November 2022 Outreach Newslett4er

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

November 2022

Staff members Jack Fogelman and Audrey Gordon in the Pumpkin Patch!

Rev. Craig Goodrich Worship & Music Finance Ministry Spotlight

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Deacons Stephen Ministry Missions Christian Education

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Presbyterian Women Membership Church News Staff Poinsettia Order Form

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2 Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor

In his letter to the Colossians the apostle Paul writes this, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.”

(Colossians 3:15).

Thanksgiving or gratitude is at the heart of our faith. Virginia Stem Owens put it this way, “Thanksgiving is not the result of perception. Rather, it is access to perception.” In other words, if we start with a spirit of thanksgiving, we will see differently. We will see with grateful hearts, eyes and minds.

Looking back over the month of October there is much for which to give thanks. By the time you read this we will have had another wonderful Kirkin’ O’ Tartan on Reformation Sunday. Wednesday night dinners have begun again and the Women of the Way are meeting. We had a wonderful Fall Festival and “Trunk or Treat.” Thanks to all and especially to Ashley Hancock who worked so hard to make it a wonderful time and outreach to our community. And then our friend, Dr. George Wirth, returned to the pulpit and spoke to us about the ministry of his friend Mr. Fred Rogers.

Of course, October also saw many of us engaged in responding to the suffering and loss resulting from Hurricane Ian. Thanks to all who have provided meals, served on work crews, contributed financially and/or simply reached out in care and love to those who are hurting.

Looking ahead to November, these highlights: our first Presbyterian Women’s Gathering will be on Wednesday, November 3. We will celebrate All Saint’s Sunday on November 6, remembering the

craigg@fpcnaples.org

saints of our congregation who have died in the last year. Our first Season of Music concert will be that same afternoon. And on Thanksgiving Day, November 24 we will gather to give thanks at our traditional worship service at 11:30 a.m.

As you read this edition of the Outreach, please especially note the spotlight on our financial ministries (page 5), the very helpful articles on the Deacons and Stephen ministries (page 6 and 7) and the many opportunities for fellowship and mission. And as you read, I pray that you may be filled with thanksgiving for part of this wonderful community of grace “in the heart of Naples with the love of God.” Gratefully and Faithfully,

FROM THE PULPIT November 6 Rev. Rex Childs November 13 Rev. Craig Goodrich November 20 Christ the King/Reign of Christ Rev. Craig Goodrich November 24 Thanksgiving Day Rev. Rex Childs November 27 1st Sunday of Advent Rev. Craig Goodrich

Worship and Music

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

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A Season of Music Kateri Andress, organ

Chancel Choir Christmas Concert

November 6, 2022 4 p.m.

Dr. Brice Gerlach, conductor Sunday, December 4, 2022 4:00 p.m.

Experience the hope and joy of rediscovering the miracle and wonder of Christmas as told through beautiful and cherished music of the season.

Christmas time is filled with great traditions and many of them center on the music of the season.

Our annual concert showcases the incredible talent of First Presbyterian Church. The program will feature the soloists and choir singing Christmas favorites as well as an audience sing-along of well-known carols accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra. The Chancel Choir will sing several Christmas anthems including the Candlelight Carol by John Rutter, Cradle Hymn by Kim André Arnesen, and a beautiful arrangement of Silent Night by Dan Forrest.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kateri Andress is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music in the studio of David Higgs. In May of 2021, she completed her Bachelor of the Arts degree in Music with a double concentration in organ performance and sacred music, summa cum laude, from Ave Maria University in Southwest Florida, where she studied with Dr. Brice Gerlach.

She has been awarded several scholarships over the years to fund her organ studies, including the 2017 American Guild of Organists’ PogorzelskiYankee Memorial Scholarship and the 2021 National Association of Pastoral Musicians’ Dr. James Kosnik and OCP Scholarships. Kateri’s musical interests have always centered around sacred music, and she has been serving as a church organist since she first began organ studies at age 16. Most recently, while studying for her undergraduate degree, she held the position of Assistant Director of Music at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Ave Maria, Florida. Kateri is currently the Organist at the United Church of Canandaigua in Canandaigua, New York. Her program will include works by Bach, Mendelssohn and contemporary composer Naji Hakim.

