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CHILDREN’S CHOIR & SPARK

The deep tradition of excellent choral music is found at Birmingham First. Join us as we develop musical skills, grow in our spirituality, and make life-long friendships. Choir members can also participate in SPARK on Thursday afternoons. 

More Information:

Rehearsal Times:

  • Cherub Choir: PreK 3 & 4-year-olds from 5:15-5:45 p.m. in room 228.

  • Sonshine Choir: Kindergarten & 1st graders from 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. in room 228.

  • Disciple Choir: 2nd & 3rd graders from 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. in room 253.

  • Covenant Choir: 4th & 5th graders from 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. in the Choir room.

There is no cost to participate.

Spark is our mid-week children’s program which runs in tandem with Children’s Choir rehearsals on Thursday afternoons from 4:15-6:00 p.m. in the Christian Life Center at Birmingham First. This program, tailored for children ages 3 through 5th grade, offers a fun-filled afternoon featuring joyful music and a variety of engaging activities such recreation, Bible stories, fellowship, and singing.

Children are welcome to join the choir without attending SPARK. Parents can drop off and pick up their children directly at their designated rehearsal spaces. Additionally, children can join the choir or SPARK at any time during the school year to accommodate sports seasons or other activities.

Childcare available for SPARK families

Families who have children attending SPARK, may register their infant and/or toddler sibling(s) for complimentary childcare/programming in rooms 151/153. Register your child(ren) with Beth Torrey at btorrey@fumcbirmingham.org.

Registration Forms

All NEW families or current families with new changes to their information are asked to complete a Family Registration Form to identify anticipated participation in programming.

All participants must have a Medical Release form on file. If you have completed a medical release form since June 2024, you do not need to submit an updated form.

SPARK YOUTH WORKERS and VOLUNTEERS:

Youth in 6th -12th grades are invited to apply as a SPARK Youth worker or volunteer. Youth workers or volunteers engage with children to help them grow in faith, build strong fellowship, and have fun together. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility. Youth often work in seasons to accommodate their school and extracurricular schedules. We ask that they commit to a 6–8 week season to ensure effective planning and mentoring. Before starting, training and paperwork are required to ensure a smooth and successful experience.

SPARK Youth participation options:

  • Youth Workers:
    • are employees of the church who will earn compensation. (Must be 14 years old, have a work permit and ALL required HR documents complete. Youth may volunteer until all required HR documents are completed and on file.)
  • Youth Volunteers:
    • may earn hourly credits toward a scholarship. Hours of volunteerism will be tracked, and credit will be accumulated to be used toward a future Choir England Trip or Birmingham and Berkley First sponsored Mission trip in which the student participates in.
    • may earn community service hours. (Youth will need to present a link or document for signature.)
 
If your child(ren) would like to earn a paycheck as a paid employee of the church, please email Beth Torrey at btorrey@fumcbirmingham.org and all the HR documents will be emailed to you.
 

Each youth participating must complete and turn in the following:

Childcare available for SPARK families

Families who have children attending SPARK, may register their infant and/or toddler sibling(s) for complimentary childcare/programming in rooms 151/153. 

Register your child(ren) with Beth Torrey at btorrey@fumcbirmingham.org.

Questions?
Megan Klapp
mklapp@fumcbirmingham.org
248-646-1200 ext. 3131

Chelsea-Rose Jabboori

My name is Chelsea-Rose and I am excited to be teaching in the Turquoise Room.  This is my first year teaching at First Kids.  I have many years of experience in child care and as a nanny.  I started my education with OCC and finished my CDA with TeachStone.

I come from a large family.  I am the oldest of six siblings.  We had many wonderful adventures over the years, traveling to most of the United States and some of Canada.  I have a love for nature and adventure.  I really enjoy long road trips, outdoor activities and camping.  I am an artist who enjoys painting, poetry and doing crafts.  I love to study children’s psychology and herbology.  With gentle guidance and compassion, I encourage children to explore and learn.  Children have always been my passion in life.

I am an active member of Berkley First and am happy to now be connected with Birmingham First.

I am looking forward to learning and growing with your children this school year.

Brooke Lynch

My name is Brooke Lynch, and I am excited to be your child’s classroom teacher!  This is my fourth year as a parent at First Kids Preschool and I look forward to joining the teaching staff this year.  I have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Miami University.  I taught first grade for seven years in Chicago.  I then worked for five years as Director of Operations for a charter school management company here in Michigan.  I decided to take some time off from work once my husband Joe and I welcomed our third baby.  After two years at home with Kyle (6), Grace (4), and Griffin (2) I am thrilled to return to the classroom.  First Kids is such a special place and I feel so honored to now be part of the community as both a teacher and parent.  I can’t wait to partner with you to provide a wonderful year of fun and learning for your child!

Jillian McDonald

My name is Jillian McDonald and I am thrilled to be teaching in the Green/Orange Room.  This will be my first year teaching at First Kids Preschool.  Previously, I taught three and four-year-old preschool in the Birmingham Public Schools for six years.  Before that, I was a first grade teacher in Detroit.  Between teaching positions, I took time off to raise my three children, Madelynn, Riley and Delaney.  Madelynn and Riley are twins and will be starting their first year of college in the fall.  My daughter, Delaney will be a senior at Groves High School.  In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, reading, and going to my cottage in Northern Michigan.  I am so excited to be working with the four-year-olds.  As an early childhood educator, I love to make my students’ first experiences with school very memorable.  I enjoy helping them build their independence and self-confidence.  I like to encourage the building of a classroom community to promote social skills and conflict resolution.  I am so happy to begin this journey of learning with you and your child!

Gloria Fulton

My name is Gloria Fulton, and I am very excited to be teaching at First Kids Preschool.  I also work in childcare for Children and Family Ministries at Birmingham First United Methodist Church.  I am a member of the Garden of Faith Missionary Baptist Church where I currently teach Sunday school and assist with the youth choir.  For two years, I was co-leader of the Brownie troop at Upton Elementary, where my daughter attended school.  I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and am currently working towards my Child Development Associate.  I  enjoy miniature golf, walking, traveling, and spending time with my family.