May 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

May 2013

From the Interim Pastor 2 2

Session Members

Session

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and the committees they serve

Preschool Fundraiser ALDO’S Italian Restaurant

Christian Education

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See page 3 for details

May 31

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Worship and Music

Voucher on page 5

Preschool

5

Calendar

6

Congregational Care

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Mission

8

Finance

10

News and Events

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Celebration

See what Mission work we’ve been doing!

Check out page 8

Commitment

Compassion

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From the Interim Senior Pastor

Dr. David Horne, Interim Senior Pastor, davidh@fpcnaples.org

Dear Friends, Your help is needed. Members and friends of the congregation are completing an online survey through May 7. The survey CAT (Church Assessment Tool by Holy Cow Consulting) is an essential ingredient of the transition path.

This is an ideal opportunity to express your wants and needs. The individual responses are completely confidential. A summary and analysis of the results will be used by the Transition Team in completing their work. This is an important step in the process of the eventual calling of a new installed senior pastor.

Everyone’s response is essential. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. If you do not have an e-mail address to receive the survey link, you may contact the church office for a written copy. A survey will be mailed to you. Please return your completed survey before May 7. Thanks to everyone who has completed the survey since April 16.

Worship and Music

May Worship Schedule 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary May 5 Holy Communion Psalm 67, John 5:1-9 Sabbath Beyond Imagination Rev. Evans May 12 Psalm 97:10-12; John 17:1-11 How Many People Are In Your Family?

Dr. Horne May 19 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, Acts 2:1-21 The Party Dr. Horne May 26 Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Romans 5:1-5 The Trinity Dr. Horne

Additional Sources of Information The Transition Team is collecting information from the community and congregation to be used in the development of a vision statement with the Session. Two additional conversational opportunities for congregational input will take place in the process. The dates are June 2 and 9 as part of the Sunday 9:30 a.m. morning worship and fellowship time. The morning begins with a 9:30 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. worship service followed in Spencer Hall with conversation and lite refreshments ending by 11:15 a.m. Results of the survey will be reviewed with additional discussion in Spencer Hall.

Our thanks to you for being part of the process we are moving forward.

Dr. David L. Horne

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

Summer Choir Summer Choir begins on Sunday, May 5.

We meet each Sunday morning throughout the summer at 8:45 a.m. in the Choir Room for warm-up and rehearsal.

Even if you are only in town or part of the summer, we would love to have you sing with us!

Come and join in on the fun.

If you are interested, please call Brice Gerlach at 239.262.1311 ext. 239 or briceg@fpcnaples.org.

Session

Hansen Long, Clerk of Session, long254@comcast.net

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Members of Session and the committees they serve Class of 2013 Bill Barton – Endowment Committee Chair, Corporation President, Facilities Committee Member Jennifer Coates— Missions Committee Roger Miller – Personnel Committee Chair, Transition Team member Mark Owens – Christian Education Committee Chair, Facilities Committee member

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

Class of 2014

Class of 2015

Ed Boot – Facilities Committee Chair

Keith Gahagan – Missions Committee Chair

Bob King – Audit Committee Chair, Corporation Vice President, Finance Committee member

Jan Gazdic – Finance Committee Chair, Corporation Treasurer, Endowment Committee member

Hansen Long – Clerk of Session, Corporation Secretary, Transition Team member

Joan Gust – Evangelism Committee Chair, Facilities Committee member

Joe Patton – Christian Education Committee member, Nominating Committee member

Eric Holt – Personnel Committee member, Endowment Committee member

Susan Stafford – Worship & Music Committee Chair, Transition Team member

Patty Rutzler – Nominating Committee Chair, Worship and Music Committee member

From March 26, 2013

Joan Gust will be nominated as a Ruling Elder, the Class of 2015, and will Chair the Evangelism Committee.

Session approved a modification in the Terms of Call for Rev. Jonathan Evans to grant him a two percent increase in compensation effective April 19, 2013.

Session approved a change in time for the traditional worship service to 9:30 a.m. beginning May 5, 2013, and to discontinue the Currents Worship following the 7:30 a.m. Courtyard Service on March 31.

A new member class was announced for April 7, led by Rev. Evans, and new members to be received into membership in the second service on April 14.

Dr. Horne outlined the Transition Process we will follow as we continue our search for a new senior pastor. This will be further explained in a letter to the Congregation describing a church-wide survey which will help us to better define who we are, what we wish to be, and how we intend to get there as a Congregation. Feedback from this survey will be included in the Church Information Form which is provided to all prospective candidates for the position of senior pastor. This information will also be used by our Pastor Nominating Committee upon its election by the Congregation to help guide them in the selection process.

