Children at HPC are growing in FAITH through involvement in congregational life, worship, church school, mission, service, and fellowship.

We are thrilled to have around 115 active families with children from infants through fifth graders and we are always eager to welcome more children and families in any/all of our Children's Ministries. Please continue reading below to learn of our ongoing ministries. For a current listing of Children’s Ministries with dates, times, and places , please go to our Children's Ministries Calendar. 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Our ministries with and for children strive to:

• Ensure the safe care of all children
  
• Show love for all children
  
• Nurture children's spirits, thoughts, and growth
• Respect the value of children
• Build a faith community for children
• Teach children about God, Christ, and the Bible
• Involve children in Christian service to others.

Church School -- 9:30 to 10:30 am. (year round)

• Age defined and graded classes for Twos through Fifth Graders
• Led by teaching teams of two to four adults in each class
• Using Bible Quest curriculum which is written for an ecumenical audience
• Covering a broad range of stories from the Bible by the time a child completes 5th grade while incorporating people of faith from around the world, music, and Reformed theology
• Engaging children in a variety of ways by learning through art, music, movement, reading, sharing, thinking, and wondering about Bible stories.

2004-2005 Sunday School locations for classes:

In the Walker-Nevin Building:
	Twos - Main level, second left Threes - Main level, first left Fours - Main level, first right K's - Upstairs, first right 1st graders - Upstairs, last left 2nd graders - Upstairs, first left 3rd graders - Upstairs, second right
In the Main Building:
	4th graders - Upstairs, second left (across from Chapel) 5th graders - Upstairs, first left (across from Chapel)

Sunday Infant and Toddler Care

9:15 to 12:15 September through May
9:15 to 11:45 June, July, and August.

• Provided for infants in our "Budding Babies" Nursery with our Nursery Nanny, Uneda Gorence, and volunteer assistants.

  Nursery – Walker-Nevin Bldg, Main level, second right

• Provided for toddlers in our "Toddler Buds" Room with Gretta Ashbacher, our Toddler Care Provider, and volunteer assistants.

  Toddlers -- Walker-Nevin Bldg, Lower level, last left

Worship -- 11:00 a.m. (September through May) is:

• Where all children are welcome to worship with the entire congregation
• Where our children can participate in leadership through ushering, greeting, reading scripture, and singing in choir
• Where our children learn about faith and are a part of a church family

During worship we provide

• For our youngest children, Nursery and Toddler care with our Twos joining the Toddlers after Church school.
• Threes the opportunity to go directly to "Bible Buddies."
  
• Fours and Kindergartners the opportunity to go to worship for the first fifteen minutes and enjoy a conversation with the pastor, then join the other children in "Bible Buddies." They leave worship when we sing "Jesus Loves Me."
  
• A table in the back of the sanctuary with items for elementary children remaining in worship that involve the scripture and topic of the service.
  

"Bible Buddies" is a class for threes, fours, and K's to have an alternative during worship. It is mostly an hour of childcare with some stories, playtime, snacks, and crafts.

Service and Mission (ongoing all year) includes:

• Back to School Supplies in August for Kentucky Refugee Ministries and Highlands Community Ministries
  
• Thanksgiving Baskets in November for Highlands Community Ministries
  
• Christmas Angel Tree in December for Highlands Community Ministries
  
• Valentine's Bags in February for Kentucky Refugee Ministries
  
• A class adopting a child in need through an international program
  
• A class adopting a family in need through Highlands Community Ministries
  
• Going to a nearby nursing home to visit and take cards 

Wednesday Evening Supper, Children’s Choirs, and Education Opportunities:

• Supper is provided (with reservations for adults at $6 and children 4 years and older at $3 by calling the Church Office at 502-451-2910)
  
• Children’s Choirs – Angel, Chapel, and Lyric Choirs – practice from 6:30-7:30 pm which includes some playtime. See Music for more information.
  
• Educational programs include a Speaker’s Forum, Yoga, New Member Class, Children and Faith class, and an Issues Class Table Talk as a follow-up from the previous Sunday’s speaker.
  

Fellowship and Community (ongoing all year) includes:
See the CALENDAR for complete and current opportunities.

• Church school parties
• Family Fellowships once a month
• Church-wide Fellowship events
• Intentional Intergenerational events

Notice: Vacation Bible School information will be posted by the end of February. Summer Schedule will be posted by the end of April.

For more information contact Melissa Head, Associate Pastor for Christian Education.

Visit our Fellowship Page for more intergenerational programs.