Nurturing the spiritual growth of children from birth to 5th grade.

About First Kids

Every child is a beautiful & unique creation & within our First Kids Ministry we strive to provide many different learning styles for your child to soak up the Bible and grow closer to God. Showing children a little piece of the Kingdom of God is the goal of every Children's Ministry Staff & Volunteer here at First-Centenary.  Every First Kids gathering, whether it is Sunday School, Celebrations of the Church Year, Special Events, or Summer Programs embraces the creativity & wonder of all children by opening new doors of exploration & thought in each individual little mind!

Understanding & relationships with our Heavenly Father is the ultimate goal!  We believe the best way to reach our children is when the two largest individual influences, the church & the home life, come together to create the greatest impact on our littles.  Join us, as together we learn & grow on this amazing God journey of life!

Want to connect?

Click here to request to join our private First Kids Facebook page

Email The First Kids Director, Beth Spears, at bspears@fcumc.org

Announcements

Summer Kickoff

June 9th at 11:45 a.m. at the McCallie Playground

Get ready to kick off the summer with the First Kids Children's Ministry! Join us on June 9th at 11:45 a.m. at the McCallie Playground for a Summer Kickoff event. There'll be scoops of delicious ice cream and tons of fun activities waiting for your little ones. You don't want to miss out on the fun and excitement, see you there! 

Vacation Bible School

June 24th - 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

First-Centenary invites Families to HOMETOWN NAZARETH: WHERE JESUS WAS A KID

A summer family event called Hometown Nazareth will be hosted at First-Centenary from June 24th to the 28th. Families step back in time at Hometown Nazareth, exploring what it was like to live in the town where Jesus grew up. Kids and adults participate in a memorable Bible-times marketplace, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, dig into Bible-times snacks, visit Jesus’ mom, Mary, and collect Bible Memory Makers to remind them of God’s Word. Plus, everyone learns to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes at Celebration—a time of upbeat worship that gets everyone involved.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED in creating an unforgettable God-experience! Whether you can lend a hand with setup, lead activities, or assist with cleanup, your support is invaluable.

In addition, DONATIONS are greatly appreciated to ensure that Hometown Nazareth is a success and accessible to all. Your generosity helps cover costs for supplies, snacks, and more, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone involved.

For more information, you can email Beth Spears at bspears@firstcentenary.com.

Rising 5th-6th Grade Lock-In

August 2nd - 3rd Starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Tennessee Aquarium

Calling all rising 5th and 6th graders! Get ready for an adventure like no other at our annual lock-in event. Dive into a night of excitement at the Tennessee Aquarium starting at 7:00 p.m. on August 2nd. Pick up will be the next morning on August 3rd. Join us for a night filled with fun, exploration, and unforgettable memories. From fascinating marine life to engaging activities, there's something for everyone. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to make new friends and experience the wonders of the ocean together. We hope to see you there!

For more information or if you are interested in signing up, email either Tori Crook at tcrook@firstcentenary.com or Beth Spears at bspears@firstcentenary.com.

Interested in working for First Kids?

We're looking for folks to join our team. Email Beth at bspears@firstcentenary.com with any questions. Click the form below to submit a job application

Weekly Schedule

Sunday Mornings

In-Person Sunday School for Birth to 5th Grade

  • Join us from 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.

Childcare & Children's Worship available during 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Worship Services

  • Preschool Mini Worship at 11:00 a.m.            
  • Elementary FirstKids LIVE! at 11:00 a.m.

First Kids Virtual Sunday Lessons

  • FOR ALL AGES - Video links are posted beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday for you to show your children when it fits best in your family's schedule. (Pick your own family God time!)

Wednesday Nights

  • Prime Time Family Dinner (5:30 p.m.)
  • Children's Music (6:00 p.m.)
  • Littles Clubhouse Fun (6:30 p.m.)

PreK4 - 1st Grade

  • Music activities will start at 6:00 p.m.
  • After music, the children will go to the Elementary Wing for more church fun activities
  • Please pick up your children by 7:40 p.m.

2nd - 5th Graders

  • Music activities at 6:00 p.m.
  • Afterwards they will go to the gym for more fun with Mr. Ian
  • Please pick your children up in the gym no later than 7:40 p.m.
Our children’s program is so much more than singing in a choir. We teach rhythm, melody, play instruments, & play games that teach how to read & play music – skills for a lifetime! All children are invited to participate in this enjoyable & enriching experience!

Meet The Team

Beth Spears

Director

Beth Spears

Director

Beth Spears has been working with children at First-Centenary since 2000. She has been the Children’s Director since 2016. Beth has a bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Growing up as a preacher's kid, Beth worked in many children’s ministries in the Holston Conference and even started some from the ground up.

When not at church, Beth loves having movie nights with her husband, Kenny, and taking photos of the exciting adventures God puts in her life.

bspears@firstcentenary.com