Pastor Nominating Committee Following its stated meeting of May 28, Session will begin the process of assembling a slate of nominees for the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). In the meantime, all active members of the Congregation who desire to serve on the PNC are requested to notify the Clerk of Session, Hansen Long, e-mail: long254@comcast.net and provide the following information: Name, address, phone number, e-mail address and a brief statement declaring their reasons for wishing to be considered for service on the PNC, as well as a brief statement of their Faith.

Persons submitting the names of others to be candidates for service on the PNC must first obtain the consent of those so considered and supply the same information, described above, for each prospective candidate.

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Christian Education Education Christian

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

Church On Wednesday May 1, May 8 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Spencer Hall

Adult Bible Study We meet each Sunday in Room 204 at 8:30 a.m. for a study on the Psalms. For more information call Gretchen Oakley at 239.591.3467.

In this series, we will hear from several leading and diverse Christian voices and artists who collaborated to create an accessible, captivating exploration of those big questions designed to spark new conversations in the church.

Please sign up by contacting Kathleen Law 239.262.1311 ext. 213 or kathleenl@fpcnaples.org.

Religion | Spirituality Is Not Enough, Lillian Daniel What does it mean to be spiritual? Is it the same as being religious?

Lillian Daniel pushes back at this question that has been stirring up the cultural conversation for a while now. She asks us to consider how the seeds of faith take root and thrive. What role does organized religion play in helping—or hindering—growth?

God | Faith is a Quest, Brian McLaren “If you ask me, ‘Is God real?’ I first have to ask, ‘Which God are we talking about?’” With these words, Brian McLaren gives voice to a common struggle among people of faith—who exactly is this God we worship? How can we speak of faith if we can’t even speak of God with any certainty?

HUDDLE Please feel welcomed as we meet each Thursday at noon until 1:00 p.m. in Spencer Hall. Just bring your own lunch and join us for this fellowship and study. For more information, please contact Roger Miller at 239.774.5552.

Preschool Children and Youth

Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org

Silent Auction Winners Spa & Relaxation—Mary Casey—$160 Wii Family Fun—Mary Casey—$160 Family Game Night—Mary Brandt—$55 Movie Night—Mary Brandt—$110 Creative Artist—Creative Artist—Mary Brandt—$160 Sun & Fun—Mary Brandt—$70 Date Night—Michele Schoessel—$275 Wine Basket #1—Marianela Henthorne—$120 Tea For Two—Mary Brandt—$70 Coffee Break—Annabella Richardi—$150 Welcome Baby—Sandy Poore—$105 Spanish Wine Basket—Gary Tincu—$60 Keurig Coffee Maker—Sharman Pfaus—$135

Join us at Aldos Ristorante Italiano and Bar

Located at 4820 Davis Blvd Kings Lake Plaza 659-ALDO

on Friday, May 31 for a fundraiser to benefit the First Presbyterian Preschool Angel Fund

Bleu Provence Dinner—Sharon Seidensticker—$305 Angie Sieman Photography Session—Jacques Cariot—$130 Joe DiMaggio autographed picture—Mike Tanner— $85 Gutter Cleaning from Gutters Unlimited Plus—Jacques Cariot—$160; Mike Tanner—$130 and Mary Brandt— $130 Carpentry Services with M.T. Adams Carpentry, Inc.— Mary Brandt—$155 Hair cuts for the family—Val Richey-Klein—$30

The Angel Fund provides financial assistance, as well as curriculum enhancement.

Please present this voucher to your server. First Presbyterian Preschool will receive 20% of all eligible sales.

Additionally, kids drinks are free with this voucher!!!!!

Golf Foursome—Paula D’Anbra—$105 Hotel Escalante—Jane Rogers—$490 Tropical Orchid—Mary Brandt—$115 International Wine Basket - Gary Tincu—$85

*Voucher good for lunch or dinner

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Calendar

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Sandy Poore, Facilities Manager, sandyp@fpcnaples.org

TUESDAY

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

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 month.

WEDNESDAY 1 10:30 a.m. PW Coord. Team 9:15 a.m.

Preschool Comm.

12:00 p.m. PW Gathering 3:00 p.m.

Communications Committee 6:30 p.m. COW Class

5 6 8:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8:45 a.m. Choir 9:30 a.m.

Communion Worship 12:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church

7 8 SURVEY ENDS 6:30 p.m. COW 7:00 a.m. Men’s Class Breakfast Bible Study (separate

12 Mother’s Day 13 8:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8:45 a.m. Choir 9:30 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church

14 7:00 a.m.

15 Men’s Breakfast OUTREACH Bible Study DEADLINE

19 PENTECOST 8:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8:45 a.m. Choir 9:30 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church

20 3:30 p.m.

Finance Committee

21 7:00 a.m.

22 Men’s Breakfast 1:00 p.m. First Bible Study Aid Training

26 TRINITY SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study 8:45 a.m. Choir 9:30 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church

27 OFFICE and PRESCHOOL CLOSED

location)

11:00 a.m.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

(separate location)

8:00 a.m.

