|
What You Need to Know!
-
Back to School Bash THIS Sunday after church – Don’t miss the Backpack Blessing, a picnic, bake sale, and an epic foam party on the lawn for kids of all ages! Stewart preaches, Trey Celebrates, and the Adult Choir Returns!
-
John Porter begins his four-week Adult Forum Series this Sunday at 9:00am: Difficult Conversations - how to talk about what matters most. And why that is important.
-
Bill's Low Country Boil: Welcome Back Celebration – Come hungry and ready to reconnect! Wednesday, Aug 14 at 6:00pm. RSVP here»
-
Say Thank You to Valerie Elliott for 40 years of nursery ministry! Give to Valerie’s Retirement Gift Here »
| | |
Renee's Reflection
Back to School season is such a formative time in childhood. If you’re lucky, your parents took you to the store and you got to pick out your new bookbag, lunch bag, pencil case, and all the supplies to go with it. It’s such an exciting time as a kid that even as adults, some of us get excited to see all the freshly stocked school supplies, and we wander through the aisles and see what new office items we can pick out to enrich our lives.
Back to school is one of those welcome changes in life. Children and families are used to the cycle of starting a new year with a new set of teachers and friends. We say to ourselves, “This is our immediate circle for the next ten months.” And then it ends, and we take a break, and then we start all over again.
If only the rest of life were so clear-cut. Time and again throughout our lives, we will close the door on a chapter, and sometimes it can be marked by grief that threatens to cripple you. When that happens, it’s hard to remember the bigger picture. That God is with us in the beginning, in the end, and in all the messy places in between. No matter what changes around us and in our lives, there is one thing that will never change: God’s love and presence, and especially God’s presence in suffering.
This is also our gift to each other. As a community, we remind each other that we belong to God. That God is our home and our refuge, and that nothing is beyond the reach of God’s grace and mercy. So come and be community with us this Sunday as we celebrate back to school and new beginnings. Kids of all ages, bring your bookbags to be blessed in the 10:15 service. Teachers and administrators, bring yourselves so we can honor you too in the 10:15 service. And everyone, look forward to hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the sides after the service. We’ll also have a bake sale to raise money for survivors of the recent devastating floods in Texas. And last but not least, a foam party in the parking lot! Can’t wait to see you there!
With love in Christ,
Renee
| | |
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 all the sides!
- 11:30-12:30 PM: Foam Palooza Party! Wear quick-dry clothing or a swimsuit and bring a towel.
| | | | |
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!
| | | | |
Reading Connections
August 11
The Women's Reading Connections will meet on Monday, August 11, at 6:00 PM in Inglett Hall, Room C. This month's book is Becoming Madame Secretary by Stephanie Dray. This book tells the story of Frances Perkins, the first woman cabinet secretary (Labor). The book is set in the 1930s, a decade of the Depression era.

Contact Michelle Driscoll | dris1296@yahoo.com
| | | | |
Third Friday: Men of HI
August 15
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
| |
| | |
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
| | | | | | |
Bucketlist Bookclub
September 2, 1:00 PM
The next meeting of the book club will be on Tuesday, September 2, at 1:00 PM. The book we’ll be discussing is Geronimo by Geronimo as dictated to S.M. Barrett. The club is open to men and women.
Contact Audrey Sumner | audreysum4833@gmail.com
| | | | |
Prayer Shawl
September 2, 7:00-8:30 PM
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will gather in the Parlor on Tuesday, September 2, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. All are welcome! We would love to have you join us this fall. We knit and crochet prayer shawls that church staff deliver to those who are ill or grieving, but if you're currently working on some other project of your own – needlepoint, cross stitch, or even mending – come join us and socialize while you work.
Contact Cammie Ives | cammieives@gmail.com
| | | | |
Men’s Dinner and a Book
September 9, 6:30 PM
The next Men’s Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, September 9, at 6:30 PM, and the book is Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. Kevin Nuffer is hosting. 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
| | | | |
Church of the Common Ground
September 21
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
| | |
First Day of Sunday School
August 17
Join us as we kick off a brand-new year of Sunday School on Sunday, August 17! Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, we’re excited to grow in faith, friendship, and fun together. Kids ages Pre-K to 5th grade will enjoy engaging Bible lessons, music, crafts, and a welcoming environment where they can learn about God’s love. Don’t miss this joyful start to a meaningful journey — we can’t wait to see you there! Please register for the new school year.
| | | | |
Sunday School Begins
August 17
Sunday School kicks off again on August 17 at 9:00 AM for all middle and high school students! We meet every Sunday in the Frost Youth Center downstairs, and you're always welcome—even if you're running late. Just come as you are and jump in when you arrive. We can’t wait to grow, learn, and laugh together this year!
| | | | |
Wet Sponge Dodgeball
August 17

All 6th–12th graders are invited to help us launch a brand new year of youth group! This year, we’ll be asking bold questions like, “If Jesus was serious…”—and exploring how His words shape the way we live. After the lesson, get ready for some fun with wet sponge dodgeball, a slip & slide, and a build-your-own ice cream sundae bar! Friends are welcome—just make sure to RSVP and come ready to get soaked and have a blast!
| | | | |
GLOW | September 10
Dinner at 5:30 PM
Program from 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Come and GLOW with us on Tuesday, September 10th, as we kick off a new year with a focus on spiritual renewal and grounding. In a world full of noise and busyness, this is a wonderful opportunity to slow down and help kids reconnect with God through simple but powerful spiritual practices. Children will explore four core spiritual disciplines that we’ll build on all year long, and they’ll get to take home a fun, hands-on reminder they create themselves! New this year, we’re offering family dinner at 5:30 PM, for kids in PreK–5th grade. Come hungry for food, fun, and faith!
| | | | |
Club 45: Waffle House Day
September 14, 9:00 AM
Join us for a special day in Club 45! We will enjoy a catered Waffle House breakfast and have a special guest speaker. No rsvp needed. Reach out to Ms. Renee (rstephens@holyinnocents.org) if you have any questions.
| | | | |
Club 45 Kickoff Event
September 24, 6:00-8:00 PM
4th & 5th graders are invited to a very special Club 45 Kickoff Party. Join us for pizza, an escape room, and a very special time of fun and fellowship as we start an exciting new year at Club 45. Register by September 20th here:
| | | | |
Dollywood
November 7-9
Students in grades 6-12 are invited for a weekend of fun and fellowship at Dollywood on November 7-9! We’ll stay in a mountain cabin, enjoy the park, and connect over meals, games, and laughter.
This trip is all about building lasting friendships that help students stay engaged in church life. Spots are limited so sign up fast!
| | |
Click here to watch last Sunday's service!
| | |
Showing Up for Each Other A note from the Vicar...
We’re not meant to go it alone.
“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.” – Romans 12:5
We're Asking for Help
Holy Innocents is thriving, but we need you. Jump in where you can; we promise it’ll be fun.
⛪ This Sunday at HIEC
Sunday Worship at 8:00 & 10:15 AM
🎬 Creatives, We Need You!
We’re refreshing our photo and video content. Have editing skills or a vision for a welcome video? Wanna make a TikTok that goes viral? Let’s talk.
Get Involved | communications@holyinnocents.org
Join Our Adult Forum Planning Meeting
Want to lead a forum this fall? Know a great speaker?
Email Stewart to join the Planning Meeting | slucas@holyinnocents.org
🔨 Buildings & Grounds Team Reboot
We’re recreating a team for:
• Minor fixes & maintenance, Meeting with vendors, Planning future needs
Contact Caroline | cfleming@holyinnocents.org
| | |
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
| | |
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.
| | | | |
