On The

C O N TA C T U S
407.423.3441
To arrange a baptism
Contact Worship x1451

with Dr. David D.

To arrange a wedding
Contact Weddings x1453
To arrange a funeral or memorial service
Contact Pastoral Care x1455
To donate flowers for worship services
Contact Worship x1451 “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, what-
With questions about your pledge,
donation, or budget ever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
Contact Finance x1479
With a change of address lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything
Contact Membership x1471
To purchase a sermon CD or DVD
is excellent or praiseworthy–let your mind
Contact x1438
dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8
To join the Chancel Choir
Contact x1273
For child care reservations - Early Childhood
Contact x2250
To reach the Security Office
I am grateful for the time that you allow me to go away each
May to study, read, pray, and plan for the coming year’s ser-
mons. It is so unique to go away for two weeks by myself with
Contact 407-415-9793
no agenda or plan for a day other than to listen to the Lord. And
For Weekday School
Contact 407-996-5864 every year, I come away with the same impression: why do I not

For more information on adult Sunday school
classes, contact Spiritual Formation x1463
With questions about the FPCO website
or this Columns publication
Contact Communications x1467
To reserve meeting space
Contact Special Services x1469
Hospital Calls:
Hospitals are no longer able to notify us when
our members are hospitalized. If you know
someone who is in the hospital, please notify
the Pastoral Care office at x1455.
Pastoral Emergencies:
For pastoral emergencies outside of the 8:30am-
5pm church office hours, please leave a voice
mail message at the main church number. The
message center will page the minister on call,
who will reply as soon as possible.
Need Help?
Dependency assistance, cancer support group,
grief support, divorce care, infertility group,
please contact Congregational Life x1159.
www.twitter.com/fpcorlando
www.facebook.com/firstpres
take more time to do this during the rest of my year? When I begin
each day in extended communion and fellowship with the Lord,
it impacts the rest of my day. When I am in tune with the Lord
and with His Word, my spirit is different, my attitude is different
and my heart is different. It challenges me to think more honestly
about how I spend my mental time and energy. What is the nature
of my thought life?
Paul is pretty specific about what we need to think about.
He says we need to think about things that are of the Lord–things
that would be part of His nature and character. Now, that’s not to
say that we can only think about those things. We need to think
about our business. We need to think about our children. We need
to think about our marriage. However, even as we think about
those things, our thoughts should flow from a heart that is tuned
to the Lord. I spend a lot of time trying to discipline my body and
keep it in shape, but I don’t spend as much time disciplining my
mind. I need to put things into my mind–things that are noble
and pure and lovely and excellent–so that even as I think about
the circumstances of my life, I do so in a Godly manner. I know I
will never do that perfectly, but I know I can improve on where I
am now.
As you take time this summer to get away for vacation,
let me encourage you to start building a habit of daily time with
the Lord and His Word. If you can start doing it when you are less

2 | www.fpco.org
 Save the Date!

Way
For more details contact our main office at
407.423.3441

June 9-July 29, 2009

Swanson
MusikGarten Summer Classes

June 1-August 13, 2009

Esther-It’s Tough Being a Woman
Bible Study

June 29-July 3, 2009

FPCO Serves at Daily Bread

July 6-10, 2009

Darrell Armstrong Basketball Camp
hurried, you will be able to continue that habit when you return to your
July 13-17, 2009
normal life. While you may not realize it, the impact of that small change Upward Basketball and Cheer Camp
could have enormous results in many dimensions of your life, from your July 2009
stress to your attitude to your personal relationships. Combined Adult Sunday School Classes
Food Share Month
Also, take a look at my summer reading list. Again, take the time
to put some good things in your mind–things that God’s Holy Spirit can July 13-17, 2009
Vacation Bible School
stir and bring out of you later when needed. I’ll be on vacation for a bit this
month, and I can assure you I’ll be working on the same disciplines. May July 19-24, 2009
Fun in The Son High School Retreat
God continue to bless you and your family with the abundance of His love
July 19-25, 2009
and joy, and I remain
The Great Escape Middle School Retreat

August 23, 2009

In His Grip, Day of Prayer
Celtic Healing Service

August 25, 2009

Weekday School Prayer Walk

David August 30, 2009

K-Kids Promotion Sunday

September 2009
Back to School Date Night

Dr. Swanson’s September 13-November 15, 2009

Summer Reading List SONday Times

September 1-November 17, 2009

MusikGarten Fall Classes
• A Severe Mercy - Sheldon Vanauken
September 13-November 15, 2009
• Chasing Fireflies - Charles Martin Fall Adult Class Events

• Knowing God - J.I. Packer September 17, 2009

Health and Fitness Fair
• Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins
October 20, 2009
We Tolerate - Jerry Bridges Kindergarten Readiness Workshop
• The Prodigal God - Tim Keller November 6-8, 2009
The 2009 Marriage Retreat
• Running on Empty - Fil Anderson
November 7, 2009
• The Sacred Journey: A Memoir of Early Weekday School Fun Fair & Silent Auction
Days - Frederick Buechner
November 18, 2009
• A Long Obedience in the Same Direction - Thanksgiving Coffee and Worship Service
Eugene Peterson
www.fpco.org | 3
 Change?
Change!
4 | www.fpco.org
By Carol Hafer, Director of Mission
L eigh Swanson met then inmate Debra Parker two years ago
when doing ministry in the Seminole County Jail. Leigh
was beginning to teach a weekly Bible study for female inmates.
My Perspective
By Julie Jones, Member and Jobs Partnership Class Mentor

