A Season of Belonging

Renee Stephens, Director of Membership and Children's Ministries

Labor Day weekend offered many of us a chance to pause, rest, gather with family and friends, and give thanks for the work and people that sustain our lives. Now, as the pace of fall begins, we have another opportunity: to reconnect with one another and with our church community. At its heart, the church is where we belong. We come together to worship, learn, laugh, serve, share meals, and support one another. We are reminded that we do not have to walk through life alone. God often meets us through the people around us. 

That sense of connection comes to life in many different ways this fall. There are many opportunities to gather together, including Mahjong this Friday, the Men’s group outings, the upcoming Women’s Progressive Dinner, and the Blessing of the Animals. There are also lots of opportunities for children and youth to connect with friends and grow in faith together. We are also especially excited about our six-week Wednesday night series beginning next week, offering us a chance to grow deeper in our faith and in our relationships with each other.

This Sunday gives us another opportunity to celebrate the community we share. We will celebrate Episcopal School Sunday in worship and give thanks for the ministry of our school and for the many ways it supports our community. The school will host breakfast, so come early and enjoy a special morning together!

Fall is a season of new beginnings and renewed connections. The change of season invites us into a deeper belonging. It is my hope and prayer that, as we enter it together, we find ways to make more time for each other and for God, and that through these moments of gathering, learning, worshipping, and sharing life together, we find a renewed sense of belonging to one another.

Music this Sunday

Dock Anderson, Director of Music

I’m especially excited that singers from the Upper School Choir will be joining our Adult Choir this week as we celebrate Episcopal School Sunday.

Together, the choirs will sing “For Everyone Born,” a wonderful setting by Tom Trenney of Shirley Erena Murray’s hymn about a table where there is room for everyone. Its message of welcome, justice, compassion, and peace seems particularly appropriate as we celebrate a community devoted to helping young people grow into thoughtful, compassionate adults.

We’ll also sing something that belongs especially to this place: “Help Us, O God, Each Day to Know,” the official hymn of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, composed by Alfred Fedak. There is something wonderful about a community having its own hymn, and I’m glad we’ll have the opportunity to sing it together on a Sunday devoted to celebrating the school.

A thread of peace runs quietly through much of Sunday’s music. The service begins with Jean Langlais’s beautiful “Chant de Paix” (Song of Peace) for organ, and later we’ll sing “Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace.” At Communion, several Upper School singers join members of the Adult Choir for Jean Berger’s lovely “The Eyes of All,” a setting of words from Psalm 145.

One of my favorite things about church music is the way it can bring people of different generations together. This Sunday, our young singers and adults will stand side by side and make music together—not simply performing for the congregation but helping lead all of us in worship. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Episcopal School Sunday, and I hope you’ll be there to sing with us!

Sunday Morning Fun


Come for donuts provided by the Men of HI this Sunday at 9:00 AM. The Rev. John Porter preaches at the morning services.

September 13 — Episcopal School Sunday

HIES will provide its always-wonderful breakfast. Our forum will include religious education teachers from each division, along with Head Chaplain Dr. Stefanie Taylor. We look forward to sharing about our newly hired religion faculty, our present course offerings, and our departmental mission to model an inclusive approach to the study of religion that instills in students respect for the dignity of every human being. Lower School Chaplain Trey Davis will preach, and we’ll enjoy special music from the HIES chorus, instrumentalists, and our adult choir.

September 20 — Building and Renovation Update

Our Building and Renovation Team will update us on the work they have been doing this summer with our architects, led by Hank Houser. The Covenant Group will provide breakfast.

September 27 to November 1 — The Corinthians Conversation

A new six-week class led by Emory faculty begins. We’ll explore the issues faced by the church in Corinth and the Apostle Paul’s conversations with its members. Paul consistently returns to the “big picture”: the Corinthians’ embodiment of Jesus. We’ll also look to the emotional relationship between Paul and a church in crisis. Finally, we’ll ask how their conversation can offer support and guidance to the church today as we navigate the conflicts of the 21st century.

And there’s more! Beginning in September, we’ll also offer a Wednesday-night opportunity here at HIEC with friends from Sandy Springs United Methodist Church and Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church.

How to Read the Bible

Six Wednesdays, September 16–October 21

Fellowship at 6:30 PM, Class from 7:00–8:00 PM

The Rev. Larry Varghese, a Hebrew Bible doctoral student at Emory, will lead this six-week course. Larry is a phenomenal teacher with a gift for making biblical scholarship engaging and accessible.



The course will explore the various genres found in Scripture, the differences among English translations and how they came into existence, and the Scripture we have inherited. Blending biblical scholarship with the practical questions congregants commonly encounter, the class will equip us with tools for our own reading and study of the Bible.

