Give Thanks

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Coming Events | December 8-28, 2024

Sunday, December 8, 10AM Service – Second week of Advent

Advent is a season filled with hope, anticipation, and joy as we prepare our hearts for Christ’s arrival! Join us each week as we light the candles, reflect, and draw closer to the true meaning of Christmas. Let’s journey together through Advent, embracing the light that guides us to the miracle of Jesus’ birth! Click here to see our amazing events going on this Advent season!

Sunday, December 8, at 11AM – Cookies and Carols

Sunday, December 8, at 3PM – Theology on Tap at the Schmeelk’s

Each Sunday of Advent, through December 22, 11:15AM-Noon – Adult Advent Study

Mondays, from 1-2:30PM – Light Team

Monday, December 9, at 6:30PM and Saturday, December 14, at 10AM – FPC Care for the Caregivers Support Group

In the journey of caregiving, the road can often feel lonely and overwhelming. Recognizing this, FPC’s Care for Caregivers was created as a haven for those who provide care to others but often may forget to care for themselves. The monthly meetings are dedicated to providingemotional, mental, and spiritual encouragement to those who care for aging parents, family members with chronic illnesses, or loved ones with disabilities. 

If you’re a caregiver (current or previous), consider attending a meeting. The meetings are drop-in style. Newcomers are always welcome. You can choose to share or just listen. Meetings are in the Chapel, once on the second Monday of the month at 6:30pm, and once on the second Saturday of the month at 10:00am. If one of these times do not work for you, please let us know. To learn more, contact Marcia Chase, marchase@icloud.com or call/text at cell # (334) 444-6610and leave a message during work hours. Or just drop in to a meeting.

Remember: You’re not alone, and it’s okay to take time to care for yourself too!

Wednesday, December 11 at 11:30AM – New Horizons Christmas Carols and Potluck

Wednesdays, from 7-8:15PM – Youth Group

Wednesdays, from 7-8:30PM – Men’s Ministry Meeting

Sunday, December 15, during and after the service –
Christa Schmeelk’s Farewell Celebration

Wednesday, December 18, 6:30PM – FPC Men’s Group Outting

Wednesday, December 18, 7-8:15PM – Youth Group Christmas Party!

All middle and high school students are invited to join us in the FPC Youth Space for an evening of fun, food, and friends. Feel free to dress festively! 

Friday and Saturday, December 20 and 21 – FPC’s Live Nativity

Sunday, December 22, 4PM – Children’s Nativity Service

Monday, December 23 at 1PM – Light Team’s Christmas with the Chosen

Tuesday, December 24, 4PM & 7PM – Christmas Eve Worship Service

Tuesday – Thursday, December 24-26 – FPC Office Closed for Christmas

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Save the Date | More Info to come

Wednesday, January 1 – FPC Office Closed New Years Day

Sunday, January 5, following worship – Epiphany King’s Cake Celebration!

Monday, January 6, at 6:30PM – Centering Prayer

The Centering Prayer group usually meets in the Chapel on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM for two 20 minute “sits.” For those who want to “learn by doing,” please come at 6 PM to get oriented. For questions, please contact Judy Fitzgerald.

Monday, January 20 – FPC Office Closed on MLK Jr. Day

Friday, January 31, 12:30PM – Red Cross Blood Drive

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Opportunities to Serve

Beanie Babies serving in the name of Christ?

Guaranteed to Make You Feel Younger… Volunteer with Children!

We currently need more warm and friendly (and silly) individuals to round out our gold medal Sunday School teaching teams. No experience necessary! Guidance, teacher manuals and materials provided. Sunday School is from 9am-9:50am. Youth volunteers are also encouraged to assist. Help on occasion or on a rotating schedule-you choose. Please consider this important calling by reaching out to our Interim Director of Children’s Ministry Lori Phelps at lori.phelps@myfpc.org. The rewards and smiles are plentiful!

Hammers with Halos

Sunday Worship House Manager

Sound Desk Assistant Needed

Agrace Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to assist customers and operate the cash register at the Doc Rock Café located inside the Agrace Madison campus or make companionship visits to local Agrace hospice patients in patients’ homes, nursing homes or assisted living centers. 

