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Pastoral Notes
The funeral for Nancy Hoffman will be held this Friday in the church at 1:00 pm. All are invited to a reception at Maggiano's at Perimeter Mall after the service.
Turner Collins died on June 20. His family will have a private burial in the Holy Innocent's Memorial Garden on July 21. Please keep these families in your prayers.
Sunday Reminders
We’ve launched a Summer Book Exchange in Inglett Hall, bring a book, take a book! (Just no encyclopedias, please.) At summer’s end, we’ll donate any extras to a good cause.
Matt & Lindsey Parish will lead our Adult Forum on the topic: "What Really Matters at the End of Life"
Food donations needed! We’re collecting non-perishables for the Community Assistance Center and Solidarity Sandy Springs. Special needs: rice, canned beans (any kind), canned meat (tuna, chicken, or Spam)
Ruth continues to be deeply grateful for your prayers, cards, and meals. We give thanks for her excellent pathology report. She’ll begin radiation later this summer—please keep her in your prayers, along with all those suffering in Texas.
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Church of the Common Ground
July 20
HI will be packing 120+ lunches for our unhoused brothers and sisters who attend Church of the
Common Ground in Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta. Please join us in Parish Hall after the 10:15 AM service to help make sandwiches and assemble lunch bags. An additional part of our outreach is to worship with the men and women of CCG at their 1:00 PM service in Woodruff Park.
Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com | churchofthecommonground.org
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Renee's Reflection
Shame, Community, and the Grace
of Showing Up Together
Some of my most insecure moments in life have to do with parenting. Why does my six-year-old refuse to eat a single whole food? Why does my ten-year-old cling to my hip no matter how much love and affection I give him? Why are they watching YouTube like it’s a full-time job, and why do they push back so hard against reading books and playing games? What am I doing wrong that every other parent seems to get right? At least once a day I start to question myself. I start to feel shame.
Shame creeps in when we feel like we're failing. It causes us to believe we’re alone in our struggles and that we need to hide. Shame tells us that we are the only ones who don’t have it all together. That we should isolate, pull back from connection. It leads us to present curated versions of ourselves because vulnerability feels too risky.
But here is the neat reality: shame thrives in secrecy and isolation, but it withers in community and truth. Time and time again throughout Scripture, God call us out of darkness and into the body of Christ where our messiness is not a disqualifier, but part of the shared human experience that binds us together.
Parenting is hard. Life is hard. Daily we are bombarded with world events and natural disasters that have shattered lives near and far. We are not meant to face these things alone. That’s why our clergy and staff and incredible lay teams work so hard to create spaces to be together, to laugh, to celebrate, to grieve, and to lift each other up.
So come this Sunday and be together just as you are. Clean out your books, (kids included!) and bring them to our Summer Book Exchange where you can also grab a new book for your summer reading! And mark your calendars for our Back to School Bash on August 10th. We’ll bless backpacks, enjoy burgers and hot dogs, have a blast with a foam party, have some ice cream, and host a bake sale to raise money for those affected by recent floods.
With love in Christ,
Renee
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Pilgrimage to Germany
From Reformation Roots to Musical Heights
A Pilgrimage of Faith and Witness
with Luther, Bach, and Bonhoeffer
April 8-16, 2026
Join 20 pilgrims from Holy Innocents and 20 from Holy Trinity Lutheran (Hickory, NC) for a joint pilgrimage through Germany, co-led by Vicar Stewart Lucas and Lutheran Deacon Mitzi Budde. We’ll follow in the footsteps of Luther, Bach, and Bonhoeffer, traveling from the printing presses of Mainz to the music halls of Leipzig and the memorials of Berlin, reflecting on faith, justice, creativity, and community.
This Episcopal-Lutheran journey will deepen our connection to God and one another through worship, shared meals, and meaningful conversation. An optional Prague extension is available from April 16 to 19.
Registration for 20 Holy Innocents pilgrims opens at noon on June 25 (first come, first served).
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Bake Sale to Support Flood Victims
August 10
We're hosting a Bake Sale on Sunday, August 10th, to raise funds for flood victims in need. Your delicious donations of cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, and more can help bring comfort and support to families affected by the devastating floods in Texas. All money raised will go directly to Episcopal Relief and Development to support them in their immediate efforts to help communities recover and rebuild. Please consider donating your favorite homemade treat. Drop off on August 10th in Bishop Commons. Let’s bake with love and give with purpose!
