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This presentation was made by the Renewal Team on 3 June 2018.

We are going to ensure that the needs of Hillwood Presbyterian Church homebound/elderly members are met:

• Care through weekly mailing (bulletin & sermons)
• Contact from ruling elder & pastor- calls, visits, Lord’s Supper when wanted by homebound member
• Continue connecting the generations through children/teen/adult quarterly visits (CH&UC@H)
• Possibly connecting Member Buddies with homebound members

Whatever priorities we undertake, we will need to include all of the following ways of how to be involved:

• Prayer support
• Item Collections (supply drives)
• Hands on Volunteer Opportunities (face-to-face with those in need)
• Financial Support (through special offerings and/or operating fund line item support)
• Facilitating/providing a way for involvement of those beyond the church membership (collaboration with neighborhood, Playcare, other local churches)

Community Partnerships

We will need creativity in using particular individual gifts/interests in priority focus.

We will need to to learn along the way- priority focus can be woven into spiritual growth ministries, worship and music experiences.

Priority focus: We will build a Community Partnership with H.G. Middle School over the next 6 to 9 months.

Priority Focus: We will build a Community Partnership with Mending Hearts in 2019.

How Can I Get Involved?

This Minute for Ministry was presented on 20 May 2018 by Josie Von Nieda.

I wonder if you know about that program downstairs called Hillwood Playcare?  It operates five days per week from 7:30-5:30.  I’m sure some of you have heard the happy voices- or not so happy- and the music floating up stairs.

Did you know there is a staff of 18 who care for 87 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age?  Many of our children here today started at Hillwood Playcare  in the infant room downstairs.

Did you know the program is licensed by the State of TN and has a 3-Star qualifying rating (the highest awarded) which is re-evaluated every year?

Did you know Playcare Teachers are always striving to provide a high-quality creative, nurturing, “developmentally appropriate” environment for these children?  “Developmentally appropriate” is a big phrase that means teachers know how children grow and learn.  They know when to challenge a child and what to expect.  The program is known for having a separate art and music teachers that enrich all children in the school.

Did you know that Hillwood Playcare teachers work closely with parents and families?

Did you know that historically Hillwood Playcare began as a baby sitting service one morning a week for church members? I remember bring our youngest son to that service.  Hillwood Playcare evolved into a Mother’s Day Out Program open to the community and available 2 days per week managed by Peggy Tippers.  It also became a mission of the Hillwood Presbyterian Church at that time.

In 1977 By-laws and a Board of Directors were estabilished.  Today the Board is comprised of School Director, Darlene Williams, her assistant, 3 parents, Rev. Jule,  and church members: Kathy Osten, Jan Diehl, Patti Morgan, Pat Nash, and Cindy Wedel, and me.

When Peggy Tippens moved to Knoxville in 1981, I was hired as director.  Some church members were also on staff at that time like Neilah Hopper and Mary Allen.

No doubt you are aware the needs of families have changed over the years and Hillwood Playcare- now a full time day care- has tried to meet the need in this community.

Surely this is one example of “serving God by serving others.”