Menu |About Us |Worship |Ministries |Music |Upcoming Events |Contact Us |Connections
|
MINISTRIES
A Commmunity of Learning
Child Safety: We at Immanuel are committed to ensuring a safe environment for children. We recently held open sessions with the Highland Police department to acquire information regarding child safety. We have in place a Safe Church Policy which is recommended by the United Church of Christ. This policy requires that there are always two adults present when children gather for classes or social activities. Teachers and all who work with children also complete annual workshops on keeping our children and our church safe. All aspects of our policy are reviewed and updated on a continual basis by our Safe Church Committee and the Church Council. Children's Ministry: Our Our year together begins on Sunday, September 11th with a Rally Day gathering from 9:45 – 10:30. All kids, youth, teachers, and helpers are invited, after Words with Children, to a Sundae Sunday in the All-purpose Room, followed by games outdoors (weather permitting). We look forward to a really fun day!
Then on the following Sunday, September 18th, Kids’ Church (ages 4 through 5th grade) will begin using the new Group Dig-In curriculum, The Heart of God. Digging Into the Heart of God brings a fresh approach to growing a lifelong relationship with God. As kids explore God’s character throughout the Bible, God transforms them from the inside out. Kids discover what it means to reflect God's Heart in everyday life. Our Youth Group (grades 6 - 12) will meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Both age-groups are being offered in a hybrid format - starting Sept. 18th on Zoom for the Kids’ Church, and using Google Meet beginning Sept. 25 for the Youth Group. Please contact the church office for the login information if you are not on our current student list.
A.R.K.S. stands for Activities, Religion, Kid-style. Open to children 4 years old and up, we meet the 2nd Friday of each month except January and July. Program is from 6:30 p.m. till 7:45 p.m. We have a theme each month with crafts, lessons, games and snacks. This group will begin meeting back in person in the church in September 2021 with strict protocols in place. Please call the church office for more information.
VBS-each year we host a week long program with a unique fun theme to spread the word of the Lord and Jesus to children 4 -12 years old. Details to follow in May. There is a minimal fee - however all children are welcome regardless if payment can be made. You do need to call the office to put your child's name on the list. Our youth group members are helpers during VBS. This year we will hold our Vacation Bible School Monday through Friday, July 18 - 22, from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. The curriculum is "Monumental" by Group Publishing - Celebrating God's Greatness! Classes are for children ages 4 - 12. Youth 13 and up are invited to be helpers. Please contact Linda Mangnall 709-945-5203 with any questions or to register a youth helper. Youth Ministry:
Junior and Senior High age youth (grades 7 - 12) meet twice each
month on the second and fourth Sundays. On the fourth Sundays our teaching team will lead the group in discussion about Biblical topics and themes. On the second Sundays the group will plan and engage in fellowship, outings, and mission activities. This class is currently meeting in a hybrid format (in person and online) on those Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:30 a.m. Please call the church office if you wish to join in via Zoom.
Adult Education:
Our pastor leads us in Bible studies. Bible Study groups at Immanuel are led by our Pastor Merlyn and also by church members. Pastor led a Zoom study group during January on her "Be the Church" preaching series. One of our discussions has led to the newly formed environmental committee to help organize our church's response to taking care of God's world. Our first event was participating in the Highland Park Pride clean-up day on April 23.
One of our members facilitated a Zoom adult study on the book "Good Enough" on Tuesdays during the Lenten season. A new study series is being planned for fall 2022.
Mission and Outreach:
Immanuel United Church of Christ Durable Medical Equipment Exchange We accept donations of new or used Walkers, Wheelchairs, Bath Benches, blood pressure monitors, and Portable Commodes. Donations of unused non-medical equipment and supplies, and disposable undergarments are welcomed The church does not have room to store hospital beds or motorized wheelchairs. If you have materials to donate or a need for donated items, please call. Leave a message if needed and someone will get back to you ASAP. Please call 219-924-2100 if you have a need or cannot afford to get materials another way. All materials are provided free of charge.
