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Get to Know the FPC Staff – Kristina Maher
Dear FPC,
Greetings from the back office! My name is Kristina Maher, and I’ve been serving as FPC’s Business Administrator since April 1, 2024. Many people laugh when I say, “finance is fun!”, but I do really enjoy the variety, challenge, and continuous learning that occurs in this role. I especially enjoy the positive and supportive people here- FPC has great staff, church leaders, volunteers, congregation members, and vendors.
I grew up in Verona, WI and ventured to UW-Platteville for college (where I joke there were more cows than people, but I really thrived on a smaller campus). I was an undecided major until the very last moment- I just love learning and it was hard to choose! I graduated with a Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Human Resources and minors in Public Relations and Psychology. My husband Trent and I met volunteering through the Middleton Jaycees. He was wearing his Navy uniform, and I immediately tried to set up all my girlfriends with the “cute, new Navy guy.” Instead, we got married in 2012 and bought a home in Waunakee in 2013.
Over the years we’ve found our passions through giving back to the community. I’ve coached Girls on the Run, worked as the Executive Director at Waunakee Neighborhood Connection, and have been a coach for the Waunakee Middle School Dance Team since its inception in 2019. The dance team has since grown from one to two teams and is so much fun!
Trent saw how much I enjoyed coaching and decided to give it a try with Waunakee Middle School Football. That experience changed his path: In the past year he left his corporate job, started working at the High School, is going back to school to become a teacher, and has moved up to coaching football at the freshman level. In other big life changes, Trent will be retiring from the US Navy this fall after 22 years (8 years active duty and 14 years in the Reserves).
In my free time you’ll find me reading, working out, playing Mahjong with the new group in Waunakee, hanging with our dog (a greyhound-husky mix) Coco, and spoiling my niece and nephew who live in Green Bay. Plus, I always have a house project or two spinning- this summer it was building a screened in porch!
It’s an exciting time to be part of FPC as new staff have come on board, new systems have been put into place, and the organization is focusing on growth. I hope you have all been enjoying summer and are excited about the great programs and events being queued up at FPC for the fall!
Kristina Maher
Business Administrator
Special Announcements
Join us on Sunday, August 16
Please note there will be a short congregational meeting after service on Sunday, August 16, 2026, regarding approval of our new stewardship elder along with a new at-large member for the 2027 nominating committee.
Join Us for Our Next Strategic Ministry Conversation
Over the past several months, Session has been engaged in a strategic planning process to help discern where God is calling First Presbyterian Church in the years ahead. As part of that process, we’ve committed to involving the congregation in meaningful conversations about the opportunities and challenges that will shape our future.
Many of you joined us for our first congregational strategy meeting this spring, where we focused on Outreach and Community Presence. That gathering was a listening session filled with thoughtful ideas, honest conversation, and creative brainstorming. Your input has helped inform the work that has continued since then and a separate Connector article is coming soon that will provide more detail on what we heard in that meeting.
Our next Strategic Ministry Conversation will take place on Sunday, August 23, at 8:15 a.m., before worship, and this meeting will have a different focus and format.
Rather than beginning with brainstorming, we’ll hear updates from two ministry teams that have been actively responding to priorities identified during Session’s strategic planning discussions.
The Building & Grounds Ministry Team will then provide an update on the care and stewardship of our church facilities, highlight work that has already been accomplished, discuss current and future building needs, and conclude with a 10-minute Q&A.
The Finance Ministry Team will share steps they’ve already taken, explain some of the financial opportunities and challenges facing our church, and answer questions from the congregation during a 10-minute Q&A.
This gathering is an opportunity to better understand the work already underway, learn about the challenges and opportunities facing these important ministries, and ask questions in an open and transparent setting. Your participation helps ensure that, as we continue our strategic planning process, our conversations remain informed, collaborative, and rooted in our shared commitment to Christ’s mission through First Presbyterian Church.
Whether you attended the first strategy meeting or are joining the conversation for the first time, we hope you’ll be part of this important discussion. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, August 23, at 8:15 a.m., in Fellowship Hall, as together we continue discerning how God is leading First Presbyterian Church into the future.
FPC Summer Book Club
“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.
Upcoming Events | August 7 – 14
Saturday, August 8 & Tuesday August 11 – Caring for Caregivers
A space for caregivers to gather and connect with each other.
📅Date: Saturday, August 8 & Tuesday, August 11
🕒Time: 10 AM and 6:30 PM
📌Location: FPC – Room 204
Friday, August 14 – American Red Cross Blood Drive
American Red Cross Blood Drive – Sign up here
📅Date: Friday, August 14
🕒Time: Noon – 5 PM
📌Location: Fellowship Hall
Friday, August 14 – Youth Group Lake Day
📅Date: Friday, August 14
🕒Time: 10 AM – 4 PM
📌Location: Meet at FPC before heading out to the Lake!
