Youth Group: Trust V
Nine of HFEC’s youth group members along with four visiting youth from St. Christopher’s in Carmel met for a cookout fellowship Sunday evening. HFEC has extended an invitation to St. Christopher’s youth for our gatherings as their parish is also in transition of rector and youth ministers simultaneously.
The group focused on communication skills and trust-building using Mobile Team Challenge low ropes course. Participants balanced on 3-inch high beams and helped support one another crossing an increasing span up to nine feet wide. This activity requires direct eye contact, open communication, and a high level of trust from both partners.
A most successful evening activity was finished out with Compline led by Sam Cleaver assisted by Mikaila Blake. The next evening gathering will be held on September 17th from 5:30-8:00 PM. Please contact Youth Director Marty Blake for more information about Holy Family’s Youth Group program. mblake@hfec.org
Confirmation Celebration 2017
During our 10 AM Service, four Holy Family members were recognized and blessed as recent Confirmands in the Episcopal Church. They were presented with a certificate signed by Diocese of Indianapolis Bishop The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Holy Family Deacon The Rev. Cathy Scott, and Confirmation instructor Bob Murray. They also received personal copies of the Book of Common Prayer. To close the special liturgy, all members in attendance placed their hands on the people in front of them as a traditional symbol of “laying on of hands,” offering congregational support throughout their spiritual journeys. We also celebrated a special hospitality with cake and ice cream. For more information about being Confirmed in the Episcopal Church, please contact The Reverend Cathy Scott at cscott@hfec.org.
Tools 4 School 2017
During our 10 AM worship service, The Reverend John Conners blessed our ingathering of school supplies that will donated to area children in need. Father John also blessed all students, teachers, bus drivers, school staff, and administrators for a safe and productive school year. For more information about ways to support school children in need, email Jolene Johnston at jjohnston@hfec.org.
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
Mission in the Mountains: Called to Serve
On Sunday, July 9th, Father John Conners commissioned the ten youth and four adults that will travel to Johnson City, TN on this year’s Mission in the Mountains trip. This mission trip is part of the larger Holy Family Youth Exchange program created with help from Youth Ministry Grant Initiative funds from the Center for Congregations.
We encourage you to join the Mission in the Mountains journey by following HFECyouthgroup on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. More information about the Youth Exchange program as well as photos and video from the 2016 trip are available by clicking HERE. Please contact Youth Director Marty Blake with questions about Holy Family’s youth group program. mblake@hfec.org
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Daughters of the King: New Members
During our 10 AM service on July 9th, four new members joined the Hannah Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King at Holy Family Episcopal Church through a service of admission. They were joined by other Daughters from our chapter. The Order of the Daughters of the King® is an order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, churches in communion with it, or churches in the historic episcopate but not in communion with it. Our membership currently includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Roman Catholic churches.
Father John Conners and Deacon Cathy Scott led the service which included the entire congregation. The Mission of the Order is the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through Prayer, Service, and Evangelism.
New members (from left to right): Susie Beard, Jennifer McGuire, Teresa Conroy-Roth, and Dee FInkbeiner
Following the service, a special hospitality was held in honor our newest Daughters. More information about the Daughters of the King can be found by clicking HERE or contacting the church office. admin@hfec.org
For His Sake…I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?
Indy Pride 2017
Several parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis combined to march in the 2017 Pride parade and offer a welcome exhibit in the display area. A great time was had by all as many cheered the enthusiastic presence of the large group.. More photos from this year’s parade and festival can be seen by clicking HERE
Our new Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, was unable to attend the Pride Parade due to presiding at Confirmation in Anderson but shared a message of support for all those participating in the parade. Click HERE to play Bishop Jennifer’s video message.
The Episcopal Church welcomes all!
More information is available at www.holyfamilyfishers.org.
Hero Central VBS 2017
In early June, Holy Family welcomed children to this year’s Vacation Bible School program. Children discovered their strength in God through our “Hero Central” theme. Each day included a bible story, crafts, outdoor games, music, science activities, and a snack. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of VBS leader Kristine Canter as well as our adults and youth leaders. More photos of our Hero Central VBS are available by clicking HERE. Please contact Children’s Ministry Director Jolene Johnston at jjohnston@hfec.org for more information about Children’s Ministry at Holy Family.
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
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.