ILLUMINE
enlightening and celebrating where God is at work in our midst SUMMER 2024
FROM THE RECTOR
The Rev. R. Casey Shobe, D.Min.
Back in Easter, I was already thinking about November.
One of my spiritual practices in Holy Week each year is to pray for places in my life that seem most in need of resurrection – things that seem stuck in the tomb, so to speak. It helps me remember that Easter isn’t only about what happened to Jesus, but also about God’s power to give life to the lifeless. Some years, simply choosing a focus for these Easter prayers can take time, but this year I had no difficulty; I needed to pray for our divided and polarized society. Just thinking about the coming election creates a pit in my stomach, like some great stone has been rolled in front of my heart. Maybe you know that feeling?
We no longer disagree, we despise. We no longer have opponents, we have enemies. And the injection of all this contempt into our politics is straining the seams of our society to the tearing point. We are losing touch with the spirit of shared citizenship that is at the core of our country, transforming our motto from E Pluribus Unum – “out of many, one” – to Ex Uno Multis – “out of one, many.”
Apparently I’m not alone in my worries. A pair of 2021 polls revealed that most Americans feel that the biggest threat to our nation’s way of life is “other people in America,” and a majority of voters rate “division in our country” as the number one issue facing them personally. That is, it’s not just a big problem “out there,” but a big problem “for me.” Which feels true. In my lifetime, there has always been a significant amount of hostility in our politics – I entered college in the mid-90s, around the same time cable news and the internet exploded in popularity, bringing with them tall silos and deep echo chambers in which we can isolate – but what we’re dealing with now doesn’t feel distant, it feels personal. It’s not just happening onscreen, it’s happening to us.
Yes, if there is anything stuck in sin and death, anything in need of resurrection power, this is it. And so, as we neared Easter this year, I began praying for the Lord to lead us out from this tomb. But God has a funny way
of mirroring our prayers back to us. We cry out to God about something, and often a voice comes back asking what we are doing to help. That certainly happened this year, for my prayers kept coming back to me: what was I doing to become a more wholehearted reconciler and bridge-builder? How was I contributing to solutions, rather than just naming problems? For it is not enough to simply worry when we have power to help.
This was the birth of the Eastertide class titled “Braver Angels.” In this class, we sought to learn how to become more courageous reconcilers in a world of division. For five weeks, we shared stories, explored ideas, and dabbled in a few practical techniques that could be useful when we face conflict or division. In preparation for the class, I surveyed a pile of books, trying to learn as much as I could about bridging divides from anyone with wisdom to share. I originally worried that I would have a hard time condensing thousands of pages of information into five short sessions, but it turned out that there were some major unifying themes. The more I read, the more I realized they were kind of saying the same thing. And as is often the case with advice, what they say isn’t groundbreaking; frankly, it’s simple and even obvious. But the fact of the matter is that we’re not good at doing these things, and so we may need to be reminded.
The first and most important thing we can do? Be more curious. We need to assume less about one another, and ask more questions. We need to stop thinking we already know what other people think, and actually engage them with curiosity. Because it turns out that a lot of what we think our political opponents believe is not accurate , and by engaging one another with genuine curiosity we can understand them better and build connections across difference. Monica Guzman, author of a great book titled I Never Thought of It That Way, says we should start seeing everyone, including people with whom we disagree, as “inexhaustibly interesting.” Isn’t that wonderful? How would your engagement with people who vote differently, or think differently from you change if you saw them as “inexhaustibly interesting”? It might keep you humble enough to listen more and talk (attack?) less. It could help
you see others more clearly, especially those who have been concealed behind lots of assumptions and judgments.
Another important thing we can do? Realize that winning is not the point. The only way to have more meaningful conversations is by resisting that surge of adrenaline that can easily take over whenever we’re talking with someone who thinks or votes differently. Instead, take a big breath, stay calm, and resist the temptation to counter-attack. Escalation does not get us where we want to go. If we’re talking with someone who holds very different perspectives from us, we may have to swallow all sorts of tempting retorts and snappy come-backs, because the goal isn’t to win (not that such a thing is even possible in these situations), but to understand. And such understanding cannot happen if we’ve shut down the dialogue by our crushing zinger. No matter how right we think we are, we don’t “win” when we silence someone else; that will only entrench them deeper and divide you further.
