Vacation Bible School
2026-08-03 09:00 - 2026-08-07 13:00 (America/New_York) | First Presbyterian Church, 200 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
Join us for a Great Big Adventure!
From August 3–7, step into a world of wonder as our church is transformed into a lush, vibrant rainforest! Children will be immersed in the nature of God and the joy of faith through Bible stories, song, movement, and fellowship.
Registration Details:

Ages: 3 years old (as of Aug. 31, 2026 and fully potty trained) through rising 5th graders.
Priority Registration: Opens February 15–22 for First Presbyterian Church families.
Community Registration: Opens February 23 for the community at large (as space allows).

Space is limited, so dive into the adventure today!

Kickoff Sunday
2026-08-23
Kickoff Sunday marks the start of a new program year, with Sunday School, Bible studies, and other programs resuming after the summer. Enjoy some breakfast, reconnect, find a Sunday School class, and discover what’s ahead this fall!
9:45 a.m. Welcome + breakfast, Fellowship Hall
10 a.m. Sunday School
11 a.m. Traditional Service
12:30–3:30 p.m. Youth Lake Party, off-site

Sunday School Class Descriptions:
Passages, 9:45-10:45 a.m., S203 Pattie Cole Room — Open to adults of all ages and taught by a variety of teachers from week to week, the Passages class offers opportunities to engage with the Bible, theology, Christian ethics, contemporary issues, the arts, and a range of other topics through the lens of the gospel. Some topics we’ll explore this year include: Speaking the Truth in Love: How Should the Church Respond to Divided Times?, Siblings in the Faith: Amish and Mennonite Traditions, Jewish Festivals and the New Testament, and more!
The Village, 9:45-10:45 a.m., P212 Frances Browne Room — Open to adults of all ages, but especially targeting parents of elementary school-aged children, The Village class embodies the truth that “it takes a village” through authentic conversation around topics that intersect with modern Christian life, including marriage, parenting, vocation, theology, ethics, and more. This group also occasionally gathers for coffee and fellowship just down the street from First Pres, so keep an eye on the calendar for those dates!

Lifting Up the Lowly: The Gospel of Luke, 9:45-10:45 a.m., P206 — Open to adults of all ages, this Bible-focused class is taught by Parish Associate Rob Spach. This year, the class will focus on the Gospel of Luke, especially on encounters between Jesus and people who have been marginalized. These conversations reveal God’s love and care for all those the world considers lowly, and they serve as a call to action for Christians seeking to live out the gospel today.
Youth Donuts & Dialogue, 9:45-10:45 a.m., P321 High School Room — Middle and high schoolers engage in biblical and theological conversations to discover what role faith plays in their lives right now (over donuts, of course).
Confirmation Class, September 13 & 20, October 11 & 18, November 8, 15, 22, January 10, 24, 31, February 21 & 28, March 7 & 14, 9:45-10:45 a.m., Confirmation Room — Open to youth 7th grade and up, Confirmation Class is an opportunity for young people to claim the promises of God in faith for themselves. Supported by their confirmation sponsors, Confirmands progress through a series of badges as they learn what it means to be Presbyterian, ask big questions about God and the church, and put their faith into practice through classroom discussions, written reflection, and spiritual disciplines.
Children’s Sunday School, 9:45-10:45 a.m., Ages 3–1st Grade in P307, Grades 2nd–5th in P306 — Each Sunday begins with 15 minutes in the gym, then children head with their teachers to their classrooms. Ages 3 to 1st grade will explore God’s love through stories, music, crafts, and hands-on activities and discover the Bible in a joyful, welcoming environment. Children in 2nd to 5th grade will step into an immersive first-century village to explore Scripture, journeying through the Old Testament and later the Gospels. On the fourth Sunday of each month, all children and youth come together for a Service Sunday to put their faith into action. Come BEE-long with us as we grow in faith, friendship, and God’s love.
Childcare is available for children under 3.

Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering
2026-09-20 12:00 - 13:30 | Wood Fellowship Hall
Kick off a new program year with Presbyterian Women! Enjoy lunch, fellowship, introductions to new FPC staff, and a look at what’s ahead. Whether you’ve been involved with PW for years or have never participated before, if you’re a woman and a member of FPC, you’re already a member of Presbyterian Women—and you’re invited! Lunch is free, but registration is required.

Cuba Mission Trip
2027-01-12 - 2027-01-17 | Cuba
This trip is different from a typical mission trip. There’s no construction project, no work site—the mission here is presence. We travel to Cuba to build and strengthen relationships with the seminary, its students, and Cuban churches. Registration is open now through November 1, 2026. The cost is $1700, which includes visa, insurance, lodging, transportation, and cultural experiences. If you need scholarship assistance to fund this trip, please email Lauren Russell (lrussell@firstpres-charlotte.org).
Itinerary Overview

3 days in Matanzas, staying at the seminary — a hilltop campus with sweeping views of the harbor
2 days in Havana, typically staying in a historic convent in Old Havana

What You Might Experience No two trips are exactly alike, but past groups have enjoyed a mix of the following:

Meaningful time with seminary students and Cuban church members
Walking tours of historic Matanzas (founded 1693) and Old Havana (founded 1519)
Visits to sites connected to Ernest Hemingway, including his home and the Hotel Ambos Mundos, where the rooftop displays a great view of the city
The Havana Cathedral, with an optional climb to the bell tower
Cuban art, music, and local artisan markets
Fine dining and fellowship meals together as a group
Optional day trip to Varadero Beach and the Dupont Mansion
Time at Revolution Square and other historic Havana landmarks
One or two musical performances to learn about Cuban culture

Want to learn more? Watch a video about last year’s trip and our partnership with the Evangelical Seminary of Theology here.
