T h e
F i r s t
P r e s b y t e r i a n
C h u r c h
o f
N a p l e s
November 2014
IN THIS ISSUE From Dr. Browne Pastor Nominating
2 2
Music
3
Finance
4
Evangelism
5
Presbyterian Women
6
Missions Calendar
6 8
Children and Youth Preschool
9 10
Staff Spotlight News and Events
12 13
2
Rev. Dr. Will Browne,
Interim Pastor/Head of Staff
November is for me a quintessentially Presbyterian month. As leaves change in Northern climes we remember that God is always renewing and reforming the world. An illustration in a way of our reformed motto, "Reformed and always reforming" or perhaps more accurately "Reformed and always being reformed." And while Thanksgiving is key to my thinking November is "our" month, it is not because we love to eat (though we are really good at eating and feasting).
Pastor Nominating Committee
From Your PNC Committee
The PNC would like to welcome Dr. Will Browne to the pulpit as our current Interim Pastor. We are happy to have him with us during the process of finding a new pastor for our church. It is a blessing he is able to be here full time and we look forward to the positive work that can be done while he is here with us.
willb@fpcnaples.org
What makes November Presbyterian is that it is the month when we are explicitly thankful. At the heart of what makes a Presbyterian's soul tick is a wonder and deep gratitude for the love and grace God gives into our lives. We give, we worship, we serve, we nurture, we learn and we witness all as an expression of our thankfulness for what God has done for us before we ever dreamed it could be so. So be proud to be Presbyterian this month! Worship with us, play with us, serve with us, pray with us, care with us and yes, feast with us - all as an expression of thanks to our God of abundant generosity.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Libby Biehl, PNC Committee Chair, infonaples@gmail.com
We as the PNC are very excited about our current list of candidates. We feel as though we have some very viable candidates. We have had Skype interviews with several of them and are in the process of hearing each candidate preach either at their current home church or in a neutral pulpit. Although as your PNC we feel pretty good about these individuals, we are also trusting that God will point us in the direction of His chosen candidate. We ask that you, the congregation, please pray with us. Blessings,
Libby Biehl PNC Chair
Music
Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org
3
A Season of Music Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus James Cochran, Director Brice Gerlach, Assistant Director Sunday, November 16, 2014 4:00 p.m.
A Service of Lessons and Carols with the Chancel Choir Sunday, December 7, 2014 4:00 p.m.
The Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus, under the direction of Dr. James Cochran, presents a concert sure to uplift and inspire. The chorus is an auditioned choir of children ranging in age from 6 to 18. They rehearse weekly and perform annually at Holiday Pops and their Spring Recital at Artis—Naples. They also sing for community events and in concerts around the Naples area. They are the best young singers in our community. The concert will feature pieces in different languages, a traditional Shaker hymn tune and many Disney songs. Highlights include the traditional spiritual Let Me Fly, If Wishes Had Wings, Fifty States in Rhyme and some Holiday favorites. You will love seeing the joy that these children have while singing. Don’t miss this special concert.
This special worship service, made popular by Kings College Cambridge, has become a tradition at First Presbyterian Church. Our Chancel Choir will sing many favorite Christmas anthems including the Angels’ Carol and Star Carol by John Rutter, portions of Handel’s Messiah, including And the Glory of the Lord, the famous tenor solo, Comfort Ye and Every Valley, and the soprano solo, Rejoice Greatly. You will add your voice to the service by joining our choir in singing many favorite Christmas carols—including Once in Royal David’s City, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing and
Silent Night. Come and remember the reason for the season! Mark your calendar now for this yuletide afternoon.
4
Finance
Natalie Duff, Director of Finance, natalied@fpcnaples.org
Did you know you can make your gifts online? Visit our website www.fpcnaples.org and look for the “GIVE online” link at the bottom of the home page.
Here you will be able to establish a secure online account which will allow you to set up a recurring gift or a one-time gift. Recurring gifts are a great way to pay your pledge and not have to worry about writing a check on Sunday morning. Don’t worry; you can make changes to your recurring gift at any time you wish. The Church also allows you to make donations to some of our special funds such as the Deacons Benevolence Fund, Feed the 5000, Birthday Mission Fund, Season of Music, Flowers and the Preschool Angel Fund. You can use any major credit card/debit card or checking/savings account. If you use a savings or checking account number, the Church will not incur any fees. The Church has computers available for you to use. If you have any questions or need assistance in setting up a gift, please contact Natalie Duff, Director of Finance at 239.262.1311 ext. 242 or natalied@fpcnaples.org.
