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The Work Behind the Worship
Emily Badacour, Director of Communications
What a beautiful Holy Week and Easter season we shared!
For me, this season is always the most demanding of the year; it is filled with bulletins, newsletters, Easter letters, and countless moving pieces behind the scenes. And yet, I find that I love it. There is something deeply fulfilling about the rhythm, the urgency, and the shared effort of bringing it all together. It is a challenge, but one that is rooted in purpose.
Next week, I will be attending the Episcopal Communicators Conference. Over 120 communications and administrative professionals from across the country will gather for learning, collaboration, and inspiration. I was fortunate to attend in 2024, and I am grateful to return this year.
I am especially thankful for the many people who make this work not only possible, but beautiful: to Elise Thomason, whose designs bring depth and meaning to our Christmas and Easter materials in a way that truly enhances our worship experience; to Chris Protos, whose photography captures so much of the life and spirit of our community; and to the Rev. Stewart Lucas, whose guidance, careful eye, and steady support help ensure that every bulletin, newsletter, and email come together as it should.
Happy Easter Season. Christ is Risen. Alleluia, alleluia!
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TONIGHT–Wednesday of Easter Week
Stations of the Resurrection in Ventulett Gallery, 6:00 pm
This new contemplative experience is a prayerful way of engaging with artwork. Rather than asking whether we like a piece of art, we listen for how it moves or challenges us, trusting that the Holy Spirit works through what we see and feel. We will gather with the exhibit by artist Vitoria Phillips for guided prayer using art as our sacred text for a Stations of the Resurrection meditation concluding with Holy Eucharist.
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Women of HI: Spring Dinner
April 23, 6:00 PM
We are honored to welcome Peggy Whitlow Ratcliffe, Founder and Executive Director of Live Thrive, as our guest speaker. At its heart, Peggy’s story is an entrepreneurial journey—she saw a need in our community and quite literally filled it.
Through her work, she has made recycling more accessible across Atlanta, founding Live Thrive in 2010 and launching CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials), which has since diverted millions of pounds of waste from landfills and waterways.
Her work beautifully connects with the spirit of Earth Day, reminding us of our shared calling to care for and steward our environment. Come be inspired by Peggy’s story, learn about impactful work happening right here in our community, and enjoy a meaningful evening together.
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VBS 2026: Knights of the North Castle
June 1–5
Join Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church for an unforgettable week at VBS 2026: Knights of the North Castle! June 1st–5th from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm, children will step into a world of courage, faith, and fun as they learn what it means to “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power” (Ephesians 6:10). Through exciting Bible stories, music, crafts, games, and fellowship, campers will discover the Armor of Faith and how God equips us to stand strong in every season of life.
Optional aftercare is available until 3:30 pm for families who need a longer day of fun and supervision.
The week will conclude with campers sharing their VBS song during the 10:15 am service on Sunday, June 7th. Families are warmly invited to stay after the service for a picnic lunch as we celebrate a wonderful week together!
Cost: $85 per camper | $85 additional for aftercare
Open to rising Pre-K through rising 5th grade. Rising 6th grade and up are invited to serve as youth leaders. Youth leaders, please sign up to volunteer here.
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Third Friday Breakfast: Men of HI
April 17, 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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Prayer Shawl Ministry
May 5, 7:00-8:30 PM
Join us in the Parlor on Tuesday, April 7, 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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With Gratitude and Thanks from CAC
The Community Assistance Center (CAC) extends its heartfelt gratitude to our parishioners for your extraordinary generosity during this year’s Lenten Food Drive. Also, they’d like to thank the youth of Holy Innocents who sorted the donated food in this church-wide effort.
Because of your compassionate response, CAC received an abundance of food donations along with meaningful financial contributions that will directly support neighbors in need throughout our community. Your gifts help ensure that families facing food insecurity have access to nutritious meals and essential resources—not just during Lent, but in the critical weeks and months ahead.
Lent is a season rooted in reflection, sacrifice, and service to others. Each donated item and every dollar given, represents hope, dignity, and care for individuals and families who rely on CAC’s support. If you would still like to contribute food during Easter week, please drop it off in the Bishop Commons, and we will deliver it to CAC. If you’d like to donate, please visit ourcac.org.
On behalf of those we serve, thank you for standing with us in our mission to prevent homelessness and hunger in our community. Your generosity makes a lasting difference, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership.
If you’d like to learn more about Outreach at Holy Innocents, reach out to Charles Crosby (Charles@corepm.net) or Jan Paul (Janpaul1005@gmail.com).
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Church of the Common Ground
Sandwich Build
May 10, 11:15 AM
Please join us in the Parish Hall tomorrow to make sandwiches for our unhoused siblings who worship in Woodruff Park weekly. If you would like to help deliver the lunches and worship with our friends, we will leave at 12:15 PM.
Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com
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Reading Connections
April 13, 6:00 PM
The meeting begins with light refreshments in Inglett hall, and the book discussion begins at 6:30 PM. This month’s book is March by Geraldine Brooks, expanding on the character of the absent father from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. It follows him as a Union chaplain during the Civil War and explores his idealistic beliefs as they are challenged by the brutality of war, racism, and the horrors he witnesses, forcing him to confront the complexities of his faith and his family life. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2006.
Contact Michelle Driscoll
dris1296@yahoo.com
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Bucket List Book Club
April 7, 1:00 PM
This co-ed group is reading Three Men In A Boat by Jerome K Jerome. We’ll meet at 1:00 pm in the Parlor room.
Contact Audrey Sumner audreysum4833@gmail.com
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Men's Dinner & a Book
May 12, 6:30 PM
The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 PM and the book is Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose by Jennifer Wallace. Kevin Nuffer 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
| | Click here to watch the Easter Service! | | |
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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