Sing some of your favorite traditional carols such as O Come, All Ye Faithful, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.

Come enjoy a beautiful concert with some of the most traditional and well-loved Christmas songs ever composed.

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Finance

Doug Jensen, Committee Chair, d50.jensen@gmail.com Debbie Savage, Director of Finance, debbies@fpcnaples.org

As you already know, we finished the third quarter of 2022 with an uninvited guest to Southwest Florida.

Thankfully, the church did extremely well during Hurricane Ian and we had no major damage or disruption to services. We want to thank all who have stepped up to contribute to our two hurricane assistance funds. As of this publication, we have received $22,784 for the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund (HIRF,) which will help us assist some of the organizations we partner with to provide support in the greater community. We have also received $21,750 for the Pastor’s Emergency Assistance fund (PEA,) which allows us to provide financial assistance to families in our congregation or those closely connected to First Presbyterian Church of Naples.

Below, we have provided the summary financials through the end of the third quarter, which provide a snapshot of our current financial position. We are pleased to report that contributions continue to be strong. We are also pleased to report that our YTD expenses are well within budget.

In comparing the offerings received and expenses paid YTD to the YTD budget, it is helpful to remember that we use a straight-line budget which equally divides revenues and expenses over all twelve months. We know that the fourth quarter is when many people complete their pledges and plan year-end giving. We also know that the fourth quarter is when we schedule payment for some of our larger expenses such as completion of our pledge to the Presbytery, quarterly insurance premiums, and disbursement of budgeted Missions funds to our partner agencies.

We are confident that, as in past years, our congregation will prayerfully consider their year-end giving and will generously support the ministries and missions of FPCN: in the Heart of Naples with the Love of God: we worship, we love, we grow, we serve.

Doug Jensen, Finance Committee Chair Debbie Savage, Director of Finance

Finance

Doug Jensen, Committee Chair, d50.jensen@gmail.com Debbie Savage, Director of Finance, debbies@fpcnaples.org

Another one of our committees that often works behind the scenes at First Presbyterian Church of Naples is the Finance Committee! The Book of Order places responsibility on the Session for the financial health of the church and the Session has delegated these responsibilities to a Finance Committee made up of at least five church members with significant financial and/or investment background and it is chaired by a member of Session. Additionally, the Finance Committee has several subcommittees including Investment, Generosity, Insurance, Palm Society, Audit, and Policy Review.

This dedicated group meets monthly and works with the Director of Finance and the Senior Pastor to provide financial oversight for the organization which includes budgeting and financial planning; stewardship, including our annual generosity campaign, and selected fund-raising activities; financial reporting; the creation and monitoring of internal controls; and compliance with related rules, regulations and laws. This also includes ensuring provisions of the Endowment Fund Policy and Investment Policy/Guidelines are being followed and returns are monitored versus benchmarks. The Finance Committee then informs, educates and advises Session of financial matters to ensure that they align with the strategic mission of the church.

There are numerous checks and balances to assure the congregation that their contributions are being managed with the utmost care and respect, including an annual independent audit/ review, weekly review by Finance Committee member of all checks issued, etc. This team is committed to protecting the finances of the church while encouraging an environment where we can embrace the mission of being a church in the Heart of Naples with the Love of God, worshipping, loving, growing, and serving.

Members of the Finance Committee: Steve Barwick Linda Gadkowski Rev. Craig Goodrich Doug Jensen, Chair Any Manley Rich Peterson John Rader Debbie Savage David Weigel Barb Weiss

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6 Deacons

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

You may recall that the Deacons have a newly invigorated Inner-Missions Committee. We started out by filling some requests from Church members for transportation to services, events or appointments, for medical equipment, and for various other daily needs where help was needed.

