During the summer months, our Third Sunday Potlucks become Third Sunday Cook Outs! Join us on Sunday, July 21 for great food and warm fellowship. We’ll provide the hamburgers and hot dogs; the congregation is asked to bring sides and desserts. All are welcome and invited!
Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@highlandsumc.net
Registration for Highlands’ VBS day camp, July 22-26 will open May 1. VBS meets Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, and is open to children age 4 through rising 5th graders, and youth helpers rising 6th graders and older. Registration cost is $100 with a $250 registration cap per family; full or partial scholarships are available.
Adult Volunteers and Youth Counselors will be needed for a variety of tasks, from preparing materials before the event, to providing snacks, to leading small group sessions. There is truly an opportunity for everyone in our congregation! Contact Mary Elizabeth Neal at maryelizabeth@highlandsumc.net for more information.
Heart and Hand Sunday - August 11 - School Supply Drive
During the summer months, our children, youth, and adults gather once a month for Heart and Hand Sundays, to work together on service projects for our church and community. These inter-generational experiences are a great way to get to know the Highlands family better, and are a perfect opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to see what Highlands is all about. Join us on August 11 when we will be collecting and sorting school supplies for local students.
Join us for our annual back-to-school tradition! All students may bring their backpacks to worship for a moment of blessing and prayer for another great school year. Teachers and childcare givers are invited to take part as well.
During the summer months, our Third Sunday Potlucks become Third Sunday Cook Outs! Join us on Sunday, August 18 for great food and warm fellowship. We’ll provide the hamburgers and hot dogs; the congregation is asked to bring sides and desserts. All are welcome and invited!
Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@highlandsumc.net
Acolyte Trip to the National Acolyte Festival in Washington D.C.
October 12, 2024
More Information to come.
United Women In Faith Bake Sale
Cookies, cakes and pies, oh my! United Women in Faith (UMW) are holding a bake sale before and after worship service on November 24. The proceeds will support UMW local missions projects. Payment by cash, check, or Venmo accepted. If you’d like to contribute baked goods to the sale, please contact Joy McPherson bhamjoy@yahoo.com and Esther Glenn eglennrn@gmail.com.
Heart and Hand Sunday - July 14 - Hygiene Kits
During the summer months, our children, youth, and adults gather once a month for Heart and Hand Sundays, to work together on service projects for our church and community. These inter-generational experiences are a great way to get to know the Highlands family better, and are a perfect opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to see what Highlands is all about. Join us on July 14 when we will be assembling hygiene kits or Community Ministries.
Save the date for future Heart & Hand Sundays: August 11
Join us on Sunday, July 7 for a Hymn Sing! The singing of hymns is one our oldest Methodist traditions, as we collectively lift our hearts and voices for the worship of God. We will sing our favorite songs of the faith, both old and new. Make plans to join us for worship this week!
Pride Parade - June 8
The Central Alabama Pride Parade is this Saturday, June 8. Highlands is excited to have a float in the parade this year, and would like to invite all to participate! Wear your Highlands t-shirts or any colorful apparel and comfortable walking shoes. The parade begins at 8 p.m.
Contact: Susan Crow – crowsusan@gmail.com or 205-249-9599
Family Summer Kick-Off Party - Saturday, June 2 | 3-4:30 p.m.
Join the families of Highlands for a relaxed gathering to celebrate the start of the summer season! We'll gather at the home of Tate and Kirk Forrester on Saturday, June 2 from 3 to 4:40 p.m. for fellowship, sweet treats, and lots of fun together. All children and their families are invited! We hope to see you there!
RSVP to Lauri Soong at laurisoong@hotmail.com
Heart and Hand Sunday - June 2 - Assemble Breakfast Casseroles
During the summer months, our children, youth, and adults gather once a month for Heart and Hand Sundays, to work together on service projects for our church and community. These inter-generational experiences are a great way to get to know the Highlands family better, and are a perfect opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to see what Highlands is all about. Join us on June 2 when we will be making breakfast casseroles for Community Ministries.
Save the date for future Heart & Hand Sundays: July 14 & August 11
Kid’s Service Project at Urban Ministry’s WE Community Garden. More information TBA.
Third Sunday Potlucks take place every third Sunday of the month. The Church Council will meet following the meal.
Bring your favorite main course, side dish, bread, or dessert to share. Don’t have time to bring something? You can make a small donation toward paper products and beverages. Join us for good food and warm fellowship. All are welcome and invited!
Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@highlandsumc.net
Your purchase of a share or shares of stock is an investment in the Highlands United Methodist Youth Mission Trip. It is an investment in the lives of our young people. It is an investment that allows our young people to experience an intentional, guided opportunity to be the loving presence of God. It is an investment that allows the heartbeat of Highlands UMC to be heard and felt in rural Tennessee by low-income residents who are happy to have a helping hand.