Plant Sale

September 12 & October 10, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church & Friendship Center will have two plant sales this fall–September 12 and October 10, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Everything they grow is organic, plus all proceeds from our sales go towards running programs for the Friendship Center. Learn more here.

Men of HI: Braves Game

September 13, 1:35 PM

Cheer on the Atlanta Braves with the Men of HI! Join us for an afternoon of baseball, fellowship, and fun at Truist Park. Tickets are $33 each, and space is limited to 40 participants. Reserve your spot today! Payments may be made online or by cash/check in the office. 

Women of HI: Mahjong Night

September 11, 6:30–9:00 PM

Join the Women of HI for an evening of laughter, fellowship, and Mahjong! Everyone is invited, no matter your skill level. Whether you’re a seasoned player or have just had one lesson, come enjoy a friendly, welcoming evening and connect with friends. There is no cost to attend. Please bring an appetizer or drink to share. Come ready to play, connect, and enjoy a fun evening with the Women of HI!

Contact: Sunni Newton (sunni.newton@gmail.com)

Men of HI: Third Friday Breakfast

September 18, 7:30 AM

Enjoy warm hospitality, engaging discussions, and a fresh breakfast in the Frost Youth Center. Come for the conversation and stay for the fellowship.

Contact: Charles Crosby (charles@corepm.net)

Parents' Coffee

September 27, 9:00-10:00 AM

Parents and caregivers of children aged 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, breakfast, conversation, and community.

Contact: Renee Stephens (rstephens@holyinnocents.org)

Church of the Common Ground 
Sandwich Build

September 27, 11:15 AM

Please join us in the Parish Hall tomorrow 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)

Men of HI: Low Country Boil

October 4, 5:30 PM

The Men of HI are heading to the banks of the Chattahoochee for their annual Low Country Boil! Spend the evening enjoying great food, drinks, and good company by the river.



Tickets are $30 and include dinner along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Pride Eucharist

October 4, 5:30 PM

All are invited to this year's Pride Eucharist! The service will be on October 4, at 5:30 PM, Holy Trinity Parish in Decatur. The Rev. Rhett Solomon will serve as celebrant, and The Rev. Horace Griffin will be the guest preacher. 

Blessing of the Animals

October 4, 6:00 PM

Join us for our annual Blessing of the Animals on October 4th at 6:00 PM. Our youth group and 4th-5th graders will be hosting this event and will provide tons of fun and fellowship for our pet families. Youth will arrive at 5:00 PM to help set up for the event. Youth sign up below. Club 45: email Renee Stephens (rstephens@holyinnocents.org)

Prayer Shawl

October 6, 7:00-8:30 PM | Parlor

The Prayer Shawl Ministry gathers this fall to knit and crochet shawls that are given to those who are ill or grieving. Not working on a prayer shawl? Bring your needlepoint, cross-stitch, mending, or another project and enjoy an evening of crafting and conversation. All are welcome!

Contact: Cammie Ives (cammieives@gmail.com)

Women’s Progressive Dinner

October 8, 6:00–8:00 PM

Join us for an evening of good food, meaningful conversation, and the joy of getting to know one another better.  Our Women’s Progressive Dinner is designed around a simple idea: connection. As we move from table to table throughout the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with friends, and share conversation with women from across our church community. Whether you’re new or a longtime member, there’s a place for you at the table.

We’ll begin the evening with appetizers and beverages in Bishop Commons, then gather for dinner in Inglett Hall. Each course will bring a new table group, with thoughtful conversation prompts led by Renee Stephens to help us share our common experiences, discover what makes each of us unique, and build deeper relationships.  Come ready to eat, laugh, listen, and connect. Together, we’ll make space for community, friendship, and fellowship. The cost is $15, register on Realm.

Pride Parade 

October 11, 11:45 AM



All are invited to participate in this year's Pride Parade as a volunteer or walker. On October 9 and 10, volunteers are needed to help decorate the float at St. Luke's Atlanta. On October 11, the day of the parade, walkers can arrive on site at the Civic Center MARTA Station at 11:45 AM. If you plan to participate as a volunteer or walker, please register here.

Joe Alterman Jazz Trio

October 24, 7:00-8:30 PM

Settle in for an evening of live jazz, wine, and cheese in Bishop Commons with Atlanta jazz pianist Joe Alterman. Known for bringing swing, soul, and an unmistakable sense of joy to the piano, Alterman is a longtime mentee of jazz greats Les McCann and Ramsey Lewis, carrying forward their groove-filled, life-affirming approach while bringing a musical voice all his own. McCann called him “a giant,” while Ahmad Jamal hailed him as “a very special artist.”

Alterman has released eight critically acclaimed albums and performed at celebrated venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland, and the Blue Note. His work also appears on two Grammy Award-winning projects, and his collaborators have ranged from jazz legends to Atlanta music icon Dallas Austin.

