Earth Day Reflection

The Rev. Ruth Pattison

Yesterday was Earth Day. April is National Poetry Month.

So, I thought I would share a little piece from William Shakespeare’s play, As You Like It. I keep it on my office wall for inspiration and it reads:

And this, our life,

Exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongues in trees,

Books in the running brooks,

Sermons in stones,

And Good in everything.

It’s kind of a perfect Celtic storm for me: Earth Day and poetry and good in everything.

Irenaeus of Lyons, a second-century church father, (whose teacher was Polycarp, whose teacher was Jesus’s disciple, St. John), taught that the very substance of the earth and all creation was born out of the substance of God.

This is slightly but significantly different from the commonly held theology of “ex nihilo,’’ which suggests that creation was brought into being out of nothing. By God, and dependent on God, yes, but not “of” God. No divine substance there.

Celtic spirituality holds that creation itself because it is brought into being out of God’s own substance, is sacred.

Do you see the implications?

If creation (including you and me) is from nothing, then we are free to disregard it as nothing. Our behavior and our choices follow in keeping, with nothingness.

On the other hand, if we believe all of creation emanates from God, then our behavior and our choices follow in keeping, with sacredness.

Celtic consciousness is a matter of being aware that all creation is sacred, and letting that awareness change your life. It is keeping a spiritual practice of paying attention to the presence of God in all things and listening. Sea breeze and bird wing; earth in sand, and shell, stacked stone, and round rock; saltwater lapping a lullaby, and rain in deluge; fire by day, and moon by night, all for our listening for the heartbeat of God in creation.

If you want some good earth-day-poetry-month-celtic praying, try A Song of Creation. It is Canticle 12, found in Morning Prayer, BCP.

All creation sings the glory of the Lord. Lift your voice, too! A mockingbird might just pick up your tune and share it with the neighborhood.

Ruth+

Excerpts paraphrased from my book, Celtic Ways to Pray, Finding God in the Natural Elements.

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Last Call for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows

It’s been a joyful Easter season and we have been busy preparing for Confirmation and the Bishop’s visit on May 5. When the Bishop comes to visit, he will confirm, and will also receive and reaffirm folks who are interested.

Some have already let me know that they definitely want to be confirmed!

Others are still discerning, and some have just been busy with spring activities and have yet to turn in their paperwork. This is a friendly reminder!

If you want to be Received into this Communion, which is the Episcopal Church, (from another denomination that recognizes confirmation), or if you would like to Reaffirm your Baptismal vows, please fill out the form on the link. We want to be sure to include you in the sacrament and print your name in the bulletin, just like we do with the candidates for Baptism.

If you have trouble filling out the form online, please just send me a note in an email and I will help. Look forward to hearing from you, Ruth+

VG Opening: Finding the Edge and Other Musings

May 2, 6:00-7:30 PM

Lance Carlson, an Atlanta-based artist with a background in architecture, was raised in a family that cherished the importance of art in life. He fondly remembers plein air outings where each family member would paint or draw, except for Lance, who preferred rolling around in the grass.

Choosing architecture as his initial form of expression, Lance later realized the constraints it imposed, particularly in terms of creative freedom within limited budgets. Rediscovering his passion for the creative process through painting classes, Lance now primarily works in mixed-media and collage.

His artwork has been showcased across metro Atlanta and throughout the United States. In his artist statement, Lance reflects on the timeless connections between events, emotions, and environment, drawing inspiration from music, art, and literature. His work serves as a record of his own discoveries and interpretations, transcending conventional boundaries of time and forming a rhythmic dialogue through his marks and imagery.

Learn more | carlsonmixedmedia.com/

I Will with God's Help

Adult Formation, Sundays at 9:00 AM

Companion with our confirmation candidates for this class series. See it as a refresher course and reaffirm your own faith when our Bishop visits. This class will explore all the questions to which we answer, “I will with God’s help,” at Baptism and Confirmation.

April 28 | Clergy team: Show and Tell, Fashion, and Episcopal-ese

The polity and practices of the Episcopal Church

Pentecost & Parish Picnic

May 19

Join us for a vibrant Pentecost service on May 19th at 10:15 AM, where we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Wear your favorite red attire and help us celebrate a baptism.

Following the service, join us for a delightful parish picnic, with fried chicken. To make the picnic even more special, we invite those with last names beginning with A-L to bring desserts, while those with last names beginning with M-Z are invited to bring sides and salads. Let's come together as a community to share food, fellowship, and the joy of Pentecost!

