February 2021 Outreach

In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God: we worship, we love, we grow, we serve

February 2021

Rev. Craig Goodrich Worship and Music Session Finance Generosity

2 3 3 4 5

Preschool Children & Youth Presbyterian Women Women of the Way Christian Education

6 7 8 8 9

Personnel Membership Birthdays Staff

10 11 11 12

2

Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor

One of the unanticipated blessings of this challenging time has been Zoom technology. For the last ten months all church meetings, committees, small groups etc., have been meeting by Zoom. And many of you are zooming with your families and friends.

Recently, I zoomed with some of my law school classmates from over 40 years ago. While it was a joy, it also brought to mind this quote from Pat Conroy’s memoir My Losing Season: “I mourn for the quicksilvery racehorse passage of time. Its swiftness has caught me with the same ineffable start that comes to every man and woman who lives long enough. It remains the single greatest surprise of my life.”

This time of pandemic, days can seem so long, and yet time is passing so quickly. How could it be 2021 already? How did we get here? And maybe more importantly, while we may mourn the passage of time, the question for us is how we will live this gift of time that we have been given - in this very day, which is the only one we have? Certainly, this is a season like no other. What is God calling us to, individually and together in this new year?

Looking back, 2020 was an unusual year in many ways. Yet, there are blessings. On a very positive note, because of your generosity, it was a strong year financially, with income exceeding expenses and significant contributions to the Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund. For a full report see page 3.

Your committed staff has been working onsite since June and we have been worshipping in person since September. Our first priority has been safety, and whereas in a “normal” year we would have 600 plus in two worship services, this year our weekly attendance is somewhere between 75 to 90 people in one service. Many more are worshipping online.

In this issue of the Outreach you will see a Session update, indicating all meetings, other than worship, will be by Zoom through at least March. We have begun our Generosity Campaign “Give Thanks, Hold Fast, Rejoice!” We hope you will make a pledge. The Preschool is going strong with in person classes. Our children and youth activities

craigg@fpcnaples.org

remain online. And in this issue, we begin a new feature, “Staff Spotlight,” leading off with a portrait of Sharman Pfaus, our Executive Office Manager (see page 10). We want you to know your wonderful staff.

Ash Wednesday this year is on February 17. We will prerecord a service and send it to you. During Lent, Dr. Brice Gerlach will once again provide wonderful organ concerts, this time online. We will hold a “Seekers and Joiners” class by Zoom on Saturday, February 20. Look for fellowship opportunities set forth on pages 8 and 9, and a Wednesday evening presentation on the environment by Dr. Terri Jump.

Looking ahead, there is reason for hope. Vaccines are being distributed and we pray, “Dear Lord, help with the logistics.”

When will things return to “normal?” We don’t know. But we do know that we have been given the gift of this day, the gift of life and the gift of God’s grace in Jesus Christ and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. And that is something for which we can all be thankful.

Faithfully and Gratefully,

From the Pulpit February 7 Rev. Craig Goodrich “Hold Fast!”

February 14 Rev. Craig Goodrich “Rejoice Always!”

February 21 Rev. Rex Childs February 28 Rev. Craig Goodrich

Worship and Music

Patty Rutzler, Committee Chair, pattyw33@aol.com Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org

3

Lenten organ concerts organ and offers some musical insights about the pieces on the program.

Each concert opens with a piece that highlights the magnificent horizontal trumpets protruding from the front of the organ case.

A work by J. S. Bach is always featured and arrangements of Lenten hymn tunes are presented, allowing for some of the diverse solo stops and softer sounds of the organ to be heard.

The concerts will end with a rousing toccata, allowing you to hear the full power of the organ.

The spectacular Ruffatti pipe organ will be featured in six virtual Lenten organ recitals offered by our Director of Music, Dr. Brice Gerlach. In these concerts Brice takes the time to explain some of the mechanical workings of the

Session

Watch and hear beautiful organ music during Lent. Don't miss these special opportunities for personal reflection, meditation, and celebration of this holy season.

During Lent the concerts will be e-mailed, posted on our Facebook page, and available on the music page of our website on Wednesday’s.

Saralene Oldham, Clerk of Session, soldham@helmsbriscoe.com Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor, craigg@fpcnaples.org

Session Update We will continue to hold Sunday morning live worship service at 9:30 a.m. with all safety protocols in place. Meetings, study groups and gatherings will continue to take place via Zoom through March.

Required precautions for live worship: · All attendees must wear masks during the entire service. · Social distancing is required. Seating and dismissal will be directed by the ushers. · There will be no singing but you will be able to enjoy the soloists singing the hymns and anthems.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the church office at 239.262.1311 and ask for Rev. Craig Goodrich or Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager.

