Ugly Sweater Christmas Party 2017
On Saturday, December 2, 2017, Holy Family held its annual Christmas party. This year we celebrated in style with an ugly sweater theme. Guests enjoyed our photo booth with hats and accessories and shared food and fellowship throughout the evening. For more information about joining the fun at Holy Family, please contact our church office. admin@hfec.org.
Click HERE for more photos from this event.
Gospel at Hogwarts
The four Houses of Hogwarts, accompanied by their House Prefects and Professors, participated in a search for Gospel passages hidden within Hogwarts. Once the Gospel passages were discovered by each House, House members acted out the passage, in front of all the Houses, in the Great Hall and discussed how that passage was similar to a clip from a Harry Potter movie. House members learned about the compassion and generosity of Jesus and made connections to their own lives. All, from the youngest to the oldest, discovered their call to discipleship is both a covenant with God and an adventure that is never-ending.
View photos from our special Children and Youth Ministry
Gospel at Hogwarts by clicking HERE.
Contact Children’s MInistry Director Jolene Johnston for more information. jjohnston@hfec.org
Youth Group Teambuilding: Spider Web
Fourteen members of Holy Family’s Youth Group gathered on Sunday, October 22nd for a chili dinner followed by team building activities and worship. The chosen activity was “Spider Web” and is part of Mobile Team Challenge low ropes course which was purchased with YMGI grant funds, matched by HFEC YG fundraising and the Diocese of Indianapolis. With Halloween just a week away, the theme had the perfect seasonal nod.
In the activity, participants must traverse a “toxic spider web” without knocking it down. Team members must strategize and plan to develop the best approach for completing the task. The exercise requires support for all team members and physical effort and leadership from each person. Communication and trust are essential for successful completion. The youth made connections from this activity to their own faith journeys.
Following the activity, the attendees participated in Compline led by Thomas Canter and music worship led by Ian Johnston. Youth group members closed out the evening by making s’mores on a charcoal grill. The activities were led by Marty Blake and Jolene Johnston. For more information about Holy Family’s Youth Group, please contact Youth Director Marty Blake. mblake@hfec.org
Youth Group Fall Campout
Eight members of Holy Family’s Youth Group and four adult chaperones went on an overnight camping expedition to McCormick’s Creek State Park. Youth enjoyed hiking in McCormick’s Creek canyon and waterfall area and the Wolf Cave nature preserve. The youth also spent some time participating in team building activities. Additionally, the youth cooked two meals over a fire. The participants also shared Compline by campfire and held Morning prayer by the fire as well. More information about Holy Family’s Youth Group can be obtained by contacting Youth Director Marty Blake. mblake@hfec.org
CLICK HERE to view more photos from the Youth Group campout.
Stewardship 2018: Ingathering Sunday
On Sunday, August 27th, our entire parish family gathered to worship and thank God for His many blessings.
In response to God’s bountiful gifts, we offered our 2018 financial commitments to Holy Family and floated candles in the font to represent our journey together.
The commitment cards were blessed by the Reverend Bob Dekker who celebrated Eucharist with us that day.
Following the worship service, we gathered for food and fellowship in the parish hall. Holy Family’s rector search committee continues its work to discern the next steps in our transition. You may follow our rector search journey by clicking HERE or contacting the church office. admin@hfec.org
Pentecost 2017
On Saturday, June 3rd, Holy Family held it’s annual Pentecost celebration. This year our prayer service was organized by our own Deacon Cathy Scott. Music was provided by the youth of Holy Family led by guitarist Connor Wilson.
The Pentecost prayer service was held in our outdoor chapel. It was a hot day – we certainly felt the heat of the Holy Spirit!
An unusual feature of this year’s service was the reading of a portion of Acts 2 in multiple languages. Readers, shown above, were Jolene Johnston (Polish), Dan Chillemi (Spanish), Ian Johnston (French), Bob Murray (Italian), and Kristine Canter (German.)
Following the prayer service we held our traditional “Tongues of Fire” pitch-in picnic with entree items grilled by members of our Brotherhood of St. Andrew chapter. Families enjoyed the beautiful weather, played frisbee, and kids jumped in the bounce house. It was an incredible day of food, fellowship, and the fire of the Holy Spirit. For more information about upcoming events at Holy Family, please contact our church office. admin@hfec.org
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.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 2017
On February 28th, Holy Family’s Youth Group hosted its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper fundraiser.
Our kitchen crew, made up of primarily Brotherhood of St. Andrew members, cooks up a feast including four kinds of pancakes plus sausage, applesauce, and beverages,
Holy Family is delighted to serve congregation members and guests of all ages.
Midway through the event, we paused to participate in a liturgy to burn the palms used to create ashes for our Ash Wednesday service.
Some of our youngest participants watched from the comfort of our parish hall. The Youth Group members would like to thank those who volunteered as well as everyone who attended to support the event.
Our Ash Wednesday service will be held at 7 PM and is open to all.
Coffeehouse Talent Show 2017
On Saturday, February 4th, members of the Holy Family Youth Group hosted their first Coffeehouse Talent Show.
Visitors were treated to delicious desserts and beverages while enjoying musical performances by youth group students and parents.
This event serves as a fundraiser for youth group activities including their yearly mission trip. More information about the Holy Family Youth Group can be obtained by emailing Youth Director Marty Blake. mblake@hfec.org
