ADULT FORMATION PROGRAMS:
Sunday Mornings
November 2 No Adult Classes – All Saints’ Feast Day!
** Please know that you are welcome to attend any class any Sunday!
The Better Angels of Our Nature
Leaders-John Porter and Jeff Reichmann
Parish Hall
It is tremendously important that we try to make something of our lives. We were born for a noble purpose and that is to give birth to our hearts. How can we engage our better angels and focus on what matters? Here are a few of the questions we will pursue as we attempt to engage the better angels of our nature: How do I learn to ask for what I need? How do I stop using status as a measure of my self worth? How do I resisting comparing myself to others? How do I find the joy of being vulnerable? How do I feel about myself as I grow older?
Faith Matters
Leaders-Martha Sterne and Tony Clarke
Curtis Library in the Parish Hall Building
Jesus teaches that every portion of our lives – our histories, our jobs, our volunteer activities, our family/friend circles, our triumphs and our failures, our hopes and our doubts – can be a home for the sacred. Our fall curriculum will tap into Holy Innocents’ richest resource – the people. Each week, using a format adapted from NPR’s “This I Believe” series, we will focus on “faith matters” in the life of one of your neighbors in the pews. We have some fascinating folks lined up. Our hope is that this ongoing community conversation will help us deepen our spiritual lives as well as befriend one another. Drop-ins and newcomers welcome!
Parents in Conversation
Leader-Alison Schultz
Room 102 in the Parish Hall Building
Parenting class returns and issues an open invitation to all parents. The class meets most Sunday mornings and is a gathering place for all parents. It is an opportunity to get to know each other which will be great for us, our kids, and our community of faith. In this open forum, we will talk about parenting and spirituality and the world, our kids, the joys and the challenges and what works. Please join us. We hope that this open forum will also allow parents to participate in and with their children in their classes and activities as desired.
Faith and Fiction
Leader-Sally Parsonson
Conference Room in the Church Building
"A pilgrim," as defined by Ambrose Bierce, "is a traveler that is taken seriously." Whether our travels are pilgrimages outward into the world
or inward into our spiritual lives, we must put aside our expectations and preoccupations in order to discover all the wonders of these worlds. On this year's journey, the class will read an anthology of contemporary fiction by writers from more than thirty different countries and will discuss the nature of our own journeys. As is the custom in this class, we will read the story from the assigned list as "homework" and discuss it on Sunday morning. The anthology will be available for purchase at the first and subsequent class meetings.
Newcomers
Parish Leaders (September 21, 28, October 5)
Inglett Room in the Church Building
All newcomers and anybody else who wants to know more about Holy Innocents’ . . . Join parish leaders in the Inglett Room. The class is an overview of the life of Holy Innocents’ and addresses the following topics: What are we doing in worship? What is the Anglican ethos? Who is Holy Innocents’? How do I fit in?
Sunday Nights
Adult Confirmation Class
6:45-8:00- John Porter and friends
Classes are on the 4th Sunday of each month! (Sept. 29, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, NO Dec. meeting, Jan. 25, Feb. 22, Mar. 22)
Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength for the Holy Spirit through prayer and laying on of hands by the bishop. BCP 860
Adults interested in being confirmed, received or reaffirmed in the Episcopal Church are invited to attend this informative and often entertaining class. Classes explore the Anglican way of scripture, tradition, reason, and look at the history of the church, the Book of Common Prayer, and the sacraments. The class is informal and questions are welcome and encouraged. If interested please let any clergy know, by email or phone. John Porter leads this class and will be joined throughout the year by other clergy and friends.
Wednesday Lunch and Learn
Starts September 10- Wednesdays at 11:00 in the Inglett Room. Come to explore interesting topics and stay for lunch! Remember we have a Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel, so come early to feed your spirit.
