What's Happening: FCCWP May 2026 Newsletter
- Shanylah Whittaker
- 3 hours ago
- 10 min read
This class is hybrid so you may attend in person (in the Conference Room) or via Zoom.
225 S. Interlachen Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
Office: 407-647-2416
Mobile: 321-333-0092
The Baldwin Scholarship
It’s that time of year again—applications are now open for the Baldwin Scholarship! Whether you are a college student pursuing a degree or a technical student working toward a trade, this is a great opportunity to share your journey and potentially receive financial support to help you reach your goals.
All applications must be submitted to the office by May 31, so be sure to plan ahead and allow enough time to complete all required materials.
If you have received the Baldwin Scholarship in the past, please remember that you must submit a thank-you note by the end of April along with an update describing how the award has supported your educational or career pursuits. This reflection is required before you can be considered for this year’s application cycle.
Don’t miss your chance to be recognized and supported—apply today!
BALDWIN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS need to be in the church office by 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (This is a firm deadline.) Applications are in the Narthex. Contact the church office if you need an application emailed to you.
This is for anyone pursuing avenues of higher education from High School graduates on up.
Urgent: Last year’s recipients need to have their Thank You letters submitted by April 30th
Lisa Rotenberger
Baldwin Scholarship Coordinator
FCCWP
Connections a group for women who have lost a spouse, living alone, caregivers or just feel like you need to connect.
Join us the 4th WEDNESDAY of each month
May 27, @ FCCWP 10am - 12pm
FCCWP SUMMER KICK OFF FUN!
NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP
Neighborhood Groups FCCWP Summer Kick Off
The Neighborhood Groups are taking over this years
Summer Kick Off!
Join your Neighborhood Group for a unique and fun Progressive Lunch in Fellowship Hall
following worship
Each group will be providing a part of the meal. You will visit each neighborhood to fill your plate with yummy food!
Have no idea what your neighborhood group is?
No problem!
May 17th, 2026
11am - 1pm
@FCCWP
Fellowship Hall
Supervised Water Fun Outside for the Children!
Guests welcome!
Our FCCWP Family Continues to Grow
Because of you, our church continues to grow in meaningful ways. New faces are joining us, friendships are forming, and our FCCWP community keeps expanding. Thank you for inviting others to experience what makes our church special. Thank you for your faithful presence each week, and for the energy and heart you bring to all we do together. Your involvement truly makes a difference in the life of our church.
Do you know someone who might be looking for a church home? We would love to connect with them. Simply let the church office know, and someone from our team will reach out. Our next New Member Sunday will be held on May 17.
Have ideas to share? Is there a visitor you’d like to introduce? Stop by the Welcome Table on Sunday mornings or connect with a member of our team before or after worship. We would love to meet you, hear your thoughts, and continue building a welcoming and vibrant community together.
We’ll also be gathering a small subcommittee this summer for brainstorming and planning, and we would love to include you.
There’s a place for everyone here—and we’re so glad you’re part of it.
Have you ever thought about teaching
Sunday school?
*schedule is flexible
*curriculum and guidance provided
*children and youth are so much fun
*Sunday school provides a safe, loving space for youth and children to ask questions and begin their own journey.
May 3rd - ALL Children WILL STAY IN CHURCH FOR
COMMUNION SUNDAY - Fun bags for all.
April 10, 17, 24 & 31st - Sunday School
April 12th - 5:30 - 8pm - W.I.N.G.S. youth group - rehearsal
May 17 - Summer Kick Off Luncheon - Neighborhood Groups day. Water Splash Fun outside for all kids!
The Stewardship Committee
With Grateful Hearts — Stewardship Giving 2026 Update
Dear Church Family,
Thank you for your generous pledges and financial support during the first part of 2026. Your faithfulness makes a meaningful difference in the life and ministry of our church.
As we move into the summer months—a season that can feel a bit more relaxed for many—we encourage you to remain current with your pledge commitments and offerings.
If you have an interest in serving with the Stewardship Committee, we would love to welcome you. The committee will be meeting over the summer—please contact the church office if you would like to be involved.
