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:

In person Sunday School classes held before March 2020

Zoom Family Christmas Party - December 20, 2020

During this time of pandemic we are holding our Sunday School classes on Zoom. Please contact the church office if you wish to participate. Our elementary class, ages 4-6th grade, meets every week from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

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 is currently meeting on Zoom as well for most of their activities.

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.

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 on Zoom from 11:30- noon on Sundays after the elementary class is finished.

Adult Education:

Our pastor leads us in Bible studies. Alongside of Pastor Merlyn's preaching series, Bible study will follow for five Tuesdays in Lent this year. We will discuss the sermon and share what we learned from the scripture and sermon. Pastor will be using the following book to resource her sermons and discussion: Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton. Purchasing the book for your own study and reflection is entirely optional. You don't need the book to follow in Bible study, but it can be helpful. Call the church office for the Zoom log-in information between 8 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday. Bible Study Sessions will be February 23, 2021 and March 2, 9, 16, 23, 2021 on Zoom.

Mission and Outreach:

Easter Egg hunt- is the Saturday before Easter from 11-12:30 Please bring a canned good for the food pantry. Come rain or shine!

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:

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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

1. Lift Chair to Choir Loft Installed
2. Remove Bathroom Doors
3. Remove cabinets for women's restroom to make more disability friendly
4. Remove urinal from men's restroom to make more disability friendly
5. Three Flags: Pride, UCC, and American with three poles
6. Lanyards and Nametags
7. Sound System Repair and Replace
8. Social Justice-Letters sent to Donald Trump concerning separation of families and deportation
9. Information sent to update Website created by Oliver Lawrence
10. New Greeters Program: Pastor Merlyn has taken on this task and has spoken with the Elders
11. Welcome Witness/Congregation Testimonials: Pastor Merlyn has started this with Ronald Graves speaking first and more coming in 2019
12. ONA Celebration last Sunday in June each year
13. Gender Revolution Documentary Clips as a portion of the worship service

Members:

• Andy Dudeck Chair/Secretary
• Jeff Behling
• Oliver Lawrence
• Sandy Rusnack
• Roger Ulman
• Bill Petrites
• Tom Wilborn
• Terry Jones

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TABEA WOMEN'S GUILD

TRUST
AMBITION
BENEVOLENCE
EARNESTNESS
ALMSDEEDS

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,
Nelda Heller, President

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