Three of the more curious items we discovered when the MIF Committee did the All-Church Survey was that:

1. 40% of our congregation was not engaged in any FPC committee, mission partner opportunity, small group or larger fellowship group. 

This finding is not meant to be a judgement, but merely a picture into our church. 

The good news is that 60% of our members are involved in the life of this church outside of Sunday Worship in some way. 

And

2. 40% of the respondents to the All-Church Survey asserted that they did not know what possibilities there were to plug into the life of our church. 

For these 40%, we are not doing a good job in communicating 

• the opportunities to practice our faith (participate in a mission opportunity), 

• grow and learn (adult education), or 

• discover a group to whom they could belong. 

This was 2/5’s of our congregation or approximately 80 of our members who responded. Eye opening is that not? Remember no judgment. So curious. 

The good news is that 60% (or 120) of our members said that we were doing a good job in the way we communicate. 

Sure, we can always do better in our communication– Weekly Connector articles, printed Sunday Morning announcements, verbal (from the pulpit) Sunday Morning announcements, up-to-date Website info, informative bulletin boards, some real person answering the phone on weekdays, and occasional email blasts. Both Chris Drake and Alka do a great job in keeping us up to date on what opportunities are available. In fact, I think we do an incredible job, communicating places to plug in.

Most church consultants say that in order to get someone really invested in their learning and/or their growth, people need to be personally invited. So don’t be surprised when some Elder or staff member approaches you with an unprecedented opportunity to gather with others, grow with other, or go with others. If something catches your interest, please view that as a nudge from God. 

You will be seeing this article in the Connector every now and then. Please view it as a gentle nudge by your Pastor to disrupt your settled life and try something new. 

Whatever you try may not fit, that is okay. Church is a “no-judgment” zone. 

Try out a Sunday Morning Bible Study or the choir, attend a “Theology on Tap” session, come to a GROW small group meeting, shadow one of our Waunakee Food Pantry volunteers, make an appointment to check out The River Food Pantry, get some friends together and cook a meal for Pres House. There are so many opportunities with which to experiment. 

And say “Yes” when some Elder or staff member approaches you with an unprecedented opportunity to gather with others, grow with others, or work with others. Your faith will become more active. Your life will be enriched. 

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Glen

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12

We exist as a congregation to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known:

• To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ so all may come to know and love Him;
• To nurture His people in joyful faith, fellowship, and commitment; and
• To demonstrate His way of love in service to the world.

We use the Connector to share news of the coming week and beyond, the activities that involve a wide range of ages and interests at FPC.

Theology on Tap was such a great time of connecting with each other along with a deep discussion on busyness and how God is involved in that topic. If you missed it, here is a link to some quotes and questions that we talked about.

Theology on Tap is a casual gathering that is centered around food/drinks, connection and conversation on a deep faith topic. If you’d like to join in, please contact Christa or Ezrah. We’d love to have you join us!

The next Theology on Tap will be at Octopi Brewing on Saturday, July 22 at 3pm. The topic of discussion will be: What IS church community? How can we build it at FPC?

Pat, Lynda, Kay, and Alice of the FPC Light Team are all celebrating their 75th birthdays in June.

“The Light Team” Women’s Bible Study Women at FPC who are interested in becoming closer to God through Bible lessons from Christian speakers and involvement with one another through prayer and fellowship should join us. This is a time for reflection and discussion, not for homework or extra reading. We all understand that some sessions will be missed for travel, appointments, grandchildren, etc. and end our weekly sessions with humor and treats. All women are invited to participate. If you have any questions, please email Lynda Bennin.

Many fine books—both fiction and nonfiction—have been collected over the years and are available for you to check out. Click here for a list of some newer books that our library needs, readings that will merit your time and attention. We plan to add to the collection each year. Please consider buying one these titles. Order one if you can, read or peruse it, even write a review to promote it! Do let one of our librarians know if you choose to purchase one of these titles so that we don’t overlap efforts. Audiobooks are great, and e-books are attractive, but paper books can be shared most easily, so we hope to add these important titles to the FPC library for everyone’s benefit. Other donations of Christian books—fiction or nonfiction—are also welcome. Just leave them in the library area with a note that says “Book Donation.” Thank you!

Click here for our list of books on our Amazon wish list

Questions? Call or email Alice Honeywell — 608-692-5496; ajhoneywell@wisc.edu

Nursery Age 2 and Under – Room 200

The Nursery is available on Sundays from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, is staffed by church volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.

3-year-olds through Kindergarten will be dismissed after the Children’s message during Sunday service throughout the Summer.

This Sunday, July 2, the Second Century Brass Quintet will be our guest musicians, you won’t want to miss it!

The Second Century Brass Quintet is made up of active and retired music educators who enjoy getting together regularly to rehearse and promote Brass Quintet music. Members are Anton Dvorak of Brooklyn on Tuba, Joe Hartson of McFarland on Trombone, Brad Schneider of Verona on Horn, Paul Heinecke of Mt. Horeb and Scott Eckel of Madison on Trumpet.  

Their repertoire spans a wide range of styles, from music of the renaissance to modern settings that manipulate melodic and harmonic elements in new ways.  

Our “Second Century” name is derived from the fact that SCBQ members have cumulatively taught for well over a century! 

Meet in the main Indian Lake parking lot. Text Christa if you have a question on weather or can’t find it on the day of: 608-208-3265

Summer Family Fire Pit, Outdoor Movie and for those who desire – a Campout at FPC! Bring your own dinner to cook over the fire at 6pm (like hotdogs!) and we’ll provide the s’mores. The movie will start at 7pm, and for those who would like to camp, please RSVP to Christa: cschmeelk@myfpc.org– and she’ll get you the details.