Last February, I began mentoring three ladies in The Jobs

Debra was in Leigh’s first class. They quickly became friends.
Partnership program. As the Lord would have it, one of the
As Leigh taught the Bible, Debra taught Leigh about life in jail.
ladies, Debra, had been encouraged to enroll in the program
Upon her release, Debra asked Leigh about the job assistance
by her friend, Leigh Swanson. For 12 weeks, we met on Tues-
program at First Presbyterian Church she had heard about while
day evenings in the “LIFE” class to hear Biblical teachings on
in jail. “Would you help me apply?” she asked Leigh.
the soft skills for success at life and work. Some of the topics
Debra recently graduated from the spring class of FPCO’s
included Who am I?, God and Work, Authority, Conflict, and
Mercy Corridor Initiative: The Jobs Partnership. Debra is pic-
Excellence. It was inspiring to walk along side of Debra and
tured here, at graduation, with Leigh and one of her Jobs Part-
encourage her to dig deep and take in all God wanted to teach
nership mentors, Julie Jones. As a gift to Leigh and Julie, Debra
her through this class time. I saw Debra soak up the teach-
wrote the following poem to express what she learned in the
ing and her heart soften as she experienced God’s word being
class and what her future holds.
taught and saw the commitment of the volunteers each week.
I’m humbled that God would choose to use me to continue His

How Can work in Debra’s life and I know He has great plans for her!

I Not The Mercy Corridor Initiative is a unique collaboration

Change?
Debra Parker, recent Jobs Partnership Graduate
How can I not change, when in fact
all I see are mirrors of how I use to be?
How can I not change, when in fact
behind all my emotional walls are
people prophesying my fall?
How can I not change, when in fact
God, Jobs Partnership, Leigh Swanson,
Julie, Maryke and Fran turned a cynic
like me into a fan?
How can I not change, when in fact
Dr. Robinson and Pastor Outing said to me,
“You’re under new construction!”?
between Heart of Mercy Church, First Presbyterian Church of
Orlando, and The Jobs Partnership of Florida. At the core is
a 12-week LIFE & WORK job readiness class for those unem-
ployed or underemployed. Taught by local pastors and busi-
ness leaders, it prepares participants for the world of work.
You, too, can be part of this great initiative! The next class
begins September 1, 2009. Volunteers are needed to serve
as mentors, job counselors, hospitality/administration team
members, resume/interview coaches, refreshment providers,
business clothing coordinators, business and financial
partners, and prayer partners! For more information, contact
Tami Kaiser (407.977.9715 or tkaiser@cfl.rr.com) or to learn
more about Jobs Partnership visit their website at
www.JobsPartnershipFl.org.

Guess what? I believed them and

I will

Exceed everyone’s expectation.

In fact, I cannot change my past, but I can get past my

past with change.

Now I ask you

How can I not change?

