Author: Lou Ellen Gibson

Our Big Announcement!

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

On behalf of the vestry, I am pleased to announce that the Bishop of Atlanta has approved the vestry’s selection of Father Mark Winward as the new Rector for Holy Family. Father Winward’s first service at Holy Family will be on Sunday, June 29th.

A native of East Hartford, CT, Father Winward is a recently retired Navy Captain in the Chaplain Corps and a prior Unrestricted Line Officer. His last assignment was as the Senior Chaplain at the National Security Agency and Central Security Service at Fort Meade, MD. 

Father Winward wrote his Master’s Thesis at Ridley Hall, Cambridge University, UK; earned his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1997; and his Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2007. He was ordained to the diaconate in the Episcopal Church in 1997 and to the priesthood in 1998.

Upon his graduation in 1997, Father Winward accepted a call to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newport News, Virginia as Assistant Rector. During this time, he co-founded the Committee for Science, Technology, and Faith for the Episcopal Church.

In 1999, he accepted a call as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Saco, ME.
After supporting recovery efforts at the Pentagon following the attacks on 9-11, Father Winward felt a strong calling to return to active duty as a Chaplain. Since 2002, in addition to his numerous joint military, Navy and Marine Corps assignments, he completed assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan, and served on the faculty of the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, and the Special Operations University in Tampa, FL.

Father Winward has been married to his beloved bride, KC, for 37 years and has two adult sons, Christian and Matthew. They currently reside in Valrico, Florida. 

The success of the search process for our new Rector can be largely attributed to the comprehensive work done by the nominating committee. The vestry extends our deep appreciation to nominating committee members Steve Franzen, Martha Power, Scott Armentrout, Winship Durrett, Cammie Cox, Allan DeNiro, Jeannine Krenson, Richard Smith, and Ric Sanchez for their diligence in administering the CAT survey, their preparation of the Parish Profile and their prayerful consideration of Rector candidates to refer to the vestry for consideration. Please join me in thanking the nominating committee and the vestry for their dedicated service to Holy Family. 
Phil Anderson
Senior Warden
Father Mark Winward

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, and Richard Smith.  

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

March 2, 2025 – Final On-Campus Interview Phase!

The nominating (search) committee has referred candidates to the vestry and the vestry is preparing for the on-campus candidate interview phase of the search process.  Please respect the confidentiality the vestry must maintain during this final phase prior to the call of our new rector.  Please remember all vestry members in your prayers!  Jim Braley, Ginger Griffith, John Kirk, Phil Anderson, Loran Davis, Amy Snyder, Wayne Crawford, Belinda Humphrey and Mary Sue Zercher.

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, caring hearts, delicious meals, and sweet laughter to lift your spirits.

The first Wednesday of every month at noon, the Pastoral Care Ministry, in conjunction with the Worship Committee, offers a Healing Service, followed by lunch. This service was started last year
because of requests from parishioners to have a noon service during the week. People attend this service when they need a few more minutes to prepare to come to church, or when they have a
particular issue they’d like the priest to pray for with them, or if they just want to enjoy an intimate, peace-filled service mid-week. The Healing Service has become a lovely component of worship at Holy
Family. Please join us!

It’s easy to access the Pastoral Care Ministry if you need a listening ear or support. Contacts and their numbers and emails:

  • Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins, (770) 235-8702, harkinsb@ctsnet.edu;
  • Vicky Harkins, current Chairperson, Pastoral Care Committee, (770) 757-0703, victoriaharkins@bellsouth.net;
  • Katharine Armentrout, Episcopal Deacon (retired),
    (770) 893-9811, godspeedkja@gmail.com.

We look forward to serving you and your family.

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.