Pastoral Note

Holy Innocents’ member Bob Watts died peacefully Sunday morning after a long battle with ALS. He was 79. His wife Georgia died in 2019. We will have a funeral for Bob in the Nave on Friday, July 17 at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow in Bishop Commons.

Rest eternal, grand unto him, O Lord.

And let light perpetual shine upon him.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,

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

Homecoming

Ansel Best, Youth Ministry Intern

I still remember being dropped off at Holy Innocents every Sunday as a kid. My parents did their best to involve me in church, but for a long time I didn't truly understand what it meant to open my heart to Christ. HIEC was simply a place I went on Sundays, sang in the former youth choir, and occasionally attended a youth event or two. That changed the summer before I left for college, when I volunteered at Vacation Bible School as a counselor for the fourth and fifth grade groups. What happened that week is honestly hard to put into words. Somewhere between the games, the lessons, and watching kids encounter God's love for the first time, I had my own encounter. I saw what it looked like to truly serve God's people, and something in me was never the same after that.

College brought its own set of challenges. I attended a military college where I faced some of the darkest seasons of my faith, and there were moments where I questioned everything. But the foundation that was quietly being built here at Holy Innocents never left, and the seeds planted in this community kept growing even when I wasn't tending to them. Coming back this summer as an intern feels less like a new chapter and more like coming home. Getting to sit across from our youth and young adults, hearing their stories, and watching them wrestle with their faith reminds me constantly of who I was sitting in those same seats not too long ago. I am so excited for the opportunity to serve the youth and young adults program, and I cannot wait to see where God takes us this year!

Immigration Assistance Fund

We have established this fund to provide compassionate support for families in our Our Lady of Guadalupe community who are facing hardship due to immigration-related circumstances. Gifts may be used to assist with urgent needs such as rent, food, legal expenses, and other pastoral care as determined by Father Brito in consultation with the clergy.

To make an online gift, please use the link below. If giving by check, please make it payable to Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church and write "Immigration Fund" in the memo line.



Thank you for helping us care for our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and hope.

Women of HI: Mahjong Night

July 10, 6:30 PM

Join Women of Holy Innocents for an evening of laughter and lively games at our Mahjong Night! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just learning the tiles, all are welcome for this special time of community and connection. You don’t need to be an experienced player to attend, but you should know the basics of how to play. This is not a learning session.

Church of the Common Ground 
Sandwich Build

July 12, 11:15 AM

Please join us in the Parish Hall to make sandwiches for our unhoused siblings who worship in Woodruff Park weekly. If you would like to help deliver the lunches and worship with our friends, we will leave at 12:15 PM.

Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com

Coffee for Parents of Young Children

July 26, 9:00-10:00 AM

Parents and caregivers of children age 4 and under are invited to a cozy coffee hour to connect and get to know one another. This gathering is open to members, newcomers, and families baptized within the last three years. No agenda, just coffee, hot breakfast, conversation, and community.

Christmas in July

July 29, 6:00-7:00 pm

Family Dinner: 5:30 PM 
Kids Christmas Program 6:00–7:00 PM

Christmas isn't just for December! Bring the whole family for an evening of summer fun with a Christmas twist! Kids will enjoy Christmas games, crafts, music, and a special Bible lesson about the greatest gift ever given, Jesus! While kids are enjoying the program, parents can unwind with a relaxing fellowship hour featuring wine and cheese. Whether you're wearing flip-flops or Christmas socks, come celebrate the joy of Christmas with us this July!

Help Local Students Start the School Year Strong

CAC & Solidarity Sandy Springs

HIEC is partnering with Community Assistance Center (CAC) through their Tools for School program, with a goal to provide 1000 backpacks and school supplies to local children in need.

There are several ways to get involved:

1. Make a Financial Donation: CAC can stretch monetary donations further by purchasing supplies in bulk, allowing them to serve even more students. To donate, visit: ourcac.org/donate/ and select "Tools for School."

2. Donate Backpacks or Supplies (by 7/15): Purchase backpacks and/or school supplies and deliver them to CAC. Their volunteer teams will pack and distribute them to students before the school year begins. A list of needed supplies will be shared soon.

3. Volunteer: Help prepare backpacks beginning July 16, or volunteer during distribution events on July 25 at the South Sandy Springs Mini-Market or July 30–August 1 at CAC's Main Office.

Backpack Drive for Solidarity Sandy Springs

Holy Innocents is partnering with Solidarity Sandy Springs to help provide backpacks for students in our community. Please join us as we collect much-needed items to ensure all kids start off next school year on the right foot. More information to come!

Reading Connections

July 13, 6:00 PM | Inglett C

The meeting begins with light refreshments, and the book discussion begins at 6:30 PM. This month’s book is The Henna Artist by Alak Joshi. A historical fiction novel set in 1950s Jaipur, India, following Lakshmi, a young woman who escapes an abusive marriage to become a sought-after henna artist for the wealthy elite, navigating a world of tradition, secrets, and the challenges of independence. 

Contact Michelle Driscoll

dris1296@yahoo.com

Men's Dinner & a Book

July 14, 6:30 PM

The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, July 14, at 6:30 PM, and the book is Phantom Fleet by Alexander Rose. Jeremy Webber is hosting. If you would like to attend, please contact him for details. All men at Holy Innocents are included and invited.



Contact Jeremy Webber

jhwwebber@gmail.com

Click the video to watch last Sunday's service!

Realm Access

Realm is our database system, which allows us to communicate all of the things that the clergy and staff do behind the scenes to make Holy Innocents' our home. You are also now able to connect to your record with instant access to the directory, your giving, event registration, and more. To connect to your account:

• Email Renee Stephens at rstephens@holyinnocents.org for an invitation link.
• Create your password and remember it!
• Use your email address and password to log in through a browser or the Connect app

Connect app for iPhone: click here. Connect app for Android: click here.

Once you have your account access, update your contact information and upload a picture that will be used in the directory. Contact Renee for help. rstephens@holyinnocents.org

Pastoral Notes 

If someone is in the hospital, has died, or has some other pastoral emergency, please contact our clergy directly. Call the church office at 404-255-4023 and follow the prompts. This will connect you directly with the clergyperson on call. 

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