May 2022 Outreach Newsletter

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

May 2022

The Growing Young Interactive Art Experience This artwork was painted by the youth and adults on Sunday April 3. It is a reminder of this time—coming together after many months of separation.

Rev. Craig Goodrich Worship & Music Deacons Stephen Ministry Missions

2 3 4 5 6

Adult Education Presbyterian Women Personnel Children & Youth Preschool

7 8 9 10 11

Women of the Way Birthdays In Memoriam Church News Staff Listing

12 13 13 14 15

2 Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor

As we head into the month of May, it may feel like the Naples “season” is slowing down, and perhaps you have returned to your northern home, but nevertheless, the Easter Season continues. We began with the trumpets of Easter Sunday, the Hallelujah Chorus and the refrain “Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!”

So, what’s ahead for you in this next month? What’s ahead for us? We begin with our Annual Meeting on Sunday May 1. We will look back with gratitude for year 2021 and we will elect the Nominating Committee for the next year. Then there will be Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8. On the following Sunday our beloved Director of Music, Dr. Gerlach will be sent off on his well-deserved sabbatical (after 21 years) and on May 22 we will have our Annual Staff Recognition Sunday. (see page 9)! And speaking of staff, we have recently welcomed Sandy Knight, our receptionist who is featured in our Staff Spotlight this month (See page 9).

I hope you will thoroughly read this edition of the Outreach to reflect on the happenings of the past (70th Anniversary, Earth Care Sunday, Mission activities, the youth, Preschool and more!) and to anticipate with hope and joy the future ahead of us.

And although Pentecost Sunday (which marks the end of the Easter Season) is not until June 5th this year, I thought you might appreciate the following prayer attributed to Pamela Wilding and which invokes the Holy Spirit, the very wind of God:

“Wind of God, blow far from us all dark despair, all deep distress, all groundless fears, all sinful desires, all Satan’s snares, all false values, all selfish wishes, all wasteful worries.

Blow into us your holy presence, your living love, your healing touch, your splendid courage, your mighty strength, your perfect peace, your caring concern, your divine grace, your boundless joy.

Wind of God, blow strong, blow fresh, blow now.”

Amen!

Faithfully and Gratefully,

craigg@fpcnaples.org

FROM THE PULPIT May 1 Rev. Craig Goodrich

“The Damascus Road” May 8 Mother’s Day Rev. Craig Goodrich

“The Family of Faith” May 15 Rev. Rex Childs

“A Convincing Argument” May 22 Staff Appreciation Rev. Craig Goodrich

“This Call’s for You”

May 29 Rev. Craig Goodrich

“Time to Remember”

Worship & Music

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

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Bob Henstein I am looking forward to my upcoming sabbatical! I will be away from May 15 until August 14 and my plans are to immerse myself in study, travel and relaxation.

In June, I will participate in the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship and Music conference in Montreat, North Carolina. The Montreat conference is something I have always heard was exceptional and I am looking forward to being a part of it.

In July, I will attend the National American Guild of Organists Convention in Seattle, WA. I will go to lectures, choral literature reading sessions and many organ concerts given in various churches in Seattle.

After the convention, Michele will fly to Seattle and we will rent a car and drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway enjoying the scenic views and sights in such cities as Portland and San Francisco. We will continue south to San Diego to see my mother who turns 90 years old this summer and will fly back to Naples from there.

I hope that the sabbatical will give me a sense of renewal and rest as well as providing opportunities to travel and study that would not be possible otherwise.

During the time when I’m away, a very qualified organist, Bob Henstein, will play for the Sunday services and work with our choir and soloists.

Bob Henstein has been involved in church music for 25 years. He has served at numerous congregations including Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist and Congregational.

Bob received his undergraduate organ performance degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. Bob went on to study with John Ferguson and Larry Smith at Kent State University at the master’s level. He has also studied organ with other prominent musicians as Paul Manz, Ruth Berge, Arthur Poister, Roberta Gary and Robert Quade.

