Summer Camp for Grown-Ups

Summer calls us out to the horizon. We set out seeking summer adventure. Maybe a full-immersion experience seaside, or on a mountaintop, in far-away lands, excursions, and pilgrimages. We go out. And crowds at church, shrink.

But right here at the beginning of summer, we celebrate Pentecost and beckon the Holy Spirit to come and fill and empower us.

It suggests that, while the adventure of going out into the world might deliver emptier pews at summer church, we sell ourselves short to settle for sub-par ordinary worship.

We might instead be off and running with the fire and wind of the Holy One to fuel us for liturgy and formation.

We have felt the Holy Spirit inspiring us to do something different this summer. Something fun and playful. A full-bodied spiritual experience for the summertime, like we might get at camp if only we could still go to camp.

We are shaping summer worship and formation with a theme taken from the notions

of what we all want summer to deliver for us, such as refreshment, relaxation, experience, and adventure, and we are calling it "Summer Camp for Grown-Ups." The choir’s last Sunday to sing is June 23, then begins six weeks of "Summer Church Camp for Grown Ups."

Mark Pierson, a pastor and worship leader living in New Zealand, considers himself to be a ‘worship curator’. He says that, while we can attend online seminars, download podcasts, and collect spiritual sayings and practices, we can’t “get an experience” through phones and online opportunities.

So, this summer, expect experiences through worship and formation, at church.

This summer at church, we are going green with bulletins, delighting in the freshness of the piano, wearing comfortable clothes, and playing with prayers of the people. Summer church and formation for adults who still long to play and benefit from all the wild riches of summertime.

Peace and Joy,

Ruth+

Pastoral Note

Shirley Thurmond died on May 25, 2024 surrounded by her husband Ralph and their family. Her private burial will take place in the Holy Innocents' Memorial Garden this Thursday morning. The family will greet visitors for a reception in Bishop Commons on Thursday at 10:30 AM. Read Shirley's obituary.

Carol Lancaster Thomas, mother of Holy Innocents' member Lisa Ediger, died on May 9. Bill will officiate at the family's service on June 2. Read Carol's obituary.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord;

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

May their souls, and the souls of all the departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

As you know the Reverend KC Crewdson was ordained to the transitional diaconate back in December. Here she is receiving her Master of Divinity Degree on May 11 from the Candler School of Theology at Emory. She’s still waiting on a few final approvals, but we believe her ordination to the priesthood will be at the Cathedral of St. Philip on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM. She is scheduled to preside over her first Eucharist here at Holy Innocents on Sunday, June 23 at 10:15 AM. Congratulations KC. We are so proud of you and delighted you are the new Middle School Chaplain at our own Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School!

Click this link to RSVP to the Newcomers Dinner on June 1.

VBS Celebration & BBQ

On Sunday, June 9, the children from VBS will be in church at the 10:15 AM service to sing. We’ll celebrate with a Dreamland BBQ lunch after the service. Everything will be provided except dessert! Bring your best pie for the contest. We’ll have fruit and non-fruit categories. Entry fee is $20, benefitting our Children’s Ministry. We’ll also have a bake sale if pie is not your best dish.

Reading Connections

June 10 

Reading Connections is the women’s book club! The book for June is The Dead Key by D M Pulley. 6:00 PM in the HIEC Conference Room.

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

Third Friday: Men of HI

June 21

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

Men of HI: Dinner and a Book

July 9

The next Men’s Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, July 9 at 6:30 PM and the book is Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. Tony Clarke is hosting. If you would like to attend, please contact Jeremy Webber at jhwwebber@gmail.com for details. 

VBS Decorating Party - Tomorrow!

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.

Mocha Meetups

June 12

Join Megan every Wednesday this summer at Starbucks for Mocha Meetups! Calling all middle and high schoolers for a cozy gathering filled with laughter, friendship, and of course, delicious coffee. It’s the perfect midweek treat to unwind and connect with new friends. See you there!

Habitat for Humanity Build

Now through 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

Volunteer for Emmaus House Dinner

June 27

Holy Innocents is sponsoring a dinner for parents and their children who are enrolled in The Children’s Defense Fund summer program at Emmaus House on June 27th. We need volunteers to assist with serving the meal and/or providing desserts, tea, and lemonade. Contact Lilia Romero at lgrrn@comcast.net for additional information and to sign up!

Click above to watch the Trinity Sunday Service

with Ruth Patison preaching!

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.