February Outreach Newsletter

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

February 2013

Nielson & Young Children and Youth duo 3 pianists Sunday, February 10 at 4:00 p.m.

You’re invited to join us each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel

Worship and Music

2

Christian Education

4

Preschool

4

Transition Team Report

Calendar

6

Read the update on the

Mission

8

Interim Pastor Search

News and Events

Celebration

10

See who we highlight this month! Page 8

Page 10

Commitment

Compassion

2

Worship and Music

Rev. Jonathan Evans, Associate Pastor , jonathane@fpcnaples.org Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org

Wednesdays February 20 and 27 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel Rev. Jonathan Evans What is "Taizé worship?"

Why do so many people (up to 7,000 a week – primarily young people) go to Taizé to pray? There are a multitude of answers but perhaps a key response lies in the fact that, at the heart of the prayer, there is a monastic community. Taizé is a little village in the south of Burgundy, France. In this village, over 60 years ago, Brother Roger founded a community devoted to prayer and living a parable of reconciliation within the church and the human family. The Community is made up of brothers from all the continents and major denominations who gather together three times a day, seven days a week, throughout the year to pray whether there are thousands or only twenty. (To learn more you can Google their website).

The Taizé prayer is not simply a prayer form or model that can be adapted or inserted into any context with the same results.

There are, however, characteristics of the Taizé prayer that can be useful in understanding its dynamics. The distinguishing marks include repetition of simple musical lines and silence. What is unique to the prayer of Taizé is the adaptation of the repetitive form and core biblical texts that can be sung by a whole assembly of various nationalities, languages, and denominations. The assembly is to immerse itself in the simple but profound harmonies and let itself be carried by this sung prayer.

Silence is perhaps the second most important aspect of this particular prayer practice. In the middle of the prayer is a long period of silence (rather than a sermon or meditation).

Maintaining silence is not a technique or method enabling some special communication with God. It is simply holding oneself in the Presence and letting Christ, through the Holy Spirit, pray in us. All of this then culminates in intercessory prayer and more song.

Ash Wednesday Service February 13 7:00 p.m.

Deacon Sunday Join us in Spencer Hall February 17 following the worship services.

Meet your Deacon and enjoy some special treats!

Worship and Music

Nielson & Young, duo pianists Sunday, February 10, 2013 4:00 p.m.

Rev. Jonathan Evans, Associate Pastor , jonathane@fpcnaples.org Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org

3

The Oracle Trio April Johnson, violin, Peter Seidenberg, cello, Kate Boyd, piano Sunday, March 17, 2013 4:00 p.m.

Founded in 2005, The Oracle Trio, with violinist April Johnson, cellist Peter Seidenberg, and pianist Kate Boyd, has performed throughout the United States, interpreting celebrated classics as well as demonstrating a commitment to performing music of our time. The trio enjoys collaborating with composers, and has commissioned and premiered several new works.

After more than three decades of musical collaboration that continues to take them around the world, duo-pianists Stephen Nielson and Ovid Young are veterans of more than 3,500 concerts in a fascinating array of venues. Those performance sites have ranged from Copenhagen, Denmark’s Tivoli Concert Hall; Toronto, Canada’s Roy Thompson Hall; Madras, India’s Academy of Music; Moscow, Russia’s Kremlin and Tchaikovsky Hall; Oberammergau, Germany’s The Oracle Trio has been a featured ensemble at Passionspiel Theatre; Bern, Switzerland’s the Heidelberg New Music Festival, the Ohio and Konzerthaus; and Dallas, Texas’ Meyerson Indiana Music Teachers’ Association state Symphony Center. conferences, and on concert series at numerous Among the most active duo-piano teams on the universities and music schools. The trio has musical scene today, Nielson & Young will performed works by a number of living present an exciting concert of classical music and composers, including Pulitzer-Prize winning well-loved hymn arrangements. Stephen Nielson composer Samuel Adler, Marc Mellits, Douglas and Ovid Young have been performing together McConnell, and Daniel Koontz. The concert will since 1971 and have performed at our church feature such favorites as Camille Saint Saens’ several times in recent years.

Piano Trio No. 1 and Antonin Dvorak’s Trio No. 4 We are delighted to have these artists back again in E minor "Dumky" as well as an eclectic and colorful piece by contemporary composer Marc for another great afternoon of music!

Mellits called Fruity Pebbles.

4 Children Christian Education Youth Christianand Education

Kathleen Law, Administrative Assistant for C.E., kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

Adult Bible Study We meet each Sunday in Room 204 at 9:45 a.m. We will begin the study of Galatians. For more information call Gretchen Oakley at 239.591.3467.

