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Many thanks to Ann Hobbs and her faithful team of chefs for preparing a delicious meal this morning for our friends at Holy Comforter! They served up a hearty feast featuring blueberry cobbler, spinach salad, and a flavorful chicken, mushroom, and wild rice casserole. Your generosity and culinary gifts nourish both body and spirit—thank you for your kindness and dedication!
Please bring your palms from last year to burn on Shrove Tuesday as we say goodbye to our Alleluias during Lent.
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Adult Christian Formation | Sunday, 9:00 AM
Bill, Stewart, and Ruth will teach about the Acts of the Apostles which is a history of the church from Pentecost to 60 AD. Join us in conversations about how the church formed, about what can be gleaned from those stories, and about how those stories should inspire us today.
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Honoring the Past, Embracing the Present, and Dreaming Ahead
The process started seven years ago give or take. When I walked in as your newly minted Rector, I could see that maybe 2/3 of the buildings had been renovated and the children's wing and parish hall was the area that was largely untouched. We started the conversation with the HIEC2050 group led by Chris Protos. The idea was to look ahead and begin to dream of where we are going as a church, what we need as a community, and how the world is changing around us.
Of course, we were diving into those conversations in 2019. We were still working our way through debt, rebuilding the choir, and trying to decide if we wanted to invest in an online presence or rebuild the children's area. COVID threw a wrench at all of us and we started working on a hundred things large and small.
Now, that we have retired the debt, we can celebrate a thriving music program, and we are enjoying a deluge of baptisms and new faces. There is a joy and hope in our community that we all love to see. Those conversations that began years ago are beginning to come into focus.
Hank Houser and his merry band of architects have been meeting with anyone and everyone they can to understand our community as they begin to dream of those new spaces. Just yesterday, we all had an extended visit with Tom Ventulett to talk about his process and dreams for our space. The fun part was to watch the architects sit in awe of Tom, a veritable legend in their shared field. After a 90 minute visit, Hank turned as said, "Thank you so much for that. It was like meeting Paul McCartney!"
Holy Innocents is church filled with such gifted souls that I can often forget how blessed we are. So very many of you are leaders and experts in different fields. So very many of you have a lifetime of hard-earned wisdom and knowledge. So many of you do amazing work and ministry that we all take for granted. Thank you for sharing those gifts with us when asked. More importantly, please don't wait for us to ask. I do not always know when someone is an electrical engineer or a pastry chef or an environmental attorney. If you can see from your skills and training that we need help, please come and let us know how things could be improved, where your skills can meet the church's needs, and when those gifts can save us time and money.
I love walking through these big projects because it often leads to all sorts of people sharing their gifts in new and exciting ways. It also reminds us just how blessed and lucky we are to worship and pray with all of God's children - especially someone like Tom Ventulett, our own Paul McCartney.
The Rev. Dr. Bill Murray, Rector
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Outreach Serves our Partners During Lenten and Easter Season
During Lent we typically give up something we enjoy or add an activity that is good for our bodies and our souls. This year, we invite you to join us in doing something good for your soul as we support our long-time Outreach ministry partner, Community Assistance Center, CAC, while doing something good for others. CAC created a new program entitled “Congregation of the Month,” and in March we kick-off their program at Holy Innocents. The purpose of the program is to provide much-needed food for their pantry, which aligns perfectly with the Lenten focus on giving time, care, and comfort to others. Throughout the season we will collect food items at church or offer an online shopping opportunity to help CAC fill their pantry.
As we prepare for a joyous Easter, we will host our Outreach partner Solidarity Sandy Springs for their third Easter Egg Hunt at Holy Innocents. What a wonderful celebration to cap off the Easter season with hundreds of children searching for colorful eggs on the Lower School playground, with a visit from the Easter Bunny and goodies and activities donated by local sponsors and partners.
There will be easy volunteer opportunities at church to help support CAC and Solidarity during the Lenten and Easter season. More information will be available during the weeks ahead. We ask you to join us with generous and joyful hearts as we serve our Outreach partners.
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Ash Wednesday
March 5, 7:30 AM, 12:00 PM, & 6:00 PM.
As the solemn beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday invites us to realign our hearts with God and His calling in our lives. This service offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect, renew, and deepen our faith within our church community.
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Reading Connections
March 10, 6:00 PM
Join us for the Reading Connections March meeting in Inglett Hall Room C. Our March 10 meeting begins at 6:00 PM with light refreshments and the discussion starts at 6:30. This month’s reading selection is The Happy Hour Choir, by Sally Kilpatrick. Please note, that we have moved our meeting from the large conference room by Christ's Chapel to the conference room just outside of Bishop Commons, Inglett Hall Room C.
Please feel free to come and join the fun, even if you haven’t read the book. We would love to see you and spend time together with you and the other members of our wonderful community.
Contact Michelle Driscoll | dris1296@yahoo.com
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Men's Dinner and Book
March 11, 6:30 PM
The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, March 11 at 6:30 pm and the book is The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel by Douglas Brunt. Davis Smith 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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Ventulett Gallery Opening
March 13, 6:00-7:30 PM
Join us for an evening of creativity and inspiration as we celebrate the opening of our latest exhibition featuring works by Barbara Lehman and Tina Christina.
Barbara Lehman, whose career began with painting children's murals in 1978, has spent decades refining her craft. With experience in the Atlanta Decorator Showhouse, she brings a unique understanding of how art transforms a space. Now fully devoted to oil painting, she finds joy in creating something from nothing, capturing light, shadow, and color in captivating ways.
