I’ve heard it said that people overestimate how much can be accomplished in one year, and underestimate how much can be accomplished in ten. Perhaps because I recently celebrated my tenth anniversary as rector, I’ve been reflecting on the wisdom of this saying. The daily grind means we’re usually consumed by whatever challenge is right in front of us, which almost always takes longer to solve than we wished, but looking back from a distance allows us to realize just how far we’ve come.
2024 is a perfect example. Last year, Transfiguration was able to make the final push of a massive, multi-year project. What began in 2017 with a few small committee meetings exploring how to take care of this wonderful campus evolved into an ambitious capital campaign, which over a span of years has resulted in dozens of things we are tempted to take for granted already: a totally renovated church kitchen, updates to all our emergency systems, brand new lighting inside and out, a state of the art solar-powered roof, and new A/V in our meeting rooms. But this farreaching project achieved its peak in 2024 as we dramatically renovated our church and sacristy – updating seating and lighting, improving accessibility, replacing all the electrical and HVAC systems, and creating the most expansive and beautiful sacristy I’ve ever seen.
There were times along the way – and here I know I’m speaking for lots of people who were heavily involved – when we wondered if it really was possible. After the umpteenth three-hour meeting, a happy ending felt incredibly elusive. But our leaders never gave in to discouragement and kept on doing the next right thing, month by month, year by
year, until a mountain of right things added up to a major accomplishment.
For the sake of posterity, I want to chronicle the arc of our efforts in this past, climactic year. In January, plans were still being finalized for the renovation projects in the church and sacristy – ordering equipment, making final selections, sequencing the work-flow – and the consensus was that it would require at least six months. So me and the clergy and liturgical leaders began planning how we would move out of the Nave and continue our rich worship life in Roper Hall. Originally, we were preparing to begin in April, but our contractor revised the start date to June, allowing us to enjoy all of Easter in the Nave.
Eventually, the time did come to migrate, and I cannot begin to thank our Altar Guild enough for their heroic work of relocating the Sacristy to one of our Nursery Wing classrooms. Special thanks are owed to Diana Rawlins and Olga Ruff, who led the effort. Thanks also to St. Hilda’s Guild who allowed us to store many of our vestments in the Clothes Horse. Meanwhile, Fr. Ted Clarkson deployed his considerable imagination to configure our new Roper Hall church, and he helped us seize the opportunity to put the altar at the very center of the congregation – the Body of Christ surrounded by the Body of Christ.
Slowly, the whole thing came together. Our librarians graciously allowed us to convert that room into a chapel. The art of our triptych was reimagined and reproduced in a dramatic way on Roper’s north wall (thank you Tim Cutts!). Our new Carpenter’s Guild built a handsome station for the cross and torches. The endowment trustees made a generous grant enabling us to purchase hundreds of brand new chairs. Bracken Reece, TJ McCoy, and Al Blackwell partnered to improve our audio/visual capabilities, so we could continue our excellent livestream offerings. The Holy Water Font was moved to the main entrance, and finally, the altar was carefully moved and placed on a modest platform. Everything was ready for our first services June 1-2.
I knew we would be just fine in Roper Hall. We are a patient, loving community, and I knew everyone would rally. I’m not sure anyone could have guessed how much we would enjoy being in Roper, and how downright lovely it would be. When we did a little survey in the fall, what I heard was overwhelming gratitude and praise. It turns out we love seeing one another’s faces, singing near the choir, gathering close to the altar, and feeling more intimately connected. The move back to the Nave in March will be thrilling, but not because we’re eager to leave the loveliness of our Roper sojourn.
Even as all that was happening, several other major moments occurred. First, our old pews found a new home. In July, we were able to give nearly all of them to Parish Episcopal School for use in Godwin Chapel, where they look fantastic. It is one more sign of the 50+ year partnership between the church and school, and I smile to think about all the holiness absorbed into those pews that will now bless countless students.
Then, throughout the summer we worked on the exterior of the campus. Thanks to a lead gift by Bob Drotman in memory of his wife Judy, we created a beautiful courtyard beneath the bell tower, and a new Butterfly Garden was created on the carport island in loving memory of David Diggs. At the same time, the Vestry was able to deploy some special funds at their disposal in order to partner with Parish and greatly improve handicap accessibility to different parts of the campus. It looks great, and just as importantly, it enhances our hospitality.
Then, in the fall our church’s original organ found a new home. After a year-long search, Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1525 was gifted in October to Episcopal Church of St. Clement in Alexandria, Virginia. The organ, which is dedicated to the memory of Transfiguration’s first organist, Howard Ross, had been moved from the gallery to the south transept over 15 years ago but it was rarely played. In this new home, it will be regularly used and enjoyed for years to come.
As though all those things aren’t enough, we also embarked on a major preservation effort of our kneeler cushion covers. Under the leadership of Olga Ruff, Marcy Mignardi, and Christine Johnson, dozens of volunteers have been working since June to carefully remove, clean, mend, and prepare nearly two hundred needlepointed cushion covers for placement on our new pew kneelers. Some will be modified to fit smaller spaces, and a few will be moved to new locations in the church, but these gorgeous works of art will carry on blessing us for generations. I hope you’ll read the report about this on page XX, because this is one of those remarkable Transfiguration stories of devotion and service.
And I haven’t even mentioned all the incredible ministry that happened last year, which is documented throughout the rest of this report – all the services, classes, programs, pastoral care visits, outreach efforts, concerts, hugs, stories, and prayers. We’ve been tending to our physical plant, to be sure, but in no way have we slowed our vibrant ministry life. The work of seeking and serving Christ in all persons never pauses, and quite honestly, that is what the campus exists to support. We have spent our energy and resources on our campus the past several years so that our mission will be enhanced and sustained.
When I consider how our mission was lived last year, nothing makes me prouder than the way we navigated a contentious election year. I will admit to a great deal of anxiety last year, anticipating the pressures of a bitterly divided nation. You should know that I usually preach, teach, and write things to/for/at myself first, things that I need to remember. That’s precisely why I taught a class last spring on how to become more effective reconcilers in a world of division, and why the topic appeared in many of my sermons. As I wrote in last year’s annual report, “whatever November brings, we want to wake up the day after the election with our souls intact, our hearts not hardened, and our primary allegiance with Jesus.”
Well, such work never really ends, does it, and the truth is that it may only be getting harder as we navigate a radically changing world. Ideas like mercy and compassion,
which are foundational to the Christian gospel, are increasingly being dismissed as “weakness,” even by those who claim Jesus as Lord. Principles like the primacy of peace, and God’s special concern for the vulnerable are increasingly viewed with contempt, even by those who profess the faith. Christian nationalism is gaining influence, only the “Christianity” of this movement is cruel and power-hungry. In such times, Transfiguration’s witness for Christ, which has always been distinctive, feels especially sacred.
We do not rally to the side of suffering people because of politics or popularity. We do it because it is the way of our Lord. This year our Sunday lectionary features Luke’s gospel, which will bring a stream of stories that we desperately need to pay attention to. Among them will be the Parable of the Good Samaritan, in which Jesus answers the age-old question, “Who is my neighbor?” It still rings with humbling truth and power, and it is the perfect story to center our faith in these days. If we want to not only call ourselves Christians, but actually live like our Lord, we would do well to listen carefully this year to Jesus.
But endurance won’t be enough. The time has come for Transfiguration to grow. The leanness of the Covid years have passed, and we have emerged from them strong and resilient. We are sure of our mission, rooted in love, and possessors of the great Good News of Christ. Now is the time to use our salt and light to bring the kingdom alive around us. It is not enough to simply enjoy our lovely campus and friendly people and be happy whenever someone happens through our doors. It’s our time to shine with all our might, like a beacon on a hill. To quote the great Burt Bacharach, “what the world needs now is love, sweet love”: the merciful, embracing, transformational love of Jesus Christ. I see how well we know that love at Transfiguration, which is why we need to bear it like medicine to our sin-sick world. Put another way, we don’t only have something nice at Transfiguration that others might like, too, if they’re like us. What we proclaim, or rather the One we proclaim, at Transfiguration is none less than the way, the truth, and the life. His love is the key to the peace that passes all understanding. It’s time we held our lights higher, spread our salter wider, and shared the love that has saved us with all.
New Members
Wendy Abernathy & Tina Rincon
Ryd Abernathy-Rincon
Jame Abernathy-Rincon
Hayley Banteaux
John Bell & Deadre Henderson
Katherine Bevan
Megan Brannan
Lindsay Cox
Helena Mikulas
Debbie Echtenkamp
Anthony Elia
Linda England
Sandra Ferrell
Cate and Stephen Fierbaugh
Ezra Fierbaugh
Marla Fuller
Gig Gardner
Derek Gerow & Pat Gerow
Faithful Departed
Douglas Henry Conner III
Sharon Lee Anderson Florida
Paul Roger Gormly
Lawson Erwin Jackson
James Lynn Little
Jennie Pipitone McCament
Baptisms
William Patrick Brumm
Naori Jane Choi
Jackson Thomas Reinhardt Frazer
Brodie Greenbank Frazer
Brian Derek Gerow
Henry Wilton Harrelson
Patrick Mark Johnson Jr.