Currently Bob is organist at Northfield United Methodist Church. Bob has conducted hymn festivals in Minnesota, South Dakota and New York State and has performed concerts in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Great Britain.

Bob has taught at St. Olaf College-Northfield Summer Organ Seminars. He has composed music for several mediums including organ, choir, string, brass, hand bells and vocal solos.

Bob recently retired in corporate training and development at 3M Company in St. Paul, MN.

4 Deacons

David Witman, Deacon Moderator, dpwitman@hotmail.com Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org

We are located in the “Heart of Naples with the Love of God” by worshipping, loving, growing and serving.

That's who we are, our mission as a Church. And yet, who we say we are is always secondary to how we act. (Matthew 7:16 "By their fruit you will recognize them.") So, it is important for us as Christians that our actions evidence how strongly we actually believe what we say.

Christianity is not a spectator activity.

In prior issues of Outreach, we have begun to let you know who Deacons are and what Deacons do. Here are some examples of how we "cross our hearts" for the fruit that is growing in the Deacons' garden.

from our congregation that we are beginning to see. Change does indeed take time, but it is very much worthwhile to continue to work toward, to encourage and to wait patiently for meaningful change.

There is some encouraging news about our newly revitalized Inner-Missions Committee work. The word is slowly getting out that one of the best ways for us to fulfill our mission is to put together members of our congregation who have needs with other members who are ready, willing and able to help meet those needs, at least on a temporary basis. Over the past month we have had several requests for transportation to church, to do grocery shopping and to attend our Wednesday evening adult education sessions. We are pleased to say that in each case we have been able to find other members who volunteered to provide, and did provide, these rides. We have also had a request for help finding a particular medical appliance, and, after an outreach, we had multiple offers to provide the equipment requested. We have had members tell us that they heard about our program and want to help.

Finally, we will be working with the Elders' Membership Committee to put together an updated brochure which lists and describes all the opportunities for service within the Church.

The Membership Committee will present these opportunities to new members, and the Deacons will let their parishes know as well.

Please look over this Opportunities brochure when it comes out in the next month or so, and pick out an activity or two where you can help your Church to further its mission with the Love of God in the Heart of Naples. This is another way, and an important way, that you can worship, love, grow and serve.

You know all the clichés - "The longest journey begins with a single step." "Rome was not built in a day." And these are all true, but as we continue to build awareness of needs and identify resources to meet personal needs within the Church, we are hopeful that we will continue to build on the positive responses

Inner-Mission work is not the only thing that we are working on. For example, we are planning to reintroduce church tours after a two-year Covid hiatus. If you are interested in learning how to give church tours and then in helping actually to do the tours, please contact your Deacon. This is a great way to get to know our wonderful facility better and to meet other members, especially new members.

We are also working to build up our Deacons' Fund which provides limited emergency, temporary financial relief to individuals who have exhausted all other means to pay for rent, utilities and some other basic necessities of life.

Hopefully, contributions to this Fund will grow so that we can provide more of this sort of relief to our own members than we have been able to do in the past.

More to come in next month's Outreach.

Please stay tuned, and get involved.

Blessings, and JOY! David Witman, Deacon Moderator 978.632.0587

Stephen Ministry

Saralene Oldham, Stephen Ministry Co-Leader, soldham@helmsbriscoe.com David Witman, Stephen Ministry Co-Leader, dpwitman@hotmail.com

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STE PH E N M IN IS TRY

MATCHES SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE

“Before I retired from coaching, my team was in the Super Bowl six times,” says Bill Arnsparger, who coached for 23 seasons in the NFL. “I thought nothing would ever match that. But being a Stephen Minister has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

During his coaching career, Arnsparger heard about Stephen Ministry at his church several times. “I knew it was important, so I couldn’t wait to get involved,” he recalls.

So, once he retired, he trained to become a Stephen Minister.

