 Service Times
8am - Traditional Eucharist 10am - Advent Lessons and Carols From the Rector Thinking and walking I went for a walk this morning, over the freeway to Bair Island. I like my walks on Bair Island, it was going to be developed into a community but local residents put a stop to that process and it is now going to be restored as a bird sanctuary and natural habitat. I like walking there. As I walked, I wondered. I wondered about how busy we all are, and how much we do things with purpose and direction in a goal driven sort of way. I wondered about how often we slow down and just meander. I wondered about the culture of the Bay Area and what it does to family togetherness, individual sanity and community activities. As I walked, and said some of my normal prayers I was taken back to the moment on Saturday when Martín and I went for a walk. I had half suggested it the day before, but we were busy cleaning up after Thanksgiving and being all busy about some task or another, at the end of which we just opped and watched some TV – a walk was not on the agenda. Saturday morning I woke up and put on warm clothes, determined to get going sooner. Martín decided to join me and our impromptu walk got underway. We followed my normal route, but as we got to the end of that decided to keep going. I was reminded of the Frost poem in which ‘way leads on to way.’ We talked while we walked, and connected. We jabbered on about our cooking exploits over Thanksgiving and our guests and our lives. We weren’t particularly purposeful about our conversation, but at the end of it I felt both heard and informed. I felt more connected to my partner and more connected to myself. This morning, as I write, I have ve or six di erent priorities on a list in my head. Life is often like that, but if it is constantly like it then there is never a moment to stop, let the list of priorities go and try to make sense of why we are here in the rst place. We don’t wander; we go for purposeful walks with a focus and direction in mind. It was in the middle of this busy morning that I realized our Advent theme is an invitation to you all to pause for a moment. We want you to take some time and go for a meandering wander instead of squeezing a tiny bit more productivity out of your stress riddled brain. I think it is best to do it in nature, breathing in the crisp cold air of December. Go and waste some time, take the family, go by yourself, call a friend – but switch o and wander for a moment or two. December can become even more busy than every other month of the year. We can become so busy getting ready for Christmas and closing out work priorities before the break that we have no time to pause and wonder ‘why’. I hope you might nd time to stop ‘doing’ and ‘be’ in the midst of all of this, and to wonder about what it all means. Love, Matthew+ From the Assistant Rector Pondering blessings; waiting patiently for new life One summer when I was a tween, my camp counselor responded to my frustration about a situation by reminding me that patience is a virtue. I don’t recall her words of wisdom alleviating my annoyance, but they did give me pause to consider how I might choose to respond differently to undesirable or unexpected circumstances. My counselor listened patiently to my concerns, yet wisely chose not to get drawn into my emotional drama. When my daughter was growing up I often reminded her to be patient with herself and others, especially on days when she noticed crankiness creeping up within her. At other times I reminded her that I endured 9 months of pregnancy and 22 hours of labor waiting for her to be born. Now that I am about to become a grandmother, I find myself waiting patiently to see my daughter again, and waiting for the blessed day when her own child will be born. Waiting can be a time for de-cluttering our minds and hearts; a time of contemplation and re-centering. Waiting can be a time for noticing our guardian angel gently touching our shoulder and guiding us away from the precipice of obsessive worrying and unceasing busy-ness. Whether we’re waiting in a checkout line at a store, at long stoplight at a congested intersection, in the birthing center of a hospital, or riding a donkey on the long journey to Bethlehem, may we remember that God’s time provides sacred space to ponder our blessings and choose to receive life with grace and gratitude. Wishing you a blessed Advent and joyous Christmastide, Monica+ Art in Advent Our administrator, Noreen Huey, and I have been working on some Advent images for you to enjoy. They are based around the theme of ‘I wonder