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Procrastinator's Pledge Payoff
with the Rector
December 31, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Still meaning to fulfill that pledge before the ball drops? Join us for a light-hearted, judgment-free morning designed especially for the well-intentioned… but slightly delayed.
Where the coffee is strong, the judgment is gentle, and the side-eye is 100% sanctified.
Come for the laughter. Stay for the satisfaction of crossing that pledge off your list before the year ends.
Bring:
✔ Yourself
✔ Your pledge
✔ Your sense of humor
We have received several year-end gifts of stock without a name attached. Please email Caroline to let her know or if you have questions about your pledge balance. Cfleming@holyinnocents.org
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Megan's Meditation
This year, Christmas came wrapped not only in lights and carols, but in the quiet miracle of a first birthday. One year ago, our world changed in the smallest, holiest way, through the arrival of a child. That this milestone falls on Christmas Day feels less like a coincidence and more like grace layered upon grace.
Christmas reminds us that God chose to enter the world as a baby, small, vulnerable, dependent on love. Watching our own child take first steps, learn trust, and rest safely in our arms gives new depth to the nativity story. The Incarnation no longer feels distant or abstract; it looks like late nights, sticky hands, and a heart that has learned a new kind of surrender.
Mary treasured and pondered all these things in her heart (Luke 2:19). As parents, we find ourselves doing the same, holding onto moments we know will pass too quickly, marveling at how love grows faster than we imagined possible. A first birthday on Christmas is a reminder that God still enters ordinary life in extraordinary ways, often through the very people we are entrusted to care for.
As candles are lit and prayers whispered, we give thanks for one year of life, laughter, and learning. And we trust the One who began this good work will carry it forward, year by year, Christmas by Christmas
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The Second Sunday
after Christmas
January 4, 2026!
While the Epiphany doesn't happen until Tuesday, we'll hear the story of the Wise Men visiting the Christ Child. The choir will sing and Stewart will preach. But first join us breakfast and the Adult Forum as Bill kicks off our new series:
This Is Our Moment:
Belonging, Beauty, and the Episcopal Way
Across the country, people are talking differently about faith. Studies show growing openness to religion, and we’re seeing it locally too - more curiosity, more searching, more people longing for meaning and connection. This three week series invites us to reflect together on why churches like ours matter right now, and how we can be ready for this moment.
Join us Sunday mornings as we explore culture, community, and worship—and what they reveal about the Episcopal way of faith. No preparation needed. Come for one week or all three. Bill kicks off the series this Sunday.
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Annual Meeting
January 25, 9:00 AM
Join us in Inglett Hall for breakfast and fellowship as we review our ministry’s finances, reflect on 2025’s accomplishments, and embrace the vision for the year ahead. We’ll elect four new vestry members and two youth representatives and step forward together in faith and community. Scroll down to see their bios and photos.
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Sandwich Build for CCG
January 25, 11:15 AM
We will be packing 125+ 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
Learn More churchofthecommonground.org
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Winter Warm-Up: Song & Celebration
January 30, 4:30 PM
Something wonderful is cooking at Holy Innocents! Join us for a cozy winter evening featuring some of our very own staff singers as they share favorite songs, along with the choir singing a few of our all-time favorite anthems. After the music, we’ll move into a festive reception with food, fellowship, and celebration. Come celebrate the talent among us, enjoy good company, and shake away the winter blues!
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John Cox became a member of Holy Innocents last year with a letter of transfer from St. Benedict’s Episcopal (Smyrna, GA), where he served on their Vestry during its founding years. He is active in the men’s group (MOHI, book dinners, retreat, etc.) and offers his support to other activities such as the Ventulett Gallery displays and outreach to Holy Comforter, Habitat for Humanity, and CAC drives. John’s career background lends experience in several ways, including renovation and refurbishing medium-sized construction projects. Recently at HIEC, he began the Education for Ministry (EfM) series, enrolling in the inaugural ‘wide angle’ curriculum. John has two grown sons with their own families (4 grandkids!) and enjoys golf, hiking, yoga, and an array of other interests.
