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Celebrating Confirmation
This year’s confirmation journey has been such a joy. It has been an absolute privilege to walk alongside Ivy, Bergen, and Henry as they’ve grown in their faith, asked thoughtful questions, and stepped boldly into a deeper relationship with God. Each week brought meaningful conversations, plenty of laughter, and moments that reminded me just how special this season of life is.
I am so incredibly proud of each of them. Their willingness to be open, to seek understanding, and to take ownership of their faith has been inspiring to witness. They are each uniquely gifted, and it’s exciting to see how God is already at work in their lives.
As they move forward, I have no doubt that God will continue to work powerfully through them. He has great plans for Ivy, Bergen, and Henry, and I’m confident that their faith will continue to grow and impact the world around them in meaningful ways.
A special thank you to Leslie Strangfeld for volunteering with our confirmation program. Your time, care, and dedication have made a lasting difference, and we are so grateful for the role you’ve played in helping guide these students on their journey.
Congratulations to all—this is just the beginning of something beautiful!
Joe Madsen
Director of Student Ministry
Special Announcements
Thank you for honoring Mom!
Thank you to all the men and teens that shopped, prepped, cooked, and cleaned up to celebrate FPC’s Moms this past weekend!
All photos are posted on FPC’s Facebook page.
High School & College Graduation Recognition
If you have a high school or college graduate in your family, we’d love to honor them at an upcoming service.
Please submit the following info to communications@myfpc.org by May 28
Graduate’s name
School graduating from
Future plans after graduation (college, career, military, etc.)
A photo, if you’d like included
Parent Name(s)
Thank You
Thank you to our cellist, Madeleine Plotkin, for assisting the choir. She is the daughter of Adam Plotkin and Jaime Healy-Plotkin and the granddaughter of Sandy and Dave Healy.
Madeleine is a freshman at Madison West High School. She enjoys playing her cello for the West High School senior orchestra, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO), and Madison Cello Ensemble.
“If you need anything, just let me know! Don’t be afraid to ask.”
Well, by way of the Wish List, the Children’s Ministry team asked, and you answered! Because of your generosity, FPC’s children will soon have an outdoor storage container for games and equipment used in the Outdoor Family Space. In addition to that, new yard games such as Bocce Ball, Koosh balls, footballs, kickballs, bases, and frisbees will soon be available, just in time for summer fun and VBS.
These unselfish givers have chosen to remain anonymous, and in doing so, are living out the command that Jesus gave in His Sermon on the Mount: Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3).
We all join in thanking you very sincerely,
Barb Cash
Stewardship Elder
Legacy Planned Giving
Monthly Stewardship Update — Legacy Giving
First Presbyterian Church is growing. Following the challenges of COVID and pastoral transitions, our congregation is rebuilding and flourishing — and sustaining that momentum requires faithful stewardship in many forms: pledged and unpledged gifts, Presbyterian member dues, wish list donations, endowment support, and more. Each gift directly funds the ministries, outreach, fellowship, and care that define FPC’s mission and faith for the future.
This month, following Legacy Giving National Sunday on May 3, we focus on legacy giving — gifts made through wills, trusts, or account beneficiaries.
Why Legacy Giving Matters
Most of us give faithfully during our lifetimes and we are grateful. The Presbyterian Foundation found that only 5% of charitable estate gifts currently go to faith communities. When congregations actively and respectfully invite legacy gifts, that share rises above 25%. A legacy gift extends our generosity beyond our lifetime, strengthening the annual giving that sustains the values, ministries, and faith community shaping lives at FPC today — and for generations to come.
Your Generosity Is Already at Work
Over the past year, your giving made a visible difference:
- Worship & Fellowship: Children’s Christmas services, Lenten dinners, Kick-Off Sunday with the Waunakee Big Band, and a churchwide potluck brought our congregation together in joy.
- Children & Youth: Expanded programming welcomed new members and young leaders into the life of the church.
- Pastoral Care: Prayer ministries, funeral meals, and spiritual support carried members through seasons of transition and loss.
- Campus & Finances: Pillars and Pathways giving improved our facilities and significantly reduced the parking lot loan.
- Community Groups: Twelve adult groups for women, men, and couples deepened faith and fellowship.
- Mission & Outreach: FPC partnered with 17 organizations providing food, shelter, safety, and hope. Care packages reached military members and students, volunteers packed food for families in need, and our student mission trip to Guatemala carried God’s love far beyond Waunakee.
Watch for future Monthly Stewardship Updates highlighting more ways our gifts fuel this mission.
An Invitation to Plan
We invite everyone to consider how a legacy gift can create lasting impact. One helpful benchmark: a gift of approximately 10–12 times annual giving can sustain the current level of ministry support indefinitely.
To learn more, explore the Planned Giving Brochure or visit the Legacy Planned Giving webpage. We welcome inquiries to the church office as well — we would be honored to have that conversation.
God bless.
Monthly Financial Update
Please see this month’s high-level summary of our general fund actual income and expenses. When the actual income is even or higher than our actual expenses, we are in good shape. This chart shows year to date (YTD) through April.
Income exceeded expenses by $37,040 during the period Jan – Apr. Average income over the first four months was $78,310 and average expenses were $69,050. Note: the first and last part of the year tends to have higher giving. The Session has also deferred expenses to occur later in the year.
Summer Cereal Drive Continues
Thank you to everyone who has contributed already.
