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The Vicar's View
Dear friends,
We have a joyful and meaningful Sunday ahead at Holy Innocents’—and we hope you’ll be with us!
Join us this Sunday, May 12, as we give thanks for Mother’s Day, celebrate the gift of family, and offer a special Sabbatical Send-Off for Bill and the Murray family. Come early for a festive breakfast at 9:00 a.m. in Inglett Hall as we bless them with our love, prayers, and good wishes. After Bill will lead a conversation on the origins of Sabbath in Scripture and what it means for us today. In a world that never stops moving, how can we reclaim God’s gift of rest and renewal? Come explore the sacred rhythm of work and rest—and how practicing Sabbath might just change your life.
At the 10:15 a.m. service, our wonderful children’s choir will sing, and we’ll gather around the Murrays at the end of worship to offer a prayer of blessing as they step into this season of rest and renewal.
We’re also sharing the recording of Sunday’s Master Plan Presentation from architect Hank Houser of Houser Walker. We encourage you to watch and offer your thoughts if you couldn't be there. Many thanks to Marie, Brian Thomas, and the committee for their faithful and creative work. As Bill has reminded us, we’re in a season of listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit, as we discern how to faithfully use our campus and gifts. We’ll resume these conversations in the fall.
And stay tuned: next week’s Good News newsletter will include our full May calendar of events, with Adult Formation offerings, children’s activities, and Vacation Bible School registration. There’s so much happening in the life of our church—we can’t wait to share it with you.
And finally, if you missed Sunday’s sermon by high school senior Lillian Thomas, you missed a humdinger. Watch it online here and keep all our graduates, families, and school staff in your prayers. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School graduation is Saturday May 17 at 9:00 am.
See you Sunday!
The Rev. T. Stewart Lucas +
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Support VBS – Donate or Volunteer!
Vacation Bible School is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a fun, faith-filled experience for our kids! You can support VBS by donating supplies through our Amazon Wishlist or by volunteering your time. We’re especially looking for helpers to set up themed rooms, serve as the VBS nurse, guide kids as they move between stations, help with cleanup after the fun, or bring a baked treat to keep our volunteers energized and appreciated.
Every gift and helping hand makes a big difference—thank you for being part of it!
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Camp Mikell Open House
May 10, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Camp Mikell and the Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center are holding an Open House on Saturday, May 10, from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. This opportunity is open to families looking for a summer experience for their children aged rising 1st grade through high school. Children and adults will have the opportunity to tour the camp, experience some activities, and enjoy lunch in the dining hall. The Mikell summer staff will also be on hand to meet and greet. Educators are also encouraged to attend to learn of the educational benefits that the Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center offers for either day trips or overnight trips for their students. No open house registration is needed, but the full summer camp schedule is available at campmikell.com
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Church of the Common Ground
May 11
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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Reading Connections
May 12, 6:00 PM
The Women's Reading Connections will meet on Monday, May 12 at 6:00 PM in Inglett Hall, Room C. This month we are reading The Caretaker by Ron Rash. Set in 1950s Blowing Rock, North Carolina, The Caretaker is a heartfelt tale about a love triangle between Jacob, the son of a wealthy family who shuns him when he marries Naomi, an uneducated hotel maid, and his friend Blackburn, the disfigured caretaker of the town cemetery.
Contact Michelle Driscoll | dris1296@yahoo.com
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Men's Dinner and a Book
May 13, 6:30 PM
The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 pm and the book is "The Right Stuff " by Tom Wolfe. Tony Clarke is hosting. If you would like to attend, please contact Jeremy Webber at jhwwebber@gmail.com for details. All men at Holy Innocents are included and invited.
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CAC Night of Hope
May 14, 7:30 PM
Before she was music superstar Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn who wrote hit songs for the biggest acts in music. BEAUTIFUL chronicles her rise as a songwriter, eventually finding her own unique voice with her ground-breaking 1971 album Tapestry. With unforgettable classic songs as “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” this Broadway, feel-good phenomenon is a story you’ll never forget.
