Children

We strive to create a place where children experience God's gracious love for them, the joy of worshiping and serving God together, and the peace of belonging to a forgiving community of faith. We take the promises made at a child's baptism seriously by committing to nurture our children through quality programs of Bible study, worship, music, mission and fellowship.

First Presbyterian Church is very fortunate to have many outstanding and committed teachers and volunteers. If you have any questions or need information about the children’s ministry, please contact Miatta Wilson or Kathy Price.


Children’s Ministry (up to 6th Grade)

Birth to kindergarten
Children are always welcome in worship, and childcare is available during the worship services from 8:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. for all children from birth though pre-k.

Sunday morning offers excellent opportunities for children to bond with their peers. Children aged kindergarten and younger meet in the Drane Center, grouped developmentally until age 2 (as of September 1 of the current school year) then by age/grade from 2 to kindergarten.

The classes are divided by:

  • Infants
  • Toddlers
  • Genesis (2 year-olds) 
  • Promise (3 year-olds)
  • Kindergarten

These classes meet during the church school hour from 9:30-10:30 a.m. 

My Family and Me is a program designed for children in kindergarten and younger and their families. During this time, families share together in fellowship, play and a meal around a selected theme for the day. Meetings are usually monthly.

1st-6th Grade

Church School 1st - 5th Grade - Rotation Workshop Model™
These classes follow a method in which a well-defined theme, story, or narrative unit is used for several weeks and taught in several different ways. Classrooms are transformed into workshops, each one focusing on one specific approach to learning the same story. Students rotate through all the workshops during the weeks of the unit. At the end of the unit, a child who has been present for all (or most of all) the weeks of the unit will have experienced the story in a variety of ways—drama, art, games, mission, audio-visual and computers, to name a few. The curriculum we use is We Believe Workshop, written and published by PCUSA.

6th Grade Church School
Traditional classroom setting using I Know My Bible (published by PCUSA), a year-long overview of the Bible.

Children's Choirs
Children’s choir is offered for kindergarten-6th graders during the school year. Carol choir is for kindergarten through second graders, and chorister choir is for 3rd-6th graders. Both choirs meet on Sunday afternoon. For more information, contact Mary Jane Cooper. See Children's Music for more information.
    
Worship with Me
This is a worship education program designed for children and their parents in kindergarten through second grade. This program meets on Sunday, five times between October and May, and is led by our pastors and worship leaders. It is designed to focus on stewardship, sacraments, music, proclamation and prayer.

KidQuake and Summer Camps
KidQuake is a Presbytery-wide weekend retreat in the spring for 1st-6th grade children. Week-long camps are also offered by the Presbytery in the summer. Chorister Camp is a summer camp for children in rising grades 3 through 7.

Children of All Ages

Advent Festival
The first Sunday evening of Advent come join the church family for dinner with homemade Christmas cookies, a Christmas story, make an Advent wreath, crafts and service projects.

Christmas Eve Family Worship Service
Held early evening on Christmas Eve for children, young and old, and their families.

Epiphany Picnic
Pack a picnic dinner and join us at Winfrey Point while we await the arrival of the three wise people seeking the Christ child. Crafts, fellowship, s'mores, and hot chocolate provided.

Good Friday Family Event
An experiential journey through the story of Holy Week for all God’s Children.

Trunk or Treat

Vacation Church School (VCS)
Every June from 9 to noon, a week packed with learning, fun and excitement as we explore Bible Stories, sing, worship, make crafts and play, for children age 4 through 6th grade.