HUDDLE Please feel welcomed as we meet each Thursday at noon until 1:00 p.m. in Spencer Hall. Keith Kersch will be leading a study on Genesis: God’s Grace from the Beginning, a study by Debbie Schmidt. Just bring your own lunch and join us for this fellowship and study. For more information, please contact Roger Miller at 239.774.5552.

Books & Bagels Join leader Jeanie Weigel for a closer look at the book, The Time Keeper, by Mitch Albom.

Books & Bagles meets in the Parlor at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12.

No reservation needed. For more information, please contact Jeanie at 239.963.5318.

Preschool

Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org

A

s part of our curriculum, we offer Chapel to our children once a week.

The children join me in the Chapel where we sing, dance and share in a short, interactive message about God. The intent of this time is to share the good word of the Bible and provide a simple, child-directed message about the blessings that God bestows upon us. Our hope is that this introduction will serve as a solid foundation for the children in our care.

Many times parents will comment that their child enjoys singing the songs at home or that they have repeated a message they heard. I truly enjoy hearing this as it means that the children are comfortable with their experience and truly delight in the time we spend together each week.

During a week in January, parents were invited to share in the Chapel experience with their child. They were encouraged to sit on the floor with us, to dance and sing with us, to share the message with us.

We had a great time, and while not all the parents were able to participate, I certainly saw a level of appreciation from the parents that their child were involved in such a meaningful experience and they were able to participate as well.

The Preschool has an open door policy and we invite families and church members to join us and share in all of our important moments during which we grow and learn, both spiritually and educationally.

Christian Education

Kathleen Law, Administrative Assistant for C.E., kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

“Come to Tea” February 6 at 12:00 p.m. in Spencer Hall. Presbyterian Women invite you to join them as they celebrate a traditional Tea of scones tea sandwiches, jams, mock Devonshire cream, an assortment of muffins and pastries, and fruit salad.

Your favorite hat and white gloves are not mandatory, but welcome. Reservations can be made in Spencer Hall after the worship services February 3, and at your Circle meetings. Look for Katie Pennock and Dorie Tichenor at the PW table or call Dorie at 239.775.4246. Our speaker will be Jeane Nealon

groceries and helping with homework at Grace Place and working with many of the other agencies locally.

These efforts and our donations are a large part of the work of PW. For more information, call Treasurer Sharon Irwin 239.398.8391.

In February our Book Club Books and Bagels meets again. The chosen book is “The Time Keepers Mitch Albom. Join us in the church Parlor at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 12. No reservation needed--you do not need to be a member of Presbyterian Women or even the Church. For more provides sneakers to school children. Attendees are information, call Jeanie Weigel, our Bible Study asked to bring a pair of sneakers for a child age 6-12. coordinator and discussion leader 239.963.5318.

If you prefer to make a donation, please make your Looking ahead, the March Gathering will be Wednesday, March 6-Thank you to Bonita Krauss, our representative to Church Women United who organized Blanket Sunday on January 20. Donations of gently-used or matter what the actual date. Our speaker will be Dr. new blankets, sweatshirts and jackets have been And there will be cake!

House and Immokalee Friendship House.

Sunday, March 10 will be Presbyterian Women Sunday. Our ladies will greet, usher, participate in Women of the church will receive a pledge letter the service, and serve you wonderful cookies and shortly for the on-going work and mission of punch after both services.

Presbyterian Women. Each year we are able to assist by donating approximately $10,000 to various Bible Study books are still available from Jeanie charities here in Collier County that further education, Weigel or at the Circle meetings. Anyone wishing to safety, and health care for area women and children join a Circle, please look at the list below for dates in need. This one-time donation instead of and times. Any one of our Circles will welcome you. fundraisers, bake sales, etc. funds the budget of PW Circle leaders are listed if you would like additional and allows us to reach out to agencies that we know information. can use our help. Many members of PW are active Thank you to the Eventide Circle who provided the rocking babies at FunTime Nursery, working punch and cookies after worship services in January.

February Circle Meetings Date Circle Monday, February 18 7:00 p.m. Eventide Tuesday, February 19 9:30 a.m. Faith/Joy Wednesday, February 20 9:00 a.m. Love 9:30 a.m. Grace/Peace 12:00 p.m. Sunshine 1:00 p.m. Friendship 1:00 p.m. Honor/Spencer

Place

Hostess

Phone

2150 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. #701 Irene Litchefeld-Neff

239.262.8464

Church Parlor

Marcia Kempers

239.262.7599

Church Parlor Youth Room Youth Room Room 202 2349 Gulf Shore Blvd. N.