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Graham Hurtt is married to Clara Hurtt and father to Madison (10) and Sadie (7). He is a managing director in the Technology and Services investment banking group at Raymond James, focusing on financial services end markets. Graham is an embarrassingly big fan of science fiction in all its forms and media, often to the chagrin of his family. In his free time, Graham can most often be found transporting the girls to sports and lessons or losing card and board games to the other members of his family.
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Sunni Newton has been a member of HIEC since 2011, along with her husband, Tommy Newton. They have two children, Boyd (13) and Rosie (10), and live in Buckhead. Sunni works as an education researcher at Georgia Tech, where she has been a student or an employee since 2001. At Holy Innocents, she serves as a Reader, a Greeter, and co-chief mahjong enthusiast. Her favorite free-time activities include reading, cooking, doing crossword puzzles, and playing with the best dog in the world, Lita, whom her family is fortunate to have adopted in 2023. She looks forward to being in the room where it happens on the Vestry.
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Jan Stewart has been an active member of Holy Innocents for 25+ years. She has volunteered her time in all areas of the church community during those 25 years, which included serving as past chair of the Altar and Flower Guilds and as a past Junior and Senior Warden. Currently, she is a team leader for both the Altar and Flower Guilds, a lay Eucharistic Minister, and a member of Community of Hope. She has exceptional finance (profit and non-profit) experience, a passion for outreach, and a commitment to pastoral care. She is the mother of three grown children, and although she continues to work full time she always finds the time for the community of Holy Innocents. She is honored to serve on the Vestry and looks forward to representing the community.
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Anna Blair Gates is a ninth grader at Marist School. She has been a member of HIEC since birth. She has grown up in the church nursery, attending Sunday school, singing in the children's choir, and enjoying youth activities. She has also been a VBS volunteer for the past several years. Anna Blair plays competitive soccer with Concorde Fire; she also runs cross country at Marist.
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Mary Brooks McCrystal is a sophomore in high school at HIES and has been a member of HIEC since she was born. She has attended Sunday school regularly as a child and is an active participant in the youth group. She has attended the school since Kindergarten and is now participating in their football cheerleading, basketball, and lacrosse programs. Mary Brooks is also on the yearbook committee as well as many clubs such as HI Trees, HIES for CHOA, and Blood Cancer United.
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GLOW
January 7, 6:00-7:00 PM
Let’s GLOW together this winter! Kids are invited to join us for a faith-filled evening focused on God’s love and the beauty of winter. We’ll enjoy snow-themed games, activities, and a meaningful take-home project to help kids grow in faith. Wear your favorite winter or snow-themed outfit and get ready for some fun! For kids ages PreK–5th grade, 6:00–7:00 PM
Adults and kids are invited to gather for dinner at 5:30 PM, then kids will head to the GLOW program from 6:00–7:00 PM. Parents are welcome to stay for wine and conversation while the kids are at GLOW. Friends are welcome!
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Children’s Choir
January 25, 10:15
Our Children’s Choir will sing on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Rehearsals are ongoing during Sunday School and Children’s Chapel, and kids are welcome to join at any time. We are so excited to give children this opportunity to share their joy through music.
Contact Renee Stephens | rstephens@holyinnocents.org
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Youth Group
January 11, 4:00-6:00 PM
Middle and highschoolers are invited to Youth Group on Sunday, January 11! We’ll kick back with some good food and great company. We'll also play a hilarious game of human batteship! It’s the perfect way to relax and reconnect after the holidays, bring a friend and come hang out!
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Prayer Shawl
January 6, 7:00-8:30 PM
Join us in the Parlor on Tuesday, January 6, 7:00–8:30 PM. We knit and crochet shawls for those in need, but bring any project—needlepoint, cross-stitch, even mending—and enjoy fellowship while you work.
