August 2016 Outreach Newsletter

In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God

August 2016

Vacation Bible School fun!

More pictures inside

IN THIS ISSUE From Rev. Goodrich

2

Music/Worship Finance

3 4

Missions Congregational Care

5 8

Calendar

9

Children & Youth

10

News & Events

13

VBS participants Ashton Acres and Caroline DeJesus are busy making crafts with Youth Leader, Gabe Cleveland.

2

Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor/Head of Staff

craigg@fpcnaples.org

Can it be August already? Wow! congregation of all political persuasions with deeply The summer is moving along. But wherever you are, I hope you feel connected with this community of grace which is the congregation of FPC Naples.

My practice in this column is to look back with gratitude and forward with hope. So here goes.

I am grateful for our elders, deacons and staff who have served in the ministries of Jesus Christ this summer. I am grateful for our guest preachers: Susan Rice-Waller, Winston Lawson and Graham Hart. I am grateful for time away with family in Virginia and then at the beach in North Carolina. I am grateful to be back in Naples in this slower time; for Vacation Bible School and the good work of Shana Dublan and all the volunteers who helped; for Sharon Smith, our Director of Finance who is now on board; for the baptism of Eibhleann Batcher, the wedding of Collin Weigel and Jenny Myers, and for the lives of Lu Neumann, Johnny Walker, and Jerry Patton who have joined the communion of saints. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of serving as your pastor.

held convictions and perspectives. In this time of tumult and many voices, I encourage all of us, as I did in the sermon this past week, to listen to the voice of Jesus. I am hopeful that we will hear his voice and that we will listen to and speak with each other in mutual respect and love.

In that regard I pass on two prayers that may be of help to you as we navigate through this time.

The first is from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship and is titled simply “At the time of an election.”

“Under your law we live, great God and by your will we govern ourselves. Help us as good citizens to respect neighbors whose views differ from ours, so that without partisan anger we may work out issues that divide us and elect candidates to serve the common welfare through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.”

The second is from John Baille’s “Diary of Private Prayer”, an excerpt from the morning prayer of the twenty-first day:

“Do not leave me, gracious Presence, while I am absorbing information, through reading books or through the media- newspapers, radio, television, film I am grateful for the needed new landscaping of our and the Internet. Guide me to choose the right books, Memorial Garden and eager for it to grow; grateful for papers, and programs, and, having chosen them, to the refresh of the Preschool paint and cleaning, (thank use the information they offer in the right way. When I you Sandy Poore and Tina Romero!); for the upgrade study, grant that all the knowledge I gain may lead me of lighting in the Sanctuary (Can you see me now?), nearer to you. When I read, watch, or listen for and for the new video cameras (I hope you are “tuning recreation, grant that what I read, see, and hear may in” to worship online if you cannot be here in person not lead me away from you. Let the knowledge I on Sunday mornings). Go to www.fpcnaples.org. absorb refresh my mind in a way that makes me more I am grateful to all who are keeping up with your eagerly seek whatever is pure and fair and true.” pledges and giving and hopeful that all of us will do So may it be. the same.

For all those who are away from Naples, blessings to I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Outreach. It is you and a safe return - whether next week or in next filled with hope. See the excellent article on mission few months. We miss you! activities by Mission Committee Chair, Betty Mangos.

Consider the volunteer opportunities in youth ministry. For those that are in town, I look forward to seeing you in church!

Put Undy Sunday on your calendar.

I am hopeful and excited about worship in August. Our Gratefully and Faithfully, sermons will focus on texts from the Gospel of Luke.

The sermon series is entitled “Lessons from Luke: Listening to Jesus.” Listening like Mary did at the feet of Jesus. (Luke 10:13).

I share one final thought. We are in an election season which has created an exceptional amount of anxiety and agitation. Of course, we have persons in our

Music

Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org

3

Austria. Mary Joy has been a wonderful help to the music department and we wish her well in her final year at Ave Maria University.

The Chamber Choir of the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University will be featured in our worship service on Sunday, August 28. Under the direction of Dr. Trent Brown, the Bower School of Music Chamber Choir has performed at the Florida American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) convention (2015) and the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) conference (2013). The ensemble performed in Austria and Czech Republic in 2014 including a concert at St. Stephen's in Vienna as part of the church's "Art & Culture" series.

Several of our soloists are members of this choir and we are excited to have them join us for worship.

The Chancel Choir will take a break for the month of August. Our soloists provide special music for the worship services.

The choir will have its first rehearsal of the fall season on Wednesday, September 7 at 7 p.m.

