Pentecost 2017
On Saturday, June 3rd, Holy Family held it’s annual Pentecost celebration. This year our prayer service was organized by our own Deacon Cathy Scott. Music was provided by the youth of Holy Family led by guitarist Connor Wilson.
The Pentecost prayer service was held in our outdoor chapel. It was a hot day – we certainly felt the heat of the Holy Spirit!
An unusual feature of this year’s service was the reading of a portion of Acts 2 in multiple languages. Readers, shown above, were Jolene Johnston (Polish), Dan Chillemi (Spanish), Ian Johnston (French), Bob Murray (Italian), and Kristine Canter (German.)
Following the prayer service we held our traditional “Tongues of Fire” pitch-in picnic with entree items grilled by members of our Brotherhood of St. Andrew chapter. Families enjoyed the beautiful weather, played frisbee, and kids jumped in the bounce house. It was an incredible day of food, fellowship, and the fire of the Holy Spirit. For more information about upcoming events at Holy Family, please contact our church office. admin@hfec.org
Helping the Homeless
During Sunday school on April 29th, students in preschool through high school helped to pack supply bags for the homeless. They talked at length about the challenges faced by the homeless and how specific items in the bags can be comfort items or even save lives.
Youth Group member Mikaila Blake and her friend Lauren Crimm organized the outreach project. They also consulted Holy Family’s deacon, The Reverend Cathy Scott, for suggestions about distributing the bags. Deacon Cathy also helped secure additional donations of items from St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Carmel. Mikaila had the following to contribute:
“We decided to start a project to help the homeless in Downtown Indianapolis. We have always desired to make a difference no matter how big or small. A few months ago we started a Go Fund Me campaign so we could buy items that people like you and I take for granted. We raised around $350. With that money we bought dried fruit, water, drawstring bags, snacks, socks, deodorant, and dry shampoo. We also received items from our schools, CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ), family members, and St. Christopher’s Youth Group in Carmel. We appreciate all of the help and are very blessed to be able to do this for others!”
The bags were blessed by The Reverend Bob Dekker who celebrated Eucharist at Holy Family this week. For more information about ways to help the homeless, please contact our Deacon, the Reverend Cathy Scott. cscott@hfec.org
Welcome, Stepping Stones Preschool!
On Wednesday, April 26th, Holy Family hosted an open house to welcome the children and families of Stepping Stones Child Development Center, Inc. led by owner and Director Jenn Norris. (Pictured above are Senior Warden Ben Paden, Director Jenn Norris, and Children’s Ministry Director Jolene Johnston.) Stepping Stones has operated as an in-home preschool since 2003 and is partnering with Holy Family provide a new learning environment for its children.
Children and their parents met with church staff, enjoyed hospitality, and took a tour of the building and spaces that will be utilized by the preschool program.
We enjoyed the beautiful evening and gathered outside to play before going home. More information about Stepping Stones Child Development Center, Inc. is available by clicking HERE.
Consecration of Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows
Today we celebrated the ordination and consecration of Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis. The event was attended by nearly two thousand people at Clowe’s Memorial Hall at Butler University. Various readings and hymns were presented in English and Spanish. Bishop Jennifer is the 1,100th Bishop to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. Rt. Rev. Catherine Waynick, 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis, presented Bishop Jennifer with the Diocesan crosier (pastoral staff.)
The homily was given by the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Lee, 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago. Bishop Lee was the original church planter for Holy Family in Fishers and warmly addressed the parish in his opening remarks.
The chief consecrator for the ordination was The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. You may view the video of the entire consecration celebration by clicking here. Additional photos from the event can be seen here. For more information about the Diocese of Indianapolis, please visit the Diocesan website.