Marriages
Julian Garza, Jr. & Barry Peterson
Anna Gosling
Chad Hardgrave & Susannah
Hardgrave
Lynnie Henderson
Theresa Hicks
Sylvia Jabara
Karrell & Kathy Johnson
Scott Kimball
Matt Lightfoot & Bailey Roberts
Barbara McAninch
Behnam Maroufian
Hannah & Matthew McConnell
Iris McConnell
Alex Merritt
Andy Moore & Laura Niculescu
Willa Moore
Everett Moore
Tere Niles
Courtland Manning Moore
Franklin Craig Pardue
John David Prickett
Reagan Tyler Reece
Jeffrey Allen Robins
Emily Lou Bonham Secker
Clare Odom
Elizabeth Alkek
Steve Oller
Molly and Ryan Reid
Ephraim Reid
Naomi Reid
Matt & Lacy Rush
Trey & Tara Russell
Emerson Russell
Nicholas Russell
Nigel Smith & Brittani
Houghtlen-Smith
Daniel & Jane Sibley
Nino Torres & Ann Peak
Terri Torres & Lisa Pearson
Duncan Whitted
Ryan Williams
Candace Anne Therriault
Leah Gerry Tubbs
Luann Tucker Welch
Benjamin Hall Widmer
Patricia Romero Wilson
Mohammed Kazem Maroufian
Rose Elizabeth Marquardt
Patrick Curran Marquardt
Kaislee Opal Massey
Taylyn Rose Massey
Iris Elaine McConnell
Kamdi Kachi Okpara
Uju Amara Okpara
Julianna Washington & Griffen Henderson
Theresa Buscher & Brett Hicks
Marcus Hollingsworth & Samuel Garrott
Megan Maeve Paulus
Emerson Nicole Russell
Nicholas Kane Russell
Marlowe Olivia Pearce Sotelo
Cecil Benjamin Trowbridge
Kimberly Michele Typaldos
Duncan James Whitted
Katherine Bevan & Andrew Manning
Ruth Claussen & Curt Raschke
Xukun Zhang & Derek Patrick Weix
Senior Associate Rector’s Report
by the Rev. Rebecca Tankersley
What a joy it is to serve among you here at Transfiguration. The primary focus of my ministry is all about love; for I oversee Outreach (loving our neighbors in need) and Pastoral Care (loving all of you).
Outreach
In 2024, Transfiguration found new ways seek and serve Christ in all persons. On Ingathering Sunday, we came together as a parish and packed 2,000 “Bye-Bye Bags” for Vogel Alcove, ensuring that food-insecure families would eat while away from school. We are delighted to have begun serving meals at St. Jude Center, which provides permanent housing to recently-unhoused neighbors at the intersection of Coit and 635. In December, the Outreach Committee packed 900 meals in 2 hours at Feed My Starving Children’s Richardson operation center. In the pages that follow, you will find a full report of all our Outreach activities during the year. I encourage you to join us in 2025 as we continue to extend arms of love out from our campus and into the world.
Pastoral Care
Every Tuesday morning, your clergy meet together to share pastoral concerns of our members and to lift those concerns in prayer. We value this time together at the beginning of the week to ensure we reach out to those who are sick, struggling, or alone. It is my joy to serve alongside our Eucharistic Visitors, Stephen Ministers, and Daughters of the King, all of whom participate in caring for our members in need.
In 2024, our team of 19 Eucharistic Visitors shared Holy Eucharist with over 50 people who were unable to worship with us here at the church. Additionally, we have an amazing team of seven Stephen Ministers who are trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing spiritual challenges, such as grief, divorce, job loss, or illness. Our pastoral care ministries are further supported by our Daughters of the King and Prayer Chain, each of which has over 50 members who regularly pray for the special needs and concerns of our members. I am grateful for the ministry of Pastor Nancy DeStefano, who retired at the end of year after serving with me in Pastoral Care for over six years. I am also deeply grateful for the many, many lay leaders who serve in our pastoral care ministries, without whom I would be lost.
During 2024, we held funeral services for 16 people. I am grateful to our active and retired clergy, as well as to our Altar Guild, Flower Guild, and Funeral Reception Committee, for their compassionate care of families and friends who lost loved ones this year. As has become our custom, this past December we held a Healing Service, in which we made space for those experiencing a less-thanjoyful Advent and Christmas to worship together in the midst of grief and tumult.
Special Thanks
This report would not be complete without taking a moment to express my gratitude to all of you for the many ways in which you support Transfiguration’s clergy and staff. I am deeply grateful for your gift of sabbatical in 2024. My time away was restful and refreshing. In addition, a word of thanks to all who so generously support the clergy Ministry Fund. We see an ever-increasing number of individuals who come to us alone, in need, and without access to help. Your gifts equip us to respond with food, utility assistance, and other urgent concerns.
Administration by Cathleen Dolt
Transfiguration’s administrative staff exists to support and enable the various ministries of this church. Our goal is to provide a high level of excellence and transparency in the areas of accounting and financial reporting, human resources, legal and tax issues, risk assessment and management, and our other administrative and IT functions.
In 2024, we continued to focus on being good stewards of Transfiguration’s resources. We leased the two cell tower sites located on this campus to a third party, generating two substantial one-time payments. Those proceeds were used to help fund the sacristy/church renovation, to supplement construction of the bell tower memorial garden, and to build Transfiguration’s cash reserves. In addition, the administrative staff negotiated higher interest rates on our various bank accounts and more favorable terms with several vendors, thereby reducing our expenses. Operating pledge payments of $1.96 million were the highest in Transfiguration’s history, and the parish generously contributed an additional $1.4 million towards their capital campaign commitments. We are grateful for the parish’s ongoing support of our mission and ministries.
Adult Formation by the Rev. Ted Clarkson
The goal of any Christian formation program is to help God’s people along their discipleship journeys. It is a life-long endeavor that seeks to “equip the saints for ministry” and help them “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12 and 2 Peter 3:18). At Transfiguration, Christian formation happens in all sorts of ways: in small groups and classes, on Sundays and every other day of the week, here at church and virtually over Zoom.
Since Ash Wednesday was very early this year, we had a very brief Sunday School class unit during the Epiphany season. We took a brief, deep dive into the acts of confession and conversion, looking at the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul. While we explored these themes, Figs with Kids shared a Bible Study on Faith and Sexuality.
During Lent, we offered various classes and programs, all within the theme of Food & Faith. Each week, we explored our eating and food practices from different perspectives: In the Garden, Forbidden Fruits, The Shadow Side, Hospitality, and the Supper of the Lamb. On Sunday mornings, we split up around the church for small group Bible Studies on the topic for that week, and on Wednesday evenings, we had a presentation. In addition to our clergy, we welcomed the Rev. Melody Shobe, local food activist Rev. Dr. Yvette Blair-Lavallais, and baker/ author/theologian Kendall Vanderslice to be our presenters.
A high point of the year for Christian Formation is when recent participants in The Way are baptized, confirmed, or received. In 2024, we baptized four adults and confirmed/received twelve others at the Great Vigil of Easter. During the Great Fifty Days, we offered three classes to finish the program year: Fr. Casey taught Braver Angels about overcoming the divisions that beset our society, Mthr. Rebecca guided us through images of Resurrection in The Saint John’s Bible, and Joseph Palacios gave an introduction and overview of Ignatian Spirituality.
Immediately after Labor Day, the program year began with a new iteration of The Way. Most years, The Way meets for two hours on weeknights, a schedule that can be difficult for parents of young children. This year, we decided to offer The Way on Sunday mornings with a few tweaks to the schedule and content. It has been very well received, and we ended the year with twenty-eight Wayfarers and seven Companions on The Way. In addition to The Way, Fr. Casey taught a class on sacramental theology, Outward Signs of Inward Grace, and Racial Justice Ministry offered a book study on Waking Up White by Debby Irving.
The year ended with an extended Advent season of worship and formation where we focused on saints whose feast days occur between All Saints’ Day and Christmas. It began with an interactive Advent Festival for all ages in Roper Hall (A Worldwide Tour of Saints) and continued with a class called Saints of Advent where we learned about several blessed ones and how they are remembered around the world. During the class, we were blessed to be joined by Bishop Sumner, Fr. Michael Merriman, and Lynn Walters.
2024 was a remarkable year for Christian Formation, and it could not have happened without all the teachers, presenters, guest lecturers, and discussion group leaders. Thank you to everyone who made the year such a success.