as I wander’ and are a series of images created with airbrush and stencils that depict individuals and groups walking and wondering alone or together. These images we hope evoke a spiritual sense of contemplation and are designed to encourage such contemplation in the viewer. It is not so important who they actually are, but I invite you to wonder about them and perhaps try to imagine where they are on their spiritual journey as you wonder about your own. Also consider going for a walk this Advent, and taking some time to let your mind wander as you do, if you would like any resources to help you with meditation we would be happy to provide them. Stewardship update Thank you so much to Claudia for her work on Stewardship. At the time of writing our pledge amount had risen to $275,600 and our goal is $333,000. We are getting so close to our goal and we are excited about the progress made so far. Please do get those final pledge cards in as soon as possible. Thanks! Bishop Marc’s Visit Our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus is visiting us next week, join us at our parish-wide service at 10am, followed by coffee and a discussion forum. This will be an exciting opportunity for our parish to reflect on where we are with the spiritual leader of our diocese. While the Bishop is here we will be receiving two new members into the Episcopal Church, come and join Eric Choate and Michele McLean as they take the step to become full members of the Episcopal family of faith. Wondering Together After the service we have a chance to talk more deeply with each other and our Bishop. Virginia Fox has been leading our ‘Wondering Together’ program this fall and we will give feedback on the dinners, the youth dinner, the three wish cards and the online survey next week while the Bishop is here. We will invite some reflections from Bishop Marc and also have an opportunity for parishioners to discuss the findings so far and let us know if we have missed anything. After the forum next week the Vestry will do a final review of our findings and make some proposals for parish life during 2016 at our annual meeting on January 31st. Annual Meeting Our annual meeting takes place on Jan 31st after a combined service at 10am. We will share brunch together and take time to reflect on our parish ministry. We will review our finances and elect parish leadership for the next year. Nominations are open for the Vestry and Deanery Representatives posts, please let any members of the Nominating Committee know if you are interested in running for any of these roles. The Nominating Committee includes: Jan Jensen, Keith Jobe, Virginia Fox, Claudia Dierkes-Banks and George Philipp. Our Worship Today at 10am Advent Lessons and Carols The service of Nine Lessons and Carols dates back to the late 19th century at King’s College, Cambridge. Traditionally there are three carol services: One at the onset of Advent, one on Christmas Eve, and one on the Feast of The Epiphany. While the lessons on Christmas eve all point to the Forerunner, Annunciation, and coming of the Messiah, the Advent Carol Service concerns many broader themes of waiting, darkness and light, the coming of Christ’s Kingdom on earth. Fr. Matthew and Eric have selected a pattern of readings to this end, ranging from the Fall of Man in Genesis, to God’s calling of his people to redemption in Isaiah, to the Annunciation and Song of Mary. We will ponder thoughtful readings and stories and listen to wonderful music from our choir and a special chamber orchestra that will enhance our singing of carols. Women’s Retreat 2016 Initial Planning Meeting Today Women of Transfiguration, we will gather for an initial planning meeting for the 2016 Women’s Retreat today, 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. News Serve Joyfully: Outreach The Giving Tree Have you cut down your tree and brought it home? Are there gifts gathering beneath it? This is the time of year for trees with gifts underneath them. At Transfiguration we are always reminded that there are many people who will have no tree and no gifts this Christmas. For some years we have put up our own tree as a tree for giving. We are going to gather gifts under the tree this year for two projects supported by people close to our community. Hayes Bakken and Noelle Huey introduce projects they are involved in below and describe who our gifts are going to this year. I am so grateful to Hayes and Noelle for their work in these charities and this represents the approach that I hope we can take as a community to outreach: we want to raise up charities, needs