First United Methodist Church

Service Times

9am Contemporary | 11am Traditional

New to Family Ministries!

Family Ministries is excited that Promiseland and Elevate will be kicking off the school year with a brand new look! The entire 3rd floor in the Matthias Family Life Center is being redesigned to create a fun, warm and energetic space for our families, children and students.
Promiseland will be moving from the Fellowship Hall to the 3rd floor in MFLC on Sunday mornings. Your child will be amazed with classrooms that have awesome murals and activity walls. For Promiseland and Elevate, room 313 is being revamped with a new stage, lighting and sound equipment to create a modern experience. For students in Elevate, the youth lounge will be transformed into a sleek, new and energetic space with new paint, floors, sofas and updated game equipment. Doors will open sometime between late August and September!

Best Wishes!

After 15+ years of dedicated, compassionate, and committed service as our Parish Nurse, Betsy McKeeby is retiring on July 31st. Please make an effort to reach out to her and let her know how grateful we are for her ministry at the church. After she retires, please contact Seina Gilman, Congregational Care Assistant, at seinag@fumcwp.org or Rev. Gary Rideout, Min. of Congregational Care, at garyr@fumcwp.org for any health-related concerns or issues.

Act II Celebrates the 4th of July at The Oaks

On July 1st, members of our Act II Ministry held a “4th of July” barbecue for the residents of The Oaks assisted living facility. All the guests brought side dishes to accompany the BBQ feast. It was a great opportunity to interact, socialize and build community. Our Act II ministry was honored to serve as gracious hosts to our Winter Park neighbors!

Health and Wholeness

The purpose of the Health and Wholeness Ministry is to promote the physical and spiritual health of our vibrant church family. Through information, resources, health screenings, classes, educational programs, and special events this ministry aims to inform our congregation and community. The activities and resources are relevant for all ages to promote wellness so we are able to answer God’s call to serve Him and lead an abundant life. Through health and wholeness, we become prepared to fulfill our purpose by worshiping, praying, reading scripture, studying the Word in community, and serving others.

Some of the activities and programs this past year have included:

  • A workshop on clean cooking with the Insta-pot.
  • Regularly offered presentations by health experts about topics frequently faced by adults of all ages.
  • A Wednesday night series on the Daniel Plan, where participants committed to becoming healthier through  food, fitness, faith, focus and healthy living activities with friends.
  • Neighbor to Neighbor, which pairs members of our vibrant family to connect before and after a storm.
  • Soul Collage Workshop, where each participant created collages using photos that uniquely defined each individual. The soul collage experience deepened each person’s understanding of their dreams and inner soul.

Inua Letters

Our youth letters have been received and distributed to prayer partners! Letters are written by the youth at least twice a year to share with their sponsors and prayer partners how their lives are changing as a result of participating in the Inua program. Please enjoy this excerpt from the letter pictured here.
“Now that (I) am through with my training, (I) am doing well with my business with all the challenges but we know that any kind of business has challenges. We fight the challenges with the skills taught by our teachers in the program and we are proud of them…I appreciate (you) for choosing me as your child because it is not for granted. I love you all and may God shower you with all of the blessings abundantly.”

Agua Viva Serves

During the last two weeks of June, we sent two groups of missioners to Los Chiles, Costa Rica. While they were there, the groups dug wells with Agua Viva Serves and offered Vacation Bible School to several communities in Los Chiles. Kent Akins, a long-time church member, led both groups, one of which included a large group of youth from Trinity Preparatory School.
We are sending one more group of missioners to Los Chiles with Richard Brelsford July 27-Aug. 3, so please keep them in your prayers! If you are interested in joining Richard’s team, contact Elizabeth Mathis at elizabethm@fumcwp.org.

Center for Creative Discipleship (CFCD)

It was 3 years ago that the current CFCD team came together. It was inspired by Pastor David’s vision of a church that thrives when people get involved. The goal is to create a reproducible pathway to discipleship. This photo was taken at the final meeting for the pilot group, hosted by Rev. Jayne Rideout. Over the next several months, the team will be analyzing the data from the pilot and collaborating with the leaders to create the people, process and place components of the Center for Creative Discipleship.

Reeves Property Update

  • The renovation for Building 200 is near completion. Support groups will soon move into the space, opening up the conference room in the main building for church meetings and study groups.
  • Studio 150 has been approved by Leadership Council to open a dance studio at this campus. The two rooms slated for the dancers will soon be remodeled.
  • The Counseling Center team continues to work through the business model creating a mission and vision statement.
  • Foundry has identified their office space and is in an ongoing discussion regarding the renovation and the promised funding by the conference.
  • The thrift store items are being distributed to different support organizations with the hope to be cleared out by the end of the month.
  • Would you like to be a part of the planning for the TCA Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival? Contact: Denise Meyer at denisem@fumcwp.org

Inua Expo

Inua was privileged to participate in the Florida United Methodist Annual Conference Expo on June 3-7! We had a market stall-themed booth that made many people curious about what Inua is up to in Naivasha, Kenya! We hope to continue bringing awareness to how Inua is breaking the cycle of poverty in Naivasha.

Thank you!

Thank you to all who stopped by to sign cards for those who are currently in the military and are associated with our congregation. ?? Our church family is proud to support those who serve our country!