Pentecost – Celebration Sunday
On Sunday, May 15th, Holy Family observed the Feast of Pentecost with a variety of celebrations. During our 8 AM service we recognized Amy Mundie for nearly twenty years of service to the children and families of our church as Nursery Leader. Deacon Cathy and Father Mike presented Amy with flowers and a certificate of appreciation.
During the 10 AM service we recognized our 2016 high school graduates. Each student described his or her current school and plans for the future.
As it tradition at Holy Family, each student was awarded a bible and a prayer shawl created by crafters in the congregation. Father Mike blessed them and encouraged them to keep their “Holy Family” close in their prayers.
Father Mike also recognized and blessed all Christian education teachers and childcare workers during the 10 AM service. Many congregation members wore red in the spirit of Pentecost. Cheery balloons floated above the chairs. Finally, Father Mike shared one of his favorite prayers for the Feast of Pentecost.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever enjoy His consolations,
Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Medical Mutts Presentation
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On Sunday, May 15th Holy Family hosted a special presentation by Medical Mutts Dr. Jennifer Cattet, owner and dog trainer, shared helpful information about patients with “invisible diseases” such as diabetes and seizure disorders which are often aided by the use of service dogs. She and her husband, Jack Topham, shared personal stories about the training techniques used with their dogs as well as the amazing physiology of canines that allow them to serve in such an important life-saving role.
At Medical Mutts, they are passionate about helping patients with health issues work with a dog to assist them in handling their medical needs. Because trainers at Medical Mutts only work with dogs from shelters, they strive to help good dogs find a new life while providing options for patients in need of an alert to potential emergencies due to diabetes, seizures, PTSD, or other medical needs.
Medical Mutt Tyson demonstrated service dog skills such as “nose-touching” a person to alert to low blood sugar and also showed how he can carry his own leash, or other items, if necessary. Dr. Cattet shared appropriate service dog etiquette with our congregation members which will be valuable information when one of our parishioners is partnered with a Medical Mutt in the near future. Please CLICK HERE for a PDF version of their service dog etiquette handout. For ways that you can help support Medical Mutts, please contact the church office. admin@hfec.org
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.
City of God: Building Dedication
On Sunday, April 24, 2016 The Reverend Catherine Waynick, Bishop of Indianapolis, joined Holy Family for a day filled with excitement. Bishop Cate celebrated our 8 AM and 10 AM worship services and spoke during our 9 AM Christian Education hour. Following the 10 AM service, Bishop Cate led a special service to dedicate our new City of God additions. Holy Family’s congregation was joined by representatives from Aspen Group (shown above.) A special hospitality was also held to thank Bishop Cate for her service to the people of Holy Family and our Diocese during her 19 years as Bishop. For more photos from this special day, please CLICK HERE.
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
