Exciting News

In worship this past Sunday, I shared the exciting news that Kierstie Renninger will be serving as our new Director of Family Ministry. Kierstie has been faithfully serving the youth of our congregation in various capacities for over six years. As Director of Family Ministry, Kierstie will be directing our ministry to students of all ages and their families. Our desire is to establish a strong sense of community among 1st Pres families and create discipleship opportunities and activities that

Pastor McLane Stone

encourage intergenerational participation. At 1st Pres, we want to support and serve your entire family; I’m excited to share and participate in Kierstie’s vision for how we accomplish this together.

Ten years ago, I was a recent seminary graduate beginning my own ministry with families in Washington, D.C. At that time, ministry with families followed a blueprint that had been in practice for over 60 years. The blueprint prescribed a never-ending buffet of church activities to fill your family’s weekly schedule. We believed that the best way to serve families was to keep them busy.


A lot has changed since then. COVID and the rapid cultural changes we all have experienced have left churches asking the same question: How do we best serve the families in our care? At 1st Pres, we believe that the answer to this question lies in deep and meaningful experiences that draw you into closer relationship with Jesus Christ and one another. In other words, we want to pursue quality over quantity. We know that the demands on your life and time are many. Our prayer is that 1st Pres becomes a haven of rest and restoration for your family.


As we enter into this new chapter together, my prayer is that you will partner with us in our mission to love our young families at 1st Pres. Whether you represent one of these families or are a retired empty-nester, you have a role to play in this mission. God has given you the talents to participate in pointing others to the amazing grace and love of Jesus. What an incredible calling! As there will be opportunities to share those talents, I pray that you will be bold, courageous, and generous in your service.


We are excited about the future God has for us at 1st Pres. Our walk with Christ together is transformative, and transformation is always better when experienced in a community of people dedicated to supporting and serving one another. Love 1st is the mission of our church family. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to pursue it with you.


Grace and peace,
Pastor McLane