Helping the Homeless
During Sunday school on April 29th, students in preschool through high school helped to pack supply bags for the homeless. They talked at length about the challenges faced by the homeless and how specific items in the bags can be comfort items or even save lives.
Youth Group member Mikaila Blake and her friend Lauren Crimm organized the outreach project. They also consulted Holy Family’s deacon, The Reverend Cathy Scott, for suggestions about distributing the bags. Deacon Cathy also helped secure additional donations of items from St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Carmel. Mikaila had the following to contribute:
“We decided to start a project to help the homeless in Downtown Indianapolis. We have always desired to make a difference no matter how big or small. A few months ago we started a Go Fund Me campaign so we could buy items that people like you and I take for granted. We raised around $350. With that money we bought dried fruit, water, drawstring bags, snacks, socks, deodorant, and dry shampoo. We also received items from our schools, CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ), family members, and St. Christopher’s Youth Group in Carmel. We appreciate all of the help and are very blessed to be able to do this for others!”
The bags were blessed by The Reverend Bob Dekker who celebrated Eucharist at Holy Family this week. For more information about ways to help the homeless, please contact our Deacon, the Reverend Cathy Scott. cscott@hfec.org
Welcome, Stepping Stones Preschool!
On Wednesday, April 26th, Holy Family hosted an open house to welcome the children and families of Stepping Stones Child Development Center, Inc. led by owner and Director Jenn Norris. (Pictured above are Senior Warden Ben Paden, Director Jenn Norris, and Children’s Ministry Director Jolene Johnston.) Stepping Stones has operated as an in-home preschool since 2003 and is partnering with Holy Family provide a new learning environment for its children.
Children and their parents met with church staff, enjoyed hospitality, and took a tour of the building and spaces that will be utilized by the preschool program.
We enjoyed the beautiful evening and gathered outside to play before going home. More information about Stepping Stones Child Development Center, Inc. is available by clicking HERE.
Consecration of Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows
Today we celebrated the ordination and consecration of Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis. The event was attended by nearly two thousand people at Clowe’s Memorial Hall at Butler University. Various readings and hymns were presented in English and Spanish. Bishop Jennifer is the 1,100th Bishop to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. Rt. Rev. Catherine Waynick, 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis, presented Bishop Jennifer with the Diocesan crosier (pastoral staff.)
The homily was given by the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Lee, 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago. Bishop Lee was the original church planter for Holy Family in Fishers and warmly addressed the parish in his opening remarks.
The chief consecrator for the ordination was The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. You may view the video of the entire consecration celebration by clicking here. Additional photos from the event can be seen here. For more information about the Diocese of Indianapolis, please visit the Diocesan website.
Celebrating Our Companion Diocese in Brasilia
Pictured from left to right: Bryan Luce (Global Missions Ministry representative from Holy Family), Ben Paden (Senior Warden), The Reverend Cathy Scott (Deacon), Rt. Reverend Mauricio Andrade and Sandra Andrade (Diocese of Brasilia), and The Reverend Jeff Bower.
We have prayed for our companion Diocese of Brasilia for many years. Thursday evening at Holy Family was spent meeting with Bishop Mauricio Andrade and his wife Sandra from Brasilia. They shared their story of faith along with successes and challenges with their new Diocese and were warmly received by many of our parishioners. We received a gracious invitation to visit them soon as well. Many thanks to all who assisted in helping make for a wonderful and enriching evening building new relationships. More information about the Diocese of Brasilia can be found by clicking HERE. – Bryan Luce, Global Missions Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis representative
Thank You, Father Steve
Holy Family extends heartfelt thanks to the Reverend Steven Giovangelo for serving with us throughout Lent and for Easter. Father Steve generously donated a beautiful icon of the Holy Family to its members and blessed it during his final service on Sunday.
Following the 10 AM service we honored Father Steve with refreshments and fellowship. Pictured above: Ben Paden (Senior Warden), Father Steve, Deacon Cathy Scott.