Beyond the stage, Alterman is a writer, interviewer, and host and producer of The Upside of Jazz on WABE 90.1, where he explores the music, people, and stories that have shaped jazz. At the heart of it all is his piano—joyful, swinging, and alive.

Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat

October 25, 11:30 AM–1:30 PM

Celebrate the season with us at our Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 25! Come in costume for Sunday School and worship, then stick around after the service for an afternoon full of fall fun and festive fellowship. We’ll have something for everyone, including: Trunk or Treat, Hayrides, Petting Zoo, Lunch, Cake Walk, and more! Whether you're young or just young at heart, all are welcome to join in the fun as we enjoy the beauty of fall together.

Trunk or Treat Volunteers

We need you! Sign up to host a trunk for our Trunk or Treat on October 25. Decorate your trunk as simple or as elaborate as you would like. Prizes will be offered for Most Creative Trunk, Best Decorated Trunk, and Funniest Trunk. Setup will begin immediately after 10:15 worship, and Trunk or Treating will begin after lunch. Email Renee Stephens (rstephens@holyinnocents.org) to volunteer to host a trunk.

Sign up for Foyers!

Want to make new friends or renew acquaintances? Sign up for Foyers on the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk. The purpose of Foyers is to get to know fellow parishioners in a small group setting (which is usually a simple dinner). After the sign-up period is complete, groups of between 6 and 8 will be formed. Each group will have a starting host couple (or two singles) who will host the first dinner based on the availability of everyone in their group. At each get-together, plans for who will host the next are made and a date set. Everyone in the group is expected to host one dinner during the year. Since the fall is such a busy time, most groups won’t have their first get-together until the new year. Historically, Foyers met Sunday evenings, but each group can determine the best time for their dinners. A Foyers brochure with complete details is available at the Welcome Desk.  

Contact: Phyllis Weisser (pcweisser@yahoo.com)

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. So far we have supported three families with rental, translation and legal support. Our fund currently is sufficient for the immediate needs, but we will continue to keep you posted.

College Connection Deadline

September 16

Do you have a child in college who was once part of the HIEC Youth Group? We would love the opportunity to remind them that they are still a valued part of our community! We are putting together care packages to let them know they are loved, supported, and thought of while they are away at school.

Please send Megan Atkinson their updated mailing address, cell number, and any gift card preferences by September 16, and we will make sure they receive a little piece of home from HIEC!

Club 45: Kickoff Event

September 16, 5:30–7:30 PM

4th & 5th graders are invited to a very special Club 45 Kickoff Party. Join us for pizza, an escape room, and a very special time of fun and fellowship as we start an exciting new year at Club 45. Register by Sept. 13.

Contact: Renee Stephens (rstephens@holyinnocents.org)

GLOW

October 7, Dinner: 5:30 PM, Program: 6:00–7:00 PM

Come & GLOW with us for a special STEAM-themed evening where kids will learn about the power of prayer through an exciting science experiment and art activity. 

Adults and kids are invited to gather for dinner at 5:30 PM, and then kids will leave for GLOW program from 6:00-7:00 PM. Parents are invited to stick around for conversation and connection while the kids are at GLOW.

Children’s Choir

October 18

Our Children’s Choir has been preparing to sing a beautiful anthem at the 10:15 service on October 18th following Children’s Chapel. All kids preK-5th grade are welcome to participate. Rehearsals are ongoing in Sunday School and Children’s Chapel.

Contact: Renee Stephens (rstephens@holyinnocents.org)

Club 45: Halloween Breakfast Party

October 25, 9:00–10:15 AM

4th & 5th graders, join us this Sunday at 9:15 for a Halloween Breakfast Party. Wear your costume and come ready to enjoy breakfast, special treats, and fun times with friends!

Dollywood Trip

November 13-15

The youth group is heading to Dollywood November 13-15! All 6th-12th graders are invited for a weekend of fun and fellowship in Pigeon Forge, TN. The cost is $475 plus extra cash for fast food on the way there and back. We'll head to our beautiful Airbnb on Friday night, spend all day Saturday exploring the rides, and head back Sunday after a devotional. Friends are welcome to join us but must attend 3 youth group events before we depart.

Reading Connections

September 14, 6:00 PM

Women’s Reading Connections will gather on Monday, September 14, beginning with light refreshments at 6:00 pm and book discussion at 6:30 pm.

This month’s selection is The Guest List by Lucy Foley, a gripping mystery set at a glamorous wedding on a remote Irish island. As secrets surface and tensions rise among the guests, the celebration takes a deadly turn. With its atmospheric setting and classic whodunit structure, the novel has drawn comparisons to the mysteries of Agatha Christie.

Men's Dinner & a Book

November 10, 6:30 PM

The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 pm and the book is The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson. Kevin Nuffer is hosting. 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