Dear friends,
I write to share the news that Anne Schmidt, our Director of Evangelism & Welcoming Ministries, will soon be moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband Walt. This is an exciting decision for them, but one that brings much sadness to us, for Anne has blessed our church immensely in her many years of involvement, in ways big and small. She served as Senior Warden during the transition between rectors a decade ago, and participated in the search committee that steered the process leading to my call in 2014. She has consistently championed our church’s evangelism efforts, supported our welcoming efforts, encouraged our ministries to families with kids, and helped us throw many a great party. So great was her impact that she received the Tau Cross and Crown Award in 2018, and accepted my invitation to join the staff a year later. For 15 years, she has infused nearly every area of our church with her hope, kindness, thoughtfulness, and joy.
We will celebrate Anne and Walt on Sunday, May 22, and honor them between services as part of our wider Recognition Sunday efforts that day. Those who know the Schmidts know that they shy away from the limelight, but they are deserving of our heartfelt thanks and prayers as they embark to new adventures in New Mexico.
I invite you to make a gift in Anne’s honor to Forward Movement, a ministry of the Episcopal Church that is near and dear to her. She served on their board for several years, and her leadership helped bring Forward Movement’s enormous churchwide conference Evangelism Matters to Transfiguration in 2017. Forward Movement also produces the digital Daily Office resources we use every day for our Facebook prayer group. You can donate in her honor through Transfiguration by clicking here.
In coming weeks, we will launch a search for her successor, as we must continue to make our welcoming embrace wide and help newcomers get better connected. So stay tuned, as I hope you can help us find a great person to join our team.

 
I remember my first time at Transfiguration. I attended Epiphany Lessons & Carols and, in that service, knew I was home. This congregation welcomed me in and invited me to stretch myself – serving as a volunteer in various ways over the years. I was truly called to my current role and have been blessed to welcome many wonderful and gifted people into our midst.
You all have helped me discern skills and paths that I could never have seen for myself. You have made me a better Christian by sharing your own stories and faith. You have walked with me through various stages of my own life and Transfiguration’s life and it has been transformative.
Walt and I will make our home in the foothills of Albuquerque where he will continue to work from home and I will continue consulting with congregations and diocese as they navigate leadership transitions. We hope to spend lots of time on mountain trails and eating red and green hot peppers. Andrew, our son who grew up here, will continue living and working in Dallas. Caroline, who started here in Transfiguration’s Holy Family Choir, will graduate from the University of Tampa in December. We have all been blessed by our time among you.
My hope is that you will continue doing what you do best; welcoming people, unconditionally, into your midst and offering the opportunity for transformation.
With Gratitude,
Anne Schmidt

I want to share with you the exciting news that Michael Sturdy, our Interim Director of Youth Ministries, has been approved as a Postulant for Holy Orders by the Diocese of Texas, and will begin seminary at The School of Theology at the University of the South (better known as Sewanee) this fall. Michael has been discerning a call to ordination for the past year and a half, and I am excited that he will soon begin the next phase in his preparation. Michael has made quite an impact in less than a year, as evidenced by the love our youth have for him. He has continued the tradition of radical welcoming in our youth ministries, fostering a community of friendship, respect, and love that is all too rare in our world. He inherited a healthy youth ministry, and he will leave it strong.
Michael will remain with us through July, when he will lead the youth pilgrimage to Ireland, along with Fr. Ted Clarkson. We will have time for a proper celebration at a later date, when we will also invite gifts toward his theological education.
I am excited to share that we have already found the next Director of Youth Ministries, and we didn’t have to look far. Our very own Delynda Moravec has accepted my invitation to take this role. Delynda is a longtime member of the Fig, who has blessed our church as a member of the Transfiguration Choir, Godly Play storyteller, youth ministry sponsor, Christmas Pageant Director, and Youth Lector Coordinator/Guru. Anyone who has had a chance to work alongside Delynda has experienced her joyful spirit and servant leadership. She will be a fantastic addition to our team and help our youth ministry thrive and grow in coming years. Delynda will begin in July.
Lastly, I am delighted that our Director of Music and Organist Joel Martinson will be on sabbatical May 2 through August 1. Transfiguration awards staff and clergy these extended times of renewal and refreshment every seven years, and after the challenges of the last two years, I know this time away comes not a moment too soon. Joel will spend the first three weeks in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm meeting with church musicians and immersing himself in the sacred music of these three capital cities. His husband David Reece will join him for part of his journey.
With a music ministry as robust as ours, we can rely on the skills and talents of many of our own during Joel’s leave: Chris Ahrens, will serve as Choir Director this summer. Stefan Engels will continue as Organist, along with additional musical support from Jonathan Maedche and Chris Anderson.

I hope you will reach out to me with any questions about these transitions. I also ask you to pray for all of them – Anne, Michael, Delynda, and Joel, along with their families – and to look for ways to help the newcomers get oriented and feel at home at Transfiguration.
Grace and peace,
The Rev. Casey Shobe