Mary Joy Silmaro, our summer music intern, will play the organ for three weeks in August before completing her internship and returning to Ave Maria University for her senior year. She will play the services while our Director of Music, Brice Gerlach, is travelling in Germany and Austria to attend and participate in the Classical Music festival in Eisenstadt,

4

Finance

Richard Green, Finance Committee Chair, rgreen@cbcworldwide.com

Summer is in full swing which, for many of us, means time away from Naples and church.

Wherever you may be, we hope it is for you a time of rest, renewal and encouragement.

We would also encourage you, if and when you are able, to continue to make your contributions to the church and to make payments on your pledges. This will help greatly with our cash flow. Although the pace slows down, our ministry and expenses continue.

We continue to be grateful for your financial commitment and prayerful support.

Remember that you can give online at www.fpcnaples.org/give and you can setup recurring gifts if you desire.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Sharon Smith, Director of Finance, at sharons@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311 ext. 242.

Thank you!

Endowment Committee Have you considered having your legacy continue at First Presbyterian Church after your lifetime?

If so, please consider a current gift, a gift in your will or trust, a gift by a beneficiary designation in a life insurance policy, a retirement account, a bank or investment account.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can help First Presbyterian Church of Naples, please contact Endowment Committee members Fred Garner at fred.garner@comcast.net or 239.434.2438 or Linda Gadkowski lgadkows@capecod.net or 508.778.6126. Remember please, these thoughts are general in nature and are not meant to be specific as to your personal situation or to take the place of your professional advisors.

Did you know that you can make your contributions online using a secure server. This feature allows you to make a contribution towards the Stewardship Fund, Flower dedications, Deacons Benevolence Fund, Feed the 5,000, Birthday Mission Fund, Season of Music and the Preschool Angel Fund. You will find a link on the bottom of the front page of our website, “GIVE online”. You can set up a one-time gift or a recurring gift. If you wish to set up a recurring gift, click on “Create Account” when prompted to set up an account which will allow you to edit your transaction at any time. Online giving accepts checking or saving accounts and VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. If you choose a checking or savings account, the Church will not incur any fees related to your transaction. The Church has computers available for you to use. If you have any questions or need assistance in setting up a gift, please contact Sharman Pfaus, at 239.262.1311 ext. 236.

Missions

Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net

In the past, I’ve written that First Presbyterian Church of Naples is NOT on vacation. This is particularly true of Missions because the need in Collier County is greater than ever when school is out, when pantries are being depleted, when children are not able to eat at school, when there just isn’t enough to go around. Sometimes parents don’t eat so their children can have at least one meal per day.

This is why we donated our budgeted (from our tithes and offerings) money in May, when we believe the need is greater.

Responses from our articles in Outreach are wonderful, but there is one comment that is always prevalent: Is there really a need in Naples? Living on the coast and breathing that fresh salty air seems to clear our minds of the reality facing people not too far from here--less than 10 miles from the coast. Many of you do not know about the large homeless population living in the woods on the East Trail. Do you realize how many children didn’t eat today out in Golden Gate?

Some live in cars. Have you heard about the abuse and slavery of farmworkers in Immokalee? We are not here (on earth) to get blessed! We are here to be a blessing to someone else. With grateful hearts, our plan is to send FPCN out into the world to be a blessing to those in need and showing the world who we are--a loving congregation with Christ in our

hearts. Christ, who through our hands helps those in need.

Your Missions Committee met in July and has set a calendar of opportunities, a way for you to participate in Christ’s work through our church. Maybe you are reluctant because you don’t understand what is involved. I want you to know what these events entail so that you can make a decision to come out and participate, write a check, or keep our mission work in your prayers everyday. Not everyone can do everything, but hopefully everyone of you can do something.

There is a copy of Mission Events on the Mission Table in Spencer Hall. It outlines where we go, how long we stay and what tasks we perform. Take one and see if there is a place for you.

Bob Goff, author of Love Does says, “I used to think you had to be special for God to use you.

Now I know you simply need to say yes.”

Betty Mangos Missions Committee Chair

Mission Opportunities Feed the 5000 - Ushers hand out grocery bags at the end of the worship on the first Sunday of each month. On the second Sunday at the Sixth Street South entrance, men from the HUDDLE will help you load your filled grocery bag into the truck from

5

the agency we are supporting that month. Many of you write checks. Thank you.

Habitat for Humanity (HFH)From October through April we have dates for our church to participate in building homes.