www.fpco.org | 5
 Understanding What
it Means to Serve
By Carol Welker, Children’s Ministry
W hen you have the privilege of watching kids grasp the
meaning of service, it is truly one of the greatest bless-
ings ever. In the Children’s Ministry, we have watched our
fifth grade students “get it.” Several weeks ago, as part of their
regular Sunday school teachings, the kids were studying ser-
vice and were challenged to serve as a class. As the leaders, we
set up a project for them to go to the Sanctuary and clean all
the pew backs and doors and other painted surfaces that could
be cleaned. They cleaned and scrubbed for about 45 minutes
throughout the Sanctuary and returned to their room to pro-
cess the experience. In the conversations that developed, the
kids determined that they wanted to serve in a bigger way. They
brainstormed ways to serve and decided that helping the home-
less would be a great way to give back. Through several conver-
sations with their teachers, Bill and Michelle Fluke, we finally
invited Dawn Neff from Compassion Corner to come and visit
with the kids and guide their ideas into a defined effort. Dawn
6 | www.fpco.org
was tremendous in talking with the kids about both the physical
and spiritual needs of the homeless. They decided to pack back-
packs that would contain sunscreen, socks, granola bars, water,
and plastic bags. The kids would also write personal letters to
each homeless person that would go in each pack.
For the next several weeks, we collected items, and on May
31, it was packing day. To witness these young people and their
excitement for the fulfillment of this project that they started
was awesome. The letters were genuine and thoughtfully writ-
ten, filled with thoughtful words of encouragement, and the de-
sire to truly be relational. They understood someone else’s need
and how they could meet it. As I now watch these kids move
into our Student Ministry, I know for certain that they move for-
ward to the next step as committed young adults who know the
world is bigger than they are. They have a place to serve within
that world as representatives of Christ to others. Wouldn’t it be
great if we could all “get it?”
Volunteer
Opportunities
After School Outreach Ministry:
Title: ASOM Mentor
Description: Mentoring program for at risk
teens.
Hours: Summer hours vary.
Contact: Jenny Arrison, Director of After
School Outreach Ministry at 407.423.3441
x2306 or jarrison@fpco.org.
Children’s Ministry:
Title: Worship leaders
Description: If you can read and love kids,
you are qualified! Worship leaders lead Ju-
nior Worship at 8:30 and 11am for our ris-
ing first through third graders. Come and
be a part of an exciting opportunity and I
promise you will get more back than you
give away!
Hours: Vary
Contact: Carol Welker, Director for Chil-
dren’s Ministry at 407.423.3441 x1490 or
cwelker@fpco.org.
Children’s Ministry:
Title: Sunday School Teachers
Description: All teachings and everything
is written out for you! Sunday School
teachers are needed for rising 1st through
2nd graders or rising 3rd through 5th grad-
ers. Again, all lessons are written out for
you and all supplies are provided. We
need you to lead our kids!
Hours: Sundays 9:45am-10:45am
Contact: Carol Welker, Director for Chil-
dren’s Ministry at 407.423.3441 x1490 or
cwelker@fpco.org.
Communications Ministry:
Title: Communications Campus Prep Vol-
unteer
Description: Help hang posters, set up ban-
ners, and distribute Columns around cam-
pus. Help ensure that all posters for events
that have been expired are removed from
bulletin boards in campus elevators and
remove any none FPCO related pieces left
around campus or on our bulletin boards.
Hours: Friday afternoons; hours can be
flexible within the 2-5pm window.
Contact: Minh-Thi Dang at 407.423.3441
x1467.
Flower Ministry:
Title: Flower Assistants
Description: Work with teams to arrange
flowers for Worship Services. No experi-
ence necessary.
Hours: Friday and Saturday for two to
three hours
Contact: Lucy Edgerton at 407.423.3441
x1273 or ledgerton@fpco.org.
Hearing Aids Distribution on
Sunday Mornings:
Title: Hearing Aids Distribution
Helper
Description: Help with distrib-
uting and collecting the “hear-
ing units” in the Sanctuary on
Sunday mornings at both ser-
vices.
Hours: Arrive 30 minutes before the ser-
vice.
Contact: Carolyn Tavel at 407.841.2383 or
Linda McCallister at 407.423.3441 x1159.
OneByOne Ministry:
Title: OneByOne Volunteer/Prayer Team
Description: Learn more about the minis-
try of OneByOne and Exodus International
and pray about ways to educate and equip
our church to minister to those (within our
church and in the community) who strug-
gle with unwanted same-sex attraction,
sexual addiction, and the effects of sexual
abuse.
Hours: Contact ministry for specified
hours.
Contact: Kristin Tremba, Director of OneBy-
One at 407.423.3441 x1489 or kjohnson@
fpco.org.
Prayer and Spiritual Formation
Ministry:
Title: Curriculum and Resource Team
Members
Description: Prayer & Spiritual Formation
would like to create a team of individuals
that enjoy reviewing and researching study
materials that would be new additions to
our Resource Center. These studies would
be further confirmed by the Associate Pas-
tor of Prayer & Spiritual Formation to de-
termine content appropriate for Bible study
groups and adult Sunday class material.
Hours: When organized, this group will
come together to determine a plan of ac-
tion and formulate a checklist as a guide to
research. Department will outline budget
and needs for resources. Research will be
done independently and meetings will be
used as a time to report recommendations.
Contact: Rev. Donna McClellan at
407.423.3441 x1488 or dmcclellan@fpco.
org.
Recreation Ministry:
Title: Greeter/Reception
Description: Greeting and checking mem-
bers in during busy lunch hours.
Hours: Wednesday lunch, 11:45-1:30pm
Contact: Alice Fortunato/Angela Brown
at 407.206.2406 or afortunato@fpco.org/
abrown@fpco.org.
Recreation Ministry:
Title: Adult Supervisors-Summer Sports
Camps
Description: Supervise children during
lunch, July 13-17, between VBS and Up-
ward afternoon camp. Keep kids enter-
tained while waiting for the occupied gym
to become available until lunch is over.
Hours: Help escort kids from VBS to Lee
Fellowship Hall for lunchtime and super-
vise until camp starts at 1pm at Recreation
Ministry Gym and help escort over to the
gym.
Contact: Alice Fortunato/Angela Brown
at 407.206.2406 or afortunato@fpco.org/
abrown@fpco.org.
Technical Services:
Title: Video Camera Operators
Description: Operate one of the video
cameras during the 8:30 or 11am Tradi-
tional services.
Hours: 8:15 till 9:35am and/or 10:45am
until 12:10pm one Sunday a month.
Contact: Chris Corcoran at 407.423.3441
x1431 or ccorcoran@fpco.org.
Technology Ministry:
Title: PC Technical Support
Description: PC tech capable with inter-
mediate PC knowledge. Able to perform
PC cleanup software and hardware. Some
training provided.
Hours: You choose the hours during regu-
lar church business hours or in the eve-
ning. Approximately 85-100 hours total.
Contact: Jack Walston at 407.423.3441
x1470 or jwalston@fpco.org.
Telecare Ministry:
Title: Telecare Caller
Description: Make phone calls to church
members to say “hello,” remind them we
are thinking about them, and to find out if
they have any needs or concerns for which
their church family can pray.
Hours: You can either make calls from the
church office in the evening or from your
home.
Contact: Linda McCallister at 407.423.3441
x1159 or lmccallister@fpco.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Title: Bible Study Support Assistant
Description: Two weeks prior to the start of
scheduled Bible study for women, help is
needed to copy study materials and assem-
ble the study packets, create and assemble
name tags and coordinate details.
Hours: Hours are flexible and the project
should be complete 48 hours prior to start
of the study program. Next season of study
begins Thursday, Sept. 10 and Monday,