This reminds me of a wonderful poem by Yehuda Amichai titled “The Place Where We Are Right” (translated by Stephen Mitchell):
From the place where we are right flowers will never grow in the spring.
The place where we are right is hard and trampled like a yard.
But doubts and loves dig up the world like a mole, a plow.
And a whisper will be heard in the place where the ruined house once stood.
Which brings me to a third thing we can do to help, which is resist our inner cynic by approaching others with the “Most Generous Interpretation.” MGI is when you choose to interpret a person or situation in the best possible way, instead of immediately assuming the worst. Too often we jump to negative conclusions about why someone behaved or spoke in a certain way, and those assumptions drive a negative response that leads to conflict. By choosing to see others generously – by remembering something true about each and every person, namely, that they are made in the image of God, and therefore are fundamentally good inside – we can sustain our relationship when conflict threatens.
These are just a few ideas that we considered, and of course there are more. Perhaps the most important thing we talked about is not giving up. We need to keep trying to understand, keep trying to build bridges, keep trying to heal divisions. As Christians, we’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19), and while that is always a high calling, this year it may be among our highest. So let’s keep praying for God to unleash some resurrection power on our entombed society, remembering that God’s answer to that prayer includes all of us.
SHALOM COMMUNITY GARDEN
by Chris Kelley TEMPLE
The spacious homes and manicured lawns around the Transfiguration campus belie a stark reality invisible to many of us who lead busy, privileged lives: children and parents living nearby who go to bed hungry.
While many low-income families who live in neighboring rental homes and apartments can walk to the Fig, they are not within walking distance of a grocery store.
Despite its location nestled in the confines of comfortable North Dallas, the Fig resides in what the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls a “food desert,” where affordable nutritious food is hard to obtain, particularly for those without a car.
For many years now, the Fig’s Food Pantry has helped mitigate food insecurity for under-resourced neighbors, and this year the effort has received an enormous boost from a partnership with nearby Temple Shalom, our neighboring synagogue on Hillcrest Road. Founded in 1965, Temple Shalom moved to its present location in 1972, and our two communities have often partnered on education, outreach, and prayer services over the years.
In 2022, Temple Shalom created a “Justice Garden” – about 80 raised beds growing fresh produce such as lettuce, carrots, and potatoes. The bulk of what is grown goes to the North Texas Food Bank, but earlier this year they began a partnership with the Fig’s Food Pantry, as well. This allows us to add fresh vegetables to the food given to 45 neighboring families, which includes 107 children under age 18, who currently participate in the pantry program.
“The Justice Garden is designed to provide food justice to people who do not have access to it,” said Jodi Dalton, one of the Food Pantry coordinators who serves as a liaison to Temple Shalom’s program. “As you can imagine, the people we serve are immensely grateful for the fresh produce. It’s been a great partnership.”
According to Temple Shalom Garden Committee co-chair Gretchen Reynolds, the Justice Garden began two years ago as an education garden, with 12 raised beds used for teaching purposes. Last December, the garden was redesignated as a community partnership opportunity, enabling it to greatly expand to over 80 raised beds. Fr. Casey Shobe and Mtr. Rebecca Tankersley attended the December dedication, where they connected with Temple Shalom’s Senior Rabbi, Andrew Paley, and proposed the idea of a partnership between the two congregations. The plan quickly gained support, and by Spring, Food Pantry volunteers were picking up fresh produce from the Justice Garden each month to bolster the food distribution.
“Temple Shalom wanted to create a space that would be large enough to make an impact in our community,” said Gretchen. “The size of the Justice Garden allows us to grow a healthy and dynamic community of people and volunteers, and we can grow enough produce to create positive change within our local food system.”
According to Rabbi Paley, “Temple Shalom and Church of the Transfiguration have had a long and wonderful history of friendships and partnerships spanning decades and clergy including Temple Shalom’s Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Ken Roseman (of blessed memory) and Rev. JD Godwin. Rev. Shobe and I are good friends and cherished colleagues.”
