Properties Ministry

2025 was a year of meaningful progress for the Properties Ministry.

Significant projects were completed across the campus, strengthening both the beauty of our spaces and their ability to support ministry, fellowship, and long-term care.

Key highlights included:

• Completion of the sanctuary renovation and Main Street landscaping project
• Interior updates that improved gathering spaces, technology, and building systems
• Ongoing attention to maintenance and infrastructure needs
• Planning ahead for future improvements in partnership with the Village

Worship Ministries

2025 was a season of creativity, growth, and teamwork for the Worship Ministry.

This was our first full year serving in the renovated sanctuary, supported by updated equipment and a fully staffed team, allowing us to deepen collaboration and expand musical expression in worship.

Highlights from the year included:

• Welcoming an acoustic drum kit, adding new depth and energy to worship services
• Meaningful collaboration between the band and choir for Holy Week services
• Partnerships with Children’s Ministry, providing live music for Spark and Vacation Bible School
• Strong choir participation, including two Women’s Ensemble Sundays

We are deeply grateful for every volunteer and for the ways God continues to work through our Worship Ministry.

Children’s Ministry

This year was one of growth and joy in Children’s Ministry.

With the hiring of Stephanie Freemyer as director, our focus centered on creating welcoming spaces where children experience God’s wonder while building meaningful relationships.

Highlights from the year included:

• Vacation Bible School welcoming 180 children for a game-themed week exploring the stories of Jesus
• Continued growth in SPARK under the theme “Let Your Light Shine,” culminating in a Glow Night that doubled attendance
• Kids Church moving into new classrooms designed with engaging, developmentally appropriate spaces—including the much-loved Birthday Celebration Machine
• Strong support from 58 dedicated leaders who help foster a vibrant and growing community

With gratitude for what God has done, we look ahead with hope and excitement for the year to come.

Westminster Preschool

Westminster Preschool continues to be a cherished ministry of First Pres, serving children and families since 1956.

Rooted in a loving Christian environment, the preschool remains committed to nurturing each child’s social, physical, emotional, and intellectual growth.

This year, we celebrated the close of the 2024–2025 school year and honored the retirement of longtime Director Sue Clary, whose faithful leadership shaped the ministry for 28 years. It has been a privilege to help carry forward the legacy of Westminster Preschool.

Highlights from the year included:

• Launching the new school year with 21 staff members, fourteen classes, and 180 students
• Strengthening community through events such as Fall Family Night
• Encouraging generosity through Children’s Church offerings that supported local ministries and reinforced the value that “sharing is caring”

Student Ministries

Family Ministries

This year was marked by deep connection across our Family Ministry.

Westminster Preschool, Children’s, Student, and Family Ministries grew more unified in their shared calling to care for and support the whole family.

Highlights from the year included:

• Confirmation milestones, with 24 students professing their faith and a new class of 34 exploring identity, purpose, and belonging
• A powerful fall retreat that strengthened relationships and spiritual formation for confirmands
• The relaunch of Family Camp at Covenant Harbor, offering families time for rest, worship, and community together
• Continued growth in collaboration, relationships, and spiritual depth across all family-focused ministries

With gratitude for God’s faithfulness and the support of this congregation, we look ahead with hope and expectation for the next generation.

Equipped & Small Groups

The Equipped Ministry experienced a rich year of learning and discipleship.

Through Sunday-morning classes, participants explored Scripture, theology, history, Christian living, culture, and the arts, guided by both Wheaton College professors and gifted teachers from within our congregation.

Highlights from the year included:

• A wide range of Sunday-morning teaching that deepened faith and understanding
• Monthly movie and discussion nights, featuring refugee stories in the spring and faith-based true stories in the fall
• A well-attended Racial Justice event with Dr. Theon Hill, welcoming nearly 50 participants
• Engagement from 17 teachers and an average of 20 weekly participants

Together, the Equipped Ministry continued growing in faith, knowledge, and discipleship as devoted followers of Christ.

Catalyst

This year brought exciting growth and connection across Catalyst, Men’s, and Women’s Ministries.

These ministries continued to foster authentic relationships, spiritual formation, and opportunities for adults to grow together in faith.

Highlights from the year included:

• Participation of 120 adults in Catalyst, creating space for meaningful conversation and discipleship
• The launch of Catalyst Couples this fall and ongoing development of new ministry leaders
• A variety of men’s gatherings, including the Golf Outing, Men’s Breakfasts, and Summer Night Out
• Women’s fellowship through events such as Women’s Night Out, the Salad Social, and the Christmas Tea
• Faith Builders and small groups offering ongoing opportunities for study, prayer, and friendship

God is clearly at work through these ministries—deepening relationships, strengthening faith, and encouraging lives of service.

Missions Ministries

Deacons Ministry

This past year, our Deacons faithfully served our congregation through humble, behind-the-scenes care.

Through presence, prayer, and practical acts of kindness, they embodied the Scriptural call to servanthood and helped strengthen our life together as a church.

Highlights from the year included:

• Visiting, praying with, and sharing communion with seventeen seniors in their residences
• Caring for members through thoughtful gestures such as delivering flowers and sending cards
• Supporting Sunday hospitality by helping recruit volunteers for greeting and coffee service
• Coordinating food and fellowship for key gatherings, including retirements, anniversaries, Thanksgiving Eve pie, the Annual Meeting Lunch, and Easter Brunch

Their ministry invites all of us into simple, meaningful acts of care. Whenever you see a deacon—or anyone—serving, please take a moment to offer your thanks.

Communications Ministry

This year marked a season of growth and renewal in Communications at First Pres. The focus was on strengthening how we share information, tell our story, and invite others into the life of the church.

Highlights from the year included:

• Launching a new church website and redesigning the weekly bulletin
• Creating seasonal and outreach mailers for Easter, Advent, and a “new mover” campaign that reached more than 1,600 families
• Partnering with elders to assess communication needs and improve clarity and consistency
• Introducing invitational banners, cohesive design standards, and QR codes to make information more accessible
• Strengthening social media presence and supporting ministries in communicating events and opportunities

These efforts continue to build clearer, more inviting pathways for connection and engagement across the church.

Finance Update

2025 marked the completion of a significant season of generosity and stewardship.

In March, we concluded the two-year All In campaign, followed by a shortened pledge campaign for the remainder of the year.

Highlights from the year included:

• Successful completion of the All In campaign with approximately $5.8 million in income and $5.9 million in costs
• Support for an expanded operating budget, construction of the new sanctuary, and several new ministry initiatives
• Faithful management of increased financial activity by an in-house team
• Sustaining a $2 million operating budget throughout 2025

As we move into 2026—our centennial year—we give thanks for continued generosity and pray it will strengthen the next century of ministry and mission.

Thank you for an amazing 2025, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2026!