Sept. 14. This project would begin the
week of Aug. 31.
Contact: Lori Needham at 407.423.3441
x1463 or lneedham@fpco.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Title: Bible Study Hostess
Description: At the beginning of scheduled
Bible studies for women, hospitality tables
are set up for two weeks. These tables sup-
port registration inquiry, handing out ma-
terials for the study, providing name tags
and answering questions.
Hours: Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to
the study to receive instruction and you
will be released when the study begins.
www.fpco.org | 7
 Contact: Lori Needham at 407.423.3441
x1463 or lneedham@fpco.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Title: Special Event Photographer
Description: Document events with pic-
tures. If you enjoy taking candid shots of
people, activities and recording events, we
need you!
Hours: We will provide a schedule of activi-
ties and events.
Contact: Lori Needham at 407.423.3441
x1463 or lneedham@fpco.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Title: Women’s Ministry Special Project Co-
ordinator
Description: Working with the Women’s
Ministry Council, to assist in the organiza-
tion and execution of any “Women Together”
event. Assistance from the Council would be
provided in recruiting additional help. You
would have direct communication with the
Council and have input on the developing
project.
Hours: The Council meets monthly, but
could inform this Project Coordinator of
scheduled functions and when the Council
will address the project.
Contact: Lori Needham at 407.423.3441
x1463 or lneedham@fpco.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Title: Women’s Ministry Event Editor or
Ghost Writer
Description: Write articles reporting on
events or providing support in editing Bible
8 | www.fpco.org
studies written by lay leaders. If you’ve ever
entertained the idea of writing brief Bible
studies for small groups, future opportuni-
ties may be available. Interested in creating
and writing a newsletter? This may be a
project coming this fall.
Hours: Vary
Contact: Lori Needham at 407.423.3441
x1463 or lneedham@fpco.org.
Worship Arts Ministry:
Title: Data Entry
Description: Record music ensembles atten-
dance on computer.
Hours: One day per week for one hour
Contact: Lucy Edgerton at 407.423.3441
x1273 or ledgerton@fpco.org.
Worship Arts Ministry:
Title: Inventory Clerk
Description: Organize and maintain Wor-
ship Arts Resource Room. Keep items used
for worship services organized and shelved
properly.
Hours: One day per week for one to two
hours
Contact: Lucy Edgerton at 407.423.3441
x1273 or ledgerton@fpco.org.
Worship Arts Ministry:
Title: Sunday Cleanup Assistant
Description: Helping with refreshment and
music clean-up.
Hours: Each Sunday after last service for one
hour
Contact: Lucy Edgerton at 407.423.3441
x1273 or ledgerton@fpco.org.
Worship Arts Ministry:
Title: Ceramic Studio Ministry Assistance
Description: Amazing Glaze—No experi-
ence necessary. Assist customers on select-
ing and painting pieces.
Hours: Each Sunday for eight weeks for two
hours from 4:30-6:30pm
Contact: Lucy Edgerton at 407.423.3441
x1273 or ledgerton@fpco.org.
Worship Ministry:
Title: Baptism Assistant
Description: Ladies with the gift of hospital-
ity who serve as hostesses to the families of
children being baptized on Sunday morn-
ing. Assistants work one service per month,
arriving 35 minutes before the service to
welcome the baptism family and guests to
the King Parlor. Duties may include taking
a snapshot of the family with their camera,
showing them to their seats in the sanctuary,
helping guests find their seats, and present-
ing the New Testament and other mementos
of the day to the baby’s parents. The Bap-
tism Committee only meets once per year for
a lovely luncheon.
Hours: From 35 minutes prior to the worship
service until a few minutes after the service
concludes, one service per month.
Contact: Pam McComb at 407.648.4904 or
Dmmccomb@aol.com.
Women Together Iron Chef Battle:
The Winners!
By Lori Needham, Women’s Ministry
M ore than 200 women, ages 15 to
90, gathered together for the Iron
Chef Women’s Celebration. They enjoyed
good food, great fellowship, and the op-
portunity to support the incarcerated
women at the Seminole County Jail by
donating supplies and funds to encourage
their spiritual growth through their Bible
studies.
Eight chefs vied for the award of Best
Appetizer and Best Dessert, preparing
and presenting their dishes to the distin-
guished judges: Dr. David Swanson, Rev.
Sam Knight, Brad Staton, and Dr. Case
Thorp. Audience members enjoyed bev-
erages, appetizers and desserts from Lack-
mann Culinary Services.
After all dishes were prepared, served
and eagerly consumed, we gathered in the
Sanctuary to hear a message on servant-
hood and how God calls us to be His ser-
vant, which sometimes means venturing
outside of our comfort zone. Guest Leigh
Swanson shared her testimony about how
God had used her to minister to the incar-
cerated women at the Seminole County
Jail, and how these same women minis-
tered to her as well. We also heard per-
sonal testimonies from Chaplain Joanne
Westmoreland and a recently released
inmate that experienced
the Bible study while in
prison.
And the winners? Well,
arguably, many would
say it’s the people who
got to taste the food. But
officially, the first place
win for Best Appetizer
went to Ashley Johnston for her Lamb
Lollipops with Blackberry Chili Jam. “As
a mom of a preschooler, finding ways to
entice children to eat new foods requires
a little creativity,” Ashley says. Her dish
is a fun way she’s gotten her children to
eat gourmet foods. “When you put food
on a stick, whether it is meat or vegetables
and then add dip, children go crazy for
it.” Apparently, judges do too!
Taking home the Best Dessert award
was Tina Bryan. Tina prepared a “Black
and Blue” pie. Raised in a southern home
with plenty of hospitality to go around,
she learned many of her skills and tech-
niques from her mother and grandmother,
who also taught her the importance of
sharing her creations with others. En-
couragement from friends prompted her
to open her own business, Culinary Tra-
ditions. Long after the last bite was gone,
people still raved about the dish, calling it
the best they’d ever tasted.
All in all, it was a tough decision for the
judges as there wasn’t a dish they didn’t
like! The remaining chefs, Kerry Sproles,
Amy Alvarez, Jane McLean, Melissa Hart,
Tracy Nolan, Lori Tipping, and Gwen Rich
certainly teased the crowd with tantaliz-
ing aromas of their delicious entries.
Another winner includes The Seminole
County Jail, which received Target, Wal-
mart, Kohls, and Publix gift cards from the
women of the church. These cards will be
used to help women who have been re-
leased from incarceration purchase cloth-
ing and other everyday supplies and ne-
cessities.
Congratulations Ashley and Tina, and a
huge thank you to our chefs and all the
women who attended and supported this
event. Look out for our next event in the
fall; you don’t want to miss out on the
fun!
A Lasting Impression
Joanne Westmoreland, chaplain to the
women at the Seminole County Jail, was
moved to share her feelings on the recent
“Women Together” event. Here’s what she
had to say:
“My dear Sisters-in-Christ, You have
given me a whole new understanding of
the term, “special event!” On behalf of
my assistant Valorie, and all the women
who will be recipients of your bountiful
expression of love, I say, how wonderful
was your kindness to us!
From the beautiful presentations of the
luscious recipes, to Karen’s powerful tes-
timony of salvation, to my being able to
share what our wonderful Savior has done
in me, to our consideration of the differ-
ence between service and servanthood, it
was an evening filled with the beauty of
the Lord.
I most sincerely thank you.”
www.fpco.org | 9
10 | www.fpco.org
Relief: Give a person a fish … and he eats for today. training in art.

