2006 Events

This page includes information and pictures about events that either took place at First Presbyterian Church or involved members or supported organizations in 2006. Please contact Susan Miller at 630-682-0108 or by email at GGM81@aol.com with any items and photos you would like to contribute.

Past events from 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are also online, as well as upcoming events for adults and for youth.  Some information and photos about events prior to 2002 can be found in our Church History Section.

The Genesis Christmas Party was held on December 20, 2006, followed by caroling by Genesis youth.

Our Sunday School kindergarten, first, and second grade children participated in an "Advent Rotation" during the first three Sundays of December 2006.

Our Advent Festival and the Genesis Breakfast were held between worship services on the first Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2006.

Our Genesis youth had a BLAST at the Wheaton Sports Center on December 1, 2006.

Dr. Paul J. Kirbas was installed as Pastor/Head of Staff on Sunday afternoon, October 29, 2006. A reception in Stewart Hall followed the service.

At our Pathways Stations of Service program in the Ministry Center on October 29, 2006, church members and visitors were given the opportunity to learn about many of our church committees, the work done by each of them, and the many opportunities to meet and connect with people at church by volunteering and becoming involved.

Our Westminster Fellowship (WF) Fall Retreat was held at Camp Stronghold in Oregon, Illinois, the weekend of October 27-29, 2006.

Our Genesis Middle Schoolers enjoyed a trip to Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago, including a spooky haunted hayride and a trip through the haunted barn, on October 22, 2006. 

The Norwich Cathedral Choir of England held a concert in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 20, 2006. This English choir was joined by the Wheaton Warrenville South High School Choir.

The Supper Club Oktoberfest on October 14, 2006, included authentic German cuisine, singing German songs, and a cutting from the heartwarming and thoughtful story, “Grace and Glorie,” performed by Cindy Bolds and Marge Elstrom, members of Wheaton Drama Club.

On September 17, 2006, our Genesis Middle Schoolers visited Vertical Endeavors in Naperville and enjoyed rock climbing over cracks, overhangs, pockets, chimneys, and overhanging arches.

Food, fun, fellowship, and music provided by the WF Band were enjoyed by all ages at the First Presbyterian Church Homecoming Picnic on Sunday, September 10, 2006.

Members gathered at a farewell reception for Jerry and Carolyn Landrey on August 27, 2006, thanking them for their service to our church and wishing them well as they move to Sarasota, Florida, where Jerry has accepted the call to be the interim Senior Pastor.

The members of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton voted overwhelmingly to approve the recommendation of our Pastor Nominating Committee to call Reverend Dr. Paul J. Kirbas as our new Pastor, Head of Staff Elect at a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, August 6, 2006. The meeting followed the preaching of his candidacy sermon during our worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. that morning. A reception in Stewart Hall followed the meeting. Photos from the August 6, 2006, worship service and reception welcoming Dr. Paul J. Kirbas and his family, more information about Paul Kirbas, and an August 7, 2006, letter from him are available online.

Students from Mar Elias University in Galilee, Israel, the school begun by now Archbishop Elias Chacour, visited Wheaton and the Chicago area on the weekend of July 14-16, 2006. The 47 students enjoyed going to Chicago by train and seeing the sites; but, what is far more important, through this short weekend we let them see a different face of America. In their homeland they see Americans as the enemy, providing the weapons, helicopters, tanks, and support to the Israeli defense force. When they left, they called us "The beautiful face of America." What was accomplished by this weekend was changing the world one student at a time. We helped to provide dignity and hope for the 47 students that visited here.

A good time was had by all (except the pig) at our Saturday night Supper Club Pig Roast on July 8, 2006, organized by Denny Lawson. Blues Music was provided by Boss Hog and the Piglets, led by Pete Lawson.

From July 5-15, 2006, 22 members and friends of First Presbyterian Church, led by Robb Frank and Diane Easter, traveled to Scotland and Ireland to learn more about our Presbyterian roots.

Trading Places was the theme of our Vacation Bible School held June 19-23, 2006.  Over 100 children from four-year-old preschool through fifth grade had a wonderful time enjoying the opportunity to learn what it would be like to trade places with children all over the world.  Along the way, the children discovered that no matter where you are, Jesus makes a world of difference!!

We welcomed our new Assistant to the Director of Music, Trevor McMaken, and his wife, Bonnie Joy, at a reception held in the Rotunda on Sunday, June 11, 2006.

Over 200 photos of our 2005-2006 Genesis activities are now available in a slide show format in Macromedia Flash.

All of the Youth Sunday sermons presented by some of our high school seniors on May 21, 2006, are online in mp3 format along with a photo of our Westminster Fellowship youth taken in May 2006.

Everyone in attendance had a great time at the Supper Club's Tour of Italy on May 21, 2006, with the final portion of the evening a terrific performance of "Sister Act" by Nancy Goodwin and Mary Beth deBolt, accompanied by Paul Burgess.

Models in the Second Annual PW Tea and Fashion Show on May 6, 2006, included some men and boys as well as women and girls.

On April 23, 2006, a reception was held to honor Janet Wilson for her ten years of service as Stated Clerk of the Chicago Presbytery.

The drama "The Living Last Supper" was presented during the Maundy Thursday service on April 13, 2006,

A Pilgrim's Breakfast with Archbishop Elias Chacour on Saturday, March 25, 2006, here at First Presbyterian Church was attended by about 275 people.

Mission Trip to Mexicali - March 25 to 30, 2006 - Twenty-nine members and friends, including four families, traveled to Mexicali, Mexico, to start a relationship with the Presbyterian communities there. Click on the link above to learn about the challenges and successes of this wonderful, enthusiastic group.

Over 100 people enjoyed music, fun, food, and fellowship at the Supper Club's St. Patrick's Day dinner on March 18, 2006.

The 5th grade Sunday School interviewed Pastor Jerry Landrey on February 5, 2006, on the third annual “Interview a Pastor” Sunday. Jerry and his wife, Carolyn Landrey, returned to the class on March 12, 2006, and provided the students with a taste and history of India.

A reception was held in Stewart Hall following the 11:00 a.m. service on March 5, 2006, to welcome Reverend Caryle Aitken Wilkie, our new Interim Associate Pastor, and her husband, Peter.

The second annual senior revue Radio Daze was held with afternoon and evening performances on Saturday, February 18, 2006, in our Ministry Center. It was sponsored jointly by the First Presbyterian and Gary Methodist Churches of Wheaton, produced by Harold Crittenden, Georgia Hamilton, Dick Mitchell, Jerry O'Neil and Vanessa Roth and directed by Georgia Hamilton. Proceeds benefit the Older Adults' Program of Outreach Community Ministries in Carol Stream. To view posed and live action photos of the all star cast and crew for Radio Daze click here.

The annual WF Spaghetti Dinner was held in Stewart Hall on Saturday evening, January 28, 2006. It was a great time for all to sample the traditional spaghetti and souses and be entertained by our HS praise band. The dinner benefits the WF Mission Trip, again planned for June this year. Click the link above to see a small sample of photos taken at the dinner.