Children’s Ministries by Allison Blalock
It has been a joy and pleasure to enter my fourth year with the children and families of Transfiguration. Children’s Ministries’ focus age group is newborn through fifth grade and works to grow and encourage a spiritual life in children in partnership with their parents. Children are introduced to God’s love through faith formation classes, worship, prayer, story, play, service, and outreach. We begin Sunday mornings by offering an interactive age-appropriate chapel service for children ages four through first grade to help children experience Scripture, prayer, and worship in ways they understand and enjoy. During our faith formation hour, we offer a Montessori curriculum, Godly Play, and Wee Wonder. Children experience a nurturing playbased environment where they learn, grow, and belong. Childcare is provided during our Sunday worship services and the faith formation hour. In addition to our Sunday offerings, our children are ministered to through Figlet bags, blessing of the backpacks, third-grade Bibles, sacramental preparation classes, the Advent Festival, our Christmas pageant, a Lenten series, Passion Experience and interactive Stations of the Cross, age-appropriate worship services during Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter, a weeklong Vacation Bible School, opportunities to serve in a variety of ministries within our parish as lectors, acolytes, and choir members, and outreach opportunities, especially, but not exclusively, with our Impact Kids (4th & 5th graders). Children’s Ministries offers professional nursery staff and adult volunteers to minister to children. All are dedicated and passionate in their love for God and about God’s purposes for children. We seek additional volunteers to become trained in Godly Play as we plan to add an additional classroom next fall. Transfiguration has had the great pleasure of hosting national Godly Play core training for the past 2 years and welcoming Dr. Heather Ingersoll, Executive Director of Godly Play, for a meet and greet session and tour of our beautiful classrooms. In 2024, Children’s Ministries outreach projects were in service to Our Friends Place, Austin Street Center, and our Free Little Pantry. We at Transfiguration celebrate the spiritual interest and desire we see in our children and their love for God. We are blessed by and thank the many parents who take their role in nurturing a spiritual life in their children seriously. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to watch your children learn and grow in their faith.
• Numerous baptisms
Congregational Life by Gabby Guion
We began the year with Epiphany and the burning of the greens, and we concluded with beautiful Christmas Eve services in our temporary worship space. This year went by quickly!
I am pleased to report that the congregational life of the church is thriving! It was a year filled with celebrations, farewells, surprises, and a crash course in interior design. We continue to welcome young families, couples, singles, and visitors in the “second half” of life who are seeking a meaningful relationship with God and their purpose on this earth. Many have joined us and found a church home here.
Some highlights from 2024 include:
• Lively and productive ministry meetings that kept people engaged throughout the year
• Project Unity, sponsored by the Racial Justice ministry, which was well-received
• The enthusiastic hospitality of the members of Transfiguration
• Young Family breakfasts and Newcomer Brunches to get to know our new families and visitors
• Open Door’s big plans for fellowship and outreach
• A Lenten program centered on the pleasures and complexities of food
• A successful Usher and Greeter training that strengthened our already fantastic team of volunteers, ensuring that our visitors felt welcomed
• Celebrating the 100th birthday of another one of our parishioners – what is the secret?!
• A solar eclipse event that provided some staff members with a great view from our rooftop
• Weddings, funerals, and more baptisms
• Mother Rebecca took her sabbatical and returned refreshed and ready for anything
We relocated to our temporary worship space in Roper, moving heavy pews and sacred objects of all sizes. We found creative ways to utilize every available nook and cranny in the church, tapping into the artistic energy of the staff and parishioners to create something truly special and, most importantly, a sacred space for worship. To our delight, attendance remained steady! Members and visitors appreciated the effort put into creating this new worship space. Many commented on how warm, peaceful, and contemplative our temporary Chapel in the Library was.
Although Roper Hall was closed for parties and celebrations, that didn’t stop the festivities! We held the big Fig Party Event, an Outreach Bake-off, and FigFest! We also celebrated Father Casey’s 10th anniversary as rector, participated in Kirked tartans, collected Angel Tree gifts, and hosted a mini World’s Fair, all while patiently waiting for renovations to be completed. Behold the life of our church!
Communications by TJ McCoy
The Communications Department exists to promote and enhance the impact of the myriad ministries and the overall experience of Transfiguration. From creative and timely updates on formation, events, and outreach opportunities to rich worship tools, fundraising collateral, and online content, we try to keep the bulbs and lenses on this beacon clear so that our beautiful mission of seeking and serving Christ in all persons can shine brightly for all to see.
We knew, heading into 2024, that this would be a year of transition. The Transfiguring Our Foundations capital campaign projects disrupted our typical worship experience, and many events throughout the year were displaced. With the help of our Sound Tech Ministry and Operations staff, the Communications department reconfigured existing equipment to retain the same level of production quality for our growing audience of online worship participants. We helped re-envision Roper Hall as a worship space by installing a large-format homage to the Triptych across the north wall. A huge thank you to our Carpenter Guild (Keith Bogdan, Louis Guion, Skip Johnson, and Alan Justice), Bradley Ferst, and Tim Cutts for their help in making that a reality.
I’m grateful to Al Blackwell, our Digital Communications Specialist, for his work producing our livestream services, managing our weekly newsletter and website, and ramping up the adoption of Realm for registrations, event payments, and ministry group communications. Thanks to Al’s work in publishing sermons on new podcast platforms—including Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio—over 1,100 sermons have been downloaded since May. Additionally, our YouTube channel subscribers have risen from 91 to 620 during this same period.
I would also like to extend a special thanks to our stewardship committee for their efforts in imagining ways to engage our community of Salt & Light, for the work done by MMC and our ministry leaders for making Fig Parties a success, and to Robert Hacker and John Makowski for sharing their gifts to capture beautiful photos of events at The Fig!
Music Ministries by
Joel Martinson
The Transfiguration Choir Goes to Scotland …and to Roper Hall!
The year 2024 for the Music Ministry can be divided into two roughly six-month periods: Scotland and Roper Hall worship. Sixty singers and spouses traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, for the 11-day pilgrimage centered on a week’s residency at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. We had a wonderful experience singing in the magnificent cathedral. We are thankful to all who sponsored us by attending our two choir fundraisers, and to the Endowment Fund and St. Hilda’s for their generous grants. Since we began worshipping in Roper Hall in June, the choirs have enjoyed being amid the clergy and congregation. We will miss that experience of close community when we return to the gallery.
Howard Goes to Washington (actually, Alexandria, VA)
In May, I played voluntaries and hymns on the Ross Organ in the South Transept, before it was moved to the Episcopal Church of St. Clement in Alexandria, Virginia. Two workers dismantled and packed it in a truck with the help of Jody Lindh, and the organ was driven off our property on the evening of October 1.
New Music Staff
We began 2024 with two vacancies in our music staff, as Artist-in-Residence Stefan Engels took a leave of absence, and our Alto 1 (sixth) section leader position was still unfilled. Over the summer, Cathy Koziatek accepted the Alto position, and Jonathan Gregoire joined the staff as our new Artist-in-Residence.
Younger Choirs & Bella Musica
Kimberley and Chris Ahrens continue their essential work, forming the Holy Family, Canticle, and Youth Choirs. We continue to try new ways to get more young musicians involved in these choirs, which serve as a training ground for the Episcopal Church musicians of the future. The Bella Musica Handbell Choir played at several services in the spring months, then has been on hiatus for summer and fall due to the lack of space for our tables and bells in Roper Hall.
Music Fund of the Church of the Transfiguration Endowment
The 2024 Music Fund spend was again submitted and approved to underwrite our sixth section leader. Though this will carry us for a few months of 2025, I will be seeking ways to finance the position for the entirety of the coming year.
Goals for 2025
We are all looking forward to moving to our renovated church in March and all the new experiences that will bring. Now that we are again staffed with an assistant organist, the choir recording project can resume. We also will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Godwin Organ with two organ recitals and other events.
Youth
Ministries by Delynda Moravec
I am pleased to report that our Fig Youth are growing and thriving!
Our theme for Faith Formation and Crossover, “Diving Deeper,” guides our activities and discussions. We focus on community, forgiveness, friendship, joy, courage, peace, patience, love, wisdom, humility, generosity, and most importantly, growing our relationship with God. We are leaning into our motto of “Faith, Food, Fellowship, and Friends!” Some highlights from the year:
• The Youth Council continues to play a pivotal role in leading weekly events and planning activities, infusing a sense of purpose and direction into everything we do!
• Fig Youth engaged in various celebrations and events, balancing fun and service. For example, over 35+ enthusiastic youths attended the Fall Lock-In, which made for joyous and chaotic nights. We continue our new tradition of Sunday Fundays to allow youth unable to participate in Crossover to meet up with friends and relax once a month.
• The Fig Youth’s commitment to social responsibility was evident through youth-driven initiatives like a backpack and school supply drive for Vogel Alcove. Fig Youth also volunteered at Our Savior Community Garden and made Freshman Care Packages for our recent high school grads, to name a few. The Youth also participate in churchwide events like the Passion Experience, Epiphany, and the Christmas Pageant.
• Wednesday’s Crossover continues to be well attended and growing. We start each evening with a shared meal provided lovingly by our dedicated parents and share in a group activity. Then we continue the tradition “Good and Get Betters,” a meaningful time for sharing joys and concerns, creating an environment where everyone feels heard and loved. We conclude the evening with prayer for each other and our world.
• The biggest highlight - Father Casey and I led a group of 8 youth pilgrims to Scotland, where we visited some of the world’s most beautiful and sacred places, including Iona. We explored our faith through discussion and prayer. Each of us returned with renewed energy and a deeper connection to our world, to each other, and to God.
• The Fig Youth have accomplished a lot over the last year. However, we could not have done this without the incredible and generous support of the Episcopal Men’s Fellowship, St. Hilda’s, and St. Elizabeth’s. Each group was crucial in providing us with the financial support needed to grow in faith and fellowship.
