With this understanding, the nursery was intentionally designed adjacent to the sanctuary, allowing young children to remain close to their parents during worship while enjoying a space created especially for them. The goal was to build more than a room for childcare. It was to create a place of wonder, imagination, and belonging where children could begin to discover the love of God.
The nursery brings the beauty and playfulness of Miami's coastal setting indoors. Designed as a beach scene, the space features surfboard-inspired iPad stations, a castle slide, and a giant whale that invites children into one of the Bible's most memorable stories: Jonah and the whale.
In the book of Jonah, God calls the prophet to travel to Nineveh and deliver a message of repentance and mercy. Jonah, however, has other plans. Rather than follow God's direction, he boards a ship headed in the opposite direction. When a great storm threatens the vessel, Jonah eventually finds himself swallowed by a great fish, where he spends three days and three nights.
The story is often remembered for its extraordinary sea creature, but its deeper message is about obedience, grace, and the surprising ways God continues to call us forward.
Jonah discovers that running from God's calling does not mean running beyond God's love. Even in the depths of the sea, God has not abandoned him. The great fish, which first appears to be the end of Jonah's journey, becomes the means by which he is given another opportunity to follow God's direction.
For children, the story is full of adventure, mystery, and imagination. For people of every age, it offers an important reminder: God continues to guide us, even when we are afraid, uncertain, or reluctant to follow.
The nursery's giant whale transforms this biblical story into something children can see, explore, and remember. Through play, they begin to encounter the stories of scripture and discover that faith is not simply something we learn through words. It is something we can experience through creativity, curiosity, and joy.
The story of Jonah also reminds us that God's grace is larger than our mistakes. Jonah was not a perfect prophet. He questioned, resisted, and struggled with God's compassion for others. Yet God continued to work through him, extending mercy not only to Jonah but also to the people of Nineveh.
This is an especially meaningful message for the youngest members of our church. As children grow, they will make mistakes, ask difficult questions, and sometimes choose paths that lead them away from what is good. Our hope is that they will always know that God's love remains with them and that grace offers the possibility of beginning again.
As First Church Miami celebrates 130 years of ministry in Downtown Miami, the nursery reflects our commitment to welcoming children into the life of faith from their earliest years. Its proximity to the sanctuary reminds families that they belong in worship, while its playful design creates space for children to experience God's love in ways that speak to their own imaginations.
The beach, the surfboards, the castle, and the whale may inspire laughter and play, but together they also proclaim a message of faith: God calls us, God journeys with us, and God's grace is always greater than the distance we may wander.
No matter how far we travel, God's love can find us. And no matter how young we are, God has a place for us in the story.