The GHFP serves people in Hammond, Highland, Munster, Whiting, Lake Station, Griffith, Merrillville and Hobart by feeding those who are hungry. Immanuel UCC started supporting the GHFP in the summer of 2001 by collecting and donating non-perishable food items. In 2012, monetary donations were collected in addition to the food items. Several people from Immanuel volunteered at GHFP helping sort the food donations. Twenty-one years later we are still collecting items for GHFP thanks to the many thoughtful and loyal supporters. “People helping People”.
Together, the Immanuel United Church of Christ and the Griffith First United Methodist Church, have
built and are filling a Blessing Box with non-perishable items. This box is located near the entrance to
our church building, 2201 Azalea Drive Highland, IN 46322.As Christians, we are called to feed God’s
people, and this is our effort to help our immediate neighbors.
The blessing box will shelter items from the weather and will never be locked. Neighbors may
help themselves to what they need or donate non-perishable items, if they can.
Take What You Need, Leave What You Can.
The Noisy Offering The First Sunday of each month, the children of Immanuel have designated a charity to be supported through the Noisy Offering. The children circulate throughout the church during the first hymn. They carry colorful pails to collect loose change, thus it is a NOISY offering. This collection goes directly to the charity of their choice. Trunk-n-Treat is the last Sunday in October from 2-4:00 in 2018 time in 2019 1:30-3:00 Please bring a canned good for the food pantry. Come rain or shine! Rummage sale on Oct. 6th from 9-2:00 come as a browser or consider selling your wares, rent a table. Call 219/ 677-8716 for more information. We provide the table, and all the advertising. Children's goodies for the hospital (see missions committee Pastor for details) VBS supplies, our church family is ever so generous with lending us items to decorate, donating food we need or monetary donations to help defray the cost of VBS. Food Pantry is a 365 day a year ministry. We accept non-perishable food that will be delivered to the Food pantry on a regular basis. Other:
An Open and Affirming Community
Immanuel United Church of Christ
Open and Affirming Covenant
We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation welcoming into the full life and ministry of the church persons of every ability, race, culture, age, gender identity, gender expression, and economic status. We are committed to modeling a community of faith and spirit that works toward openness and understanding, offering justice, healing, and wholeness to the life of all people. We believe that through our diversity, all can grow and practice a unity of faith that transcends our differences. Therefore, in faithfulness to the gospel and our United Church of Christ identity, and to the best of our ability, we promise to provide programs, ministries, and pastoral care to all who seek God in this place. Immanuel United Church of Christ boldly proclaims, "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." (adopted September 11, 2016 by the Open and Affirming Committee of Immanuel United Church of Christ, 2201 Azalea Drive, Highland, IN)
"What has the ONA Team been doing?"
COMPLETED ITEMS
Members:
TABEA WOMEN'S GUILD
On October 19, 1893, Tabea Women's Guild was formed. It seemed fitting to be named "TABEA" from the Bible character. PURPOSE: To unite all women of the church in Christian Fellowship, that all may be one: with a program of giving, serving, sharing and spiritual enrichment. In the early days women were involved in garden festivals, box socials and bazaars, with a multitude of women participating. As time has passed and membership has lessened, the same purpose still prevails. Each year a donation is given to an appropriate charity in memory of our honorees, with memorials given in memory of our deceased as occurs. We continue to donate to various groups in need, such as the sewing and contribution of 35 beautifully crafted quilts in 2019 to people who are homeless in Chicago and regular donations to food pantries. All Guild members participate in Church Women United of Greater Hammond events each year. Meetings are held from March through December, with no meetings in January and February, with regular meeting dates on the second Thursday of each month in the church. Please come and join us. You'll enjoy the eat-outs, inside picnics, birthday parties and Christmas Gala plus various other activities. Sincerely,
|
The Blessing Box