February 15th, 2026

“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
(Matthew 10:38-39)  

Blessings to you, dear friends on this last Sunday of the Epiphany season. This Sunday is traditionally called: Quinquagesima Sunday (Trying saying that five times fast!), and marking the approximate 50th day from the triumphant celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection on Easter! This Sunday not only marks the end of Epiphany, but the last Sunday in our pre-Lenten transition.

This Epiphany, rather than following the old Anglican tradition of beginning this pre-Lenten tide as we had last year, we set that practice aside in order to focus on the more festive occasions that coincided so often with our Sunday worship. Not to mention, it was a nice reprieve given the severity of the snow and having to close the church two Sundays in a row! All the same, as I have urged you these past few weeks, I do so now with the heightened awareness that the beginning of Holy Lent is imminent.

So why Transfiguration at all during this time of preparing for our somber journey towards Holy Week? The observation of Transfiguration at the end of Epiphany is quite a modern innovation. It seems strange, at a glance, when you consider that the proper feast day is still August 6th, occurring in the middle of summer. Upon closer examination, however, you might sense the welcomeness of this change. In the ordering of events in the Synoptic Gospel tradition (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the Transfiguration is the last great act of our Lord prior to the disciples turning towards Jerusalem. 

In other words, not only is it, in itself a feast of great Christological significance that fits thematically in Epiphanytide, but it also represents a pivot point in the story of Jesus’s earthly ministry. From this point on, he is laser focused on his mission that will ultimately carry him into the hands of the Pontius Pilate where he will be sentenced to death. The Transfiguration is, in that sequential context, a vision not just of God’s glory revealed in Jesus as he was before the Incarnation, but it is a vision of what will be. It is, from a certain point of view, kind of like a spoiler reveal of the end of the story before we even get to the tale’s climax!

This “spoiler” is meant to be taken as an encouragement. As we approach Golgotha spiritually and liturgically, as the stench of ash and death lingers in the air, we are reminded that the story does not end in the grave. In that spirit, how appropriate is it to celebrate Transfiguration on this day?! Anglicans, in spite of our strong rootedness have never been afraid of innovation when it calls us deeper into the story of scripture. True enough that this same tendency has gotten us into trouble from time to time. Not here! As we think about our Lenten journey that is to come, let us do so with the reminder of Christ’s glorious Resurrection already in our hearts and on our minds!

The Rev’d Tyler J. Gongola, Rector

February 8th, 2026

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4)  

I started helping my mother with Sunday school when I was thirteen years old. I cut paper plates, refilled glue cups, and helped facilitate the games. In the summer, I served as a pre-school guide for VBS and soon graduated to leading music on a few occasions. Even in seminary, I found myself repeatedly serving the children of the Church and I have come to believe there is no greater honor, though there are certainly a great many challenges.  

There is a common and unfortunate misconception that Children's Ministry is all about keeping the children busy with Bible stories so that the adults can do the real business of worship or study. But the reality is that, while little bodies may have different needs than older bodies, they are just as integral and important to the life of the church. While it rarely ever goes as planned, nor is it a particularly quiet or orderly job, it is one I am blessed to take part in.  Even in the moments when they are too loud, or difficult, or just tired, they remind us of our own humanity and our need of a Savior. 

Imagine the court room of a King, a grand open room with a throne at the front. There are those who are talking with the King directly, there are those off to the side having a conversation about other matters, and there are others running around playing some sort of game. They are all welcome in the King’s court because they have been invited.  

As adults, we often complicate things to a point of being incomprehensible. We become haughty and self-absorbed, assuming that worship must sound, look, and smell a certain way; allowing our preferences to cloud the true purpose for our gathering. It has been in striving to teach children the beauty of the Christian faith that I have often found the most healing for my own soul; in stripping away the pride and being willing to meet children at the foot of the cross, to tell them the truth about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who wants them to be part of his family because he loves them.  

Retreating to the nursery each week, though strategic, is not for the benefit of the adults worshiping in the nave. Nor is the time spent there less worshipful than that spent in the nave. It’s a time to provide space for the type of learning that children crave: not simply playful, but relational. It is my desire that each child who comes through our catechesis program not only learns the truth of God’s love but experiences it through our love of them.  

May we image the grace, mercy, and love of our Lord Jesus Christ for the children of Grace, and remember that, in their childhood, they too image Christ.  

Megan Gongola, Lay Catechist to Children and Families