Category: Church Updates

As we continue to monitor and follow the church’s protocol for the COVID-19 virus here is an update regarding the Reeves Center! A special volunteer has painted hallways, bathrooms and well anything that is necessary to be painted. The handicap bathroom renovations are completed, and campus signage is underway. The Fellowship Hall (pictured here) has been painted the floor waxed. What a difference!

The Leadership Council has approved the 4 Pillars Counseling and Enrichment Center as a ministry of the church. The team continues to work with leadership and other ministries to identify ways to connect to the Winter Park campus and the Colonialtown North Neighborhood. If you are interested in learning about how to connect with this new outreach ministry, please contact Denise Meyer at denisem@fumcwp.org.

Updated 5/24/2021

This is an exciting time to share that while the pandemic is not over, we are at a place to start relaxing some of our safety protocols. With that said, we are aware that there are still new cases of Covid in our community and this will be with us for some time

While staff, members, and guests can volunteer their vaccination status with others, it is not permissible to question anyone’s vaccination status, or make assumptions/commentary to or about those wearing masks. With the new CDC and Florida United Methodist Conference mask guidelines, we want to clarify our mask policy:

Members, Guests, Staff:

• Vaccinated Individuals – Masks Optional on campus
• Unvaccinated Individuals – Masks Required on campus

Student, Children, Nursery Staff/Lay Volunteers working with those under 18:

• Vaccinated Leaders – Masks Required indoors and optional outdoors
• Unvaccinated Leaders – Masks Required on campus

Preschools:

• Vaccinated Teachers – Masks Optional on campus
• Unvaccinated Teachers – Masks Required indoors and optional outdoors

We are excited that life is in some ways returning to “normal” and we are thankful for the slightly lower COVID cases in our area. We give God thanks for all that we have learned in this strange season and how we have stretched, pivoted and worked creatively throughout this time. Thank you for being a part of our faith community as we aim to transform lives for the good of God’s Kingdom. 

Please contact Matt Kuzma, COO, at MattK@fumcwp.org. if you have any questions or concerns.

---

Safety Preparedness 

Like others in our community, we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation. As a church community, we offer a variety of ministries across all age groups and life stages. We continue to follow briefings provided by local, state, and national officials including Orange County, the City of Winter Park, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Public Health Departments.

We want to share with you some of the proactive measures we are taking at our Winter Park Campus (125 N Interlachen Ave Winter Park, FL 32789) and Reeves Center (110 N Fern Creek Ave, Orlando, FL 32803).

• Providing disinfectant wipes in all the meeting rooms.
• Providing additional trashcans around campus.
• Distributing hand sanitizer across the campus.
• Upgrading our sanitization program with the custodial crew.
• Sharing educational resources through our communication channels.

---

Safety Precautions

We encourage everyone to follow advice from the CDC:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

---

Stay Informed

• Follow our Facebook page for up to date information and announcements as well.

---

Have Questions?

• For ministry specific questions, please reach out to the staff contact as appropriate.
• For staffing questions, please email hr@fumcwp.org
• For marketing questions, please email communications@fumcwp.org 

January and February have been fun and fulfilling months for the Gracious Hosts pillar. We began the New Year with Wesley Fest, a celebration of our rich Wesleyan heritage. On January 26, our traditional Sunday worship service was filled with glorious orchestral and choral music directed by Michael Roberts. We were honored to have Bishop Ken Carter as our guest preacher. He reminded us that we are called to follow Jesus and challenged us to learn the wisdom of the “next faithful step.” Highlights of our afternoon and evening festivities include a visit by UCF quarterback, Darriel Mack Jr., during which Darrel shared the importance of his faith. Ten chili cook-off chefs shared their favorite recipes amid a spirit of fun and fellowship. Thank you to the hospitality team and other pillar members for all your hard work on this event!

In February, we were treated to the delightful music of Sit Andrew Lloyd Webber ad we enjoyed a delicious meal and scrumptious desserts at Broadway Bound, a fun-filled show featuring talented members of our church. This is always a “hit” in our Winter Park community! Thank you to Michael Roberts, Director of Music Ministry, and team!

We also celebrated our Scouting Ministry last month. Boy and Girl Scouts and their families enjoyed a delicious Refuel Wednesday spaghetti supper and an evening of games, fellowship, and fun! The following Sunday, Scouts were recognized as they participated in our church services.