J uly is Food Share Month each year at First Presbyterian

Church. Never has the need been greater than this summer.
Food banks across the region are being tapped at an unusually
There are many more on the street, some who are not as
young and not as hopeful about the future. As Christians, it’s
up to us to step forward and provide the food staples to enable
high rate as families in need seek food. the Christian Service Center, through Daily Bread and their food
The Christian Service Center of Central Florida specializes pantry, to feed Alex and the hundreds that are homeless. Won’t
in crisis ministries, providing immediate relief for those in you please help? Every Sunday in July there will be bins to col-
need. This July, FPCO members will be serving two of the four lect non-perishable items on campus: one located in the lobby
main programs at the Christian Service Center’s main, down- of the Edington Ministry Center and one under the Angel Wing
town campus (other campuses include Winter Park and West outside Allen Hall. Here are the food items needed most:
Orange). First, members will be serving the noon lunch at Daily 1. Pasta- Boxed macaroni and cheese, canned ravioli
and spaghetti
Bread during the first week of the month. Local churches, res-
2. Dry milk
taurants, grocers, hotels, and bakeries provide the food and pa-
3. Canned meats (tuna, chicken or Spam)
per products necessary to feed the homeless and area neighbors.
4. 1 lb. bags of rice
Through years of practice and accumulated community dona-
5. Peanut butter and jelly
tions, each meal costs the Center approximately 22 cents!
More than 500
people are now filter-
ing through between
11:30am and 1:30pm
looking for lunch.
This is up from the
low 300s last year.
What’s really hard
to get accustomed to
seeing is the increas-
ing number of fami-
lies in need. There
are children of all
The Christian Service Center is a non-profit service agency
ages, even infants. The recession has brought an even larger
based in downtown Orlando with campuses in West Orange
number of families to Daily Bread. The numbers have been in-
(Ocoee) and Winter Park in the St. John Evangelical Lutheran
creasing every year since Hurricane Charley hit Central Florida
Church. It was founded in 1971 by five downtown churches,
in 2004. Due to the economic downturn, the staff is seeing more
including First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. The Center has
first time clients; some of whom are even previous donors.
been a mission partner of FPCO since its founding. For more
Alex, a 23-year-old Hispanic male, stands in the Daily Bread
information, visit www.christianservicecenter.org.
line with his two boys, ages 4 and 2. He is very grateful to the
Christian Service Center, and Daily Bread, for providing lunch
Development: Teach a person to fish … and he fishes
every day for him and his young family. He also has a 1-year-old
for a lifetime.
daughter who is being cared for by his aunt. This young man
Guy Neff, Latin America Mission Team leader in FPCO’s Mis-
has a lot of responsibilities and very few resources. He remains
sion Department, recently led a vision trip to Mexico City to see
hopeful that things will get better. He’s been homeless for six
the work of FPCO mission partner, Armonía. The Spanish word
months because he hasn’t been able to find steady work. He is
for peace, Armonía was founded by Saul and Pilar Cruz in 1987
taking classes at the Coalition for the Homeless to earn his GED,
in one of the poorest communities in Mexico City: the Jalalpa
which he hopes will lead to a full-time job. He wants to work in
ravine; a violent and impoverished neighborhood to the west of
the graphic arts field. His goals are to finish school and pursue
the city. Armonía now has three community centers in urban