Financial Report September 30, 2014
Offerings Other Income Total Operating Expenses
YTD YTD Budget 2014 2014 680,390 683,998 282,365 264,269 1,106,565 1,244,592
YTD YTD Budget 2013 2013 746,070 753,003 304,674 295,012 1,261,450 1,339,664
Operating Gain/Loss
(143,810)
(210,706)
(296,335)
(291,649)
Evangelism
Joan Gust, Evangelism Committee Chair, jrwgust@gmail.com
5
Fiesta Potluck Dinner with Special Guest Pastor Ramon Garcia from Cumberland Church
Friday, November 14 at 6 p.m. in Spencer Hall Bring your favorite Mexican dish!
I love the Cross, which dominates the upper center of the Chancel, reminding us what God did for us (John 3:16). I love that there is a large core of people who serve God and this church faithfully, month after month, year after year, using their varied gifts and talents in His service. I love the faithful and gifted members of the staff, who keep the wheels of the church turning. I love that God has given them to us. I love the music, the blessing of Brice, the magnificent organ, and the beautiful voices, which lift our hearts each week. I love the Fellowship Hour, the din of voices, the smell of coffee, the freshlybaked cookies, folks smiling, chatting, and hugging God bless this church, His church.
Submitted by— Ben and Marilyn Currier
Those whose last names begin with the following please bring: A-G, main course H-P, dessert Q-Z, side/salad To sign up visit Sign Up Central, in Spencer Hall, call Diane & Dan Stellema at 239.455.8796 or John & Joanne Slager at 239.272.1568
6
Presbyterian Women
Ann Goodnight, PW Moderator, flgoodnight@aol.com
Welcome back to a new program year for the ladies of the congregation. The new circle Bible Study was introduced at our October 15 meeting and we will be using a different format from our previous studies. We hope you all can join us for both our programs and Bible study.
Brittany Bartholomew, a young lady who has successfully completed their program and now gives back to others working for Justin’s Place. Rev. Ellison will also include a question and answer session. VETERAN’S RECOGNITION We will honor our congregation’s veterans on Sunday, November 9 with flag pins for them to wear. CIRCLE MEETINGS The third week of the month is Circle meeting week. Tuesday, November 18 and Wednesday, November 19.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN GATHERING Wednesday, November 5, at noon in Spencer Hall. Reservations may be made in Spencer Hall on Sunday, November 2. Menu for the luncheon is The Bible Study videos will be shown on the second chicken casserole, fruit salad, relishes and dessert for Mondays and third Thursdays of the month at 9:30 $7. Thank Offering Collection for Presbyterian a.m. in Room 204. All are welcome to attend. Missions will be collected at this Gathering. LOOKING FORWARD The program will be presented by St. Matthew’s Our Christmas Gathering will include a delicious House on the Women’s Recovery Program at Justin’s luncheon and a program by Michele Byrd and Brice Place. Our guest speakers will be Rev. Vann Ellison, Gerlach. President and CEO, along with testimony from
Missions
Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net
Feed the 5,000 Luke 9:10-17
Please take a Publix bag from an usher as you leave the Sanctuary on the first Sunday of the month, and return it with food to the Sixth Street church entrance on the second Sunday of the month. If you prefer, checks may be made payable to the "First Presbyterian Church," with the memo marked "Feed the 5,000."
This month we are gathering food for Helps Outreach. Helps Outreach provides food, clothing, and furniture to those in need. Each person who receives aid is counseled about spiritual well being and financial planning. Desired food: jam, jelly and/or peanut butter canned chicken or ham pasta pasta sauce macaroni and cheese Hamburger Helper rice red or black dried beans canned peas, corn, and/or green beans canned soup canned evaporated milk
Missions
Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net
7
Betty Mangos Missions Committee Chair
guide
Join us November 11 for a trip to see some of our local mission recipients‌ Grace Place, St. Matthew's House, and HELPS OUTREACH. The church bus will leave the church parking lot at 9:30 a.m. We will have lunch at 12 p.m. at St. Matthew's House. our kind of BOGO.
Please sign up by calling Betty Mangos at 239.254.9883 or the church 239.262.1311.