On Feb. 12, families enjoyed a delightful time in fellowship and fun during a Valentine-themed Refuel Wednesday. Everyone loved the delicious tacos prepared by Randy Parsons, Director of Hospitality, and team. Thank you!

Confirmation is well underway as youth in our church explore what it means to be a Christ-follower.

As Spring approaches, we are excited about coming events in our Pillar:

• On Good Friday, our Music Ministry will present the sacred work, “The Seven Last Words of Christ,” accompanied by a full orchestra.
• Many of our students will also participate in Encounter, an exciting weekend at Warren Willis Camp, sponsored by Family Ministry.

Join us as we grow in community together!

Blessings,
Arnetta Rodgers, Gracious Hosts Pillar Leader

---

Problem

There are 2.5 million orphans in Kenya and over 25,000 of those are in Naivasha, estimates UNICEF. Children continue to suffer the loss of one or both of their parents as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. When this happens, the burden of care falls to elderly family members and the oldest sibling left behind—all of them trapped in poverty.

About

Recommended by our partners in Kenya, the Swahili word “inua” reflects the team effort and communal transformation seen throughout the ministry. Inua is a verb meaning to lift up together, raise up or elevate. This concept of building strength as a community depicts the process by which Inua Partners in Hope helps its at-risk youth restore hope and achieve economic independence. Inua operates in Naivasha, Kenya, located in the Rift Valley Province, northwest of Nairobi. Inua’s work builds relationships with Naivasha’s most vulnerable orphans and youth to help expand their opportunities for a future full of self-sustainability and hope.

Program

Inua Partners in Hope is a comprehensive ministry embracing the well-being of the whole child. Inua transforms lives by empowering youth-led families to reach self sustainability through:

• food and housing security
• emotional and spiritual well-being
• health and hygiene
• legal support
• education and vocational training
• entrepreneurship

Since 2009, Inua Partners in Hope has continued to move these vulnerable, broken children and youth from desperation and grief to a productive life of hope.

Mission

Inua Partners in Hope empowers vulnerable youth living in Naivasha, Kenya to thrive in total wellness and self-sufficiency through community-led mentoring, learning and God’s love.

How to get involved

• Connect: Visit our website, follow us on social media, sign up to receive email updates, or email katie@inuapartners.org for more information. We often have areas needing volunteers and would love to find a way for you to use your gifts and talents to support the Inua youth.
• Pray: Join our team by praying for the 200 youth joining our ministry for the next two years, praying for our mentors and staff in Kenya, praying for our missioners, and praying for our US board and team.
• Give: Go online to donate today.
• Go: Reach out to Elizabeth Mathis at elizabethm@fumcwp.org to learn more about upcoming mission trips to Naivasha, Kenya.

Communications Ministry Update

Our team has been working with Pastor David on our annual communications plan and we are excited for the work God will be doing through our church. Join us for our new year kick-off  on Jan. 9 from 12:30-2:30pm at the Reeves Center. We will offer an overview of the 2020 communications plan, provide a workbook you can use with your ministry team, and reenergize our work as Communications Ambassadors.

Our gatherings are scheduled on the 2nd Thursday of the Month from 12:30-2:30pm. If you know of someone interested in joining the team, or you yourself would like to become more active – NOW is the time to start! We are kicking off the year strong and would love to fellowship together.

For more information and gathering locations, contact: Sarah Skidmore, Director of Marketing & Communications at sarahs@fumcwp.org.

Thank you for your support of the Reeves Center. There is much to celebrate in the work that has been accomplished this past year and for the new possibilities in 2020. To review 2019:

• TCA Preschool/VPK has 75 children enrolled in their program.
• Studio 150 dance classes are open for children and adults.
• Building 200 and Room 8 were renovated for meeting spaces.
• The thrift store items have been donated and removed.
• The Ministry Assessment proposal to create a Counseling & Enrichment Center with six-practicing licensed therapists is almost finished.
• The Foundry is actively meeting with mentees and mentors at the Reeves Center.
• New signs identifying the campus as Reeves Center have been added to the location.

Please continue to pray for this outreach opportunity to serve and connect the Colonialtown North community and our church family.