• I want to thank Father Ted Clarkson and Allison Blalock for their incredible mentorship and partnership. We are a great team! And I want to thank all those volunteers who so generously give their time and talent to love and care for our beloved Fig Youth. I am humbled by your service and commitment.
I look forward to seeing what our Fig Youth do in 2025!
Senior Warden’s Report by Mat
Thekkil
“Not this year, maybe next.” This was my go-to response when someone from the Nominating Committee asked me if I was interested in running for Vestry. In my time at Transfiguration, I had enjoyed so many other aspects of church life and leadership, including leading our Young Adult ministry (neXtgen), singing in the Choir, serving on the Altar, serving on committees, and helping with special projects.
In 2017, I was less active in church and was okay with “doing my part and going home.” But later that summer, Fr. Casey asked me to lead a committee to help us discern: “Should we build a chapel?” I was intrigued by the idea, given that it was always part of the Jubilee Capital Campaign vision, and wondered if I could help fulfill this vision. As time and analysis went on, we realized the need to shift our focus to the vital work of maintaining our church’s physical infrastructure and addressing our various deferred maintenance needs.
I was asked again to join the Vestry in 2022, and this time, I was happy to accept, as it allowed me to help execute the plans from the very successful Transfiguring Our Foundations Capital Campaign. I have been blessed to see the work of the Capital Discernment Committee be realized during my tenure in Vestry, especially this past year during my term as Senior Warden. The accomplishments of the Vestry are too many for me to list, but throughout the 2024 Annual Report, you will read about our success in construction projects, fundraising, outreach, and fellowship. The Vestry faced some challenges and embraced new opportunities. As a parish, we strengthened our bonds of affection through our worship time in Roper Hall and have adapted to change marvelously. Your patience will be rewarded with a beautifully renovated Nave and Sacristy!
I am grateful to Fr. Casey for calling me to serve, Mike Mignardi, who has been a tremendous support as Junior Warden, the Vestry for committing so much of their time and talents to the work of the church, and my wife Ashley for putting up with my many meetings and time away from home. Finally, I am grateful to every one of you who make Transfiguration such an amazing community of faith. After so many years of declining, I’m glad this time I said “yes.”
Budget, Finance & Administration by
Brett Vanderbrook
The Vestry’s Budget, Finance & Administration Committee (BFA) supports the church’s mission by monitoring and advising on all financial and administrative matters relating to church business. BFA develops the annual budget for approval by the Vestry and reports monthly on the church’s financial position relative to the budget and activity in restricted, ministry, and investment accounts. BFA liaises with the Transfiguration Endowment trustees, facilitating communications and cooperation between the Endowment and the Vestry.
This year, Elaine Sweet served as the Endowment liaison. This year’s committee was chaired by Brett Vanderbrook, who extends many thanks to this year’s committee: Ann Peak, Cathy Anwyl, Lauren Bendiksen, Elaine Sweet, Cathleen Dolt, Keri Frazier, Lindsey Murphy, Bill Evans, and Peter Young.
BFA continuously reviewed the budget throughout the year, created procedures for the transition to Roper Hall, and assisted with additional funding for the capital campaign.
BFA also exercises oversight of the Nominating Committee for open Vestry positions and our Diocesan Convention delegation. The 2024 Nominating Committee was well-chaired by Lindsey Murphy, who led the committee and the voting. The following recommended slate for Vestry was approved: Christy Jump, Nancy Korman, Courtney Barrow, and Sara Ivey. Also elected by the parish was our 2024 Diocesan Convention delegation: Alyson Thompson, Robin Caldwell, Brooke Grona-Robb, Julia Trizzino, Jeff Button, and Barbara Geiter. Many thanks to the Nominating Committee for their hard work: Barbara DeLizza, David Reece, Mark Ramsay, Allison Murphy, Barbara Geiter, Travis Adamek, Nancy Jagmin, and Libby Nicodemus.
Building, Grounds, and Technology by Jeremy Teeple
The Building, Grounds, and Technology Committee of the Vestry oversees the use, conditions, repair, improvement, sustainability, and safety of all buildings and grounds on our church’s property. It ensures we have the technology necessary to fulfill our mission to seek and serve Christ in all persons.
A significant portion of the committee’s work during 2024 was spent on the Sacristy and Sanctuary project, which was by far the most significant project borne out of the Transfiguring Our Foundations Capital Campaign (“Capital Campaign”). The project was years in the making, as the initial concept design from our architect was delivered to the committee in October 2021. After much time was spent during 2022 working with our architect on the design and engineering and 2023 bidding out the project multiple times with our contractor, ensuring the project cost fit within our financial framework, 2024 was all about executing the project. The first half of 2024 ensured the necessary long lead items were ordered and schedules aligned.
Beginning in July, the church was bustling with a cohort of subcontractors, which continued through year-end and into early January. As I write this article ahead of the Annual Meeting, new pews and chairs have found their way into the sanctuary, and there is only a punch list of items left for the contractor to complete.
The other main project for BGT during 2024 was beautifying the greater Bell Tower area, including a significantly improved seating area, concrete walkways back to the Pavilion, and a butterfly garden. The project was enabled by a generous parishioner donation and was completed in partnership with Parish Episcopal School. The project will officially be complete upon the delivery of an exquisite hand-crafted fountain over the coming weeks.
I cannot begin to describe how thankful I am to the individuals on my committee, especially those who spent hours every month outside of committee meetings with our architect and contractor, ensuring we were staying on top of all the details related to the project. A special thanks also goes out to Bracken Reece, our Director of Operations, who attended the biweekly meetings and carried his extra responsibilities during this project with grace.
Mission, Ministry, and Connections
Committee by Chip Brownlee
The Ministry and Mission Committee (MMC) supports all parish ministries and serves as a resource for Transfiguration’s outreach efforts to the broader community and the world. The committee is responsible for regularly communicating with and maintaining a database of the parish’s ministries. It will complete the goals and initiatives assigned by the Vestry and collaborate with parish leaders to plan annual parish-wide events and support Parish Council meetings. The MMC aims to provide essential relational ministry opportunities by facilitating connections among ministry groups and individuals within the parish community.
This past year, the MMC’s primary goal, as directed by the Vestry, was to engage parishioners with meaningful events and socialization opportunities while we worshiped in Roper Hall. The committee was also tasked with exploring ways to strengthen our digital presence and promote the parish through social media.
Throughout the year, the committee organized numerous events to encourage parishioner engagement. Activities such as coffee hours, playground events, and popcorn and ice cream days provided opportunities for mingling. Additionally, since the EMF Fish Fry could not take place due to construction activities, the MMC was asked to continue the tradition of parishioners hosting special dinners to fundraise for ministry programs. Brooke Grona-Robb led the “Fig Parties” initiative, which raised over $28,000 for outreach and youth ministries.
Michael Durrance established a new tech support ministry to train parishioners to assist existing ministries with audiovisual and web conferencing needs. He also developed helpful tips for social media engagement, which parishioners can use to learn how to “Tag the Fig.”
Alyson Thompson spearheaded the archive project, overseeing the digitization of over 3,000 photos and our parish registers. Work continues to organize and complete a thorough inventory of archived materials, and a retention policy has been developed to help the parish manage future records. A second “Spill the ‘T’ Party” was held over the summer, where new and longtime parishioners gathered to enjoy a slideshow featuring hundreds of digitized photos from the church’s earlier days.
I would like to extend my gratitude to all the committee members who generously donated their time and expertise over the past year, including Al Blackwell, Michael Durrance, Bill Edwards, Julian Garza, Barbara Geiter, Brooke Grona-Robb, Gabby Guion, Sara Ivey, Nancy Korman, Alyson Thompson, and Lynn Walters.
Endowment Fund by Bill Keslar
The Transfiguration Endowment Fund receives and manages gifts and legacies for the longterm benefit of the Church and to further its ministries. It is managed by a 12-person Board of Trustees appointed by the Vestry. The Endowment is divided into six sub-funds: Outreach, Youth, and Music; the Rodgers Seminarian Fund, supporting Transfiguration members at seminary; the Infrastructure Capital Fund, investing capital campaign receipts for long-term infrastructure needs; and the Legacy Fund, making possible diverse Church projects and ministries that cannot be supported within the constraints of our annual operating budget.
Examples in recent years include one of the display cases for the The St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition, 200 new chairs for Roper Hall, professional landscape design services, outdoor furnishings, gap funding of the youth pilgrimage and choir pilgrimages to Scotland, other music ministry support, grants to four outreach recipients recommended by the Outreach Committee, and tuition support of four different seminarians. In 2024, 10 grant requests were approved for $104,984.
Annual spending is based on a formula that avoids drawing from the corpus while satisfying as many of the church’s special needs as possible. So, the ability of the Endowment to supplement the operating budget and help Transfiguration carry out its mission more fully requires growth in asset value. While sound management of the assets is important, generous contributions are essential to seriously impacting the asset value and amount available to grant.