Trials of the Century
Courtroom battles that changed America
September 10 – October 29
John Porter will explore famous trials that have formed our country’s national character and laws. Topics include the trial of John Scopes; The case of Leo Frank; Julius and Ethel Rosenberg;Sacco and Vanzetti; Roe v. Wade; Claus von Bulow; Lawrence v Texas ; and
finally Bernard Goetz.
Remembering the Pilgrims and the Plymouth Company
November 5 - 19
John Porter says the best thing that Priscilla ever did for herself was to marry John Alden. Miles Standish was a bad man.
Wednesday Nights
September 12-November 14 (Thanksgiving Break) December 5-19
Let somebody else cook supper for you and your family! We gather at 6:00 and programs start at 6:45. There is sure to be something good to feed your body and soul. Programs for all ages.
The Gospel of Mark
Leader-John Porter
Inglett Room in the Church Building
We begin with the cure of blind Bartimaeus and journey to Jerusalem for the Judgment and Passion texts. There will be a barren fig tree, and parables about tenants and vineyards. There will be discussions about taxes and arguments about the resurrection. Mark is the only Gospel that begins and ends with an incomplete sentence. Come see what the hurry is about.
Living a Contemplative Life
Leaders-Alison Schultz and Tryggvi Arnason
Brides’ Room in the Church Building
What exactly is a contemplative life? From the Latin contemplationem "act of looking at," from contemplari "to gaze attentively, observe," or "to mark out a space for observation", and from old English, "religious musing or holy meditation." Holy meditation --that’s what we practice each Wednesday evening from 6.45 to 7.45 pm. Sources both modern and ancient help us on the way toward a contemplative life. So come and sit and rest awhile.
Education for Ministry
Leaders-Ursula Simmons and John Donnelly
EFM is a program for lay people designed by the School of Theology at Sewanee. A new group at Holy Innocents’ forms every fall and meets weekly on Wednesday evenings throughout the academic year.. More than a Bible study, EFM provides two years of guided reading of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament followed by a year of church history and a year of systematic theology. EFM provides a safe, small group in which to engage others in theological reflection. There is no pre-requisite for joining EFM beyond a desire to inform your faith. Please contact one of the mentors for more information:
Ursula Simmons (ursulasimmons@bellsouth.net, 770-992-1308) or John Donnelly (jodonne@mindspring.com, 770-980-0621)
**Here is the yummy menu for September 24th!
Meatball Stroganoff
Egg Noodles
Peas and Mushrooms
Rolls
Tossed salad with dressing
and Brownies
Want to make your reservation? Click here!
Additional Bible Studies
Womens’ Bible Reflection
Tuesday mornings at 8:45
Each and every Tuesday, women of all ages gather in the youth pavilion. Using lectio divina or holy reading we spend time listening to what God's Spirit is saying to God's people in and through the scripture, generally the Gospel for the next Sunday and through each other. Insightful, spirited and honest discussions are part of the delicious fare as well as just plain good company. Come on in we’d love to have you. Contact Alison Schultz for more information.
Gospel Talk
Wednesday Mornings at 6:38
Every early Wednesday morning a community of seekers gathers with one of our priests in the Conference Room for coffee, friendship, and an exploration of the gospel reading for the following Sunday. We join the 7:30 eucharist in the chapel and often breakfast together. It is a great start to your day and a spiritual midweek refreshment. If you are looking for community and faith conversation partners, please come. Call Anita Pirkle or Martha Sterne for more information.
OTHER WEEKDAY OFFERINGS
Monday
Emmaus Bible Study
Conference Room
7:30 a.m.
Soul Sisters (50's and 60's) - 2 groups
The Reverend Jackie Watt
Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - 12 noon & 6 - 8 p.m.
Bride's Room
This life transitions support group explores issues of empty nests, aging parents, unrealized dreams, and other life transition matters. Women in their fifties and sixties often face the re-evaluation of “ Who are we?” “Where are we?” and “Why are we?” This confidential group experiences the gift we are to each other in exploring these questions. Both groups are currently full, but anyone interested in forming a new group may call Reverend Watt at 404-255-4023, ext. 9413.