and projects that are precious to parishioners and share them with each other so that our whole community can become involved. Here is the idea. Go up to the tree as a family or on your own and look at the stars. Each star has a gift listed for one of our projects. When you pick out the gift(s) listed that you want to purchase, take the star(s) with you. Before you go, find the gift list clipboard and write your name, email and phone number next to the gift that you are going to purchase. Buy your gift, and bring it to church by Sunday, Dec. 20, placing it under the tree (please note, some should be wrapped and some unwrapped based on which project they are going to). When you bring your gift back put up a white star (snowflake) on the tree. It is as simple as that. Thank you all for your generosity. It is time for the tree, and it is time to give. Homeless Prenatal Program - Hayes Bakken Homeless Prenatal Program (www.homelessprenatal.org) is a not for profit organization serving families in San Francisco. Their mission is that “[b]y seizing the motivational opportunity created by pregnancy and parenthood, HPP joins with families to help them recognize their strengths and trust in their capacity to transform their lives.” In her work at San Francisco General as a Pediatrician, Hayes Bakken, has personally worked with and referred to this wonderful organization. She has seen firsthand the impact of their programs and has grown to respect and support this organization personally. A cornerstone of their programming is providing prenatal care and education to low income mothers during their pregnancies and at the completion of the program, mothers receive a beautiful baby shower providing them with all the basics they need to bring their infants home. This winter they are especially asking for support for their Homegoods program that provides families with the housewarming basics they need to make their house a home as they transition out of homelessness. They also are always looking for the baby basics needed for their frequent baby showers for expecting moms. Go and find a star on the tree for gift items for Homeless Prenatal Program. Haven of Hope Homes - Noelle Huey Since leaving my post as Youth Minister I have begun a new journey in Santa Cruz as a Residential Counselor at a non-profit organization, Haven of Hope Homes. Between two homes, we provide care for twelve girls in foster care ages 12-18, who have come to us as a result of histories of abuse or neglect. Each day I spend at the house with our girls, is a new opportunity to build upon a relationship. In many ways, the ways that I am able to do this are rooted in rich youth ministry, camp, and community experiences. The Haven of Hope family is certainly “modern” and filled with an extreme sense of care and warmth. The girls whom we serve, have an immense amount of light about them, though they have been through corners of darkness. They inspire and challenge us on a daily basis as we grow together. This season I am whole-heartedly thankful to be able to see each of our girls shine in their strengths as they find themselves. This Christmas season, we hope to share this holiday to each of our girls, and we are enthused that the Transfiguration community has chosen to support us in doing so, this year.” Go and find a star on the tree for one of the girls at Haven of Hope. Noelle has given us a list of the girls (initials only to protect anonymity) and their ages, each star has one item. Visitor from Bethlehem: Michael Zoughbi - Sunday, December 20 - 9:15 am-10:15 am - Parish Hall Michael Zoughbi is a Palestinian Christian who lives in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and has ancestors who were Bethlehem residents for 10 generations. Michael and will be visiting Transfiguration to share wonderful stories about being Christians in the Holy Land. In addition to speaking about life in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Michael works with the Olive Wood Carving Collective in Bethlehem. He will have artwork available for sale (cash and checks accepted) that may be perfect stocking stuffers or last-minute Christmas gifts! 