Your understanding of this decision in greatly appreciated. We wish you blessings and peace.

4

Finance

Doug Jensen, Committee Chair, d50.jensen@gmail.com Anna Focht, Director of Finance, annaf@fpcnaples.org

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the difference you have made! We are tremendously grateful for your faithful support, and pleased that you have chosen to make the First Presbyterian Church of Naples a part of your life of discipleship and generous giving. In spite of the pandemic impacting our church operations for nearly a full year, FPC’s finances remained strong primarily due to your generosity, good cost control measures, and cash management.

As we look back on 2020, we’d like to pause for a moment to appreciate some of the high points of this challenging year.

December 31, 2020 year-end summary • 2020 net income $60,947 vs. 2019 net income $20,224 • Offerings were up 13% from the prior year which was able to offset reduced preschool income and reduced Unrestricted Endowment transfers typically needed to help cover operating expenses • Expenses were held to 2019 levels and were slightly down (2%) from the prior year; expenses were (14%) underbudget in 2020 • Preschool – although income was down (21%) from last year as a result of following COVID-19 CDC recommendations for reduced class sizes, expenses were also down because of savings from an unfilled teaching position and other expense reductions; 2020 net loss was $(34,426) Under normal circumstances, the preschool has been net income positive in recent years Endowment value $7.3M as of December 31, 2020 vs. December 31, 2019 $6.5M • $810k YOY increase in value • Increase due to unrealized gains from overall stock market gains, realized gains from securities sales, and donations, the sum total of which exceeded decreases of transfers out to operating and capital funds, and management fees • Less dependency on Endowment for operating expenses and capital expenditures • Total Budgeted Unrestricted Endowment transfers to both the operating & capital funds were limited to $153,052 or 2.5% of the Unrestricted Endowment balance measured at 01/01/2020 • Operating fund transfer was $125,000 rather than the full budgeted amount of $250,000 • Capital fund transfer was $28,052 rather than the full budgeted amount of $136,425; capital spending was halted in March due to COVID-19 related cost control and cash management measures, except for essential items; pew seat cushion amounts spent pre-pandemic were not funded as the expectation will be to fund through a 2021 Pews & Playground mini-campaign Other 2020 highlights • Successful Annual Audit/Review (Review for 2019); “clean report” • At a recommendation from the Finance Committee, Session voted to not participate in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan program • All employees remained employed and were paid full wages throughout the pandemic, and a modest Christmas bonus at year-end • Exceptional giving response to Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), $112,565 collected and $74,000 disbursed; remainder to be disbursed in 2021 • Total Missions disbursements were $317,176 (includes CERF giving and support to Peace River Presbytery) • 2021 Budget approved by Session Looking forward to 2021, we are energized by the spirit of our extraordinary church community and look forward to the opportunities ahead. Your generosity ensures that we will continue to flourish in our ministries and stay strong in our finances. On behalf of our entire community, we send our deepest “thank you” for your generous support of the First Presbyterian Church of Naples!

With gratitude, Anna Focht Director of Finance Doug Jensen Finance Committee Chair

Finance

Doug Jensen, Committee Chair, d50.jensen@gmail.com Anna Focht, Director of Finance, annaf@fpcnaples.org

5

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good.

We encourage you to make a pledge to this year’s campaign and we thank you for your generosity!

Commitment cards are also available on our website www.fpcnaples.org/give.

6

Preschool

Police Officer Day at First Presbyterian Preschool

Teresa Doane, Elder, twdoane@hotmail.com Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org

Children and Youth

Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children and Youth Ministries, nancyv@fpcnaples.org

7

The youth group celebrated Collier County Kindness Week in January with a surprise Zoom visit by Bob Votruba, founder of One Million Acts of Kindness.

Bob enlightened us on his mission for the past 13 years as he goes around the county to raise awareness about the importance of being kind, with the belief that it will help remind all of us to be kind all the time - and, this too, is a practice.

The youth had a lot of questions to ask Bob ranging from his travels on his bus and his bike, his dog Bogart, and some of the miracles he has experienced first hand on his life’s journey!

The Youth Group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.

To find out more and to become involved with this dynamic group of teens, please contact either Ashley Hancock at ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org or Nancy Van Fleet at nancyv@fpcnaples.org.

Our youth group enjoyed some time with Jonathan Stalls, founder of Intrinsic Paths.

Jonathan shared with us the story behind his walk across the United States and some of the wisdom from the late Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman.

Today he walks as a spiritual practice and is a student of the contemplative path. You can find out more about Jonathan at www.intrinsicpaths.com

8

Barbara Heissner, Moderator, khh0725@atlanticbb.net Carolyn Smith Bennett, Moderator Elect, cjosmith341@gmail.com

Presbyterian Women

Our four Circles are enjoying Zoom Bible studies. We would like for all ladies in the church to join us. Below is a list of Circles and contact information. Please call the Circle leader of your choice and we will make sure you get the link for the meeting. Choose the date and time that best suits you.

