Dear Holy Innocents Family,
We share with you the news that our beloved sister in Christ, Nancy Hoffman has died.
As we give thanks for Nancy’s life and entrust her to God’s never-failing care, we hold Cliff and their children close in prayer. May they know the comfort of Christ’s love and the hope of the resurrection.
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God,
rest in peace. Amen.
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with Nancy's family in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The funeral will be July 18, at 1:00 PM in the Nave.
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Vicar's View
Dear friends,
I’m writing with deep gratitude and a full heart. Our beloved Associate Pastor, Ruth, had her breast cancer surgery yesterday afternoon, and I’m relieved to share that it went very well. In fact, they sent her home last night, and she reports resting comfortably. True to form, Ruth was already up and walking down the street earlier today. She and Benno are both deeply grateful for your prayers and steadfast support.
Our pastoral care team has coordinated meals for the next two weeks (thank you to all who signed up!). If you'd like to support Ruth and her family in other ways, feel free to drop off grocery or food delivery gift cards at the church office—we’ll make sure they receive them. You can also write a note to Ruth this Sunday at the prayer station in Bishop Commons. It’s always the little things that matter more than we ever know...
As we head into the Fourth of July weekend, I’m mindful of the blessings of community, the freedoms we hold dear, and the responsibilities that come with them. We’ll sing O Beautiful for Spacious Skies this Sunday as a prayer for our country. We’ll also sing the rousing hymn O Zion, Haste as a reminder of the Church’s mission to bring healing, hope, and Good News to the world.
Jenna Gould will offer a beautiful solo of Handel’s I Know That My Redeemer Liveth—a fitting declaration of trust and resurrection in these uncertain times. I’ll be preaching, and I hope to see many of you there.
Join us at 9:00 AM for coffee, donuts, and conversation in Inglett Hall. Lin Stradley will be leading our adult formation offering, a thoughtful way to start your Sunday with the gift of faithful dialogue in community.
As many of you travel this weekend, please go with prayers for safety and joy. Whether you’re on the road or in the pews, I hope you’ll take a moment to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy and the faith that calls us to use them wisely and well.
Peace,
Stewart+
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Ruminations for Ruth
As Ruth has scribed her ruminations to us, let us return our ruminations to her, sending our love, prayers & well wishes for the journey ahead. A table is set up in the Commons with cards and a few craft items for you to use as you wish. Additionally, Ruth often walked our labyrinth; walk and join in this prayerful journey with her. Feel free to write and share the thoughts and prayers that come to you. You'll find paper and pens in the center that can be added to the messages at the table. Someone from the office will deliver them to Ruth. Let us all come together and surround her with our love and support!
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Thanks from South Dakota
Dear People of God at Holy Innocents, Atlanta,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Oh, friends — and you truly are friends of Holy Innocents, Parmelee — your generosity has been so incredible in helping us to rebuild our church! All four walls are now up, the roof goes on soon, the concrete is being poured on Monday for the breezeway, and hope is surging not only in the congregation but in the whole community, and across the Rosebud Reservation. Because Holy Innocents, Parmelee, has been on the hill since 1890, the thought of the church NOT being there was almost frightening to people. Now, as the new church rises up on the hill, visible from all of Parmelee and from miles away as well, hope rises as well.
We continue to reach out to partners across the United States and even to England, where we have an informal partnership with two congregations in Sussex through one of their priests, who spent six weeks on the reservation as a seminarian. We have pledges for at least another $3,000, and others who are asking to be included in the fund-raising.
As a result, your generosity is a key part of making Holy Innocents rise from the ashes, and will make this devastating event a key part of our history, but not something that will devastate us. We have been here on this holy hill for seven generations, and we intend to be here for another seven generations, by the grace of God and your generosity.
We will continue to send out updates and photos as we move through the rebuilding.
Our intended date for the consecration of the new church building is Friday, 22 August 2025, 644 days after the fire burned down our historic church. We hope that you can join us on that date.
Blessings and peace,
Mother Lauren+
The Rev. Dr. Lauren R. Stanley
Canon to the Ordinary
Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota
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Pilgrimage to Germany
From Reformation Roots to Musical Heights
A Pilgrimage of Faith and Witness
with Luther, Bach, and Bonhoeffer
April 8-16, 2026
Join 20 pilgrims from Holy Innocents and 20 from Holy Trinity Lutheran (Hickory, NC) for a joint pilgrimage through Germany, co-led by Vicar Stewart Lucas and Lutheran Deacon Mitzi Budde. We’ll follow in the footsteps of Luther, Bach, and Bonhoeffer, traveling from the printing presses of Mainz to the music halls of Leipzig and the memorials of Berlin, reflecting on faith, justice, creativity, and community.
This Episcopal-Lutheran journey will deepen our connection to God and one another through worship, shared meals, and meaningful conversation. An optional Prague extension is available from April 16 to 19.
Registration for 20 Holy Innocents pilgrims opens at noon on June 25 (first come, first served).
