The role of the Altar Guild is to create an environment appropriate for the celebration of our liturgy as well as the care and beautification of the church and its environs. A labor of love, these are the simple tasks of the everyday household, given greater significance because they are done for the house of God and for God’s people.
The duties of the Altar Guild include: laundering and ironing of small linens, dry cleaning and laundering of priests’ vestments and altar cloths, sanctuary cleaning, brass and silver polishing. The set-ups of the weekday, weekend, and Feast Days are also completed by the Guild.
The Altar Guild is divided into four teams. Each team represents its Sunday of the month, i.e. Team One is on duty the 1st Sunday of the month, Team Two the 2nd Sunday of the month, etc. The Altar Guild joins together as one group for Feast Day set-ups and services. We welcome new members to the Altar Guild. Experience is not necessary, and experienced Altar Guild members will provide training.
“The beauty of God’s creation is a wonder to behold…the beauty in a flower reflects the glory of God and in a world that is scarred…a flower is a sign of hope.” A quote by The Reverend Ronald Haines, a former Bishop from the Diocese of Washington.Flowers at Holy Innocents’ bring beauty, grace, creativity, and a sign of hope to reflect the glory of God to our worship space.The flower guild has over forty members who contribute graciously of their time and talent to use God’s creation throughout the year with beautiful and creative arrangements.Guild members, order, pick up, condition, create arrangements and more importantly enjoy being in relationship with each other.Members also have the opportunity to learn how the liturgy of our service is intertwined in the marvelous creations presented in the Nave and areas surrounding our worship space.
Another important part contributing to the efforts of the flower guild are wonderful parishioners who give money as gifts to honor those they love and special events in their lives.The flower guild appreciates and depends on these gifts.The gift of flowers is a meaningful way to honor baptisms, weddings, special events, friends, loved ones, as well as to honor those who have died.Gifts are acknowledged in the weekly bulletins.In addition, many parishioners regularly donate to celebrate the major celebrations during the church year such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you areinterested in honoring someone with the gift of flowers or contributing for special events, please contact Melody McNeil at mmcneil@holyinnocents.org or at the church office by phone at 404-255-4023.
We are always looking for parishioners to become a part of this special group.Your commitment can be on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, whatever works within your schedule.No experience required!
A verger is a committed lay minister within the Church who assists the clergy in the conduct of public worship. The vergers are appointed by the Rector to serve an integral and important ministry of coordinating and facilitating the various liturgical ministers and their function in the services.At Holy Innocents’, the vergers are responsible for the mentoring and training of the acolytes, as well as the coordination of all acolyte duties. The vergers at Holy Innocents’ are members of The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Verger’s Guild, Mark Emory Graham Chapter.
The office of verger has its roots in the earliest days of the Church’s history and it shares certain similarities with the former minor orders of "porter" and "acolyte." Generally speaking, vergers were responsible for the order and upkeep of the house of worship, including preparations for the liturgy, the conduct of the laity, and even grave-digging among many other duties in the church.
Today's vergers are laypersons who serve the church in a ministry of welcome. The specific duties of the verger are unique to each parish church. The verger's logistical support allows the priest more time for pastoral and sacramental responsibilities. It has been said that every parish has a verger whether they are identified as such.
Acolyte: At Holy Innocents', young people aged seventh grade through high school, are invited to serve in the church as acolytes. Acolytes serve the priests and lay assistants in preparation and service of Holy Eucharist, and they assist in the ceremonial elements of weekly services. Through this ministry, young people learn the tradition of liturgical service and gain self-confidence that leading our congregation can give. As compared to churches across our nation, we are unique at Holy Innocents’ as our program functions solely with youth volunteers. With over 50 young women and men participating, our Acolyte Corps is considered to be one of the strongest in the Diocese of Atlanta.
Arranged in several teams that rotate responsibilities for services, these youth are actively involved in the liturgy of the church. Duties include Crucifer, Torch Bearers, Banner Bearers, 1st and 2nd servers (preparation of the Altar for Eucharist) and Thurifer (incense bearer). Whether participating at an 8:00 am Sunday service, or special festival services, they are always ready to serve with enthusiasm and dedication. As acolytes progress from neophytes to accomplished assistants, they take to heart the importance of liturgy in the Episcopal Church.
