What it means to be an Episcopalian?

Annual Dinner Dance 2

C-4 Dinner 3

Before You Give 4

Stewardship 2016 5

Samaritan Ministries Gala 8

Special Services 9

Online Giving & Holiday Baskets 10

Inside this issue: TRANSCRIPT

TRANSFIGURATION PARISH

October 2015

The Episcopal Church is some-

times called a “bridge” church,

because of our strong affinities

with both Roman Catholic and

other Protestant churches and our

respect for all faith traditions. Our

worship consists of music, prayers,

readings from Scripture and a ser-

mon, followed by what we call the

celebration of Holy Communion, a

sacred act of remembering and re-

living Jesus’ last meal with his dis-

ciples. Our worship is traditional

in many ways, and quite innova-

tive in others. It’s that combination

of tradition and innovation that

gives the Episcopal Church its dis-

tinct feel. We love to explore the

deeper questions of life and faith,

in the context of that deeper

grounding.

Some things to know about

Episcopalians:

We are Christians, followers of

Jesus, who we believe to be the

Son of God.

We are also deeply respectful

toward other faiths and committed

to inter-faith dialogue and witness.

While we feel called to follow

Jesus, we don’t presume that all

people are called to the same path.

We are people of the Book. The

Bible is our sacred text and story.

But we also acknowledge that the

Bible is an ancient human docu-

ment, full of all the contradictions

and inconsistencies of humanity.

We seek in Scripture spiritual in-

spiration, historical grounding for

our faith, the teachings of Jesus

and of the Hebrew prophets before

him, and guidance for our own life

of prayer and service.

We are people of community

and of communion. For Episcopa-

lians, our gathering in community

and our common prayers are price-

less. We don’t need to agree with

one another about matters of faith,

but we are called to pray together,

with and for one another. We be-

lieve, as Jesus taught, that when

two or three of us are gathered, he

is in our midst, and we need the

diversity of human community to

embody God’s dream — all who

worship with us are welcome to

participate in the sharing of bread

and wine.

Additional Resources:

www.episcopalchurch.org

www.anglicancommunion.org

Page 3

COLESVILLE COUNCIL OF

COMMUNITY CONGREGATIONS FALL FUNDRAISER DINNER

TO BE HELD AT THE

Greek Village Restaurant on

Tuesday October 27th 2015 13476 New Hampshire Ave.

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Colesville Shopping Center (next to Giant)

*If you cannot attend but would still like to make a contribution to C-4, please send a check to:

“C-4” P.O. Box 4192 Silver Spring, MD 20914-4192

6:00 COCKTAILS (CASH BAR)

(Discounted House Wine $5/glass)

6:30 DINNER

MENU: Greek Salad

Choice of: (Please specify with reservation)

• FILLET OF SALMON

• CHICKEN SHISH KEBOB

• EYE of ROUND WITH GRAVY

Potato and vegetable

Bread and Butter

Soft Drinks, Coffee, Hot Tea, Ice Tea

Baklava

THE COST OF THE EVENING WILL BE $50 PER PERSON INCLUDING GRATUITY

CONTACT ALYSSA RANKO FOR RESERVATIONS 703-851-5993 or alyssa@atlanticpersonnel.com

MUST RSVP NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 23rd

CHECKS CAN BE MADE OUT TO C-4 AND PAYMENT CAN BE ACCEPTED ON THE 27th

Page 4

Before you give...

TRANSCRIPT

Before You Give, Ask Three Questions

10.01.15

Author: The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde

For where your treasure is, there your heart

will be also. -- Luke 12:34

This is the season when congregational lead-

ers prepare to ask for money. It’s an important

conversation, but there are deeper questions to

consider first.

Adam Hamilton, founder and senior pastor of

Church of the Resurrection, the largest United

Methodist Church in the United States, sug-

gests that before we talk about money in

church, we ask ourselves three questions:

Why do people need Jesus Christ?

Why do people need the church?

And why might the people in your commu-

nity need your particular church?

As we get clarity about these three questions,

we become more confident in asking for fi-

nancial support and giving it, because we

know that we’re about the work of changing

lives for the better and moving the world a bit

closer to the dream God intends for all.

Why do people need Jesus Christ?

Think of a time when you experienced

Christ’s presence, when you felt his love con-

sole you in grief, strengthen you in trial, or

encourage you in bravery. Or of a time when

God’s grace, working in you, helped you ac-

complish far more than you could ask or im-

agine. When you think about money for the

church, begin with your walk of faith and what

it means for your to be a follower of Jesus.

Continued on pg. 5

It’s that time of the year known as STEWARDSHIP SEASON. That means that it’s time for

your Vestry to prepare a budget for the up-coming year and your church leaders are compelled

to ask for your time, talent, and treasure, with an emphasis on treasure, in order keep Transfig-

uration functioning and doings God’s work.