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Third Friday: Men of HI
May 16
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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HIYA: Health & Wholeness Bible Study | Sundays in June, 11:30 AM
This June, we’re creating space for honest conversation and deep reflection as we gather for a Bible study series rooted in The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. Each week, we’ll explore how trauma shapes the body, mind, and soul—and how Scripture invites us into healing, restoration, and peace.
Whether you’re carrying old wounds, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the intersection of faith and emotional health, you are welcome. We’ll read, reflect, and process together in a space that’s safe, grace-filled, and grounded in truth. Bring your book, your questions, and an open heart.
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Dementia & Caregiving:
An Evening with Nancy Kriseman
June 2, 5:00-7:00 PM
Noted author and geriatric consultant Nancy Kriseman, LCSW, will be with us to discuss her book, Meaningful Connections: Positive Ways to Be Together When a Loved One Has Dementia, on Monday evening, June 2nd, from 5:00-7:00 PM. We will gather with snacks and beverages in the Narthex, and our speaker will begin at 5:30 PM. Our lay pastoral care team, The Community of Hope, is hosting this event and invites anyone in the parish and friends you might like to bring along. Please RSVP on Realm.
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Bucketlist Book Club
June 3, 1:00 PM
The next meeting is Tuesday, June 3, at 1:00 PM in the Parlor. The reading is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. This book club is open to men and women.
Contact Audrey Sumner | audreysum4833@gmail.com
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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!
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GLOW
May 7, 6:00 PM
Let’s GLOW for Easter! Join us next Wednesday, May 7th for Wednesday Night GLOW where we will be making Resurrections Rolls- a sweet (and tasty!) reminder of the Easter story and play some fun games to keep everyone laughing and moving. This is our last meeting before summer break so mark your calendars and join us for this special time.
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Children's Choir
May 11, 9:30 AM
We are so excited to be singing on May 11 in honor of Mother’s Day. Kids will start rehearsal at 9:30, immediately following a shortened Sunday School. Children’s Choir will sing for the congregation at the 10:15 service following that morning’s Children’s Chapel. All are welcome!
Contact Renee Stephens | rstephens@holyinnocents.org
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Club 45: Sundae Sunday
May 11, 9:00 AM
Calling all 4th & 5th graders, get ready for a sweet start to your day with our Sundae Sunday Ice Cream Party! Join us on Sunday, May 11 at 9:00 AM for a morning full of fun, friends, and build-your-own ice cream sundaes! Join us for lots of toppings, games, and cool treats made just for you. Come hungry and ready to chill!
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End of the Year Sunday School Celebration
May 18, 9:00 AM
Join us on Sunday, May 18 at 9:00 AM for a fun-filled morning as we wrap up an amazing year in Sunday School! Kids will make their own tasty Bunny Bait snack mix, play some exciting games, and celebrate all the fun we've had this year. We'll also take a special moment to honor our graduating 5th graders as they prepare to move up to youth group—and every child will go home with a special gift to remember the day! All kids PreK-5th grade are welcome!
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Youth Group: Laser Tag
May 18, 4:00-6:00 PM
Calling all students in grades 6-12! Don’t miss our end-of-year bash on Saturday, May 18 from 4:00-6:00 PM! We’re turning the whole campus into a giant laser tag arena. Bring your friends, your best moves, and your game face. After the action, refuel with a build-your-own taco bar. It’s going to be an awesome way to kick off summer—come ready for fun!
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VBS Decorating Party
May 29, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
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. Pizza provided! May 29, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM.
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VBS
June 2-6
Join Holy Innocents Episcopal Church for a very special Road Trip VBS June 2nd-6th! This year's VBS is based on Joshua 1:9, "The LORD your God is with you wherever you go." It reminds us that God's presence is always near no matter where the journey of life takes us. Kids will go on an exciting journey to discover new places, new friends, and new ways that we can discover God's goodness and presence everywhere. Open to rising Pre-K to rising 5th grade. Rising 6th grade and up are invited to serve as youth leaders. The cost is $85 with optional aftercare until 3:30 for an additional $85
| | Click here to watch last Sunday's service! | | |
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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