Every parishioner family is invited to provide for future generations of this parish, as those who preceded us have added to our ability to extend our mission and ministry by $100,000 this year. There are no minimum thresholds or disclosures of personal information required—merely letting the Endowment know of your intention
to include Transfiguration Endowment in your estate plans is sufficient to be recognized as a member of the Legacy Society and your leadership in sustaining the Fig long after we’re gone. Your gift can be designated for any combination of subfunds in your estate plan documents. It is the ultimate means of demonstrating your love for the parish and those who follow us here. Speak with any of the trustees or the church office for more information.
The Endowment Fund retains the Episcopal Church Foundation as the Investment Advisor, which advises many Episcopal dioceses, parishes, and schools. Investments advised by ECF are transacted by State Street Global Advisors, diversifying investments across 14 asset classes and a balanced portfolio of 60% to equities and 40% to fixed income. An investment committee of the Board of Trustees monitors investment performance.
I’m grateful to these volunteers who are the current Board of Trustees. We extend special thanks to retiring Trustees Linda Ayres for her seven years of service and Renee Thomas for four years of service. Grateful to the 70 members of the Legacy Society, who invite you to join their ranks.
Stewardship $2.022 million
2025 Stewardship Pledges (90% of $2.25M goal)
The purpose of the stewardship committee is to plan and shepherd the annual stewardship campaign to support the church’s operating budget. This year we chose as our theme “salt and light,” drawing on Jesus’ teaching about discipleship in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:13-16). Throughout the fall, the clergy preached on these metaphors, helping the parish reflect on what Jesus might mean. In a world hungry to know the flavor of love, Jesus asks us to be his seasoning. In a world that struggles to see love, he beckons us to be his lamps lighting the way. In this way, the campaign was about more than fundraising; it was about our calling as Christians to bear the Good News into a world that is mostly acquainted with bad news.
We are grateful to everyone who has made a pledge to support Transfiguration in 2025. As of late January, we have heard from 397 households who have pledged $2,022,105. This is about 90% of our goal of $2.25 million. Of those pledges, 35 were brand new and 242 chose to increase their pledge from 2024! The mean pledge is $5,093 and the median pledge is $3,300.
Pledging is a discipline of discipleship. It helps us commit ourselves to the kind of giving that can grow our faith. Jesus teaches about sacrificial generosity throughout the gospels, and his message is clear: the more we give away, the closer to God we move. Pledging is also how our church plans its life. We can only budget on what we have been told we’ll receive, so we depend on these commitments of support!
Many thanks this year to committee members Travis Adamek, Janet Ballard, Courtney Barrow, Julian Garza, Jacqueline Hill, Andrea Mayfield, and Julia Trizzino.
Altar Guild
by Diana Rawlins
Altar Guild got to move and shake it up during 2024! Due to the much-needed renovation project, members relocated from our sacristy of 50 years to a children’s classroom. Along with our members, the silver, safes, linens, oils, candles, wine, ironing boards, brooms, cleaning supplies, etc., squeezed into the temporary sacristy classroom. The renovation project afforded a venue change that really let Altar Guild shake it up with the three weekend services in Roper Hall, and the two weekday services in the library, as well as weddings, funerals, and evensongs which were held in a variety of spaces and configurations.
Additionally, in 2024, thanks to a generous grant from St. Hilda’s, we were able to make repairs and restorations to our vestments. Other donations helped fund additional linen and silver repairs.
All the members of the Altar Guild came together and stepped up to embrace the changes required in 2024. I believe most members would agree that they certainly exceeded their “steps goal” during the year. In 2025, the Altar Guild looks forward to more exciting changes as we return to a beautiful new sacristy and continue our work in the renovated Nave and the new Chapel.
2024 Altar Guild Expenses
Candles
Cleaning
Communion
$3,892.17
$22.71
$1,621.52
$71.82 Linens
$861.98 Miscellaneous
Altar Ministries by
Robin Caldwell
Transfiguration Altar Ministries assist clergy with the ceremonial requirements of each kind of church service, ensuring the smooth operation thereof, and facilitating a meaningful worship experience for parishioners.
Eucharistic Ministers (EM) assist with the administration of the chalice during Communion. This ministry is open to all baptized adults. Those interested should please contact Benjie Bledsoe via Realm for more information and training.
Minister of Ceremony (MC) The MC assists the clergy in set up for each service, as well as during the liturgy. Participation in this ministry is at the invitation of the Rector. We now have an older youth MC and have filled several vacancies due to life changes. Anyone interested in serving in this way should have experience as both an adult acolyte and an EM. Please contact either Elizabeth Kerner or Fr. Shobe for more information.
The Thurifer carries and swings the thurible in which incense is burned during the Eucharist and other liturgies. Mat Thekkil oversees this ministry, where three adults were active and two new youth thurifers completed their training.
Adult Acolytes carry the cross, torches, and banner at services and assist throughout the services. Three new adult acolytes were trained this year, bringing the total number to 26 that serve during the 11:15 Sunday services. Please contact Robin Caldwell or Mike Rawlins for more information and training.
$124.07 Vessels
Vestment
2024 YTD Expenses
$838.34
$2,946.19
$10,378.80
Austin Street Ministry
by Matt Harms
The Austin Street Ministry has continued its monthly meal services, serving approximately 400 clients this year. From January to October, on the third Wednesday of each month, we provided our traditional chili dogs with all the fixings, along with bananas and cookies. For these regular services, we had between 14 and 24 volunteers. The cookie team, led by Elizabeth Jenkins, consistently delivered enough cookies to ensure that every meal served included at least two cookies.
As part of our long-standing tradition, we offered a full Thanksgiving meal on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This year, we worked to enhance this special meal even further.
Volunteers prepared all the food in the Austin Street Center kitchen. The Thanksgiving meal included roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, dressing, rolls, drinks, and a variety of pies. This preparation was handled by a collaborative team of ASC staff and a small group of Transfiguration volunteers. More than 40 volunteers helped serve this elaborate meal.
For our December meal, we decided to mix things up by serving chicken tenders with fresh ranch dressing, green beans, rolls, mac and cheese, and of course, cookies. This meal was prepared in a similar manner to the Thanksgiving meal.
In 2025, we will continue our monthly meal services and seek additional ways to support the important work of the Austin Street Center in loving and uplifting their vulnerable clients.
Centering Prayer
by Susan Witten
Centering Prayer is a daily practice of sitting in silence in God’s presence. This silence deepens our relationship with God. Contemplation helps us become more aware of God’s presence in our lives. With continuous practice one moves toward a place of abundant love and compassion.
Centering Prayer meets weekly: Thursdays at 11:00am in the Parlor or online and at 4:00pm online.
Daughters of the King
by Barbara DeLizza
The Mary and Martha Chapter of the Daughters of the King has had a successful and exciting year. We continue to live our mission of prayer, service, and evangelism. The Daughters meet monthly, both in person and on Zoom.
We serve the parish and the community in a variety of ways. Within the parish, we support the food pantry by supplying toilet paper every month, contributing to the Lenten Soup Suppers, making Palm Crosses, and Rosary Workshop. Our service to the community has been to New Friends New Life to provide a family dinner and contributions to their Clothing Closet. We purchased a chair for the new transept this year and contributed to the Clergy Discretionary Fund.
This year, we commissioned three new daughters after their three-month discernment class. We hope to add to our order this year as well.
The order continues to support clergy and the laity through prayer and service. We always seek to serve and help with whatever needs arise in the congregation or the community.
Special thanks to our officers Barbara Geiter, vice president, Pat Kriska, Secretary, and Olga Ruff, Treasurer for all their hard work and support. We also thank Mother Rebecca, our Chaplain, for all her help and support.
Episcopal Men’s Fellowship by Scott
Daniels
The Episcopal Men’s Fellowship (EMF) is open to all men of the parish. We gather several times a year for dinners and programs featuring outstanding speakers.
Our other activities include the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, a Wednesday soup supper during Lent, a golf tournament, attending a Frisco Rough Riders baseball game, and cooking for the annual Fig Fest. After a year’s hiatus due to church construction, the Fish Fry and Auction will return on June 1, 2025, in Roper Hall.
Service and outreach are integral parts of EMF’s mission. In 2024, we helped sponsor the youth’s pilgrimage to Scotland, supported the Austin Street Shelter and Women’s Genesis Shelter, and provided a grant for desalination equipment at a well in the Diocese of Mbeere, Kenya, along with other smaller in-reach and outreach grants.
The EMF Board meets monthly and is always looking for new volunteers who want to help develop our activities and foster fellowship.
Available funds at January 1, 2024 $19,648.33 Income from activities and donations: $7,932.24
Expenditures ($13,582.69) Available funds at December 31, 2024 $13,997.88
Episcopal Peace Fellowship
by Ron Damholt
In our baptismal covenant, we have promised to “strive for justice and peace among all people.” Just as we - the body of Christ - are given many gifts, this work of pursuing justice and peace takes many forms.
Peace Post provides one avenue for this important work. We meet every other month (generally on its first Sunday) to write notes to elected and appointed officials to influence their positions on justice-related issues. During 2024, we have addressed many topics, including (but surely not limited to) alleviating suffering in war-torn places like Sudan and Palestine, reducing abuse inside Dallas County’s juvenile justice system, and advocating for commonsense gun legislation.
