Summer 2025 Prevue


Freedom School | Klondike Kids Club | Lifesaving AEDs | New Members & Confirmands

Celebrating God's Work at First Church This Summer

This summer at First United Methodist Church West Lafayette was filled with learning, celebration, and community impact. From hosting the third year of Freedom School with over 50 young scholars to welcoming new members and confirmands on Pentecost Sunday, we have so much to celebrate as we witness God's work in and through our church. Read the Summer 2025 Prevue to learn more!

Celebrating Freedom School 2025


From June 16 to July 25, First Church welcomed over 50 K–8 scholars for the third summer of Purdue CDF Freedom School. This six-week program focuses on literacy, leadership, and empowering young minds through reading, hands-on learning, and social action activities. Here are some of the highlights from this summer.

Klondike Kids Club Continues!


Thanks to coordination by Pastor Duane and Ronda Kroeschen, Klondike Kids Club will be moving forward into the next year in order to continue blessing the students of Klondike Elementary under the leadership of co-directors Maria Ansari and Carolyn Johnson with administrative and communication support from FUMC Family Ministry’s Talitha Huber. 

First Church Awarded Lifesaving AEDs


We are delighted to share that, through the efforts of Ronda Kroeschen and other members of the congregation and Village Nursery School, First Church has been awarded three new Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to replace the models we have had for the last ten years.


Franciscan Health awarded these devices to First Church through their Revive & Survive grant program. These new AEDs are designed to be incredibly easy to use and can provide life-saving aid for someone experiencing cardiac arrest. 

Pentecost Sunday Celebration: Welcoming New Members & Confirmands


Pentecost Sunday on June 8 was a joyful and meaningful day in the life of First Church. We gathered to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. During worship, we recognized and celebrated our youth who completed Confirmation class with a special ceremony. The class leading up to this moment was guided by the Family Ministry Team under the direction of Family Ministry Instructional Coordinator, Talitha Huber.


We were also honored to welcome several new members into our church community, and some of our confirmands and new members have graciously offered to share their testimonials with you. 

Support First Church Ministries


Thank you for being a part of our family and supporting the mission of First Church. Your giving, whether through financial support or your time, helps our ministries live out love, healing, and freedom in our community.


If you would like to give to First Church, we invite you to click here. If you are interested in serving in one of our ministries, please contact the First Church office at (765) 743-1285. We’d love to connect with you!

Share Your First Church Story


When we share our stories, we amplify our shared values and faith, and help others - both in and out of our congregation - feel aligned and embraced. Help us lift stories from our congregation and show others the community that is First Church.

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