Children's Ministry

Children, from infancy to adulthood, are a very important part of the life of First Presbyterian Church.

NURSERY AND CHILDCARE - During worship at 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. we offer childcare for infants, 2 year olds, and preschool children.  We have three different rooms that are used to divide the children by age groups.  LL104 is our infant room; LL103 is for 2 year olds; and LL 101 is for our pre-school children ages 3-4.  Sometimes the age groups are combined when attendance is low.  Our childcare staff is composed of teens and adults who are church members who love children.  During the Education Hour, we have Sunday School classes for all ages and childcare for infants.  Please call Shelley Iliff if you have questions about ministries involving our children.

INFANTS' ROOM - An infants' room is available for parents with infants and small children during worship in Sanctuary Hall (under the sanctuary).  A TV monitor will display the worship service so you can care for your child and still participate in worship. This room is open for all 8:40 and 11:00 services that are held in the Sanctuary.  The nursery is also available for childcare during all 8:40 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services.

WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 2 - Because we all "learn by doing," and we believe that worship is so important, we want our children to be in worship with their families.  During the sermon children (kindergarten through grade 2) have the option to participate in "Proclaiming God's Word" that is age appropriate.  They are invited to leave the Sanctuary with Shelley Iliff for this special worship opportunity in the Choir Room, which includes Bible stories and stories to help them learn about following the teachings of Jesus.  Sometimes the focus is on our worship together in the Sanctuary.  We pray together and sometimes sing together.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES are held from Homecoming Sunday in September through mid May each year during our Education "Hour" from 9:55 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.  There are separate classes for 2 year olds, 3 year olds, 4 year olds, kindergartners, and grades 1 through 8, in addition to the classes for confirmation, high school students, and adults.  Thanks be to God that we have such caring adults who want to share the faith with our young people and that we have so many eager to learn! We invite the prayers of the entire church family for the teachers and the learners.

Our church MOM'S GROUP is meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the 2-year old nursery.  All ages and dads are welcome!  For more information, contact Henrieta Ribeiro at 630-221-1994.

PRESCHOOL - First Presbyterian Preschool, the first preschool in Wheaton, has been serving this church and the community since 1967.  Preschool is often a child's first school experience and sets the stage for future years of formal education.  First Presbyterian Preschool provides a safe, caring, Christian environment that stimulates the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of children. If you would like information about our programs for 2, 3, or 4 year olds, please contact Chandra Gravit or Carol Rooney, Co- Directors, at 630-668-5147 x 27 to request an application or to set up a classroom visit.

Additional activities for the children at First Presbyterian Church include Vacation Bible School each summer, the Easter Egg Hunt and Craft Party held the day before Easter, and our Intergenerational Christmas Eve service each year.

In 2007 we offered a Jesus Loves Me Book Club for children, ages 2 through 1st grade.  The books are still available in the church library, and the discussion questions for parents and children to do together are still available on this website.

Our LOGOS program for young people from kindergarten through eighth grade is held on Wednesdays from fall through March each year.

Contact Shelley Iliff, our Children's Ministry Coordinator, at 630-668-5147, ext. 16, or by for additional information about our children's ministry programs.