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Prayers for Apalachee High
We light these candles as we call to mind the many victims of gun violence and especially for those who have been killed outside Winder, Georgia this morning. We lift our prayers for those who have been left behind, the families, friends, and loves ones of those taken by gun violence. We pray that in this time of heartbreak, grief, and loss that they might find comfort and hope to face the days ahead, and that their tears may be turned into songs of joy. May this tragedy not be in vain, and may we shape a new story of hope from the broken pieces of grief. Amen.
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Episcopal School Sunday
One of the first lines I ever was asked to memorize was from William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The speech is from Marc Anthony's eulogy of Caesar as he stands near the assassins. He must thread the line between speaking truth and keeping the murderers from turning their wrath on him. The quote is one often heard but not always understood, "The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interrèd with their bones."
As humans, we often have a tendency to focus on the bad news, on the scandalous stories, and on the trauma of one event or another. The tragedy in this focus on the negative is that we both neglect the good and even take it for granted. In psychology, the term is simply "The Negativity Bias." We all have it. We learn more from negative events, believe things more if they are bad news, and are motivated more completely when we want to avoid a negative result. Some scientists think this view comes from our days surviving as one animal among many in the woods. By focusing on threats, it kept us safe and sound. The problem is that today we can harm our relationships, our work, and our lives by focusing on the negative.
I say this because many folks hear that we have Episcopal School Sunday and a mini- Parish Meeting - and the questions immediately start: "What's wrong with our relationship with the school?" "Oh no, are we out of money?!" "Great, they are going to ask us for money!" The Negative Bias takes off and flourishes in a wide variety of ways.
The reality is that things are going very well indeed. We just want to share the good news and the great news about what is happening at the school this Sunday, September 8, and the church on September 29. We want to talk about how to get folks more involved as we grow and flourish at the Ministry Fair on September 15. We want to reframe our relationships with God and each other- and even with the Annual Meeting.
Sometimes blessings abound and it is good to celebrate those gifts and wins. Even with the difficulties of this life and the hard times, we have gifts and love that sustain us. Or, if you want to get scientific, the best way to reverse the Negative Bias is to reframe the conversation. Instead of expecting the worst, accept the challenges of life and prepare for ways to make things better. Even more, expect some good news to come that will counter the tough news. And celebrate that God is with us across the board.
So come on Sunday and celebrate Episcopal Schools Sunday. The school provides breakfast at 9:00 AM followed by updates from School leadership and me. The Upper School Chorus and string ensemble will join our choir for special music! Come next week and find ways to help us grow in faith, hope, and love in the Ministry Fair. Come again on September 29 for our mini-Parish Meeting to celebrate the good news of all that is happening in our community and our church!
Peace,
The Rev. Dr. Bill Murray
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Episcopal School Sunday
September 8
Join us for Episcopal School Sunday as we celebrate the 65th anniversary of HIES's founding. We will unveil the portrait of the Rev. Hugh Saussy, and breakfast will be provided by the school at 8:45 AM. Join our Rector Bill Murray, Day School head Paul Barton, and other leaders from the school to discuss where we have been and where we are going in the next 65 years.
The Upper School Chorus and string ensemble will join our choir for special music!
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Reading Connections
September 9
Reading Connections is the women’s book club! The book for September is Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. We meet at 6:00 PM in the conference room.
Contact Kathie Larkin | kathie.larkin@retired.paceacademy.org
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Men's Dinner and a Book
September 10, 6:30 PM
The next book is The Women by Kristin Hannah. Ham Henson 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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Ministry Fair
September 15 @ 9:00 AM
The Altar and Flower Guilds provide breakfast, and there are numerous groups where you can worship, connect, and serve! During Formation time, Inglett Hall will be transformed into a Ministry Fair where each group will have a booth and you can learn more about ways to get involved at the church. We are enthusiastic about our ongoing growth and community involvement, and we invite you to join us on this journey.
