Join us on Tuesdays this fall as we dig into scripture together using Disciple Bible Study and Bible Project videos. We'll journey through the Old Testament this fall, continuing into the New Testament this winter and spring, finishing up around Easter. Classes begin at 11:45 am in Room 204, starting September 15. Lunch is available for $12 with reservation. Study manuals are $20/semester. New to the group? You're welcome here!

To reserve your spot and a manual, contact Reggie Holder – reggie@highlandsumc.net.

Lunch RSVP: Suzanne Hoye – srhoye@live.com

Save the Date: Bishop Holston Preaching at Highlands - September 27

Join us in worship on September 27 for a special and uplifting service as Bishop Jonathan Holston, the bishop of the North Alabama and Alabama-West Florida conferences, will be preaching. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together in fellowship, to listen and be inspired by his powerful message. We warmly invite you to experience this meaningful day with us, and to invite friends to come to church with you.

Join us on Tuesdays this fall as we dig into scripture together using Disciple Bible Study and Bible Project videos. We'll journey through the Old Testament this fall, continuing into the New Testament this winter and spring, finishing up around Easter. Classes begin at 11:45 am in Room 204, starting September 15. Lunch is available for $12 with reservation. Study manuals are $20/semester. New to the group? You're welcome here!

To reserve your spot and a manual, contact Reggie Holder – reggie@highlandsumc.net.

Lunch RSVP: Suzanne Hoye – srhoye@live.com

Life In the Vine Book Study - September 20

Please join us as we read Life in the Vine by Rebekah Rojcewicz. Whether you have children in the Atrium, have visited the Atrium, or have been wondering what it is all about, this book study is for you! We'll discuss small sections at each monthly meeting, and we'll have plenty of time for questions. Rebekah gives a great look into the joy of living life on the "True Vine" and the ways both children, atechists, parents, and grandparents can grow on the journey. Our next meeting will be Sunday, September 20 from 5 to 6 pm at the home of Lauri Soong.

If you can't do the book but have interest in Atrium, we need volunteers on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 11 am. We can also use help making lessons. Lots of ways to join in! Let us know of your interest!

Contact Lauri Soong – laurisoong@hotmail.com

Church Council Meeting - September 20

The Church Council will meet on Sunday, September 20 in the Fellowship Hall worship following the Third Sunday Potluck. Church Council meetings are open to everyone; all are welcome to observe our church leadership at work.

Contact: Anne Rand - asrand@yahoo.com

Tuesday Bible Study Resumes September 15

Join us on Tuesdays this fall as we dig into scripture together using Disciple Bible Study and Bible Project videos. We'll journey through the Old Testament this fall, continuing into the New Testament this winter and spring, finishing up around Easter. Classes begin at 11:45 am in Room 204, starting September 15. Lunch is available for $12 with reservation. Study manuals are $20/semester. New to the group? You're welcome here!

To reserve your spot and a manual, contact Reggie Holder – reggie@highlandsumc.net.

Lunch RSVP: Suzanne Hoye – srhoye@live.com

United Women in Faith Meeting

Highlands United Women in Faith will meet at the church on Monday, September 14 at 11:00 am. We will be making breakfast casseroles for Community Ministries. Lunch will follow for $12 with reservation.

Contact: Mary Beth Lloyd – mblloyd85@yahoo.com
Lunch RSVP: Suzanne Hoye – srhoye@live.com

Renewal Quilt Dedication - September 13

Join us next Sunday, September 13, during 10:30 am worship as we dedicate our Renewal Quilt, a beautiful expression of the stories, hopes, prayers, and shared life of our Highlands community. Woven together piece by piece, square by square, the Renewal Quilt reminds us of our Connectedness in God’s Grace – that each of us is part of something larger than ourselves. Come celebrate the threads that bind us together and the beautiful tapestry God continues to weave among us. All are invited to this special celebration!

Atrium Resumes - September 13

The Atrium reopens next Sunday, September 13 at 9:30 am. The Atrium is a place of calm, prayer, and wonder, where children are encouraged to nurture their faith in a way that is age appropriate and rooted in the connection that they already have with God. Children age 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend each week throughout the school year. Our catechists are eager to be with our students again!

This fall, make a little room in your Sunday mornings for conversation, curiosity, and community. You don’t have to be a regular Sunday school attendee or have all the answers to join in. Our adult spiritual formation classes are welcoming spaces to ask questions, explore faith, and get to know one another. Join us each Sunday at 9:30 am starting next week! More information at www.highlandsumc.net/sundayschool

Continued Conversation Led by Mikah Hudson in Room 209

For those who want to keep wrestling with the questions that don't have easy answers, this class offers an ongoing space for honest dialogue on faith, culture, and the issues shaping our lives today. Expect thoughtful conversation, differing perspectives held in respect, and room to think out loud together. We will reflect on the lectionary, recent sermons, and timely topics.

Faith & Films Discussion Series Led by Kyle McKinnon in Room 210

A Sunday school discussion around movies that aren’t traditionally categorized as faith-based films. Like a book club, each week we will discuss a different movie, covering themes like humility, restoring relationships, resisting societal norms, and mortality, with an overall focus on finding God’s influence in unexpected places. The films will be All That Heaven Allows (1955), The Straight Story (1999), Perfect Days (2023), and The Life of Chuck (2024).

