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A Prayer for September 11
God the compassionate one, whose loving care extends to all the world, we remember this day your children of many nations and many faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce flames of anger and hatred. Console those who continue to suffer and grieve and give them comfort and hope. Give us the grace to examine our relationships with those who perceive us as the enemy and show our leaders the way to use our power to serve the good of all for the healing of the nations. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord who, in reconciling love, was lifted up from the earth that he might draw all things to himself. Amen.
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Finding Strength in God's Unchanging Love
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23
My oldest child is turning ten next week. My youngest just turned six last month. It honestly feels like not that long ago when I was holding them each for the first time. I brought them home from the hospital and just held their tiny little bodies and watched them sleep, eat, and grow. When they were tiny, I remember how they changed overnight. Then they would grow, and gain abilities and I celebrated every first. The way they giggled or ate or played in the bath. I remember noting their distinct personality differences. My firstborn took his first steps so delicately, a little bit apprehensive, eyes on me the entire time as if to ask “Am I okay to do this?" while my youngest just took off like a cannon across the room laughing, without a care in the world.
It has gone by in a flash, and they are already in kindergarten and fourth grade. I know that I tried my best to be present and not miss a single moment but still I feel like I blinked and now they are grown. And it will only be another blink and we will be in middle school and high school and beyond. But this is the very nature of life. Things are always in flux, and your entire world can change in a moment. Today is the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. It is also the one-week anniversary of the tragedy at Apalachee High School just an hour away from Holy Innocents. For some among us, the entire world changes dramatically and very publicly, and for others, we wrestle with our grief in private. But for all of us, we are working toward a reorientation. Where do I stand when my entire foundation is shaken?
It is then that it is most clear that our entire being rests in the love and presence of God. On the days that we have no strength to stand and no explanation to give- it is then that we feel most assuredly the power of the Holy Spirit carrying us forward. This is the thing that we can nurture and cultivate by leaning into. At Holy Innocents’ we are so privileged to be amongst a community so dedicated to caring for one another and for the needs of the world. We have so many offerings and ways that you can get plugged into a place that nurtures your soul and cultivates our sense of belonging. Join us this Sunday for a fun morning, where we will have on display the many opportunities that exist to strengthen your heart and mind and find rest for your soul.
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Ministry Fair
September 15 @ 9:00 AM

The Altar and Flower Guilds provide breakfast, and there are numerous groups where you can worship, connect, and serve! During Formation time, Inglett Hall will be transformed into a Ministry Fair where each group will have a booth and you can learn more about ways to get involved at the church. We are enthusiastic about our ongoing growth and community involvement, and we invite you to join us on this journey.
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Women of HI: Progressive Dinner
September 26, 6:00-7:30 PM

Let’s begin the year progressive dinner style! Each course will invite a new combination of dinner guests to the table with fun get-to-know-you conversations, to cultivate the depth and breadth of our relationships with one another. Bring a bottle of wine to add to the table, as you are able. Please RSVP.
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Compact Wisdom Series
As we delve into these brief yet profound books, we will uncover their timeless wisdom. Join us in exploring these compact yet powerful books, each offering unique insights into faith, perseverance, love, and redemption. We will deepen our understanding and find relevance in these scriptures for our lives today. This study will nurture our faith and grow our community as we break open the scriptures together.
September 22: 1, 2, & 3 John led by Bill Murray
September 29: Mini Parish Meeting - Master Planning, Mortgage & Stewardship News
October & November: a class with John Porter and Bill Murray as well as the last three weeks of the Compact Wisdom Classes.
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Foyers Sign Up
A Foyers group is a random collection of 8 people from church, who don’t already know each other, with the sole purpose of sharing a meal and getting acquainted. Foyers captures Holy Innocents’ fall theme of Nurturing Faith, Cultivating Community.
The meals are meant to be simple, inexpensive, and stress-free. For each dinner gathering, two participants co-host a meal.
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An Evening with the 1872 Legacy Circle
September 19
You're invited to celebrate the 1872 Legacy Circle, honoring parishioners who have included Holy Innocents in their estate plans to ensure our church’s mission and ministry continue for generations. Whether you’re already part of the Legacy Circle, curious about planned giving, or simply want to enjoy a lovely evening with fellow parishioners, we encourage you to attend. We hope you’ll join us for a meaningful evening of fellowship, reflection, and inspiration on September 19 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in Bishop Commons. Light refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome. If you have any questions, please reach out.
Contact Meredith Johnson | mgj30327@gmail.com
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Third Friday: Men of HI
September 20
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
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Church of the Common Ground
September 22
HI will be packing 80+ 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.
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Newcomers Dinner
October 3, 6:00-8:00 PM
Join the Holy Innocents’ Church Clergy, Vestry, and Welcome Team for a BBQ dinner while making new friends at the Rector’s home.
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Matthew Dickerson, Dulcimer
October 6, 4:00 PM
Come and enjoy a performance by Matthew Dickerson on October 6 at 4:00 PM! A National Champion on the hammered dulcimer and a talented multi-instrumentalist, Matthew brings a captivating mix of traditional, classical, and original music to the stage. His artistry and unique sound promise an unforgettable musical experience. Everyone is welcome!
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Blessing of the Animals
October 6, 5:00 PM
Calling all pet owners! Our youth group and 4th-5th graders will be hosting this event and will provide tons of fun and fellowship for our pet families. We are also collecting old Halloween costumes for Agape Youth and Family Center, an organization that serves underserved children. Please bring your pet and your old costumes and join us October 6th!
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Men of HIEC Low Country Boil
October 6, 5:30 PM
Join the Men of HIEC for food, fellowship, and fun at our annual Low Country Boil on the banks of the Chattahoochee.
$30 per person, includes food and beverages
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Iconography Workshop
October 6-11
This year, we will be painting the icon of Jonah. Jonah may well be the perfect prophet for this moment as we think and pray on our election, our nation, and our world. Where is God in all of this? Where is Jonah? Where are we? Noted iconographer Mary Jane Miller will be joining us again and leading us in prayer, reflection, and conversation around this unique icon of faith, daily from 9:00 AM-4:30 PM. The class is open to all but limited to 15, register online.
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LaAmistad Needs Volunteers to Teach Basic ESL Classes October 7-December 18
LaAmistad returns to Holy Innocents offering adult immigrant students in our community the opportunity to improve their English fluency in its English for Successful Living (ESL) program. The curriculum focuses on the use of English for everyday situations, and volunteers are trained and mentored by experienced and certified ESL professionals. Speaking Spanish is not required; conversational English is the goal of this basic class. Classes run October 7-December 18, on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm.
Contact Howard Clark | ghowardclark@gmail.com.
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Reading Connections
October 21
Readings Connections is the women’s book club!
The book for October is Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr.
Contact Kathie Larkin | kathie.larkin@retired.paceacademy.org
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Club 45 Waffle House Day
September 15, 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 if you have any questions. rstephens@holyinnocents.org
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Club 45 Kickoff Event
September 25, 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 time of fun and fellowship as we start an exciting new year of Club 45. RSVP by September 18.
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September 15
We will be focusing on silence and solitude. We will learn to put our phones down, tune out the noise, and focus on God. Join us from 4:00-6:00PM for this valuable and unforgettable lesson. Dinner included.
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September 22

The Frost Center will be open from 4:00-6:00PM with dinner, a free coffee cart, and tons of whiteboard space for studying. Bring your books and join us for an evening to catch up on school work or just relax with friends.
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Click above to watch Marycelis' sermon from last Sunday! | |
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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
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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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