By Fr. Anthony

What a pleasure it is for me to join the ministry of Church of the Transfiguration!  If you know Transfiguration, aka "The Fig," you surely know that it is more than some buildings in Dallas at the corner of Hillcrest and Spring Valley—it is the people who make this place special.  Years of love have been poured into this parish by those who came before us.  For seventy years, ministry has flowed from that love as more and more people have joined this community of ministry, work, outreach, and fellowship.

You may be here in person, or you may connect online.  You may have been here for years or, like me, have just connected.  You may be considered young, or you may be among the seasoned saints.  Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are important and you belong!

One of the hallmarks of The Fig is the way all are welcomed and included.  In these past days and weeks, I have been thinking about the ways we are welcomed and connected by our faith—and even by our willingness to explore faith.  A welcoming congregation where we can quickly begin to feel like friends and family is exactly the kind of community described in the Scriptures.

Jesus said, "Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35).  These words remind us of something many already know from experience: family does not necessarily mean only those to whom we are related by blood.  There are different kinds of bonds and connections that hold us closely together and allow us to claim one another as family.

The Apostle Paul wrote about "the household of God" and the "family of faith" in his letters to the Galatians and to Timothy (1 Timothy 3:15; Galatians 6:10).  So, in a very real sense, we are held together as family by our common faith.

But here's a little something from behind the scenes:  the initial welcome is one thing, but being in relationship as family and friends takes a little work.  It doesn't just happen on its own; it can actually take some thought and determination.  For some people it feels natural.  For others of us, it means stepping out of our comfort zone and taking a chance on something new as we become the next ones to welcome others into this community.

We take our place as part of the family, beginning to notice others and learn new names.  We become those who make room for newcomers, show up for one another, care for one another, and begin to experience and recognize that belonging is something we both receive and extend.

I so appreciate the prayers from near and far that have supported me and Church of the Transfiguration during this time of transition.  As I begin my ministry with you, I look forward to growing with you as part of this family, to walking together in ministry and in life, to welcoming those who are exploring faith—and I look forward to what God has in store for us!

Fr. Anthony+