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Introduction to Centering Prayer
Contemplative Outreach of Madison is presenting an Introduction to Centering Prayer here at FPC Waunakee on Saturday October 28th from 8:30am-12:30.
This will be the last time an Introduction to Centering Prayer will be offered at FPC while Pastor Glen is here.
What is Centering Prayer? Well, it is a daily prayer practice-20 minutes of silence with God. It is a method of prayer that moves us beyond a conversation with Christ to communion with Christ. It is a rich and fruitful discipline.
Several years ago, I, Pastor Glen, asked people to write about how they got started in the practice of Centering Prayer. This is what my friend Ken said:
I am surprised to be writing favorably about Centering Prayer, because my first efforts to try this prayer method some fifteen years ago were just that—my efforts—and as a result were very frustrating. Not understanding that Centering Prayer is about consenting to God’s presence and action, I at first attempted to just try harder and do it better, a tendency that had seemed to serve me well in so many other areas of my life. In Centering Prayer, trying harder did not work, and I seemed to get nothing from the discipline other than a disheartening sense of failure. I soon decided that Centering Prayer was not a good practice for me and, except for an occasional attempt to “center” when circumstances seemed to call for it, I moved on to other ways to seek an awareness of God’s presence.
A few years ago, however, I attended a Centering Prayer workshop that was facilitated by the Madison group of Contemplative Outreach. That day gave me a much better understanding of the theology behind the method, the recommended ways to practice it, and what could be expected if one made a habit of it. I decided to give it another go and, by God’s grace, this time it stuck. In fact, of the many prayer disciplines I have tried over a lifetime, Centering Prayer is the longest lasting and seems likely to remain so.
My desire to continue this practice is not because it feels so good. Though not always the case, the actual practice of sitting in silence can often be difficult and frustrating. However, I am beginning to see more and more areas of my life in which I am somehow being transformed by God. Some things that used to bother me greatly no longer seem so important or even appear to actually be gifts in my life. I am becoming more in touch with the pain that is so evident in this world, without responding with a recurring cycle of guilt, frantic activity, denial or repression. And I am more eager than ever to just be in God’s presence. In short, I have come to believe that the method of Centering Prayer—consenting to God’s presence and action within—is healing me in profound and literally indescribable ways. There is more than a little mystery here. Thanks be to God.
If this intrigues you, come and see what Centering Prayer is all about on Saturday October 28th here at FPC Waunakee. We will meet from 8:30am- 12:30pm.
I have been actively practicing Centering Prayer since 2005. It has made a huge difference in my walk with God. Brochures are scattered throughout the church. Or just talk to me.
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.
News and Announcements
Game On!
The FPC Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) is pleased to announce several bits of good news!
1. The John Knox Presbytery (JKP) Committee on Ministry (COM) has approved the FPC MinistryDiscernment Profile (MDP). What I’m trying to say is that FPC now has an active church profile in the Presbyterian Church USA system that suggests matching pastor candidates for us to review and interview.
2. The PNC has received its first set of 15 potential pastor matches. We have already done a first pass review of these candidates and will be deciding which candidates merit initial interviews this coming week.
3. We are also now doing outreach to “passive” candidates – pastors who aren’t in the church matching system but who we know might be a good fit for FPC, to see if they wish to apply and interview with us. Some of these leads have come from the congregation – thanks for the tips!
4. The PNC has established an eight-gate process for reviewing, advancing, calling and onboarding pastoral candidates in the coming months. We will keep you posted on how we progress!
How can you help us? Please continue to pray for wisdom, discernment, energy and some occasional serendipity for our committee. Please continue to tell us about gifted preachers and church leaders you know who can lead us forward. Please also assist by putting your best foot forward this Fall and Winter (time, talent and treasure) so we can a) show well to a prospective pastor; b) have the resources to hire a dynamic spiritual leader, and c) welcome a new pastor (and their family if applicable) to our family of faith.
As always, please reach out to any PNC member with questions, comments or encouragement!
In Christ,
Alan Roberts
Billbarilko51@gmail.com
608-695-9028
For the PNC:
Mary Currie
Kate Dietry, Secretary
Angela Himegarner, Chair
Mark Mathwig
Travis Serebin
Brice Wallace
Men’s Group
FPC’s new Men’s Group met on Wednesday night. If you would be interested in joining in the conversation or have any questions reach out to Jim Fitzgerald at jnj57012@gmail.com. Or stop by the Gathering Space for their next meeting on Wednesday, October 18 at 7pm.