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. We will be convening a planning meeting soon. For now please 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 & pay for a whole pallet of snow. Snow Ball - donate $200 and pay for part of a pallet. Snow Flurry - donate $50 towards our snow for the day. Angels, sheep, and holy people... ... needed for the Christmas pageant! Please contact Virginia Fox if you are interested in being in this year’s Christmas pageant. We will be rehearsing speaking roles only on Sunday, December 20, noon-1pm. Dress rehearsal will be at 3:30pm on Christmas Eve for the 5pm service. Pray Thoughtfully: worship Join Us for Christmas Season Services! Christmas Eve Pageant & Joyful Noise Eucharist Thursday, December 24 5:00pm This is a wonderful service for children from ages 0-99. Come and see the Christmas story unfold. Join in if you’d like! We have many costmes, just join us for the rehearsal at 3:30pm to find a part. Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist Thursday, December 24, 10:00pm with musical introit beginning at 9:45 For sublime music and thoughtful preaching about the nativity of our Lord, come to this service. It is a wonderful tradition for Christmas Eve and a great blessing to those who have come over many years. Christmas Day Eucharist Friday, December 25, 10:00am A fun and relaxed service for those who like to start Christmas Morning with thoughtful worship and playful prayers. Children are welcome and asked to bring a gift along to show and tell, and we will hear about the Christmas Story in a gentle way amongst friends. First Sunday after Christmas Sunday, December 27 8am Traditional Eucharist 10am Community Eucharist Join us on the First Sunday of Christmas to sing more carols and deepen your contemplation of the wonder of the incarnation. Epiphany Sunday Sunday, January 3, 2016 8am Traditional Eucharist 10am Community Eucharist with Epiphany Potluck following The Wise People return (having made a cameo at the Pageant on Christmas Eve), find out about their gifts and what they tell us about the child born in Bethlehem. Think Openly: deepening faith Transfig Fireflies Fireflies, a preschooler play group (ages 0-5), meets in the parish hall every Thursday, 10am-noon. The group is free and everyone is invited, church member or not. We have a play time, story time with musical instruments, healthy snacks and finish with a craft project and/or game activity. We have fun, make new friends and share our joy, wisdom and sometimes frustrations of family life with other parents and caregivers. Stop by and check us out. Let your friends, neighbors and family members with preschool age children know that we would love to welcome them. Questions? Contact Dace Samta. Transfig Teens Saturday, December 19, 3-6pm Snow Day hosting Sunday, January 24, noon Art Workshop Distil (young adult group) • Carol singing, visiting parishioners at care residences Sunday, Dec. 13th, 3pm • Sunday night potluck dinners -faith conversation around the dinner table! January 24th, 6:15-8pm. Distil is also still hosting Sanctuary Yoga with yogi, Yael. Thursday, Dec. 10th, 6:15-7:15pm and watch for announcements about the schedule for 2016.
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 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. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 8:00 am The Traditional Eucharist
9:30 am The Joyful Noise Eucharist 10:30 am The Musical Eucharist From the Rector Dia De los Muertos Next week we celebrate All Souls' and All Saints' day on Sunday morning. We do so by starting in our Memorial Quiet Garden and remembering the departed loved ones we have buried there, and other loved ones who have died. Bring pictures you don't mind leaving, be ready to write names down and place them onto our memorial altar and be ready to call out the name of your loved one. After this moving and joyful act of remembrance we will go inside the church and remember all of the saints of the church. We have examples of holiness in our saints, but I personally believe in the sainthood of all believers. What I mean by this is that every one of us contains the seeds of grace, and it is our task in life to water them and help them grow. Every one of us is 'becoming' a saint. Join us next week as we remember loved ones, are inspired by the example of the saints and seek to grow in holiness ourselves. On the front cover this week you will see a series of Icons created by my friend Regan O'Callaghan, in his series that depicts the 'sainthood of all believers' - these are three women who acted as 'mothers' to the parish he served in the East End of London and these images were commissioned for the diocesan offices in the diocese of London. Healing - like water So we had our prayers for healing last week on St. Luke's Day. We made healing a special focus of our Eucharist, looked at the 12 steps, honored physicians and thought about how prayers for healing could be part of an ongoing journey towards wellness. In the week since I have