🎉 Open to 7th–12th graders
Sign up here
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Wednesday, August 19 – Dining Divas
Join the Dining Divas for an afternoon of fellowship and good food!
RSVP to Alka Van Haren alkadaisy@gmail.com or sign-up in the Narthex one week prior to the event date.
📅Date: Wednesday, August 19
🕒Time: 11:30 AM
📌Location: El Charro in Waunakee
Wednesday, August 19 – Pizza and Paint Party
Nursery and Sunday School Aged Children and Families please join us for an evening of friendship. No sign up required.
📅Date: Wednesday, August 19
🕒Time: 5 – 7 PM
📌Location: Upstairs of FPC
Saturday, August 23 – Youth Group Night
Join us for a special summer youth group night featuring Capture the Flag: Quad Style!
📅Date: Saturday, August 23
⏰Time: 7:00–8:30 PM
📍Location: FPC Yard
🎉 Open to 7th–12th graders
After the game, we’ll gather around the fire pit for snacks, great conversation, and fun summer stories.
✅ Bring a friend
✅ Wear clothes you can move in
✅ Come ready for a great night together
We can’t wait to see you there! 🎉🔥🚩
Sunday, September 13 – Fall Kick Off
Save the date and join us at the FPC Fall Kick Off!
Join us for great food (Wes Ray’s fabulous BBQ and congregational wide potluck), fantastic music (All that Jazz Big Band) as well as lots of games and fun for all.
Signups coming soon!
Opportunities to Serve
Sound Desk Assistant
Hammers with Halos
Want to help others with minor household repairs, maintenance or yard work? Contact the church office or any of the Deacons. Your name will be added to a call list and you may be contacted to see if you can help when a request is received.
Help Create a Safe & Welcoming Space on Sundays
FPC is looking for caring, observant volunteers to serve as House Managers during Sunday services. This role helps ensure a safe and welcoming environment by monitoring the building and surroundings during worship.
If you’re calm under pressure, attentive to detail, and enjoy supporting others behind the scenes, we’d love to have you on the team!
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.
Volunteer Opportunity – Waunakee Food Pantry – Updated 8/5
Serve & Support Our Community – Volunteer or Donate!
We’re looking for volunteers to help distribute food from 4 – 6 PM the last Wednesday of each month to help serve our community. It’s a great way to connect with others and make a meaningful impact.
👉 Interested? Fill out the volunteer form on the FPC website or contact Sheryll Gehrmann for details
Unable to volunteer? Here’s the list of items most-needed this month:
- Pasta Sauce
- Bagged White Rice
- Ketchup
- Yellow Mustard
- Vegetable Oil
- Canned Fruit
- Kleenex
- Toilet Paper
The pantry is always looking for paper grocery bags as well. Items can be placed in the shopping cart at the entrance by the Education wing.
News and Announcements
This Week’s Birthdays: August 9 – 15
This Week’s Anniversaries: August 9 – 15
Bethel Bible Series
FPC Nursery for Ages 4 and under
Nursery Age 4 and Under – Room 200
The Nursery is available on Sundays from 9 – 11:00 AM throughout the month and is staffed by church staff and volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.
Attention Young Musicians
If you sing, play piano, organ, a string, woodwind or brass instrument and would like to sing or play a song during a church service, we’d LOVE to hear you!
You could play a prelude or a piece during a Sunday morning service.
Please contact Jamison Wendlandt at JWendlandt@myfpc.org
Upcoming Music in Worship
August 9
Ying Wang, pianist
August 16
Beth Wagner, pianist
August 23
Ying Wang, pianist
August 30
Blue Skies Saxophone Ensemble, guest musicians & Ying Wang, pianist
When life is hard, you need more than a cute poster.
When you or someone you know is having a tough time in life, trying to handle things like:
• Grief or loss
• Chronic or terminal illness
• Job loss or financial strain
• Loneliness or major life transitions (empty nest, relocation, etc.)
• Divorce or separation
FPC has a group of highly trained caregivers who can help out during these and other difficult situations. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who have been carefully selected and trained to support people going through a hard time. A Stephen Minister meets with a person regularly, one to one, just to listen and care and walk with that person throughout that difficult time.
Men are paired with men, and women with women. Stephen Ministers understand reflective listening, healthy boundaries, and strongly support the importance of absolute confidentiality. Since its beginning at FPC in 2016, our Stephen Ministers have helped dozens of people both from FPC and the wider community journey through tough times.
For more information about FPC’s Stephen Ministry, talk to Pastor Ben, any Deacon, or one of FPC’s Stephen Leaders, Kristy Drewry or Jamie Roberts, at anytime.
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To streamline event announcements in The Connector or during worship, please use our new online form.
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Questions or feedback? Email: communications@myfpc.org
The Connector is printed weekly and available at the Connection Corner. To receive a mailed copy, contact the church office to join the homebound list.
Deadlines: Submissions due by noon Wednesday. The Connector is published Fridays at 4 PM.