Tina Christina presents a bold and striking approach to realism in oils and acrylics. Her work offers an extreme yet ominous perspective, reflecting her mischievous spirit. She embraces both personal inspiration and commissioned collaborations, bringing favorite images to life with a simple, uncluttered touch.
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Master Plan Meeting
Sunday, March 16
Our incredible architectural team from Houser Walker is coming to seek feedback from the whole community.
As we cast a vision and plan for the church through our master plan process, we hope everyone in the parish will come to one or both meetings to discuss who we are and what we value as a church!
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Church of the Common Ground
March 16
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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Lent Class with Temple Sinai
“A season is set for everything”
Rituals, Traditions, and Theology for when our time comes.
March 20, 27 & April 3, 10 at 7:00 PM
Senior Rabbi Ron Segal and Bill Murray will teach and share the Jewish and Christian perspectives on death, dying, resurrection, grieving, celebrating, and life. Similar to past classes, the goal is to get to know our neighbors and go deeper in conversations and relationship. Please plan to come to all four classes to get to know each other better as we learn, share, and laugh together.
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Third Friday: Men of HI
March 21
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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Burn the Mortgage
Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 11:15 AM
We have almost paid off the note from our 2012 renovation (the balance is just under $10,000). So, it is time to celebrate this big moment. After the 10:15 service on Sunday, March 30, we will go outside to the luminarium (the big cauldron in the memorial garden) and burn the loan documents. Since it will be Lent, we encourage you to write down things you also want to be done with - and cast those burdens, sins, injuries, grudges, and worries into the fire. We will share some prayers (it is the Episcopal Church, we always have a liturgy), burn the mortgage and our burdens, and then celebrate with some "hot" themed food together. Join us for a celebration!
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An Evening of Inspiration: WOHI Dinner & Event
April 3, 6:00-8:00 PM
Give yourself the gift of grace. Join us to learn from Katherine Wolf, founder of Hope Heals. She’s a disrupter in the most inspiring way: "disrupting the myth that joy can only be found in a pain-free life." Her story is extraordinary, and so is what she and her team have accomplished since her catastrophic stroke in 2008, at age 26. The cost is $15. Sign up below.
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Agape Family Dinner
April 17, 6:00-7:00 PM
You're invited to our Agape Family Dinner on April 17th at 6:00 PM! This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Holy Week by sharing in food, fellowship, and connection. This will be a warm, welcoming atmosphere with activities for all ages to mark the Last Supper. Whether you're a long-time member or a first-time guest, we welcome you to bring your family and friends for a night filled with joy and warmth to mark this special occasion. Catered Mediterranean dinner is $10 per adult. Children and youth are free.
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Men of HI Retreat
April 25-27
The Men of Holy Innocents will gather at Lake Logan Episcopal Center in Canton, North Carolina, near the Blue Ridge Parkway, for a weekend of spiritual enrichment, fellowship, and renewal. Set on 300 acres at 3,000 feet in elevation, Lake Logan offers comfortable lodging, dining, and gathering spaces alongside a stunning mountain lake. The retreat begins with dinner on Friday evening, followed by a Saturday morning program. Saturday afternoon is free for activities like hiking, a visit to Waynesville, golf, fishing, or relaxing on the porch. We’ll wrap up on Sunday morning with the Eucharist and final discussions.
The Rev. Brad Whitaker, a former Holy Innocents’ clergy member and recently retired Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, will lead the retreat. Brad’s sessions, focused on Finding God in Everyday Companions, will help us explore how relationships—whether lifelong or brief—reveal God’s love and presence in our lives.
Register now: Fees include lodging for Friday and Saturday nights and all meals.
Single occupancy: $495 (1 single room available)
Double occupancy: $356
Contact John Harris | harris4338@gmail.com
678-761-6765
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Pancake Supper
March 4, 6:00-7:30 PM
Join us on Tuesday, March 4, for a delightful Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper hosted by the youth group from 6:00 – 7:30 PM! Our amazing Men's Group will be flipping pancakes and cooking up a delicious breakfast-for-dinner spread and we have planned a festive atmosphere with live piano jazz. Pricing: Dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for children and youth. All proceeds will support our youth group so come and enjoy great food, wonderful company and some festive Mardi gras fun!
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GLOW
March 5, 6:00-7:00 PM
Let’s GLOW for Ash Wednesday. Kids ages PreK- 5th grade are invited to share an hour together this lent to discover the joy of prayer and giving. After our lesson, the kids will go to the church to receive ashes. Let Ms. Renee know you’re coming here:
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Poptarts & Pajamas
March 9, 9:00 AM
Don’t let daylight savings bum you out. Bring the kids to church in their pajamas for a fun pop tart themed morning!
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Children’s Choir
April 13, 9:00 AM
We are so excited to be singing and leading the processional for Palm Sunday. Our awesome kids have been working hard on our Palm Sunday piece and will lead the Palm Sunday processional at the 10:15 service and then sing our anthem at the very beginning of the service. Kids meet in Sunday school at 9:00 before we start rehearsal at 9:30 and get our big palm leaves!
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Easter Egg Hunt
April 20, 9:30 AM
The hunt is on! Join us at 9:30 AM for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Bring a basket and meet near the entrance of the playground behind the Church. Kids will hunt with their age groups. After the hunt, join us inside for refreshments, and kids can congregate and open their eggs together before worship at 10:15 AM.
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Click here to watch last Sunday's service!
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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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