Children, Youth & Families

A group of people are sitting on the floor playing with toys.

First Presbyterian continues in its goals to:

  • Create a welcoming space for young people to ask questions and express themselves.
  • Build relationships with God, peers and caring adults.
  • Explore and learn about faith, God, Scripture, and prayer.
  • Participate in God’s invitations for fun, connection and play.
  • Engage in worship in a variety of ways.
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Worship

Children of all ages are warmly welcomed in our Sunday morning worship services. There are weekly children’s sermons in worship, and we encourage children and youth to participate as liturgists, ushers, acolytes, communion presenters and musicians. Youth are welcome to serve as Elders, Deacons and Committee Members. When children need hands-on activities during worship, ushers offer children’s bulletins, activity bags are available outside of the library, and scribble sheets and children’s Bibles can be found in the pew racks.  Parents have the option to place their children, Kindergarten age and under, in our staffed Child Care Room at any time during the worship service.

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Kids’ Connection

Following Worship most Sunday mornings September through May, ages 3-18 meet:


  • 10:30a Kids’ Choir (practice for Christmas musical and worship participation)
  • 11:00a Group Activities followed by Age-Breakout Faith / Bible Classes (ages 6 and younger, elementary, and middle/high school)
  • 12:00p Family Lunch
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Trips

Middle School and High School Youth play and learn together every January during Snow Camp at Clearwater Forest Camp.


In the summer of 2023, youth participated in YouthWorks mission projects in St. Louis, MO.


In 2024, high school youth attended the annual Montreat Youth Conference in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.


In 2025, youth, with a parent, are preparing to continue the relationship with Hope Light in Kenya by serving for a week in July.

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Confirmation

Confirmation is an opportunity for 8th-9th graders to learn about our faith tradition, to understand the particularities of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and to wrestle with and take ownership of their faith. Emphasis is placed on engaging youth in the life of the church.


Confirmation meets for three hours once a month for 9 months and happens about every other year using "Confirm not Conform" curriculum basis.


Confirmation is the beginning of a journey, surrounded by peers, mentors, leaders, parents and the entire congregation.

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Milestone Ministries

As a congregation, we celebrate significant events in the life of our children and youth including baptism, blessing of backpacks, 3rd grade Bibles, confirmation, and high school graduation.

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All-Ages Activities

To foster more intergenerational relationships, all-ages activities and events happen typically on the last Sunday of the month. The events have been things like the Bike Rally, Trunk-or-Treat, Advent Craft Fair, Care Packages Service Project, Game Night, Pie & Talent Night, etc.

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Community Care Policy

First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater believes that we are called by God to create a safe haven for all the children and youth in our care, protecting those who are powerless and empowering them through faith and trust.  


We require all adults who work with children and youth to attend a policy training, obtain a background check, and sign a yearly commitment form. 


Read the current policy here.