This partnership helps address a huge need in our city. Dallas has the fourth highest number of food insecure children in the nation, according to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB).
Approximately 777,690 individuals, or 1 in 8 people, confront food insecurity within NTFB's service area, with children bearing a disproportionate burden. The rate of child food insecurity has surged to 20.8%, reflecting a distressing rise from the previous year.
Indeed, Texas now leads the nation in food insecurity overall, surpassing California, with nearly 5 million individuals facing hunger, a significant increase from 2022. Alarmingly, over one-third of those affected are children.
Transfiguration’s Food Pantry was founded in 2015 and is a Community Distribution Partner (CDP) of Crossroads Community Services, serving food-insecure families in North Dallas. As a CDP, Transfiguration buys food at a cost of 12 cents per pound and gives it to the hungry at no cost. Member families receive a week’s worth of groceries on the third Monday of each month. Recipients include elderly adults, single moms, and large families. Many of the families have children who attend nearby Spring Valley Elementary.
The produce from Temple Shalom’s Justice Garden supplements the pantry’s allocation, which sometimes doesn’t include fresh fruit and vegetables. The team effort is making a huge difference in the lives of the hungry living near the two congregations in north Dallas.
“We are indeed a pluralistic society,” said Jodi Dalton, “more than sometimes you would believe reading the news, and people share common goals of helping other people. That is not a uniquely Christian thing, and is, in fact, deeply embedded in many other religions as well.”
“Temple Shalom has long dreamed of a community garden that would be a place where the community could gather and where we could be a part of the solutions for the various food issues that our neighborhood and city are facing,” Rabbi Paley said. “We believe that living our namesake, Shalom –peace and wholeness – and providing opportunities for our community to engage with each other and our families, is the best way to live our mission, vision and values.”
Jodi said the Fig Food Pantry is completely funded from donations and is always in need of volunteers who want to seek and serve Christ in others. “We are probably the easiest ministry to get involved in,” Jodi said. “You just need to show up, and we'll give you something to do. And you can stay for 20 minutes, or you can stay for seven hours, and we'll find something to do, and we'll feed you lunch, and you'll get to hang out with everybody.”
Gretchen said Temple Shalom has plans to further expand the Justice Garden. “We have many plans for the future, including expansion of programs, learning opportunities, and gathering spaces. For the next year, we are looking forward to growing into our current space.”
One notable expansion is already underway. At the December dedication, Fr. Casey presented a jar of honey from his backyard beehive to Rabbi Paley, and casually mentioned the idea of keeping bees on the synagogue’s campus. Rabbi Paley and the garden’s leadership embraced the idea, and just a few weeks ago, Fr. Casey and local apiarist, Mohsen Elendery, moved a beehive into place a few hundred feet away from the garden. If all goes well, the first harvest of honey will occur in 2025, the result of innumerable visits by these winged pollinators to the garden’s vegetable plants, as well as flowers all around our neighborhood, no doubt including on the church’s campus. If all goes well, honey may soon be added to the boxes of food given away each month to our hungry neighbors—buzzworthy news, indeed.
THINGS ARE BLOOMING AT THE FIG
by Carolyn Lewis and Lauren Bendiksen
We’re always growing and blossoming at the Fig… and that includes our gardens! Beautifying the grounds around our campus not only readies our souls upon entering a sacred space, but provides food and shelter for local wildlife. Enhancing the campus will provide members of our church and the community places for prayer, time with nature, and opportunities to give back to the church community through their maintenance and continued improvement.
This project began as a way to honor the co-founder of the Fig Flower Guild, David Diggs. In 2011, David and Carolyn Lewis met with then Rector J.D. Godwin to discuss creating a Flower Guild as a creative ministry for the congregation and to celebrate the beauty of nature and flowers. Under his leadership the Flower Guild grew, from humble beginnings working in Roper Hall Kitchen with a small team of five people, to a dedicated area near the church offices and an active ministry of over twenty-five. His enthusiasm, creativity, and sense of humor encouraged everyone he worked with to believe that they could create beautiful designs regardless of experience. After a long battle with cancer, David passed away in May 2018 leaving behind a wonderful legacy in the people who continue to carry on with his love of flowers.
