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Stay in the Boat… and Come to Sunday School
The Rev. T. Stewart Lucas, Vicar
On Sunday, I preached about “staying in the boat” and remaining connected to Christ and to one another, especially when the waters get rough. One important way we stay in the boat together is through adult formation.
As our children and youth return to Sunday School this Sunday, I want to invite our adults to get back into the swing of things, too. Bill and I were impressed with the excellent attendance throughout the summer. Now we’re beginning an exciting season of classes, conversations, fellowship, along with some delicious food.
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a great way to go deep into learning and understanding the bible. This program, designed by the faculty at the St. Luke's Divinity School at the University of the South, is being led by Lin Stradley and Terrell Johnson. You can join them for a one-year course or a four-year course, meeting every Tuesday night.
Beginning Sunday, August 16 at 9:00 am in the Chapel Conference Room:
Parishioner and English Professor Emeritus Sally Parsonson will begin her class on American Short Stories. Sally has been teaching this class for decades and always guides a profound, insightful, and generous conversation.
Here’s what’s coming up each Sunday at 9:00 AM in Inglett Hall:
August 16 — The “Other Five” Sacramental Rites
Bill has covered the big two—Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist—so I get the other five sacramental rites: Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent, and Unction of the Sick. I’ve tried them all! The Book Clubs and Prayer Shawl ministries will provide breakfast.
August 23 — A Conversation with Dock Anderson
Bill will sit down with our new Director of Music as we hear more of his story, perhaps sing a little, and talk about our hopes and dreams for the music program at HIEC.
August 30 — Invite, Welcome, Connect
Emily Wilkerson, chair of the Welcome Team, will speak with Stewart for a conversation about the many new faces, especially the many young people, joining our community. What are we doing that is working? How can we do even better? How do we help newcomers become involved? And how can those of us who have been here forever do our part to meet them, so no one feels lost?
September 6 — Labor Day Weekend
It will be a surprise! (as in we haven’t decided yet…)
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. 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.
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