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Compact Wisdom Series
As we delve into these brief yet profound books, we will uncover their timeless wisdom. Join us in exploring these compact yet powerful books, each offering unique insights into faith, perseverance, love, and redemption. We will deepen our understanding and find relevance in these scriptures for our lives today. This study will nurture our faith and grow our community as we break open the scriptures together.
- September 22: 1, 2, and 3 John led by Stewart Lucas
- September 29: Mini Parish Meeting - Master Planning, Mortgage & Stewardship News
October & November: a class with John Porter and Bill Murray as well as the last three weeks of the Compact Wisdom Classes.
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Foyers Sign Up
A Foyers group is a random collection of 8 people from church, who don’t already know each other, with the sole purpose of sharing a meal and getting acquainted. Foyers captures Holy Innocents’ fall theme of Nurturing Faith, Cultivating Community.
The meals are meant to be simple, inexpensive, and stress-free. For each dinner gathering, two participants co-host a meal.
We have a sign-up table in Bishop Commons at church or the link below.
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An Evening with the 1872 Legacy Circle
September 19
You're invited to celebrate the 1872 Legacy Circle, honoring parishioners who have included Holy Innocents in their estate plans to ensure our church’s mission and ministry continue for generations. Whether you’re already part of the Legacy Circle, curious about planned giving, or simply want to enjoy a lovely evening with fellow parishioners, we encourage you to attend. We hope you’ll join us for a meaningful evening of fellowship, reflection, and inspiration on September 19 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in Bishop Commons. Light refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome. If you have any questions, please reach out.
Contact Meredith Johnson | mgj30327@gmail.com
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Third Friday: Men of HI
September 20
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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Church of the Common Ground
September 22
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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Iconography Workshop
October 6-11
Join us in writing an icon! No previous experience is needed. Just a desire to try to push paint around and enjoy the process! This year, we will be painting the icon of Jonah. Jonah may well be the perfect prophet for this moment as we think and pray on our election, our nation, and our world. Where is God in all of this? Where is Jonah? Where are we?
Noted iconographer Mary Jane Miller will be joining us again and leading us in prayer, reflection, and conversation around this unique icon of faith. The class is open to all but limited to 15.
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LaAmistad Needs Volunteers to Teach Basic ESL Classes October 7-December 18
LaAmistad returns to Holy Innocents offering adult immigrant students in our community the opportunity to improve their English fluency in its English for Successful Living (ESL) program. The curriculum focuses on the use of English for everyday situations, and volunteers are trained and mentored by experienced and certified ESL professionals. Speaking Spanish is not required; conversational English is the goal of this basic class. Classes run October 7-December 18, on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm.
Contact Howard Clark | ghowardclark@gmail.com.
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Youth Group: Service
September 8, 1:15-4:30 PM
This school year, our youth group is focusing on practices we can do to strengthen our faith. On Sunday, September 8th we will head to AG Rhodes Senior Center to host an ice cream social and play games with the residents! We will use this opportunity to spread God's joy to those who need it. We will meet at 1:15PM and be back at the church at 4:30PM. Transportation is provided but please RSVP by September 4th to reserve your seat.
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GLOW
September 11, 6:00–7:00 PM
Come and GLOW with us for our first meeting of the year. Our kids are offered seemingly endless opportunities for activities and stimulation. Let’s take a step back and see how we can renew our strength through spiritual disciplines. Kids, PreK-5th grade, will learn four easy spiritual disciplines that we will practice all year long. PLUS hang out with friends, share a snack, and make your very own scripture jar to take home!
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Club 45 Waffle House Day
September 15, 9:00 AM
Join us for a special day in Club 45! We will enjoy a catered Waffle House breakfast and have a special guest speaker. No rsvp needed. Reach out to Ms. Renee if you have any questions. rstephens@holyinnocents.org
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Club 45 Kickoff Event
September 25, 6:00-8:00 PM
4th & 5th graders are invited to a very special Club 45 Kickoff Party. Join us for pizza, an escape room, and a time of fun and fellowship as we start an exciting new year of Club 45. RSVP by September 18.
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Click above to watch Marycelis' sermon from last Sunday! | |
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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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