When school lets out, children lose access to school-provided breakfasts and lunches, putting an extra strain on household budgets and increasing the demand at the Waunakee Food Pantry.
To help meet this need, we are hosting a Summer Cereal Drive through Sunday, May 31st.
How You Can Help
We invite you to bring boxes of cereal to church over the next few weeks. Whether it’s a family favorite or a classic staple, every box helps! Keep an eye out for our special cereal display in the gathering space where you can drop off your donations.
Note: The pantry currently has an abundant supply of Cheerios, so we kindly ask that you choose any other variety of cereal for your donation to help provide a wider selection for the families.
- Dates: Through May 31
- Goal: To stock the pantry before the “summer slump” hits.
- Impact: Supporting local families and ensuring no child goes hungry this summer.
Thank you for your continued generosity and for supporting our neighbors through the Waunakee Food Pantry!
Please contact Leslie Strangfeld, Mission Elder, with any questions at 608‑347‑4843.
“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.
Coming Events | Weekly Connector: May 17 – 23
Sunday, May 17 – Life Compass Adult Sunday School
Join us for the final Session before we break for the summer.
📌Date: Sundays
🕛Time: 10:45 AM
⛪ Where: FPC Large Conference Room
Questions please contact Jim Fitzgerald at nurtureandgrowthelder@myfpc.org
Sunday, May 17 – Confirmation Sunday
Confirmation class helps students understand the basics of the Christian faith and prepare to make it their own. It gives them space to learn who God is, ask honest questions, and reflect on what they believe, so their faith is not just something they inherited but something they choose. Our confirmation students will be sharing their stories of faith at the service.
We will also have a reception following the service with cake and light refreshments.
All are welcome to come and celebrate the work God has done in our confirmation students’ hearts.
Monday, May 18 – The Light Team
Calling Everyone!
Join the FPC Light Team to watch Season 5 of The Chosen
📌Date: Mondays
🕛Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
⛪ Where: The Gathering Place at FPC – Please enter through South Entrance Door #4
The Light Team is a welcoming group of Christian women who gather for fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and special projects—with plenty of laughter and no homework required! – Everyone is invited for this opportunity.
Have questions? Contact Lynda Bennin at blbennin@tds.net
Wednesday, May 20 – Youth Group
All middle school & high school students are invited to join us for fun, fellowship, and snacks! We’ll celebrate and discuss the role Jesus has in our lives!
📌Date: Wednesday evenings
🕛Time: 7 – 8:15 PM
⛪ Where: – Upstairs in the Youth Group space
Wednesday, May 20 – Men’s Study Group
All men are invited to join this weekly men’s multi-generational fellowship group and discussion study. Last Session before we break for the summer.
📌Date: Wednesday evenings
🕛Time: 7 – 8:30 PM
⛪ Where: FPC – Large Conference Room
Contact Jim Fitzgerald @ jnj57012@gmail.com with questions.
This faith based study and discussion is led by Jim Fitzgerald and centers around men navigating everyday life challenges we are faced with by sharing our faith/life experiences together while in turn helping men build on their spiritual growth, community support and leadership development.
Thursday, May 21 – FPC Quilters Group
📌Date: Thursday, May 21
🕛Time: 1 PM
⛪ Where: The Gathering Space
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Friday, May 29 – Youth Group
Join us for the final Youth Group Session before we break for the summer.
📌Date: Friday, May 29
🕛Time: 6 – 8 PM
⛪ Where: Outside of FPC
Come for hotdogs, smores, lawn games and a good time at FPC!
Sunday, June 14 – Faith and Family Night
Join FPC for a night of fellowship, fun and food at Faith and Family Night at the Duck Pond!
FPC will be offsetting the cost so people will pay $15 and FPC will cover $15.
Registration is now live. Click here.
Game starts at 4:05 PM.
Sunday, August 2 – Vacation Bible School
Mark your calendars for VBS
📌Date: August 2 – 4
More details to follow.
Opportunities to Serve
Sound Desk Assistant
Worship & Music Director – New
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 4/29
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:
- Canned Chicken
- Sloppy Joe Sauce
- Pasta Sauce
- Canned Mandarin Oranges
- Ketchup
- Yellow Mustard
- Kleenex
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: May 17 – 23
This Week’s Anniversaries: May 17 – 23
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 Sam Robinson at srobinson@myfpc.org or 608-850-9450.
Upcoming Music in Worship
May 17
Ying Wang, pianist & Choir
May 24
Ying Wang, pianist & Joyful Noise
May 31
Ying Wang, pianist
June 7
Ruth & Paul Heinecke, piano and trumpets-guest musicians
When life is hard you need more than a cute poster.
If you are having a tough time with:
• Dealing with family problems
• Chronic or terminal illness in your family
• Grief
• Loneliness
• Divorce recovery
FPC has a group of Stephen Minister Caregivers trained to walk with you through these problems. They help you think things through, find resources available, look for a Biblical view of the problem, pray for you and with you if you wish. The 50 hours of training have provided them with an understanding of reflective listening, boundaries, and the importance of absolute confidentiality.
Since its beginning in 2017, Stephen Ministries helped hundreds of people both from FPC and the wider community journey through tough times. If you want more information, you can talk to a pastor, a deacon, or one of the active Stephen Ministers listed below.
Jill Umlauf – 715-360-5962
FPC Stephen Ministry is here for you!
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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.