We get on the church bus at 7 a.m., drive to the appointed location, and are guided by a HFH representative to help finish a home that a soon-to-be homeowner has qualified for.

Sometimes it is painting, picking up, laying tile, trimming, a few of you sit on paint cans and supervise-a very needed task as well. We have fun together, get covered in dirt and paint, and fill our souls. Here are the dates: Wednesday, October 12; Thursday, November 17; Tuesday, December 6; Monday, January 16; Wednesday, February 8; Thursday, March 9; and Tuesday, April 4.

Grace Place - So OK! Maybe you don’t like to get dirty. But maybe you can read to children, help with crafts, etc. Family Literacy Day is to take place in February. Date to be determined.

St. Matthew’s House - On Friday, October 28 and Friday, March 24 a group of FPCN

6

Missions

Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net

volunteers will meet at the location on Airport Road at 2 p.m. to prepare the evening meal for approximately 100 residents. Some of this is sitdown work: peeling, chopping, tearing lettuce.

Then there are the cooks and the servers. Let’s call it “soup kitchen” work.

The Angel Tree is located in Spencer Hall decorated with tags of children’s names and their ages who need a special Christmas gift. You buy the gift, wrap it, tape the tag to it, bring it back to church and place it under the Angel Tree. Then our special elves will make sure these presents get to the children at Six L Farms. You will see this tree Sunday, November 27. Presents need to be brought back no later than Sunday, December 11.

Mision Peniel is a farmworkers ministry led by Pastor Miguel in Immokalee supported by our entire Peace River Presbytery. Volunteers get on the bus Friday, February 17 and we depart from the church parking lot at 1 p.m. Beans and rice are already cooking for the hot meal that will be served later.

We package bags of groceries, zip-lock bags of beans and rice, sort clothing, household goods, shoes, and toiletries. When the farmworkers come in from the fields, the doors open and everyone gets a hot meal in a cup that we have served, a bottle of water, some groceries, some clothes, etc.

So some of you will serve beans and rice into cups, others will put the top on the cups, others will give out water, one of you will give a bag of groceries to take home. Several of you will ask what they need: a new pair of shoes? what size? will these do?

You will search to find something that works for them. Do they need a blanket, a jacket? Do they need shampoo or deodorant? A couple of you will be gatekeepers allowing only a few in at a time--it’s a small place. There will be 500-600 people showing up in need. You will get to say “God bless you” and be the hands and feet of Christ to everyone of them.

Meals of Hope will start packaging meals in Spencer Hall at 9 a.m.

Saturday, March 5.

You can sit or stand, work in shifts, do whatever you are physically capable of doing. Even our children get involved. Several long tables are set up with rice, dried vegetables, protein powder in an assembly-line fashion. Bags are sealed, packed in boxes. Last year we packaged over 44,000 meals in 2 hours.

Mission Tours (dates to be determined) are designed to introduce you to the agencies we serve. The Fall Tour will show you local agencies: Helps Outreach, St. Matthew’s House, Grace Place, Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Some of you have never been to Immokalee or outside the pretty part of Naples. The Spring Tour will take you there. Come see where the farmworkers live, where early childhood education is given a 5-star rating. The church bus leaves at 9 a.m. and returns about 2 p.m., having lunch at one of our agencies. You can wear your good clothes--no working here.

Salvation Army gives us the opportunity to ring the bell for their Red Kettle campaign, but also to represent our church at the Neapolitan Publix on US 41 from Monday, December 5 to Friday, December 9 . You can smile, wave, be the face of

Missions

Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net

FPCN out in the community and help needy families during the Christmas holidays.

Mission Fair - This is just for you. Come see the agencies we support through the church budget.

Representatives will be in Spencer Hall to answer your questions, hand you a brochure, and chat with you following both worship services on Sunday, January 22. No work. No asking for money. Just for you to see!

Weekend PowerPack Program - This program helps children who are eligible for free lunches at school and don’t have enough food on weekends.

Our adopted school is Big Cypress Elementary. We are beginning the school year with almost $1,700 in our CareBear Fund. Our youth group packages the food, a volunteer delivers the packs to the school counselor on Friday mornings and she places the food packs in the kids’ backpacks while they are at recess. She knows which children are in need. We partner with Moorings Presbyterian Church to help these children. Here are ways for you to participate:

Put money every Sunday in the CareBear or donate by sending a check to the church for the Weekend PowerPack Program. If you have a big jar of change or a piggy bank you want to donate, bring it to the church office or call me at 239.254.9883.

