Embracing Confirmation

I was confirmed on Sunday! It was incredible and touched my heart so much. I didn’t find the Episcopal Church until my last year of seminary, and it was shortly after I graduated seminary that I had my first baby and then another right before I started working here. I never paused to think about the sacrament of confirmation until recently God put it on my heart. As I stood there below the steps of the altar to be confirmed, I felt the unmistakable presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

I had just finished teaching all the kids in chapel about what sacraments are and why we participate in them. I said the prayers with everyone and recited our baptismal covenant. I stood with my good friend and colleague, Emily, our Director of Communications. All wonderful experiences of the here and now, but when I stood there before the Bishop and then felt the hands of the very special people that I work with day in and day out- all of the sudden I felt caught up in a spiritual dimension so far away from the present but yet at the same time I was so tied to what was happening in my body on the steps of that altar. Everything about what I had just told the kids in chapel was happening in me right then and there. An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

The hands of our very gifted spiritual leaders was outward and visible. I could feel the touch so intensely, yet what was so much more was what was happening inside of me. The magnificent love and the perfect peace. The stillness. It’s as if my soul gazed upon the face of God and in that one glance the burdens of my heart were lifted and I knew nothing but the grace of God. It’s a moment I will never forget and I am deeply grateful for each one of you who make this community such a special place.

It is my deepest honor to serve God alongside people who live out the love of Christ in such tangible ways both in our community and in the wider world. I look forward to celebrating with you in several special ways over the coming weeks with the Children’s Choir this Sunday, the great festivities of Pentecost that are in the works, and then with our big week of Vacation Bible School shortly after! For many kids, VBS is their only childhood experience of the Church and so we strive to create a magical atmosphere of God’s love and we can only do this with the gifts and talents of our amazing congregation. Please consider volunteering to serve snacks, greet kids, or donate needed items through our Amazon Wishlist.

Renee Stephens

Director of Membership & Children's Ministry

A New Cross

Many of you will quickly notice a new feature at the church when you next arrive. Thanks to a generous gift of the Pruitt Family, longtime and dedicated supporters of Holy Innocents' Episcopal School, we have a new cross between the church and the lower school. The cross was designed and crafted by artist David Landis. The Vestry and School Board were both present for a dedication, ribbon cutting, and prayer on Tuesday night, May 7, for this new reminder of our deep and lasting ties between our communities. Many thanks to Wes Reynolds and Liza Mooney who served on the committee to choose the best placement for this beautiful new cross in our midst.

The Rev. Dr. Bill Murray

Rector

Formation: Sabbath, Sabbaticals, and Renewal 

May 12 & May 19 

“And on the 7th day, God rested from all the work that he had done. . .” From our weekly observance of rest on the Sabbath, allowing a field to lie fallow, to sabbatical years and the Year of Jubilee, God has fashioned us and all creation, to need rest and relaxation. Join the clergy to talk about the vulnerability and risk of taking rest, and consider ways to make it happen, as we seek to live a more wholehearted life.

Habitat for Humanity Build

May 11-July 13

Holy Innocents, St. James Methodist, Cathedral of St. Philip, St. Martin in the Fields, and St. Luke’s Presbyterian are sponsoring Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s summer faith build. All parishioners 16 and older may participate. No skills are required, just the desire to help an Atlanta family buy a home at a very affordable price. Learn more here.

Contact John Harris | harris4338@gmail.com | 678-761-6765

Mother’s Day & Mariachi

May 12

Celebrate Mother’s Day with us at our community potluck with Our Lady of Guadalupe! Join us from 4-6:00 PM for a delightful gathering where we’ll share homemade dishes and enjoy the lively sounds of Mariachi. Let’s honor mothers and mother figures together in a celebration of our diverse community and the bond of family.

Reading Connections

May 13

Reading Connections is the women's book club! The book for May is The Paris Library by Janet Skeslian Charles. We meet at 6:00 PM in the Conference room.

