Coming Up at HIEC

• Ventulett Gallery opening tomorrow evening from 6:00-7:30 PM.
• Chancel choir rehearsals resume tomorrow at 7:00 PM.
• WOHI: Mahjong Night this Friday!
• Backpack blessing, church picnic, foam party this Sunday! 
  Bring a side or dessert to share.
• Forum, Sacraments: There are seven sacraments in the Episcopal Church. We really focus on baptism and communion. There are five more we do occasionally. Join us for a five-week program talking about the ways that God reaches out to us in physical and concrete ways. Come with questions, share your thoughts, and see which sacrament Stewart cuts for time. Should be a fun class all around!

Stepping Into a New Season

Renee Stephens, Director of Membership and Children's Ministry

As another summer begins to draw to a close, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a new season. The long, carefree days of vacation give way to fresh routines, new classrooms, and new opportunities to grow. While change can bring excitement, it can also bring uncertainty for students, teachers, parents, grandparents, and all of us dealing with back-to-school traffic. The good news is that wherever this new season leads, God goes before us.

Our Vacation Bible School reminded us of this powerful promise from Ephesians: "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power." We are not called to face life's challenges alone. God's strength is greater than our fears. God’s wisdom is greater than our questions, and God’s love surrounds us every step of the way.

As we prepare for a new school year, we invite you to join us this Sunday for our Back to School Bash! During worship, we'll celebrate a special Backpack Blessing, praying over every student, teacher, school employee, and family as they begin another year. Together, we'll ask God to fill us all with courage, kindness, patience, and faith.

After worship, the celebration continues with a church picnic, where everyone is invited to bring a side dish or dessert to share. We'll enjoy great food, wonderful fellowship, a fun-filled foam party, and a special visit from our favorite VBS mascot, Sparky!  Whether you've been with us every week or it's been a while since you've visited, we'd love to welcome you. Bring your family, invite a friend, and come celebrate the end of summer and the exciting beginning of a new school year. May we all step into this season remembering that our greatest strength is found not in ourselves, but in the Lord and the strength of His power.

Immigration Assistance Fund

We have established this fund to provide compassionate support for families in our Our Lady of Guadalupe community who are facing hardship due to immigration-related circumstances. Gifts may be used to assist with urgent needs such as rent, food, legal expenses, and other pastoral care as determined by Father Brito in consultation with the clergy.

To make an online gift, please use the link below. If giving by check, please make it payable to Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church and write "Immigration Fund" in the memo line.



Thank you for helping us care for our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and hope.

Sign up for Foyers!

Want to make new friends or renew acquaintances? Sign up for Foyers on the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk. The purpose of Foyers is to get to know fellow parishioners in a small group setting (which is usually a simple dinner). After the sign-up period is complete, groups of between 6 and 8 will be formed. Each group will have a starting host couple (or two singles) who will host the first dinner based on the availability of everyone in their group. At each get-together, plans for who will host the next are made and a date set. Everyone in the group is expected to host one dinner during the year. Since the fall is such a busy time, most groups won’t have their first get-together until the new year. Historically, Foyers met Sunday evenings, but each group can determine the best time for their dinners. A Foyers brochure with complete details is available at the Welcome Desk.  

Contact Phyllis Weisser | pcweisser@yahoo.com

Men of HI: Third Friday Breakfast

August 21, 7:30 AM

Enjoy warm hospitality, engaging discussions, and a fresh breakfast in the Frost Youth Center. Come for the conversation and stay for the fellowship.

Contact Charles Crosby | charles@corepm.net

Coffee for Parents of Young Children

August 30, 9:00-10:00 AM | The Parlor

Parents and caregivers of children aged 4 and under are invited to a cozy coffee hour to connect and get to know one another. This gathering is open to members, newcomers, and families baptized within the last three years. No agenda, just coffee, hot breakfast, conversation, and community.

Men of HI: Braves Game

September 13, 1:35 PM

Cheer on the Atlanta Braves with the Men of HI! Join us for an afternoon of baseball, fellowship, and fun at Truist Park. Tickets are $33 each, and space is limited to 30 participants. Reserve your spot today! Payments may be made online or by cash/check in the office. 

Church of the Common Ground 
Sandwich Build

September 27, 11:15 AM

Please join us in the Parish Hall tomorrow to make sandwiches for our unhoused siblings who worship in Woodruff Park weekly. If you would like to help deliver the lunches and worship with our friends, we will leave at 12:15 PM.

Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com

College Connection Deadline

September 16

Do you have a child in college who was once part of the HIEC Youth Group? We would love the opportunity to remind them that they are still a valued part of our community! We are putting together care packages to let them know they are loved, supported, and thought of while they are away at school.

Please send Megan Atkinson their updated mailing address, cell number, and any gift card preferences by September 16, and we will make sure they receive a little piece of home from HIEC!

Dollywood Trip

November 13-15

The youth group is heading to Dollywood November 13-15! All 6th-12th graders are invited for a weekend of fun and fellowship in Pigeon Forge, TN. The cost is $475 plus extra cash for fast food on the way there and back. We'll head to our beautiful Airbnb on Friday night, spend all day Saturday exploring the rides, and head back Sunday after a devotional. Friends are welcome to join us but must attend 3 youth group events before we depart.

Reading Connections

August 10, 6:00 PM

The August Women’s Reading Connections meeting will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026. The group meets in the Inglett Hall Small Conference Room C, at 6:00 PM. The meeting begins with light refreshments and the book discussion begins at 6:30 PM. This month’s book is The Meeting of Air and Water by Sharon Lacour. A debut novel that follows three generations of women in Louisiana, focusing on their artistic pursuits, particularly photography, and their struggles against societal expectations. The story begins in 1923 with a young girl named Dolores and explores themes of love, family secrets, and the creative spirit within the rich backdrop of Cajun culture and the Louisiana landscape.

Contact Michelle Driscoll

dris1296@yahoo.com

Men's Dinner & a Book

September 8, 6:30 PM

The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, September 8 at 6:30 PM, and the book is Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention–and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari. Rolf Meinhold is hosting. We will be meeting at Holy Innocents Church. If you would like to attend, please contact Jeremy Webber for details. All men at Holy Innocents are included and invited.



Contact Jeremy Webber

jhwwebber@gmail.com

Click the video to watch last Sunday's service!

Realm Access

Realm is our database system, which allows us to communicate all of the things that the clergy and staff do behind the scenes to make Holy Innocents' our home. You are also now able to connect to your record with instant access to the directory, your giving, event registration, and more. To connect to your account:

• Email Renee Stephens at rstephens@holyinnocents.org for an invitation link.
• Create your password and remember it!
• Use your email address and password to log in through a browser or the Connect app

Connect app for iPhone: click here. Connect app for Android: click here.

Once you have your account access, update your contact information and upload a picture that will be used in the directory. Contact Renee for help. rstephens@holyinnocents.org

Pastoral Notes 

If someone is in the hospital, has died, or has some other pastoral emergency, please contact our clergy directly. Call the church office at 404-255-4023 and follow the prompts. This will connect you directly with the clergyperson on call. 

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