MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT – CLERGY & STAFF
BYRON TINDALL, Priest Associate
Licensed Lay Reader (NY 1964); Vicar (Denmark, SC – retired 2006); joined Holy Family in 2007
- Byron’s career has been one of work and ministry together – beginning his long career in ministry as a licensed lay reader for 5 mission churches in 1964; entering a 5-year pilot program for ordination while continuing secular work; and retiring as a full-time City Editor for the Orangeburg Times and Democrat (SC) while serving as a part-time Vicar at Christ Church in Denmark, SC.
- Easter is his favorite liturgical season, because it is “part of what defines us as Christians” and he is partial to choral music composed before 1850. EfM (Education for Ministry) is obviously near and dear to his heart, faithfully mentoring this course for 24 years at Holy Family.
- He is active in the Sons of the American Revolution in the Robert Forsyth Chapter; an amateur radio operator, licensed by the FCC; and an accomplished wood-worker, always surprised by what the interior of the wood holds.
- He and Anne have been married for 62 years and have 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren.
- Byron has celebrated 84 birthdays and calls his life fantastic. Chips, dark chocolate, nuts and ice cream, plus a good mystery novel, may be the key to the good life for our beloved priest and friend.
CHRISTIE BEIRING, Parish Administrator
Joined the staff of Holy Family in 2021
- The greatest joys of Christie’s life are her four sons: twins Christian and Cameron (28), Grey (20), and Ian (18).
- During her childhood, Christie lived in India, Uruguay, Spain, Germany, Greece, and Mississippi as her parents worked for the CIA. She graduated high school from TASIS (The American School in Switzerland) in Kississia, Greece and completed her bachelor’s degree in International Business and master’s degree in Spanish and TESOL at MSU, but says the place that has felt most like “home” is Jasper.
- Christie was determined to be a mermaid when she grew up, but her parents were not supportive of that idea.
- She used her language skills to teach Spanish at MS State, the Univ. of S. Alabama, UMS-Wright Preparatory, and locally at Wildwood Christian Academy. She loves writing YA fiction and has self-published one of her YA novels, A Pile of Stones, on Amazon.
- As the Parish Administrator, Christie wears many hats – office management, finance assistant, publications and communications, facility use, and event/calendar scheduling. She is responsible for processing contributions and statements, assisting finance, annual reports for the Diocese, SafeChurch compliance, church membership and service reporting, the Memorial Garden, employee onboarding, assisting various ministries with special tasks such as the annual stewardship campaign and the annual parish meeting, and other projects.
MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: CLERGY & STAFF
Clergy and Staff
The spotlight shines on two more members of our amazing clergy and staff this week. Hopefully, you will learn something new about each of them and will come to appreciate them even more. Please remember to use one of the notes in the Parish Hall to express your thanks to them.
KATHARINE ARMENTROUT, Deacon (retired)
Ordained as a Deacon in 2004, joined Holy Family in 2006, and retired in 2023.
- Before moving to Big Canoe to be near their children and grandchildren, Katharine and Scott had lived in Baltimore for 40 years.
- She grew up wanting to be a pediatrician, but decided to go to law school after her children were grown, and spent 20 years as an attorney (including 18 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and 5 at the Department of Justice).
- Her favorite part of the liturgical year is Maundy Thursday which is the most tender of nights and Pentecost which is the most joyous of celebrations.
- Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 121:8, “The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in from this time forth for evermore.”
- The part of her work she most enjoys is “being able to share the love of our Lord, trying to make a difference in our community, and listening to the stories of those I encounter in my work.”
JACQUES LEBLANC, Sexton
Sexton (from the medieval Latin word sacristanus meaning “sacred object caretaker”) for Holy Family since 2018.
