September 2023 Outreach Newsletter

BACK TO SCHOOL! BACK TO SCHOOL!

Mrs. Kennedy and her VPK students on the first day of school.

What a summer it’s been! Usually the summer months are a quiet time around the church, but not this year. ve had a number of construction projects: new flooring in the preschool, installing a hearing loop and a new streaming/camera system in the Sanctuary as well as the big renovation of the Narthex. We are so excited about these updates to our facility and we believe they will provide a better experience for person and those who

I also want to express gratitude to all of you for the wonderful encouragement and support I’ve received this summer during Craig’s sabbatical. So many of you have offered kind words after the service, at our committee meetings or via eve meant a great deal to me. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to grow and learn as both a worship leader/ preacher and get experience overseeing the m grateful to our many guest preachers, our amazing staff (especially Craig for trusting me to steer the ship), and to each one of you ve shown me.

ve been asked a lot about taking some vacation time when Craig is back and I’m happy to report that I ll be spending a good bit of September away to recharge. First, Cayla, Mary and I will be staying in Waynesville, NC at a family cabin for a week. It will be Mary’s first flight, so please pray for smooth travel! Later in the month, I’ll travel to Illinois to attend the wedding of a good friend from seminary. I’ll also spend some time at home working on projects and hopefully playing a few rounds of golf.

Thanks again for a great summer and I look forward to connecting with you all again after my vacation.

Peace,

Dear First Presbyterian Family,

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you, Congregation, Session, Personnel Committee and Staff, for the gift of a wonderful sabbatical time these last three months. And I am especially grateful to Rev. Rex Childs and Sharman Pfaus who took on additional duties so ably and

It indeed has been a time of rest and renewal. A time of reunions (50 high school and Goodrich family beach reunion). A time of deepening friendships and relationships.

Andie and I have spent time in Washington DC (reunion), Atlanta (wedding), Duck, NC (beach), Montgomery (the Legacy Museum), Asheville (hiking), Montreat (The Presbyterian Historical Society and Lookout Mountain hike), and Durham, NC (Go Bulls!). And I made a “pilgrimage” to Wisconsin and Minnesota to explore family roots and spend time at Saint John’s Abbey on a spiritual retreat. In several of these places, on Sundays I worshipped with Presbyterian Congregations. I have spent time studying Benedictine Spirituality and focused on TheSaintJohn’sBible. (See page 4 for some sabbatical scenes.)

We have also had good downtime in Naples with lots of reading (I have some recommendations), relaxation, reflection, prayer and coffee.

And then, there was baseball!

You will be hearing much more, but for now we simply say “Thanks!” And see you soon!

Gratefully and Faithfully, (and Andie)

FROM THE PULPIT

September 3

Rev. Rex Childs

September 10

Rev. Craig Goodrich

September 17

Rev. Craig Goodrich

September 24

Rev. Craig Goodrich

Row 1: Beginning Sabbatical, Washington DC HS Reunion, Hiking in Montreat

Row 2: Goodrich Family Reunion in NC

Row 3: Sunset at the beach, baseball in Durham, Saint John’sAbbey and Bible

Row 4: With Father Cyril, with Carmen and Dr. Russ Mase, exploring family roots in Anoka, MN

Greetings Friends!

Hopefully you have all been keeping up with the events and activities here at FPCN during the summer, regardless if you were in Naples or spending the summer elsewhere! There’s activity all over campus and each week we have seen progress on several of our summer projects.

The financial snapshot provided below, is just that - a snapshot, and without context, it doesn’t really tell the whole story. For example, in addition to your generosity for our Narthex Renovation & Summer Projects campaign where we raised $251K, you have contributed $9,135 to Deacons’ Benevolence; $7,826 to Feed the 5,000; $1,790 to Local Missions; and $1,585 to Power Pak so far this year, all of which are above and beyond pledged and non-pledged giving to our operating fund where we have budgeted $100K in missions giving! Thank you for being the church in the heart of Naples- worshipping, loving, growing, and serving!!

Acknowledging the importance of providing more detailed financial information on a regular basis, we will use the format previously used for quarterly data on a monthly basis. As a result, below you will see July’s numbers with historical data for the last two years. When we compare our numbers this year to last year, it’s easy to see that revenue is down and that expenses are up, thus leading to our current shortfall.

