Winner, winner… snake’s dinner?
FPC’s very own Rona Neri is now an award winning photographer of the National Wildlife Federation. With her very first photo contest submission ever, she was selected from 29,000 photo submissions and was awarded 2nd place in the Other Wildlife category. From the National Wildlife Federation website:
Sometimes photographers see things they wish they hadn’t. That was true for frog lover and snake phobic Rona Neri, who, in Costa Rica, documented an “intense” drama as a parrot snake snatched a hapless gladiator tree frog and devoured it whole as the frog frantically struggled to escape. “It was both fascinating and horrifying to watch,” says Neri. “I felt for the frog, but the snake has to live, too.”
Click here to see all the contest winners on The National Wildlife Federation website. USA Today has picked up the story and so has The Daily Mail in the UK!
FPC congregation members Sam Robinson, Sheldon Schall, Mark Weller, and Rona Nary are all part of a photo club that currently meets virtually over Zoom. We are fortunate to have these passionate, talented photographers as part of the FPC Family. Congratulations, Rona!
This Weekend’s Message
It is time for us to call upon GOD, to go to our knees as a nation, not to look to any politician or worldly leader to be our Savior. Join us this weekend for the online message or at the Sunday outdoor worship at 10:45.
Turn your clocks back on Sunday!
Daylight saving time is almost over, so get ready to “fall back.”
The official time to turn the clocks back an hour is at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, meaning the time will go back to 1 a.m. Make sure that you turn the clock back or you will end up with an extra hour to burn in the FPC parking lot while you wait for the 10:45 service to begin.
Check out these Thankful Tree ideas…
This week’s children’s message is on making a thankful tree but if you have room, feel free to include: Just a reminder to make your thankful tree this weekend! Don’t know what that is? Be sure to catch the children’s message this Sunday!
Hope Grows Here!
FPC Stewardship Campaign for 2021
Especially this year, the importance of maintaining hope cannot be overstated. And, knowing the importance of agriculture to our local economy, the stewardship campaign emphasis on hope and growth is even more appropriate.
Even in the midst of the pandemic, FPC’s dedicated staff along with with contributions of time, talent and treasure from our congregation, we are able to ensure the continuation of FPC’s vital ministry projects. Pledge Sunday (November 15) approaching and 2021 on the horizon, we ask that you give prayerful consideration to determining what you can contribute to assure that hope will continue to grow here.
The stewardship campaign mailing went out this week, so watch your mailbox for the letter and pledge card. We would like to have all pledges returned by November 22 when “the harvest of pledge cards” will be blessed during worship.
New Air Purification at FPC to combat virus spread
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, FPC has continually explored ways to provide health measures in the effort to maintain our mission and ministry. While the building is closed to routine activities, staff, Session members, committee leaders and volunteers do access the building as the need arises. Various considerations are being discussed to gradually open as the pandemic situation allows.
Being proactive, FPC has just installed an air purification system (at a significant cost that was not in the budget). FPC has 14 HVAC units throughout the building. While there was consideration to phase in a few units at a time over a span of time, due to the fact that we run the fans on all 14 HVAC units 24/7 as a means to reduce the risk of stale air and mold, it made more sense to install air purifiers in all HVAC units at the same time. This will provide the maximum air purification efficiency throughout the building.
There are several types of air purification technology being promoted to deal with Covid-19. Ionization and UV light are two of the most prominent with each having a niche. The system FPC has installed has both ionization and UV technology. This dual technology kills viruses in the air and on surfaces. It is the technology recommended for dental clinics. The REME-HALO is also designed to eliminate “sick building” syndrome risks. The downside is that the UV lights must be replaced every 2-3 years at a significant cost.
While not a substitute for social distancing and masks, it is overall the most progressive step FPC can take at this time. This system should have air purification benefits long after Covid-19
Shepherding the Flock:
A Summary of the October, 2020 Session Meeting
Submitted by: Dianne Larson, Clerk of Session
Outdoor worship will continue as long as the temperature is at least 33 degrees at the start of the service. If the service is cancelled, the decision will be made by 9:00. Session will review indoor worship at the November meeting.