Schedules are flexible, and free training is provided. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Agrace at (608) 327-7163 or visit Agrace.org/Volunteer to apply online.

Help Needed! The Waunakee Food Pantry is looking for volunteers the last Wednesday of each month

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News and Announcements

Shepherding the Flock from the November 19 Session Meeting

Report of the Clerk

The John Knox Presbytery review of Session minutes, FPC Registry and Session activity took place on November 2, 2024. No exceptions were found.

All Village of Waunakee and the Town of Westport approvals required for the sale of FPC land to Don Tierney have been completed. Next steps are to finalize one amendment to the sale (recommended at the October congregational meeting) and schedule the closing.

Deacons Report

David Good attended to give an update.

• The deacons are pre-stocking the freezer with deacon meals. They have been doing meal preparation with help from students.
• Care packages have been sent.
• Checked with insurance on liability related to people providing rides and found that we are covered for this.
• Providing messaging to new members (inserts in new member materials).
• The FPC website will be updated to include an area where you can click to get in contact with the deacons.

Pastor’s Moment

• Will be working on tightening up the process for serving communion.
• Started Tuesday morning Bible study.
• Concluded listening sessions and have found that they were informative and helpful.
• Attended the John Knox Presbytery meeting. This meeting with sparsely attended, but Pastor Will thought it was valuable in terms of connecting with other leaders in the Presbytery.
• Working on Advent and Christmas preparation.
• Planning to contact the high school principal, the police chief, and perhaps other community leaders to do outreach and remind them that First Presbyterian is here and wants to stay connected with them.

Consent Action Items:

• The Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held on January 26, 2025.
• The Manning family is transferring membership to Faith Westwood UMC in Omaha, NE.
• Session meeting minutes more than five years old will be transferred to the Presbyterian Historical Society for storage and archiving. 
• Granted approval to Lolly Lawrence to attend the closing for sale of parcel of land (previously approved by the church and session) to Don Tierney, representing FPC.
• The 2025 Wish List was approved.
• A new Code of Conduct policy to guide church leaders (staff, elders and deacons) was developed and approved.  

Church Management Software Proposal Review

Brian Gade attended to review the business proposal to move from Church Windows church management software, to ACS Realm. He reviewed background, current challenges, key benefits of the proposed solution, a risk assessment and mitigation strategies. Based on this analysis, he recommends proceeding with migration to ACS Realm Connect. The solution provides a modern, integrated platform that addresses our current challenges while positioning us for future growth. The investment is justified by:

1. Avoiding significant capital expenditure for server replacement
2. Improving operational efficiency
3. Enhancing ministry effectiveness, through better tools
4. Providing a sustainable, scalable solution for future needs.

Session voted to approve the purchase of ACS Realm in 2025.

Finance Report

Alan Roberts reported that the General Fund Balance is around $40k. Given vs. pledged for October was 101% and year-to-date is 101%. Income vs. expense for all funds is -$65,664.11. Income vs. expense for the general fund is -$56,434.34.

The 2024 audit of finances was completed on October 16, 2024. The auditor was Ryan Horst, church member and civil engineer. Interviewees were Kristina Maher and Alan Roberts. Findings from the audit were included in the Session packet. The auditor provided five recommendations.

2025 Budget:

• Reminder that Session reviews and approves the budget, which is presented to the congregation at the Annual Meeting in January. Final approval should take place at the 1/21/25 Session meeting. Session can amend the budget in response to comments and questions from the congregation.
• The pace of pledge card returns is ahead of where we were at this time last year.
• Our current gap between budget and pledged is $219k.
• Session’s goal is to aim for a $140k “faith” budget for their next meeting. 2024’s faith budget was $143,297.
• It is very important to Pastor Will to give a 10% FPC tithe to missions.
• There is tremendous seasonality in giving at FPC. We are currently estimating that we could have a $33k, or higher, carryover from the general fund.
• A 3% COLA has been proposed for staff. Note that Pastor Will’s terms carry through 2025 and he will not receive a COLA in 2025.
• Funds could be used from the endowment, on specific items (e.g., office, buildings and grounds, VBS/children’s ministry) to ease the budget gap.
• Mission giving strategy is being revised to be more actively connected to FPC’s missions, providing more flexibility to make adjustments throughout the year, and less “check-writing.”