8
Calendar
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org
November TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK TONIGHT 2
4
5
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking
9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 11 a.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group
10:30 a.m. PW 4 p.m. Youth Group Coordinating Team 7 p.m. Cumberland 12 p.m. PW Church Gathering 12 p.m. Preschool Committee 2 p.m. CE Meeting 4 p.m. PNC meeting 7 p.m. Choir
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. New members rec’d 10:15 a.m. Sunday School 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
9 a.m. Bible Facilitators 10 a.m. Evangelism Committee
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate
12 p.m. Sunshine Circle 4 p.m. PNC meeting 7 p.m. Choir
9:30 a.m. Stephen Ministry 10 a.m. Sew&Sews 4 p.m. Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking
OUTREACH DEADLINE
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10:15 a.m. Sunday School 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 4 p.m. Season of Music Concert
3 p.m. Finance Committee
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate
9:30 a.m. Love 4 p.m. Youth Group Circle 7 p.m. Cumberland 1 p.m. Peace/Honor Church Circle 1 p.m. Friendship Circle 4 p.m. PNC meeting 7 p.m. Choor
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 11 a.m. Barbara Marsh Memorial
23
24
26
28
29
Church office closed Preschool closed 12 p.m. Family Camping Trip
Family Camping Trip
30 8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10:15 a.m. Sunday School 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
location)
location)
8 a.m. Facilities Committee 9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 9:30 a.m. Mission Trip 1 p.m. Worship & Music Committee 2 p.m. Missions Committee
location)
9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 9:30 a.m. Faith/Joy Circle 5:30 p.m. Deacons
25 7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate location)
9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 12 p.m. Preschool Thanksgiving lunch 4 p.m. Session
6
27 THANKSGIVING Preschool Closed Church office Closed 4 p.m. PNC meeting Preschool Closed 11:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Service 12 p.m. Thanksgiving Dinner
7
1 9:30 a.m. Communion Set up
8:30 & 10 a.m. 11 a.m. Tony Wolfe Communion Worship Memorial 10:15 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. New Member Class 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Baptism 10:15 a.m. Sunday School 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
3
SATURDAY
8
Children and Youth
Shana Dublan, Director of Children and Family Ministries shanad@fpcnaples.org
Fall Festival Fun!
9
10
Preschool
“High Stakes Testing” is a common buzz word these days. Lee County School District voted to opt out of state mandated testing, then voted to opt back in, and now have voted to opt out again. Not only are school aged children being tested, or assessed for knowledge, but so are our Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK) children. First Presbyterian Preschool participates in the VPK program, which is a program established to ensure all four year olds in the state of Florida have access to educational programs prior to entering Kindergarten. This program is state funded, meaning that we are reimbursed for a portion of each eligible child’s tuition. Three years ago, the Department of Education and the Office of Early Learning introduced an assessment tool that is quite frankly, completely developmentally inappropriate for four year olds. Not many of our four year old children can look at a math equation of 1 + 3=? and be able to provide the correct answer. Addition math skills are appropriate for a child leaving Kindergarten, not for a child that just started a four year old program. Many VPK providers have concerns regarding the inappropriateness of the assessment tool we must use and we are working with the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida to address this concern, but I thought you may be interested in reading an article about testing (especially all you fellow educators, both present and retired!).
Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org
Taken from Scope-Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education. There is a saying that American students are the most tested, and the least examined, of any in the world. We test students in the U.S. far more than any other nation, in the mistaken belief that testing produces greater learning: since No Child Left Behind was passed in 2002, public schools have been required to test every child every year in third through eighth grade. Students face additional tests in high school, almost all of them primarily multiple -choice. Policymakers have tied more and more decisions to test scores. They factor into whether students will be promoted or graduated, how much teachers will be paid, and whether they will remain employed, whether schools will receive rewards or sanctions– including, with recent policies, whether their staffs will be fired or whether they will be closed entirely. Recent cheating scandals, like those in Atlanta and Washington DC, are one result of this pressure. But cheating is rare, and there are far more widereaching negative consequences of this obsession. Rather than improving education, the current desire to attach scores from a burgeoning battery of tests to student, teacher, and school decisions actually undermines the quality of education in at least three ways. First, it dumbs down the curriculum: studies have found that schools, especially in low-income communities, are reducing or even eliminating instruction in non-tested subjects like science, social studies, and the arts. Without a well-rounded curriculum, children lack the knowledge needed to understand complex texts, to investigate and understand the world around them, and to create– the American advantage that is fast slipping away from us. High-stakes testing also drives multiplechoice instruction. As classroom activities increasingly mimic the tests, students are doing less and less of the things colleges and employers want more of: researching, writing, using technology, explaining and defending their ideas, collaborating, and solving complex problems.