As Shane Claiborne has written, “The peace, according to the prophets, doesn’t begin with the politicians. It begins with the people, who lead the politicians toward that peace.”
Figs with Kids
by Jacqui Neylon
The mission of the Figs with Kids ministry is to connect a community of parents with children living at home. We aim to model how to seek and serve Christ for our kids in today’s information age through worship, education, evangelism, outreach, pastoral care, and fellowship.
Throughout 2024, we held regular activities designed to help us get to know each other better, strengthen our connections to Transfiguration, and enhance our spiritual growth as parents. This year, we welcomed many new members and continued our weekly adult formation sessions focused on parenting skills.
We enjoyed several fun gatherings, including Game Night, a shrimp boil with a pool party hosted by the Kent family, and newly established monthly Sunday family lunches. As part of our mission to serve, we prepared dinner for the residents at St. Jude Center, set up for the Advent festival, and volunteered for Vacation Bible School (VBS).
Our private Facebook and Instagram groups continued to provide online support and fellowship.
www.facebook.com/groups/figswithkids
Flower Guild by
Sarah Cox
In 2024, the Flower Guild was pleased to welcome new members of various ages and experience levels, bringing our total membership to twenty-three. The group is divided into teams so every person can produce their own arrangements each week. We create fresh designs for Sunday services, funerals, weddings, and Transfigured Nights events throughout the year. In addition, we are delighted to continue providing nosegays for home-bound parishioners as part of the Lay Eucharistic Visitors ministry. We adorned Roper Hall for six months this year, helping our parish worship in a beautiful space during renovations. We worked with Father Casey to grow our own amaryllis for Christmas, which bloomed just in time to beautify the creche in Roper Hall.
Food Pantry
by Alan Justice
Transfiguration’s Food Pantry has grown from serving 40 to 53 families in 2024, which totals 228 individuals, including 116 children. We distribute groceries on the third Monday of each month, with the assistance of 25 to 35 volunteers during the workday. We are proud to be a community distribution partner with Crossroads Community Services.
Recently, we have established a partnership with Temple Shalom. The synagogue’s garden provides us with fresh vegetables, which are harvested just a day or two before our distribution. Additionally, Transfiguration’s Daughters of the King donate non-food items, primarily toilet paper. The Clothes Horse also offers free clothing to our clients. These contributions supplement our grocery offerings and significantly alleviate the financial burden on the families we serve.
The pantry is not funded by the church; instead, it relies on donations from parishioners. In recent months, we have purchased additional protein foods as they have been unavailable from our primary source.
Generous parishioners have contributed gifts for our 116 children, helping ensure that our clients can give their kids with a merry Christmas!
Foyer Groups
by Jerry Garner
Building a strong sense of belonging is a core aspect of life at Transfiguration. With multiple services, events, and ministries, along with increasingly busy lifestyles, forming relationships with other church members can be challenging. The Foyer Groups ministry provides an opportunity for church members to connect across our diverse congregation in small groups, sharing food, faith, and fellowship.
Each year, there are two cycles of Foyer Groups. In February and again in August, participants are randomly assigned to new dinner groups. This approach helps break down habits of isolation and fosters connections among friends. Many participants have been involved in this ministry for years, making it one of the most cherished programs in the church. Participation is voluntary and includes individuals and couples who host dinners at their homes or in restaurants over several months.
In 2024, the Foyer membership grew to over 100 members, proving to be a valuable way to connect with new church members and reconnect with old friends. We invite you to join the Foyer Group Ministry dinner program to experience the sense of belonging we all seek as we strive to serve and seek Christ in all people.
Funeral Reception Ministry
by Tish Maedche
The Funeral Reception Guild provides a simple reception consisting of cookies and nonalcoholic beverages at the church following a funeral or memorial service if requested by the family. Depending on the number of attendees and the weather, the receptions are held in the parlor courtyard patio, in the Tower Cloister or in Roper Hall.
We provided 8 receptions in 2024 utilizing various spaces throughout our campus. If you think this may be a ministry you would like to be a part of, contact Tish Maedche.
Labyrinth Ministry
by Nancy Jagmin
On an evening in Lent and again in Advent, Transfiguration choir members once again provided a special prayerful experience on the Labyrinth, led by Fr. Casey. As part of the set-up for this service, Altar Guild members transform our Gathering Space into a sacred, candlelit space. The service includes the option of walking the Labyrinth as the music and readings proceed. This Taize service continues to grow in popularity among parishioners and people outside the congregation who value this inspirational type of worship.
The Labyrinth Ministry continues to offer people information on our labyrinth’s history and how it can be used as a spiritual tool. During 2024, Nancy Jagmin introduced a very attentive St. Elizabeth’s group to the labyrinth. It was a particularly special event, since St. E’s was meeting on the Labyrinth during the building renovations!
MacMaster Library
by Nancy Banitch
The MacMaster Library contains over 2600 books for both adults and children. The focus is on spiritually enriching material that explores the meaning of scripture, tradition, reason and faith in our lives as Episcopalians and, more broadly, as Christians and as citizens of the world.
Among the topics included in the collection are: The Bible and its history, theology, and interpretation; Church History; devotional literature and worship; prayer and meditation; biographies of Saints and other religious figures; dealing with major life issues of loss including illness, divorce, and death; contemporary social and ethical issues; parenting books; fiction and memoirs, and many others. The catalog is accessible online through the church’s website under connect/read.
The Library is centrally located next to the Sanctuary and is open during church hours. Books are available for loan on the honor system for three weeks. To check out an item, please fill out the enclosed card inside the book’s cover with the date, your full name and phone number, and leave the card in the designated box next to the desk
Needlepoint Kneeler Preservation Ministry
by Olga Ruff and Marcy Mignardi
A brief history helps us understand the current project. Launched in March 2005 under Eleanor Joyner, the original Needlepoint Kneeler Project saw 56 stitchers from the Transfiguration community complete 150 needlepoint covers, totaling over 8,300 inches of artwork celebrating various significant life events. Each cover took about 3-4 months to finish, and Bob Martin and George Bienfang attached all the handmade pieces to the kneelers at an initial cost of $19,520.
In 2024, as the sanctuary renovation progressed, Father Casey’s inquiry about finding an upholsterer led to the formation of the Needlepoint Kneeler Preservation Ministry. With Marcy Mignardi’s support, volunteers from The Fig will modify the existing needlepoint covers to fit new pews and chairs, saving over $25,000. This effort has fostered new friendships and community spirit.
Our core team grew with Chris Johnson overseeing repairs and new creations, and Darren Trizzino focusing on dedications for chair kneelers. We also have six dedicated volunteers: Chris Johnson, Nancy Hogan, Jean Van Gee, Katheryn Diegler, Sally Manning, and Cherrie Merriman.
We thank the over 55 volunteers who assisted in documenting, cleaning, and preparing the needlepoint covers. Robert Hacker and John Makowski provided invaluable photographic documentation. We are now reupholstering and attaching the needlepoint covers to the new kneelers. Gene Bledsoe will organize volunteers for this final stage of restoration. Please contact Olga, Marcy, or Gene if you’re interested in participating.
Nurturing Faith through Fiction
by Ron Damholt
We are a group of parishioners and friends who gather monthly to discuss a noteworthy novel or to screen and discuss a high-quality movie, enjoying conversation and refreshments along the way. Our goals include reflecting on our faith and deepening our commitment to Christ through the insights provided by authors, directors, and actors.
Over the past year, we have screened and discussed the films Nazarin (directed by Luis Buñuel, 1959) and The Muppet Christmas Carol (directed by Brian Henson, 1992). We have also read and discussed the books A Lesson Before Dying (by Ernest J. Gaines, 1993) and Parable of the Sower (by Octavia E. Butler, 2023).
We typically meet in Transfiguration’s parlor at 7:00pm on the fourth Thursday evening of each month, with occasional variations. Please consider joining us to explore fine books and films while engaging in meaningful conversation!
Open Door
by Alisenne Turner
Open Door’s mission is to engage LGBTQ+ parishioners and allies in meaningful activities that foster belonging within the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration and the broader community. We aim to create a safe and supportive environment while celebrating the unique contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
Last year, Open Door revised leadership and expanded outreach, notably hosting the Maundy Thursday Soup Supper, which raised $929 for Rainbow Railroad, aiding at-risk LGBTQ+ individuals globally.
We extend our gratitude to Gene & Cassie Bledsoe, Fr. Ted Clarkson & Mikey Whitman, Peggy & Bill Kwoka for hosting, and Mark Ramsay for coordinating our participation in the Dallas Pride Festival & Parade.
Outreach Committee
by Brooke Robb
Outreach at Transfiguration continues to thrive and grow as we explore new ways to seek and serve Christ in our neighbors. Last year, we deepened our relationships with Vogel Alcove and Austin Street Ministry while continuing to support numerous other organizations.