had several conversations about prayers for healing, with some of you telling me that you have valued this ministry in our church. One conversation in particular made me think. It was with a parishioner who said that she did not know what to ask for one time when she went up for healing, and made something up. When she told me what she had said it actually sounded like a deeply authentic request that she was downplaying, but in responding to her comment I asked: "you do know you don't have to say anything?" I went on to say that I always go up for healing prayers, but that I never say what I am praying for. I always have an intention, but I never tell the people praying because I know that God knows. Sometimes it is a physical thing, sometimes an emotional one, sometimes a spiritual issue. I always go because I believe that we are all always both broken and healing at the same time. Personally, I believe that receiving prayers for healing is less like taking a pill when you feel unwell, and more like drinking water - you do it all the time because it is an essential part of being well. Thank you to our healing team for making this ministry possible. It is a great gift to me personally, and I know to a great many others. Stewardship: we are family Thank you to everyone who helped make Oktoberfest possible yesterday. I am writing this before the event has taken place, but I am confident that it will have been full of fun and excitement! And thank you to our Stewardship team of Claudia, Jeanette and Tania for bringing us this year's stewardship campaign. Please read the materials, look at the installations in church and contemplate for the next few weeks how Transfiguration is an extended family to you. In a couple of weeks we will send out stewardship pledge cards for your responses so that we might support the ministry of our church for the year to come. Monica and I are so excited about ministry with you in the coming year, thank you already for your generosity and commitment to Transfiguration. Love, Matthew+ Monica away this weekend. . . Monica is away today visiting Isabella and Kyle for their baby shower. Her first grandchild is due in mid-December. Monica will be back in the office on Monday. Wondering Together From Virginia: Our Wondering Together dinners wrap up Sunday night. Thank you to the Vestry members for their generous hosting and to all those who came and shared their stories. We will be reporting back all that we learned in the coming weeks. From Matthew: I am so grateful to Virginia for spearheading this program with the Vestry, she has put together the framework, facilitated each meeting and coordinated guest lists with Noreen Huey, our Administrator. I also wanted to thank Matt Longnecker who hosted and Keith Jobe who assisted at the first meal, Jan Jensen who hosted and Bob Adams who assisted at the second meal, Mike Robinson who hosted and George Philipp who assisted at the third meal, Skip Howie who hosted and Bethany Lukach who assisted at the fourth meal, John Tornquist who hosted and Shannon Yonker who assisted at the fifth meal and Gari Patton who hosted and Claudia Dierkes-Banks who will be assisting Sunday night at the final meal. Thank you also to understanding and loving spouses who assisted their Vestry member partner in preparing homes and hosting meals. I am excited about this program and very grateful for the efforts of all. + + + News & Announcements Home & Hope walk/run coming up in November The 3rd Annual "The Journey Home" Walk/Run Fundraising Event is to be held on Sunday, November 8th at 1:00pm at Seal Point Park in San Mateo. This is a sponsored event to raise funds for Home & Hope. Please go online to join our team or to make a donation Distil - for the Fall Distil (young adult group) will have a new format for the Fall - faith conversation around the dinner table! Sunday night potluck dinners, 6:15-8pm: TONIGHT, Oct. 25th - "On Thor and Food" at Dawn's in Palo Alto Sunday, Nov. 29th - "Muddy Field vs. Bright Field"Sunday, Dec. 20th - "Fast and Slow" Distil is also still hosting Sanctuary Yoga with yogi, Yael. Please join us for yoga on Thurdays, Oct. 22nd, Nov. 12th and Dec. 10th, 6:15-7:15pm. Questions? Speak to Dawn Bailey. Legacy Society Party On Sunday, November 1st, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. the Endowment Committee is hosting a "Thank You Party" for Legacy Society members and others in our community who have made long term commitments to Transfiguration. While the group is enjoying refreshments at the home of Ruth Ciranni, special guest Amanda Kierman, JD, will give