Grace Circle

February 2 at 10 a.m.

Andie Goodrich 404.317.5850 Coke Evans 559.978.5898

Love & Friendship Circle

February 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Martha Waddell 507.581.1480

Sunshine Circle

February 17 at 11:30 a.m.

Janet Root 239.963.9838

Peace with Honor Circle

February 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Betty Mangos 239.254.9883

Presbyterian Women’s Directories are now available. There is a basket of directories outside the church office door, during regular office hours, they are available at the exits of the Sanctuary or you may have one mailed to you. If you would like one mailed, please contact the church office.

Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org

Women of the Way

Season ’21

Women of the Way Bible Study

ALL women of the church are welcome to take part in a six week ZOOM study of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians with a focus on the theme of unity and love within the Christian community. In this study we’ll consider how a young congregation struggled to live out its newfound faith as an eager but imperfect community and how Paul challenged its members to live in a way that honored both God and one another. In a time of divisiveness in society and challenge for the church today, what can these words mean for us? How can we strive to be “one in Christ” among ourselves and to reflect God’s love to a hurting world?

When: Thursdays, February 4 – March 11, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.

Format: Each weekly Zoom session will include a recorded teaching by one of our staff or others and followed by small group discussion. Study materials will be available online or by mail.

Sign-up: RSVP to Pat Nordbrock or Andie Goodrich at fpcwomen2017@gmail.com.

Please let us know if you’d prefer the morning or afternoon session.

Christian Education

Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org

FPCN Green Team presentation

9

Terri will take us from our own Everglades to the White Continent, Antarctica, where she spent 3 weeks as part of the largest expedition—99 women WEDNESDAY, in science from 33 countries—sponsored by FEBRUARY 10 Homeward Bound. You will see Terri’s amazing AT 6 p.m. videos and photos of whales, penguins, seals, fish, birds, icebergs, sea and research stations. No The FPCN Green country owns Antarctica; it has no human Team is pleased population. Sixty years ago it was designated a to announce an continent of “science and peace.” exciting speaker committed to the Sadly, just like the Everglades, Antarctica is stewardship and struggling with warmer temperatures, rising seas, conservation of loss of wildlife habitats, overfishing, potential our planet Earth, extinction of species, plastic contamination, etc.

Dr. Terri Jump.

Dr. Jump serves Terri will not only impart details of her life changing experience, but will challenge us to do all we can in as a volunteer our homes, our communities, and through our boat captain and naturalist at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida where she invites guests to “fall church to make a difference. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it; for he has founded it on in love” with the mangroves, manatees, turtles, the seas, and established it on the rivers.” Psalm Great Blue Herons, and the beauty of the Gordon 24:1-2.

River. She is passionate about saving the Everglades which is disappearing.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Terri’s presentation will occur via Zoom. RSVP to Ashley Hancock, ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org for the Zoom link.

Wednesday Morning Men Faith and Fellowship A men’s lunch-time

Join other committed men in our congregation on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Following the presentation there will be a time for questions and discussion. We will gather via Zoom, at 8 a.m.

February 3: Jerry Miller will present “Mary, Mother of Jesus” February 17: Cleve Cleveland will present “Calvinist Doctrine and a sharing of what T.U.L.I.P. means.

For Zoom instructions contact Rev. Rex Childs at rexc@fpcnaples.org or Bill Kearney at skearney239@comcast.net.

Bible discussion group All men are invited and encouraged to gather with us via Zoom each Thursday from 10:45 a.m. - noon For Zoom instructions contact Rev. Rex Childs at rexc@fpcnaples.org

10

Personnel

Barb Weiss, Committee Chair, bweiss1952@gmail.com Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor, craigg@fpcnaples.org

St

Today we offer a new feature “Staff Spotlight” and we begin with Sharman Pfaus, our Executive Office Manager. Of Sharman, who has faithfully served our congregation for close to thirteen years, Senior Pastor Craig Goodrich says:

“Sharman is exceptional. She has a strong work ethic, amazing commitment and excellent judgment. During the pandemic she has led us well, involved in every major decision and overseeing all administrative matters. Sharman resources our Reopening Task Force, the Personnel Committee and the Session. A team player, Sharman serves our church with integrity, perseverance and compassion. A calm, steady and trustworthy presence, Sharman is a gift to our congregation and staff.” grew up in the small town Sharman of Chelsea, Michigan.