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EfM
There’s a Lot New for You in EfM (Education for Ministry)!
EfM has a new course of study and new materials, but the same vibrant community and spirit of inquiry! Through it you can:
● Deepen your Christian faith.
● Learn how to articulate that faith.
● Let that faith inspire you into action!
More than Bible study – through exploration, prayer and reflection, trained mentors facilitate stimulating discussions and guide participants to examine life through an increasingly informed and inspired theological lens.
New this year is EfM: Wide-Angle, a one-year overview of the spiritual journey that explores the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Christian history, spirituality and ethics. It can be a great introduction to EfM or a refresher for those who have already participated in EfM.
Of course, the acclaimed four-year course of study (EfM Classic) continues and has been enhanced with new books and study materials for the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Christian history, ethics and spirituality.
The EfM group at Holy innocents’ is a caring community which meets every Tuesday evening at HI from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., September through May, and meetings may also be joined via Zoom. Lin Stradley and Nicole Yarsawich are the seminar leaders. There is a tuition; scholarships are available. Registration ends July 31.
If you would like more information, please contact Lin Stradley, (404) 233-3133 (lstradley@gmail.com) or Nicole Yarsawich (Cole.yarsawich@gmail.com).
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Ruminations for Ruth
As Ruth has scribed her ruminations to us, let us return our ruminations to her, sending our love, prayers & well wishes for the journey ahead. A table is set up in the Commons with cards and a few craft items for you to use as you wish. Additionally, Ruth often walked our labyrinth; walk and join in this prayerful journey with her. Feel free to write and share the thoughts and prayers that come to you. You'll find paper and pens in the center that can be added to the messages at the table. Someone from the office will deliver them to Ruth. Let us all come together and surround her with our love and support!
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Summer Adult Forum Series | Sundays at 9:00 AM | Inglett Hall
July 20: Matt and Lindsey Parrish lead the conversation "What Really Matters at the End of Life"
July 27: Maggie Menkus: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and Servant Leadership
Aug. 3: Realm 101
Aug. 10: Stay tuned… Blessing of Backpacks Sunday. Choir Returns
Aug. 17: Bill returns and shares about his sabbatical. Sunday School for all ages begins.
¿Habla español?
If you speak Spanish, even just a little, please email Stewart! We’re putting together a list of folks who might be willing to support our ongoing collaboration with the 1:00 PM Our Lady of Guadalupe community. Your language skills could make a big difference!
Funeral Planning Resources
If you missed Sunday's presentation, please find our funeral planning workbook and Holy Innocents' Memorial Garden and Columbarium burial options on our website here: https://holyinnocents.org/funerals/. Contact Melody McNeil with any questions.
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Habitat for Humanity Build
June 7-August 2, 7:30 AM-3:30 PM
Holy Innocents’ is once again joining forces with seven other Atlanta-area churches to sponsor Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s Summer Faith Build! This year’s build days are Saturdays—June 7, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 26, and August 2—from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. All adult parishioners and teens 16+ are invited to serve (no skills required!) as we help an Atlanta family achieve affordable homeownership. Holy Innocents’ has 6 volunteer spots on June 7 and 4 on each following Saturday. Volunteers must register individually online; registration closes at 7:30 AM the Thursday before each build day. Youth volunteers (ages 16–17) must bring a printed waiver signed by a parent or guardian. If all slots are full when you register, you’ll be added to a waitlist and notified if a spot opens. Visit our website for full details and to sign up!
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Reading Connections
July 14, 6:00 PM
The Women's Reading Connections will meet on Monday, July 14, at 6:00 PM in Inglett Hall, Room C. This month, we are reading The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. The novel is set in the 1960s in Maine. A four-year-old Mi’kmaq girl goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine, sparking a tragic mystery that haunts the survivors, unravels a community, and remains unsolved for nearly fifty years. All are welcome!
Contact Michelle Driscoll | dris1296@yahoo.com
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Third Friday: Men of HI
July 18
Enjoy warm hospitality, engaging discussions, and a fresh sausage and biscuit breakfast. Come for the conversation and stay for the fellowship—7:30 AM in the Frost Youth Center.