www.fpco.org | 11

Dwight, the FPCO Mission Dino,
made his second visit abroad with Guy
Neff to see the work of FPCO mission
partner, Armonía. We aren’t sure who
enjoyed the other’s company more,
Guy or Dwight.
Dwight at the partially completed
Armonía student’s residence in Oax-
aca, with high school senior Maxi-
miliano.
Dwight with Anna and Marili, all
seniors admitted or applying to uni-
versity, at the students’ residence in
Oaxaca.
The vision trip participants with
most of the senior Armonía students at
the partially completed students’ resi-
dence. Saul Cruz, founder of Armonía,
stands in the center.
1212| www.fpco.org
| www.fpco.org
and suburban settings, and it also works with indigenous students in the mountains of the
Sierra Norte in the south of the country.
Armonía has always been, and continues to be, committed to building relationships based
on service, inspired by a need for justice, led by the communities themselves. Armonía re-
sponds to both the practical and spiritual needs of those in their community. When Saul and
Pilar spoke at FPCO’s Global Mission Conference in 2007 they showed how their work goes
beyond relief, which is about meeting day to day needs. Rather, their development work is
based on a community transformation model and seeks to empower the people of Armonía
to learn for themselves and provide for the larger context in which they live.
Since 1987, Armonía has grown to three urban community centers and one rural center.
The centers have many projects including: Bible teaching, nutrition programs, medical ad-
vice, education assistance, family therapy, and housing finance.
To learn more about Armonía, visit www.armoniain.net.
Additional Christian Service Center Programs
Family & Emergency Services: With offices in Orlando, Ocoee, and Winter Park, this
emergency assistance program continues to be a resource for those seeking short-term as-
sistance with groceries, rent and utilities, transportation, clothing, and referrals to other
social service agencies.
Fresh Start: A residential training and rehabilitation program for employable males, Fresh
Start provides an opportunity for those men wanting to put their lives back together. The
program uses “tough love” principles to encourage a transition from a life of dependency
to independence. GED and vocational courses are offered to the clients in addition to daily
counseling and Bible study.
Thrift Stores: Donated household goods and clean “useable” clothing are given to clients
of Daily Bread, Family & Emergency Services, and Fresh Start at the Bargain Shop. Surplus
is made available to the public who pay a nominal price for their selection. The Unique
Boutique is the Center’s downstairs specialty shop which offers designer and better cloth-
ing at affordable prices. Dr. Thorp recommends this to all those that ask him about a great
place to send donations.
Did you know…
First Presbyterian Church was a founding church for the Christian Service Center
more than 30 years ago?
Over the years many FPCO members have worked on staff?
FPCO member Chrissy Garten is the newly hired Director of Development for the
Christian Service Center?
Dr. Case Thorp is serving one more year on the board as Past President?
“Armonía has a vision for combining evangelism and social ac-
tion in Mexico, and for serving the physical, psychological and spir-
itual needs of its citizens, especially the children. They are plant-
ing seeds of hope in oppressed and neglected communities. Here is
a grassroots ministry of Christian compassion which we in Britain
must support.”
- John R. W. Stott
New Additions to the
MusikGarten Family
By Stephanie Mixner, Worship Arts
Musik4Life – Expecting moms
A prenatal music class designed to give musical tools to ex-
pecting mothers. As we sit on 55-inch yoga balls, we will ex-
plore the ways we can start incorporating musical elements into
your baby’s life, even while they are in the womb! This is also a
great opportunity to meet other moms like you!
Level D – 4-8 year olds
We will explore our own habitats like our home, our neigh-
borhood, and other outdoor surroundings! As we sing, dance
and move to songs about these wonderful places, we will use
our imagination about different places and scenarios. What a
fun way to experience and learn about our home!
With these new classes, we are reaching a broader spectrum
of children by showing them ways to explore their natural mu-
sical abilities, even before they are born! Hungarian music edu-
cator Zoltan Kodály, was asked, “When is the best time to begin
a child’s music education?” He replied, “Nine months before
the birth of the mother!” It’s NEVER too early to start exposing
your child to music, and it’s never too late either.
Good news: The music you play or sing for your child doesn’t
have to be from the 18th century. If you want to play Bob Mar-
ley for your child … go for it! If you like Hank Williams, Sarah
McLachlan, Johannes Brahms, Postal Service, The Beatles, or
Stevie Wonder, feel free to turn it up … it doesn’t matter what
you play for them! The more you expose them to the music you
enjoy, the more they will enjoy it with you as they grow older.
It’s also very important to keep exposing them to music and
all aspects therein. Humans learn through repetition, especially
children, and the more often they are exposed, the more they
will retain as they get older. The goal is not to create a little Mo-
zart, but a well-rounded citizen that can grow up uninhibited
with their creativity and talents, and most importantly uninhib-
ited to sing out in worship! You never know where their talents
might show up.
Expose your child to music now: Our fall session will begin
Sept. 1, and online registration will open Aug. 17. Let Musik-
Garten be included in your plans this fall. If you’d like to be
added to our e-mail list, please contact Stephanie Mixner at
smixner@fpco.org or 407.423.3441 x1186. For further informa-
tion, visit www.fpco.org/childrensmusic.
Fall 2009 MusikGarten Schedule
Musik4Life Monday 11am
(Expecting moms)
Level A Tuesday 11am
(Birth - 14 mos) Wednesday 11am
(40 minutes)
Level B1 Wednesday 10am
(15 - 23 mos) 11am
Level B2 Wednesday 10am
(2 - 3 ½ yrs) 11am
Level C Wednesday 4:30pm
(3 ½ - 5 yrs)
Level D Wednesday 5:30pm
(4 – 8 yrs) (1 hour)
Family Class Tuesday 11am
(Siblings/mixed ages) Saturday 10:30am
* All classes are 45 minutes unless otherwise noted.
www.fpco.org | 13
 How Well Do You Know the FPCO Staff?
1