Nursery is open
Nursery Age 2 and Under – Room 200
The Nursery is available on Sundays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, is staffed by church volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.
Kingdom Kids
3-year-olds through Kindergarten will be dismissed after the Children’s message during Sunday service.
Sunday School – Aged 3 to 6th grade – 9AM-9:50AM
Join us at FPC of Waunakee for an incredible Sunday School experience! Our vibrant program caters to children aged 3 to 6th grade, offering engaging lessons, interactive activities, and a nurturing environment where young faith can thrive. Every Sunday, we’re dedicated to fostering faith, friendship, and fun in a way that leaves a lasting impact on your child’s spiritual journey. Don’t miss out on this enriching opportunity!
Network 56 – Grades 5-6
Network 56 is a group of 5th and 6th graders who hang out together to have fun, put faith to action by serving in the community, and grow healthy, encouraging friendships.
- All 5th and 6th grade students are welcome to attend Network 56 events at any time. Interested participants are notified in advance of each event.
- All events are chaperoned by parents. There is lots of fun and room for everyone to participate.
Graceland Student Ministry – Grades 7-12
FPC Student Ministry exists to help students KNOW God, GROW in relationship with Him and each other, and to GO serve others in Jesus’ name.
Students can expect a welcoming environment with caring adult leaders who are there to support and encourage them on their faith journey, regardless of if they are exploring their faith for the first time, a committed follower of Jesus, or anywhere between.
All students are welcome!
Sundays | 9:00–9:50am
In the upstairs youth room
(Sept-May)
7th-12th Graders, join us for a time of connection, Bible discussion, and prayer.
Wednesdays | 7:00-8:15pm
In the upstairs youth room
(Sept-May)
7th-12th Graders, join us for a time of connection, games, musical worship, meaningful messages and small group discussions, and prayer.
Music in Worship
October 15 – Joyful Noise Woodwinds
October 22 – FPC Choir
October 29 – Joyful Noise
Coming Events | Oct. 15 – Nov. 4, 2023
Sunday, October 15 at 11AM – What’s Cookin’ at FPC?
The Lengue Family invites you to join them in learning how to cook Beignets from Cameroon! Sandrine will be teaching us how to make Beignets- this will be hands on, and we’ll get to eat them too! Please join us after church on Sunday, October 15 for a simple pizza & salad lunch in the Fellowship Hall where we will connect with each other and learn what’s cookin’ at FPC together!
*There will be a gluten free table – please note in your rsvp if you would like to be at that table.*
Sunday, October 15 from 3PM-5PM – The MOMCo Monthly Gathering
Attention all Moms!
No matter what season of life you are in, join our mom community for monthly gatherings in Fellowship Hall.
For more information contact Patricia Coley.
Mondays thru Nov. 6 from 1PM-2:30PM – Light Team Meeting
What On Earth Am I Here For?
Good question! The Light Team will have answers to that question after listening to Rick Warren’s book with that exact title in the six-session small group study which goes until November 6.
This group welcomes all ladies wishing to engage in fellowship and Christian study – with no homework!
Light Team will begin meeting at 1PM in the Gathering Place.
Email Lynda if you’d like to join Light Team at blbennin@tds.net
Wednesdays thru May 29 at 8:30AM – Women’s Bible Study
The Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Group is made up of women from the surrounding community at large. All are welcome. Meet us on Wednesdays 8:30 – 10:00 AM in the Conference Room, entering through the west side Education Wing doors. Contact Beth Stellmacher for more info: bstell122515@tds.net.
Wednesday, October 18 from 11:30AM-1:30PM – New Horizons Games and Potluck
New Horizons: First ever = Card Games or Board Games … plus our famous Potluck … bring your favorite deck of cards or board games to play.
For more information call
Anne Frihart at 608-512-3620
Thursday, October 19 at 10AM – GROW Group
The final GROW Group adventure of the season will take place on Thursday, October 19 at 10am.
- Grounds-care
- Revitalizing
- Outdoors
- Weeding
Caring for our grounds and connecting with each other!
Contact Christa for more info.