Pieces continued to fall in place for continuing David’s legacy. The February 2023 Pilgrimage to three Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries in Mexico was instrumental in sparking interest in how the Fig campus could support monarch butterflies. Pilgrims learned from a Monarch Watch educator about monarch butterflies, including their fascinating life cycle, migration, and needs for species survival. We learned that by improving our gardens and increasing selection of plants native to Texas, monarch butterflies are not
the only beneficiaries: other pollinators and insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals benefit as well. Native plants provide food and shelter for these creatures. As a bonus, native plants are already adapted to our extreme Texas weather.
Last fall, to honor David and his many contributions to the Fig, we began fundraising to create a dedicated space to his memory. Through the generosity of his many friends, nearly twenty thousand dollars was raised, to be combined with other funds to design and re-landscape the area around the Bell Tower and porte-cochere.
Earlier this spring after some preliminary landscape plans were developed, a small committee applied for, and received, a $600 grant from the Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas project through the Native Plant Society of Texas. This is a great honor and helped kick start the project. In April, the funds were used to purchase plants that you can see today in the David Diggs Memorial Butterfly Garden near the main entrance.
This redesigned garden is sunny most of the day, which provides optimal growing conditions for nectar producing plants. While all of the island’s plants provide nectar for monarchs to drink, the Texas and Antelope-horn milkweeds will also provide a place for monarchs to lay eggs, as milkweed is one of the only food sources for monarch caterpillars. Gregg’s Mistflower, Verbena, Prairie Goldenrod, Fall Aster, and Rattlesnake Master were selected because of their particular importance to butterflies and bees. The Mealy Sages (purple and white) and Purple Coneflower attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Two varieties of Coreopsis (‘Nana’ and ‘Uptick’),
Salvia ‘Blue Marvel’ and Compact Mexican Bush Sage attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Two species of Beebalm attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and birds. Black Eyed Susan’s seeds feed birds. Turk’s cap provides nectar to pollinators and hummingbirds with its flower, but it also develops a fruit that birds and mammals enjoy.
Later this year, improvements will include bench seating, walkways, and a water feature. A garden ministry volunteer base is being developed to help with maintenance and continued beautification; please keep an eye on church communication if this interests you. We would love to have you join us in the wonderful project.
Remember, any new garden will appear underwhelming. However, similar to our spiritual growth, with patient nurturing, watering, weeding, tending, feeding, and pruning, these gardens will come to fruition as places that bloom and bless others: human and creature alike!
MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH PRAYER
by Sherrie R. Abney
On February 16, 2020, I was run over by a bus in Hanoi, Viet Nam. After returning home and facing a long recovery period, I had time to consider what was going on in the world. Covid was raging in Asia and Africa. I had just come from Asia, and I had been to Africa several times and knew that health conditions were far from good in most of these areas. Simple diseases that could be treated in the USA were killing people there every day. I wondered how they were coping with Covid?
As I read the online version of Forward Day by Day, I noticed a request for prayer for various dioceses at the bottom of each page. If you click on the name of the diocese, it takes you to the name of the bishop and the bishop’s email address. Many dioceses were from countries that I knew had little or no health care. How difficult it must be for the bishops in these countries to care for their flocks. Who was encouraging them?
I thought about a nun who once complained to Mother Teresa that she could not stir porridge and pray. Mother Teresa’s response was, “Then stir.” I asked myself, “How could I stir? What could I stir?”
Left: Sherrie Abney visited by Bishop Moses Masamba Nthukah at her home last year.
Right Top: Bishop Masamba with Father Casey.
Right: Students celebrating the installation of a new water pump funded by Transfiguration.
I decided the only thing I could do for them at that point was to pray. So I clicked on the name of a diocese and wrote my prayer to the bishop, and I have continued to do so every day since.
