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Becca Ellis

Lauren Wray

All Ministries > Children & Families

About Children & Families

OUR GREATEST HOPE is for families and children to radically flourish and experience wholeness in every area of their lives.

At First Pres, kids & youth are a vital part of our faith community - their innate joy, wonder, curiosity and openness is an incredible gift that we hope to foster - and learn from - as they grow! Please read below for information about visiting on Sunday mornings and other events to connect with other families in our church community!

VISITING ON SUNDAYS:

We love having kids in worship and they are always welcome to stay in service with you. We have a coloring area at the front of the sanctuary where kids can have a better view of everything going on (and a little more space to wiggle).

We offer childcare in our Play Center for ages 0-4 (down the hall past the elevator, 1st door on the right).

We also offer age appropriate activities designed to engage kids & teens in spiritual “wonderings” and build relationships with one another.

We split into the following grades: k-3, 4-5, 6th and up. Following the first song, we offer a blessing and those who wish to participate with their age group are dismissed.

PLAY-CENTER (AGES 0-4)

Our Play Center is open and staffed with our trained childcare providers during worship. It is down the main hall, past the stairs on the right. Childcare is provided Sunday mornings during the 8:30 & 10AM services. We welcome children from birth through 4 years of age.

The Wonder Room

The Wonder Room is our montessori inspired classroom (it also functions as a meeting space during the week). Children are invited into spiritual wonderings through story, song, and other activities. During the summer months, we usually combine ages K-5th grade as a multi-age classroom, but in the Fall we break into two groups (K-2nd Grade & 3rd-5th Grade). The older grades meet down the hall in the meeting room next to the Play Center. Please plan on picking your children up from class following the service.

The first Sunday of the month we celebrate communion together. Children are brought back into service for communion and instructed to sit with "their grown-ups".

Ways to Connect:

SPACIOUS FAMILY CIRCLE

Every 2nd Wednesday of the month we meet from 5:30PM-7PM in Heritage Hall (or a park in the summer) for a simple potluck and intentional conversation. Childcare is provided. Please e-mail Becca Ellis for more information.

MOMS GROUP

We have a few opportunities every month for moms to connect, get to know each other, and share intentional discussion about our lives, spirituality and more.

Monthly events:

The 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month we meet at 9AM-9:50AM (between worship services) for coffee and conversation. Currently, we are discussing the sermon from the week before. If you missed it, you can listen online at www.bendfp.org. We meet in the Youth Room (down the hall, take a left just before the bathrooms)

The last Tuesday evening of every month, any moms of children or teens are invited to join us for connection and intentional discussion. Host and location changes every month. To get on the email list and receive details, please contact Becca at [email protected]

MAMA-CONNECT

Each season, we offer a 5 or 6 week session of what we call "Intentional Motherhood Circles", you can learn more about current and upcoming offerings at www.mamaconnectbend.com

SERVICE PROJECTS

Serving together is not only a great way to build relationships with others, it also helps build and strengthen compassion and empathy in our children. We try to do at least one service project per quarter.

PICNICS, LAKE DAYS & MORE

We host various events throughout the year such as our Halloween Trunk or Treat, Gingerbread House Making and Christmas Pageant, as well as casual outings to play, connect and build community.  You are welcome anytime!