Purchasing shares in this trip represents an investment in transformation – in our young people, in a low-income Tennessee county, in the future of Highlands UMC. It will allow our young people to have a never-to-be forgotten experience in serving God by serving others.
As a shareholder, you will receive updates from the trip, photos, and correspondence updating you on what your investment has allowed to happen. The biggest payoff, what your investment does for the spiritual development of our church’s young people, may take years to be fully realized.
Thank you for considering this investment worthwhile.
Third Sunday Potlucks take place every third Sunday of the month.
Bring your favorite main course, side dish, bread, or dessert to share. Don’t have time to bring something? You can make a small donation toward paper products and beverages. Join us for good food and warm fellowship. All are welcome and invited!
Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@highlandsumc.net
United Women In Faith Bake Sale
Cookies, cakes and pies, oh my! United Women in Faith (UMW) are holding a bake sale before and after worship service on April 21. The proceeds will support UMW local missions projects. Payment by cash, check, or Venmo accepted. If you’d like to contribute baked goods to the sale, please contact Joy McPherson bhamjoy@yahoo.com and Esther Glenn eglennrn@gmail.com.
Heart and Hand Sunday - April 7
Our next Heart and Hand Sunday will be next Sunday, April 7 at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. We are collecting books for Books to Prison, which provides books to Alabama and Texas prisons, and Little Libraries to stock several Little Free Libraries around Birmingham that cater to children. We are especially in need of paperbacks of all genres and gently used children’s books. Like our food drive last summer, this is an excellent opportunity to ask your friends and neighbors to help out with donations; pick up a flyer in the Greeting Space to help start the conversation.
Contact: Lauri Soong – laurisoong@hotmail.com
This Lent and Eastertide, Highlands is partnering with RIP Medical Debt, a non-profit organization dedicated to removing the burden of medical debt, using sophisticated data analytics to pinpoint the debt portfolios of those most in need of relief. RIP purchases unpaid and unpayable debt at significantly reduced rates; this debt is forgiven, no strings attached. For every $1 donated, an average of $100 in debilitating debt is forgiven. We have set a goal to relieve ONE MILLION DOLLARS of medical debt in the greater Birmingham area by raising $10,000 through a special Lenten and Easter Offering. We hope you will join us in this worthy cause this season.
Join us on Saturday, March 23 at Overton Park in Homewood (1920 Mayfair Drive) for a church picnic and Easter Egg Hunt. Pack a picnic lunch for your family and join us for fellowship on the grounds beginning at noon; Egg hunts by age group will begin at 1 pm and will be followed by an Easter Bonnet Contest - beautiful, silly, and anything in between welcome! Prizes for everyone! Special prizes for finding Golden Eggs and Easter Bonnets!
Participants are encouraged to bring folding chairs, picnic blankets, and other items for your comfort, as seating at the park is limited.
Volunteers are needed to hide eggs, lead activities, and serve food. Sign up at the display in the Greeting Space or contact Mary Elizabeth Neal – maryelizabeth@highlandsumc.net.
PLEASE NOTE: There are two Overton Parks in the Birmingham area. Our event will be held at the Overton Park in Homewood, in the neighborhood behind the public library, NOT the one on Overton Road in Mountain Brook.
Parent’s Night Out - March 17
Let the Highlands youth group watch the kids while you enjoy a Parents’ Night Out! On Sunday, March 17 from 4 to 6:30 pm, our youth group will host this fun-filled event for kids and families to raise money for their summer mission trip. Kids will enjoy games, crafts, snacks, and a movie. This event is open to children 3 years old and older.
Suggested donation is $30 per child or $75 per family. RSVPs are requested, but walk-ins are welcome!
Contact: Danny Jones – danny@highlandsumc.net or Leslie Williams – leslie@highlandsumc.net
Third Sunday Potlucks take place every third Sunday of the month.
Bring your favorite main course, side dish, bread, or dessert to share. Don’t have time to bring something? You can make a small donation toward paper products and beverages. Join us for good food and warm fellowship. All are welcome and invited!
Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@highlandsumc.net
Five Points South St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
March 16
The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is back, and will pass right in front of Highlands on Saturday, March 16 at 1:30 p.m. There will be festivities throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., including Irish-themed food and drinks along with live music on our front lawn and other participating businesses. Wear something green and come out to support our neighborhood next Saturday!
More information about Five Points South St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Highlands will offer Sanctuary tours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will have a float in the parade. Anyone who would like to participate in the parade may sign up by contacting Warren Laird.
Registration covers the cost of lodging, meals, and programing.
