Archives: Events

Pride week is right around the corner in Orlando and we’re offering multiple ways to celebrate! Please join us in our effort to affirm and encourage LGBTQ members of our church as well share God’s inclusive love to our neighbors in Central Florida. Our goal is for each person we interact with to know that they are God’s beloved, now and forever, because of who they truly are, not anything they’ve done.

Here’s what we’re up to!

1. Sunday, October 13th will feature a prayer time in the Marcy Chapel from 10:15 to 10:45am. Co-hosted by the Forum Class, this time will feature Scripture readings and spoken and silent prayers to uplift our LGBTQIA siblings and allies as they prepare to march. This is an opportunity to join together, show solidarity, honor predecessors, lament harm, and affirm our commitment to love.

2. Sunday, October 13th will also feature a special Elevate program for youth, open to all members of our church, to dig into the history and importance of Pride, share a potluck meal, and work together to create small gifts that will be handed out during the parade. Come from 6–8pm to join Winter Park Student Ministry in the MFLC Gym and bring sides, drinks, or desserts!

3. Saturday, October 19th is Orlando’s Come Out With Pride festival! Pride brings tens of thousands to Lake Eola Park. We have been invited to staff community booths in the marketplace, but we will also be marching as a church in the Pride Parade. Reserve your spot (and find out more details) by clicking below!

Registered parade marchers will be sent a link to a pre-event Zoom call to go over purpose, expectations, logistics, and questions for the day. This call will be Monday, October 7th from 8–9PM, with a video made available soon after.

The 4 Pillars Counseling and Enrichment Center will be presenting its enrichment workshop entitled “Financial Planning Tools 101.” The enrichment workshop will be led by Jeffrey Hudson, a Trust and Estates partner at Winderweedle, Haines, Ward, and Woodman and an active member of FUMCWP. This interactive session will allow attendees to become enriched in areas related to effective estate planning strategies and the maximization of existing financial goals. The event will be held in the Fellowship Hall and light refreshments will be served. All are encouraged to attend.

All those volunteering with children this school year are invited to this training luncheon on Sunday, September 8th at 12-1:30pm.  Nursery will be available by RSVP. We are excited to kick-off a new year with you!

Want to sing accompanied by a full orchestra? Lead the congregation in some of the most beautiful Christmas carols? Be part of a fun family that grows in discipleship together through music? Look no further!

The Festival GLORIA/Chancel Choir Christmas Retreat will take place this September!

Please let us know if childcare will be needed – we can make it available!

Join our church’s DEI Ministry and the Interfaith Council of Central Florida for a powerful public forum on resisting Christian nationalism. We will screen the film God & Country, which was released this year and features interviews with experts on religious freedom and violence like William Barber II, Simone Campbell, Russell Moore, Jemar Tisby, David French, and Kristin Kobes du Mez. Following the film, David B. Witwer will moderate a conversation about Christian nationalism in Central Florida and the possibilities of Christian and interfaith resistance rooted in love.

Our panel will consist of Rabbi David Kay, Chair of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida and Adjunct Professor at Rollins College, Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin, Director of Justice Ministries and District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church (FL Conference), and David Williamson, the co-founder of the Central Florida Freethought Community. NOTE: Our panel will no longer feature Rev. Dr. James T. Morris, who was unable to join us for personal reasons.

Please arrive at 6:15pm to allow for a prompt programming start at 6:30pm. DEI Doc Night will be hosted at Credo Conduit, just north of Downtown Orlando. Accessible parking, lot parking, and street parking will all be available and a parking map will be provided to registrants before the event. This event is intended for a mature audience, which could include discerning high school students. Childcare will not be available.

Free registration is required, and this event is open to the public. Please bring friends, family, and neighbors to this important conversation as we seek to be responsible people of faith in the public square.

Become a Facilitator for Our Fall Sermon Series!
Are you passionate about fostering spiritual growth and community within our church? Do you have a heart for discipleship and helping others deepen their faith? We hope to start groups that meet here at the church on Sundays and Tuesday Evenings and in homes throughout the rest of the week. We invite you to become a facilitator for our upcoming sermon series this fall!

Why Become a Facilitator?
1. Impact Lives: Lead a small group and help others grow in their faith and understanding of what it means to be a Methodist.
2. Build Community: Create a welcoming and supportive environment where group members can connect and grow together.
3. Personal Growth: Deepen your own faith and knowledge through teaching and discussions.

What We Provide:
1. Comprehensive Curriculum: We offer a complete curriculum to guide your group through the sermon series.
2. Training and Support: Attend one of our Facilitator/Teacher Training on July 28 or August 4 at noon to prepare and equip you with everything you need to lead effectively. Also, receive phone calls from volunteers willing to help you through the process.
3. Resources and Tips: Gain access to resources and best practices to enhance your facilitation skills.

Training Details:
Dates: Sunday, July 28 OR Sunday, August 4
What to Expect: Overview of the sermon series, curriculum walkthrough, and facilitation tips. Food will be provided.
Sign Up: Register for one of the training sessions below to get started. Email ps@fumcwp.org to learn more or for any questions about becoming a facilitator.

Sermon Series:
Designed around Discipleship and What It Means to Be a Methodist
Dates: August 18 – October 27

Join us in this exciting opportunity to lead and serve our church community. Together, we can make a difference! We look forward to partnering with you in this important ministry!

Our Youth Ministry invites you to the Cost of Poverty Experience, a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes and reflect on the experience as it relates to your own life and community. COPE is an experience that moves participants beyond stereotypes to a more holistic understanding of the drivers and results of poverty. The nature of this experience helps organizations and communities more deeply understand the complexities of poverty, paving the way to address the issues more comprehensively.

COPE will kick off the 2024 Youth SOUL Week, a time for our youth to spend in fellowship with one another while Serving Orlando with Unconditional Love.