Sometimes, the addresses of the bishops on the Anglican Communion website are out of date, and a few bishops in remote areas don’t have emails. However, the prayers still go up, and I often receive wonderful responses from the ones delivered to the bishops. One response resulted in the Rt. Rev. Dr. Moses Masamba Nthukah of the Diocese of Mbeere coming to visit us at the Fig. We discovered that we could help a school, clinic, and village by purchasing a solar water pump for them– which we did. This fall I will visit Kenya and see first hand the result of our efforts.
After sending a prayer to a bishop in Myanmar, I received a very touching response. He wrote that on May 14, 2023, his diocese was hammered by a cyclone for three hours. It resulted in losing five churches, four vicarages, 70 members’ homes, three children’s boarding schools and five water tanks and wells. He sent pictures of the destruction, and said, “Looking forward to what the Lord will show us.” In addition to all of this, his country was, and still is, at civil war.
Part of my prayer is always for clean water, healthy food, adequate shelter, proper medical care and educational opportunities for all people in the diocese. How would this ever happen to the diocese in Myanmar? Two weeks later, I received the answer. NGOs (Non-government Organizations) had arrived with everything– even supplies for building new shelters and school books. The bishop was overjoyed to share this news with me.
I have heard from bishops all over the US and the world. Some simply say thank you and that they will pray for me and the Fig. Others express their joy that someone from the other side of the world would care to pray for them.
It is so easy to share God’s Love.
FARE-THEE-WELL SPRING VALLEY GATORS
by Martha Cordell, Maggie Sharer, and Gabby Guion
In 2010, the Presiding Bishop at that time, the Rt. Rev. Katharine Schori, urged the church to address domestic poverty. She emphasized that "schools continue to be an essential part of our ministry of transformation, and they are central to addressing poverty." Transfiguration’s parishioners passionately responded to the call and embraced Spring Valley Elementary, beginning with a book drive in 2010 and culminating with a final Teacher Appreciation Luncheon this past May.
Right from the start, Transfiguration's support was hands-on. Annette Randall, Maggie Sharer, Scott Patrick, and others exemplified our mission to seek and serve. Our adult volunteers provided tutoring, reading, and mentoring. They even dressed up in various costumes when reading stories, bringing joy to the students! During Christmas, Spring Valley Elementary was the benefactor of our Angel Tree, led by Pam and Paul Sternweis. Darla Hodges, Martha Cordell, and Brooke Robb, along with our Outreach Committee, Daughters of the King, and our generous congregation, supported teachers and children with snacks during STAAR testing, teacher appreciation meals, notes of encouragement, and much-needed school supplies throughout the year. The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges, particularly for a school where 80% of students are economically disadvantaged. Our volunteers stayed closely connected with the principal and teachers, ensuring they proactively met the staff's needs. These volunteers established strong relationships with the teachers and the children.
As the Richardson Independent School District grappled with a multi-million dollar budget deficit, declining enrollment, and a lack of state funding, four elementary schools, including Spring Valley Elementary, were marked for closure. This marked the end of our 14-year relationship. It's with a heavy heart that we acknowledge Spring Valley's closure on the final day of school this May. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the students, their families, and the dedicated teachers for allowing Transfiguration to serve and support them throughout the years.
CELEBRATING OUR RESIDENT CENTENARIANS
Rare is the church with a centenarian in its midst.
Much rarer still are churches that are home to two centenarians at the same time. Back in April, when Bob Martin turned 100, his family marked the occasion with a grand celebration, but Bob did not have the mantle of eldest person at that party, for among the guests was Gordon Dempsey, friend and fellow Fig member who turned 100 last summer (he recently celebrated 101). The presence of these two gentlemen in our parish is a cherished blessing, and they are beloved for reasons surpassing their longevity. For 63 years and counting, Gordon has been everyone’s favorite lector, earning the nickname, “The Voice of God.” Meanwhile, Bob’s gorgeous woodworking creations adorn many walls in our church, and quite a few parishioner homes, as well. In May, Fr. Casey sat down with these two good and godly men for a conversation. Here is an excerpt of their meeting.
I wonder what led you and your family to come to Transfiguration in the first place? And what’s led you to stay over the years?