If you have any problems with the online form, contact Mary Elizabeth Neal.
CM Fellowship Hall Work Day - February 3
As we prepare to expand our Community Ministries Hospitality Hours to Saturday service, we need to spend a little time and elbow grease preparing the Fellowship Hall for our guests. Join us on Saturday, February 3 from 10:00 am to Noon to scrub tables and chairs, straighten up the serving area, and organize supplies. There will also be an opportunity for those who have never served in Community Ministries or who haven’t served since before the pandemic to “learn the ropes” and get some training before Saturday service begins on February 10. There’s no need to RSVP but if you know you’ll be able to join in, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Danny Jones - danny@highlandsumc.net
Third Sunday Potlucks take place every third Sunday of the month.
Bring your favorite main course, side dish, bread, or dessert to share. Don’t have time to bring something? You can make a small donation toward paper products and beverages. Join us for good food and warm fellowship. All are welcome and invited!
Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@highlandsumc.net
Ring in the New Year with a Community Breakfast on Sunday, December 31 in the Fellowship Hall. Both church members and guests from our Community Ministries program are invited to enjoy a New Year’s sit-down breakfast from 9 to 10 am. We will wrap up in time to move upstairs together for worship at 10:30 am. We have several volunteer opportunities as we will need help with preparing and serving breakfast, bringing donuts and pastries, and hosting tables.
Contact: Danny Jones – danny@highlandsumc.net or Mark Chambers – markc205@yahoo.com
Service of Christmas Eve Communion for Children and Families
This service of Holy Communion for Christmas Eve will be tailored for children and their families - brief, beautiful, and filled with the joy of the coming of the Christ Child.
Streaming Video and Additional Information coming soon.
Children’s Day of Service - December 19
Save the date for a children’s ministries service project on Tuesday, December 19 from 3 to 5 pm. Children will rotate through stations creating needed items for various ministries of the church and local service organizations. All are welcome and invited. RSVPs requested.
Contact: Lauri Soong – laurisoong@hotmail.com
Service of Morning Worship featuring The Children’s Christmas Pageant
Experience the story of the coming of the Christ child lovingly presented by the children of Highlands. Journey with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem as the ancient story is told and beautiful carols of the season are sung. A Highland's tradition not to be missed!
All children participating in this year’s pageant are required to attend dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. If you have questions, please contact Mary Elizabeth Neal at maryelizabeth@highlandsumc.net.
Parent’s Night Out - December 10
Let the Highlands youth group watch the kids while you enjoy a Parents’ Night Out! On Sunday, December 10 from 4 to 6:30 pm, our youth group will host this fun-filled event for kids and families to raise money for their summer mission trip. Kids will enjoy games, crafts, snacks, and a movie. This event is open to children 3 years old and older.
Suggested donation is $35 per child or $75 per family. RSVPs are requested, but walk-ins are welcome!
Contact: Danny Jones – danny@highlandsumc.net or Leslie Williams – leslie@highlandsumc.net
Save the date! On Sunday, November 26, we will begin preparations for the Advent season. Join us during the Sunday School hour to create a beautiful Advent wreath for your home, featuring hand-rolled beeswax candles, seasonal greenery, and hand-crafted prayer cards. Space and materials are limited! RSVP to save your spot!
Contact: Mary Elizabeth Neal – maryelizabeth@highlandsumc.net.
As is our tradition, Highlands will serve Thanksgiving lunch to our Community Ministries friends on Thursday, November 23. Prior to the meal, we need volunteers to cook desserts and sides as well as set up and decorate the Fellowship Hall. On Thanksgiving Day, we need volunteers to help with serving, welcoming, and clean up.
If you will be out of town on Thanksgiving, please consider making a donation to assist with the purchase of the meal. Checks may be made to HUMC with “CM Thanksgiving” in the memo line and dropped in the offering plate during worship or delivered to the church office.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Danny Jones or Mark Chambers
Sacred Dance Workshop
Each Sunday during Advent, our sacred dancers help prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ child. Sacred Dance is open to girls and boys in 1st grade or older, including youth. Previous dance experience is not required! All dancers are strongly encouraged to attend our Sacred Dance Workshop with coordinator Catie Barron Sunday after the potluck lunch.
Please note that attendance at this workshop is not required for participation in Sacred Dance during the Advent season.
To sign up, contact Mary Elizabeth Neal at maryelizabeth@highlandsumc.net.
Third Sunday Potlucks take place every third Sunday of the month.
Bring your favorite main course, side dish, bread, or dessert to share. Don’t have time to bring something? You can make a small donation toward paper products and beverages. Join us for good food and warm fellowship. All are welcome and invited!
Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@highlandsumc.net