“I find serving as a Stephen Minister very rewarding,” Arnsparger says. “The hours I’ve invested into Stephen Ministry have brought me closer to the Lord and to others in my congregation. It’s an opportunity to work with people and really help them. Each care receiver inspires me to build my faith. I always benefit from our time together.”

Arnsparger’s caring relationships have taught him to trust in God’s healing love. “I’ve learned that I can’t always predict and plan what each visit will be like,” he says. “I work to be open to new developments, and I hang in there when new problems come up. I know I can’t just make my care receiver feel better. My job is to listen and to care; God takes care of the rest.”

Bill Arnsparger spent 23 seasons as an NFL coach, with stops in Baltimore, Miami, New York, and San Diego. Upon retiring, he became a Stephen Minister at his church in La Jolla, California. He passed away in 2015.

Although Stephen Ministry and football might not seem to have much in common, Arnsparger sees similarities between the two. “Stephen Ministry builds confidence, both in the Stephen Ministers and in the care receivers,” he says. “Stephen Ministry takes teamwork, too. In supervision, we need to work together to provide the best care possible—to our care receivers and to one another. Each opportunity to care is a new challenge, a new experience, just as each game is.”

Copyright © Stephen Ministries St. Louis. All rights reserved.

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Missions

Cleve Cleveland, Committee Chair, Carleton_cleveland@hotmail.com Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org

Habitat for humanity work day

Join our work crew as we help to construct a Habitat for Humanity home for a deserving Collier County family.

We will gather at the church Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 a.m. and will ride the bus to our worksite. We will return to church by 12:30 p.m. Sign up in Spencer Hall at the Missions table.

Questions? Contact Yancey Brame at 239.331.7731 or jybrame@gmail.com.

Pictured L to R: Susan Craig, Jeanne Perkins, Dick Hillebrand, Yancey Brame, Don Merz, Bob Guyett, Walter Gadkowski

Feed the 5,000 This month we are helping to restock the food pantry of YOUTH HAVEN.

Summer is quickly approaching and Grace Place for Children and Families needs your help this summer!

Volunteers are needed in our Kindergarten Readiness program, working with four-and five-year-old students before they head off to kindergarten in August. Assist our Elementary and Middle School students this summer in a variety of academic activities and personal enrichment.

For more information or to volunteer, please call Colleen Durham, Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator at 239.255.7213 or e-mail colleen_durham@graceplacenaples.org.

Ushers will have a Publix bag available as you leave the Sanctuary the first Sunday of May. Food donations will be collected at the 6th Street church entrance on the second Sunday of the month.

If you prefer, monetary donations can be made online at www.fpcnaples.org/give or checks may be made payable to "First Presbyterian Church" with the memo marked "Feed the 5,000" and placed in the collection plate.

Suggested items are: Cereal Pancake mix Fruit cups Granola bars Microwave popcorn Animal crackers Tomato sauce Canned tomatoes Rice Boxed stuffing Boxed mac & cheese

Oatmeal Syrup Dried fruit Juice boxes Graham crackers Canned veggies Tomato paste Pasta Dried Beans Peanut butter Jelly

Adult Education

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

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WEDNESDAY’S AT FIRST RECAP Climate Change continues to shake the foundations of what we have come to expect and depend on for life on Earth with SW Florida right in the bullseye. Three speakers—Congressman Francis Rooney, Dr. Michael Savarese, FGCU, and Rob Moher, CEO of the Conservancy—educated us and challenged us to get involved in this critical local and global issue. Many thanks to those who attended; for those who didn’t, the presentations can be found on our website, www.fpcnaples.org/adults.