Ministry Spotlight
Clergy and Staff
During the month of June, the spotlight shines brightly on our incredible Clergy & Staff. Each week we will be highlighting these devoted and dedicated persons who work tirelessly to make sure that our parish is inspired, cared for, informed, safe, and clean, among many other things. It is possible that the only place you see them is robed at church on Sunday mornings or perhaps you may not even know who they are. Each one has led an amazing journey to come to this place in this time and through sharing of their experiences, we hope that you might come to know and appreciate them better. There are notecards in the Parish Hall for you to express your appreciation and offer prayers of thanksgiving for all they do!
THE REV. DR. TED HACKETT, Priest Associate
Ordained in 1965 (Batavia NY); Professor Emeritus from Candler School of Theology (Emory) in church liturgy, history and ministries; joined Holy Family in 2006.
His love for liturgy has produced several Eucharistic prayers which are used often at Holy Family.
“Big Ted” was one of the East Coast’s premier rock-n-roll disc jockeys in the early 1960’s for WKBW in Buffalo, NY.
As a member of the “Concerned Clergy of Atlanta”, Ted served as a guard at Dr. Martin Luther King’s vigil.
Advent is his favorite liturgical season because “it is pregnant with new life.”
Ted was appointed the first director of Episcopal Studies at Candler for his design of the “Supervised Ministry” seminar which combined existing MDiv curriculum with the canonical requirements of The Episcopal Church.
Outreach Spotlight
CARES
Community Assistance Resources and Emergency Services (CARES) was started in 1997 at Holy Family as a food bank for Pickens County. With leadership from Holy Family parishioners and solid community interest, the organization became a separate, non-profit entity with the current building on Cares Drive in 2006. CARES’ mission is to provide food items, temporary financial assistance, and resource counseling for anyone in need of these services in Pickens County. These necessities serve to improve quality of life and strength of spirit for the recipients and give them hope in God’s world. Basic human needs must be met before people can have the initiative, drive, and hope for a sustainable future.
CARES provides free food boxes Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and access to emergency assistance funds for living-related expenses on the first and third Friday mornings of every month. Food deliveries occur for those unable to come to the CARES building. Meats, fruits and vegetables, canned foods, bread, and other items are provided by several local stores, donations, and low-cost food from the Atlanta Community Food Bank. CARES services 1000 client visits per month. Emergency funds distributed range between $5000 and $8000 per month. Resource-contacts at Chattahoochee Tech are provided to those interested in pursuing their GED or job skills.
CARES’ small, service-driven staff and a dedicated group of volunteers contribute around 1100 hours of time monthly. Please let CARES Board of Director members Andy Edwards, Elaine DeNiro, or Vicky Harkins know if you are interested in volunteering or donating.
Ministry Spotlight
The Hospitality Committee
If there is food involved at Holy Family, the Hospitality Committee is involved. From “Coffee Angels” who host the after-service coffee hour, to committee members who plan Wonderful Wednesdays from May to October in locations around the area, our committee is all about fellowship and fun. Starting with Advent and a Very Merry Advent Coffee, the“Hospitality Committee” decorates the Parish Hall and organizes for food and drinks provided at numerous events and activities such as Epiphany dinners, Lenten potlucks, Easter breakfast, a special Easter Festive Coffee, and Wonderful Wednesdays. In addition to those, we assist other committees with receptions and gatherings throughout the year until we come full-circle to Advent again. The Hospitality committee is always busy being “hospitable” all year long.
In true hospitality fashion, we welcome new committee members. To join the fun, please contact any of the following: Lynn Mayes, Katie Hawkins, Ann Pinner, Anne Tindall, Connie Moore, Melinda Edwards, Susan Rowan, Rosie Crowe, Patricia Stimmel, Debbie Freudenthal, Marlin Ferrell, Sandy Baggett or Martha Power.
We can certainly find a perfect place for YOU!
