God’s Good Neighborhood – Children’s Ministry at Highland 9:30–10:45 a.m.
We are excited about this year’s children’s programs! Children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to the third floor of the education building for exciting new faith formation experiences called God’s Good Neighborhood.

Current Schedule
9:30–10:15 a.m. The Good Samaritan (3rd floor, Education Building, various rooms)
10:15–10:45 a.m. Children’s Choir (3rd floor, Education Building, Worship Room)
11:00–12:00 p.m. Worship (Sanctuary)
Nursery (Infants–4 year olds) (1st floor, Education Building)
11:15–12:00 p.m. Children & Worship (Kindergarten1st Grade) (3rd floor, Room 307)

Elementary aged children are welcomed into God’s Good Neighborhood, also located on the third floor. We are excited about a new form of the workshop rotation model, to which we have added an anchoring element of Godly Play, a Montessori-based storytelling experience. Over a 5-week rotation, children will experience the a biblical story beginning in Godly Play. Each of the following weeks the children will move to a different workshop to experience the same story from a different perspective through things like Art, Drama, Cooking, and even a Cinema. God’s Good Neighborhood is the place where children and leaders grow in faith and understanding of what it means to be the people of God.

At 10:15, teachers will take all of the children to the Worship Center (third floor, White Door) for Children’s Choir. Parents can pickup children there at 10:45 a.m.

God’s Good Neighborhood
Sunday School for Preschoolers and Elementary Children, 9:30–10:15 a.m.
Children’s Choir for Preschoolers and Elementary Children, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Children Learning to Worship
It’s been said that one learns to play the flute by playing the flute. The same is true for learning to worship. As a way of learning to worship, Highland’s kindergarteners and first graders are invited to join in the Children and Worship program each Sunday morning following the Time for Young Disciples. This new program is located on the third floor in room 307 (across the hall from the Godly Play room). During our time together we follow the order of worship in four movements: Gathering in God’s Name, Hearing & Seeing God’s Word, Responding to God with Thanks, and Going Out into God’s World. By incorporating a Montessori style of learning, our children are learning the ways in which we spend sacred time together taking to God, listening to God and growing together in love and faith.

Friday Fun Nights for Highland Children – Toddlers–5th Graders and Night Out for Parents
Fridays, February 23 (see reflections below), March 22, April 26, and May 24, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
We have a monthly night of fun and fellowship for Highland families. Parents can drop their children off in the Fellowship Hall where the children will gather for a brief time of experiencing a faith forming story, dinner just as Jesus enjoyed, around the table with friends, and play time. The children will have lots of options for play, including corn hole, Jenga, puzzles, art materials and pickleball! We will even have a couple Highland pickleball players on hand for “coaching.” Parents will head out to a local restaurant for dinner together and a time for deepening friendships. Parents will return to the church at 7:30 to pick up their children. Children will be accompanied by caring adults from Highland’s Congregational Care Team as well as our professional childcare staff person, Judy Parro. Parents who are interested in participating can contact Heather Ferguson for more information and to get on the 4th Friday Fun Night email list. (February’s gathering was fantastic and March could be even better! The Children’s Ministry Committee welcomed 11 families, including 19 children and 13 volunteers for storytime, pizza and fun! Mark your calendar for March 22!)

Here is the Church, Church is the People