Children & Families
Deep roots for lifelong changemakers
We help our children put down deep roots in Christ’s love and grow into caring, compassionate changemakers for good in the world.
Worship
Welcome! Worshiping God with your kids is one of the most important things you can do. At FPC they will see that they belong to God and that their church family cares about them. This Sunday’s schedule.
Children are welcome at the 9 am Rejoice! service and the 11 am Sanctuary service. They can pick up a bag with worship activities at entrances and are invited to come forward for a special message during worship. Learn more.
The nursery is open during both worship services and Sunday School, with regular staff who are trained and have had a background screen. The nursery is located in room 101 of Mullin Life Center, at the bottom of the large stairwell. Or enter through the Welcome Center and ask for the shortcut!
Mothers of infants are invited to use our Nursing Room in Smith 211. Exit the sanctuary behind the pulpit, turn left at the hallway, and look for the door sign.
Activities begin at 10 am.Living in Faith Together, special days with intergenerational games, bible study & fun. September 14, November 16, January 11, and March 15.
Milestone Classes, focused on the basics of our faith, September 21-November 9.
Traditional classes, February-April.
Parents are invited to the Faithful Families Class in Memorial 304.
Get info on parking and more here.
- Take a restroom break: Family rooms are located off the hallway behind the Sanctuary and near the Greene Street door of Mullin Life Center. A restroom is also available off the hallway behind Memorial Chapel.
- At worship entrances pick up children’s bags with coloring sheets, crayons, stickers & more.
During
- Sit near the front. Children are more engaged when they can see what’s happening.
- Participate in the call to worship, prayers & music. Kids learn by watching & imitating.
- Relax — we’ve been in your seat! Being still & quiet can be hard for young ones. If you ever feel you need to take your child out, the Virginia Gilmer Room behind the Sanctuary has comfortable chairs and a live feed of the service.
Sanctuary and Rejoice services include a Children’s Message time, when children are invited to gather at the front for a brief message.
After
- Please return your worship bag and any unused items at the exits.
- On your way home, talk with your children about the service. What did they hear or notice? What questions do they have?
Your Child’s Journey
Your child’s faith journey begins with baptism, when they are named and claimed as God’s beloved and our members commit to nurture them (contact Debby Foster). It continues through confirmation in eighth grade, when they become full members of the church (contact Lisa Witherspoon). In between they learn the basics of our faith in our annual Milestone classes, held during Sunday School at 10 am. This fall classes will meet September 21-November 9.
Special Activities
Kids Disciple Club
Grades 3-5 meet for games, bible study, service & fun. Usually first Sundays, 3-5 pm.
November 2 | December 7 | January 11 | February 1 | March 1 | April 12.
Kids Choirs
Cherub Choir: Ages 3-Kindergarten play instruments & games. 5-5:30 pm with Dr. Anne Albert.
Canticle Choir: Grades 1-5 learn about rhythm, score reading, part singing and more. 5-5:45 pm Wednesdays with Dr. John Alexander.
Children’s Library
This is a magical place, with child-sized tables & seating, Godly Play toys, friendly stuffed animals & many, many books. Beside the Welcome Center.
Living in Faith Together
Living in Faith Together, intergenerational games, bible study & fun. Occasional Sundays at 10 am.
Next date: November 16.
Trunk or Treat
Wear your costume & bring a pumpkin or basket. October 26, 4-5 pm in front of the sanctuary. Pizza while it lasts!
Advent
- Making Advent wreaths, November 23.
- Birthday Party for Jesus and gingerbread FPC decorating, December 21.
- On Christmas Eve, the Family Nativity Service, Christmas Eve at 10 am.
Parents’ Night Out
For ages infant through 5th grade. Kids play, have pizza and watch a movie. 5-8 pm, $25/child.
Spring date: March 14.
Easter
- Resurrection Egg Hunt, 10 am on Palm Sunday, March 29.
- Family Easter Party, 10 am on Easter Sunday, April 5.
Summer 2026
- Passport Kids Camp for completed grades 3-6, June 29-July 2.
- Massanetta Middle School Conference for completed 6th-graders, July 9-12.
- Vacation Bible School & Summer Kids Disciple Club, July 20-23.
Parents
Families with children ages infant-early elementary school get together once a month in homes. Sometimes childcare is provided on site; sometimes parents are asked to find their own sitters. First Fridays except for April (spring break), 6-8 pm. Next dates: November 7, December 5, January 9, February 6, March 6, and April 10. Contact Lorie Jones.
Unafraid. The pastors are leading a discussion of Adam Hamilton’s book on living with courage & hope amid illness, loneliness, financial insecurity, disappointing others, failure, insignificance, and aging. Sundays at 10 am through November 16 in Memorial 304. Teaching schedule:
- October 26 and November 2: Matt Bussell, Associate Pastor for Mission & Outreach.
- November 9: Senior Pastor Jill Duffield.
- November 16: Erin Bowers, Associate Pastor for Christian Formation.
- Subscribe to weekly Children’s Ministry emails, sent every Wednesday. Contact Yolanda Baxter.
- Join the FPC Children’s Ministry GroupMe for text reminders.
- Join the First Pres Parents group on Facebook .
- Need a babysitter? Contact Lisa for a list of our youth who baby-sit.
FPC is committed to providing a safe environment for children and youth participating in our activities. Our Child & Youth Protection Policy, updated in April 2025, applies to all employees and volunteers in these ministries and to any outside groups using our campus. Parents are encouraged to attend the hourlong training as well.
Learn more here.
Weekday Preschool
Our morning preschool gives children an exciting learning environment in a Christian atmosphere.
Staff
Lisa Witherspoon
Yolanda Baxter
