What an incredible first month of Sunday School! We have been blessed to average 15 children each week, with attendance reaching as many as 20 students on one Sunday. The excitement, laughter, and growing faith we see each week have been a tremendous joy.

As I look around our nursery and Sunday School classrooms, I am filled with hope for the future of Children’s and Student Ministry at FPC. Our children are learning, growing, building friendships, and discovering God’s love in meaningful ways. Most importantly, they are surrounded by caring families, volunteers, and a church community that truly values them.

Next week, we invite everyone to join us for Costume Day on October 25! Children, youth, and adults are encouraged to wear church-appropriate costumes to worship and Sunday School. It’s sure to be a fun day filled with smiles, fellowship, and plenty of memorable photos.

Another special event will be our Children’s Nativity Program on December 20 during the 9:30 a.m. worship service. Watch for upcoming sign-ups and information on how your child can participate by helping re-enact the story of Christ’s birth, sharing musical talents, reading Scripture, or assisting in other meaningful ways.

We love our families and are excited to offer several opportunities for fellowship and fun in the months ahead. Watch for more information about our Christmas Movie Night, where everyone is welcome! We’ll gather in the Youth Space for a family-friendly Christmas movie, along with pizza, popcorn, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Be sure to mark your calendars for our annual Pizza & Bingo Night on January 27, 2027, at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This has become a favorite FPC tradition, bringing together all ages for an evening of food, fun, laughter, and fellowship.  We look forward to seeing everyone there!

The energy at FPC is contagious, and it is clear that the Holy Spirit is at work among us. Thank you to all of our families, volunteers, and congregation members who support and encourage our children. 

We encourage everyone to invite friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, and even new acquaintances to join us for worship on Sundays. A simple invitation can make a lasting difference, and you never know how God might use us to help someone find connection, community, and faith at FPC.

I cannot wait to see what God has in store as we are Living Faith Together.  

Peace and Blessings,

Angela Himegarner
G.R.A.C.E. Director

Please see this month’s high-level summary of our general fund actual revenue and expenses.

In September, revenue was lower than expenses during the month by $32,985. Year to date revenue was lower than expenses by $39,147 during the period Jan – Sep. Thanks for all considering and contributing to our faith budget. We have received $11,250 and two gold coins so far. More about faith budget donations in a future article. As a reminder, faith budget giving will help give a boost to the general fund and keep our ministry areas and operations running smoothly.

If you haven’t had a chance to contribute towards the Presbytery member dues, it’s not too late. These are the $45 per member funds that are sent to the Presbytery for their support of Presbyterian programs, churches, missions, and more. We have currently received 67 payments thus far (1 more than last month).

See the FPC Donation page for various ways to give, including the faith budget and Presbyterian member dues. Checks, stock or other forms of giving are also accepted, just mention the purpose of giving on the check or other instructions.

Thanks all for your generosity.

Monty
Finance Elder

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.

Join us for a discussion of the FPC Summer Book Club selection, Ashes to Ashes by M.M. Lindvall.

📅Date: Sunday, October 18
🕒Time: 10:45 – 11:45 AM
📌Location: Fellowship Hall

Please mark your calendar and join us for a special opportunity to meet the authors of Ashes to Ashes on Sunday, November 1, from 11:00 AM to noon.

A potluck lunch will follow.

We look forward to sharing conversation, fellowship, and insights from this meaningful book!

Students in 7th – 12th grade are welcome to join Youth Group for fellowship and faith exploration.

📅Date: Sundays
🕒Time: 6:30 – 7:45 PM
📌Location: Meet upstairs in the FPC Youth Space

All Christian women are welcome to join in fellowship and faith discussion.

📅Date: Mondays
🕒Time: 1 PM
📌Location: The Gathering Space at FPC

Please join us at M-N-M’s Coffee House on Tuesday mornings @ 7:30 A.M with Pastor Will leading us in an 8-week study on 1 John (John’s First Epistle).

📅Date: Tuesdays
🕒Time: 7:30 AM
📌Location: M-N-M’s Coffee House

If interested in participating, please contact
Jim Fitzgerald with any questions or you can sign up in the Narthex area of church.

Contact Jim Fitzgerald at NurtureAndGrowthElder@myfpc.org with any questions.

All women are welcome to join the Waunakee Community Bible Study.

This is held weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30 AM and follows the Waunakee School District Schedule.

📅Date: Wednesdays
🕒Time: 8:30 AM
📌Location: Meets in Room 204

Email any questions to bstell122515@tds.net

All men are welcome to join us for a 5-week session on “When Your Way Isn’t Working” by Pastor/Author Kyle Idleman.

Our study will focus on the scripture found in John 15:5, where Jesus tells his followers; “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can’t do anything”.

Instead of going it alone in life we are to stay connected to Him!     

📅Date: Wednesdays
🕒Time: 7 PM
📌Location: Meets in the FPC conference room

Contact Jim Fitzgerald at NurtureAndGrowthElder@myfpc.org with any questions.

Join us Thursday evenings for a relaxing yoga flow, led by FPC Elder Lolly Lawrence.

📅Date: Thursdays
🕒Time: 5:15 – 6 PM
📌Location: Meets in the FPC Youth Space Upstairs



Questions? Contact Lolly Lawrence ClerkOfSession@myfpc.org

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meets weekly on Thursdays at 7 PM in Fellowship Hall.

Adult Sunday School Class (Life Compass) continues with week two of the 8-week study focused around the “Gospel in Life” by Timothy Keller.

📅Date: Sundays
🕒Time: 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
📌Location: Meets in Room 204 – Updated Space

Contact Jim Fitzgerald at NurtureAndGrowthElder@myfpc.org with any questions.

American Red Cross Blood Drive – Sign up here

📅Date: Thursday, October 30
🕒Time: 12 – 5 PM
📌Location: Fellowship Hall

Meet father-daughter authors Madeline Lindvall and New York Times best-selling author Michael Lindvall as they share the writing journey and the inspiration behind their book Ashes to Ashes.

📅Date: Sunday, November 1
🕒Time: 11 AM – Noon
📌Location: Fellowship Hall

A potluck lunch will follow.

We look forward to sharing conversation, fellowship, and insights from this meaningful book!

Please join us for a local service project in Fellowship Hall after Sunday morning service on Nov. 15th.

The mission committee invites all to join in packing food bags to donate to two local non-profit organizations – The River Food Pantry, and Friends of the State Street Family.

The River Food Pantry is Dane County’s busiest food pantry, serving almost 4,000 people weekly. The food bags FPC assembles will be distributed to children in 20 low-income neighborhoods in Fitchburg and Madison through the River’s Munch Mobile food trucks.

Friends of the State Street Family provides hope and help to those experiencing homelessness. Food bags assembled by FPC will be distributed to the homeless in the state street area.

Save the date! Sign up and more details coming soon! This is a family friendly event and a great opportunity for children to get involved!

Any questions please contact Allison Tardif at allisonmtardif@gmail.com

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. 

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!

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:

1. Pasta Sauce
2. Bagged White Rice
3. Ketchup
4. Yellow Mustard
5. Vegetable Oil
6. Canned Fruit
7. Kleenex
8. 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.

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.

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