Registration forms are mailed to rising 7th graders, but older youth can sign up by requesting a form from the Parish Office or by calling one of the Wardens listed above.
Lectors provide the public proclamation of the sacred lessons and the prayers of the people. Lectors are appointed by the Rector from volunteers expressing an interest in this ministry, and receive training from the Clergy and support from fellow Lectors. Continued efforts are made to broaden this ministry to include participation from all ages within our Parish. Through clarity of voice and diction, the ultimate goal of the Lector is to convey the scriptures in a manner where the message of the scripture is received and remembered by the congregation, with no memory of the individual reading. Study of the scripture and practice in the reading prior to the scheduled service provide not only greater clarity in delivery, but a deeper personal understanding and appreciation of the scripture by all involved in this ministry. Schedule
Lay Eucharistic Ministers II (The Chalice Bearers) Glenn Kidd-
404-550-1334
Chalice Bearers assist in the Holy Communion in serving of the consecrated wine. Appointed by the Rector, Chalice Bearers are confirmed members in good standing and are subsequently licensed by the Bishop for this service. They receive training from the clergy and support from fellow Chalice Bearers. Many Chalice Bearers have noted their participation in this ministry has strengthened their own spirituality and faith.
Karen Steanson- 404-248-6422 LEVs are selected by the Rector and licensed by the Bishop to take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound immediately following the Sunday services. Whether in a home, a nursing home or a hospital, the LEVs lead an abbreviated Communion service including the Sunday scriptures and a summary of the sermon of the day. If you would like to join us in this ministry, speak to The Rev. Michael Sullivan or The Rev. Martha Sterne. Training and a period of apprenticeship are required. Schedule
Healing Group Renee Peyton - 404-231-3824
It’s Sunday morning and you are walking up the side aisle after receiving communion. You see a small line in front of a kneeler. At the kneeler a person is either standing or kneeling while a member of the Healing Team has his or her hands balanced on that person’s head, or possibly the Healer has wrapped his or her hands around them in an embrace. You walk by. Your thoughts may be: I could never do that; I wonder if anyone is actually healed; I would like to do that, but it’s embarrassing.
Laying on of Hands has its root as a blessing in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus would often heal illnesses by touching people. For over 30 years now, Holy Innocents’ has offered this type of blessing.
Whether you just want a blessing for yourself, or possibly you have a health concern, or you have a friend or family member for whom you want a prayer said, a member of the Healing Team is there every Sunday to bestow God’s blessing should you want one.
Walking the Labyrinth is an ancient tradition; its heritage dates back to medieval times. The committee prepares the Hearth Room for this special time or prayerful meditation and reflection. Check the calendar for opportunities to walk the Labyrinth.
Ushers Gary Newell—770-438-0188
Howard Clark— 404-843-2718
Ushers distribute bulletins, collect offerings, and assist with various responsibilities of ushering for Sunday services and special functions. Contact one of the chairpersons if you are interested in becoming an usher.
The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the most ancient of Church rituals.Baptisms at Holy Innocents’ are always joyous celebrations.The Baptism Committee works with the clergy to make the necessary preparations for these baptism celebrations.This committee assists the clergy with instruction and rehearsal sessions for the families of baptismal candidates on specified Saturdays during the Church calendar year as the families prepare for this important step in the candidates’ spiritual lives.The committee also works with the Altar Guild to prepare the church for Baptism services.
The Wedding Committee is three-fold in purpose: Our first purpose is to assist the clergy in facilitating weddings at Holy Innocents'; our second purpose is hospitality, making wedding participants and guests feel welcome and comfortable at HI; our third, and perhaps most important purpose, is to help everyone involved ascertain the glorious presence of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of marriage. We welcome newcomers to the committee. The time commitment, while it does involve weekends, does not usually require more than one or two weekends a year, and scheduling is totally flexible.