As a PC(USA) Certified Earth Care Congregation, let’s all commit to becoming part of the climate solution: encourage your friends, family and co-workers to reduce their carbon pollution; let your local, state and national politicians know you want their support to cut emissions and reduce carbon pollution; transform how you get around; decrease your power use; eat more plant-based meals; reduce/eliminate single use plastics; buy local foods; don’t waste food; buy fewer clothes that are sustainable and wear them longer; plant trees; and focus on planet-friendly financial investments. LET US KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING AND WHAT SUGGESTIONS YOU HAVE!

Wednesday Morning Men:

Faith and Fellowship A Men’s Bible Discussion Group

All men are invited and encouraged to gather with us in Spencer Hall each Thursday at noon.

Bring a Bible and your lunch!

If unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join the meeting via Zoom.

Please contact Rev. Rex Childs at rexc@fpcnaples.org for Zoom instructions and a link to the meeting.

Meetings take place on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 8 a.m.

Currently we are focusing on great, former religious leaders. Plan to join us by Zoom or in person.

May 4: “John Wesley” led by Jack Marsh May 18: “C.S. Lewis” led by Larry Comstock If you have any comments, questions, or require the Zoom link, contact Bill Kearney at skearney239@comcast.net.

• •

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Presbyterian Women

Carolyn Bennett, Moderator, cjosmith341@gmail.com

Are you wanting a little project over the summer? Would

you like to keep your hands busy and productive for mission outreach?

Presbyterian Women’s Helping Hands Ministry have some simple projects for those who like to knit and for anyone who has a sewing machine and can sew a straight line. Check out PW’s table in Spencer Hall on May 1 or May 8 to pick up instructions to make little Izzie Dolls, Prayer Shawls, or a kit to sew the tops for quilts.

Quilt kits ready to go!

quilts in 2023! Wouldn’t you like to be a part of our mission outreach? A relaxing and rewarding way to spend those lazy days of summer. Gail Clark (313.319.0282) is our summer coordinator for our PW Helpings Hands Ministry. She is more than willing to get you started on a project or two!

The Prayer Shawls are given out by our Stephen Ministers to those who have lost a loved one or to those going through a challenging health crisis.

Presbyterian Women are grateful for the good times we were able to have this year. It was wonderful to be able to attend our monthly circle meetings either in person or via Zoom enjoying our friendships and learning about five women in the genealogy of Jesus. Working around COVID, we were able to have five Gatherings complete with our easy box lunches, beautiful center pieces, and inspirational programs.

The little Izzie Dolls (pictured above) provide comfort and hope to children at the Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

The tops for quilts will be quilted together next year to make a “House Warming” gift from our church to those who will receive a new home through the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance in 2023. We are challenged to complete 16 to 32

We will start our fall Gatherings on the first Wednesday of November. We look forward to your participation in any or all of FPC’s Women’s opportunities. Stay healthy, have fun, and may God bless you over the summer!

Women’s Ministry Bible Study We invite you to a weekly Bible Study beginning on Mondays at 1 p.m. in the Youth Room, located on the second floor of the Mase Education Center. We are reading the Gospel of John.

This will be a women’s fellowship/study with no homework.

Please bring your own Bible. We look to covenant with each other week by week as we delve into God’s Word. For more information please contact Janeen McClure at jrmc@airmcclure.com

Personnel

Barbara Weiss, Committee Chair, bweiss1952@gmail.com Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor/Head of Staff, craigg@fpcnaples.org

Sandy Knight

Office Assistant/Receptionist Although Sandy Knight has only been with FPCN for a month, she has embraced her job with enthusiasm and a love for doing God’s work. Sandy will be the person who greets you in the front office with a smile or will guide you to the right department when you call. Please join me in welcoming Sandy to our staff.

—Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager Practically a Naples native, Sandy has lived in Naples since 1970 when her parents tired of Indiana winters and moved the family here. Fun fact, she attended FPC’s preschool! When not assisting the office staff in any way possible at work, she is often at home working on a DIY or home maintenance project, or planning a family game night or Murder Mystery Dinner Party.

Sandy has 2 daughters—the oldest just recently moved back to Naples, and the other is a high school senior who will graduate in May, ending their 11 year homeschool journey.