Contact Charles Crosby | charles@corepm.net
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Welcome Back, Bill!
August 16, 6:00 PM
Let’s give Bill a warm welcome home from his sabbatical with a festive Low Country Boil on Saturday, August 16 at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall—adults only this time! The kids will have their turn with the Backpack Blessing and Foam Party the week before, so this evening is just for the grown-ups to relax, reconnect, and celebrate. Want to lend a hand with setup, cooking, or clean-up? Contact Jenny Cantrell, we’d love your help!
Contact Jenny Cantrell | jpcantrell@pittman-construction.com
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The Community of Hope will be offering a regional zoom training beginning Sunday, August 3rd. Community of Hope is an international organization, based on Benedictine spirituality, which equips people to participate in pastoral care.
Through ongoing spiritual formation and practical lessons on caregiving, members learn to align theological insights and spiritual practices with their experiences of ministering to others and giving spiritual care.
Pastoral care is when a person is being “present” in a listening, compassionate, non-controlling manner for the purpose of responding to their spiritual needs.
Training sessions will take place weekly on Sunday afternoons for 12 weeks, with an additional Saturday session.
For those who have completed training and decide to move forward in the parish with pastoral care ministry, we gather monthly as the Circle of Care on Monday nights for worship, continuing education, and spiritual support.
Please contact Karen Calhoun (kncalhoun@yahoo.com) or Craig Wilson (crwilson01@gmail.com) if you are interested in understanding more about the group; contact Ruth Pattison (rpattison@holyinnocents.org) if you would like to discuss the discernment process for participation in the upcoming training.
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Children’s Chapel Summer Series:
Under the Sea – Anchored in Christ
Dive into a faith-filled adventure this summer! Kids in PreK-5th grade are invited to explore exciting Bible stories from the sea that show us how our hope in Jesus is the anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19). Each week features a fun object lesson, a hands-on ocean-themed craft, and a message that helps children trust God in every wave of life. Come set sail with us each Sunday while we discover a treasure of truth under the sea! June 15th - August 3rd, during the 10:15 service.
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Back to School Bash & Backpack Blessing
Holy Innocents’ is excited to kick off the new school year with our Annual Back to School Bash and backpack blessing! Join us on Sunday, August 10th, for a fun-filled morning as we come together to support children and families heading into a new school year. The day will include a special blessing of the backpacks, a hamburger and hotdog cookout, Foam Palooza party, and more fun for all ages!
- 10:15 AM: Worship with Backpack Blessing: Bring your backpack for this special service to celebrate the start of a new year!
- 11:15 AM: Family Picnic- hamburgers, hot dogs, and lots of treats!
- 11:30- 12:30 PM: Foam Palooza Party! Wear quick-dry clothing or a swimsuit and bring a towel.
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Meetup with Megan
Rising 6th–12th graders, you're officially invited to grab coffee or lunch with Ms. Megan this summer! Whether you're in the mood for an iced latte or a midday bite, she is looking forward to catching up with each of you.
Choose a time that works best for you using the link below, and come hang out!
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Click here to watch last Sunday's service!
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Unknown Donations
We’ve received unidentified donations from Fidelity Brokerage Services. If you have any information regarding these gifts or believe they may be connected to your efforts, please reach out directly to Caroline (cfleming@holyinnocents.org) for
further coordination.
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Pastoral Notes
If someone is in the hospital, has died, or has some other pastoral emergency, we hope you will contact our clergy directly. Please call the church office at 410-255-4023 and follow the prompts. This will connect you directly with the clergyperson on call for the week.
If you have joys to share, new births, grandbabies, graduations, or job announcements, we will gladly share them in our weekly Hi-Lights email if you send a note to communications@holyinnocents.org
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Warning about email scammers
When you receive an email from a Holy Innocents staff member, please check if the sender's email address ends with 'holyinnocents.org'. If it does not, it is likely not from us. Unfortunately, some individuals are attempting to scam various church members, posing as clergy and requesting gift cards. We never ask for money in this way. If someone claiming to be Bill, Stewart, Ruth, or another staff member contacts you, please let us know immediately. Report the email, block the sender, and delete the message. If you have any doubts, please give us a call.
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