Unfortunately, while we know that there are members who could use some help from day to day, we are experiencing the same phenomenon the Stephen Ministers have been seeing for many years.

People are reluctant to ask for help for many reasons – from not wanting to impose to not wanting to admit that one needs assistance at times.

Below is an interesting recent article written by a research psychologist which addresses this reluctance to ask for help.

Why this Stanford researcher says you should ask your friends for more favors: ‘We are a collaborative society’

P u bli sh ed C NB C S a t, S e p 1 7 2 02 2 9:0 0 A M ED T Upda t ed M on, S ep 19 2 02 2 1 0:3 0 A M E DT R e po rt e d by Aditi Shrikant on study by Xuan Zhao, S T A NF OR D RES E ARCH ER

Need a ride to the airport? Or help hanging your curtain rod? These pesky tasks are often made easier by asking a friend for help, but many of us are reluctant to do so.

People consistently underestimate others’ willingness to lend them a hand, according to a new study published in the journal Psychological Science. Help-seekers also overestimate how inconvenienced the person they are asking for a favor will feel. “It can be nerve-wracking to ask a stranger for help,” says Xuan Zhao, a social science research scholar at Stanford University who co-authored the study with Nicholas Epley, a social cognition professor at the University of Chicago.

Sunday, September 11

“In our research we found people underestimate both strangers’ and friends’ [desire to help].”

Throughout history, there has been a debate about whether we live in a selfish society or a collaborative society, Zhao says. “Over the past few recent decades, there has been more and more evidence that we are a pro-social and collaborative society,” she says. “That’s part of our winning strategy of evolution.”

Still, we underestimate how positive others feel about doing us a favor, Zhao’s research found.

“When we need help it can be stressful and you have a lot of worries,” she says. “You might be trapped in your own concerns. All of that makes it easy to overlook other people’s willingness to help.”

American culture might also exacerbate the situation. “People are taught to be self-sufficient and there might be a stigma to the idea of seeking out help and you might be concerned about being perceived as weak or inferior to other people,” she says.

Those eager to help might be treated with suspicion, as research shows most people expect others to act mainly out of self-interest. If a friend agrees to help you build a dresser, you might be wondering what favor they will ask you in return down the line.

Generally, though, people help because helping makes them feel good, Zhao says: “It’s called warm-glow giving. The idea that helping other people makes us feel good ties back to the idea that it is something written in our genes.”

So, if you or someone you know needs some assistance with daily activities, please contact David Witman, dpwitman@hotmail.com. We will contact you and endeavor to find another church member to help. Help someone to feel the JOY of helping you.

CHURCH TOUR All are welcome to join a "Behind the Scenes" church tour on Sunday, November 13 following the worship service.

The guided tour is intended to orient, inform, and familiarize you with the spaces and activities that take place at FPCN. The 30 minute tour will include the Offices, Choir Room, Mase Christian Education Center, Youth Room, Chapel, and other areas with historical perspectives from parishioners.

Following the worship service join us in Spencer Hall for some refreshments and to Participants should assemble at the front of the meet your deacon Sanctuary 15 minutes following the church service.

If you think about how you feel when you’ve We are looking for additional volunteers to help helped out a friend, it might start to make and other members lead or assist with upcoming tours. sense. “Helping other people makes you feel good because it creates a moment of social insays. your parish.

Contact Sarah Nichols for additional information, connection,” she “It makes you feel valued and needed by other people and if you are successful at helping them it makes you feel competent, and everyone likes feeling competent.”

sarahsnichols@gmail.com or 615.268.5407.

Stephen Ministry

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

Christ Caring for People through People The process of aging can be both a challenge and a blessing, and one’s “golden years” can be framed in both ways. God gave us old age for reasons that we can never fully understand, but if we acknowledge God as the giver of old age, we are much better able to meet its challenges and be grateful for its blessings.