Contact: Denise Meyer at denisem@fumcwp.org

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been passionate about film making. My father attests that when I was a little boy at the age of 6, I was creating stop-action movie shorts using stuffed animals embarking on an adventures. God has been amazing to allow me to use that gift in other churches to communicate the gospel in creative ways. Currently, I have been blessed to bring that love of film-making to our Family Ministry at our wonderful church. Combined with the efforts of our lay and staff team who wrote and acted, we have created some exciting movie shorts!

Last spring, we made the Promiseland Toy Box series. We used toys to tell the gospel of Mark and the story of Noah. Recently, we created a spin-off series called the Promise Land Excellent Adventure that resembles the Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure from the 80’s. Lastly, we have the Promise Land News Team, which is a weekly feature of our fifth graders rehashing the Sunday morning lesson in a funny news format. All of our children in Promise Land have been able to see these episodes on Sunday mornings!

Look to hear about more ways that we are using film to communicate the gospel. We have some exciting plans in the future to expand this ministry and if you would like to be a part of this awesome venture, please contact Dawn Peterson, dawnp@fumcwp.org. We would love to have you!

~Pastor Rick Jones, Director of Family Ministry

Kenya Mission Team A, Day 7

Today is the day!!!  It is Graduation Day!  

We met at the church around 8am to check youth in, distribute caps & gowns and take photos.  The second mission team from Florida arrived during this prep time. A small pep band warmed up in the courtyard as youth trickled in and lined up for a celebratory parade through town from the church to an outdoor, tented graduation ceremony site about 10 blocks away.  So much joy and anticipation. 

It was about a 4-hour ceremony, filled with inspiring speakers from the community, Inua alum, current graduates and our very own Kenya Katie (Katie Cornelius.). There was singing, praying and picture-taking.  The youth were called up one-by-one within their vocation to receive their certificate. Families/guardians cheered and hugged and even shed tears of pride.  

After the ceremony, Cycle 2 alum Lily, catered the reception celebration.  Other youth set up displays of their work and wares to sell, such as jewelry and art.  Groups gathered with friends for photos and celebrations.  We encouraged the youth to trade their caps and gowns in exchange for an Inua string-backpack.  (We reuse the caps/gowns.). We left around 3pm (it had started at 10!) and many were still celebrating! 

Tomorrow (Saturday) will be a day of R&R, exploration, shopping and farewells with our Inua partners in Naivasha.  It will be hard to say goodbye to the staff: Florence, Eunice, Patrick, Ephantus and Paul. They are family.   

On Sunday, we will begin our journey home.  We are all a tad concerned about Hurricane Dorian and our families in Florida prepping without us.  We expect our flight from Nairobi to Dubai will be fine, but the storm will dictate the timing of our return to Orlando.  

Update: The unpredictable nature of the storm has messed with air travel plans.  We are currently booked to land on Saturday extending our 10-days away to 15 days. It is hard but we are together and making the most of options in Dubai.  We are so thankful for Laura Toshie, our trip leader.  Her selflessness, humor, and kind spirit have kept us together and ready to weather the twists and turns of our daily situation with a dose of grace.

Kenya Mission Team A, Day 7

As our families back home begin to prepare for a massive hurricane, we are busy preparing for tomorrow’s graduation ceremony.

We spent our entire morning with the Inua Staff in their office in downtown Naivasha.  Some of us had meetings about things like a graduate/alumni program or tweaking the Inua Mission Statement, others worked on reprinting a few graduation certificates that need edits.  Others loaded caps and gowns into the van for transport to the church, which some spent time next door at the Inua Salon and Training center.  It was a busy and productive morning with lots of chatter about youth transformations, updates on Inua youth from Cycle 1 and 2,  and excitement for Friday.  

We toured the large market area and had a quick lunch before returning to the hotel.  It was only 5pm so we decided we had enough time before dinner to enjoy a hippo boat ride on Lake Naivasha.  We insisted that our van driver, Sammy, come with us as he had NEVER been on a boat ride before. We love Sammy!  We were able to get up close to several safari animals on Crescent Island — so unique with its access to wildlife… zebra, impala, giraffe and water buck graze free here after being left behind when the island was used to shooting the movie “Out of Africa.” 

It was an amazing day and we feel prepared for all of the excitement tomorrow promises.