HI-Lights

Scenes from Last Sunday

Thank you to the volunteers who came together to make sandwiches for the Church of the Common Ground. It's always a meaningful effort, providing lunch to 120+ unhoused people. Thanks to Robin Hickey for organizing each month.

We are grateful to our 8 AM service folks who brought breakfast for everyone to enjoy. It was a morning of good food, good company, and community in action. Rick Otness is their fearless head usher and breakfast coordinator!

Partnering for a Safer Community

We were grateful to welcome the Sandy Springs Police Department to campus this week for a walkthrough alongside the Holy Innocents' Episcopal School security team. These familiarization tours are part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety, preparedness, and strong community partnerships.

Yesterday, our church staff hosted a thank-you lunch for the school’s security and facilities management teams. It was a small gesture of appreciation for the folks who quietly and consistently keep our campus running smoothly and safely.

We’re thankful for the SSPD, HIES security, and facilities teams—and their dedication to creating a secure, supportive environment for all who call Holy Innocents’ home.

Young Adults Event

The Young Adults gathered on Sunday evening for Garden & Glow, where they built terrariums, shared snacks, and bonded over great conversation. The event offered a relaxed and meaningful opportunity to spend time together and deepen their sense of community.

Show Up for Each Other A note from the Vicar...

Show Up Without Being Asked

When someone’s hurting—sick, grieving, overwhelmed—we often say:

“If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

It’s kind. We mean it.

But let’s be honest: we don’t always know what to say or how to help.

Here’s a better way:

• Just do something. Bring a casserole. Send a “thinking of you” text. Ask, “I’m heading to the store—need anything?”

• And if you’re in need? Be honest. Say, “Yes, I could use this.”

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

So I’m 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

Preacher: The Rev. Trey Davis, Lower School Chaplain

9:00 AM Breakfast hosted by the Flower & Altar Guilds

Adult Forum: Maggie Menkus leads on Spiritual Gifts & Purpose

🎉 Help Us Pull Off the Back to School Bash

Foam party help needed!

Can you pick up burgers, dogs, or sides from Costco?

Men are on the grill—we just need a few more hands!

📲 Aug 3: Belonging & Realm Tech Forum

Let’s talk about why belonging matters and help folks get connected on Realm.

Are you tech-savvy? We’re creating a “Genius Bar” for Realm support.

Want to share your story of why you belong here?

Email to Help | communications@holyinnocents.org

🎬 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

Tuesday @ 7:00 PM on Zoom

Want to lead a forum this fall? Know a great speaker? Come share!

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

🤝 No One Can Do Everything. But Everyone Can Do Something.

Let me know how you want to jump in. I’m so grateful to belong with you.

Faithfully,

Stewart+

Pastoral Note

We extend our deepest sympathy to Cheryl Sykes on the death of her other brother Hunt Brown who died on Friday night. Davis Smith's brother Tony Smith died last night. Please keep these families in your prayers.

Rest eternal, grant to them, O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, through the mercies of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Summer Adult Forum Series | Sundays at 9:00 AM | Inglett Hall

July 27: Maggie Menkus: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and Servant Leadership

Aug. 3: Belonging 101: Why does it matter? And teach us about our REALM Database

Aug. 10: Stay tuned… Blessing of Backpacks Sunday. Choir Returns

Aug. 17: Bill returns. Breakfast and Sunday School for all ages begins. Bill will preach at teh morning services.

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.

Food Pantry Needs Rice, canned beans (any kind), canned meat (tuna, chicken, or Spam)

Directory Updates

As part of our ongoing work to put together a complete church directory, you may receive an email notification from our Director of Membership, Renee Stephens, through Realm that your privacy settings have been updated. Your privacy is important to us, and your information is not shared publicly. Reach out to Renee at rstephens@holyinnocents.org if you have any questions. Also, mark your calendars for a Realm 101 presentation on August 3rd at 9:00 am!

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).

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!

Young Adults: Brunch

August 3, 11:30 AM

Join us for brunch, community, and a take-home self-care kit. We’ll also plan upcoming events! All are welcome.

Contact Megan Atkinson | matkinson@holyinnocents.org

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

RSVP

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 14

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

Children and Youth

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.

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.

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!

Worship

Click here to watch last Sunday's service!

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.

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.

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