


October Welcomes Pledge Season
Special Announcements:
Support our Students & Military Members with Care Packages
Each year, the Deacons send care packages filled with treats and encouragement to students and military members—reminding them that FPC is thinking of and praying for them.
Here’s how you can help:
Submit a Recipient
Send the name, mailing address, and any food allergies of your student or military member to Brian Wolhaupter at FPC.carepackage@gmail.com or text FPC followed by the info to 920-220-9580.
Donate Treats & Goodies
Homemade baked goods (3–5 pieces in a sealable bag) or sundry items like cough drops, chapstick, gum, beef sticks, candy, tissues, fun socks, etc. are welcome.
Join the Assembly Team
Help pack care packages after worship at 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 9.
View more details in this week’s bulletin insert.
10 Spots Left – Join Us for the Annual Waunakee Food for Kidz Event!

We’re looking for just 10 volunteers to help pack meals for children and families in need. This is a beloved tradition that brings our community together for a great cause. All family members (ages 5 and up) are welcome to help.
🗓: Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
🕐 Event Time: 12:00–2:00 PM
📍Location: Dane Manufacturing, Waunakee, WI
Ways to sign up:
- Click here to sign up with the names of the people attending.
- Sign up at the Church – there will be a clipboard in the Narthex that reads Food For Kidz sign up
- Simply contact Angela Himegarner and she will sign you up.
For questions or to sign up, reach out to Angela Himegarner at angela.himegarner@myfpc.org or call/text 816-499-3998
FPC Sunday School

The Children’s Ministry team is continuing to ask for volunteers to be Sunday School teachers. The only qualifications are faith in God and a love for children. No need to be a Bible scholar as the curriculum we use at FPC provides a complete lesson plan each week.
By using a teacher-team approach the time commitment is minimal and the rewards are outstanding! So please prayerfully consider joining our team and help to bring the word of the Lord to the youngest in our congregation.
For questions or to sign up, reach out to Angela Himegarner at angela.himegarner@myfpc.org or call/text 816-499-3998

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: October 7 – 13
Tuesday, October 7 – Coffeehouse Bible Study

All are welcome to join this 7-week study with Pastor Will Wilson leading an in-depth discussion on Elijah & 1 Kings.
📌Date: Tuesday mornings at 7:30 AM
🗓: Runs through October 22
🕛Time: 7:30 AM
🏢 Where: M-N-M’s in Waunakee
Contact Jim Fitzgerald @ jnj57012@gmail.com with questions.
This study will focus on the Biblical text of Elijah & 1 Kings along with additional reading from study resource hardcover book, 1 and 2 Kings (The NIV Application Commentary) by August H. Konkel.
Wednesday, October 8 – Youth Group

All middle school & high school students are invited to join us for fun, fellowship, and snacks! We’ll celebrate the new school year and the role Jesus has in our lives!
📌Date: Wednesday evenings
🕛Time: 7 – 8:15 PM
🏢 Where: – We’ll meet upstairs in the Youth Group space
Wednesday, October, 8 – New Horizons Potluck & Around the World

New Horizons is a 55+ community that meets for fellowship and food.
Karen & David Smith will share a presentation based on Around the World.
📌Date: Wednesday
🕛Time: 11:30AM – 1PM
🏢 Where: FPC Fellowship Hall
RSVP sent via Constant Contact or contact Steve Doty with questions at dotysteve2@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 8 – Women’s Better Together Group

Are you navigating the joys and challenges of motherhood in all its forms? Whether you’re expecting your first child, raising little ones, or preparing to launch a teen into the world, you are warmly invited to join a new community of women in the Waunakee area.
Together, we’ll create a supportive, non-judgmental space where compassion and connection are at the center. This group is more than a “Moms Group”—because we are more than just moms. We’ll explore the many layers of our lives with wholehearted acceptance, sharing stories, questions, and wisdom as we grow together.
Facilitated by Kristin Hall Sliwicki, FPC member and recently retired Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, alongside co-leader Becca Gottwald, FPC member, Sunday School teacher, and busy mom of a preschooler, this group is designed to meet you where you are.
📌Date: Wednesday evenings
🕛Time: 7:30 PM
🏢 Where: FPC
Come as you are—with your heart, your hopes, and your honest self. We can’t wait to welcome you.
Questions? Contact Kris Hall Sliwicki at 847.567.1448
Thursday, October 9 – FPC Quilters Group