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Summer Adult Forum Series | Sundays at 9:00 AM | Inglett Hall
July 6: Lin Stradley: Jesus the Ingrate: The Subversive Power of Gratitude
July 13: Dave Stockert: Life After Death: Jesus, Judaism, and Justice.
July 20: Matt and Lindsey Parrish lead the conversation
July 27: Maggie Menkus: Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and Servant Leadership
Aug. 3: Stay tuned...
Aug. 10: Stay tuned… Blessing of Backpacks Sunday. Choir Returns
Aug. 17: Bill returns and shares about his sabbatical. Sunday School for all ages begins.
¿Habla español?
If you speak Spanish, even just a little, please email Stewart! We’re putting together a list of folks who might be willing to support our ongoing collaboration with the 1:00 PM Our Lady of Guadalupe community. Your language skills could make a big difference!
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.
Upcoming Office Closures
Please note that our office will be closed on the following dates:
- Friday, July 4, and Monday, July 7, in celebration of Independence Day.
Wishing everyone a safe, festive Fourth of July weekend!
On Thursday, July 3, the front parking lot is closed; please park in the back.
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Backpack Drives for CAC and Solidarity Sandy Springs
Community Assistance Center (CAC)
CAC is working to provide 1,000 students with backpacks and essential school supplies. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Donate Supplies or Backpacks
- Drop them off at CAC by July 7 or 8 so volunteers can begin packing.
Volunteer Your Time
- Pack backpacks beginning the week of July 7
- Distribute backpacks to families on July 18–19 at:
- CAC Main Office
- CAC South Sandy Springs Pantry
- CAC Dunwoody Pantry
Solidarity Sandy Springs
Solidarity Sandy Springs is also collecting new backpacks and school supplies for local students. Their deadline is July 15. Click here for the Amazon Wishlist. Prefer to give online? Donate here.
Drop-off Location: Solidarity Sandy Springs Food Pantry
5920 Roswell Road, Suite A-103, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Questions? Email: solidaritysupplydrive@gmail.com
Every backpack packed is a child empowered. Let’s come together to make this school year brighter for families in need!
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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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Men's Dinner and a Book
July 8, 6:30-9:00 PM
The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, July 8 at 6:30 pm and the book is The Spy and The Traitor by Ben Macintyre. Joe Nuzzaco 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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Women of HI: Mahjong Night
July 10, 6:30-9:30 PM
It’s game night! Mahjong is having a revival in Atlanta, and we’re getting together to play! You don’t need to be an experienced player to attend, but you should know the basics of how to play. Please note in your RSVP whether you’ll bring your own tiles and if you have a 2025 Mahjong card. Snacks will be provided; please bring your own beverage of choice. If you want to learn how to play, please text Sunni Newton at 770-826-6263. If there is enough interest, we will be able to form a learning group. (Please note there is a charge for lessons).
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Reading Connections
July 14, 6:00 PM
The Women's Reading Connections will meet on Monday, July 14, at 6:00 PM in Inglett Hall, Room C. This month, we are reading The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. The novel is set in the 1960s in Maine. A four-year-old Mi’kmaq girl goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine, sparking a tragic mystery that haunts the survivors, unravels a community, and remains unsolved for nearly fifty years. All are welcome!
Contact Michelle Driscoll | dris1296@yahoo.com
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Third Friday: Men of HI
July 18
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
July 20
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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HIYA: Glow & Grow Garden Party
July 20, 6:00-8:00 PM
The Young Adults (20-30s) are invited to an evening outdoors at our Glow & Grow Garden Party! This will be a peaceful summer gathering with refreshing iced tea and hands-on terrarium stations where you can craft a miniature garden to take home. Whether you come with friends or solo, it’s a chance to slow down, connect, and create something beautiful. Come as you are. Leave with something living.
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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
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The Community of Hope will be offering a regional zoom training beginning Sunday, August 3rd. Community of Hope is an international organization, based on Benedictine spirituality, which equips people to participate in pastoral care.
Through ongoing spiritual formation and practical lessons on caregiving, members learn to align theological insights and spiritual practices with their experiences of ministering to others and giving spiritual care.
Pastoral care is when a person is being “present” in a listening, compassionate, non-controlling manner for the purpose of responding to their spiritual needs.
Training sessions will take place weekly on Sunday afternoons for 12 weeks, with an additional Saturday session.
For those who have completed training and decide to move forward in the parish with pastoral care ministry, we gather monthly as the Circle of Care on Monday nights for worship, continuing education, and spiritual support.
Please contact Karen Calhoun (kncalhoun@yahoo.com) or Craig Wilson (crwilson01@gmail.com) if you are interested in understanding more about the group; contact Ruth Pattison (rpattison@holyinnocents.org) if you would like to discuss the discernment process for participation in the upcoming training.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Unknown Donations
We’ve received unidentified donations from Fidelity Brokerage Services. If you have any information regarding these gifts or believe they may be connected to your efforts, please reach out directly to Caroline (cfleming@holyinnocents.org) for
further coordination.
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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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