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.
Shrove Tuesday 2016
Mobile users please CLICK HERE to view the entire post with more photos.
Shrove Tuesday at Holy Family was particularly exciting this year as we celebrated the first large-scale use of our new parish hall. We held a liturgy to burn palms from 2015, the ashes from which will be used in our services tomorrow on Ash Wednesday.
We “buried the Alleluia” and put away our gold and white banner until Easter Vigil.
Finally, we enjoyed pancakes with all the extras in our annual Pancake Supper youth group fundraiser. Special thanks are extended to all those who cooked and served food at tonight’s event.
Christmas 2015
Holy Family enjoyed plenty of family time this year. Click each link to view photos from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
Candy Cane Evangelism
Mobile users, please CLICK HEREto view the entire post with more photos.
In our final intergenerational Advent Sunday school gathering this year, Deacon Cathy Scott engaged children and adults in a discussion about evangelism.
Sunday school mentor Heather Tannas read The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg which explains the Christian symbolism of the traditional holiday candy.
Following the story, participants created welcome bundles for family and friends that include a packet of hot cocoa, a candy cane, and a postcard with Christmas service times. The bundles were distributed to families during the 10 AM service to invite others to spend Christmas with our Holy Family.
Ugly Sweater Sunday 2015
Holy Family held its first Ugly Sweater Sunday and encouraged all members to wear their finest holiday wear. Winners were crowned in categories including Best Children’s Sweater, Best Homemade Sweater, Noisiest Sweater, and Best (Worst?) Ugly Sweater Overall. Additional photos of more ugly sweaters can be seen by clicking HERE.
Twelve Ways of Giving
Mobile users, please CLICK HERE to view this post with more photos.
During our 9 AM Christian education hour, we gathered everyone together for an intergenerational approach to Advent. First, we heard a reading of The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall. Then our Youth Group members presented a comical rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Our participants divided into three groups and brainstormed “ways of giving” in honor of St. Nicholas. They were encouraged to think about ways to “be present” in the lives of friends and family as well as ways of physically giving money or other items.
The ideas were compiled into a convenient handout that was distributed to families following the 10 AM service. Children were also offered a chocolate coin in honor of St. Nicholas. For more information about our youth or adult Christian programming, please contact Jolene Johnston. jjohnston@hfec.org
Fall Youth Retreat 2015
Members of Holy Family’s Youth Group participated in the Diocesan Fall Youth Retreat held at the Waycross Camp and Conference Center this weekend. This year’s retreat focused on The Episcopal Church: Past, Present, and Future. Our students were joined by many others from the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. Members from the Diocesan Bishop Search Committee attended the conference and met with students, parents, and adult leaders to hear their wishes for a new Bishop.
Holy Family’s Youth Group presented a whimsical version of a class Christmas song at the talent show. They will share this presentation with Holy Family’s congregation during our intergenerational Advent program on Sunday, December 6th at 9 AM.
Acolyte Training 2015
Following the 10 AM service on Sunday, acolyte leader Joe Spangler and Father Mike led a training session for new and returning acolytes. Following the session, everyone was invited to share in a pizza lunch. If you or your child is interested in serving as an acolyte, please contact the church office. admin@hfec.org
2015 Diocesan Convention
Mobile users please CLICK HERE to view the full post with more photos.
Youth Delegate Ethan Everett, Holy Family Delegate Ellen Everett,Father Michael Galvin, Holy Family Delegate Patrick Burke
The 178th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, Part Two of a two-part convention this year, was held on October 23-24 at the Wyndham Indianapolis West, hosted by St. John’s , Speedway. More information about convention can be found by clicking HERE.
Holy Family Deacon Cathy Scott
Holy Family Brotherhood “Senior Brother” Joe Spangler
Holy Family member Ruth Everett and Youth Steering Committee members
Magic or Miracles?
Mobile users please CLICK HERE to view the entire post with more photos.
This week, children in our Sunday school and Youth Group programs finished their fall unit about the Miracles of Jesus. Children and teachers presented a few magic tricks to the group and shared in a meaningful discussion about why the miracles of Jesus were much more than just magic.
Following the discussion, the children got into small groups and planned out ways to present the bible stories we reviewed through charades. The stories included Jesus walking on water, calming the storm, healing the blind and paralyzed, filling the nets with fish, and feeding the five thousand.