2 3

5 6

7 8 9 10

11 12

13

14

15 16

17

18

19

20

21

22 23

24

ACROSS DOWN
2 Enjoys zip-lining. 1 Has 7 siblings (5 brothers, 2 sisters).
5 Took Hawaiian dance lessons instead of ballet growing up. 3 Former elephant rider in a circus.
7 Broke nose and got two black eyes playing powder puff football. 4 Has a bulldog named after Herschel Walker.
12 Former professional synchronized swimmer. 6 Used to portray Pluto at Disney World.
13 Loves to go airboating. 8 Doesn't have a middle name.
15 Saw Milli Vanilli live in concert. 9 On a first date, hit his date in the face with a golf club and gave her
17 Was once hit by lightning. a black eye.
18 Related to the Bush's Baked Beans Legacy, but doesn't know the 10 Claims that everyone/everything of importance orginated from his
secret recipe. country of birth.
20 Has eaten chicken feet. 11 Used to work on a dude ranch.
21 Uses spiking glue to spike hair. 14 Used to own an alligator farm.
22 Had wife wait a day to give birth so he could participate in the 16 Has 68 first cousins.
opening day of dove hunting. 19 Hates dinosaurs.
23 Was crowned Little Miss Tifton in 1958.
24 Climbed Mt. St. Helens the year before it erupted.

Answers on next Page Upside Down.

14 | www.fpco.org
www.CrosswordWeaver.com
News & Notices
Fall Amazing Collection Women’s Bible Study
Town Hall Meeting
The Women’s Ministry 10-week study of The Post-Exilic
Congregational Survey Q&A
Books is open to family, friends, and neighbors to join you as
we encounter the historical books of 1 Chronicles through Es- Sunday, August 23, 2009
ther. Three sessions are offered: Thursday mornings beginning Lee Fellowship Hall
Sept. 10 and Monday mornings and evenings beginning Sept. following the 11am services with
Dr. Swanson and Associate Pastors
14. Register at www.fpco.org/register. For more information,
contact Lori Needham at 407.423.3441 x1463 or lneedham@ Tuesday, August 25
fpco.org. Online Meeting
7:30-8:30pm
Unemployment Support Group Meets Wednesdays at 7:30am
www.fpco.org/live
FPCO is offering a new support group for those that are expe-
Watch Dr. Swanson and post questions
riencing struggles with job loss and related employment con-
for him to answer live on the Internet.
cerns. The group is open for both women and men to share to-
gether, hear encouragement from God’s word and His people, Read More on back page.
and experience fellowship with others in similar circumstanc-
es. The group will be meeting in the Carolyn Wine Conference
Room on the second floor of the Edington Ministry Center at
7:30am each Wednesday. For more information, contact Con-
gregational Care at 407.423.3441 x1159.

Upward Basketball and Cheer Camps for K-5th Graders

The Recreation Ministry invites you to join us for Upward
Basketball or Upward Cheer Camp following Vacation Bible
School this summer; July 13-17, from 1-4pm! Bring your lunch
if attending VBS and we’ll bring you from VBS to lunch, and
then on to Camp! The fee is $75 if paid by June 26. Registra-
tion deadline is July 8. Registration forms are available at www.
fpco.org/upwardcamp to print, complete and send in with
payment or drop off at the Rec Ministry between 9am-6pm.
For more information, contact Alice Fortunato 407.206.2406
or afortunato@fpco.org.

