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Click above to hear a message from Chris Protos about why he and his family support Holy Innocents.
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You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free...
serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13
The Apostle Paul is clear in his letter to the Galatians. We can choose to be weighed down by the problems of this world and the brokenness that we all know. Or we can embrace the fact that Jesus has set us free. Christ has set us free from our sins and mistakes. The best way to respond to that incalculable gift is to care for and love one another.
We, the Vestry, staff, and clergy, all want the same feeling for Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church. We are not writing grand epistles that will stand the test of time. We want the church to put down the burden of carrying a mortgage. One side of that is to get the $130,000 a year in interest and principal payments off of our budget and restore funding to outreach and programs. On the spiritual and emotional side, we need to let our anger and frustration over renovation debt go. The best way to do that is to simply pay off the note.
To be clear, this Sunday, October 23, we will be gathering pledges for the annual stewardship campaign from which we will build our 2023 budget. On the same card is a separate line that asks for pledges for a three-year capital campaign to retire the $2 million mortgage. We already have $1.3 million in pledges. I know that we can gather as a community and retire the debt together. Please help us to increase our annual budget and retire this mortgage.
To use the elegant words of Paul more directly: You, my brothers and sisters, are called to be free. You are called to put down those past burdens and dream of a bright future for our church and our community. ou are called to love one another and help our community. Together we can reach this goal. Together we can retire the debt and grow our ministries. Together we can dream of a bright future for Holy Innocents. In doing this hard work today, you, my beloved friends, will be set free to serve.
Blessings,
Please find a letter from the Stewardship Team on our website here as well as an online pledge form. If you missed the video, please take a few minutes to hear from your fellow parishioners.
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This Sunday
8:00 AM: Worship, Christ Chapel
9:00 AM: Formation
Adult: Faith and Fiction, Large Conference Room
Adult: Seven Deadly Sins, Inglett Hall
Children: Sunday School, Parish Hall Classrooms
Youth: Sunday School, Frost Youth Center
10:15 AM: Worship, Nave
11:30 AM: Kirkin' O' the Tartan, Middle School Circle
12:00 PM: Cookout, Middle School Circle
5:00 PM: Spanish-speaking Worship, Nave
6:00 PM: Celtic-style Worship, Christ Chapel
All Day: Waterways & Whimsy, Ventulett Gallery
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Foyers | October 23
Foyers is a group of eight people from church, who don’t already know each other. Periodically, the group will share a meal and get acquainted. Foyers captures Holy Innocents’ “Open Minds, Full Hearts” spirit. The meals are meant to be simple, inexpensive, and stress-free. For each dinner gathering, two participants co-host a meal. There are options other than the household setting where you can host the meal when it’s your turn. Consider a picnic in the park, or a restaurant, or book the firepit at Holy Innocents. Sign-up for Foyers closes on October 23! Email Ruth to sign up.
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Vestry Nominations
The Vestry’s charge is to keep the mission relevant and vital, plan strategically, assure operations are meeting our needs, finances are stable, and our parish’s goals are reflected in budgets for outreach, children/youth/family, music, worship, pastoral care, Christian formation, and buildings/grounds. A Vestry member must be 18 years or older, a confirmed, pledging member of our church with a record of attendance. Please contact James Gates, Kathie Larkin, Holly Chesser, or Tommy Newton, who comprise the Nominating Committee if you are willing to consider serving in this key leadership role at Holy Innocents.
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Youth Small Group Sunday | October 23
All 6th-12th graders are invited from 4-6 PM. We will tackle a crucial question all Christian teens should ask and share a meal. Attend 5 or more of these gatherings and receive a leadership certificate. RSVP to Megan.
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Art Gallery Opening | October 27th
Please join us from 6:00-8:00 PM for the opening of Dan Gilstrap’s Still Processing. Gilstrap is an Atlanta-based artist that focuses on the "ever-changing interpretation of the state and condition of the mythic black body." This is done through a series of abstract works ranging from black figures and features in vast spaces, making statement work that encourages the exploration of reality.
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Youth: Harry Potter Halloween Party | October 30
Mark your calendars for a magical morning for your child! Our annual Children's Halloween Party is coming up on October 30 from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM! Pre-K through grade 5 is invited to join us for some faith, fun, and magic! Don't miss this magical morning of food, fun, and fellowship! The cost is $20.
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BBQ for Haiti | November 5
All-you-can-eat pork, brisket, and BBQ chicken tacos smoked by Craft BBQ. $40 a person or $120 a family at 4212 Regency Ct NW. Forging Futures was founded by John Porter and is dedicated to raising financial support to feed, educate, and empower children by maintaining schools and employing teachers in Leogane, Haiti.
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Youth Outreach: Buddy Bags | November 6
Our youth have worked together to create an outreach opportunity for the church! Our students will be collecting items to create Buddy Bags for our unhoused friends in Atlanta until November 6. You can bring your items to church and drop them off in front of the Nave or use our Amazon Wishlist to have them shipped directly. After worship on November 6, the youth will assemble each bag and get them ready to disperse to our church members. Each person will receive one or two bags to keep in their car for when they encounter a buddy this winter.
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All Saints Sunday Baptism | November 6
Our next date for baptism is All Saints Sunday, November 6. If you would like to have your child baptized or are interested in joining the church please contact Bianca Cato (bcato@holyinnocents.org) today. If you have other questions, please speak to Bill, Stewart, or Ruth. Click below to download the form.
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Artist Market | November 20
Shop till you drop on November 20! Select your one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts or personal treasures at our artist's market. The market will open at 9:00 AM and will include free coffee and some delicious breakfast purchases. Sales will continue after the 10:15 AM service concludes.
Are you an artist, a crafter, a baker, or a jelly maker? Bring The work of your hands to market. The tables are free and we welcome you to join us. Email rsvp@holyinnocents.org to reserve your spot!
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Thanksgiving Food Drive for Emmaus House | November 20
Emmaus House, where our friend the Rev. Kenya Thompson works, believes celebrating the holidays together is an important factor in maintaining family ties. With your help, we will help 50 families in need enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Please pick up a bag or two, which includes a list of items, to make all of their favorite side dishes. When you go shopping, pick out all the items from the list and add a prayer or two for the family who will receive it. Place the filled bags behind the information desk by Sunday, November 20.
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Youth Advent Fundraiser | November 27
It’s time for our church-wide Youth Advent Fundraiser! Last year we had a blast with live music, great food, and beautiful wreaths. Join us again on November 27th from 9-10 AM as we celebrate the season and prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. Our youth will cook you breakfast for $5 online and $10 at the door. Advent wreaths are $15 with all proceeds going directly to the youth group. Please register by November 21st.
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Youth Ski Trip | January 13-16
Our famous Youth Ski Trip is back! All 6th-12th graders and their friends are invited to join us over MLK weekend as we travel to West Virginia to hit the slopes, do some tubing, and have some snowball fights. The base cost is $485 per person and all participants must attend 4 Sunday school classes and 3 EYC events before departure. Register for this adventure by November 5th through the youth newsletter or our website.
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Annual Parish Retreat | February 10-12
Each year we get away for fellowship, worship, and fun together at Amicalola Falls. Registration coming soon, but mark your calendars now!
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Click above to watch Rev. Claiborne Jones' sermon from Sunday!
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