Wednesdays at 7PM – Men’s Group
Join our Men’s Group on Wednesday evenings from 7-8pm in the Gathering Area at FPC (by the fire place.) We will be going through “Life Lessons from John” by Christian author Max Lucado. We are excited to foster meaningful connections and find some service projects to work on together.
Thursday, October 19 at 1PM – Quilters Meeting
Interested in Quilting?
Join us for our monthly meetings in the Gathering Place of FPC Waunakee! Meetings consist of a good deal of socialization, quilt “Show & Tell,” and discussion of any quilting problems/questions that might come up. The group also has one or two “Sewing Days” events each year and works on Prayer Quilts for the FPC Deacon’s Prayer Shawl & Quilt Ministry.
Meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month from September to May, with the exception of January when we take a break.
For more details email Anne Frihart at annefrihart@gmail.com
Thursdays thru Nov. 2 from 6:30PM-7:15PM – Heavenly Stretch
Heavenly Stretch, yoga for Christians, will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:15 in the FPC Chapel. This will be an 8-week series, open to FPC members and friends, and the community. It started on September 14 and will continue through November 2. The series will have a Christian-based theme and weaves prayer, scripture and scripture-based meditation into the physical practice of yoga. It will be led by Lolly Lawrence, who is a certified yoga teacher.
Friday, October 20 at 12PM-5PM – Waunakee Ecumenical Board Blood Drive at FPC
Friday, October 20 – Sunday, October 22 – FPC Marriage Retreat
About a year ago, Jack Von Rutenberg came into my office and welcomed me back here to FPC Waunakee. As we chatted that morning, he asked if my wife and I would be willing to lead another Marriage Retreat? He told me that he and Tammy had attended the previous FPC marriage retreat some 20+ years ago. It seems that retreat had a great impact on their marriage. If you are anything like Christine and me, you rarely make time to focus on your marriage. The hustle and bustle of our culture just does not allow us much time to make our marriages the center of attention. That is why we have felt the need to offer this time away.
Saturday, October 28 – 8:30AM-12:30PM – Introduction to Centering Prayer
Saturday October 28 8:30am-12:30pm for the next offering by Contemplative Outreach of Madison’s Introduction to Centering Prayer. This will be the last offering while Pastor Glen is at FPC Waunakee. Those who are new to this practice are welcome as well as those who want to deepen their practice.
Sunday, October 29 – 10AM – Costume Day at Church
Sunday October 29 is Costume Day! Kids (and anyone!) are encouraged to dress up. (Be sure costumes are appropriate and not offensive. No weapons (toy, imitation or real) are allowed.)
Sunday, October 29 at 3PM – Theology on Tap
Join us for a casual gathering that is centered around food/drinks, connection, and conversation on a deep faith topic.
This month’s topic: What does it mean to share our faith?
Contact Christa or Ezrah for more info!
Save the Date | More Info to come
Sunday, November 5 from 1-3PM – Family Game Day at Village Center Gym
Join FPC’s Children’s Ministry at the Village Center Gym for a Family Game Day! Sunday, November 5, 1-3pm. Come with your Family! (No drop offs.) There will be Prizes and Snacks; Relay races; Basketball; Racket Sports; Open gym play and more! Come for 15 minutes or the full 2 hours!
Monday, November 6 at 7PM – Centering Prayer
The Centering Prayer group will meet in the Chapel on the first Monday of each month at 7pm for two 20 minute “sits”. For those who want to “learn by doing,” please come at 6:30 to get oriented. For questions, please contact Pastor Glen.
Saturday, November 11 at 10AM and Monday, November 13 at 6:30PM – Care for the Caregivers
Caregiving is full of stories and life experiences. Sometimes we need somebody to walk with us, someone who is experiencing the same path of caregiving. Where can one find a Christian place to tell those stories and life experiences? The Care for the Caregiver group at FPC.
The Care for Caregivers group is a small group that meets twice a month; one attends as they have time, feels the need to share, or help others walking this path. We meet in the Chapel monthly, once on the second Monday of the month at 6:30pm and once on the second Saturday of the month at 10:00am. The group is faith based and includes those who are caring or have cared for another – in person or from afar. The group is for more than the FPC family, the meeting is open to community members that are caregivers. The discussions held in the meetings are confidential so that people are able to speak freely.