As with many things, how we frame our attitudes toward aging makes all the difference. Richard Rohr’s September 18, 2022 devotional entitled A Ripening Mind and Heart can help us to frame growing older in a way which brings us true Christian JOY. (Adapted from Richard Rohr, introduction to Oneing 1, no. 2, Ripening (Fall 2013): 11, 12–14.)

The word “ripening” helps us move beyond any exclusive concern with physical aging, because our concerns are much more than that. If I am to believe the novels, myths, poems, and people I have met in my life, old age is almost never described as an apex of achievement as one sits atop a summit with the raised arms of a victorious athlete. It is something else, almost always something else— usually something other than what was initially imagined, or even hoped for.

Ripening, at its best, is a slow, patient learning, and sometimes even a happy letting go—a seeming emptying out to create readiness for a new kind of fullness—which we are never sure about. If we do not allow our own ripening, an ever-increasing resistance and denial sets in, an ever-increasing protection around an over-defended self. At our very best, we learn how to hope as we ripen. Youthful hopes have concrete goals, whereas the hope of older years is usually aimless hope, hope without goals, even naked hope — perhaps real hope.

Such stretching is the agony and the joy of later years, although one can avoid both of these rich experiences too. Old age, as such, is almost a complete changing of gears and engines from the first half of our lives, and does not happen without many slow realizations, inner calmings, lots of inner resistance and denials, and eventual surrenders. All of them by God’s grace work with our everdeepening sense of what we really desire and who we really are.

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Reality, fate, destiny, providence, and tragedy are slow but insistent teachers. The horizon of old age seems to be a plan that God has prepared as inevitable and part of the necessary school of life.

What is gratuitously given is also gratuitously taken away, just as Job slowly came to accept. And sometimes we remember that his eventual pained response was “Blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21).

If we are to speak of a spirituality of ripening, we need to recognize that it is always characterized by an increasing tolerance for ambiguity, a growing sense of subtlety, an ever-larger ability to include and allow, and a capacity to live with contradictions and even to love them! I cannot imagine any other way of coming to those broad horizons except through many trials, unsolvable paradoxes, and errors in trying to resolve them.

The ripening of mind and heart is most basically a capacity for nondual consciousness and contemplation. So my guidance is a simple reminder to recall what we will be forced to learn by necessity and under pressure anyway—the open-ended way of allowing and the deep meaning that some call faith.

To live in trustful faith is to ripen; it is almost that simple.

STEPHEN MINISTERS Tom Clark Isabelle Connell Walter Gadkowski Andie Goodrich Shirley Hagerson Chris Jones Jack Marsh Janeen McClure Saralene Oldham Karen Parker Gary Root David Witman

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Missions

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

Feed the 5,000

This month we are helping to restock the food pantry of Youth Haven.

Ushers will have a Publix bag available as you leave the Sanctuary the first Sunday of November. Food donations will be collected at the 6th Street church entrance on the second Sunday of the month, November 13.

Habitat for humanity

From Habitat for Humanity Habitat Collier will be part of the long-term rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Ian. Of the 2,440 Habitat homes in Collier County, only three experienced mild water intrusion. All other homes weathered the storm and provided the families living in them with safety and security. Homes near Habitat Collier homes not built to our standards did not fare as well. Habitat homes became a refuge for neighbors. The need for affordable homes, already at a critical point, will only be exacerbated by the new group of people displaced in Collier County because of Hurricane Ian. With so many needing repairs and the price and availability of building supplies already impacted by the pandemic, we expect even more people to turn to Habitat Collier desperate for an affordable, safe home. In our last fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, more than 1,500 families inquired about whether they would qualify for a Habitat home. We anticipate that number to skyrocket. When disaster hits, the most vulnerable struggle the most. Those are the families that Habitat Collier serves. Displaced families, especially those living in trailers and substandard structures, places where our applicant families typically live, are wondering where to turn. With support from our partners, Habitat Collier will continue to build strong homes and partner with families in desperate need of a safe, affordable home.