us food for thought. At Notre Dame University, Amanda obtained a law degree with a focus on trusts, estates, tax and nonprofit law. She is now the Planned Giving Officer of our Diocese and will talk to us about "Philanthropy and Intergenerational Wealth." If you would like to attend this party, RSVP to Ruth Ciranni. All are welcome! The New Jim Crow book study (Nov. 5-Dec. 10) Holy Family-Half Moon Bay will be hosting a reading and discussion group on the important new book by Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of color blindness. This is an open group, and friends and neighbors are welcome to participate. Please contact the Rev. Julia McKeon if you would like additional information, or would be interested in carpooling from Good Shepherd-Belmont. This is another opportunity to get to know our Episcopal neighbors and wider community. Collaborating for a Slave-Free Bay Area On Nov. 4th at 7:30 am at Cafe Bliss (Carlmont Shopping Center), Belmont Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a presentation about human trafficking in the Bay Area. Featured speakers will be Brian Wo, leader of the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition, and Mike Brosnan, Human Trafficking Program Coordinator for the County of San Mateo. Gather with neighbors for breakfast and learn what we can do to eliminate this modern form of slavery, especially in our own backyards. Transfig Fireflies Fireflies, a preschooler play group (ages 0-5), meets in the parish hall every Thursday, 10am-noon. The group is free and everyone is invited, church member or not. We have a play time, story time with musical instruments, healthy snacks and finish with a craft project and/or game activity. We have fun, make new friends and share our joy, wisdom and sometimes frustrations of family life with other parents and caregivers. Stop by and check us out. Even if you do not have the children in this age group, please, let your friends, neighbors and family members of preschool age children know that we would love to welcome them at our playgroup. Questions? Contact Dace Samta through the parish office. + + + This Week Sunday, October 25 The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost 8am The Traditional Eucharist 9:30am The Joyful Noise Eucharist 10:30am The Musical Eucharist noon Transfig Teens - Off Topic 6:15pm Distil -Potluck Dinner (at Dawn's) Monday, October 26 3:15pm Snake Dragon Club -Japanese language storytime(classrooms) 7pm FA Meeting (Parish Hall) Tuesday, October 27 9am Morning Prayer (at Good Shepherd, Belmont) 10:30am Parish Care Committee (Parish Hall) 6:30pm New Millennium Chamber Orchestra rehearsal (Church) 7pm AA Meeting (Parish Hall) Wednesday, October 28 9am Morning Prayer (Chapel) 10:30am Gospel Preview Bible Study (Parish Hall) 3pm Good Grief (Patton home) 3:15 -5:45pm Looking Glass Korean LearningCenter (classrooms) 4-5:30pm Looking Glass Korean LearningCenter (Parish Hall) 7:30pm Finance Committee (Peters home) Thursday, October 29 9am Morning Prayer (Chapel) 10:30am Transfig Fireflies (Parish Hall) 2pm Staff Meeting (Parish Hall) 7pm Choir Rehearsal Friday, October 30 3:30pm Girl Scout Brownie Troop Mtg (parish Hall) Saturday, October 31 Halloween 8:45 -11:15am Looking Glass Korean LearningCenter (classrooms) Sunday, November 1 Daylight Savings Time Ends All Saints'/All Souls' / Dia de los Muertos 10am The Festival Eucharist One parish-wide worship service 3pm Legacy Circle Tea (Ciranni home) MINISTRY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 8:00 The Traditional Eucharist Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Matthew Woodward Lector: Gari Patton Usher: Bob Adams Coffee Hour: Bobbie O'Keefe, Betty Strombom 9:30am The Joyful Noise Eucharist Presider: The Rev. Matthew Woodward Storyteller:Michelle McLean Coffee Hour: Michelle McLean 10:30am The Community Eucharist Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Matthew Woodward Acolytes: Charlie Fox, Patrick Fox, Zoe Leckey Eucharistic Ministers: Keith Jobe, Bill Peters Lectors: John Phillips (Scripture) Tom Yonker (Prayers) Director of Music: Eric Choate Welcoming/Greeting: Skip and Sarah Howie Kids Club/Chapel Time: Eric Johnson, Joseph Villa, Lydia Villa Childcare: Veer Singh, Nikki Singh Coffee Hour: Dawn Bailey Altar Flowers: Bobbie O'Keefe Altar Guild: Betty Haines, Holly Bailey Sunday Bankers: Tim Fox, Betty Strombom Dedication The Altar Flowers today are given to the Glory of God by Bobbie O'Keefe in loving memory of her husband, Richard. 8:00am The Traditional Eucharist |
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