Preschool
Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org
Second, punishing schools for low scores creates incentives for schools to keep out and push out students who score poorly on tests. In a marketbased system of school choice that is managed by test scores, schools work to get and keep the easiest students and to get rid of those who struggle to learn. Evidence shows that some charter schools avoid admitting poor students and those with disabilities, while sending the most problematic kids back to the public schools. However, district-run public schools can also boost scores by pushing out lowachieving students. This occurs through disciplinary actions, grade retention, and counseling that encourages students to transfer or drop out. Although scores go up, our children and our society suffer from the growing school-to-prison pipeline. Finally, focusing on test-based accountability deflects attention from critical problems that need to be solved: higher rates of childhood poverty– nearly one in four children–and homelessness than any in the industrialized world; state funding systems that often spend more than twice as much on affluent schools as on poor ones; crumbling schools in many poor communities that lack textbooks, libraries, computers, and safe facilities. These disparities account for much more of the achievement gap than the effects of individual teachers, but they are tougher to confront. The test-and-punish theory of reform seems to be grounded in a belief that learning will not occur unless children and educators face high-stakes penalties attached to test scores. Case in point: Finland–the highest-scoring OECD nation on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests–has no required external testing, other than a voluntary test in the 12th grade that informs college admissions. On this test, students choose which of a set of thoughtful essay questions they will answer in each content area. High-achieving Singapore tests students only once before high school. High school
11
examinations there and in other high-ranking systems use open-ended essays and oral examinations that require students to think critically, solve complex problems, and defend their ideas. Increasingly, examinations include projects such as science investigations and research papers. None of these nations use the kind of multiple -choice tests common in the U.S., and none of them use tests to rank or punish teachers or schools. All of them support children’s welfare, fund schools equitably, and recruit a highly-trained and well-supported teaching force. Lastly, all of them outperform the U.S. on international tests, where American children have more trouble writing, analyzing, and defending their views, because they have much less practice in doing so. It’s time to replace our high-stakes test-and-punish strategy with what the Finns call “intelligent accountability.” We need new assessments that are designed to reflect important skills, and we need to use them to improve teaching and learning, rather than to dole out sanctions, in a system that provides equitable opportunities to learn. Without major changes, we will, indeed, be testing our nation to death.
12
News and Events
Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
Q: Which sports do you enjoy? A: Football—J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets! (Well they’re not really doing much this year, but one can always hope!)
Kathleen Law Coordinator of Communications In an effort for you to get to know the church and preschool staff a little better, we will be spotlighting one staff member each month in the Outreach. We hope you enjoy this new monthly feature!
Q: Name some favorite Movies? A: Drama—The Godfather; Comedy—My Cousin Vinny; Christmas—Elf, Christmas Vacation, It’s a
Wonderful Life
Q: What are some of your favorite TV shows? A: NCIS, Madame Secretary, The Blacklist Q: Favorite Actor/Actress? A: Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. Q: Who (dead or alive) would you like to meet? A: My great-great grandfather, a New England Whaler.
Q: Where did you grow up? A: A small town on the Jersey Shore, Atlantic Q: What profession would you not like to attempt? Highlands. Or for those who are familiar with Jersey, A: Accounting or waitressing. exit 109 on the Parkway! Q: What profession would you like to attempt: Q: How long have you worked at First Presbyterian A: Dog breeder. Church? A: I worked here from 1994-1997 and returned in Q: What sound or noise do you love? 2002. A: The waves, buoy bells and fog horns. Q: Are you married? A: My husband, Bill, and I have been married for 16 years. Q: What does your spouse do? A: Bill works for Florida Power & Light as a Senior Technician/Mechanic for Fleet. Q: Do you have any children? A: I have two step-children, Bill and Reneé, both grown with their own families. And, of course, we have our dog, Shelby. Q: Do you have any grandchildren? A: Bill and his wife Jaymie have two daughters, Payton (8) and Paige (7). Reneé and her husband, Martin have a son, Nikolas (4). Q: Where can we find you when you’re not working? A: I am usually in the backyard tending to my butterfly gardens...or at Outback with our friends.
Q: What sound or noise do you hate? A: A baby crying. Q: Name a few things on your bucket list. A: Tour Italy, visit the Grand Canyon. Q: What would you like God to say to you when you arrive at the pearly gates? A: Your loved ones are here waiting to greet you! Some of the above questions were taken from “Inside the Actors Studio”
News and Events
Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
Save the Date February 13, 2015
13
Blood Drive Monday, December 1 7:30 a.m.—12 p.m.
Valentine’s Dinner
Prayer Shawl Ministry meets each Tuesday from 9—10:30 a.m. in the Youth Room. Please feel free to join us when you can. For information contact Gail Clark at
with entertainment, by Peter Strachan and love song sing-a-long
313.310.0282
Tickets ($15) will be available in December Watch the December Outreach for more information. Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Sign up now to be a bell ringer the week of December 8 at the Neapolitan Way Publix. Visit Spencer Hall or call the church office to choose your 2 hour time slot. You can do it alone or pair up with a friend or two. You can sit, stand, dance, dress up, even sing your favorite Christmas Carol! Be a part of this favorite mission.