She began serving the church in high school at the Zion Lutheran Church in her hometown as a secretary, producing bulletins, newsletters and other administrative tasks. She also was a volunteer Sunday School Superintendent and teacher for several years.

She married her husband, Bill, in 1976. They have four grown daughters and five granddaughters. They joined the Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Manchester, Michigan where her husband was Treasurer and President of the congregation. Sharman was also the Deacon Moderator as well as the church’s Administrator. Bill and Sharman enjoyed being youth leaders for over five years and were instrumental in developing the UCC statewide camp program and serving as leaders at the camp for several summers.

Sharman was a member of several teams to organize State, Regional, and National Youth events, providing workshops in building successful youth programs and groups. Sharman attended courses in STEM (Systematic Training for Effective Ministry) through the Michigan UCC Conference.

In 1997 and 1998 Sharman and Bill co-led two groups of over 80 people on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In 1999 they organized and led a group to Germany, Switzerland and France prior to their move to Naples. They have also spent time touring London, however, their most memorable trips were when they were in Israel and sharing those experiences with many of their close friends.

In 1999, Sharman accepted a position at Naples UCC as their Administrator. She eventually found her way to FPCN in 2004, served for 3½ years as Administrator before leaving to pursue another opportunity. In 2010, she returned to FPCN and has since been serving as the church’s Executive Office Manager.

Sharman holds two professional human resource certifications from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Sharman is also a member of HR Collier, a chapter of the SHRM institute for Human Resources.

Other working experiences have found Sharman working in the medical field as a coding and insurance biller. However, her passion and calling continues to be in church work.

Sharman enjoys spending time with her family, reading and walking on the beach.

Membership

Deborah Meeson-Vige, Committee Chair, Deborah.meeson@gmail.com Kathleen Law, Communications Coordinator, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

11

MEMBERSHIP AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Wouldn’t you like to become a member of our dynamic church? We invite you to join the Seekers and Joiners Class on Saturday, February 20 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. We receive members by a first-time profession of faith, by letter of transfer from another church or by a reaffirmation of faith in Christ.

Please register by contacting Angie Johnson at angiej@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311.

For more information regarding the class contact Deborah Meeson-Vige, Membership Chair, at deborah.meeson@gmail.com.

February Birthdays February 13 Martha Waddell February 14 Alicia Mick February 15 Teesh Madigan Thomas Wilson February 17 Marilyn Groel Albert McGhee Colleen Sicard

February 2 George Goodnight Trace Hance Phyllis Harris Dan TenCate February 3 Bob Gibson Deborah Meeson-Vige

February 7 Suzanne Chickering February 8 Gary Root Marilyn Vernon February 9 Barrett McGinn

February 4 Anne Crawl Bill Dunlap

January 10 Juanita Bunker Melanie Krembs

February 5 Gail Clark Doug Gebbie Cathy Harlow

February 11 Barbara Simons Mary Ann Spencer Ned Camuti

February 18 Nina Howard Lu Hoogenboom Phil Mikulsky David Weigel James Weigel February 19 Cynthia Anderson Audrey Brewin Lynne Laval-Yeh February 20 Hanna Guillford February 21 Bud Crowl Al Lubrano Jeanne Perkins February 22 Don Barry

February 23 Charles Evans Tim Richardson Mark Speake February 24 Joanie Banko Mary Jo Bovich Don Grandi Scott Houk February 25 Hugh Montgomery Polly Wilder Mac Willett February 26 Charlie Jessopp David Townsend February 27 Mitch Norgart

February 28 Larry Hibbett Rex Storter February 29 Marion De Lessio Rog Kempers

First Presbyterian Church of Naples

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

250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311

STAFF LISTING Name Phone: 239.262.1311 Ministers Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor

Ext.

E-mail

2035 2027

craigg@fpcnaples.org rexc@fpcnaples.org

Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries

2039

briceg@fpcnaples.org

Christian Education Jack Fogelman, Kidz Lab Teacher Audrey Gordon, Childcare Provider Ashley Hancock, Christian Education Assistant Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children and Youth

2012 2029

ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org nancyv@fpcnaples.org

Office Anna Focht, Director of Finance Angie Johnson, Office Assistant/Receptionist Kathleen Law, Communications Coordinator Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager

2042 2000 2013 2036

annaf@fpcnaples.org angiej@fpcnaples.org kathleenl@fpcnaples.org sharmanp@fpcnaples.org

Facilities Lisa Ethier, Custodian Eduardo Martinez, Maintenance Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities

2016 2014 2028

lisae@fpcnaples.org eduardom@fpcnaples.org sandyp@fpcnaples.org

Preschool Ashley Houk, Preschool Director Lindsay Willkomm, Assistant Preschool Director

2009 2038

ashleyh@fpcnaples.org lindsayw@fpcnaples.org