• Personnel budget increased 17%
  • 3% COLA
  • Salary increases for some staff positions that were under market, according to the market review completed this fall
  • 11% health insurance increase, and a dental insurance increase
  • 25 hours a week for admin assistant
  • Children’s ministry director at 40 hours a week
  • Benefits spend increase associated with full-time positions, as compared to multiple part-time positions

Worship and Music

The choir will not have a Christmas flower fundraiser, but will plan a fundraiser for Easter flowers.

The committee is discussing ways to shorten the service on communion Sundays.

Lynda Ferris-Olson will be doing the decorating for Christmas. Have many ushers signed up for usher training. Will be having communion at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service. The W&M team is starting to plan ahead for 2 services, so they’ll be prepared with options when the need arises.

Children’s Ministry

Peter Bergman provided a written report and noted that they are preparing for Children’s Nativity service.

Building and Grounds

Working with GuideOne (our insurance provider) on the claim related to the vandalism damage to our electronic sign. We have received a down payment of $6,700 to be used for sign replacement or repair. Waiting on getting the full quote from the manufacturer – we may receive more from insurance when more is known. Not certain if we’ll be able to replace half the electronic sign (the side that was spray-painted) or if we’ll have to replace the whole sign. We could have issues with non-matching technology, if only half the sign is replaced.

The B&G team is looking into increasing our parking lot light coverage. The HVAC system has received its winter evaluation, cleaning and repair for the upcoming season.

The main narthex door operation can be difficult for people exiting after the doors have been locked. To exit, a latch beneath the door handle has to be pressed to unlock. With all the other doors, pressing on the main door handle releases the lock.

Session approved, for Sunday mornings, to lock the main narthex doors at 10:15 and unlock them at 10:45. All other doors will lock at 10:15 and stay locked.

Student Ministry

Emily Bauer reported that students helped prepare and package 36 meals (2 servings each) that are now in the freezer and available for deacons and pastors to hand out as needed. Jannina Killian organized and led the event. 

Sunday School is finishing the Sermon on the Mount Bible Project, which prompted thoughtful discussions about what the various elements of Jesus’s sermons mean and how we can incorporate those themes into our lives. Ezrah is preparing a new series for December. To date, 11 different students have participated in Sunday School, averaging 6 students each week (high: 9/low: 2)

The Wednesday night youth group leaders have taken turns sharing their favorite Bible verses. The students have enjoyed learning more about their leaders and how Scripture has shaped their lives. To date, 34 different students have participated in Youth Group, averaging 21 students each week (high: 29/low: 12) Our overall weekly engagement rate has consistently hovered around 15% of worship attendance (10% is the common benchmark). 

Christa has been leading the music team three times a month, and will continue to be involved after her FPC position ends. The music from this team of two adults and five students is always a highlight of Wednesday nights.

Ezrah is preparing for a new confirmation class, which will begin January 19th, Confirmation Sunday is April 27th. 

The 2025 Mission Trip Information Session was held on November 13. We are leaning toward not organizing a fundraiser for this mission. Pres House dinner is planned for February 2, 2025 and Winter Retreat in Lake Geneva is planned for February 7-9, 2025.

Adult Nurture and Spiritual Growth

Jim Fitzgerald reported that his team has reviewed calendars for our (12) FPC Adult Small Group ministries. Finalized plans for our 4-week Adult Sunday School Advent session “The Forgotten Man of Christmas-Joseph’s Story” led by Pastor Will beginning Sunday, 12/1/24. Debriefed Adult Small Group “Listening Sessions” held with Pastor Will. 

Currently selecting Winter/Spring semester study curriculum for all Adult Bible Studies/Sunday School/Small Group programs, evaluating need to have FPC host a Centering Prayer Workshop and Bethel Series class, and beginning to discuss several Church-wide events we would like to bring forward next year including a Women’s speaker breakfast (Fall 2025) and an offsite men’s retreat (Fall 2025).

Mission

Julie Cable reported that the mission team is focused on how to set up our mission budget for purposeful giving and to increase engagement.

