There are lots of details in this month's newsletter (which was sent out by mail) explaining what's in the works in the combining of the congregations of the Holy Innocents and St Nicholas. 

The new congregation will be housed in the St Nicholas building and will be known, at least initially, as St Nicholas with the Holy Innocents.

This is a big change for both congregations, and like all changes, it is not without its pain. But it's also a return to the past–both congregations were built by the architect Ned Dart and first served by founding Vicar Ted Gracia.

Most of all, it's a promise of a bright future. The congregation will be strong enough to engage in innovative life-transforming ministry to our neighbors, offer many more opportunities for spritual growth to our members, and welcome many, many new members. 

Most of those receiving this newsletter have been part of (either) Holy Innocents or St Nicholas in the past. We hope you'll take the time to visit us again in 2007.

Our first liturgy as a combined congregation is at 10:00 a.m. on January 7. On the 14th of January, we begin our regular schedule, with worship at 9:00 a.m. (traditional) and 11:00 a.m. (contemporary), with church school for children and adults at 10:00 a.m.

Hope to see you again!

—One Bread, One Body Advent Newsletter 

Advent and Christmas Schedule

For those already looking ahead to the Christmas season, here’s our schedule:

• The First Sunday of Advent, December 3. One liturgy at St. Nicholas with both congregations, Bishop Scantlebury presiding and preaching, at 10:30 a.m.
• The Second Sunday of Advent, December 10. Regular schedule.
• The Third Sunday of Advent, December 17. Regular schedule.
• The Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 24. One Advent liturgy at Holy Innocents with both congregations at 10 a.m.
• Christmas Eve, December 24.
• Family Mass at St. Nicholas, 4 p.m.
• Traditional Mass at Holy Innocents, 8 p.m.
• Traditional Midnight Mass at St. Nicholas, 11 p.m.
• Sunday, December 31: Feast of the Holy Innocents (transferred) at 11:00 a.m.
  Festival Eucharist at Holy Innocents; no service at St Nicholas, all worship together.
  A luncheon will follow after the service, parishioners will transfer some liturgical items
  to St Nicholas and install them in their new places immediately after the party.
• Sunday, January 7, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We worship together at 10:00
  as St Nicholas with the Holy Innocents with one service.
• Sunday, January 14. We begin our new regular schedule:
  •  9:00 a.m. traditional liturgy
  • 10:00 a.m. Christian Formation for all ages
  • 11:00 a.m. contemporary liturgy

The building that housed Holy Innocents for so many years will close, but the community of Holy Innocents' people will go on into the future with the community of St Nicholas' people, in their building. The final service at Holy Innocents will be a Festival Eucharist for the Feast of the Holy Innocents on Sunday, Dec. 31, atr 10:00am (note time is one half hour earlier than usual). This will be a combined celebration with both communities; there will not be a service at St Nicholas that day. Our first service in our new home will be Sunday, January 7th. Current plans are for an early "traditional music" Eucharist, and a later "contemporary music" Eucharist, bridged by Christian education for adults and children. There is room for hope and joy as well as for remembrance and sadness in this change, however. In the coming weeks and months, please feel free to visit the people of Holy Innocents for 9am Eucharist, and be a part of something that will be reborn in a new place.