With gratitude,
The Stewardship Giving 2026 Team
David and Lisa Rotenberger
Anne Thomas
Lil' Dab
FCCWP supports Ward Chapel and its food pantry which helps to feed our neighborhood families. Your donations to our Lil' Dab Box are sorely needed, especially while school is back in session. Please consider bringing in non-perishable food items and placing them in the box in Fellowship Hall. Don't forget that BOGOs at your favorite grocery store are perfect opportunities to stretch your donation dollars! Thank you!
Please no perishables.
Please check and make sure all food items are in date! (no expired food items, please)
THE CARING COOKS
The Caring Cooks: Serving with Love in Times of Loss
The Caring Cooks is a compassionate ministry dedicated to supporting families during one of life’s most difficult times—the loss of a loved one. This faithful team lovingly prepares, serves, and cleans up after receptions following church member funerals, offering hospitality and comfort at no cost to the family.
To help continue this important ministry, we invite you to support The Caring Cooks by donating toward supplies such as food, tablecloths, plates, cutlery, and more. Your gift ensures that we can keep showing up with love, warmth, and a good meal when it’s needed most.
Want to join the team?
We’re always looking for more helping hands! If you’d like to be part of this meaningful ministry, please contact Barb Brostrom at bjbrostrom@cfl.rr.com.
Thank you for helping us care through cooking.
Come Alive!
We are organizing and putting dates together for future activities.
Heads up: Spirit Keepers has invited us to join them at Boggy Creek Camp on May 9. Reserve the date on your calenders.
As part of Come Alive!’s ongoing initiative to build connections and strengthen community among women, we are excited to share that we are also planning an upcoming event in collaboration with the Muslim Women’s Organization. We will share more details and the event date soon.
Partnering with women from different organizations and backgrounds helps broaden our understanding, deepen friendships, and strengthen our shared commitment to service and community.
Please watch your email for upcoming events!
Wuz Happening with the Spirit Keepers?
Before we roll out the red carpet for May 2026, let’s take a quick victory lap—because this crew has been BUSY (and well-fed).
We came, we fed, we conquered. Dinner at the Coalition for the Homeless? Served with heart. The Rotenberger brothers and Steve Luppert stepped up big time for Eggstravaganza—keeping bellies full and spirits high. Those guys didn’t just bring the heat… they are Spirit Keepers.
And if you’ve walked the church grounds lately and thought, “Wow, this place is shining!”—you’re not seeing things. We pressure-washed sidewalks and concrete like a crew on a mission. Turns out, we’ve been worshiping in a bit of a concrete jungle… but not anymore.
Also, thank you very MULCH! The sandbox has officially been promoted to a full-fledged MULCH BOX—thanks to about 100 bags of teamwork and elbow grease. Who knew landscaping could be a spiritual gift?
Of course, no month is complete without Triple T (Tacos, Testimonies, and Tall Tales). We made our rounds at Jimmy Hula’s and Lazy Moon Pizza—breaking bread and sharing stories like pros. Because sometimes ministry looks a lot like laughter over a slice.
Now, let’s talk May…
Our big project is at Boggy Creek on May 9th, led by David Rotenberger. If you haven’t been, you’re in for something special. It’s meaningful work, a powerful mission, and yes—it’s actually fun. One day of service, a lasting impact. That’s a pretty great trade.
And don’t worry—Triple T will be back at it again. New location coming soon… consider this your official teaser. I’ll whet your appetite next month.
So, lace up those sneakers, bring your servant’s heart, and let’s keep showing up, pitching in, and making a difference—one project, one meal, one story at a time.
We’d love to see your smiling face at the next one! If you’re not getting our event emails and want in on the fun, just shoot me a message at w.martinwareing@gmail.com or text 407-383-0190.
Life is Sweet at FCCWP!
See you soon. And until then—
Strength and Courage to Carry the Light,
Marty Wareing
Elizabeth Hooker Book Club
Elizabeth Hooker Book Club-May 2026 Update:
We had a great discussion in April when we gathered to discuss “Absolution” by Alice McDermott. Thank you to all who attended!
On Sunday May 17, we meet to discuss “Framed” by: John Grisham & Jim McClusky.
John Grisham is known worldwide for his bestselling novels, but it’s his real-life passion for justice that led to his work with Jim McCloskey of Centurion Ministries, the first organization dedicated to exonerating innocent people who have been wrongly convicted. Together they offer an inside look at the many injustices in our criminal justice system.