Looking to expand your skills or learn a new one? The FPC Quilters Group is meeting weekly.
📌Date: Thursday afternoons
🕛Time: 1 – 2:30 PM
🏢 Where: FPC
All skill sets are welcome. Questions? Contact Anne Frihart at annefrihart@gmail.com
Saturday, October 11 & Monday, October 13 – Care for Caregivers
Caring for others can be rewarding—but also overwhelming and isolating. That’s why FPC’s Care for Caregivers group exists: to offer emotional, mental, and spiritual encouragement for those supporting aging parents, loved ones with chronic illness, or individuals with disabilities.
Whether you’re a current or former caregiver, you’re invited to join us for drop-in style meetings—no pressure to share, just come as you are.
📌Date: Second Monday at 6:30 PM
📌Date: Second Saturday at 10:00 AM
🏢 Where: Room 204 at FPC
If these times don’t work for you, let us know—we’d love to connect.
Questions? Contact Marcia Chase at marchase@icloud.com or call/text (334) 444-6610 (leave a message during work hours). View note below about resource fair.
Remember: You’re not alone, and it’s okay to take time to care for yourself too!
Sunday, October 12 – Connect and Reflect

All interested Adults looking for a relaxing afternoon of FPC community connection along with a reflective discussion around a faith-based topic…or two!
Join us for an afternoon of fellowship and fun outside in the FPC covered picnic area (weather permitting), located on the west side of the church grounds. It’s the perfect opportunity to check-in and catch-up with one another as we move ahead into the Fall/Autumn season! Enjoy a relaxing afternoon together with good friends along with some great and inspiring conversation!
📌Date: Sunday, October 12
🕛Time: 3 – 4:30 PM
🏢 Where: FPC – Covered Picnic Area (weather permitting)
Please plan to bring a comfortable lawn chair if you would like. We will provide cold bottled water & lemonade.
Please RSVP to Jim Fitzgerald at jnj57012@gmail.com if you have interest in joining us!
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Monday, October 13 – The Light Team

Calling All Women
Join the FPC Light Team for a Bible study series by Susie Larson. Together, we’ll explore how to live each day in a way that honors God and strengthens your spirit.
📌Date: Mondays, through October 20
🕛Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
🏢 Where: The Gathering Place at FPC
Please note: No meeting on October 6.
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!
Have questions? Contact Lynda Bennin at blbennin@tds.net.
Friday, October 17 – Blood Drive

Tuesday, October 21 – The Dining Divas

📌Date: Tuesday, October 21
🕛Time: 5PM
🏢Where:1847 at Stamm House, 6625 Century Ave Middleton
To RSVP email Alka Van Haren at alkadaisy@gmail.com
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

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:
- Toilet Paper
- Cereal
- Chunky Soups (Campbell’s, Progresso)
- Chicken Broth
- Mandarin Oranges
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Canned Dinty Moore Beef Stew
- Canned Vegetables (beans, peas, corn)
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: October 5 – 11

This Week’s Anniversaries: October 5 – 11

FPC Nursery for Ages 3 and under

Nursery Age 3 and Under – Room 200
The Nursery is available on Sundays from 9 – 11:30 AM throughout the month and is staffed by church staff and volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.
Music in Worship
October 5 – Choir & Ying Wang, pianist
October 12 – Ying Wang, pianist
October 19 – Choir & Ying Wang, pianist
October 26 – Joyful Noise & Ying Wang, pianist
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.
Tryg Knutson – 608-622-9539
Jill Umlauf – 715-360-5962
FPC Stephen Ministry is here for you!
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Connect with the Connector!
Submit Your Announcements
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.