Prayer Sendoff
The Holy Family Congregation prays over seminarian, Patrick Burke during the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, September 18, 2016. Next Sunday, Patrick will begin a new phase of his training to become an Episcopal Priest by completing a field education assignment at All Saints Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. Unfortunately for us, Patrick’s field education experience will take him away from Holy Family for nearly one year and perhaps beyond that. Please continue to pray for Patrick, his wife Cheryl and their daughter Lexi, as they adjust to this major trasition in their lives. – Father Mike+
Eagle Scout Projects
Ian Johnston and Thomas Canter
In the summer of 2016, Holy Family gained two major improvements to the church grounds by way of Eagle Scout projects. Two members of the Holy Family Youth Group hold the rank of Life Scout with Troop 109 in Fishers and chose their home church to fulfill their Eagle Scout project requirements. Both scouts led volunteer teams of youth and adults from the church and Troop 109 in order to complete their projects.
In July 2016, Thomas Canter made improvements to Holy Family’s outdoor chapel area.* He created a gravel path from the parking lot to the outdoor chapel in order to make it handicap-accessible and more convenient for all congregation members.
He also added landscaping around the outdoor chapel with burning bushes, arborvitae trees, dwarf Korean lilacs, and mulch. The final piece of Thomas’ project was building a large, wooden cross for the altar area. The outdoor chapel is used several times a year by small groups within the church as well as the entire congregation.
In August 2016, Ian Johnston built a tool shed for the Holy Family Community Garden. The garden was established in 2011, and a portion of the produce grown is donated weekly by gardeners to a local food pantry. The shed project included building a platform base, then constructing and installing the shed.
The shed will hold the lawn mower, trimmer, hoses, and other supplies needed to maintain the garden area. It will also provide the community gardeners a place to store their personal tools throughout the growing season.
Holy Family wishes to thank Thomas, Ian, their families, and all volunteers for their hard work and dedication to improving the church grounds.
* The outdoor chapel altar and benches were completed as a Girl Scout Gold Award project by Holy Family Youth Group member Ellen Everett in 2015.
9/11 Remembrance 2016
On Sunday, September 11, 2016 Holy Family held a special 9/11 Remembrance prayer service. We prayed for all those effected by traumatic events such as disasters and terrorist attacks.
Father Mike said special prayers for first responders who perished on, and in the days following, the attacks on 9/11/2001.
Prayer for First Responders
by: ALDEN SOLOVY
God of the selfless,
God of the strong and the brave,
Grant a perfect rest among the souls of the righteous
To those who died in service to others
during the 9/11 attacks,
May their dedication to protecting life
serve as a shining lamp of love
And the works of their hands
bring us all merit in heaven.
Bless the souls of all who have died to save others,
Civilians and professionals,
The trained and the untrained,
God of the strong and the brave,
Grant a perfect rest among the souls of the righteous
To those who died in service to others
during the 9/11 attacks,
May their dedication to protecting life
serve as a shining lamp of love
And the works of their hands
bring us all merit in heaven.
Bless the souls of all who have died to save others,
Civilians and professionals,
The trained and the untrained,
In every age and in every land,
Men and women who answered the call of honor, duty and service.
May their memories be sanctified with joy and love.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst. Amen.
Following the playing of TAPS by Aaron Lackner, Father Mike also prayed for current first responders, blessing them in their daily acts of courage and bravery. Local first responders were honored during our Community Block Party with a VIP sticker, gift, and free lunch for their entire family.
Our prayer service was attended by members of Boy Scout Troop 199 which is chartered at Holy Family. They provided the color guard for our service as well.
Outdoor Eucharist: September 2016
On September 11, 2016 Holy Family held its annual fall Eucharist in the outdoor chapel. The day was glorious with blue skies, sunshine, and puffy clouds. Holy Family’s youth group members filled all serving roles.
Musicians
Greeters
Epistle Reading
Gospel Reading with Deacon Cathy
Homily with Father Mike
Ushers
Prayers of the People
Eucharist
Back to Church Sunday 2016
On Sunday, August 14th. Holy Family held its annual Back to Church Sunday. On this day, all 9 AM Christian Education programming resumes for the school year, and the choir returns to the 10 AM worship service. It’s an exciting day when youth and adults gather together to share tales of their summer adventures, refreshed and renewed for another leg of their spiritual journey together.
Sunday school classes are offered for children who are three years old through high school. Parents may contact Jolene Johnston, Director of Children’s Ministry at jjohnston@hfec.org or Marty Blake, Director of Youth Ministry at mblake@hfec.org. Registration cards are required for all children who participate in our Sunday school and childcare offerings including nursery. Adult Forum offers a variety of presentations at the same time as Sunday school for children and youth.
Mission: United in Faith 2016
Holy Family recently held its first Mission: United in Faith mission trip as part of the larger Holy Family Youth Exchange program. This program was funded in part by a Youth Ministry Initiative Grant from the Center for Congregations. The week-long program was held in Brown County and Marion County, Indiana.
Seventeen youth and six adults participated in a variety of service activities including serving meals at Mother’s Cupboard, working at the Wheeler Mission Thrift Store, and making improvements to the facilities at Waycross Camp and Conference Center. They worshipped together daily using the Book of Common Prayer and had several special worship opportunities including those led by Bishop Cate Waynick, Father Mike Galvin, and Deacon Cathy Scott. Throughout the week they enjoyed fellowship through teambuilding games, swimming and canoeing, a drive-in movie, and scavenger hunt.
Photos from the trip are available on the Holy Family Youth Group Facebook page. Please CLICK HERE to view the photos (you do not need to have a Facebook account to view the photos.) The Youth Group will continue its Youth Exchange program during the school year and will connect with other Episcopal Youth Groups around the country. For more information about this program, please contact Youth Director Marty Blake at mblake@hfec.org.
Outdoor Eucharist & Parish Picnic: Spring 2016
On Saturday, May 21st, Holy Family held its annual spring outdoor Eucharist and parish picnic. We began by celebrating in the outdoor chapel with music provided by youth group members. Following the service, we enjoyed a pitch-in picnic with offerings from the congregation and items grilled by our Brotherhood of St. Andrew members. The rest of the evening was spent in fellowship outdoors. Our children bounced and ran and played together. Our next regularly-scheduled outdoor event will be held in September and will be announced when details are confirmed.
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.
Earth Day 2016
Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 for awareness, understanding, and support of the environment. Since that time, it has been an annual event, celebrated worldwide on April 22. Please enjoy the following resources to help preserve God’s creation.
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.