Nina Howard Katie Geshay Jackie Cusick Carolyn Mollers Barbara Swallen

239.248.3647 239.592.5358 239.262.2126 239.213.1577 239.263.0896

5

6

Calendar

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

This calendar does not necessarily include all events that are scheduled at the church. For additional information, call or visit the web Deadline for monthly Outreach is the fifteenth of the month prior to that edition. Submit all items to publications@fpcnaples.org.

If submissions are not received prior to the deadline, we cannot guarantee that your article will be considered for publication for that

3 8:30 a.m. Communion Worship 9:45 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Communion Worship 11:00 a.m. Currents 12:00 p.m. Cumberland Church

4 9:00 a.m. PW Bible Facilitators 10:30 a.m. Men’s Club 4:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee

5 7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Bible Study (separate location) 11:00 a.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group

10 CONCECRATION SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Currents 12:00 p.m. Cumberland Church 4:00 p.m. A Season of Music Concert

11

12 OUTREACH DEADLINE 13 7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Bible 3:00 p.m. Com Study (separate location) 5:00 p.m. Bel 8:00 a.m. Facilities Mtg. 9:30 a.m. Faith/Joy Circle A 9:30 a.m. Books & Bagels 1:00 p.m. Worship & Music 4:00 p.m. Mission Mtg.

17 DEACON SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Currents 12:00 p.m. Cumberland Church

18 PRESIDENT’S DAY PRESCHOOL CLOSED 10:30 a.m. Men’s Club 7:00 p.m. Eventide Circle

19 7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Bible Study (separate location) 9:30 a.m. Faith/Joy Circle 5:30 p.m. Deacons Mtg.

24 25 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Worship and Installation of new members 11:00 a.m. Currents 12:00 p.m. Cumberland Church 4:00 p.m. Season of Music Concert

6 10:30 a.m. PW 12:00 p.m. PW 12:00 p.m. Pr 5:00 p.m. Bel 5:45 p.m. CO 6:30 p.m. CO 7:30 p.m. Cho 7:30 p.m. New

20 9:00 a.m. Lo 9:30 a.m. Gra 12:00 p.m. Su 1:00 p.m. Hon 1:00 p.m. Fri 5:00 p.m. Bel 6:30 p.m. Tai 7:30 p.m. Cho

26 27 7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast Bible 5:00 p.m. Bel Study (separate location) 6:30 p.m. Tai 4:00 p.m. Session

Sandy Poore, Facilities Manager, sandyp@fpcnaples.org Sandy Poore, Facilities Manager, sandyp@fpcnaples.org

WEDNESDAY

THRUSDAY

month.

mmunications Committee ll Ringers

SATURDAY

1 2 9:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

Sunday Cookie Baking Communion prep 1:00 p.m. Preschool Training

bsite www.fpcnaples.org.

W Coordinating Team W Gathering reschool Committee ll Ringers OW Dinner OW Classes oir Rehearsal w Member Class

FRIDAY

7 9:00 a.m. Stephen Ministry 12:00 p.m. HUDDLE

8 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Cookie Baking

9

14 VALENTINE’S DAY 10:00 a.m. Sew & Sews 12:00 p.m. HUDDLE

15 OUTREACH DEADLINE 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Cookie Baking

16

21 12:00 p.m. HUDDLE

22 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Cookie Baking 6:00 p.m. Dinner for 8

23

ASH WEDNESDAY Worship 7:00 p.m.

ove Circle ace/Peace Circle unshine Circle nor/Spencer Circle iendship Circle ll Ringers izé Worship oir Rehearsal

ll Ringers izé Worship

28 10:00 a.m. Sew & Sews 12:00 p.m. HUDDLE

7

8 Preschool Mission

John Oakley, Mission Committee Chair, jhosr@aol.com

Are you hungry?

Last week I asked my wife if she would like half of the fruit I was eating. Her response was “No thank you.

I’m not hungry”. It made me think how many children, women and men would answer “Yes please. I am hungry!”

The people of First Presbyterian Church, have a great opportunity to do something about the latter response.

You contributed generously to the Christmas offering for “Meals of Hope”. We can now finish that commitment when we bag and distribute the food packages.