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 Oatmeal Pancake mix Syrup Fruit cups Dried fruit Jello Dried fruit Granola bars Juice boxes Microwave popcorn Fat-free pudding cups

Graham crackers Animal crackers Canned vegetables Macaroni and cheese Peanut butter Jam or jelly Dried beans Dried rice Pasta Pasta sauce Boxed stuffing Canned tomatoes

L to R: Jill Gilbertson, Bob Guyett, Amy Manley, Yancey Brame, Doug Borland. Present but missed photo: Scott Macdonough and Susan Kogan

Join our work crew on Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 a.m. and 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 or contact Yancy Brame at 239.331.7731 or jybrame@gmail.com.

Missions

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

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International Mission Update

Sitting in the pews this summer I was reading the prayer page and the Spirit got my attention regarding our sister church in Matanzas, Cuba and their need for medications. Knowing that I could help, I approached Pat Nordbrock since she will be Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Christ at First traveling to Cuba in November for the annual Cuba Presbyterian Church! Liz and I have been fortunate Partner Network Conference. I asked Pat to to get to know many of you already despite the ascertain the specific medication needs of the pandemic since joining the church in the Fall of church there since I was already placing an order for 2019. I have been wanting to personally medications with Blessings, a Christian organization reach out to you to explain why I am periodically on that supplies medications at a discounted cost to the prayer page of the church bulletin. Those of Christian groups going on medical mission trips. you who know me well know that I have been With the Mission team’s blessing, Pat and I placed a making annual medical mission trips to Camotan in medication order for our sister church in Matanzas southern Guatemala, near the borders of Honduras as well as for our people in Camotan. The and El Salvador since 2006 with a 2-year hiatus in medications were so needed for our brothers and 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. I have been sisters in Guatemala and they will be for those in blessed to share in this ministry, returning this past Cuba, as well. Pat will be taking approximately 20 May with tears of joy in my eyes as the plane's pounds of over the counter and prescription wheels touched down on the runway in Guatemala medications with her (Cuba allows 22 pounds)!

City. We provide medical care and the much-needed medications to our people up in the mountains as Thank you so much for your continued prayer well as to those that are able to attend the free support, not just for me but for our sister church in clinic in Camotan (https://camotanclinic.com).

Matanzas as well. I welcome you to seek me out in Spencer Hall after church on Sundays or even give Since moving to Naples in September 2019 I have me a call at 570-490-3681 or e-mail me at been employed by NCH as a primary care provider. markspeake58@gmail.com.

Last year, NCH offered me a new position teaching our Internal Medicine residents along with the In gratitude, responsibility for a Global Health Elective. I took 3 of Mark Speake our residents and 1 of my good friends with me on my most recent trip from October 9-16. God has been SO good to me since missions and teaching along with fishing are my passions.

Misión Peniel Christmas Toy Drive This year we have been asked to collect toys for the children at Misión Peniel.

Tags with gender and age will be available on Sunday, November 20. Toys should be approximately $20—$25 in value and returned in a gift bag. Please bring gifts to Spencer Hall by Sunday, December 11. Our goal this year is to be able to provide gifts for 125 children.

Some suggestions include: 0 - 4 years: tactile, plush or educational toys, large legos, playdoh sets 5 - 7 years: hot wheels, dolls, cars, educational kits 8 - 10 years: science projects, doll sets, cars, action figures

10 Christian Education

Fall Festival Trunk or Treat &

Silent Auction

Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com Nancy Van Fleet, Dir. of Children & Youth, nancyv@fpcnaples.org

Christian Education

Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com Nancy Van Fleet, Dir. of Children & Youth, nancyv@fpcnaples.org

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13 Christian Education

Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com Nancy Van Fleet, Dir. of Children & Youth, nancyv@fpcnaples.org

Kidz Lab meets after the Children’s Time in the Youth Room.