Gordon: Joyce and I were not Episcopalians to begin with, but we had started a family, and we figured we better get tied up with a church. We had this friend that recommended Father Ted McCrae at St. John's over in East Dallas, so we went there and for 10 weeks we went to classes every Wednesday night to learn about the Episcopal Church. And when we got through, we thought, “Well, we think we like this church. We want to stay.”We had missed the main confirmation, which they had for the rest of the class, so Joyce and I went downtown to the diocese headquarters and on Saturday afternoon, October 31, 1959, I believe, the bishop confirmed us.
Interview with Gordon Dempsey and Bob Martin by The Rev. R. Casey Shobe, D.Min.
The following summer, we decided to move to this area of Dallas, and driving to St. John’s was pretty far to go to church. Somebody told us about Transfiguration, but at that time, the services were being held in a single-car garage at a house that was down about half a mile down here on Spring Valley. So we went to church and we signed up there. I remember Father Niles at that time – I guess it must have been on Easter – and he came in, and he had a very loud voice, and he blasted out, “Christ is risen, Christ is risen!” I remember that very well.
Casey: I wonder what led y'all to stay? I mean, here's this church meeting in a garage…why'd you stick around?
Gordon: We liked the people there, and we decided we were going to stay with them. And we liked the priest, and we liked the religion.
Casey: Bob, your turn.
When
did y’all first come to Transfiguration?
Bob: It was in the late 70s. Before that we were also over at St. John’s, until we moved over this side of town. So, we looked for another church closer to home and found Transfiguration. Pretty soon, my wife got very active. She was active in everything involved with the worship and liturgy. She really loved Frs. Roper and Godwin.
I wonder how you would compare when you first came to today?
Gordon: Well, first thing that comes to mind on that, we still like the priests.
Casey:That's a relief!
Gordon: A year or so after we got in there, I started being a lay reader. And I like doing that. And shoot, I still do it.
Casey: I know! Talk about a similarity. Someone coming to church 60 years ago and someone coming to church here today would be hearing the same voice reading the lessons.
Gordon: Luckily the voice has stayed with me. And people tell me they like it, so if they do, I'll keep using it. I still like the people here, although I don't know very many of them. At that time I knew quite a few, but I don't know so many of them now. I have met a number of the newer people, and the goodness of the people remains the same.
Bob, I wonder, comparing maybe those early years of the first decade or so that you and Frances were here to today, what's similar and what's changed, do you think?
Bob: Well, we have grown along with the church. It's been a nice experience to see it develop and grow to be what it is today, because it's a nice facility, and it was rather sparse in the early days. I think we grew along with it. It's grown from a little place to a big place, but it's still home for us. There's still enough familiar that even though there's a lot of new faces, it's still home.
Gordon, I wonder what you're most proud of that you've witnessed or been a part of here at Transfiguration in your time.
Gordon: Well, two things. I've been a lay reader for a long time and a chalice bearer. Even now, I bear the chalice when the clergy come to Highland Springs twice a month to give us communion. That's really nice. I'm proud of that service.
Back before the church was built, we were in the building down the way (now the Youth Center). At that time, I was made the head of the ushers, and I was also a lay reader. And Father Terry asked me to do the scheduling for the ushers and the lay readers and so on. I didn't know any better, so I said, yeah, I'll do it. So he said, we have a computer program that has been written by one of our members here, who was actually a high-up officer at Texas Instruments. I tried to use it for a year or so, and it wasn’t working for me. So I finally decided, okay, I'll just write my own program. So I enrolled in three or four courses in Richland College to help me write a program. We used it up until, oh, I guess a little past 2000.
Casey: Tell me that Microsoft bought your program and you’re secretly a tech billionaire!
Gordon: I’m afraid not.
Gordon, I wonder how do you feel like you're still growing as a Christian?
Gordon: Well, I guess it's subconscious. I keep trying to be as good as I can. I'm not saying whether I succeed or not. And if I didn't, I'm not going to admit it on record! I guess I'm still trying to be good, and do the things I'm supposed to do, and try to help the church.
Looking to the future, Bob, I wonder what are your hopes for Transfiguration?