The Holy Family Worship Ministry:
Lectors and Intercessors
The Lectors and Intercessors serve a very important part of each service at Holy Family. The Lectors read one of the two readings for each service. The readings are read from the ambo and provided to the lector in advance of the service. The Intercessors read the Prayers of the People following the Nicene Creed and are read from the ambo. As with the readings, the Prayers of the People (POP’s)are provided in advance and often need to be revised the day of the service due to additions to the illness list. Both roles are easy and all that is required is the ability to read a document in a public setting. We are always looking for more Lectors and Intercessors. If you have interest in serving as either or both, please contact Head Verger Jim Braley at jim@fleetfeetjohnscreek.com.
The Holy Family Worship Ministry
What do the Flower Guild, Eucharistic Ministers (EMs) and Vergers have in common? All are integral part of the service every Sunday at Holy Family.
The Flower Guild is less visible than the other two groups. They are like invisible elves that design and install all of our beautiful floral arrangements for all services, whether it be the evergreens for Christmas or the lilies for Easter. If you are interested in joining the Flower Guild, contact Betsy Kiser, bhkiser@gmail.com.
The Eucharistic Ministers or EMs are very visible. They carry the torches during the processions into and out of the church and during the Gospel process. Their other very important job is to serve during communion to ensure that all of those who wish to take part in communion are able to participate. The EMs, with the priest, deliver the chalice for intincture or a sip of wine as part of the overall communion experience. If you are interested in serving as an EM, contact Jim Braley, jim@fleetfeetjohnscreek.com.
That just leaves the vergers. There are four vergers who act as the Master of Ceremonies for all services held at Holy Family. The verger is in charge of ensuring that all of the personnel needed to conduct the service are present, such as the lectors and intercessors, and to escort all readers to the ambo during the service. The four vergers at Holy Family are Head Verger, Jim Braley; Senior Verger, Amelia Broussard; Connie Moore,
Grounds
THANKS TO THE GROUNDS TEAM AT HOLY FAMILY: The Grounds Team is responsible for the upkeep of almost 40 acres of Holy Family property. The team currently consists of eight members who regularly work on the property Tuesday and Thursday of each week, weather permitting. While the work varies through the seasons, these individuals are the ones we can thank for all the landscaping, maintenance, and improvements throughout our stunning campus. Tasks include, but are not limited to, fallen tree removal, necessary mowing of grassed areas, detail cutting and maintenance of shrubs, re-seeding, drainage system re-work, and walking trail maintenance. The team is continuously working on plans to beautify and enhance the property; last Spring they kicked off their project to create a more pollinator-friendly environment on church grounds, using plants and flowers native to the North Georgia mountains at various places around campus. It is no wonder we receive compliments that include words like rejuvenating, peaceful, and gorgeous on a regular basis from parishioners and visitors who enjoy the grounds.
Please join me in thanking our Grounds Team for their outstanding work on our breathtaking campus! Phil Anderson, Senior Warden
Buildings
THANKS TO THE BUILDINGS MINISTRY AT HOLY FAMILY: The focus of the Buildings Ministry is the upkeep of all building structures, inside and out, parking lots, and roadways throughout the 39-acre Holy Family campus. It also includes maintaining many of the utilities and working with the service providers.
All the administrative work done by this Ministry is directed by the Ministry Chairperson, Terry Nicholson. The Holy Family Sexton, Jacques LeBlanc, although not officially part of this ministry, is a tremendous asset not only to this ministry but throughout the entire Holy Family complex. On specific large projects, beyond the scope of Jacques’ and Terry’s capabilities, outside contractors will be hired. This includes areas such as major interior and exterior painting, flooring, HVAC repairs, major electrical work and parking lot repairs.
As any facility ages, keeping it beautiful and functional is an ongoing task. Our Sanctuary and Parish Hall were constructed in 2001. In the last five years, we have installed new roofing, resealed and striped our parking lot, painted the exterior and upgraded our parking light system. In the Parish Hall we have replaced both dishwashers in the kitchen, installed new furnaces, painted the interior, and installed new flooring. Also, we have renovated the pavilion at the Conference Center.
