Christian Education and Formation

The Sunday School program is the heart of our educational ministry at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. During Sunday mornings, classes for all ages gather to learn about what it means to be a follower of Jesus as they grow in the faith of the Church.

Children

Nursery
Infants and toddlers are cared for in our professionally staffed nursery from 9:00 - 11:15am on most Sunday mornings (September-May) throughout the church year. Toys, crafts, books, and music provide fun activities.

Pre-school and School Aged Children meet from 10:15 - 11:05am, after the Children's Message in our worship service, to explore Bible stories that are being read in morning worship. Games are played, stories heard, plays enacted as the Bible comes alive.

Middle School Youth meet twice a month after the worship service (from 11:15 - 1:00pm) to eat lunch together, investigate current issues and reflect on the message of the Bible as it relates to living in today's world. Current music, movies and books are often used as resources.

SHEMA is our Thursday afternoon program for all children in grades K-5. SHEMA meets for 9 weeks after school in the fall and 10 weeks in the winter of each school year. The program includes recreation, music, crafts, Bible study, mission project, and dinner each week. The SHEMA kids sing in worship on a regular basis. Usually, they also prepare a musical which is presented in the spring.

Confirmation
Highland Park Presbyterian Church uses the Presbyterian Confirmation Curriculum We Believe as the core of a four month class. The program is usually for eighth graders and above and meets late November for orientation and then weekly after school in January through early April. The class is team taught by the pastor and Christian Educator. The class explores what it means to be a Christian in today's world and the youth are invited to become full and active members of the congregation.

Adults

The Forum Group gathers in the Forum room from 9:00-9:50am on Sundays for presentations and discussions on current Christian life topics. The Forum Group is often led by religious leaders and other guest speakers from the area.

Women's Small Group Bible Study meets every Monday evening (Sept.-Nov. and Jan.-May) in a member's home to study a book of the Bible. A workbook is used and weekly lessons are prepared by each member.

The Book Club meets monthly for a lively and thoughtful discussion about our chosen text. Our choices have ranged from A.J. Jacobs' "The Year of Living Bibilically" to Anne Marrow Lindbergh's "Gift from the Sea" to Malise Ruthven's "Islam: A Very Short Introduction."