Civic Virtues: Through the Lens of Christ Led by Mark Chambers in Room 204

Based on Senator Corey Booker’s book, STAND, this class explores ten core civic virtues: agency, vulnerability, patriotism, truth, humility, community, creativity, perseverance, grace, and vision. Each week we will randomly choose a card with a virtue and a few questions based on some of Christ teachings for discussion.

Join your friends from Highlands for a movie night! We will visit local independent movie theater, Sidewalk Cinema in the basement of the The Pizitz Food Hall downtown, for Mary Oliver: Saved By the Beauty of the World. Choose from two screening times – Wednesday, September 9 at 6:15 pm or Thursday, September 10 at 4:45 pm. Parking is available at metered spaces on the street or at The Pizitz parking deck off 18th Street North.

Seating is limited, so advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended!

Overview

If poetry had a pop icon, Mary Oliver would be it. Celebrated best-selling poet, Pulitzer Prize-winner, lover of dogs and long walks in the woods, openly queer but intensely private, Oliver was America’s unlikely contemporary mystic, stalking the ponds and forests of Cape Cod for nearly fifty years in order to open herself – and her readers – to the known and unknowable world. From a lonely childhood to literary fame, Oliver’s life was shaped by devotion to nature, paying attention, and the long journey toward learning to love and to be loved. Her poems inspire liberals and conservatives, atheists and believers, naturalists and urbanites, speaking directly to contemporary anxieties about attention, presence, and the human relationship with the natural world – issues that feel especially pressing in an era of climate crisis, digital distraction, and social fragmentation. Featuring interviews with her close friends, including John Waters, never-before-seen personal photos, notebooks, and correspondence from her archive, and recitations of her work by Stephen Colbert, Lucy Dacus, Steve Buscemi, and Oprah Winfrey, Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World considers the poet’s long lifetime of work in context, capturing the uniqueness of her world and the natural beauty that inspired her.

*All Wednesday screenings are captioned if made available by the distributor.
*Films will usually have an average of 8-10 minutes of trailers before each screening. 
*Seating is general admission. Arrive early to screenings if you want to ensure everyone in your group sits together.
*No outside food or beverages. We have a full bar and concessions in the cinema, and anything purchased from there can be taken into the theatre. 

Join your friends from Highlands for a movie night! We will visit local independent movie theater, Sidewalk Cinema in the basement of the The Pizitz Food Hall downtown, for Mary Oliver: Saved By the Beauty of the World. Choose from two screening times – Wednesday, September 9 at 6:15 pm or Thursday, September 10 at 4:45 pm. Parking is available at metered spaces on the street or at The Pizitz parking deck off 18th Street North.

Seating is limited, so advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended!

Overview

If poetry had a pop icon, Mary Oliver would be it. Celebrated best-selling poet, Pulitzer Prize-winner, lover of dogs and long walks in the woods, openly queer but intensely private, Oliver was America’s unlikely contemporary mystic, stalking the ponds and forests of Cape Cod for nearly fifty years in order to open herself – and her readers – to the known and unknowable world. From a lonely childhood to literary fame, Oliver’s life was shaped by devotion to nature, paying attention, and the long journey toward learning to love and to be loved. Her poems inspire liberals and conservatives, atheists and believers, naturalists and urbanites, speaking directly to contemporary anxieties about attention, presence, and the human relationship with the natural world – issues that feel especially pressing in an era of climate crisis, digital distraction, and social fragmentation. Featuring interviews with her close friends, including John Waters, never-before-seen personal photos, notebooks, and correspondence from her archive, and recitations of her work by Stephen Colbert, Lucy Dacus, Steve Buscemi, and Oprah Winfrey, Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World considers the poet’s long lifetime of work in context, capturing the uniqueness of her world and the natural beauty that inspired her.

*All Wednesday screenings are captioned if made available by the distributor.
*Films will usually have an average of 8-10 minutes of trailers before each screening. 
*Seating is general admission. Arrive early to screenings if you want to ensure everyone in your group sits together.
*No outside food or beverages. We have a full bar and concessions in the cinema, and anything purchased from there can be taken into the theatre. 

The church office and Child Development Center will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

No Sunday School Classes - September 6

There will be no Sunday School classes or Atrium next Sunday, September 6 during Labor Day Weekend. The Nursery will open at 10:15 am.

Ministry Fair - August 30

Come discover the many ways to connect, serve, grow, and make a difference at Highlands! On Sunday, August 30 during the Sunday School hour, our Ministry Fair will showcase meaningful opportunities in worship, compassion, welcoming, and growing ministries. Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am—and invite a friend to come explore with you!

Need a break? Join the women of Highlands for a relaxed social gathering at Panera Bread in Vestavia Hills on Tuesday, August 25 at 7:00 pm. No agenda, no book to read – just friends fellowshipping together.