We can do so in just two hours with one hundred pairs of hands…young hands, old hands and all in between hands on Saturday morning March 2, 2013. Just think! We can prepare 50,000 meals for a family of four in those two hours!

by Gretchen Oakley, Mission Committee Secretary Our third Mission Action nominee is Jan Gazdic. Even if you do not recognize her name, you have seen her every Sunday. You can’t miss her beautiful shining hair and smiling face that is lighting up the soprano section of the choir. When she is not singing or soon about to be attending Session meetings, she is busy being in action—Mission Action, that is!

If you don’t know anything about these meals, each bag can feed up to six people. We may assemble bags of BEANS AND RICE, which includes rice, pre-cooked dried beans, soy protein, 6 dried vegetables, and 21 different vitamins and minerals. Or we may assemble FORTIFIED MACARONI AND CHEESE: includes macaroni, soy protein, 21 vitamins and minerals, and a Jan is totally involved with Avow Hospice which is her Mission Action-First Pres Style. She and her husband packet of cheese sauce.

Tom were in Naples part-time from 1988 to 1998. Then in 1998 they became full-time Floridians. Both Please come with Gazdics are CPAs. As CPAs they audited and worked your “pair of hands” with health organizations, and when Avow Hospice to help fill, weigh and needed board members to assist with their finances, seal the bags of food. the Team Gazdic fit the bill. After a while, because Jan That is all you need to had been involved with finances for such an extended period, she began to feel that she wanted to leave the bring to Spencer Hall on March 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to allow some financial world and get to know the patients, their of these hungry mouths answer the question with “No families and find out what they needed. As she learned about their concerns, she saw families sitting thank you. I’m not hungry”! for hours with loved ones, never talking and not able to leave them. She watched children with nothing much to We are excited about this mission activity for folks do except being quiet. And, then, there were the from ages 4-104! I’ll be there. I hope you will be too! patients lying in bed hurting and afraid.

John Oakley, Mission Committee Chair

I now digress. Jan has a four year old, white, one hundred pound Golden Retriever named Riley. You

Mission Preschool

ask what has this to do with Mission Action? Well, Riley has been trained by PAWS, (Pets Are Wonderful Souls) and is certified to go into hospitals, in-patient facilities, people’s homes and even into intensive care units. He, also is welcome at Avow’s Georgeson House where he and Jan go once a week. Jan says that it is wonderful to see very ill persons become peaceful as they pet the dog. The children and waiting families come alive as they see Riley and interact with him.

One day Riley visited a patient who had been comatose for some time. The visitors were playing with Riley and offered him a cookie. He ate it and immediately barked for another one. Suddenly, the patient barked, too. The family was thrilled for the sign that their loved one could relate in some way with what was happening around him.

Avow also helps patients in their homes. A friend of Jan’s had Avow come to the house to help her husband who was very ill. They gave him excellent care. On the day before he died, he was taken to Georgeson House. When her friend was informed that her husband was gone, she returned to his room to find him covered with a handmade quilt, a Bible beside him, and candles giving a soft light around the room. The Hospice volunteers and helpers not only care for the dying but they reach out to those left behind.

Something happened to Jan and Riley that hits closer to home for us here at First Presbyterian Church.

A week or two ago Jan and Riley were visiting with Robin Maloney and her family and friends and were bringing some comfort to them all about one half hour before she died.

Naples can be very proud to have Avow Hospice as a part of their city with its new community center that provides educational activities to help those in need of information and direction on how to care for loved ones in trouble.

Avow and First Presbyterian can be very pleased that Jan and Riley are carrying on such a kind, loving, and appreciated work. They truly are “Mission Action-First Pres Style.”

John Oakley, Mission Committee Chair, jhosr@aol.com

9

Feed the 5,000 Luke 9:10-17

In February we gather food for the benefit of Grace Place and the people they serve. Grace Place is a faith based community center, teaching literacy, language, and life skills to at-risk children and impoverished families.

If you are able to help others in need, on the first Sunday of the month pick up a Publix bag from an usher as you leave the Sanctuary. The bag has a list of desired food items. Bring your food contribution to the 6th Street church entrance on the second Sunday of the month.

If you prefer, checks may be made payable to "First Presbyterian Church" and the memo marked "Feed the 5,000."

Suggested items are: 1 pound rice 1 jar peanut butter 1 jar jelly 1 can chicken 1 can vegetables 1 can fruit 1 box dried milk 1 box children’s cereal Grace Place for Children and Families needs volunteers who want to find ways to serve the poor in our community.

We always need volunteers to tutor and help in our classes (morning, after-school, evening, and Saturdays). We have three special needs right now: (1) Basic facilities work projects on Tuesday or Friday mornings, (2) Food Pantry helpers on Friday afternoons, (3) mentors for high school students one evening a month. Contact Dave at 239.455.2707 or Dave@graceplacenaples.org.