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year span, between 1993-2005. She enjoyed meeting and supporting the local Body of Christ.

Sandy volunteered at Naples Christian Academy when her daughters attended there before they began homeschooling. She supported teachers in the classrooms, and was entrusted to set-up the new reading resource room which utilized her detail and organizational gifts, and she also enjoyed the process of purchasing and adding new books to the school’s library.

In her free time, she enjoys finding new adventures by exploring local places she has never yet been to, attending live theatre productions, completing Merriam Webster quizzes on a myriad of topics, or just relaxing in the extra-wide recliner watching a movie or a documentary with her sweetheart, John, and her 2 dogs, Chip and Glory.

Sandy is thrilled to be here at FPCN. The staff and members have all been so very welcoming and kind.

Some of Sandy’s best memories are of singing with a local Christian Rock band as a young adult, sharing the Good News at concerts in the NaplesFt Myers area.

Being co-owner of Heavenbound, Books, Music & More, a Christian retail store, was a terrific 10+

Sandy and her daughter, Dora

Sandy and her boyfriend, John

Staff Appreciation and Special Anniversary Celebration Sunday, May 22

On Sunday, May 22, we will be holding our second annual Staff Appreciation Sunday! All staff from the church and our preschool will be invited to attend the worship service and will be acknowledged during the service. Immediately after worship, we will take time to honor those staff members who are celebrating 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and 20 years of service to our church. After the time of honoring our celebrants, all will be invited to Spencer Hall for a reception.

Five years of service: Ashley Hancock – Assistant for Christian Education Sarah Lezgus – 2 year old lead Preschool teacher Jean Oppegaard – VPK lead Preschool teacher Ten years of service: Claudia Clarke – 3 year old lead Preschool teacher Marylee Finman – VPK Preschool aide Isabella Sala-Junkroski – VPK Preschool aide Fifteen years of service: Colleen Kennedy – VPK lead Preschool teacher Twenty years of service: Kathleen Law – Communications Coordinator

10 Children & Youth

Where are all the children? Where are all our families? We have been asked this question numerous times as we begin to ease back into a pattern that is more “normal.” I thought it might be helpful to share some of the insights I have come across in this time.

Many of us find ourselves looking off into a space that has taken hold of us these last 2½ years. A time of unprecedented chaos caused by the pandemic. Although this chaos was caused by the same virus worldwide, the only common thread was just that…the virus itself. Everyone was affected personally, and those conditions were very, very different.

Having been able to be with our children, youth, young adults, and parents via technology, we, as a

church, never left them. They knew there was a steady presence in their lives. We reached out in tangible ways to help equip parents to be the primary faith formers in their families. And, yet, their lives were drastically altered.

For most of us, as adults, we have experience on our sides. We were able to safely ride out the isolation even though many of us felt isolated. But our children and youth had no such ride. Their only

Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children & Youth, nancyv@fpcnaples.org Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org

social networks closed, leaving them without friends, peers, teachers, and extended families.

They were thrust into a virtual world of school, expected to be normal learners, and often frustrated by the lack of movement and physical activities that balanced their lives. Families struggled trying to keep a job with kids at home, or struggling with finances because they lost their jobs. There was very little normalcy they could count on, and what was once normal, no longer existed. They are very different children from who you may have known 2½ years ago.

Some have lost a place to live, some families are really struggling with higher rents and parents are still stressed trying to make ends meet.

We, as a giving church, gave them hope and continue to do so.

This church has helped many in tangible ways during this crisis.

And, we need to be aware that, as warned by the American Psychological Association, the mental effects of these past years are unprecedented and will continue for years to come.

I have heard it said that we “cannot think our way into a new way of living, we live our way into a new way of thinking.” Our

families have lived their way into a new way of thinking just to survive.

The Rev. Brian Wallace, Associate Minister of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, shared some additional insight. He shares that we have lost “momentum.”