Children in Kindergarten through grade 6 are invited to this faith formation journey based on the weekly lectionary choices.

Children in Kidz Lab engage with the same lessons that their parents hear in church, which encourages family conversations after the service.

Youth Group

students in grades 6 through 12

Our next gathering will take place on Sunday, November 6.

Parents Night Out

Join us for worship and a thank you lunch.

Then we’ll walk down to 5th Avenue for some ice cream and fellowship!

Young Adult Group

Sunday, November 20 at 12 noon young adults are invited to join us on Zoom or in person.

Youth Outing

We seek to be a refuge for those who are spiritually hungry and looking for meaningful connection rooted in our faith tradition.

Contact Nancy Van Fleet (nancyv@fpcnaples.org) for additional information or if you require the Zoom link.

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

Christian Education

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GenWe Sunday November 6 – All Saints Day Join us for our next GenWe service as we gather all generations and honor the “great cloud of witnesses” that have gone before us and celebrate communion.

“GenWe” Sundays are held on the first Sunday of each month and will be intentional to be intergenerational. Our worship will be designed so whether you are an introvert or extrovert, tactile or cerebral, younger or older, active or still, new to the church or familiar with the church, there will be parts of the worship service where all are invited to experience God’s presence. Nursery care is available for our children in preschool and younger and there is also a Wiggle Room adjacent to the sanctuary for those who want to watch the service live while their children have a place to play. We have worship boxes for all our children to help parents guide them through the service.

Growing Young Prayer Time Do you want to be a part of the Growing Young initiative but don’t feel called to work directly with our children and youth? Think about joining us for prayer as we continue this journey. We come to God for wisdom and discernment for next steps as we allow time for prayer and silence. We meet every Friday at 12 noon on Zoom to pray for 30 minutes. Join us whenever you can! Contact Nancy Van Fleet at nancyv@fpcnaples.org for Zoom information.

Thank You Luncheon – November 6 after the service Our youth want to thank the congregation for all their support – prayerfully and financially – in making Montreat a possibility this past summer. Join us after the service for lunch and a slideshow of our summer Montreat experience in Spencer Hall. All are welcome!

Religious Leaders Series A new monthly Christian Education series will begin on Sunday, November 13 from 8:30— 9:15 a.m. in the Chapel.

We will take a look at religious leaders of the past. This program, originally presented to the Wednesday Morning Men: Faith and Fellowship, was well received.

Women’s Ministry Bible Study All women are invited to join us for a weekly Bible Study held on Mondays at 1 p.m. in the Parlor.

We are currently reading the Gospel of John.

The presentation on November 13 will concentrate on Saint Patrick, presented by Rev. Rex Childs.

Please bring your Bible.

We look to covenant with each other week by week as we delve into God’s Word.

No reservation is needed. For more information, please contact Bill Kearney at skearney239@comcast.net or

For more information contact Janeen McClure at jrmc@airmcclure.com.

239.348.2871.

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

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Wednesdays at First Fall 2022

Dinner ($10) begins at 5:30 p.m. with the program at 6 p.m. Registration is required for dinner only.

No reservation is necessary if you will be joining us for the program only. We’ve given you several options to register and pay, if you are joining us for dinner. Sign up in Spencer Hall, call the church office at 239.262.1311, or email Sandy Knight at sandyk@fpcnaples.org.

November 2: Dr. Brice Gerlach: Our talented and beloved music director and organist of over 20 years took a well earned Sabbatical this summer. Brice will describe in-depth the highlights of this inspiring time off.

He will also give us a glimpse into what he has planned for our music program this coming season.

November 9: Nancy Van Fleet: As Director of Children and Youth, Nancy has brought her joy, dedication and creativity to developing and expanding the faith formation of our younger people. She chairs our FPCN team dedicated to inspiring our congregation to “grow young.” She will expand on next steps for this important endeavor and the roles each of us need to consider. She will explain the essence of these innovative programs and how they have impacted her role at FPCN. November 16: Introduction to the Saint John’s Bible Join us for a sneak peak!

