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Renee's Reflections
February is a difficult grief month for me. One day in February of 2022, my life changed forever. I didn’t wake up that day knowing that anything significant was going to happen but I went to bed a different person. I’ve been wrestling with that grief ever since. We don’t ask for the hard things in life but they come in all sizes. Death, divorce, illness, financial strain, your child’s struggles. Grief of all shapes and sizes rise up out of nowhere and present themselves as mountains to climb. Some days we feel equipped to make that climb and some days we feel like we don’t quite have the right gear.
I wish I could tell you that grief gets lighter over time, but it doesn’t always work like that. It is a painful process of letting go met by a sacred presence. God is there in the midst of our deepest pain - at the point where we think we could not possibly cry another tear. Grief changes you.
As we enter into a new season of the church next week, I invite you to lean into that sacred presence. No matter the hardship that you face, God cares deeply about it and is there to journey alongside you.
Warmly,
Renee
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Adult Forum
Join us for Donuts in Bishop Commons Sunday and stay for the next session of our series on Jesus as Healer. Lawson Kelly will use clips from The Chosen as well as her experience with Healing Prayer through the Daughters of the King, grief programs, and other therapeutic work in her background.
The Gospel versus Tony Soprano:
What Are Ethics in the 21st Century?
Sundays at 9:00 AM | March 8 - 29
During Lent, Bill Murray and John Porter will lead a lively, thoughtful exploration of the HBO series The Sopranos as a modern morality play. Using selected scenes and guided conversation, we’ll wrestle with questions of sin and self-deception, happiness and misery, integrity, and compartmentalization, asking what it really means to live a morally good life. Set alongside Jesus’ teaching that we are known by our fruits, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, and Post-modern Nihilism, this class invites honest reflection, spirited discussion, and a deeper look at the stories that shape us.
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Shrove Tuesday
February 17, 6:00-7:30 PM
Join us for a festive Pancake Supper as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday! Come hungry and enjoy a ton of delicious food, a live band, and great fellowship. Cost is $10 per person. Let’s celebrate together before we begin the season of Lent!
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Curious About Holy Innocents?
Whether you’re new to the Episcopal Church, returning after time away, or simply ready to go deeper—we invite you to take the next step through our Confirmation Classes. These gatherings are a welcoming, no-pressure way to explore our faith, our community, and what it means to belong. Classes for adults will begin on Sundays after the 10:15 am service on March 1 in the Parlor for 5 weeks.
The Rt. Rev. Rob Wright, Bishop of Atlanta, will visit on May 31, to welcome and confirm new members. Adults please email the Rev. Ruth Pattison (rpattison@holyinnocents.org) or the Rev. Stewart Lucas (slucas@holyinnocents.org). Parents should email Megan Atkinson (matkinson@holyinnocents.org).
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Sacred Law or Sacred Lore: Why Do We Do What We Do?
February 26, March 5, 12, 19 | 7:00 PM
This Lent, we are delighted to partner once again with our friends at Temple Sinai for our annual shared series, led by Bill Murray and Rabbi Ron Segal. Together, we will explore what practices and rituals our respective faith traditions specify as actual requirements, which are informed by regional and cultural norms, and which long-held beliefs and practices originate in superstitious lore. Refreshments at 6:30 PM, program from 7:00-8:15 PM. Meetings will alternate between Temple Sinai and HIEC, beginning at Temple Sinai.
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Agape Family Dinner
April 2, 6:00-7:30 PM
Celebrate Holy Week with us at our Agape Family Dinner on April 2nd at 6:00 PM. This special evening invites all ages to gather around the table for food, fellowship, and reflection as we remember the Last Supper. With activities for children, youth, and adults, this will be a welcoming space to connect and share together. Whether you’re new or have been part of our community for years, all are welcome to attend and invite others. A catered Mediterranean dinner will be served. $10 per adult; children and youth eat free.
Registration coming soon!
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Habitat for Humanity Build
February 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.
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Third Friday: Men of HI
February 20, 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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Coffee for Parents of Young Children
February 22, 9:00-10:00 AM
Parents and caregivers of children age 4 and under are invited to a cozy coffee hour to connect and get to know one another. This gathering is open to members, newcomers, and families baptized within the last three years. No agenda, just coffee, fresh pastries, conversation, and community.
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Women of HI: Corks and Conversation
February 25, 5:30-7:00 PM
Women of HI are invited to gather for an evening of relaxed conversation and connection at Corks & Conversation. Join us on Wednesday, February 25, from 5:30–7:00 PM for a casual time to unwind, meet new faces, and build meaningful relationships across generations. Whether you’re new to HI or have been here for years, this is a space to connect, laugh, and encourage one another in community.
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Prayer Shawl
March 3, 7:00-8:30 PM
Join us in the Parlor on Tuesday, March 3, 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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Men's Retreat
April 24-26
Bill Harkins returns as retreat leader for the Men of HI Retreat at Lake Logan Episcopal Center in the mountains of North Carolina. This year’s theme is “Arete, Faith, and a Rule of Life for Connection Among Men.” Bill will serve as both facilitator and homilist, offering the grounded presence and depth many have come to value over the years.
Contact John Harris harris4338@gmail.com
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GLOW
March 4, 6:00-7:00 PM
Let’s GLOW together! Kids are invited to a faith-filled evening during the season of Lent, a time of reflection, prayer, and drawing closer to God. Through age-appropriate activities, children will explore what it means to slow down, notice God’s presence, and grow in faith during this sacred season. Each child will take home something meaningful to support their Lenten journey at home, for kids ages PreK–5th grade.
All ages are invited to gather for dinner at 5:30 PM. After dinner, kids will head to GLOW while parents are welcome to stay for wine and conversation. Friends are always welcome!
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Bucket List Book Club
March 3, 1:00 PM
This co-ed group is reading Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. 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
March 10, 6:30 PM
The book is Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home by Chris La Tray. Rolf Meinhold is hosting. All men at H.I. are invited!
Contact Jeremy Webber
jhwwebber@gmail.com
| | Click the video above to watch last Sunday's 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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