Children

From Birth to Grade 5

Children’s Ministries provides exciting opportunities for children from birth through grade 5. Partnering with parents, we help children become deeply committed Christians. We provide relevant, meaningful learning on Sundays, faith development programs, summer camps and special events.

Surrounded by a loving and devoted community, children experience inclusiveness and significant relationships with people of all ages. We hope that families grow together on their journey to know, love and serve God.

Find out what’s happening in Children’s Ministry!
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    Children’s Programs

    Get Involved!

    We are thrilled to have you serve in Children’s Ministries! You have many opportunities to use your gifts to invest in the lives of children.

    We have a place for all parents to connect and engage! Use your skills and abilities to serve with us and help your children grow spiritually. Every family is welcome!

    For more information, contact Kelly Crespin at kcrespin@florisumc.org.

    Meet the Team

    Kelly Crespin
    Children's & Family Ministries Director

    Kelly Crespin

    Wendy Hilbert
    Children’s Ministries Coordinator/Childcare Supervisor

    Wendy Hilbert

    Sara Holl
    Children’s Ministries Coordinator-Preschool

    Sara Holl

    Debbie Lawler
    Preschool Director

    Debbie Lawler

    Karen O'Dell
    Preschool Assistant Director

    Karen O’Dell

    Children's & Family Ministries Director

    Kelly Crespin

    Kelly grew up in Japan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. She has a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Arts in education from the University of Virginia. Kelly has over 25 years of teaching experience ranging from kindergarten through high school. While living in San Antonio, Texas, and homeschooling her two daughters, Kelly also worked as the assistant director in children’s ministry at a large church, was active in Girl Scouts at the regional level for over 12 years, wrote for various educational publishing companies and worked as a homeschool book and product reviewer online.

    Her adventures with Floris UMC started in January 2014 when she left Texas to move to Virginia and became the new children’s ministries director. She has two daughters – one is a teacher in Texas and the other lives and works in northern Virginia – plus two adorable dogs. Kelly loves to incorporate creativity into the programs she leads and see children smile when they talk about Jesus.


    First job: 
    Working in a library shelving books, checking out books for people, answering reference questions and creating book displays.

    Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 46:10

    Most people don’t know this about her: She was a medical simulation scenario patient in Texas who helped train medical students for real-life scenarios.

    Email:kcrespin@florisumc.org

    Phone:703-793-0026 x166

    Children’s Ministries Coordinator/Childcare Supervisor

    Wendy Hilbert

    Wendy was born and raised in Northern Virginia and graduated from Chantilly High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in health and recreation management from George Mason University and her Master of Arts degree in management from American Public University. Wendy has worked for Fairfax County Parks and Recreation and has served as an adjunct professor for APU.

    Wendy was overjoyed to join the Floris UMC staff in January 2013 and loves helping share God’s love with the children of Floris UMC.

    First job: Working at Total Crafts in Chantilly, Virginia

    Favorite Bible verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17

    Idea of a perfect day: Doing something fun outside such as going to the zoo, apple picking, having a fun day at the beach or going to a local farm with her two sons, daughter and husband.

    Most interesting vacation: A trip to Europe with stops in Ireland, Scotland, England, Paris and Holland.

    Email:whilbert@florisumc.org

    Phone:703-793-0026 x1118

    Children’s Ministries Coordinator-Preschool

    Sara Holl

    Email:sholl@florisumc.org

    Phone:703-793-0026 x190

    Preschool Director

    Debbie Lawler

    Debbie became the preschool director at Floris UMC in May 2014. Floris UMC Preschool is the fourth preschool that Debbie has had the privilege to run in her career. Previously, she was a director in Warner Robins, Georgia; Hampton, Virginia; and Fairfax, Virginia. Debbie has a Bachelor of Arts in education from Arizona State University. She grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, where her parents still live today. She met her husband, Scott, when she was 15 and married him several years later. Debbie and Scott traveled the country while Scott served in the Air Force for 21 years. They settled in the Northern Virginia area in 1997 and have two grown children.

    Debbie enjoys the challenge of running a preschool with 170 children and 20 staff members. Her responsibilities include communicating with parents, church staff, teachers and, of course, playing with the preschoolers (obviously the best part of every day)!

    First job: Being a summer camp counselor at First Baptist Church in Tallahassee

    Favorite Bible verse: Matthew 19:26 and Philippians 4:13

    Idea of a perfect day: Skiing down the mountains in Breckenridge, Colorado, with her family or sitting on the beach with a good book and a cool beverage.

    Most people don’t know this about her: She is an avid sports fan, especially college sports!

    Most interesting vacation: Exploring the Caribbean islands with her family during a week-long cruise.

    Email:dlawler@florisumc.org

    Phone:703-793-0026 x119

    Preschool Assistant Director

    Karen O’Dell

    Email:kodell@florisumc.org

    Phone:703-793-0026 x120

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