Staff and Session are working diligently to develop strategies to overcome this hurdle. We know that we have already lost more members to death in the first seven months of 2023 than we lost in all of 2022 and we have had several members leave the area. New membership has not increased enough to offset these departures. In addition, inflation has affected each of us personally and in turn has affected our giving. These factors definitely have an impact on revenue. Our expenses have increased in part due to inflation, and our vendors have continued to increase their prices and rates to cover their costs. We have also maintained a full staff in 2023, which we did not have for all of 2022, thus contributing to the difference in expenses between the two years.

We are blessed to have such a wonderful facility and such a caring congregation so we can continue to share God’s love and grace with our community. Thank you for your past and continued support of this ministry both with your time and finances! We would encourage you to reach out if you have any questions and to consider how you can further help to financially support the work we do in the name of Jesus.

Blessings and peace!

POWER PAK PROGRAM

The Power Pak program provides meals/ snacks for Big Cypress Elementary School students who would not otherwise have enough to eat over the weekend.

You can help support this mission by donating to the “Care Bear,” which resides on the cookie/punch table in Spencer Hall ready to receive your dollars and cents to be used to purchase food for the program. You can also help by delivering Power Paks to Big Cypress Elementary school on the designated days. For information, contact Betty Plum at bplum.790@gmail.com.

Contributions to the Power Pak program may also be made online at www.fpcnaples.org/ give. Please select Mission-Power Pak Fund. Thank you for your generosity.

Deacons

Don

This month we are helping to restock the food pantry of St. Matthew’s House.

Ushers will have a list available as you leave the Sanctuary the first Sunday of September. Food donations will be collected at the 6th Street church entrance on the second Sunday of the month, September 10.

Feed the

5,000

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:

Coffee Sugar

Rice

Dried beans

Pasta/Sauce

Boxed mac & cheese

Canned veggies

Canned soup

Canned fruit

Canned tuna, chicken, ham

Peanut butter

Jelly

Cereal Condiments

Chips

Crackers

Oatmeal

Instant mashed potatoes

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

CHURCH TOUR

David Witman, Deacon Moderator, dpwitman@hotmail.com

Saralene Oldham, Clerk of Session, soldham@helmsbriscoe.com

Commentary on Mending the Heart

by John Claypool

“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”

- Matthew 5:4

Grieving the loss of a loved one can overcome even the greatest among us. It is daunting to cope with running out of time to be with someone very important in our life. When confronted by the possibility of the death of a loved one, we pray to God to preserve a life and often end up getting the exact opposite of what we asked for. Under the circumstances, grieving great loss despite our prayers is the ultimate affront, often causing us to question, to be angry with, or rage at, God.

Claypool posits that we tend to form two images of death early in childhood, the first is one of the total annihilation and total destruction. We see grandparents die, and from that point onward they cease to exist for us. Only primordial terror can result from this early image of death. The second is that death comes as a thief to rob us of what we love best, yielding a sense of injustice, lack of control and outrage. There is a dimension of possession in our experience of love. “Because I love you, you are mine.” “What right did God have to take from me what is mine?”

Claypool says that throughout life, we let go of things that have run their natural course so that we might experience new things. Like death, every exit in our life has been an entrance into some new phase of experience. This is the basic pattern of life. We are born by dying from the safety and total nurturing of the womb in order to enter into an unknown world of larger time and space because our spirit is ready for it. We die from childhood, again to enter a larger, unknown world of adulthood which can provide still more growth for our spirits. And so, we move through life, all the while dying from a smaller place so that we may move into a greater one. By observing the patterns of life and his faith in God, Claypool learned to view death as one’s birth into eternal life.

Claypool’s answer to looking at death as a deprivation is powerfully simple and arouse of his dealing with the untimely death of his ten-year-old daughter. We did not ask to be born. God created us out of love and gave us life as a pure gift. We may have a right to be angry when deprived of something we own or possess, but Claypool came

to recognize his daughter as a pure gift from God, which gift was always intended and known to be temporary. His daughter was never “his,” she was simply a joyful gift from God. Claypool reasoned that he could spend the rest of his life resenting God’s taking his daughter from him too soon or he could spend it in gratitude that she had ever lived at all and spent ten wonderful years with his family. When a temporary gift is taken away, you use that occasion to give thanks that it was ever given at all.

One job of a Stephen Minister is to walk alongside another in grief, to listen and to be there as God’s tool for Grace. God helps people to figure out their own issues and talking with a Stephen Minister regularly over time can help people reconnect with God’s will for them. They will figure it out for themselves in time with the help of God. Think of a Stephen Minister as just a spiritual tool in addition to prayer, worship, contemplation, reading scripture and other spiritual practices.