Wednesday Morning Men: 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 David Fister at davidf@fpcnaples.org for Zoom instructions and a link to the meeting.

Faith and Fellowship Join us at 8 a.m. on November 2 in the Youth Room and November 16 in Spencer Hall.

Coffee and pastries will be served. We look forward to your participation if and when you are able to join us.

For more information and questions, please contact Bill Kearney at 239.348.2871 or skearney239@comcast.net.

Presbyterian Women

Carolyn Bennett, Moderator, cjosmith341@gmail.com

If you survived Hurricane Ian without any damage you are very blessed. The devastation of Ian has made all of us focus on reaching out to others. Mission work has always been the Presbyterian Women’s “reason for existing”.

Over 200 years ago women of faith in the Presbyterian Church created PW as a vehicle to help others. Annually our PW group contributes at least $7,000 to missions. Our monthly PW Gatherings focus on the education and support of the missions we have chosen to support.

At our November Gathering we will use our collection jars for Collier Harvest (an organization that collects food for needy families) as centerpieces focusing on the pressing need to feed those impacted by the tragedy of Hurricane Ian. November is also Thank Offering month on our PW calendar.

The funds collected through our Thank Offering are used by our National PW in support of special projects all over the world. These funds are given through grant requests for special projects. A disaster such as Hurricane Ian demonstrates the crucial needs and criteria for these funds. Special envelopes for the Thank Offering will be placed on our luncheon tables at the November Gathering or can be picked up at our PW table in Spencer Hall.

We welcome all women to join us for one or all of our Gatherings; or to join a Circle Group for study and fellowship. The first Wednesday of every month from November through May we have a PW Gathering. We usually begin at noon with a simple lunch ($10) followed by a program. Put these Wednesday dates on your calendars!

The November Gathering will be a kick off of our Circle study: Celebrating Sabbath. Circle Groups (an opportunity for study & fellowship) also begin in November. Check the PW table in Spencer Hall for information about our Circle Groups, study guides, or details about our Gatherings.

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Attendees to the South Atlantic Synod for Presbyterian Women

Standing: Martha Waddell, Sue Schenk, Betty Mangos and Gail Clark.

Seated: Carol Bechtel (author of this years study) and Saralene Oldham.

Join us on Wednesday, December 7 Our December Gathering will get us in the spirit of the Christmas season with an uplifting musical presentation by Dr. Brice Gerlach and his wife Michele Byrd-Gerlach.

We will begin at noon in the Sanctuary for the program followed by lunch in Spencer Hall.

We extend an invitation to all men & women to join us for this mid week program of Christmas music.

Sign ups in Spencer Hall with your payment of $10 for lunch are held two weeks prior to the Gathering on November 27 and/or December 4.

Invite your spouses, neighbors and friends!

16 Membership

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

November 14 Berne Barton November 16 Bob Strohaver November 18 Pat Gerding Edwin Miller Kitty Wildman November 1 Larry Succop November 2 Marilyn Currier Ann Goodnight November 3 Carol Ellis November 4 Bill Harrington Scott Macdonough Web Barron Robin Garber Rick Blattner

November 8 Pam Walker Carol Georgieff Nancy Jordan

November 24 Bob Wood Wendy Simpson Brenda Brode November 25 Judi Wood November 26 Kristin Fox

November 9 Polly Huston Bob Price

November 19 Jack Myers Bob Rath

November 27 Doug Gibbens Janet Scott

November 10 Bud Smith Lois Miller Judy Meyniel

November 21 Gay Pepper Dorie Tichenor Joan Norris

November 28 Lee Ryan Eloise Ingram

November 11 Kenneth Martin

November 22 Sherry Hoffman Linda Arsenault

November 12 Marilyn Holt William McClayton MaryLou Garrity

November 13 Patricia Stevens Christine Voncanon

Seekers & Joiners Do you want to know more about our faith, this congregation and how to become a member of our dynamic church?