Bob: The church, I think, is doing wonderful. I have hopes that we'll increase the congregation, because we have a beautiful church here, and I just think we need to get more people in. I'm also looking forward to see what happens with the building. I think the work we’re doing (in the renovations) is going to help make it more spacious and easier to move around in.
You can find Bob and Gordon at church every Sunday, praying, singing, serving, and blessing our church with their love. These centenarian saints aren’t slowing down. “I intend to be around a little bit more,” Bob said, to which Gordon quickly replied, “Me too.”
MEET THE KENTS
by Rachel and Robert Kent
Hi! We are the Kent Family. You may know us from Robert’s company, Kent Fine Chocolates, or more likely from our children goofing off in the back row of the 9:00 service on Sunday.
We began attending the Fig in Fall of 2023. Robert and I were both born and raised in Dallas. I graduated from Garland High School, and Robert from Lake Highlands High School. We both grew up attending Highland Park UMC, but didn’t know each other until after college. There’s even a photo of us from a mission trip standing side-by-side…little did we know that one day we would raise a family together! (see photo)
After high school, Rachel attended the University of Missouri and Robert attended Baylor and then University of Glasgow. We both made it back to Dallas and met each other (for the second time) in our late 20s while helping launch Union Coffee, a hybrid coffee shop / church sponsored by several local United Methodist churches.
Fast forward 10 years, and we started looking for a church home that would work for our growing family. We began visiting the Fig last fall and it really clicked with us. We were looking at houses around the same time, and ended up moving to the neighborhood. Despite living only a few minutes away, we are late almost every Sunday (we are convinced that church starts a few minutes early). You will always find us at the back of the nave where we have snuck in. Part of our move to the neighborhood was driven by our belief in this church and that we wanted to make this place a steady and accessible part of our lives.
We keep coming back because we have met some really wonderful people and we want this to be our community. We love the traditional services and that there are lots of families with kids.
A quick bit on each of us:
Rachel – has had a 15-year career in healthcare data and analytics but my favorite things to spend my time doing are quilting and jigsaw puzzles. I love cats and I will always live with at least 2 (sorry Robert) - they are the most practically purrfect companions. I enjoy reality competition shows (Big Brother, Survivor, RuPaul’s Drag Race) and if I had to watch only one movie for the rest of my life it would be Clue --- I want to be able to quote the film start to finish. I also love horror films and seeing musicals at the Winspear.
Robert – just started a new position with Communities Foundation of Texas after 10 years of service with the Trust for Public Land, bringing parks and green spaces to communities in Texas that need them most. He also started a chocolate company during COVID lockdown which many of you got to partake in on his Mother’s Day pop-up in the atrium. He rents commercial kitchen space at the Fig where he makes his amazing bonbons. When he is not working one of his two jobs, he enjoys cooking, keeping up with the Formula 1 racing circuit, and taking our kids on adventures to the park.
Dorothy (5) – going on 15, is our spunky one. She loves to sing and be fabulous. Her Spotify wrapped would look like: Six the Musical, Taylor Swift, Caspar Babypants. She will attend Spring Creek Elementary in the fall.
Madeleine (almost 3) – our rough and tumble one who we call Maddie or Mad Dog for short. She loves spotted and striped big cats more than anyone you have ever met. They are all called “Howie”– jaguars, leopards, tigers, cheetahs… all Howies. But don’t dare call a lion a Howie. Definitely not a Howie. She attends Spanish World School in Dallas. She and Dorothy have been in a Spanish immersion since they were little babes.
London is our elderly tabby cat. She puts up with no shenanigans.
Kevin is my brother’s 3 year old cat who is living with us for a bit. He really irritates London.
Though we’ve only been at the Fig for less than a year, we feel like it’s already our home. Thank you for making us feel so welcome!
Illumine is a quarterly publication of Church of the Transfiguration. The word itself has two meanings: to light up or brighten and to enlighten (someone) spiritually or intellectually. The goal behind this magazine is to tell the stories of this congregation, highlight new ministries, and celebrate where God is at work in our midst.