Please join me in thanking our Buildings Chairperson Terry Nicholson and our Sexton Jacques LeBlanc for their outstanding care of all our facilities! Phil Anderson, Senior Warden
Pastoral Care
Each month in 2025, the Parish Life Committee will highlight one Holy Family ministry. In February we are focusing on the Pastoral Care Ministry. Those of us on the Pastoral Care team are service minded Christians with a heart for pastoral care. This month, with sincerity and joy, we honor and thank the members of the Pastoral Care Committee and its affiliated members who provide steadfast care for our parishioners and families. We appreciate you!
Pastoral Care could also be called “Parish Care”. Over the years, we have added more and more meaningful ways to reach out to our parishioners and their families to support them spiritually (with prayers, cards, and home/hospital visits) and practically (with meals, rides to appointments, prayer shawls, and pet blankets). We also educate our parishioners and community members on topics pertaining to health, well-being, and aging. And FYI, our next CPR class is Saturday, March 1.
The Pastoral Care Ministry is a quiet, loving ministry. We’re there when you need us. As God’s own, we are called to provide care to our neighbors. We rely on you to let us know when you need any kind of support. There are times in everyone’s lives when we need support and reaching out for support is a sign of hope and courage. Pastoral Care can provide confidential prayers through the Daughters of the King. Or if you prefer, we’ll make sure you’re placed on the Prayers of the People during Sunday services. We offer listening ears,
Parish Life
GENESIS: The Parish Life team, assembled in March 2024, was tasked by the Vestry to plan/initiate events and activities which would encourage fellowship and involvement in ministry.
MISSION: After months of brainstorming ideas – remembering time-honored events of the past to dreaming about new initiatives – the team was able to discern its mission and scope – “Connecting Hearts, Engaging Belonging, and Building Connections”.
TEAM: Composed of representatives from the various ministries throughout the church, the team works together to support and coordinate church-wide efforts. Members are active in multiple areas of interest, serve in either service on Sunday mornings, and are a cross-section long-time members and newcomers. Current members include Tammy Kirk (chair), Phil Anderson, Vicky Harkins, John Kirk, Kathleen Allen-Leonard, Rosemary Lovelace, Martha Power, Leamarie True, and Mary Sue Zercher.
INITIATIVES: This year, the team sponsored the Pentecost Celebration, designed and carried out the Holy Family merchandise sales, produced the Advent Devotional, initiated the monthly Ministry Spotlight program and is coordinating an interactive ministry fair entitled “A Day in the Life of Holy Family” on January 19. Potential new events for 2025 include Shrove Tuesday, Lenten activities, a Parish retreat, movie or game nights, development of Men’s and Women’s ministries, and much more! The team welcomes all suggestions!
Music Ministry
MUSIC MINISTRY
Let’s get to know our choir members better with a game of GUESS WHO?
Guess who … is a former nationally certified wrestling official?
Guess whose … favorite movie is “Young Frankenstein”?
Guess who … has been in the choir the longest?
Guess who … loves anything that sparkles?
Guess whose … favorite Bible story is the story of David?
Guess who … paddles a whitewater canoe?
Guess whose … favorite book is “The Virginian” by Owen Wister?
Guess who … is a Solar Farmer?
Scroll down for Answers:
Answers: Christine, Vicky, June, Carmelita, Sally, Gina, Susan, Robert
Music
We celebrate our hard-working, highly committed Music Ministry. Over several weeks, they perform Lessons & Carols, the Christmas Eve services, an Epiphany presentation, and Sunday worship services. WHEW! The planning and preparation for these holiday events began months before, and each choir member will spend hours in practice and rehearsal in order to offer the gift of Christmas to us, so let’s be intentional and show each member how much we value their contribution to our worship experience. How? Just a few suggestions: write a note of thanks (note cards provided in the Parish Hall), thank a chorister with encouraging words, or send a treat during rehearsals.