We started the year with an ingathering for unhoused people to be distributed during the annual count Housing Forward. Organizations came together to contribute to making it a true all-Transfiguration offering. We continued our tradition of making soup kits for North Dallas Shared Ministries, organizing blood drives for Carter Blood Center, gathering Easter baskets for Gateway of Grace, and supplying gifts for St. Philip’s Mother’s Day Store. We added and improved several other events, creating 2000 food bags for Vogel Alcove with the entire congregation on ingathering Sunday, serving dinner at St Jude Center, and redesigning our Angel tree efforts to benefit families from our Food Pantry and Vogel Alcove. We took over stocking the Little Pantry at the church’s front door, hosted a food drive, and recruited volunteers to keep it stocked each week.
We held two “Fig Works” days. In February, we offered many projects for our parishioners to engage in: making homeless care kits for Austin Street Center and New Friends New Life, making new apartment cleaning kits for St Jude Center residents, creating cards for those who are unable to come to church, and collecting gift cards for Traffick911 and Genesis Women’s Center. In August we had our third annual bake-off, where participants vied for the golden spatula, raising $1600 for Genesis.
We asked for, and the endowment committee approved, gifts of $2,500 to Gateway of Grace, $2,500 to Happy Homes, and $5,000 to Vogel from the outreach endowment.
Outreach recommended organizations to the vestry for the loose-plate offering at Easter and Christmas, and the following gifts were given from the loose plate:
Outreach Grant Recipients
In 2024, the Outreach Committee oversaw the distribution of $55,300 to the following organizations. $7,550 (Includes Loose Plate Offering) $5,000 $2,500 $4,000 $5,000
Special thanks to St. Hilda’s Guild, EMF, and the Outreach Committee for helping fund a well, solar pump, and desalination equipment in the Diocese of Mbeere, Kenya.
Prayer Chain Ministry
by Pam Johnson and Leslie Jagger
Every day, the members of the Prayer Chain Ministry offer intercessory prayers for an average of 80 to 100 parish members, along with their friends and family. We encourage anyone with friends or family in need of comfort, healing, strength, guidance, or any other specific concerns to email a member of the clergy, Pam, Leslie, or someone from the Prayer Chain. We will post the request and add the names to our two Prayer Lists. Our group currently consists of 48 lay members and three clergy. It is our privilege to pray for the needs of those you love.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
by Sally Manning
The Fig Prayer Shawl Ministry has had a very successful year, combining its members’ needlework skills and new projects! Thanks to the inspiration of Billie Bennett, our crocheted and knitting ministry has produced over 150 beanie hats for distribution to the Fig’s Food Pantry families during the year’s cold months.
We continue to recruit successfully, adding six new members at the parish ministry booth in the fall. Our ministry now has over 30 contributing Fig members, both male and female, who crochet or knit prayer shawls for gifting to people who need a little extra love and compassion, both far and near.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry has a prominent location in the Gathering Space, in the large cabinet where all our shawls and a sign-out clipboard. All clergy and parishioners are encouraged to pick out a shawl to give to family or friends.
The Ministry meets monthly on the first Monday, from 7-8 pm, usually on Zoom. During daylight saving time, we meet in person at the Fig. We welcome all!
Racial Justice Ministry
by Alyson Thompson
In 2024, the Racial Justice Ministry (RJM) offered classes based on the National Episcopal Church’s (NEC) Sacred Ground curriculum. In the first half of the year, RJM hosted a screening of “Dawnland,” followed by a robust discussion. Additionally, we welcomed Toni Simmons, a children’s storyteller, who facilitated a city-wide “Together We Dine” event in collaboration with Project Unity. We also partnered with the Dialogue Institute for a Ramadan dinner with our parish.
In the latter half of the year, Debbie Irving, the author of “Waking Up White,” gave a lecture that was open to everyone in the church and the surrounding community. She also met with a formation group that discussed her book. Furthermore, we staffed a booth representing Transfiguration at Holiday on Forest, where we distributed gift bags to over 200 people from an underserved community in North Dallas.
This year, we submitted a grant to the NEC’s Becoming Beloved Community program, partnering with the Lone Star Justice Alliance to create a Participatory Defense program in the DFW area. We were notified in late spring that we had received the award, and we have been working since then to make this program a reality. All are welcome to join us at our quarterly meetings.
Sound Technician Ministry
by Shaun Maning
In 2024, the Sound Technician Ministry enhanced the sound system in Roper Hall by conducting two training sessions for both current and new members. As a result, three new sound technicians joined the team, which now comprises 16 members who support regular services, funerals, and weddings. In 2025, the sound team plans to hold several training sessions to familiarize everyone with the new equipment that will be installed in early 2025. We are truly blessed to have such dedicated members serving in this ministry.
Stephen Ministry by
Jack Skelton
In 2024, our Stephen Ministers supported numerous members of the parish through confidential one-on-one meetings to cope with various forms of personal loss, such as grief, illness, life changes, and more.
We recently commissioned three new ministers and can now support others who need our support.
We will continue to reach out to our parish members to help them understand how we can serve them.
Pastor Nancy, our clergy liaison, recently retired and has been replaced by the Rev. JoNell Lindh. We are most grateful for the support Nancy has given this ministry over the past few years. We look forward to working with Pastor JoNell.
St. Elizabeth’s Guild
by Michael Durrance
In 2024, St. Elizabeth’s Guild continued our mission of showcasing the many exciting ministries our members use to serve Christ in all people. During our delicious potluck dinners, our engaging speakers highlighted how we can all be more involved in the life of the parish.
Throughout the year, we enjoyed excellent presentations from various ministries, including our long-standing Labyrinth Ministry, the everimpressive Flower Guild, and the blossoming Figs with Kids. There is a special place for every parish member, and the dedicated members of the Fig who attend St. Elizabeth’s will help you find your spot.
This year, we also hosted some themed nights, including a homegrown Whole Chicken Fry and a popular Argentine Tango demonstration in November, which has now become a St. Elizabeth’s tradition.
Join us every second Thursday in 2025 for fantastic food and fun!
St. Hilda’s Guild
by Cassie Bledsoe
St Hilda’s Guild operates the Clothes Horse and Kay Andrews Bookstore & Gift Shop. The Clothes Horse provides the parish a place to donate gently worn clothing and provides budget-minded customers a source of reasonably priced, good-quality apparel. The Bookstore and Gift Shop offer parishioners and the community a place to buy religious books, cards, and other items. These two operations provide over forty volunteers the opportunity for service and fellowship and offer financial assistance through grants to internal and outside organizations, with preference going to women, children, youth, and family ministries.
In ’24, for the second year in a row, St Hilda’s gave over $18,000 in grants and another $2,000 to the church building fund from our Champagne Style Show and Brunch in November. (More on that later.) St Hilda’s also gives weekly clothing donations to such charities as Austin Street Shelter, New Friends New Life, the Catholic Foundation ministry for homeless young men, and our own Transfiguration Food Pantry. (See photo by Ron Kerker showing a day when he delivered over seventeen bags of clothes to Austin Street.) This year’s notable accomplishments are better understanding the clothing needs of our donation recipients and
eliminating organizations that might resell our donated clothes.
St Hilda’s also had a Visioning Meeting orchestrated by members of the Vestry. The meeting was well attended by the Vestry, St Hilda’s volunteers, former volunteers, and parishioners. The workshop aimed to explore what is going well and what needs to improve in this 64-yearold ministry. With this enlightenment, a formal 2025 business plan for a two-to-four-year operating plan will be developed to increase parishioner awareness, gain more volunteers, and increase revenues. Some procedural operating changes have occurred, including a POS system for credit card processing.
Now, more on the Champagne Brunch. Ten years had passed since St. Hilda’s had presented a Style Show, but this year, the perfect opportunity arose to raise money for the building fund. St Hilda’s auctioned the Champagne Brunch Style show. It was a roaring success with glorious weather to sip champagne on the patio, watch the style show, and progress to the parlor for brunch. Everyone worked so hard, but special recognition goes to outside volunteers: Sara Ivey, food coordination; Bradley Ferst, flowers and decoration; Michael Durance, MC.; St Hilda’s Board member Barbara Cody, coordinated all the style show models, including clothing, practicing, and modeling.
Saint Hilda’s Guild Year-End
Transfigured Nights
by Joel Martinson, Artistic Director
Transfigured Nights (TFN) reached a total audience of 1,513 people over 12 events in 2024. This was roughly 100 fewer than our 2023 attendance, quite remarkable given our move out of the church after the May program. The total/ average attendance figures for Transfigured Nights were 1,192/132, and Art Music Mondays were 321/80. I have been extremely pleased with the Transfiguration Choir’s commitment throughout the year, with an average of 50 in the choir for all the choral events, whether at Transfiguration in the church or Gathering Space, or off-campus at St. Mark’s School Chapel or the Church of the Ascension. Our 2024-2025 series Sounds & Spaces has allowed us to explore evensongs in the Gathering Space and chamber programs in the Performance Hall. Our patronage support continues to be very strong, and we were able to give a grant to underwrite guest musicians for three Sundays of Roper Hall worship. We were also able to make a substantial grant to fund the base salary of the assistant organist from our reserve when the rector and finance officers asked me to cut the music staff by 25% in order to relieve pressure on the church budget while the Capital Campaign is running.
