Author: Lou Ellen Gibson

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

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.

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

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:

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Answers: Christine, Vicky, June, Carmelita, Sally, Gina, Susan, Robert

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.