New Adult Sunday School Class Schedule for July

Spiritual Formation)
All adult Sunday School classes will meet in the Sanctuary
24 Donna McClellan (Prayer &
Care)
during the month of July to hear messages from special guest 23 Tammas Smith (Pastoral
teachers, Mr. Ron Peri, Mr. Kent Sterchi and Dr. Case Thorp. 22 Browning Wood (Student)
Come to the Sanctuary at 9:45am and bring a friend.
gelism) IT)
19 Amy Heck (Mission & Evan- 21 Tom Kirkland (Computers/
Resources) cations)
May ’09 Giving Snapshot
16 Morna Sanoy (Human 20 Minh-Thi Dang (Communi-
Arts) tion)
General Contributions Budgeted Surplus/ 14 Lucy Edgerton (Worship 18 Janelle Hurst (Administra-
Operating (Deficit)
Outreach) 17 David Swanson (Worship)
11 Jenny Arrison (After School Evangelism)
May Gifts $446,055 $601,346 $(155,291) Life) 15 Case Thorp (Mission &
10 Sam Knight (Congregational ceptionist, Administration)
Fiscal Year- 9 Jonathan Christian (Student) 13 Rochelle Provenzano (Re-
to-date Gifts $6,289,663 $6,820,180 $(530,517) tions) Care Center)
8 Andrea Dianni (Communica- 12 Sue Pollock (Infant Child
Line of Credit $0 6 Carol Welker (Children’s) 7 Carol Hafer (Mission)
Immeasurably More Outstanding Balance $4,388,445
4 Brad Staton (Pastoral Care) School)
3 Alice Fortunato (Recreation) 5 Pam McComb (Weekday
IM May Gifts $133,255 Arts) Arts)
1 Stephanie Mixner (Worship 2 Rebecca Bedell (Worship
IM Fiscal Year-to-date Gifts $1,783,229 DOWN ACROSS

(net of 10 percent tithe to Missions) Puzzle Answers:

Contact Finance for a full revenue & expense summary.

www.fpco.org | 15
 First Presbyterian Church of Orlando PERIODICALS RATE
US POSTAGE PAID
106 E. Church St., Orlando, FL 32801 ORLANDO, FL
The First Presbyterian Columns (USPS 604-040) is published
once per month, by the First Presbyterian Church. Circulation:
4750. (3750 by US Mail, 1000 by on campus distribution).
Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, Florida. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to COLUMNS,
106 E. Church St. Orlando, FL 32801-3390.
106 East Church Street ©2009 First Presbyterian Church of Orlando COLUMNS.

Orlando, Florida 32801 POSTMASTER: Time Sensitive Material

407.423.3441 | www.fpco.org Please Deliver by July 9, 2009

Traditional Services: Sundays, 8:30 &

11am in the Sanctuary
Genesis Services: Sunday, 8:30 &
11am in Lee Fellowship Hall

FPCO Congregational Survey Summary

Thank you for your participation on
our Congregational Survey. The follow-
ing is a brief summary of our learnings.
Over the summer, our staff will review
the results and prepare recommenda-
tions which respond to identified oppor-
tunities. We look forward to sharing both
the full report of your feedback as well as
our recommended response in a Q and
A session with Dr. Swanson scheduled
following the 11am service on August 23
and online on August 25.
• The last assessment at FPCO was
conducted in 2003 in order to guide stra-
tegic planning efforts and provide insight
for the leadership search team. After five
years of stable leadership, it was decided
that a check-in with members would be
helpful, to assess current attitudes and
opinions. The majority of you (78 per-
cent) say you appreciate being asked for
your opinion, and 63 percent say a peri-
odic survey is a good idea. We thank you
for your participation and input!
• Many thanks to the 37 percent of
members who responded to the online
survey invitation—comparable to the
response rate in 2003. A total of 917 re-
spondents completed the survey online
or on paper.
• Seventy-two percent of respondents
report being as connected as they would
like to be with FPCO. The remaining
28 percent say that convenient, clearer
communication and personal invitations
about volunteer opportunities, adult
Sunday school, and activities that en-
gage the entire church would help them
to feel more connected.
• Engagement in small groups and Bi-
ble studies is up significantly from 2003,
and participation in the Genesis services
exceeds projections. Comments suggest
significant interest in a Genesis service
on the weekends, and that the televised
ministry was of great value to the vast
majority of the congregation.
• Feedback on all ministries was high-
er than in 2003. That being said, there
are significant opportunities to improve
adult Sunday school offerings and the
communication of those offerings so that
new members and infrequent visitors
can easily find a place to belong.
• Respondents also suggest improved
offerings for singles of all ages to connect
and share about living a Godly life. Pro-
grams for youth are strong, but it is easy
for that age demographic to feel exclud-
ed if they are not part of an established
group. Consequently, multiple requests
were received for a greater sense of in-
clusion.
• Respondents value the various
communication tools, but question
the “expensive look” of the current
Columns Magazine—perceiving it to be
an expensive publication. Respondents
are looking for a clear, easy-to-read
list of volunteer needs, Sunday school
offerings, and ministry opportunities. A
clean insert in the Sunday bulletin, an
easy-to-read poster around the church,
and a quick reference on the website are
in order. Most are fine with the idea of
an online Columns, but about 25 percent
desire an alternative to stay connected.
• The vast majority (80 percent) feel
connected to FPCO rather than to the
PCUSA denomination. In fact, more than
half say the recent decisions of PCUSA
do not align with their personal beliefs.
• Respondents suggested that areas
that could use improvement are adult
Sunday school offerings, communication
of volunteer/ministry/Sunday School op-
portunities, and the fostering of a more
welcome and inclusive environment.
Also, many people would like to see
the return of the book store, addition of
youth music programs, Wednesday night
dinners, a focus on young professionals,
more singles programs, nighttime Gen-
esis on the weekend, and more church-
wide Bible study experiences.
• The leadership team will be creating
a plan of action around your feedback.