written by Whitney Holley

Today, Labor Day, is seen as the unofficial end of summer here in the United States. In Dallas most children have started back to school, we see the hope of cooler weather on the horizon, and football season has started up again. All of these things mark a change in seasons and we feel that here at Transfiguration perhaps even more acutely this year as we wait for the installation of our new rector. As we prepare for the new season we should look at what Transfiguration means to us and what kind of stewards we want to be for the coming year.

why fig 2This  Sunday, September 7th is our Homecoming Sunday. Between services there will be tables set up in Roper Hall showing all the wonderful opportunities our church offers. Be sure to check out (and sign up!) for ministries, outreach, Sunday school, whatever it is you see that gets you excited about being here in our community.

Here at the blog we try to highlight these opportunities and this week we want to look at, and get you excited for, our new Stewardship Campaign. We know talk of pledge cards and budgets aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a very important part of what keeps our church the active, wonderful place we all know and love.

This year we will hear a short talk from a diverse group of  people  during our Sunday services from September 14th through October 12th. Each of them will discuss what stewardship means to them and why they think we, the members of Transfiguration, should look forward to turning in our pledge cards in October.

stew bannerWe will hear from  members of different age groups and with different backgrounds in our church and we asked them to finish the statement “When I think of Transfiguration, I think of…” As you read some of their answers below we hope that you will reflect on how you would finish that sentence and keep your answer in mind as the seasons change.

“When I think of Transfiguration, I think of –  family because my husband and I raised our family here and we are so thrilled to see so many families also choosing Transfiguration as the church in which to raise theirs.” Deanie Winstel

“When I think of Transfiguration, I think of a place where I can mature as a young adult and influence the world around me through service.”  Ben Guion

“When I think of Transfiguration, I think of refuge from the noise of the everyday – calming and grounding.  In contrast to much of the world around us, here is a place where the priorities are not upside down; where our clergy deliver intelligent and thoughtful guidance; where I can lose myself in the beauty of our music ministry; where the Fig’s commitment to inclusiveness embodies what is for me the most vital of all Christian tenets, to love our neighbors as ourselves; and where my family and I receive the priceless gift of being part of a vibrant and loving community.”  Oliver Cone

“When we think of Transfiguration, we think openness and welcoming atmosphere!” ET and Sally Manning