Contact: Lauri Soong – laurisoong@hotmail.com

During the summer months, our Third Sunday Potlucks become Third Sunday Cook Outs! Join us on Sunday, August 16 for great food and warm fellowship. We’ll provide the cook-out favorites; the congregation is asked to bring sides and desserts. All are welcome and invited!

Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@highlandsumc.net

Bring A Friend Sunday - August 16

It is a wonderful time to invite friends to come with you to church! We invite you to bring a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to Sunday school and worship on Sunday, August 16. All are welcome! Invite your friends to experience the warmth of God's loving community here at Highlands and to experience the beauty of our worship, and stay after for our Third Sunday Potluck. Let's all extend our love into the community by welcoming friends and neighbors to Highlands!

United Women in Faith Meeting

Highlands United Women in Faith will meet at the church on Tuesday, August 11 at 11:00 am. We will meet for lunch and fellowship at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Cafe. RSVPs are requested.

Contact: Mary Beth Lloyd – mblloyd85@yahoo.com
Lunch RSVP: Suzanne Hoye – srhoye@live.com

As summer approaches and folks return home from school or work, we want to extend a warm invitation to college students and young adults to join us for a bi-monthly meal and fellowship gathering. It’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and share in a time of reflection and spiritual growth. Gatherings will include a delicious meal, time for catching up with each other, and a short devotional to inspire and encourage you as you navigate this season of life. We believe that community is essential for growth and support, and we would love for you to be a part of ours.

Contact: Reggie Holder – reggie@highlandsumc.net.

Meeting Schedule and Locations:

Monday, June 1 – Top Golf Outing, hosted by The Soong Family

Wednesday, July 15 – The Harper-Holder Family

Monday, August 10 – The Rand Family

One Sunday each month, our children, youth and adults will gather together during Sunday School for Heart and Hand Sundays, where we will work together on service projects for our church and community. This inter-generational time of service will start with refreshments and a short devotional suitable for all ages. Join us at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Back Ministries - August 9 

You are invited to join us during the Sunday School hour on Sunday, August 9th, to help prepare bags of weekend food for local students. These students receive free breakfasts and lunches each school day, but are food insecure on weekends. This year, we hope to pack about 740 bags per month and deliver them to Glen Iris Elementary School, Midfield Elementary School, and Rutledge Middle School. Counselors will discreetly place the bags in their backpacks every Friday afternoon, which is why this is called the backpack ministry. Each bag contains at least 12 items of nonperishable food.

 In addition to packing at church throughout the year, you can make a monetary donation by going to the church website to the giving option and dropping down to backpack ministry. We also pack at Midfield Elementary about every 3 weeks, usually on a Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:00. If you would like to be on the email list to be notified when we are packing at Midfield, please contact Cathy Ivey at cathycivey@gmail.com or 205-903-9311. 

Donation Items:
- boxes of Mac and cheese (not microwaveable type)
- canned tuna or chicken
- cans of soup like chicken noodle or chicken & rice
- individual packets of instant grits
- individual packets of instant oatmeal
- nutrigrain bars (no nuts)
- squeezable packets of applesauce
- cans of spaghetti-o’s or ravioli

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.

Join us after worship this Sunday, July 19 for a summer veggie luncheon! PJ Ellis will prepare a feast from locally grown produce to celebrate the abundance of summer. This delicious spread will take the place of our regular Summer Sunday Cook Out, so there's no need to bring sides or desserts.

As summer approaches and folks return home from school or work, we want to extend a warm invitation to college students and young adults to join us for a bi-monthly meal and fellowship gathering. It’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and share in a time of reflection and spiritual growth. Gatherings will include a delicious meal, time for catching up with each other, and a short devotional to inspire and encourage you as you navigate this season of life. We believe that community is essential for growth and support, and we would love for you to be a part of ours.

Contact: Reggie Holder – reggie@highlandsumc.net.

Meeting Schedule and Locations:

Monday, June 1 – Top Golf Outing, hosted by The Soong Family

Wednesday, July 15 – The Harper-Holder Family

Monday, August 10 – The Rand Family

Need a break? Join the women of Highlands for a relaxed social gathering at Panera Bread in Vestavia Hills on Tuesday, July 14 at 7:00 pm. No agenda, no book to read – just friends fellowshipping together.

Contact: Lauri Soong – laurisoong@hotmail.com

One Sunday each month, our children, youth and adults will gather together during Sunday School for Heart and Hand Sundays, where we will work together on service projects for our church and community. This inter-generational time of service will start with refreshments and a short devotional suitable for all ages. Join us at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

July 12 - Diaper Drive for Bundles of Hope
This month, Highlands is partnering with our friends at East Lake UMC to support Bundles of Hope, a local diaper bank which cares for the community by meeting the basic, essential, monthly needs of Alabama families. Diaper in all sizes, baby wipes, and period products are needed. Bring items to the Fellowship Hall and help us sort them for delivery.

Upcoming Heart & Hand Sunday:
August 9 - Backpack Ministries (non-perishable food items)

Join us after worship on July 5 for Hymn Sing Sundae, an ice cream social to celebrate Independence Day Weekend with our church family. Invite your friends and neighbors