10 News and Events

Send all publication submissions to: publications@fpcnaples.org

Transition Team Report The Interim Pastor Nominating Committee (IPNC) narrowed its search for an Interim Pastor to a single candidate, having first completed a thorough selection process. This included listening to sermons, reviewing references and a personal interview during an on-site visit to FPC Naples.

This individual received the highest candidate ranking throughout the search process and has contracted to serve as our Interim Pastor, subject to approval from the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry (COM). He will appear before the COM on February 12, and would begin his work here immediately thereafter. We hope to have him fill our pulpit beginning Sunday, February 24.

New Member Class If you are considering making FPC your church home, in full membership or as an affiliate member with your northern church, we invite you to our New Member Class on Wednesday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor.

National Competitive Cycling RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR CHURCH SUNDAY, MARCH 10.

We need volunteers to help us be a welcoming presence to all who come to the event! You can either give water bottles at a welcome table or be ‘course marshals’ to help guard the race course. Please visit Sign Up Central in Spencer Hall.

Learn about membership, our church, and go for a tour. Please contact Sharman Pfaus at sharmanp@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311 ext.

236 to sign up for the class.

Cell Phone collection for The Shelter for Abused Women and Children Please recycle your old cell phones and chargers to a worthy cause. These phones provide children and adults living in fear of abuse access to police and ambulance services 24 hours a day/365 days a year; no service provider required!

Most donated phones are given to individuals in danger, the remaining are properly recycled by a company that makes a cash contribution back to The Shelter for each phone submitted. The Shelter for Abused Women and Children has a purple collection box in Spencer Hall.

The so-called “fiscal cliff” law just passed by Congress in January and signed by President Obama, formally known as the “American Taxpayer Relief Act” (the Act), has reinstated IRA Charitable Rollover gifts through the end of 2013. This provision allows individuals older than 70½ to donate up to $100,000 from Individual Retirement Accounts to public charities, without having to recognize the distribution as taxable income. You may contact your IRA custodian for all the details. Please call Michele Martin, our church accountant, if you make a contribution from your IRA so that proper credit may be given for your gift.

News and Events

Send all publication submissions to: publications@fpcnaples.org

Men’s Club Speakers for February February 4 Laura Merrifield Funeral Pre-Planning February 18 John Fumagalli A Banker’s view of the Economy, 2013 Coffee 10:00 a.m., Program 10:30 a.m. in Spencer Hall

YOU HAVE A DINNER DATE Mark your calendar for February 22, and March 22. These are the dates for dinners in members’/friends’ homes. Attendees bring a dish to share and this friendly social setting helps us get to know each other better. It’s fun and easy and we invite all to participate – couples and singles.

Questions? Contact Betty Plum – 239.732.8799 or bplum1188@aol.com.

Reservations will be taken in Spencer Hall after worship or by contacting Betty.

11

Thank You Dear Friends, Your cards, hugs, flowers, and best wishes made me feel 90 years young! A special thank you to the Singles Lunch Bunch who truly surprised me with a delightful celebration complete with balloon, birthday cake, and a very special painting. How fortunate we are that our church is brimming over with people who care about others! Thank you, God. A heart full of love, Pat Warner

Dear Members of FPC, Words cannot begin to express the love and care I have received from you since my eye surgery.

The cards, flowers and food have been so greatly appreciated. Most importantly, it is because of your prayers that I have regained the vision in my eye and a full recovery is anticipated.

God has truly blessed me with your love and care.

With deep gratitude, Sharman Pfaus, Executive Assistant

First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311 or fax 239.262.1275

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

CONsECRATION Sunday February 10 Come let us celebrate God’s love.

Come let us celebrate our salvation Let us present to God in morning worship our best gift as we Pledge to God our financial gift.

Rejoice and leap for joy!

Let us worship together and afterward share refreshments in Spencer Hall.

SPECIAL WORSHIP MUSIC PLANNED Our services will truly be a musical celebration!

We will be joined by the Rebecca Richardson Jazz Trio and will be once again uplifted by their music. The Chancel Choir will be accompanied by the jazz trio in a gospel piece entitled Praise His Holy Name that will really “raise the roof”!

In addition, Stephen Nielson and Ovid Young will be performing a duo piano concert in the afternoon at 4:00 p.m. but will also join us in our morning worship.

Ovid Young, who is also a fine organist, will join Stephen Nielson in a piano and organ duet arrangement of A Mighty Fortress.

Please join us in worship for Consecration Sunday and be a part of our celebration!