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Ecumenical Committee |
The three English-speaking christian churches come together in a wide range of activities, unified despite their distinct traditions. Holy Family has a special responsibility to organize the ecumenical Candlelight Carol Service. The other joint events are the Women's Retreat, Women's Weekly Bible Study, the Week of Christian Unity service, Vacation Bible School, Thanksgiving Service, and the Monterrey Hunger Ministry, which was also initiated in the early 80's by Rev. Don Griswold and the late Dr. George Bracamontes. The Alpha Study (an international evangelism program) has also been offered by Holy Family since 1998. |
Women's Guild |
 The Women's Guild meets once a month in one of the member's homes. All women in the congregation are invited, but the committee consists of the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Basically, the Guild is the Fund Raising Committee for Holy Family, organizing the annual dinner dance "Pub Night" in May (now in its 25th year), and other events to create funds for the outreach programs, especially the Leonardo Romero Scholarship Fund.
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Alpha |
 The Alpha course is a ten-week course that introduces people to the basic concepts of Christianity. Originally developed at Holy Trinity Brompton Chruch in London, Alpha has now spread all over the world. Topics include Why did Jesus die for us? How does God guide us? and Who is the Holy Spirit? Rita Hutchison and Bryan Husted have led the Alpha course three times now. Alpha is ideal for people who want to brush up on the basics or for people who want to introduce their friends to the Christian faith in a non-threatening atmosphere. Ask Rita or Bryan about the next Alpha course.
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Pub Nite |
Pub Night. The idea of having a "British Evening" was adopted in 1979 in order to raise money for charity. After 25 years, the event has been Mexicanized, and consists of a dinner cooked by the Women's Guild, and disco dancing, raffle, and fun. Jeanny Joannidis hosts this event in her beautiful garden in Palo Blanco. Some 200 guests now attend and generate approximately US $6,000.00 for the Leonardo Romero Scholarship Fund. It has rightly earned the title of the best party of the year in the English-speaking community.
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Every Monday evening the Rector conducts a discussion group that meets in his home in an informal setting around the dining table to study further the scriptures of the previous Sunday's sermon, and enjoy a light supper together. |
Children's Sunday School
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 Except for summer break, Sunday School for the children is provided during the first forty minutes of the morning service using the Morehouse Group Episcopal material "Living the Good News." Parents volunteer to share the teaching, along with the Nursery Teacher. The children normally put on a short Christmas play during the annual Ecumenical carol service.
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Women's Ecumenical Retreat |
This retreat began in 1990 with nineteen women. Quickly, this event became popular and has been a great blessing to the women who participate, now approximately forty-five. It has taken place at Chipinque Hotel set in the mountains some 40 minutes from Colonia del Valle. In 1996, the committee decided to bring in a Christian speaker from the United States. In order to do this, it was necessary to create funds to cover the expenses and so a promotion/fund-raiser has been in place since then. Perhaps one of the greatest blessings for those who participate, beside the deepening of their faith, is the experience of ecumenism, as women from different backgrounds and traditions, come together in love as sisters in Christ. |
Candlelight Carol Service |
The traditional Anglican Lessons and Carols service has been celebrated at Holy Family for the past 25 years. The church looks its most attractive at this time, with Christmas banners, tree, nativity scene, pointsettias, and hundreds of small candles. Children are particularly welcome at this service, and Holy Family's own usually entertain us by enacting Jesus's birth. This service is very popular in the English-speaking community and it is a good opportunity for sharing our oneness in Christ. |
Alumni |
Because of the transitory nature of life for many expatriates in Monterrey, many former members of Holy Family like to maintain or renew contacts with other friends made in the church. If you would like information on any of Holy Family's alumni, please contact Rita Hutchison at hutchiso@intercable.net |
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