Five Points South St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

March 14

The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is back, and will pass right in front of Highlands on Saturday, March 14 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 here.

Lenten Labyrinth - Sundays at 3 PM

During the Lenten season, Jettye Davis will gently facilitate a time and space for prayer, quiet listening, and reflection. This contemplative walk offers a meaningful way to slow down, release what weighs on the heart, and open yourself to God’s grace and renewal. The labyrinth will be available in the Chancel each Sunday in March from 3 to 4 pm. Come and go as your schedule allows!

Lenten Labyrinth - Sundays at 3 PM

During the Lenten season, Jettye Davis will gently facilitate a time and space for prayer, quiet listening, and reflection. This contemplative walk offers a meaningful way to slow down, release what weighs on the heart, and open yourself to God’s grace and renewal. The labyrinth will be available in the Chancel each Sunday in March from 3 to 4 pm. Come and go as your schedule allows!

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!

Make plans to stay after the potluck to help us pack backpacks with weekend meals for students at local schools. This is a great service opportunity for children and families. All materials will be provided - just join in!

Contact: Michelle Jones – michelle@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

Celebrate the holiday season with a Community Breakfast on Sunday, December 28 in the Fellowship Hall. We will serve breakfast for our community guests from 9 to 10 am, wrapping up in time for worship at 10:30 am. We have several volunteer opportunities, including providing food and beverages, serving, hosting tables, and setup and clean up. If you’d like to help out, contact Nancy Hill. We hope you’ll join us for breakfast!

Contact: Nancy Hill – nancy.hill849@gmail.com or 205-602-4793

Youth Group Christmas Party - December 22

Save the date for the youth group Christmas Party on Monday, December 22 from 5 to 7 pm. Hosted by TBA. More information and directions will be sent to youth group families in the coming week.

Contact: Danny Jones – danny@highlandsumc.net | 933-8751 ext. 211

Advent Labyrinth Walks
Sundays in December • 3:00–4:00 p.m.

During this sacred season of waiting and hope, you are invited to a weekly Advent opportunity to walk the labyrinth in the sanctuary. Each Sunday in December, from 3 to 4 p.m., Jettye Davis will gently facilitate our time together, offering space for reflection, prayer, and quiet renewal.

As the sun begins to set, the light streaming through the sanctuary window traces a beautiful path from the crèche to the altar—an embodied reminder of Christ’s journey into the world and into our hearts. Come as you are, move at your own pace, and allow the Spirit to guide your steps.

Our regular Third Sunday Potluck will not take place today so that families may celebrate the Christmas holidays together. Join us for our next potluck on January 18, 2026.

Join us for familiar songs of the season, delicious hot cocoa and snacks, and warm fellowship with the Highlands family.

6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Advent Labyrinth Walks
Sundays in December • 3:00–4:00 p.m.

EXTENDED HOURS FOR 12/14 - 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

During this sacred season of waiting and hope, you are invited to a weekly Advent opportunity to walk the labyrinth in the sanctuary. Each Sunday in Advent, from 3 to 4 p.m., Jettye Davis will gently facilitate our time together, offering space for reflection, prayer, and quiet renewal.

As the sun begins to set, the light streaming through the sanctuary window traces a beautiful path from the crèche to the altar—an embodied reminder of Christ’s journey into the world and into our hearts. Come as you are, move at your own pace, and allow the Spirit to guide your steps.

Advent Labyrinth Walks
Sundays in December • 3:00–4:00 p.m.

During this sacred season of waiting and hope, you are invited to a weekly Advent opportunity to walk the labyrinth in the sanctuary. Each Sunday in December, from 3 to 4 p.m., Jettye Davis will gently facilitate our time together, offering space for reflection, prayer, and quiet renewal.

As the sun begins to set, the light streaming through the sanctuary window traces a beautiful path from the crèche to the altar—an embodied reminder of Christ’s journey into the world and into our hearts. Come as you are, move at your own pace, and allow the Spirit to guide your steps.

Bring A Friend Sunday - December 7

As we kick off our fall activities, 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, December 7. 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. Let's all extend our love into the community by welcoming friends and neighbors to Highlands!

As is our tradition, Highlands will serve Thanksgiving lunch to our Community Ministries friends on Thursday, November 27. 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

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 23. 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 Laura Williams (swilliams1521@msn.com) or Denise Williams (denisew60al@gmail.com).