Contact Kathie Larkin | kathie.larkin@retired.paceacademy.org

Men’s Dinner and a Book

May 14

The next Men’s Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 PM, and the book is Eiffel’s Tower by Jill Jonnes. Joe Nuzzaco is hosting. All men are included and invited.

Contact Jeremy Webber | jhwwebber@gmail.com

Pentecost & Parish Picnic | May 19

Join us for a vibrant Pentecost service on May 19th at 10:15 AM, where we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Wear your favorite red attire and help us celebrate a baptism.

Following the service, join us for a delightful parish picnic, with fried chicken. To make the picnic even more special, we invite those with last names beginning with A-L to bring desserts, while those with last names beginning with M-Z are invited to bring sides and salads. Let's come together as a community to share food, fellowship, and the joy of Pentecost!

Church of the Common Ground

Sandwich Build | May 19

On Sunday, May 19 please join us in the Parish Hall after the 10:15 service to assist in assembling over 80 lunches for our unhoused community members who attend Church of the Common Ground in Woodruff Park, located in downtown Atlanta. We will make sandwiches and pack lunch bags as part of our outreach efforts. Additionally, we are invited to worship with the men and women of CCG at their 1:00 PM service in Woodruff Park. 

Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com

Learn more | churchofthecommonground.org

Young Adult Camping Trip

June 28-30

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and join us for an unforgettable young adult camping trip from June 28th to 30th! No camping experience? No problem! Leave the stress behind as we provide everything you need for a fantastic outdoor adventure.

Get ready to bond with fellow adventurers, roast marshmallows over the campfire, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. But it's not all about fun and games. We'll also gather for a peaceful prayer service amidst the tranquility of the great outdoors. Join us as we lift our voices in hymns, connecting with each other and with something greater than ourselves.

The location is to be determined, but one thing's for sure: it'll be a weekend to remember. Mark your calendars and get ready for a fun camping experience!

Contact Emily Badacour | ebadacour@holyinnocents.org

Children’s Choir 

May 12

We are so excited to be singing on May 12 in honor of Mother’s Day. Kids, grab your doughnuts and meet in Sunday school by 9:00 AM for rehearsal! Children’s Choir will sing for the congregation at the 10:15 AM service following that morning’s Children’s Chapel.

Club 45 Nerf Bash 

May 19

4^th and 5^th graders join us for our end-of-the-year celebration including an epic playground Nerf Bash and a pancake bar. Bring your Nerf toy and get ready to party! RSVP here.

VBS Decorating Party

May 30

We need your hands to help prep for VBS. In just a few short weeks we will welcome 100 kids for an entire week of crafts, science experiments, music, games, and other activities. Help us prepare our space and supplies for this exciting ministry. May 30th, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, pizza provided!

Sign up here.

VBS Donations & Volunteers

VBS is one of our biggest ministries to children and their families in our Church and community. Please consider being a part of this ministry by providing your gifts and talents! We need your help to create a magical atmosphere for our kids. You can help by donating snacks, items from our Amazon Wishlist or volunteering to serve as snack leaders (the kids' favorite station!) or Greeters to help make sure that everyone knows where to go and where the band aids are. Contact Renee Stephens for more information on how to serve rstephens@holyinnocents.org

Amazon wishlist.

Holy Innocents Episcopal Church VBS: Camp Firelight  

Rising PK4 – 5^th grade are invited to HIEC Camp Firelight VBS. Your child will enjoy an interactive and energizing, faith-based time as they learn to face their fears while trusting in God. Campers will explore timeless Bible stories showing how Old and New Testament figures trusted God, faced their fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name. Campers will perform their VBS song on Sunday, June 9th at 10:15 and families are invited to stay after for a picnic lunch! 

Holy Innocents 2024 VBS will be June 3^rd - 7th from 9:00 am until 12:15 with optional aftercare until 3:30. Registration cost is $85 and aftercare is an additional $65. Only 20 spots left! Register here.

Click above to watch last Sunday's service!

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 reach out to us by phone.