Contact Cammie Ives | cammieives@gmail.com
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Young Adults: Winter Party
January 9, 6:00-9:00 PM
We’re excited to invite you to a Winter Party at Rev. Stewart Lucas’ home! Come as you are and join us for a cozy evening of delicious food, fun, and great conversation. Come hang out, get to know one another, and kick off the new year together!
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Women of HI: Wine and Wisdom
January 15, 6:00-7:30 PM
What Every Woman Should Know about Money & Planning
Preparation empowers women in every season of life. The Women of HI and the Endowment Committee invite you to join us for an evening of wine, conversation, and practical wisdom. In the spirit of the late Betty Barstow, we will share some quips from the book “Being Dead is No Excuse” along with door prizes! We will welcome a trusted estate attorney to share what every woman should know about estate planning and financial security. While this is not a workshop, it will be a pain-free way to learn what documents matter, what to have in place, and where to find essential information.
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Third Friday: Men of HI
January 16, 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
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Women of HI: Corks and Conversation
January 22, 5:30 PM
Join the women of HI—new, young, mid, or golden—for an evening of casual fellowship, laughter, and connection. Enjoy a glass (or two!) of provided wine as we get to know one another and lift each other up in community.
Contact Jenny Cantrell | jennypcan@aol.com
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Habitat for Humanity Build
Febuary 7-March 28
Holy Innocents, along with several local churches, is sponsoring Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s Faith Build. Adult parishioners and teens ages 16 and up are invited to take part in this meaningful work. Each Saturday, at least four members of Holy Innocents will have the opportunity to serve. No skills required, just the desire to help an Atlanta family buy a home at a very affordable price. Registration details coming soon.
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Bucket List Book Club
January 6, 1:00 PM
The group is reading Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. We’ll meet at 1:00 PM in the Parlor room. All are welcome!
Contact Audrey Sumner audreysum4833@gmail.com
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Men's Dinner and a Book
January 13, 6:30 PM
The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 PM and the book is Devil in The White City by Erik Larson. John Cox is hosting. If you would like to attend, please contact Jeremy Webber for details. All men at Holy Innocents are included and invited.
Contact Jeremy Webber
jhwwebber@gmail.com
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Parish Retreat Registration
This coming February at Kanuga in Hendersonville, NC, we will explore this connection between spirit and flesh, body and soul. We will talk about our own experiences of disconnection, how we feel separated from nature, held captive by the virtual world, and confused about what our bodies are and what we can do with them. We will explore our deepest desires and our longing for authentic relationship—connection with ourselves, with one another, with God, and with all living beings.
The most pervasive modern experience of our disconnection from nature is food and eating. Think about your last meal—where did it come from, what was in it, how was it served, and who was around when you ate it? What did the experience mean? We will explore the practice of food as a sensuous, miraculous way to reforge those connections for which we long.
Our leader is the Rev. Mark Wastler who launched a non-profit organization, to help people reconnect their spiritual lives with the natural world. Mark brings to this work his experience as a farmer, Episcopal priest, conservationist, and spiritual director. He has been rector of large and small churches as well as a college chaplain. With twenty years of diversified, regenerative farming experience, he helps reclaim the spirituality of food and eating. Find more here: chesapeakewatershedministries.org
Cost:
- $375 for a single room. This includes lodging for two nights, meals Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, and all programming for one person.
- $575 for a double room. This includes lodging for two nights, meals Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, and all programming for two people.
- Kids: Children and youth are free to attend with a paid parent/guardian.
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We are pleased to welcome Bill Harkins once again as retreat leader for the 2026 Men of Holy Innocents' Retreat at Lake Logan Episcopal Center in the mountains of North Carolina, where our theme will be “Arete, Faith, and a Rule of Life for Connection Among Men.” Bill will serve as both facilitator and homilist, guiding us with the wisdom, depth, and grounded presence many of us have come to value over the years. Registration information will be available soon.
Contact John Harris harris4338@gmail.com | Charles Crosby charles@corepm.net
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Click here to watch last Sunday's service!
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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:
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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
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