We want to encourage you in your journey of faith.

A Seekers and Joiners class will be held in the Parlor on Sunday, November 20 immediately following the worship service.

Information packets are available at the exit doors or at the class.

Please register by calling the church office at 239.262.1311 or by e-mailing Sandy Knight at sandyk@fpcnaples.org.

November 23 Jane Rogers Rex Childs Toni Price Jimene Rinehart

November 29 Marti Beard November 30 Harold Stucky

In Memoriam William Scott May 21, 2021

Joan Bird Eisenhauer October 13, 2022

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Church News

Congregational Meeting A meeting of the congregation will take place on Sunday, November 13 following the worship service.

The purpose of the meeting is to elect Elders and Deacons.

BLOOD DRIVE Monday, November 21 from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Sign up in Spencer Hall beginning Sunday, November 6 or contact Pat Collins 239.261.6649 or Tedi Fraley 706.371.2318.

Church Office Hours

The church office will be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Following Hurricane Ian several members pitched in with clean up efforts for other church members.

18 Church News Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at FPCN on Monday, November 14, 2021.

These painless screenings go beyond your regular checkup to identify dangerous plaque buildup or blockage, a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease. The screenings are accurate, affordable and will give you valuable information about your health that you can share with your doctor.

Five vital screenings are offered for only $149 and take 60-90 minutes to complete. If you register today, you will receive a $10 discount.

Register by calling toll free 1-888-653-6441 or text the word "circle" to 797979. Please note: the church office cannot schedule appointments for Life Line.

19

Church News Staff Ministers Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor Worship & Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries David Fister, Audio-Visual Technician Caitlin Hancock, Sound and Video Operator Christian Education Jack Fogelman, Kidz Lab Teacher Audrey Gordon, Childcare Provider Ashley Hancock, Christian Education Assistant Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children and Youth Office Sandy Knight, Office Admin/Receptionist Kathleen Law, Director of Publications and Social Media Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager Debbie Savage, Director of Finance Facilities Lisa Ethier, Custodian Eduardo Martinez, Maintenance Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities Preschool Ashley Houk, Preschool Director Lindsay Willkomm, Assistant Preschool Director

Ext.

E-mail

2035 2027

craigg@fpcnaples.org rexc@fpcnaples.org

2039 2044

briceg@fpcnaples.org davidf@fpcnaples.org

2012 2029

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

2000 2013 2036 2042

sandyk@fpcnaples.org kathleenl@fpcnaples.org sharmanp@fpcnaples.org debbies@fpcnaples.org

2016 2014 2028

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

2009 2038

ashleyh@fpcnaples.org lindsayw@fpcnaples.org

Christmas Poinsettias

Please fill out the following form and return it along with payment to the church office. Please note Poinsettia Dedication on the payment. All orders must be received no later than Sunday, December 4. Please use one form per dedication. Additional forms may be found online at www.fpcnaples.org. The cost is $25 per poinsettia.

Please PRINT CLEARLY the information you would like to appear in the dedication.

In memory of _________________________________________________________________________

In honor of ___________________________________________________________________________ Given by_____________________________________________________________________________ Your name ________________________________________

Phone ____________________________

Amount enclosed $________ A list of dedications will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletins.

You may pick up your poinsettia following the 7 p.m. service on Christmas Eve or after the Sunday, December 25 worship service.

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

Thanksgiving Service Thursday, November 24 11:30 a.m.

Hanging of the Greens Monday, November 28 9 a.m.

Chancel Choir Christmas Concert Sunday, December 4 4 p.m.

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

Blue Christmas

A service of comfort, hope, wholeness and renewal

Wednesday, December 21 5:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24 Family Worship 5 p.m.

Traditional Candlelight Worship 7 p.m.