We are grateful we got a quorum on the 25th so we could elect our new elders, deacons, and nominating committee. New elders: Shane Fisher Student Ministry, Brett Cable Stewardship, and Lynda Ferris-Olson Fellowship. Adult Nurture remains open and the committee is still working. Deacons: Ken Manning continuing for second term, and Sharon Mikkelson. Todd Marquardt treasurer. Nominating committee for next year: Maeline Schall, Kyle Halweg, Rebekah Temple, and Kathy Vinge.
Session voted to cancel the Live Nativity this year due to COVID considerations, remains open to other possible ideas for something special on Christmas Eve.
The annual Stewardship drive is beginning. The theme is Hope Grows Here. A letter will be mailed on November 5. Trunk or Treat will be in the church parking lot October 31. Weekly middle and high school activities are continuing outside.
Session voted unanimously to have one Christmas Eve worship service which will be a virtual blend of traditional, contemporary, and instrumental. The Giving Trees will be virtual with gift cards as the gifts.
Newly Elected Elders
At the All-Congregation Fall Meeting last Sunday, we voted to elect new Elders. Here is a list of the FPC members that were voted in:
- Student Ministry Elder: Shane Fisher
- Stewardship Elder: Brett Cable
- Fellowship: Lynda Ferris-Olson
- Treasurer: Todd Marquardt continuing for a third term
- Deacon: Sharon Mikkelson
- Deacon: Ken Manning continuing for second term
- 2021 Nominating Committee: Kyle Halweg, Maeline Schall, Rebekah Temple, Kathy Vinge with two nominated from Session
The 2020 Giving Trees:
The Mission Team continues to help to those in need this Christmas with the Giving Trees. Due to COVID, wrapped Christmas gifts cannot be distributed to families in need. For this reason, we will be accepting monetary donations or store gift cards for each group’s tree. All donations should be marked Attention Mission Team and can be mailed or dropped off at the church at the mailbox near the church office entrance. Any amount is appreciated. If you’d like your donation to go towards a specific group’s tree, make a note of it on your donation. All Giving Tree donations should be made by Monday, December 7.
Here are the groups we are supporting this year:
- WEB Tree – The Waunakee Ecumenical Board has 156 families and 350 children in Waunakee that need help with food and gifts. Monetary donations only. No gift cards please. Checks can be mailed directly to WEB at P.O. Box 143.
- Soar Kenya Academy Tree – After recently opening their doors to 4th-8th graders they have found that, due to COVID job loss, many families are not able to pay tuition. Hoping that that this is just a temporary situation, they are desperately in need of funds to pay for meals for students and local elderly community. Monetary donations only. No gift cards please.
- Operation Christmas Angel Tree – for the Children of active duty men and women serving outside of the Country. Walmart gift cards requested.
- Shelter from the Storm Ministry Tree – This group will purchase gifts for the children of the single homeless mothers that are being served in their facility. Walmart gift cards requested.
- *NEW THIS YEAR* Sock Tree – To benefit the homeless or needy men, women, and children of: Friends of State Street, The Beacon, Porchlight, and Waunakee Neighborhood Connection. We are collecting bagged socks at the church main entrance on Sundays. Or arrangements can be made to pick up the socks at your home.
Our FPC family is always so generous during the Giving Tree season! Thank you in advance for financially supporting these worthy groups in our community. Have any questions? Email Glenn Myers, FPC Mission Elder.
For Your Calendar:
Stephen Ministry
We know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone—raising the level of fear, stress, and anxiety for people all over the world and underscoring the importance of caring ministry. As a Stephen Ministry congregation, we equip and empower lay caregivers to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care. Our commitment to this ministry is extrememly important during these uncertain times.
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this ministry, contact the church office.
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