Be the coupon queen (king). Every other month buy food for the food packs.

Adopt the CareBear. He needs someone to take him home every Sunday and bring him back the next Sunday. Can you do this for 1 month? There are envelopes at the Mission Table in Spencer Hall. You count the bills, put them in the envelope and take it to the depository by the elevator on the second floor.

Deliver the food packs. This is done every Friday morning. You can sign up for a week, a month, whatever you can do. The sign-up sheet is on the Mission Table in Spencer Hall. Pick up the food packs at the church office, drive to Big Cypress Elementary School, tell the receptionist why you are there and they will give you a cart or help you with the packs.

7

FPCN is assigned the months of August, October, December, February, April for this school year.

(Moorings Presbyterian Church participates the other months.) ________________________________________

FEED THE 5,000

During the summer, some seasonal jobs are gone, and Naples has fewer donors, but the need continues. In August, we gather food for Grace Place, a faith based community center that serves at-risk children and families.

Most needed items are: dried rice dried beans cans of chicken, tuna or meat canned fruit canned vegetables powdered milk dry children's cereal peanut butter jam or jelly Ushers will have a Publix bag with a list of desired food as you leave the Sanctuary on the first Sunday of the month. Food is collected on the second Sunday of the month at the 6th Street church entrance before the church service.

Please make checks payable to "First Presbyterian Church" with memo marked "Feed the 5,000" and place in the collection plate.

8

Congregational Care

Shirley Hagerson, Director of Congregational Care shagerson@comcast.net

Stephen Ministers Serving First Presbyterian Church of Naples What Stephen Ministers are equipped to do‌‌.

Carolyn Bennett Marilyn Currier Katie Geshay Carol Graham Betsy Grant Shirley Hagerson Chris Jones Walter Gadkowski Jack Marsh Saralene Oldham Gary Root Suzanne Rose

After each Sunday service a Stephen Minister is available in Spencer Hall. You might want to stop by to look at material and talk to a Stephen Minister to find out more about the ministry.

Calendar

Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org

9

August SUNDAY

MONDAY

1

7 UNDY SUNDAY

8

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

4

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

2

3

5

6

11 a.m.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

7 p.m. Cumberland 9:30 a.m. Stephen rehearsal Ministry 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

9 a.m.

Cookie Baking

8:30 a.m.

Communion Prep

9

10

13

11

12

9:30 a.m. Communion Worship 1 p.m. Personnel 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Committee 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

2:30 p.m. Missions 10 a.m. 65th Committee Anniversary Planning Meeting 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal

10:30 a.m. Preschool Open House 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

10:30 a.m. Preschool Open House 9 a.m.

Cookie Baking

14 UNDY SUNDAY 15 BACK TO SCHOOL OUTREACH DEADLINE BLESSING

16

17

18

19

3 p.m. Finance Committee

7 p.m. Cumberland 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal Church

9 a.m.

Cookie Baking

23

24

26

27

4 p.m. Session

7 p.m. Cumberland 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal Church

9 a.m.

Cookie Baking

FGCU Choir Retreat

30

31

10 a.m.

Staff Planning Retreat

7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal

20

9:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 8:30 a.m. First Day of School 10:30 a.m. Seekers & Joiners Class 11 a.m. Christian Education Committee 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

21

22

9:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. New Member Acceptance 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 5 p.m. High School Youth Group

28 FGCU Choir 9:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 5 p.m. HSYG

29

25

This calendar does not necessarily include all events that are scheduled at the church. For additional information, call 239.262.1311 or visit the website www.fpcnaples.org.

Contact Director of Facilities, Sandy Poore at 239.262.1311 ext. 228 to reserve a room for your meeting. Please do not assume that if a room is vacant that it is available for use. This will alleviate any awkward situations from occurring.

VBS Fun!

12

Children & Youth

Shana Dublan, Director of Children & Family Ministries shanad@fpcnaples.org



First Friday program—The first Friday of each month from 5 - 7 p.m.

Volunteers will help with crafts and be extra hands and eyes for the evening.



High School Youth Group—Each Sunday from 5 - 7 p.m. beginning August 21. No teaching is required.



Sunday School Teachers—Volunteers are needed to help in either the 4 year old to first grade class OR in the second through fifth grade class.



Elementary Youth Group—We would love to start this group, however, we need the volunteers to make it happen. It would only require a 2 hour time commitment each Wednesday.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the above activities, please contact Shana for the necessary paperwork. We pride ourselves on creating a safe environment for children of all ages and therefore need to process paperwork for each and every volunteer working with our children.