Facilities Comm.

2:00 p.m. CE Committee 4:00 p.m.

Mission Comm.

(separate location)

11:00 a.m.

Alzheimer’s Speaker 1:00 p.m. CPR Training 5:30 p.m.

Deacons Mtg. 28 7:00 a.m.

29 Men’s Breakfast Bible Study (separate location)

4:00 p.m.

Session Meeting

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

2 3 12:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Sunday HUDDLE Cookie Baking 7:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church

SATURDAY 4 9:00 a.m.

Communion prep

9 9:30 a.m. Stephen Ministry 10:00 a.m. Sew & Sews 12:00 p.m.

HUDDLE 7:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church

10 11 9:30 a.m. Sunday Cookie Baking 12:00 p.m.

Preschool Teacher Appreciation Lunch (separate

16 12:00 p.m.

HUDDLE 7:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church 7:00 p.m. Faith Community Mtg.

17 18 9:30 a.m. Sunday Cookie Baking 1:00 p.m.

Mision Peniel

location)

23 10:00 a.m. Sew 24 & Sews 9:30 a.m. Sunday 12:00 p.m.

Cookie Baking HUDDLE 2:00 p.m. Beekman Interment 5:30 p.m.

Preschool Fantastic Finale 7:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church 30 Preschool Field Day 12:00 p.m.

HUDDLE 7:00 p.m.

Cumberland Church

31 Preschool Field Day 9:30 a.m. Sunday Cookie Baking Preschool Fundraiser at Aldo’s Restaurant

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Congregational Care

Sandy Poore, Manager, sandyp@fpcnaples.org Rev. Jonathan Evans,Facilities Associate Pastor jonathane@fpcnaples.org

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Stay Connected

Just because you’re back up north doesn’t mean you have to lose touch with what’s happening here at First Presbyterian Church.

Facebook www.facebook.com Facebook is the leading social networking site with over one billion users.

To become a fan of First Presbyterian Church, either click the facebook button on our website homepage (www.fpcnaples.org) or search for First Presbyterian Church Naples on facebook (www.facebook.com/fpcnaples).

To become a fan of the First Presbyterian Preschool, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/FirstPresbyterian-Preschool-Naples-FL or search for First Presbyterian Preschool Naples on facebook.

Church Website www.fpcnaples.org The First Presbyterian website is filled with information about our church.

Watch recent services (now available in higher quality and with the option of viewing full-screen) Recent services can be viewed through the worship information page.

Get News Read the Outreach (church newsletter) by clicking the Outreach icon on the homepage.

Check the Calendar Find upcoming events by clicking the calendar link on the homepage.

Learn More Browse the site to learn more about our mission and ministry.

8 Preschool Mission

Keith Gahagan, Mission Committee Chair, keithgahagan@yahoo.com

Feed the 5,000 Luke 9:10-17 In May we are supporting The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. The Shelter’s mission is to prevent, protect, and prevail over domestic violence through advocacy, empowerment, and social change.

The Shelter protects victims and helps heal and transform lives.

On March 23 some of the Choir members volunteered their time at Grace Place for the music themed Family Literacy Day.

Desired food items are: 1 jar peanut butter 1 jar jelly or jam 2 cans tuna or chicken 2 cans fruit 2 cans kidney beans 2 pounds of pasta 1 large apple juice Baby food or formula

Please take a Publix bag from an usher on the first Sunday of the month, and return it with food on the next Sunday. Checks are welcome and should be payable to "First Presbyterian Church," with the memo marked "Feed the 5,000."

Watch A group of First Presbyterian members went to Habitat for Humanity on Wednesday, March 13 to help with the mailing of their newsletter.

for other opportunities to help with local missions

Mission Preschool

The International Mission effort of First Presbyterian Church of Naples provides support for five organizations. One of these is the Dr. Juan R. Kempers Presbyterian Seminary in Chiapas, Mexico.

The seminary is named in honor of the pioneer Presbyterian missionary to that southernmost state in Mexico. When he began his missionary work in 1925 there were only a few scattered families of believers throughout the state.

Over half of the state is populated by people of pure Mayan Indian descent. They live as six separate groups in different regions each speaking its own distinctive dialect.

Few speak any Spanish. Traveling chiefly on horseback John Kempers established numerous congregations throughout that mountainous state.

When he retired 40 years later in 1965 there were an estimated 150,000 Presbyterian believers.

He was supported later by other Presbyterian missionaries and translators of the Bible including the Wycliffe Bible Translators. This astonishing growth of the church continues. Today there are an estimated one million Christians

Keith Gahagan , Mission Committee Chair, keithgahagan@yahoo.com

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in that state gathering in 1,300 churches or chapels who worship in six languages.

