YMGI Grant Proposal Submitted
During the summer of 2016, Holy Family Episcopal Church will pilot the week-long Mission: United in Faith event for youth. This mission trip is part of the larger Episcopal Youth Exchange Program. The goals for this program are to provide experiences that will positively impact faith formation and develop the Episcopal identity of our youth.
The mission group will participate in team-building activities, worship services, urban and rural community outreach efforts, nature conservation activities, and educational experiences. We hope that this impact will lead to continued active church participation and a life guided by Christian values. We believe that the proposed programming will have a lasting impact not only on the youth, but also the entire congregation of Holy Family.
The Episcopal Youth Exchange Program is made possible by a Youth Ministry Grant Initiative from the Center for Congregations. The program was developed and directed by Holy Family member Rachelle Galvin. Signing the grant proposal, shown above, are Holy Family’s rector, The Reverend Michael Galvin and Senior Warden, Benjamin Paden.
Community Garden Opens
The Holy Family Community Garden is exactly that, a community of gardeners! Of the 32 individuals and families who garden in it, 28 (88%) are not members of Holy Family. They are members of the surrounding community. Every year gardeners express how much they appreciate Holy Family providing this garden area, and every year we get emails from others saying, “I have a friend who gardens there and I’d like to see if I can get one.” Or, “I live nearby and I think this is wonderful! Do you have a spot available?” The gardeners recently kicked off the 2016 growing season with an informational meeting and planning session.
Everyone works together to make it happen! Recently we saw clear evidence of this community coming together to help one another. When James’ trailer broke down, he was unable to bring his tractor tiller. With only a rented hand tiller, our job of tilling 63 garden plots looked daunting, at best. Call it what you will, but in my words “God happened” that day!
Several gardeners showed up and began helping clean up and take turns on the hand tiller. Boy Scouts came and helped tear down the old compost bins and rake old grass from plots to help the tiller get through. A mom and her young Girl Scout showed up and asked how they could help, then spent the next couple of hours pulling weeds and removing old tomato cages.
And then, something really amazing happened. A man came up to us and said he drove by and saw us working. He said he had a Kubota tractor with a 5 foot-wide tiller on the back, and asked if we’d like his help. We agreed and asked what he would charge. “No charge,” he said, “just Christians helping Christians.” He spent the next few hours tilling up 50+ plots, much to the relief of many arms and backs. He requested nothing in return. The odds of someone in a suburban neighborhood having a tractor/tiller like that are very low. He just happened to drive by that day and was kind enough to help. God’s love for us was obvious that day. I really do believe that. If ever there was a true “community” garden, Holy Family’s is it!
submitted by Jim Agnew, Community Garden Co-Chair
Disciples: Hospitality Hosts
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Students from our Disciples Sunday school class gathered recently to prepare snacks for a special hospitality brunch. They enjoy working together to serve others, particularly with food preparation.
Kids Helping Kids
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On Saturday, March 5th, students in preschool through third grade helped pack up needed hygiene items into bundles for children in area schools. This project was created by MAASK, a local organization that wanted to find meaningful ways for young children to participate in hands-on service projects. While this organization leads other activities, one of its most important goals was to provide these opportunities for young children and their families. Many local outreach projects require a minimum age of 16 or even older. This event was organized in such a way that even our littlest lambs could participate.
Holy Family’s Godly Play and Believers classes plan to adopt this project for two area schools in the coming year. To contribute monetary donations to this outreach project, please submit a check with HYGIENE BUNDLES in the memo line. You may also make a donation using our online payment link. The congregation is also invited to participate in packing supply bundles – our newsletter will announce future events. Please contact Jolene Johnston for more information. jjohnston@hfec.org
Meals for the PourHouse
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On Saturday, members of our Youth Group and congregation gathered to prepare sack lunches to distribute through the PourHouse. The PourHouse assists individuals experiencing homelessness in overcoming barriers to housing, treatment and healthcare. Through community-style street outreach and a unique peer advocacy approach, they help people define and achieve their goals and reestablish vision for their lives.
Each Wednesday and Sunday evening, 250 sack lunches are distributed downtown on Monument Circle. The Pour House relies on volunteer donations to provide these meals. Members of our youth group and congregation made 250 sandwiches and then packed them in paper bags with fruit, chips, and a dessert. With all the hard work from each volunteer, we were able to prepare and assemble all the lunches in less than and hour. The Youth Group plans to prepare meals for the PourHouse on a regular basis. Please send us an email if you would like to participate. hfecyouthgroup@gmail.com
Firefighters, Flames, and Forgiveness
This weekend members of our Youth Group gathered to cook and deliver pizzas to firefighters at Station 91 in Fishers. As part of their Lenten lock-in, students wanted to serve those in our community who typically serve others.
Upon returning to the church, Deacon Cathy led a spiritual session about forgiveness.
Our new pal, Larry the bear, even took time to reflect with the students.
As part of the meditation, everyone wrote down the name of someone who had been forgiven, needed forgiveness, or had offered them forgiveness. The names were offered up in prayer and firelight.
The evening finished with a pizza dinner and typical lock-in activities. For more information about Holy Family’s Youth Group please contact hfecyouthgroup@gmail.com.
Snacks for Miracle Place
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Students from our Disciples Sunday school class, grades 4-6, gathered recently to learn more about the children’s programs at Miracle Place in Indianapolis. Doing homework, reading, playing games, participating in Cub Scouts, decorating cookies, shooting hoops, and participating in the fitness program provide the children with a safe, warm and loving environment. The care and concern of the staff and volunteers at Miracle Place give the children a sense of belonging. Lessons in politeness, respect, and self-discipline are emphasized each day.
They gathered in our newly-renovated Narthex space to hear about the program and facilities, a discussion led by Deacon Cathy Scott and parent Susan Stahly. Following the discussion, the students and leaders prepared snacks that will be enjoyed by students who attend the Miracle Place after school program.
Larry, our new friend from England, stopped by to help pack a few snacks and sign notes to the children.
Disciples class students presented the snacks during the Offertory at Sunday’s 10 AM service and helped bless them before they were delivered to Miracle Place during the week. More information about outreach projects at Holy Family can be seen by clicking HERE or contacting the church office. admin@hfec.org
Thanksgiving 2015
Children from our Sunday school classes carried four baskets of donated food forward to be blessed by Father Mike during our 10 AM service this week. Holy Family pairs with the Delaware Township Trustee’s office to support families in need.
Deacon Profile: Cathy Scott
Our very own Deacon Cathy Scott was interviewed by the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis about her ministry and work at Holy Family. You may view her video by clicking on the image above.
Feeding the Five Thousand
Our Miracles of Jesus unit continued with the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. The children brainstormed ways to help feed the “five thousand” in their community. As a final activity, the students used canned and boxed goods donations given by congregation members as well as those collected at the recent Fishers High School Choirs concert to create a sculpture of a boat, The boat stood in the Narthex as a reminder to bring more food donations before the items were delivered to the Delaware Township Trustee’s food pantry. In total, over seven hundred pounds of food were delivered to the food pantry to restock their shelves for families in need.