Habitat for Humanity Build

May 11-July 13

Holy Innocents, St. James Methodist, Cathedral of St. Philip, St. Martin in the Fields, and St. Luke’s Presbyterian are sponsoring Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s summer faith build. All parishioners 16 and older may participate. No skills are required, just the desire to help an Atlanta family buy a home at a very affordable price. Learn more here.

Contact John Harris | harris4338@gmail.com | 678-761-6765

Church of the Common Ground Sandwich Build

May 19

On Sunday, May 19 please join us in the Parish Hall after the 10:15 service to assist in assembling over 80 lunches for our unhoused community members who attend Church of the Common Ground in Woodruff Park, located in downtown Atlanta. We will make sandwiches and pack lunch bags as part of our outreach efforts. Additionally, we are invited to worship with the men and women of CCG at their 1:00 PM service in Woodruff Park. 

Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com

Learn more | churchofthecommonground.org

Men’s Dinner and a Book

May 14

The next Men’s Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 PM, and the book is Eiffel’s Tower by Jill Jonnes. Joe Nuzzaco is hosting. All men are included and invited.

Contact Jeremy Webber | jhwwebber@gmail.com

Young Adult Camping Trip

June 28-30

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and join us for an unforgettable young adult camping trip from June 28th to 30th! No camping experience? No problem! Leave the stress behind as we provide everything you need for a fantastic outdoor adventure.

Get ready to bond with fellow adventurers, roast marshmallows over the campfire, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. But it's not all about fun and games. We'll also gather for a peaceful prayer service amidst the tranquility of the great outdoors. Join us as we lift our voices in hymns, connecting with each other and with something greater than ourselves.

Location to be determined, but one thing's for sure: it'll be a weekend to remember. Mark your calendars and get ready for an fun camping experience!

Contact Emily Badacour | ebadacour@holyinnocents.org

Youth Sunday

April 28

Graduating high school senior, Emma Losin, will deliver the sermon, and we’ll honor all our seniors during the 10:15 AM service. Following the service, stick around for a reception. All 6th-12th graders to our Summer Kickoff from 4:00-7:00 PM. We’ll be playing an incredible game called Bubbleball which includes students getting inside of a giant bubble! We will also have a free food truck providing dinner and will have tons of fun games and other activities as well.

Contact Megan Atkinson | matkinson@holyinnocents.org

Children’s Choir 

May 12

We are so excited to be singing on May 12 in honor of Mother’s Day. Kids, grab your doughnuts and meet in Sunday school by 9:00 AM for rehearsal! Children’s Choir will sing for the congregation at the 10:15 AM service following that morning’s Children’s Chapel.

Club 45 Nerf Bash May 19

4^th and 5^th graders join us for our end-of-the-year celebration including an epic playground Nerf Bash and a pancake bar. Bring your Nerf toy and get ready to party! RSVP here.

VBS Decorating Party

May 30

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. May 30th, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, pizza provided!

Sign up here.

Holy Innocents Episcopal Church VBS: Camp Firelight  

Rising PK4 – 5^th grade are invited to HIEC Camp Firelight VBS. Your child will enjoy an interactive and energizing, faith-based time as they learn to face their fears while trusting in God. Campers will explore timeless Bible stories showing how Old and New Testament figures trusted God, faced their fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name. Campers will perform their VBS song on Sunday, June 9th at 10:15 and families are invited to stay after for a picnic lunch! 

Holy Innocents 2024 VBS will be June 3^rd - 7th from 9:00 am until 12:15 with optional aftercare until 3:30. Registration cost is $85 and aftercare is an additional $65. Only 20 spots left! Register here.

April 28

Have you ever wanted to run around in a giant hamster ball?! All 6th-12th graders should join us Sunday, April 28th from 4:00-7:00 PM for an awesome summer kick-off event! We'll be playing an incredible game called Bubbleball which includes students getting inside of a giant bubble! We will also have a free food truck providing dinner and will have tons of fun games and other activities as well. You won't want to miss this crazy, exciting event! Friends are welcome but please RSVP.

GLOW | May 1

Let’s GLOW for Pentecost! Kids ages PreK-5th grade, join us for a science experiment and a very special GLOW about Pentecost and prayer. This is our last meeting before summer break so mark your calendars and join us for this special time. Let Ms. Renee know you’re coming here.

Click above to watch last Sunday's service!

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 reach out to us by phone.