrooms)
4-5:30pm   Looking Glass Korean Learning Center(classrooms)
7pm           Transfig Choir Rehearsal 
Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving Holiday
Parish Offices closed
Friday, November 27
Day after Thanksgiving Holiday
Parish Offices closed
Saturday, November 28
11:30-3:30    Private Event (Parish Hall)
Sunday, November 29
The First Sunday of Advent
8am              The Traditional Eucharist
9:30am        The Joyful Noise Eucharist
10:30am      The Musical Eucharist
Home & Hope Hosting Week begins

8:00 am  The Traditional Eucharist
9:30 am  The Joyful Noise Eucharist
10:30 am   The Musical Eucharist 



From the Rector

Remembrance Day
Veterans day is called Remembrance Day in the UK. It is a day to stop and remember those who lost their lives in World War I and II. 

It is a significant time in the UK and from the beginning of November the British Legion (a veterans organization) sells poppies that people wear to show they are remembering.

There are arguments about this from time to time. Sometimes people say that to remember in this way is to celebrate war. In the 1980s some people started wearing white poppies as a sign of protest. This tradition didn’t catch on, but red poppies are still worn. 

In the UK November 11 isn’t a national holiday, but the nearest Sunday is kept as a day for remembrance also, and Church of England churches often have a member of the military come and lay a wreath at the war memorial (many churches have a war memorial on their grounds). This always takes place at 11am and is accompanied by 2 minutes silence. 

There are differences in America as we celebrate this day. I am glad that it is not just about WWI and WWII, but that it is a day to remember veterans from all conflicts. 

I do miss some of the religious traditions that existed in the UK around Remembrance day. As a priest in Pimlico, a part of London that was badly bombed in the blitz, with parishioners in their late 80s and 90s who actually remembered being there, the idea of rememberance was always powerful. I never felt we were glorifying war, and believed that simply remembering was the most important thing we could do. 
Anyone who has been through a war will tell you that remembering it properly is the best way to try and avoid conflict in future.

Love,   Matthew+

News & Announcements

Home & Hope walk/run 
Thanks to our team participants:  Aidan and Jessica Jobe Sea, Dace Samta, Patrick Fox, Greg Spurrier, Bethany Lukach, Matthew Woodward, Dawn Bailey, Nick Klein and Kathleen Villa.   Thank you also to all who made donations - Team Transfiguration raised $2800 for Home & Hope!

Episcopal 101
Are you interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church? Perhaps you wish to be received into the Episcopal Church as a full member. If so, Episcopal 101 may be for you. November 19th at 6:30pm. We will meet for a potluck meal, share our experiences of church and learn more about the Episcopal church and end at about 8:30pm. For those wishing to be received into the Episcopal church by the Bishop during his visit on December 13th, this is a required class. Questions?  Please speak to Fr. Matthew.

Thanksgiving Baskets
The Parish Care Committee is preparing Thanksgiving baskets to parishioners who are unable to attend church services or are recently bereaved.  Please help by sharing your ‘harvest’ of fruits and small baked goods or cookies and bringing them to the parish hall on Sunday, November 22. We are looking for volunteers to participate in creating the gift baskets and/or pick up baskets after the 10:30AM service to deliver them to  parishioners before Thanksgiving.  Questions? contact Gillian Hartford

Brief Meeting-Christmas decorating
If you are interested in helping, please gather for a brief discussion about plans for Advent/Christmas decorating.

Transfig Teens - Nov. 22nd at 12noon
Our program for Transfig Teens takes on a slightly different tone for this week as we invite Virginia Fox to come and wonder with us about our life together at Transfig. Come and help us shape the Teens (and whole church!) program for the next year & we will take more photos for the Stations of the Cross.

Distil - November 22nd, 6:15pm
Our second Dinner Club evening takes place on Sunday, November 22 at 6:15 at Jessica and Aidans. The theme is: “Muddy Field vs Bright Field” - we explore light and dark on a Fall evening.  Bring along fall foods to share and talk about this theme with Fr. Matthew and Dawn. Questions? speak to Dawn Bailey.
​
‘Women who knew Jesus’ author conversation and book signing
Holy Family, Half Moon Bay, and Good Shepherd, Belmont, invite you to a conversation with the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Ring, author of the newly published Women who knew Jesus (AuthorHouse, 2015). Copies will be available for purchase and author-signing ($18 for softcover, $25 for hardcover). Hear Rev. Ring talk about her journey and learn about her book in which she invites readers to experience these women and their encounters with Jesus as part of the continued spiritual journey of the followers of Jesus. All are welcome!

Saturday, November 28, 5 p.m. @Holy Family, 1590 So. Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay
Sunday, November 29, 5 p.m. @ Good Shepherd, 1300 Fifth Avenue, Belmont
Contact:Michael Arase-Barham, [email protected], 650.593.4844 
www.goodshepherdbelmont.org
​