A fundamental principle of our legal system is a presumption of innocence, but once someone has been found guilty, there is very little room to prove doubt. These ten true stories shed light on Americans who were innocent but found guilty and forced to sacrifice friends, families, and decades of their lives to prison while the guilty parties remained free. In each of the stories, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey recount the dramatic hard-fought battles for exoneration. They take a close look at what leads to wrongful convictions in the first place and the racism, misconduct, flawed testimony, and corruption in the court system that can make them so hard to reverse.
Impeccably researched and told with page-turning suspense as only John Grisham can deliver, Framed is the story of winning freedom when the battle already seems lost and the deck is stacked against you.
All are welcome to attend our meetings, and regular attendance is not required. We meet in the Parlor on the fourth Sunday at 6:30 pm every month (except June/July summer break and December holidays). Please call (407) 832-0348 or e-mail abwareing@gmail.com to be added to our list. I hope to see you there!
Prayer Shawl Ministry At FCCWP
Do you like to help others during a time of need? Then come and join our Prayer Shawl Ministry group. We extend an outreach of compassion to individuals who need our warm prayers and hugs of compassion due to illness, death of a loved one, or other difficult circumstance happening in their lives. We meet on the 3rd Monday of the month, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the church Parlor.
Upcoming meeting dates: Mondays, May 18, June 15
Even if you have never knitted or crocheted, we would love to have you participate. It’s a fun and relaxing time together. We have members who can help teach you these crafts. We also have yarn and patterns to help get you started. Just bring your own knitting needles or crochet hooks.
We knit and crochet prayer shawls and create and give baby shawls to infants when they are baptized at our church. In addition to prayer shawls, you may knit or crochet scarves and hats.
Questions: contact donnaborko@gmail.com
Donna Borko, Prayer Shawl Ministry Coordinator
Church Calendar
Hello Church members! I want to ensure that all events are scheduled smoothly and efficiently. To help me manage our facilities and avoid any scheduling conflicts, please remember to contact the church office before planning any events in the church’s
rooms.
Due to the nature of some private events, not all reservations are listed on our public calendar. By reaching out to the office first, you can ensure that your event is properly booked and avoid any potential conflicts with other activities.
To schedule an event or book a space at the church, please contact the church office: Phone: 407-647-2416
Email: mtaylor@fccwp.org
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping us keep our scheduling organized and efficient. We appreciate your cooperation!
Warm Regards,
Megan Taylor
Church Office Administrator
The Visitation Committee
Visitation Committee: Reaching Out with Love and Care
At the heart of our church is a deep commitment to caring for one another. The Visitation Committee lovingly connects with members who may be going through difficult times—whether they’re in the hospital, grieving, or unable to attend church.
If you know someone who could use a visit, a call, or a kind word of encouragement, please let Megan (mtaylor@fccwp.com), or Sally Schott, Chair of the Visitation Committee (sarahpschott@yahoo.com), know.
Together, we can make sure every member of our church family feels seen, supported, and surrounded by love.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
"Praise be to the God… who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Ways to Volunteer: Click Here
What more can you do?
I will do more than belong – I will participate.
I will do more than care – I will help.
I will do more than believe – I will trust.
I will do more than dream – I will work.
I will do more than teach – I will inspire.
I will do more than earn – I will enrich.
I will do more than give – I will serve.
I will do more than live – I will grow.
I will do more than be friendly – I will be a friend.
I will do more than talk – I will listen.
I will do more.
Unknown
Acolyte Ministry
Please sign up for Acolyte service. You can Call Jenni Franz at 407-810-2261 or:
All active FCCWP Members are invited to join the Facebook page titled Member Group of the First Congregational (UCC) of Winter Park.
LIVE STREAMING OF CHURCH SERVICES
READ THIS BEFORE UNSUBSCRIBING TO WHAT'S HAPPENING
Please note that if you unsubscribe to any Constant Contact emails from FCCWP you are unsubscribing from all emails from the church. For example, if you receive an email from Family Ministries that no longer applies to you and you no longer wish to receive, please call the church office to have your name removed from that particular list. If you unsubscribe to Family Ministries (or any other group), you are removed from all lists, including the What's Happening newsletters. Best to just delete the email that doesn't interest you.
Comments