|
Christmas
For centuries if not millennia, time was recorded according to who was in charge. That is how Luke begins the story of the nativity. He was recording a factual event and wanted to be sure everyone had the right date and time. We learn that this all took place when Herod was King of Judea, Quirinius was governor of Syria, and Emperor Augustus called for all to be registered. If something happened this year, we would say "In the fourth year of the reign of Joe Biden, when Brian Kemp was Governor of Georgia, and Rusty Paul was Mayor of Sandy Springs, after the second election of Donald Trump as President."
Part of that list is to give a date and part of those lists of leaders is meant to give people an idea of all that is happening and who is important. I think Luke intended it both ways. He wants us to know the when it happened and also know who was in charge. If we know that Herod the Great was a brutal ruler who killed his own family to secure his throne, that Caesar Augustus was a great leader who built the empire through military might and crushing anyone who opposed him, and that Quirinius was a solid magistrate who relentlessly taxed and registered his subjects, then we can understand Mary's Magnificat better. She sings that her child through God will change everything, "he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate."
The list that we buzz through on the way to hearing the story of angels and shepherds is all about how God will make this world, the here and now, better. And Jesus is the key to understanding how different all of this should be. Jesus is the key opposition to domination, crucifixions, taxation, and exploitation. Jesus the child will overturn the world. Luke is very intentionally inviting us to consider that instead of armies and control and power that love and family will make the world a better place. So, as we consider again this miracle in Bethlehem, let us also ponder what Jesus comes to invite us to change.
The Rev. Dr. Bill Murray
Rector
|
|
|
Pledge Update
Our stewardship campaign, Nurturing Faith and Cultivating Community, is making exciting progress! We’ve received $1,413,000 in pledges, which brings us to 91% of our $1.54 million goal. This generosity comes from 206 pledges, including 21 new ones—thank you!
If you’d like to discuss your pledge, please reach out to Bill or Stewart.
Visit our Giving Page today to learn more and make your pledge!
| |
|
10:00 AM, December 24 - This service is designed to be meaningful celebration of Christmas in the chapel before the parking lots are packed and the chaos of Christmas Eve takes over. Patterned after the 8 am Sunday service, we will break bread together, hear the good news of Christ among us, and pray for peace along with the beauty of classical guitar.
.
12:00 PM, December 24 - This service in the Nave will be for Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe), our Spanish speaking community. They will sing, pray, celebrate, break bread, and rejoice together for the birth of Emmanuel – God With Us. Todo en español.
3:00 PM, December 24 - This service is our beloved and annual Christmas Pageant. All children are welcome to come 30 minutes before the start to dress as an angel, a shepherd, or an animal and participate in our re-telling of the nativity. We will celebrate our families, share communion, and ponder anew the ways God draws near.
6:00 PM, December 24 – This service features the full choir, strings, communion, and the celebration of the nativity of our Lord. Many of our families who have aged out of the pageant love to come and reconnect at this service and celebrate Christmas together.
9:00 PM, December 24 – This service features all the bells and whistles possible for celebrating Christmas. We will sing carols with the choir and strings, hear the story of our faith, share communion, and use incense as a visible reminder of our prayers before God. This service is a beautiful way to welcome Christmas together.
10:15 AM, December 25 – This Christmas morning service is in the chapel, has plenty of parking, and is a quiet and meaningful celebration of the birth of our Lord. We will hear the story of Christ’s birth, break bread together, and peacefully reflect on the miracle of God drawing near.
| | | |
|
Recharge, Connect, and Inspire:
Building Up Holy Innocents Together
This Presidents Day weekend, join us at Kanuga Conference Center in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina for a beloved parish tradition—a retreat that brings together all ages for a time of fellowship, games, singing, and connection. Whether you’re a new family just getting to know our community or a long-time member, this weekend is for you!
Our theme, “Encourage One Another and Build Each Other Up,” invites us to dream together about our church’s future, exploring how we can grow as a welcoming, supportive, and faith-filled community. Inspired by the Greek word oikodomeite, meaning “to build a home,” we will come together to encourage and care for one another as we envision our next chapter. There will be time for deep conversation, shared meals, laughter, and even a service project in the surrounding area, a chance to live out our call to support and strengthen others.
Come be a part of this special weekend as we embrace the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Let’s make memories and build a strong foundation for the future!
We begin with dinner on Friday night and end after Eucharist with a buffet lunch on Sunday.
Click below to register.
$375 for a single
$575 for a double
Children and youth are free with a paid parent/guardian.
Our retreat leader will be The Rev. Daniel P. Strandlund, rector of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in High Point, NC. A 2015 graduate of the Seminary of the Southwest, Daniel has served churches in Alabama and Texas. He holds an MA in Systematic and Philosophical Theology and recently began a DPhil in theology at the University of Oxford. Daniel enjoys music, travel, exercise, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. He and his wife, Lucy, also a priest, live in Winston-Salem, NC, with their cat and a lively extended family of nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
| | |
|
|
Women of HI: Vision Board
January 9, 6:00-8:00 PM
Create a Vision Board for 2025, a visual to hold all the possibilities for the year ahead using cut-out images. Dana is a therapist and Expressive Arts Facilitator. No artistic experience is necessary, just an open heart!
Contact The Rev. Ruth Pattison rpattison@holyinnocents.org
| | |
|
|
Reading Connections
January 13
Join us for our first meeting in 2025 at 6:00 PM on January 13. We meet in the small conference room by the chapel. If you’d like to curl up by the fire with the January selection, pick up a copy of Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.
Contact Michelle Driscoll | dris1296@yahoo.com
| | |
|
|
Men’s Dinner and a Book
January 14
The next Men’s Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 pm and the book is The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson. Rolf Meinhold is hosting. If you would like to attend, please contact for Jeremy for details. All men at Holy Innocents are included and invited.
Contact Jeremy Webber | jhwwebber@gmail.com
| | |
|
|
Third Friday: Men of HI
January 17
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
| | |
|
|
Annual Meeting
January 26, 9:00 AM
Join us in Inglett Hall for a special time of fellowship as we review our ministry’s finances, reflect on 2024’s accomplishments, and embrace the vision for the year ahead. Let’s step forward together in faith and community!
| | |
|
|
Christmas Pageant
December 24
Mark your calendars for a wonderful afternoon as children retell the Nativity story! Children are rehearsing for the pageant in Sunday school and Children's Chapel, and we invite friends and guests to join in the fun anytime—no prior rehearsal is necessary!
| | |
|
|
Family Epiphany Party
January 5, 6:00 PM
Families of all ages are invited to enjoy dinner and cozy up by the fire as we celebrate Twelfth Night and Epiphany. These traditional days of feasting and joy will feature delicious tacos, s’mores, and a fun movie for the kids! Please RSVP so we can plan for dinner. We look forward to celebrating together!
Contact Renee Stephens | rstephens@holyinnocents.org
| |
|
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
| |
|
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.
| | | | |