The rector of the seminary, Rev. Sebastian Espinoza, sends us annual reports. His most recent one details the institution’s many activities including outreach preaching by his seminarians. The seminary is centrally located in the state. The faculty consists of four full time and five part time teachers in Theology and six part time teachers in Music.

Students of Theology and of Music come from different regions of the state. Each receives some financial support toward their tuition and room and board from their home churches.

After graduation they return to their home regions to be pastors and directors of music providing leadership in both their own dialects as well as in Spanish. The seminary Theology course is eight semesters and the Music course is six semesters. This summer the seminary will graduate six students in Theology and five in Music. The seminary music program is outstanding and their choirs are called on often to perform at civic and regional church events. In addition to 24 students currently enrolled in the seminary there are 52 students in Bible schools taught by extension in three other cities.

These young men and women go on to be well trained lay leaders in their respective churches.

Costs for maintaining the seminary are only partially offset by the low tuition paid by the students. Major financial support is provided by their Synod and three church congregations including ours at First Presbyterian Church of Naples. Other support this past year came in the form of actual construction of two additional second floor rooms to the seminary done by professional builders from two congregations in Michigan who traveled there to do the work. In expressing his gratitude for our financial support and prayers Rector Espinosa concluded his letter “Most esteemed brethren in Christ, may God bless you greatly�.

Roger D. Kempers, M.D.

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Finance

Michele Martin, Accountant, michelem@fpcnaples.org

Financial Report MARCH Offerings Budgeted through (the month) March..................... $345,238 Actual Offerings through (the month) March ......................... $377,903 Actual Offerings are more than Budget by ............................. $ 32,666 Actual Expenses are less than Budget by ................................ $ 30,779 If you have particular questions in relation to church budget and expenses, please speak to a member of the Finance Committee or contact Michele Martin, our church accountant, 239.262.1311, ext. 242.

The Finance Committee members are: Jan Gazdic (chair), Terry Brennan, Lloyd Doerflinger, Don Grandi, Bob King, Karen Martin, Bill Stafford and Tom Stevens.

IRA DISTRIBUTIONS FOR 2013 The church has been blessed with many gifts you have made by requesting your IRA distribution be sent to the Church.

It is important for you or your IRA custodian to notify the Church when such a distribution is made so we can ensure that your donation is recorded correctly on your year-end giving statement. Please call Michele Martin at 239.262.1311 ext. 242 or e-mail at michelem@fpcnaples.org to notify her of your intent.

News and Events

Send all publication submissions to: publications@fpcnaples.org

Dear First Presbyterian Church, Thank you for the use of the building facilities. Your prayers and support are very important to us.

The Hispanic Cumberland Presbyterian Church Dear Family of Faith at Naples First Presbyterian Church, We have been blessed to be part of your church for the last 3 1/2 years. In that short time we have met many of you and in recent weeks you have reached out to us with your kindness, cards and prayers.

We left Naples in haste after Lee received a diagnosis of gastric cancer. We are now in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Lee has already completed two rounds of chemotherapy. We are praying that these treatments will be effective in shrinking the tumor with the hope that surgery might be possible in the future.

We are learning in new ways what it means to trust God and to lean on His everlasting arms. If you wish to follow Lee's progress feel free to go to www.CarePages.com and enter PastorLeeKoningUpdates.

Thank you for your love and support. We hope to return to Naples in the fall. God has blessed us with a very content and peaceful spirit. His grace and mercy are new every morning. We find God's Word precious and His promises give comfort to our souls.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress and I will not be shaken. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:5,6,8.

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The Shelter for Abused Women and Children is in need of someone with electrician experience to help at Options Thrift Store a few days a week. The thrift store receives a lot of lamps and donations that need to be repaired and checked so they can be sold and/or given to participants for their new homes. Options is located at 968 2nd Ave. North and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information please call Rebecca Thompson, Volunteer & Resource Coordinator at 239.775.3862 www.naplesshelter.org

Welcome the following new members Thomas & Joan Norris Mary “Cathy” Norris Tom, Joan and Cathy come to us via letter of transfer from First Presbyterian Church in York, Pennsylvania.

Mission Work May 17 1:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m.

Your Friends in Christ, Lee and Pat Koning 2624 Village Circle Court SW Byron Center, Michigan 49315

In Memoriam Julia Kurtz April 17, 2013

Clifford Mitchell April 23, 2013

Rachel Sink April 22, 2013

Edward Wiitala April 29, 2013

We’ll meet at the church, drive to Immokalee and distribute approximately 400 meals at Misión Peniel. Our work begins in Immokalee at 2:00 p.m. and finishes at 6:30 p.m. This is a fascinating and meaningful place to spend your time, so please sign up by calling the church office at 239.262.1311 by May 15. For more information, please contact Rev. Jonathan Evans at jonathane@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311 ext. 224.

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

Worship Schedule beginning May 5 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

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