Henri Nouwen wrote, “To care is the most human of all gestures; caring expresses and expands our compassion. Care draws us into profound mutuality, both in shared vulnerability and shared gifts.”
If you have questions, or if these dates and times won’t work for you, please contact Marcia Chase, marchase@icloud.com or call 849-5683 and leave a message during work hours.
Sunday, November 12 from 11:30AM-1PM – FPC’s Chili & Cornbread Cook-off!
We can’t wait to be with our Church Family for this fun event! Please RSVP below if you are planning to bring Chili or Cornbread. There will be judges and prizes! If you don’t have a chili or cornbread to enter – please rsvp for salad or fruit or dessert! Come to compete- or just eat!
Opportunities to Serve
Last Wednesday of each month – 4-6pm – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our FPC church has been given the opportunity to serve families at the Waunakee Food Pantry one time per month, starting in November. It will always be the last Wednesday of each month from 4-6:00pm. This is a great way to connect with fellow members, while serving families in the Waunakee area. If you are interested, please stop by the Mission table after church to learn more.
Care Packages for College Students and Military
Spread some FPC love! Each year on behalf of the congregation, the Deacons send care packages with treats and encouragement to our students and military away from home to let them know FPC is thinking of them and praying for them.
If you would like your student or member of the military to receive a care package, please provide a mailing address, and any food allergies, to Lori Phelps at lori.phelps@charter.net or text/phone 608-235-7899, no later than Friday, October 27.
One (or more) ways you can help…
PROVIDE CARE ITEMS:
Bake some homemade goodies (always their favorite). Ideally, you would prepackage 3-5 goodies in a ziplock type bag to stay fresh. Or contribute items; cough drops, chap stick, gum, beef sticks, tissues, hand warmers, etc. Contact Lori Phelps if you can provide items or baked goods.
PROVIDE COOL WHIP CONTAINERS:
Drop off any size empty cool whip containers to the Connection Corner in the Lobby (we’ll use them for packing).
HELP ASSEMBLE CARE PACKAGES:
Help the Deacons stuff care packages after service at 11am on Sunday, October 29.
Thank you for spreading your FPC love!
Volunteers Needed for Agrace Adult Day Center
Volunteers are needed to provide companionship to clients at the Agrace Adult Day Center located at 1702 W. Beltline Highway. Agrace will host an orientation for new volunteers on Thursday, October 19, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Agrace Madison campus. Pre-registration is required. To register, call (608) 327-7163 or visit Agrace.org/Volunteer and fill out an application.
Agrace Offers Grief Support Group Options in October
In October, Agrace grief support specialists are offering in-person and virtual group grief support options:
• Bridges meets October 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and October 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Agrace Grief Support Center.
• Journey Through Grief (virtual) meets Mondays, October 16 to November 20, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., via Zoom.
• Spouse/Partner Loss meets Thursdays, October 19 to December 14 (excluding Thanksgiving), from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Pre-registration is required for all groups. For details, fees or to register, go to Agrace.org/Volunteer, email griefsupport@agrace.org or call (608) 327-7110.
Stephen Ministry at FPC: Providing God’s Care to Hurting People
What is this ministry about?
Extensively trained and supervised Stephen Minister Caregivers provide high-quality, one-on-one confidential Christian care to anyone in need. They provide weekly visits and ongoing support as long as the care receiver needs. Should the care receiver have needs that are beyond the scope of a Stephen Minister Caregiver, they are referred to professional caregivers.
What kind of care is offered from a Stephen Minister?
- CRISIS CARE – For people experiencing change(s) that significantly challenge their ability to cope.
- FOLLOW-UP CARE – After the crisis event.
- CHRONIC CARE – For a person whose situation is unlikely to change.
- PREVENTIVE CARE – Providing care before a crisis occurs.
- SUPPORTIVE CARE – Care for the caregiver.
How can I find out more about this ministry?
Call the church office at 608-949-9445, or reach out to a pastor or deacon. Stephen Minister Caregivers don’t replace the care of pastors and deacons. They carry it a step further.
Doneta Chorney
608-345-1196
Tryg Knutson
608-622-9539
Jill Umlauf
715-360-5962
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Connect with the Connector!
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.
The Connector is available in print at the Connection Corner in the Lobby for those who would like a printed copy.
The Connector comes out at 4 PM every Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon, the Wednesday prior.
