The First Sunday after the Epiphany

From the Rector
Three Stories
There are three powerful stories that we tell at this time of year, and each are lenses into who Jesus is.

The first is the story of the Three Kings. We told this story last week with the help of the wise Kearns girls. The story of the three kings reminds us that when we are looking for meaning we need to step outside of our ordinary lives, we need to be patient and we need to look in unexpected places. I preached on this last Sunday.
The second Story we hear today, it is the story of the Baptism of Jesus, when the dove descends and reveals him to be more than just another man or another preacher. This is the man who opens up a conduit between earth and heaven. In fact he is the conduit! God speaks to us about him and through him, if we will only listen.

The third story we tell during the season of Epiphany is quite different, but also very meaningful. We tell the story of the transformation of water into wine at the Wedding of Cana in Galilee. This is a strange story, in that it seems like Jesus is just making sure everyone can have a good party, but it is told in Epiphany precisely because it is Jesus' first miracle. it is the first time that we see him exercising his divine power and so we see him in a new light. It is interesting to me that God is revealed in Jesus in the context of a joyful celebration. Perhaps that is always where we see God most clearly.

Love,   
Matthew+

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

January Service Times
During this month we will be holding two Eucharists each Sunday morning, at 8am we have the Traditional Eucharist, and at 10am the Community Eucharist. A godly play story will be told each Sunday during the Community Eucharist and there will be Kids Club and Chapel Time programs.  Child care will be provided also.  On the last Sunday, January 31st, we will have one parish-wide service at 10am, with a brunch and Annual meeting.

Men's Retreat: Roots
Matthew is on retreat with sixteen men from our community exploring the idea of rootedness at our annual Men's Retreat at St. Dorothy's Rest this weekend. Please keep them in your prayers for a wonderful time of refreshment, reflection and comraderie and a safe journey back home. 

Annual Meeting 
Our annual meeting takes place on Jan 31st after a combined service at 10am. We will share brunch and take time to reflect on our parish ministry, review our finances and elect parish leadership for the next year. Nominations are open for the Vestry and Deanery Representatives posts, if you are interested in running for any of these roles, speak to any of our Nominating Committee members:  Jan Jensen, Keith Jobe, Virginia Fox, Claudia Dierkes-Banks and George Philipp.

Coffee Hour
The year begins again, and so does our desire to drink coffee together in fellowship. We have many open Sundays in the coming months, for the 9:30 and 10:30 services as well as combined 10:00 services on first Sundays.  Please take a look at the link below and sign-up or call Bethany Lukach at 831-229-4723 and she will sign you up.  Thank you! 
To find all volunteer opportunities go to: 
http://www.transfig-sm.org/members.html

ETBC and Vestry Day
If you are a new member of the Vestry, or just interested in how parish and diocesan governance works then please register to go to the Vestry/Bishop's Committee Day at Grace Cathedral on Jan 30th, 10am to 5pm. 
The Keynote Speaker is Mary Parmer, who is a specialist in congregational development from the diocese of Texas. She will be speaking on 'Invite-Welcome-Connect' - a framework for parish welcome ministries.
There will also be oprortunities for people who wish to be trained as Eucharistic Ministers to get their accreditation on this day.

Upcoming Events 
January 24
noon - Transfig Teens
6:15pm - Distil Potluck (Bethany's)
February 9 
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
5-7pm 
February 10
Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins
Noon - Traditional
5pm - Joyful Noise
7pm - Musical
February 26-28
Women's Retreat at The Bishop's Ranch