Wrapped up the Thanksgiving/holiday meal drive. Will have 2 giving trees – one for Waunakee Neighborhood connection and one for Shelter from the Storm. Also exploring collaboration with Christ Presbyterian Church to send a team to North Carolina for hurricane relief. 

Stewardship

Barb Cash noted that highlights of the Stewardship campaign were covered in the Finance report. Continuing to send thank you letters to those who pledged and reminders to those who haven’t.

Fellowship FUN Team

Krista Wallace and the FUN team held a successful pancake and parfait breakfast, after church on 11/3. Cohosted the first listening session on November 10 here at FPC with Pastor Will in the Fellowship Hall. Over 15 people attended! A light lunch was provided. 

Currently planning the Carols and Cookies event following the service on Dec 8. This event will be held during the typical coffee hour after service either in the Fellowship Hall or Narthex. 

Planning an Epiphany Celebration with King’s Cake on January 5. Fellowship is joining with children’s ministry to help serve a traditional King’s cake after service during coffee hour. Family Bingo Night on January 29 and Lenten Dinners in March and April.

New Member Outreach

The Live Nativity will be held on two nights this year, 12/20 and 12/21. Will run from 6-8 p.m. on Friday and 5-8 p.m. on Saturday. Dinner will be served for volunteers, both evenings.

Personnel

Amy Chavez’s team is looking at next steps regarding open roles in Children’s Ministry and Engagement. Also planning for Christa Schmeelk’s recognition on December 15. Completed final review and edits to the compensation study, and drafted a code of conduct. Pastor Will & Pastor Ben reviewed and discussed Pastor Ben’s 2025 contract (this is a standard, annual process that takes place).

Working on 2025 Health and Dental benefits review and performance review templates, including digitization of the performance review template.

Congregational Listening Sessions are underway. Six sessions have been offered so far with ~60 members participating. Benefits include: an opportunity for Pastor Will to get to know FPC’s members, FPC members get to know Pastor Will beyond just preaching on Sundays, and FPC members get to know one another better through these sessions. Feedback has been very positive.

Amy had several topics to discuss in executive session

Session approved Pastor Ben’s 2025 contract, an updated Christmas Love Gift (staff bonus) policy, and the revised Children’s Ministry job — allowing Personnel to initiate the search for a candidate to fill the position.

Care Letters

Care Letters were signed by the elders for 15 members and Session prayed for the members receiving Care Letters.

2025 Offering Envelopes

If you requested a box of 2025 offering envelopes, they are available to be picked up on a table near the Christmas tree in the lobby.  If you would like a box of offering envelopes and don’t see one there for you, please fill out one of the blue forms on that table and place it in either the pledge or offering box, and Kristina will prepare a box for you.  You may also send an email to Kristina Maher, Church Business Administrator, at kmaher@myfpc.org to request a box.

Share the Joy!

Year-End Donations

As the year comes to a close, if you would like to make a gift that is tax-deductible in 2024, your donation must be received by the church or postmarked by Tuesday, December 31. If you wish to make a stock donation, shares of stock must be received into the church’s brokerage account by Tuesday, December 31.

If you have any questions about year-end donations, please contact FPC’s Church Business Administrator, Kristina Maher, at 608-949-9453, or consult with your tax advisor.

This Week’s Birthdays: December 8 – 14

This Week’s Anniversaries: December 8 – 14

FPC Nursery for Ages 3 and under

Music in Worship

December 8 – FPC Choir; Ying Wang, pianist
December 15 – FPC Praise Band (Brett & Jason Cable, Greg Tardiff, Jamie Cash)
December 22 – FPC Choir; Ying Wang, pianist
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24 at 4PM – Ying Wang, pianist
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24 at 7PM – FPC Choir, Ying Wang, Joyful Noise & Yahara String Quartet

Praise Song of the Week

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In an effort to streamline the process for submitting requests for event announcements in the Connector or spoken during the worship service, Communications has developed this easy-to-use online form to share all of your important information.

Click the link below to check out the form and if you have any feedback or questions, please send an email to communications@myfpc.org.

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The Connector comes out at 4 PM every Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon, the Wednesday prior.