Take a look at what your bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde has to say about the topic as

you prepare to make your decision about what to give:

...changing lives for the better and moving the world a bit closer to the dream God intends for all.

Page 5

Before you give (cont.)

Upcoming Meetings

Meetings: where God can inspire us, creative ideas can take flight &

details can be taken care of.

Why do people need the Episcopal Church?

I wonder what about the Episcopal Church is

priceless to you. Here is my answer:

At a time when people all around us hunger for

meaning, we in the Episcopal Church offer beauti-

ful and thoughtful worship, grounded in both intel-

lect and mystery. At a time when young people

seek authenticity, we offer personal relationships

and the space to ask questions and explore doubt

without fear. At a time when all Christians are

asked to live in a multicultural, pluralistic world,

we offer an expansive understanding of God, a

faith rooted in Christ and yet appreciative of other

traditions. And at a time when our society is in-

creasingly polarized, we offer a respectful way of

engagement with those who see the world differ-

ently.

When you think about money for the church, think

about what you cherish about the Episcopal

Church and why it matters to God and to our

neighbors that we are here.

Why might some people need the particular

congregation to which you belong?

Now reflect on what your congregation does for its

community and how your life has been blessed in

and through its common life. Think of your clergy

and lay leaders and how much they mean to you,

of the particular people who at crucial moments

were the hands and heart of Jesus for you, of the

challenges you’ve endured together and what you

learned from them. Think of the gifts you offer the

wider community in service, spiritual presence,

and hospitality, inspired by the grace and mercy of

Christ.

When you think about money for the church, think

of what your particular community means to you

and how lives have been changed through its min-

istry.

Grounded in answers to these three questions, it’s

easier to ask for money -- and easier to give it. It’s

a privilege to support God’s work in the world

through a community of faith that shares a com-

mitment to Christ, within the expansive, generous

tradition of the Episcopal Church, and with its par-

ticular gifts and ways of serving Christ.

October 28 (Wednesday) - Regional Assembly 6:30 p.m. St. Luke’s Bethesda

November

Sun. 8 Vestry 12 noon Comm. Bldg.

Sat. 10 Mission 11 a.m. in the library

Sun. 15 ECW 9:15 a.m. in the library

TMG 12 noon library

Transfiguration Parish Stewardship Card 2016 A N E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H I N T H E D I O C E S E O F W A S H I N G T O N A C H U R C H I N T H E W O R L D W I D E A N G L I C A N C O M M U N I O N

Touching Lives through Pledging

•God’s people at Transfiguration are a

generous people, touching lives in a myriad of ways

–Both we and the Vestry can be good stewards of not only our time and talent but of our money

•Pledging makes us intentional in giving

so that all parts of the body strive to do their part to make the body whole and healthy and able to connect not only within the church but in service to the world

Paul in I Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 12, said: For as the

body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of

that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

9

All Saints’ Sunday

C-4 Thanksgiving Service

November 1, one service 9:30 a.m.—This is a day

when we remember the saints who have gone before

us into the Kingdom of God during the past year.

This year you will find All Saint envelopes in the

pews during the month of October. Please fill out the

envelope with information about someone you love

who has passed away or someone still living for

whom you wish to give thanksgiving. These will be

listed in the Nov. 1 bulletin. Money received will go

into a fund for the use of the altar guild for special us-

es, including flowers. You may return the envelopes

in the alms basin or send them into the office. Remember to legibly write who

the memorial is for and who is giving it.

N

O

V

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M

B

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Tuesday the

24TH

Details will be posted on the web site when available

13925 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20904

TRANSFIGURATION PARISH

Holiday Baskets 2015

301-384-664 church@transfig.org www.transfig.org

Uniting Diverse People Serving One Lord

www.transf ig .org

This year the Mission Team has decided they will collect money and not food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets. This is so we can get the types of food we need to create the baskets.

A special box will be put out soon for you to place you donations in. Cash or check (please note Holi-day Baskets) donations of any size will be appreciated. This mission makes a big difference in the lives of the Head Start families that receive the baskets!

Online Giving You can give online to all sorts of things and events by going to our website: www.transfig.org. 1 Click on Donate or Purchase Tickets

2 Complete the required blanks.

3 Select Donation or Pledge for Operating Budget

4 Fill in the amount you wish to donate

5 Where it says Please direct my donation to: click on the arrow to see a drop down menu of items you can give to or purchase tick-ets for. You can also make a pledge. Please note that if you make an annual pledge we do not carry it from year to year. You will need go update it the next year.

6 Donate to: allows you to dedicate a gift to someone/ or something special or state what event you are supporting. It is a required line.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the office. 301-384-6264 or church@transfig.org