Renee's Reflection

I just got back from a relaxing vacation to the Riveria Maya in Mexico, which is an area known for the Mayan ruins that are scattered all around the peninsula. This was the reason that I chose to visit there. I could visit some of the ruins and learn more about the distant connections my ancestors had to the other Indigenous peoples of North America. While I was touring, I learned about a tree that is sacred to the Mayans, the ceiba pentandra. It is considered sacred because it was thought that it connected the heavens above to the earth around us to the spiritual underworld. It was believed to have this power of connection because its roots stretch all the down from its branches to find the ground and then the tree grows up to 240 feet tall. So in the tree, they found a way to connect the different spiritual realities that encircle our human experience with the huge physical reality of what we see and interact with daily. I stood there and offered prayers at one of these trees and I thought about how so much of the goodness of life is under the surface.

The inexpressible joy that we feel in the presence of our loved ones, the love that we share for God and each other, the wonder and bewilderment of a beautiful starry night, early morning sunrise, or a moving piece of music. It’s been on my mind a lot about how we instinctively think of “heaven” as above or beyond but for ancient indigenous it was equally important what was below and under the surface. We all carry so much under the surface of our lives. Our hopes and dreams, our past, our failings, our grief, our deepest desires, and our love for one another. All of these things are intricately connected to our physical experience and our spiritual relationship with God and to those around us and we have to take the time to cultivate and care for these roots so that when they bloom in our lives, their physical form represents our innermost beauty and complexity. So, wherever you are in the world today, take the time to remember that God created your “innermost being,” and you are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14) Everything that you carry with you is witnessed and held by God. You are loved beyond imagination. If you are in town this weekend, join us on Sunday morning for Camp HIEC. Our special intergenerational summer formation is where we are taking time to slow down, play, and find rest in God.

With love in Christ,

Renee Stephens

Director of Membership and Children’s Ministry

As many of you know, we have an extraordinary sexton, Isabelly. She is deep cleaning the church from the Nursery to the Parish Hall Classrooms. She has cleaned the carpet in the choir room so well that we no longer need to replace it! Currently, she is working to steam every chair in Inglett! We appreciate her so much and are lucky to have her with us.

Summer Church Camp

Sunday, June 30 - August 3

We’re bringing camp home, right here, every Sunday morning, at 9 am.

Fun and carefree, relational and community building, expressive and creative, playful and devotional. This will be our Summer Camp at HIEC!

Worship, Formation, and even a Canteen...

Beginning next week, June 30, for 6 weeks, we are going green with bulletins, delighting in the freshness of the piano and singing songs, wearing camp clothes (and shoes), and getting creative with the prayers of the people.  

Summer church camp at HI is for all who long to play and find the welcome place where all of us can relish the beauty and joy of our community. Please join us at 9 am in the Parish Hall.

If you have questions or want to help, contact Ruth.

Volunteers Need for LaAmistad

LaAmistad is a community-supported non-profit organization working to empower Latino students and families to achieve their dreams. Holy Innocents has a long-standing connection to this terrific organization that offers a holistic programming structure that includes after-school tutoring, parent education, and educational summer enrichment programs.

LaAmistad offers students the opportunity to improve their English fluency in our English for Successful Living (ESL) program. The in-person classes are open to anyone in the community who wants to learn English regardless of origin. These volunteer-led instructional programs offer the immigrant population the opportunity to take English classes with an instructor. Volunteers are trained and mentored by experienced and certified ESL professionals. The curriculum focuses on the use of English for everyday situations and provides preparation for various purposes.  

Many Holy Innocents members have been volunteer instructors. LaAmistad is in great need of more volunteers. Classes will meet at Holy Innocents on Saturday mornings July 20-September 21 from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. If you want to learn more, please contact Erin Brush, ebrush@laamistadinc.org or call 321-704-6188. https://laamistadinc.org/

Reading Connections

July 8

Reading Connections is the women’s book club! Join us at 6:00 PM in the conference room. The book for July is Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah. 

Contact Kathie Larkin | kathie.larkin@retired.paceacademy.org

Men of HI: Dinner and a Book

July 9

The next Men’s Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, July 9 at 6:30 PM and the book is Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. Tony Clarke is hosting.

Contact Jeremy Webber | jhwwebber@gmail.com

HIYA: Mellow Mushroom Lunch

July 14

Ready for some fun and great food? Join us for lunch at Mellow Mushroom, 6100 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, right after the service on July 14. It's the perfect way to kick back, make new friends, and enjoy a tasty meal together.

Third Friday: Men of HI

July 19

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

HIYA: Pool Party

August 3, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM

All young adults are welcome to enjoy a refreshing pool party and savor a delicious seafood boil crafted by Jenny Cantrell. Bring your swim gear and your appetite! Please RSVP.

Backpack Blessing and Picnic

August 11

Join us for a special Backpack Blessing and Picnic on August 11 during the 10:15 service! Bring your backpacks for a blessing to kick off the new school year with positivity and prayer. After the service, stay for a hamburger and hotdog picnic with your church family. It's a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate, and enjoy some summer fun. Don't forget to invite friends and family! We look forward to seeing you there.

Episcopal School Sunday September 8

Join us for Episcopal School Sunday on September 8, 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.

Ministry Fair

September 15

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.

Habitat for Humanity Build

Now through July 13

Holy Innocents, St. James Methodist, Cathedral of St. Philip, St. Martin in the Fields, and St. Luke’s Presbyterian are sponsoring Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s summer faith build. All parishioners 16 and older may participate. No skills are required, just the desire to help an Atlanta family buy a home at a very affordable price. Learn more here.



Contact John Harris | harris4338@gmail.com | 678-761-6765

Solidarity Backpack Drive Needs Your Help

July 20

Back to school is coming fast and there is a huge need to fill backpacks for Sandy Springs students. There are two ways you can provide help: either by purchasing or dropping off new or gently used backpacks at the Church or Solidarity’s location. Please help make sure every child in Sandy Springs who needs a backpack gets one!

Contact Jan Paul | janpaul1005@gmail.com

CAC Backpack Drive

July 20

Help ensure every child starts the school year prepared by donating to the Community Assistance Center. They provide free, customized backpacks filled with school supplies tailored to each school and grade level for children in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. Your donation can make a big difference in a child's education and future. Join us in supporting our community's students!

Church of the Common Ground

July 21

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. 

Volunteer for Emmaus House Dinner

June 27

Holy Innocents is sponsoring a dinner for parents and their children who are enrolled in The Children’s Defense Fund summer program at Emmaus House on June 27th. We need volunteers to assist with serving the meal and/or providing desserts, tea, and lemonade. Contact Lilia Romero at lgrrn@comcast.net for additional information and to sign up!

Mocha Meetups

Every Wednesday, 1:00 PM

Join Megan every Wednesday this summer at Starbucks for Mocha Meetups! Calling all middle and high schoolers for a cozy gathering filled with laughter, friendship, and of course, delicious coffee. It’s the perfect midweek treat to unwind and connect with new friends. See you there!

Click above to watch Stewart's sermon from last Sunday!

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.