Central Presbyterian Church Preschool

Melissa Garvin

2004, a year of blessings for CPCP! At the beginning of the year we did not have any idea of the many blessings God would bring to us. The year opened with our beloved Director, Melissa Garvin, hospitalized by pneumonia which developed into ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). Along with this serious illness she was carrying their 4th child. PIC, Parent Involvement Club, (similar to PTA in elementary schools), is a group of CPCP parents who support the preschool community by investing their time, talents, and energy. Melissa and her family needed much support and this was PIC's first opportunity to serve. During her illness, the CPCP community and Central Presbyterian Church gathered in prayer for her recovery, cared for her children, provided meals, wrapped the Christmas gifts she had purchased for her children but would not be home to share with them on Christmas Day, and helped in many other tangible ways. There is a remarkably happy ending to this story - not only is Melissa well, but the baby, Andy, was born in April and is a growing, thriving reminder of God's blessing on us with this sweet, precious miracle. Melissa has been able to come back to us and lead our great teaching staff again.

Linda Ferree, along with Rhonda Herman, served as Interim Director of the Preschool while Melissa was ill. At the start of the 2004-2005 school year, Linda and Melissa have divided the directorship to allow Melissa to concentrate on the staff and curriculum development and for Linda to handle the day-to-day operation. This team is blessed to share complementary gifts that serve the families of the school in different ways.

Central Presbyterian Church Preschool was founded in 1999 soon after the completion of the last building campaign. We remember the vision of Rhonda Herman and others who obeyed God's call to use these beautiful, new classrooms for a weekday preschool and not just Sunday morning. CPCP serves over 80 children from the community with seven classes for two-year-olds, three-year-olds, four-year-olds, and pre-kindergarten. CPCP is committed to being part of Central's missional church. 27% of our current students are members or regular attenders here at Central. 30% of these families worship here because of their involvement with the preschool! CPCP is blessed to have an excellent teaching staff who loves the Lord and preschool children.

To those who are only here on Sunday morning, CPCP may be somewhat invisible. Here are some photos to show you what is going on Monday through Friday in the CPCP classrooms.