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

Join us on Sunday, October 19 to celebrate Halloween Highlands style! Wear your costumes to church and join us following worship for a seasonal fellowship meal and a carnival for the kids. We are in need of baked goods for a cake walk, additional Halloween decorations, and volunteers to help run simple carnival games and distribute prizes during the event. If you are able to help make this day memorable and fun for the children in our church, please contact Mary Elizabeth Neal at maryelizabeth@highlandsumc.net.

Third Sunday Potlucks take place every third Sunday of the month. Stay after the October potluck for a Halloween Carnival for all ages!

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

Stewardship for Ministries in 2026: Weaving Together

Your pledge is a vital thread in the fabric of Highlands’ future. Each gift helps us strengthen our community of faith, expand outreach, and ensure our church remains a place of hope and renewal.Together, we are weaving a strong and vibrant community. Your commitment will help us:

Grow ministries, both within our congregation and the wider community.

Preserve and care for our church home, a sacred space where generations have found and will find belonging.

Build a sustainable future together, meeting the challenges of rising costs while expanding our impact.

Thank you for prayerfully considering your pledge for 2026.
Completed pledges requested by Sunday, October 19, 2025

Heart & Hand Sunday - October 12

Our next Heart & Hand Sunday is October 12! We will be Weaving Together Friendships - blending together the "work of the heart" and the "work of the hands" to create friendship bracelets and strengthen the bonds of friendship between our church members. Join us for singing, crafting, storytelling, and fellowship with your Highlands friends. Truly an activity for all ages! Come to the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am on October 12 to take part!

There will be no other Sunday School offerings this Sunday! The nursery is available for children age 4 and younger starting at 9:30 a.m. Children should accompany their parents to worship and will be dismissed to Children's Choir following the Children's Moment.

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

Bring A Friend Sunday - September 7

As we kick off our fall activities, 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, September 7. 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. If you have friends with children, there is also an Atrium Lunch and Learn that day with childcare provided. Let's all extend our love into the community by welcoming friends and neighbors to Highlands!

No Sunday School Classes - May 24

There will be no Sunday School classes or Atrium next Sunday, May 24 during Memorial Day Weekend. The Nursery will open at 10:15 am.

No Sunday School Classes - August 31

There will be no Sunday School classes or Atrium next Sunday, August 31 during Labor Day Weekend. The Nursery will open at 10:15 am.

Heart and Hand Sunday - August 24: Book Drive and Highlands Quilt

Heart & Hand Sundays are intergenerational Sunday School service projects for the whole Highlands family! One Sunday each summer month, our children, youth and adults gather to work together on service projects for our church and community.

This year, we will be collecting items for a local charities and working together to create a Highlands quilt as part of our 2025 Renewal.

June 1 - Diaper Drive for East Lake UMC Co-Op Ministries
July 13 - Pet Supplies for Greater Birmingham Humane Society
August 24 - Gently Used Children’s Books for Little Free Libraries

Everyone is invited and encouraged to take part! These 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.

Acolyte Training

Being an acolyte at Highlands is more than just wearing a robe and carrying a torch or processional cross - it is an act of praise and service to God, and your church family. Acolytes illuminate the Word, direct our attentions toward spiritual matters, and enhance our communal worship experience. This fall, you are invited to join the Acolyte Ministry at Highlands. All you have to do is attend one of our training sessions. Lunch will provided and training takes about an hour. Acolyte training is open to everyone: adults, youth, and children fourth grade and older. All currently trained acolytes are also encouraged to attend a training session.

During the summer months, our Third Sunday Potlucks become Third Sunday Cook Outs! Join us on Sunday, August 17 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

All adults and youth are invited to a new Summer Sunday School series exploring our Renewal theme: Connectedness in God's Grace. Guest presenters will share insights on the ways we connect to and with one another, and Rev. Mikah Hudson will share reflections from his five-month renewal leave. All are welcome and invited! Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, June 8 - August 17.

June 8 Personal Connectedness - Reggie Holder and Kathleen Lalor
June 15 Church Connectedness - Clergy & Laity Panel Discussion
June 22 Community Connectedness - Lulu Gribbon
June 29 Family Connectedness - Renee Peacock
July 20 Renewal Reflections, Part 1 - Rev. Mikah Hudson
July 27 Renewal Reflections, Part 2 - Rev. Mikah Hudson
Aug. 3 Renewal Reflections, Part 3 - Rev. Mikah Hudson
Aug. 10 Connectedness in God’s Grace - Renewal Committee
Aug. 17 Connect at Highlands - Ministry Fair