Children and youth ministry thrives on regularly scheduled events, something that we just started back to in-person. Think about the impact on our littlest ones – 50% of their lives have been impacted by the pandemic.

Children & Youth Juniors in high school are now college age. Serious changes have happened in their lives – a much greater impact than us as adults.

So, what do we do? Wallace shares two suggestions. First, we need to have patience. He forecasts that it will be 3-7 years, yes, 3-7 years before we get our momentum back. Also, he suggests that we need to be flexible. Things might look different as we re-imagine where God is bringing us. PEW research defined a “regular church going family” (prior to the pandemic), as a family that attends church ONCE a month! Sunday mornings, the times most of you see families and children, may be the only day they have to be together…the only day they may feel joy and comfort and just be able to rest.

The generation raising children now, appear ready to be active and find cause. They are doers.

They look at our world and they

11 want to be change agents ...for their children. Their passion is real, and, you know, with that kind of passion and conviction…they WILL change the world into a better, cleaner, healthier place. So maybe a better question than “come join us?” is “how can we join you?” This is part of our continued work of “Growing Young.”

Our families are so grateful for what this church is and stands for…they shared this with us in our listening sessions for Growing Young. Let’s take the next right step as we imagine what God has for us in the future together with our families – Blessings, peace and every good, with patience and flexibility.

If you want to find out more about being a part of our Growing Young initiative, please reach out to me.

Preschool

2022 First Presbyterian Preschool Fantastic Finale Wednesday, May 18 6 p.m. FPC Sanctuary Join us as our students bid farewell to 2021-2022!

Nancy Van Fleet

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

First Presbyterian Preschool VPK/Pre-K Graduation

Wednesday, May 25 11:30 a.m.

FPC Sanctuary

12 Women of the Way

Andie Goodrich, Co-Coordinator, andie.goodrich@gmail.com Pat Nordbrock, Co-Coordinator, patnordbrock@gmail.com

Study Resource:

Surprised by the Parables: Growing in Grace through the Stories of Jesus by Michelle

Women of the Way Spring Bible Study ALL women of the church are invited to attend the WOW Spring Bible Study focusing on the parables of Jesus. This four week series will conclude our parables theme from last fall using the well-received study guide,

Surprised by the Parables.

Even if you didn't attend the fall session, we encourage you to take part. Each weekly lesson stands alone so you won't be "behind" and you can fully participate in the small group discussion and good fellowship of our gatherings. In this study we'll explore four of the compelling and everyday stories Jesus told to those with hearts open to hear and understand his powerful message of God's grace.

We'll discuss the deep truths behind these stories and how we might apply their stillrelevant lessons to our lives today. Each study will begin with a brief devotional and allow ample time for small group discussion.

When: Thursdays, May 12 - June 2 9:30-11 a.m.

Where: Spencer Hall, in-person and by Zoom IF enough people request a Zoom group.

Lee-Barnewall, associate professor of biblical studies at Biola University.

If you need a copy of the book it can be ordered directly on Amazon or we'll order a copy for you. Cost: $19.00 Sign-Up: RSVP to fpcwomen2017@gmail.com (Pat Nordbrock) or sign up after the worship service in Spencer Hall on Sunday, 5/1 and 5/8.

Please let us know 1) if you'd like us to order a study guide for you; 2) if you’d like to attend in-person or

by Zoom.

We hope you'll join us for meaningful

study and wonderful fellowship with other women of the church.