CHURCH STAFF
CLERGY
The Rev. R. Casey Shobe, D.Min. Rector
The Rev. Rebecca Tankersley Senior Associate Rector
The Rev. Nancy DeStefano Pastoral Assistant
The Rev. Ted Clarkson Associate Rector
The Rev. Terence C. Roper Rector Emeritus
PROGRAMS
Allison Blalock Director of Children’s Ministries
Delynda Moravec Director of Youth Ministries
Gabby Guion Minister for Congregational Life
TJ McCoy Director of Communications
Al Blackwell Digital Communications Specialist
WORSHIP SERVICES
Wednesday | 6:00 p.m.
Thursday | 12:00 p.m.
Saturday | 5:30 p.m.
Sunday | 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
MUSIC
Joel Martinson
Director of Music and Organist
Stefan Engels
Artist-in-Residence
Chris Ahrens
Director of Youth Choir
Kimberley Ahrens
Director of Children’s Choirs
David Stanley
The Table Music Director
ADMINISTRATION
Cathleen Dolt
Parish Administrator
Shalu Abraham
Executive Assistant to the Rector
Darla Rupert Bookkeeper
Fred Ellis
Administrative Assistant
OPERATIONS
Bracken Reece
Director of Operations
Alex Alvarado
Sexton
Erik Welch
Sexton
VESTRY
Mat Thekkil, Senior Warden
Mike Mignardi, Junior Warden
Chip Brownlee
Michael Durrance
Brian Ferrell
Lindsey Murphy
Olga Ruff
Elaine Sweet
Jeremy Teeple
Alyson Thompson
Brett Vanderbrook
Peter Young
Jay Madrid, Chancellor
Evan Williams, Assistant Chancellor
Bill Evans, Treasurer
Libby Nicodemus, Clerk
PHOTO INDEX
1. Cover : Temple Shalom Community Garden
Photo by TJ McCoy
2. Mat Thekkil, Olga Ruff, and Fr. Casey breaking ground for the Sacristy Renovations
Photo by TJ McCoy
3. Braver Angels with Fr. Casey | Photo by TJ McCoy
4. Temple Shalom Community Garden
5. Jodi Dalton and Temple Shalom Garden Committee co-chair Gretchen Reynolds | Photo by TJ McCoy
6. Michele Nitishin and Alan Justices | Photo by TJ McCoy
7. Father Casey showing off his backyard beehive
Photo by TJ McCoy
8. Fig Food Pantry volunteers sorting fresh produce
Photo by TJ McCoy
9. Gardening volunteers preparing and planting nectarproducing plants in the David Diggs Memorial Butterfly Garden | Photo by Gabby Guion
10. Carolyn Lewis, Fr. Casey, and Mat Thekkil breaking ground for the David Diggs Memorial Butterfly Garden
11. Gardening volunteers planting the David Diggs Memorial Butterfly Garden | Photo by Gabby Guion
12. Lauren Bendiksen selfie with new plants and flowers
13. Simcha Negrete, Secretary at Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
14. Maggie Sharer recruiting Gator Aides at Ministry Fair
15. Tim O'Bryen posing with Spring Valley students
16. Principal Brona Hudson, Martha Cordell, Assistant Principal Shana Gaines at Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
17. Gordon Dempsey and Bob Martin | Photo by TJ McCoy
18. Gordon Dempsey 101th Birthday surprise Photo by Gabby Guion
19. George Bienfang, Gordon Dempsey, and Bob Martin at Bob Martin's 100th Birthday Celebration Photo by TJ McCoy
20. Robert, Dorothy, Rachel, and Madeleine Kent at Transfiguration's Easter Butterfly Release
21. Vacation Bible School | Photo by Robert Hacker
22. Fig folks at Dallas Pride Parade | Photo by Casey Shobe
23. Clara Lowrance and Adelaide Shobe | Photo by Casey Shobe
24. Transfigured Nights Tea & Tallis | Photo by Sara Ivey
25. Vacation Bible School | Photo by Robert Hacker
26. Kim and Camden Ahrens | Photo by Robert Hacker
27. Fr. Ted at Bake & Pray Workshop | Photo by TJ McCoy
Back Cove r: Ginger Price receiving the offering from Dorothy Kent and Adelaide Thompson | Photo by TJ McCoy
