Young Adults of Highland is a group for members and guests in their 20s and 30s. This group features Bible study, book studies, and plenty of fellowship. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Courtney Stevens, or the church office, (336) 724-6303.
Our ministry meets weekly in a variety of locations. We gather for fellowship, study, and faithful conversation. Contact Courtney Stevens for more information.
May is here, and with it comes that welcome shift of longer evenings, warmer air, and maybe just a little more space to breathe.
In this season, Easter continues to remind us that resurrection doesn’t only happen in grand moments. Sometimes it shows up around a dinner table, in honest conversation, in laughter with friends, or gathered around a fire as the sun goes down.
In this spirit, this month we’re keeping it simple: good people, meaningful conversation, and a little time outdoors. We’d love for you to join us whether it’s your first time or you’ve been with us from the beginning.
Young Adult Thursdays
Evening gatherings during the week to fellowship and share conversation on a topic
- May 14 7:30 p.m. at Footnote
- May 28 7:00 p.m. at Fiddlin’ Fish – Come for music bingo and a summerlike evening.
Fellowship Meals
- May 6, 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Fling Meal – Join us for the final Wednesday night fellowship meal of the program year! Sign up for a meal today.
- May 17 Lunch and Service Event – Following worship, we’ll gather for lunch and a packing event for Church World Service hygiene kits. We’re still collecting supplies if you’d like to share in an item.
Photo Directory
It’s directory year! Help us put names to faces and stay connected as a church. Sign up to be photographed May 7–9 or May 11–12. Each household receives a free directory and an 8×10 portrait—no purchase required. Sign up for a slot now!
Canoe and Kayak Adventure, Saturday, May 30
The Earth Care team has reserved some kayaks and canoes through The Dan River Company for Saturday, May 30 for a Highland family adventure! The day trip will be their 6.2 mile standard trip, which they say is perfect for beginners and a delight for all skill levels. We will begin with a paddle through the Hammer-Stern Wilderness Preserve and end with a spectacular paddle through a 1 mile section at Hanging Rock State Park along the Dan River Bluffs. Watch for details of cost, timing, and signups in the weekly emails.
Sunday Morning Classes (The final rotation of electives for the education year ending May 17)
Faith, Politics, and the Way of Jesus (Ardmore Room) Ever feel uneasy about how faith and politics get mixed together? You’re not alone. Join us for a 6-week conversation around How to End Christian Nationalism by Amanda Tyler—as we explore what Christian nationalism is (and isn’t), and how we can respond with clarity, courage, and compassion.
This isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions, grounding ourselves in our faith, and figuring out what it looks like to follow Jesus in a complicated world. No prep needed. Just come curious. Books available for $15.
Walking Home Well (Highland Chapel) We don’t talk about death much, but maybe we should. This 6-week class creates space for honest, faithful conversation about what it means to live and die well. Together, we’ll explore the big questions we often avoid: what we believe about death, how to prepare for it, and how these conversations can actually be a gift to ourselves and to the people we love. We’ll use Making Faithful End of Life Decisions by Nancy J. Duff as a guide, but you don’t need to have it all figured out to show up. Come curious. Bring your questions. Maybe even bring someone you love.
Other Highland Things
Spring Forum: Christian Nationalism or Religious Liberty: An American Dilemma; Sunday, May 3, 4:00 p.m.
What is Christian nationalism and why does it matter right now? Join us for a one-time Forum with Bill J. Leonard, a leading voice who’s spent decades studying faith in American life. He’ll help us make sense of the conversation past, present, and what it means for the future of the Church. This isn’t a lecture you have to “keep up with.” It’s a chance to listen, reflect, and engage big questions about faith, identity, and public life together.
Books Groups
LGBTQ Spring Study, April 19, 4:00 p.m.
Continue our conversation around Queer Communion: Religion in Appalachia. this powerful collection of essays, poems, and stories explores what it means to hold faith and queerness together honestly, beautifully, and sometimes painfully. Together, we’ll reflect on themes of chosen family, loss, belonging, and new ways of experiencing God. You don’t have to have all the words just come ready to listen, share, and be part of a community that makes space for the whole story.
Listening to Black Voices May 19, 7:00 p.m. (via Zoom)
Join us as we continue reading The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee, focusing on chapters 5–7. Together, we’ll reflect on the experiences of our African American neighbors and explore what faithful, thoughtful response looks like in our own lives and community. Come ready to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful conversation.
Spring Poverty Group: Silence Can Kill: Speaking Up to End Hunger and Make Our Economy Work for Everyone by Art Simon. May 26, 7:00 p.m.
Finishing our conversation of the book There Is No Place for Us by Brian Gladstone who shares the stories of five families in Atlanta. We will gather on Monday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. Contact Debbie Layman with questions.