Your WOW Leaders Andie Goodrich Janeen McClure Pat Nordbrock Susan Pratt Janet Root Liz Speake Nancy Van Fleet

Membership

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

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY May 2 Lauren Geshay Tom Ryerson Bev TenCate

May 10 Pete Debbink Sandy Johnson May 11 Cathy Trampe

May 19 Christine Brady Kathie Doerbaum Adele Nevins Tom Tichenor

May 4 Darlene Evans

May 12 Ashley Byrd Kristina Gulliford Jim Lutz

May 20 Howard Anker Janis Jeckel

May 5 Vicki Jessopp Jerry Miller

May 13 Norman Brown Mozelle Padgett

May 6 Barbara Church

May 14 Tom Grady Marv Herb Teri Storter Linda Wood Melinda Younkin

May 3 David Fister

May 7 Jennifer Haire Frank Kiningham May 8 Kathy Grandi Judy Humphrey May 9 Mike Calyore Craig Goodrich Barbie Kellam Tom Norris

May 15 Susan Sonderby

May 16 Mike Holmberg May 18 Roxanne Hanks Robin Huffman Dan MacLea

In Memoriam Roger Kuhl

March 31, 2022

Jane Long

April 1, 2022

Dale Waters April 23, 2022

May 21 Kristin Brandt Mark Rhein

May 26 Susan Guyett Karen Parker Nancy Walkenhorst May 27 Madison Connell Betty Plum May 28 Richard Banko Barbara Gibson

May 22 Paul Corwith

May 30 David Gunning Robert VandePolder

May 23 Alex Bos Kay Pfouts

May 31 Edith Andrew Richard Miller

May 24 Bob Fultz May 25 Jeff Camp Joy Merder Sallie Wright Deb Taylor

Annual meeting of the Congregation The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held at the conclusion of our worship service on Sunday, May 1.

The purposes of the meeting will be (1) to receive the 2021 Annual Report, (2) to receive the report of the Nominating Committee that Jim Mahon be elected as an elder in the class of 2024, and (3) to elect the Nominating Committee for 2022-2023.

13 Church News

Celebrating 70 years In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God

Church News

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We Welcome

Thank You

David Fister Audio-Visual Technician

Dear Congregation, I have been blessed by my church family. There nave been many occasions where the pastors, Stephen Ministers, and deacons have helped me in many ways.

I received cards from people in the church that I haven’t even met.

I have been in the hospital several times and each time I was visited by someone from the church.

Most recently, I was in the hospital and rehab for six weeks and there were only three days that I didn't have a visitor from FPCN. I believe there are angels sent here by God for people like me who need help.

Thank you and may God bless you all, Linda Arsenault

We welcome David Fister as our new Audio-Visual Technician. David has a strong background in computers and video editing. His duties will include recording the worship services and uploading the videos to the church website and social media. He will also be in charge of running the livestream as well as recording group meetings as needed. Please welcome David to our FPCN team!

STAFF 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

2039 2044

briceg@fpcnaples.org davidf@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 Sandy Knight, Office Admin/Receptionist Kathleen Law, Communications Coordinator Pat Nordbrock, Administrative Assistant Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager

2000 2013 2037 2036

sandyk@fpcnaples.org kathleenl@fpcnaples.org patn@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

Worship & Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries David Fister, Audio-Visual Technician Osei Allen, Sound and Video Operator Caitlin Hancock, Sound and Video Operator

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

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 20-24 9 a.m.—12 p.m.

For children entering Kindergarten through grade 5 *Cost: $25 per child $40 for families of 2 or more children * Scholarships available

From a whimsical lighthouse on an enchanted island, Explorers are guided by the Lighthouse Keeper and Beacon the Puffin on an exciting quest to find five mysterious Infinity Lanterns to help light their way. Using map coordinates from their Reference Book (the Bible), children discover clues to finding each lantern while learning how God’s light shines in the lives of familiar Bible characters from Old and New Testament stories.

We are looking for volunteers to help with snack time, games, Bible lessons, group leaders, arts and crafts. Only have a day or two that week? That’s ok! We would love to have you! Volunteer sign-ups start Sunday, May 1. You can sign up in Spencer Hall or online at: https://first-presbyterian-church-of-naples.mycokesburyvbs.com/ or find the link on our website: www.fpcnaples.org/children