SPRING 2024 (2023-2024 Season Events)
Transfigured Nights
James O’Donnell, organist – January 21
Attendance: 90
Solemn Evensong for Candlemas – February 4
Attendance: 141
Eldred Marshall, pianist – February 25
Tea & Tallis 4 – May 5
Evensong for St. Columba of Iona (at St. Mark’s School)
Art Music Mondays
March 11
June 13
Attendance: 78
Attendance: 162
Attendance: 110
Attendance: 72
Attendance: 72
FALL 2024 (2024-2025 Season Events)
Transfigured Nights
Evensong for Holy Cross Day – September 15
Attendance: 128
Texas Camerata with David Grogan – October 20
Attendance: 72
Evensong for All Souls’ Day – November 3
Attendance: 186
Advent Lessons and Carols – December 8 (at Church of the Ascension)
Attendance: 225
Art Music Mondays September 30
Attendance: 81 November 11
Attendance: 96
Transfigured Nights
Financial Statement 2024
Beginning Cash Balance
$97,305.77 Income
Patronage & Donations
$62,096.51 Up 2.7% from 2023
Total Cash & Income $159,402.28
Expenses
Transfigured NightsPerformer Fees $25,912.08 Art Music Mondays Performers Fees
Grant to pay assistant organist and a portion of one section leader $20,382.50
Grant to pay for guest musicians for Sunday services $1,200.00 Total Expenses $66,948.55
2024 Ending Cash Balance
$92,453.73
Less budgeted encumbrance for second half of 2024-2025 season* $28,751.98
Unencumbered Cash $63,701.75
*Transfigured Nights budget runs on a season basis from July 01 to June 30
Elizabeth Jenkins
Wedding Guild by
The Wedding Guild is chaired by Elizabeth Jenkins and supported by a team of four helpers. They help couples plan their wedding at the church and assist with the wedding rehearsal. They coordinate with the Flower Guild and work with the couples’ photographers. On the wedding day, they assist the couple and the wedding party while they are getting ready and work to make the day as stress-free as possible for the couple and their families. In 2024, there were six weddings at Transfiguration. Due to the construction, only one of the weddings was held in the nave. The remaining weddings took place in the Gathering Space or the Memorial Garden. Three weddings are currently scheduled for 2025.
Tuesday Women’s Book Group
by Sally Manning and Tudi Owens
This group reads and discusses a variety of non-fiction books. The books we read are usually recommended by members of the group.This year we read several great books including The Dream of God, by Verna Dozier, Mary Magdalene Revealed, by Megan Watterson, The Wisdom Jesus, by Cynthia Bourgeault, and Will You? A Lenten Study of Baptismal Promises, by Amanda Perkins McGriff . Through reading these books and sharing with one another, we have continued to grow in love for God and one another. We meet every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. We open our meetings with prayer, fellowship and sharing prayer concerns for the first 30 minutes and then we discuss what we have read. We pray, laugh, and share. We welcome anyone who would like to join us.
Women’s Evening Book Group
by
Betsy Warren
This informal group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. to discuss books—both fiction and non-fiction—chosen by the members at the group’s annual book selection meeting.
A typical meeting has about 12 women, sometimes more, sometimes less. Betsy Warren and Julie Evans are the facilitators. All women are welcome.
Youth Acolytes
by
Brooke Robb
The mission of the Youth Acolytes is to serve and support the rich worship life of Transfiguration. The roles within this ministry include crucifer, torchbearer, first and second servers, and warden.
There were two graduating seniors this year: Jason Bogdan and Linda Robb. The youth acolytes adapted well to Roper Hall services and learned new ways to do their jobs. I know this experience is something they will remember as we re-learn the roles when we are back in the church in 2025.
Staff
Clergy
The Rev. R. Casey Shobe, D.Min. – Rector | cshobe@transfiguration.net
The Rev. Rebecca Tankersley – Senior Associate Rector | rtankersley@transfiguration.net
The Rev. Terry Roper – Rector Emeritus | troper@transfiguration.net
The Rev. Ted Clarkson– Associate Rector | tclarkson@transfiguration.net
The Rev. JoNell Lindh – Pastoral Assistant | jlindh@transfiguration.net
The Rev. Nancy DeStefano – Pastoral Assistant | Retired at end of 2024
Programs
Allison Blalock – Director of Children’s Ministries | ablalock@transfiguration.net
Delynda Moravec – Director of Youth Ministries | msturdy@transfiguration.net
Gabby Guion – Minister for Congregational Life | gguion@transfiguration.net
Music
Joel Martinson – Director of Music and Organist | jmartinson@transfiguration.net
Chris Ahrens – Director of Youth Choir | cahrens@transfiguration.net
Kimberley Ahrens – Director of Children’s Choirs | kahrens@transfiguration.net
Shalu Abraham – Executive Assistant to the Rector | sabraham@transfiguration.net
Fred Ellis – Administrative Assistant | fellis@transfiguration.net
Operations
Bracken Reece – Director of Operations | breece@transfiguration.net
Alex Alvarado - Sexton
Erik Welch - Sexton
Vestry
Mat Thekkil, Sr. Warden
Mike Mignardi, Jr. Warden
Chip Brownlee
Michael Durrance
Brian Ferrell
Lindsey Murphy
Olga Ruff
Elaine Sweet
Alyson Thompson
Brett Vanderbrook
Jeremy Teeple
Peter Young
Jay Madrid
Parish Chancellor
Evan Williams
Assistant Chancellor
Allison Murphy
Treasurer
Libby Nicodemus
Clerk
Vestry-elect
Courtney Barrow
Sara Ivey
Christy Jump
Nancy Korman
Photo Index
Cover: Triptych panels in Roper Hall
1. Clergy and 2024 Confirmands: Fr. Casey, Bram Teeple, Maggie Smith, Naomi Dick, Bishop Smith, Libby Nicodemus, Sarah Robb, Wes Hoenig, Fr. Ted, and Mtr. Rebecca
2. Lift equipment in the Narthex
3. Display celebrating Fr. Casey’s tenth Anniversary at Transfiguration
4. Fr Casey holding up the St James Icon he was gifted by the Vestry for ten faithful years
5. Parish Episcopal School Drum Line performing at our Homecoming-themed Ingathering Sunday service
6. Evan McCoy, Fr. Casey, Owen Jackson, Libby Cone, Maisie Harms, Nathaniel Dick, Lilly Myers, Naomi Dick, Sarah Robb, and Delynda Morevec at St. Columba’s Bay on the Isle of Iona
7. Fr. Casey blessing backpacks
8. Fr. Casey, Bishop Smith and Mother Rebecca with the newly baptized Kimberly Typaldos, Duncan Whitted, Behnam Maroufian, and Derek Gerow
9. Gordon Dempsey on his 101st birthday
10. Third annual outreach bakeoff
11. Pam Johnson, Judy Gatling, Sally Manning, Valerie Jarvie, and Mother Rebecca at the Lenten Bake & Pray Workshop
12. Advent Festival, “Tour of the Saints” in the Nave
13. Childrens and families at the Children’s Passion Experience
14. Children’s Pageant participant Matthew Fones
15. Worship configuration in Roper Hall during renovations to the Nave and Sacristy
16. Mike Mignardi, Alyson Thompson, Brian Ferrell, Elaine Sweet, Peter Young, Mat Thekkil, Jeremy Teeple, Michael Durrance, Olga Ruff, Fr. Casey Shobe, Lindsey Murphy, and Chip Brownlee at 2024 Vestry retreat
17. Sr. Warden Mat Thekkil swinging the thurible
18. Workers and lift equipment in the Nave
19. Workers cutting stone for Belltower Courtyard
20. New HVAC unit being hoisted into position over Sacristy.
21. Betsy Alkek at the Blessing of the Animals
22. Frances and Bob Martin at Fig Fest
23. Jim Kirkman, Brooke Grona-Robb, and Fr. Casey
24. Transfiguration Choir in Scotland at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh Scottland.
25. New teak seating in the Belltower Courtyard
26. The Rev. Dr. Mark Stamm assembling “bye bye bags” for Vogel on Ingathering Sunday
27. Adult and youth volunteers serving dinner at Austin Street Center
28. Daughters of the King
29. Figs with Kids lunch gathering at Cane Rosso
30. Scott Robins volunteering at Food Pantry
31. Oil to anoint the sick in temporary Library chapel
32. Volunteers filling bags for Feed My Starving Children
33. Bishop Moses Nthukah and fellow clergy of the Diocese of Mbeere in Kenya with Clare Howard and Sherrie Abney in front of the well Transfiguration funded
34. Mary Brooke Matsumura at the Racial Justice Ministry/ Dialogue Institute Ramadan dinner in Roper Hall
35. Al Blackwell running the Livestream at the Easter Vigil
36. St. Hilda’s Champagne Brunch and Style Show
37. Transfiguration Choir at Candlemas
38. Transfigured Nights Lessons & Carols at Episcopal Church of the Ascension
39. Acolyte, Hadley Sternweis and Crucifer, Sarah Robb Back Cover: Adelaide Shobe, Hadley Sternweis, Mat Thekkil, Olga Ruff, Ruth Teeple, and Fr. Casey breaking ground for the Sacristy expansion.
