Christmas Giving
Our CPH Deacons invite you to consider two opportunities to provide unwrapped toys for children this Christmas. Toys can be placed in the boxes at church, or bought online (see info below). All donations must arrive by December 8.
1) Gifts for Two Children in Foster Care – by Dec 8
Keagan is a 6-year-old girl who is developmentally 2-3 years old. Her favorite color is red and she loves music! Her clothing size is a size 8 or girls’ medium. Items on her wish list include an activity learning table, musical toys, remote control car, and toy vehicles. Her wish online wish list is coming soon.
Angel is an 8-year-old-boy who is developmentally 4-5 years old. His favorite color is blue and he loves Paw Patrol! His clothing size a size 8-10 for shirts and 10-12 for pants. His wish list includes a big wheel, action figures, remote control car, Legos, and number/counting blocks. His online wish list is coming soon.
2) Toys for Children at the Stewart Center – bring toys by Dec 8
The Stewart Center in Atlanta needs toys/gifts for ages 5-12. Please bring unwrapped toys to the church by Dec 8. You can also shop the Stuart Center’s Amazon Wishlist directly.
Contact colleen@dhbc.org if you can help.
Join Our Team
We are currently looking for interns for the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters. Interning at the Church at Ponce & Highland is a great way to get hands-on experience in a diverse, inclusive community and grow as a minister:
Ministerial Intern at the Church at Ponce & Highland
Families Ministry Intern at Church at Ponce & Highland
Families Ministry Intern at the Church at Ponce & Highland
About Us:
The Church at Ponce & Highland is a multiracial, pro-LGBTQ, economically diverse, member-led Atlanta church devoted to radical inclusivity, thoughtful spirituality, and caring community.
We are a congregation open to all persons who are seeking to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and who desire to pattern their lives after the life and teachings of Jesus. Recognizing that we are all “one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28) we affirm our equality in the family of God and in this congregation regardless of social status, education, race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental ability, physical ability, position, or any other distinction.
Objective of the Internship:
Provide childcare and spiritual guidance to support families and help the children of the Church at Ponce & Highland feel safe, feel loved and grow as members of the church.
About You
- Experience in caring for children up to the age of 13.
- The ability to adapt and interact with children with varying needs.
- Currently enrolled in a college or graduate program
- Affirm all children regardless of distinctions including but not limited to gender and sexual identity, mental capabilities, etc.
- Familiarity with Christian ideals and beliefs, Bible stories and Christian traditions
- Excited about working in an inclusive, diverse church
Expectations:
- Provide dependable, safe, secure, and nurturing care to children ages 0-13.
- Be polite, friendly, and courteous to all children, parents, congregants and staff.
- Assist the Associate Pastor to Families with the children’s sermon, Bible lesson and activity each Sunday and other children and family events throughout the year.
Accountability and Compensation:
- Hours are Sunday mornings from 10:30am-12:30pm. There may be additional hours for special events from time to time.
- You will report to the Associate Pastor to Families, Associate Pastor, and senior pastor. You will also work closely with families and other childcare staff.
- Scholarships or hourly pay may be available.
To Apply:
- Email colleen@dhbc.org with a copy of your resume and what interests you about this position.
- Complete and pass a criminal background check or provide the results of a background check from the past 12 months.
Choir-Led Good Friday Service
At our choir-led Good Friday Service of Darkness and Song, you will hear the story of Jesus’s death anew as our CPH choir performs special music in the intimate and atmospheric Selah Center (upstairs above the church office). We will lower the lights as we go and leave in darkness and in silence, with hearts seeking the joy of Easter.
Celebrate Easter Someplace Unique
All are welcome at the Church at Ponce & Highland on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, at 11a ET for our Easter service of celebration.
Picnic & Easter Egg Hunt
Join us on April 2 (Palm Sunday) at 12p ET for a picnic and Easter egg hunt. We will have free food and an egg hunt on the playground for kids. Everyone in the church community and local neighborhood are invited, especially kiddos and families! If you would like to help set up, email colleen@dhbc.org, and if you can provide a side dish, email colin.holtz@dhbc.org.
Volunteer at the Freeze Shelter
Freezing temperatures put our neighbors who sleep outside at risk.
As temperatures plunge, the Mercy Church / St. John’s Freeze Shelter is looking for volunteers to help greet people in the evenings, to provide food, or to stay overnight.
If you can help, contact Allen at allen.jones@dhbc.org or Pastor Colin at colin.holtz@dhbc.org.
Blue Christmas
Sun Dec 18 at 7p.
Christmas is a beautiful time of year, but also a time when there is such pressure to be joyful that tough emotions such as grief, loss, anger, and more, feel unwelcome. That is where our “Blue” Christmas service comes in.
Through song, candle-lighting, and quiet we make space for everyone dealing with tough emotions or not feeling quite so jolly this Christmas.
Joy Sunday Lessons & Carols
Join us on Sunday, Dec 11 at 11a, for our beloved Christmas service of Lessons & Carols presented by the CPH choir.
We will have light snacks and drinks afterwards in the parlor.
Fall 2022 Interns and Singers
Heather Wright (she/her) is new to our church this fall, and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry at McAfee School of Theology. She is a part-time student and full-time lawyer, practicing in general civil and family law at her law firm, The Wright Firm, LLC. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.B.A. in Finance and received her law degree from Mercer University. She also donates her time in the community, acting as a Guardian Ad Litem in disputed family law matters. A Black Belt in American Freestyle Karate, she teaches self- defense classes geared toward practical methods for the untrained person. She has been married to her husband, John, for nearly 23 years, and the two just welcomed two new kittens in their home. She and her husband are members of Mount Paran Church, where she has served in the choirs.
Anna Faith Adair (she/her), returns for a 2nd year with us. She sees the beloved community as God’s tangible expression of love for God’s children. At CPH, Anna Faith ministers to both children and adults. She has a ministry background in primarily student and children ministry, leading Bible studies, teaching, and community building. She graduated from Young Harris College in 2021 with an Interdisciplinary Degree and is pursuing a Master of Divinity at McAfee School of Theology.
Jacqueline Lance or just Jackie (she/her), choral scholar, is currently studying music at KSU with a concentration in classical voice. She is very passionate about the arts and plans to make it her life’s work. Jackie also loves cars and considers that to be one of the Easter eggs of her personality.
Jenna Livsey (she/her), staff singer, received her bachelor’s in music therapy from the University of Georgia and her master’s in music therapy from Colorado State University. She has worked as a music therapist for the past 8 years, and is currently pursuing her Physician Assistant degree to further her career in healthcare. Jenna loves singing in choir, and has served as a staff singer in several churches since 2015. A fun fact about Jenna is that she has a grey goldendoodle named Shadow, who she loves more than anything in the world!
Larry Kevin Garland (he/him), staff singer, is 26 years old and lives in Adairsville Ga. He graduated from Young Harris College in 2018 with a BA in music theatre and vocal performance. LK holds state, regional, and national titles as a contemporary and classical soloist. Following graduation, he traveled the country as a professional performer. In addition to his success as an actor and a vocalist, LK has managed to recover from a massive stroke and brain hemorrhage in 2019, which he thinks is pretty dope. LK is thrilled to be serving the Church at Ponce and Highland as one of its first ever staff singers.
Nick Nguyen (he/him) returns as a choral scholar for the year. Nick is currently studying Music education with a focus in choir at Georgia State University. There is documentation of him singing all the way back in elementary school (hopefully you don’t find it). He is also an employee with Atlanta Music Project helping teach children various instruments and singing.