November, 28, 29 & 30 Mark your calendars and prepare for a fun filled camping experience in Ocala National Forest Adventure Races, Caving, Canoeing, Team Sports and an Outdoor Movie! Includes: Friday dinner, all meals Saturday, Sunday breakfast, devotions and tents $100/individuals $300/families Contact Shana at 239.262.1311 ext. 229 for more information and to register.
14
News and Events
Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
Thank You Acts of kindness warm the heart, soothe the soul, and make the world turn more gently. It’s nice to know that there are still people who take such pleasure in doing special things and making others feel good… Thank You for letting us use the Chapel facilities for the past three years. Pastor Ramon and Hispanic Mission Thank you First Presbyterian Family for the beautiful birthday flowers. They really brightened my day. Fred Bell On behalf of the staff at Life Line Screening, we would like to thank you for allowing us to come to your community. We screened a total of 62 people! Thank you for your help in bringing such an important service to the members of your community. We look forward to our next screening together. Sincerely, Ann Crowell Life Line Screening Dear Family and Friends, We are deeply grateful and humbled by the love, encouragement and prayers which we have received since March 2013, when Lee was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and throughout the journey which concluded on Saturday, October 4, 2014. You have been so faithful in prayer on our behalf and we have been blessed and lifted up to our Heavenly Father daily. Your prayers brought courage and strength as the challenges of Lee's disease became more difficult during the summer months. Through it all we have felt your love and God's presence each step of the way. Please accept our gratitude for your love and care. We will always be thankful to God for you. Love, Pat and the entire Koning Family The Christian Education Department would like to say “THANK YOU” to everyone who helped with the Fall Festival and Silent Auction. This was a wonderful evening of fun, fellowship and outreach. We had 21 different stations and games for children and families to enjoy. This event was packed with so much fun and it would not have been the same without you. Thank you again for stepping in and becoming a “HERO”
In Memoriam Rev. Lee Koning October 4, 2014
Barbara Marsh October 16, 2014
The Memorial Garden provides a place of beauty and peace to house the columbarium for the interment of ashes for those who choose this method of burial. A Memorial Garden is a wall of niches for urns containing the ashes of loved ones. The reservation of niches, like the reservation of cemetery plots, provides the funds for perpetual care and improvement. The Memorial Garden is located in the outer west wall of the sanctuary, under the round stained glass window and around the fountain area. The area is surrounded by a ficus hedge for privacy. Benches are provided for sitting in quiet meditation. Entrance is gained by a path on the north side of the garden. The Memorial Garden is available for interment for members of The First Presbyterian Church of Naples and their families. Any other person, regardless of race, color, or national origin, may use the Memorial Garden based on availability and approval by the Facilities Committee. Anyone desiring to purchase a Burial Right in the Memorial Garden, either for immediate use or as a Preneed Contract, must submit a written application. Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Memorial Garden will be available at the time of application. Based upon the information contained in the application and the conditions outlined in the Rules and Regulations, the Facilities Committee will approve applications that meet the required credentials.
Serving First Presbyterian Church of Naples Program Staff
Facilities Staff
Dr. Will Browne Interim Pastor/Head of Staff
Sandy Poore Director of Facilities
Dr. Brice Gerlach Director of Music Ministries
Leticia Martinez Custodian of Facilities
Shana Dublan Director of Children and Family Ministries
Audio Visual Staff
Office Staff Sharman Pfaus Executive Assistant Natalie Duff Director of Finance Kathleen Law Coordinator of Communications
15
Mike Calyore Sound and Video Technician
Preschool Staff Ashley Houk Director of Preschool Liz Psota Preschool Administrative Assistant
Please consider dedicating a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one, and help beautify the Sanctuary for the Christmas season. Fill out the following form and return it along with payment to the church office. Please note Poinsettia Dedication on the payment. All orders must be received no later than Friday, December 12. Please use one form per dedication. Additional forms may be found in the church office, Spencer Hall or online at www.fpcnaples.org. The cost is $25 per poinsettia. Please PRINT CLEARLY the information you would like to appear in the dedication. In memory of _________________________________________________________________________ In honor of ____________________________________________________________________________ Given by _____________________________________________________________________________ Your name _______________________________________ Phone _____________________________ Amount enclosed $________ A list of dedications will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletins. You may pick up your poinsettia following the 7 p.m. service on Christmas Eve.
First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311
Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102 Permit No. 8