Save the Date September 9-10 More info to follow at Youth Group

News and Events

Kathleen Law, Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

13

Back to School Blessing Sunday, August 14 during worship we will give a blessing for all students, commission our Preschool teachers & aides and Sunday School teachers.

First Presbyterian Preschool Open House Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Ashley Houk, Director ashleyh@fpcnaples.org 239.262.8315

The 20th Annual “Undy Sunday” campaign will be held August 7 and August 14.

August is “Back to School” month and school staff members and nurses remind us of the surprising number of young students who lack decent, or sometimes any underwear or socks. Therefore, we ask your assistance by bringing to church new underwear and socks sizes, 2 through 12. Collection containers will be in Spencer Hall.

Cash donations will also be accepted and will be used to purchase additional underwear and socks and to meet other needs of lowincome children. Please make your check payable to Catholic Charities of Collier County and mark it for “ Undy Sunday” and either mail it to 2210 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples 34116 or you may deliver it to the church office.

Thank you for supporting this worthy project to help our needy school children throughout Collier County.

14

News and Events

Kathleen Law, Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

Thank You John and I are so blessed to be a part of this caring church. We thank all of you who prayed for us, visited, sent cards, called, brought flowers and wrapped John in that beautiful prayer shawl created with stitches of love.

We look forward to seeing each one of you dear friends very soon.

Faithfully, John and Nancy Kay

Shopping at Office Depot or Office Max? First Presbyterian Preschool takes part in the “Give Back to School� program. They will give 5% back in credit to our school on qualifying purchases. Mention this when checking out! Our ID number is 70235189 or you give them our zip code (34102) to look us up!

Clip and save this card in your wallet!

First Presbyterian Preschool School ID 70235189

Are you interested in knowing what First Presbyterian Church has to offer?

Then join the Seekers and Joiners Class on Sunday, August 14 in the Parlor following the worship service to learn more or visit the Welcome Table following the worship service.

New members will be received on Sunday, August 21.

News and Events

Kathleen Law, Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

Women’s Fall Bible Study A new nine-week Women’s Bible Study will be held on Thursday mornings beginning September 22.

Please join facilitator, Lee Ryan from 9 - 11 a.m. for a study of Paul.

The apostle Paul led a dramatic and fascinating life from his conversion on the road to Damascus to his imprisonments, to his speeches in the public square. His letters shaped the believers in the early church just as they do today. In this study guide by Jack Kuhatschek we will survey both the highlights of his life and the core teachings in his writings.

Registration begins in August. Study guides ($6.50) will be available in Spencer Hall following the service on Sunday, September 4.

Contact Lee Ryan at va4ryans@gmail.com or 703.938.5343 or Pat Nordbrock at patnordbrock@gmail.com or 708.837.8553.

15

Wedding Wishes Congratulations to Jenny Myers and Collin Weigel who were married on July 23, 2016 Collin is the son of Jeanie and David Weigel.

Baptized in Water Eibhleann Nicole Batcher, daughter of Tray and Danielle Batcher, was baptized on Sunday, July 17.

Eibhleann (pronounced Evelyn) is the granddaughter of Rusty and Cathy Batcher and the great-granddaughter of Virgil and Ruth Batcher.

In Memoriam Luetta “Lu” Neuman July 4, 2016

John “Johnny” Walker July 12, 2016

Jerold “Jerry” Patton July 18, 2016

Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102 Permit No. 8

First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311

Staff Listing Minister Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor ext. 235 craigg@fpcnaples.org Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries ext. 239 briceg@fpcnaples.org Mary Joy Silmaro, Summer Music Intern Christian Education Shana Dublan, Dir. of Children/Family Ministries ext. 229 shanad@fpcnaples.org Bethany Gordon, CE Assistant ext. 212 bethanyg@fpcnaples.org Kymberly Dorsey, Nursery Supervisor Preschool Ashley Houk, Preschool Director ext. 209 ashleyh@fpcnaples.org Liz Psota, Preschool Administrative Assistant ext. 246 lizp@fpcnaples.org

Office Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager ext. 236 sharmanp@fpcnaples.org Loida Garcia, Church Receptionist ext. 200 loidag@fpcnaples.org Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications ext. 213 kathleenl@fpcnaples.org Sharon Smith, Director of Finance ext. 242 sharons@fpcnaples.org Facilities Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities ext. 228 sandyp@fpcnaples.org Tina Romero, Custodian of Facilities ext. 216 tinar@fpcnaples.org