Daughters of the King Online
Despite the limitations imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the Hannah Chapter of Daughters of the King at Holy Family has continued to remain a thriving community of faithful and connected women. In April, the current chapter officers hosted an online “Discover DOK” question and answer session for members of the congregation who were interested in learning more about the order. Following a period of discernment, four women have begun the National Study under the direction of Holy Family’s deacon, The Reverend Cathy Scott, who also serves as the chaplain of Hannah Chapter. In addition to prayer and study, Holy Family Daughters recently converted their birthday party to a ZOOM celebration. Chapter officers delivered goodie bags (contact-free) to the porches of all members which included a birthday napkin, noisemaker, individually-wrapped birthday cupcake, chocolates, and a birthday card with ZOOM information. Nearly two-thirds of the chapter’s members were able to attend the virtual birthday bash online which celebrated all Daughters. Hannah Chapter continues to look for ways to pray, serve, and evangelize during this uncertain time. For more information about the Hannah Chapter of Daughters of the King at Holy Family, please contact chapter secretary Jolene Johnston. jjohnston@hfec.org
Prayer Flight 2020
PrayerFlight is a group of men and women who have joined forces to pray over our cities, states, and nation from the unique perspective of flight. We understand that it is not where we are when we pray but rather the sincerity and fervency of our prayers that God hears and answers. Our dedicated men and women believe that it is from our perspective in flight which allows us the opportunity to observe God’s awesome creation and are reminded of our duty to pray for our fellow man, cities, and nation.
Through our perspective in flight, we desire to spend time in prayer specifically for the city that we are flying over. On days set aside by PrayerFlight, the mission is to cover entire counties, states, and our nation as Prayer Warriors team up with pilots and physically cover an assigned area with prayer.
Marty Blake, parishioner at Holy Family (Fishers, IN), was contacted by the national PrayerFlight coordinators to find a volunteer pilot for the Indianapolis Capital City flight on May 7, 2020. Marty is a commercial pilot and flight instructor and is employed by the Indiana Department of Transportation where he oversees and regulates aviation activities and facilities in the State of Indiana.
Marty volunteered to command the flight and asked the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows to fly along and pray over the Indianapolis metro area. A Cessna 182 Skylane was the aircraft used for the 40-minute flight. The flight flew over many suburban communities, several schools, and multiple parishes including St. Christopher’s (Carmel), Holy Family (Fishers), St. Paul’s (Indianapolis), Trinity (Indianapolis), and Christ Church Cathedral (Indianapolis). Additionally, the Indiana State House and government center building campuses were flown over at approximately 12:00 PM on May 7th. The Indiana capital PrayerFlight originated and terminated at Indianapolis Regional Airport, located on the east side of Indianapolis.
From Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows:
The word for bishop in Greek comes from episcope—meaning oversight. Participating in National Prayer Flight by praying over the geographic area in my care—in my oversight—was profound. The people in the congregations of the Diocese of Indianapolis and the workers, leaders, and legislators that help govern us are always in my prayer. However to literally pray over our region during a time of pandemic and crisis seems fitting and right. To share this experience with two faithful leaders of our diocese made it even more meaningful. With the Feast of the Ascension coming on May 21st, I prayed the following prayers in addition to the extemporaneous prayers offered.
Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Thou hast raised our human nature in the clouds to God’s right hand;
there we sit in heavenly places, there with thee in glory stand;
Jesus reigns, adored by angels; Man with God is on the throne;
there we sit in heavenly places, there with thee in glory stand;
Jesus reigns, adored by angels; Man with God is on the throne;
Might Lord, in thine Ascension we by faith behold our own.
Christopher Wordsworth (1807-85)
Christopher Wordsworth (1807-85)
Holy Family Episcopal Church in Fishers, IN
Downtown Indianapolis, INFor more photos from this Prayer Flight, please click HERE.
Online Worship: Out of the Box
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holy Family and most churches worldwide have transitioned their weekly worship services to solely online format. While this is obviously a limitation in terms of exchanging the peace with other congregation members in person and receiving Eucharist, the situation has also created an opportunity to reach worship participants all around the globe. Clergy members, staff, and volunteers have demonstrated creativity in their weekly readings, sometimes changing the physical location, props used, and presentation format in new and unique ways. Be sure to take note of each week’s worship video and watch for these “out of the box” presentations of scripture.