HOSPITAL MINISTRY

Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org

SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT THE EARTH!

1. BYOB. Last year Americans went through about 50 billion plastic water bottles. Fill up a reusable water bottle at home and bring it with you. Don’t like the taste of your tap water? Buy a filter! (Remember, much of the bottled water sold today is filtered tap water anyway.)

2. Watch your waste. Items you may be throwing away can contaminate the soil and water for thousands or millions of years. Our community has special disposal procedures for things like used oil and batteries. Ink cartridges can probably be recycled where you bought them. And many of the new superefficient lightbulbs contain mercury, so proper disposal is crucial. Visit www.colliercountyfl.gov for further information.

3. Paper NOR plastic. Bring your bags with you! By taking reusable bags to the grocery store, you can cut down on the 350 bags the average person uses each year and reduce the needless deaths of marine life caused by plastic bags that end up in streams, rivers and oceans. (You can bring the plastic bags to Publix and dispose of them in the marked bins.)

4. Flip ‘em off. In many places we can’t even see the stars anymore, due in part to all the electric lights. Keep the light on in the room you’re in, but keep the rest of your house dark. You’ll find the dark soothing.

5. Get in touch with your roots. Plant a tree! It’s good for the soil, good for the birds, good for reducing climate change and good for the air you’re breathing. Don’t have a yard in which to plant a tree? You can plant a tree in someone’s honor or memory through the Arbor Day Foundation, www.arborday.org.

6. Get off the list. Catalogs are great when they’re from companies you like to order from. But if you’re getting catalogs from companies you don’t buy from, call them and tell them to get you off their list.

7. Put one foot in front of the other. One hundred years ago, 99% of people got by without cars. They took the train, they lived near their workplaces...and they walked. Using fuel-efficient cars is important, but we can save even more fuel by simply driving less. Try car-pooling to church for worship, Bible Studies and meetings!

8. Go for seconds. Recycling doesn’t always mean separating your cans and bottles. It can also mean using things a second (or third) time. That nice padded envelope you got in the mail, for example? Instead of throwing it away, scratch out the address, tear off the stamps (and bring them to the Sew & Sews), and use it again.

Sacred Habits

Sacred Habits

Cultivating Contemplation & Divine Discernment

Cultivating Contemplation & Divine Discernment

Do you ever find yourself wondering where God might be guiding you or how to embrace the wisdom of God?

Do you ever find yourself wondering where God might be guiding you or how to embrace the wisdom of God?

wisdom.

Each session will explore the writings of Henri Nouwen coupled with different methods to quiet the mind, open the heart, and deepen our connection with God. We will also delve into the practice of Lectio Divina (sacred reading, allowing scripture to speak to us in profound and transformative ways) and journaling. By consistently engaging in these practices, we will develop a heightened sensitivity to God's presence and a greater ability to discern God's will in our lives. We will learn to differentiate between our own desires and the gentle nudges of divine guidance. Through the integration of Centering Prayer and contemplation, we will cultivate a more profound relationship with God and navigate our life's path with clarity, purpose, and alignment with the divine will.

Join us in person or by Zoom

September 14, 21, and 28 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the Youth Room (optional 30-minute discussion to follow)

Inquire and sign up at nancyv@fpcnaples.org

Facilitated by Nancy Van Fleet

Back to School Blessings

On Sunday, August 6 we celebrated a Back to School blessing during the worship service. Following worship the students were invited to the Youth Room where they could decorate a water bottle for the new school year and write down their prayers for the coming year. College-bound students were treated to lunch to wish them well on their next journey.

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

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.

Young Adult Group is aimed at providing a refuge for the spiritually hungry and fostering meaningful connections. We gather monthly at 12 p.m. in person and on Zoom to check in with one another and discuss how current events intersect with our faith. Contact Nancy at nancyv@fpcnaples.org for Zoom info.

Wednesday Morning Men: Faith and Fellowship

on Wednesday, September 6 at 8 a.m. for our final summer breakfast gathering.

Our "Fall Kickoff Gathering" will be held on Wednesday, September 20 at 8 a.m. at the church.

Our program for the gathering will be a presentation by Rev. Craig Goodrich about his experiences during his sabbatical.

If you would like to join the group, or have any questions/comments, please contact Bill Kearney at skearney239@comcast.net.

HUDDLE

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, please join the meeting via Zoom.

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

The Presbyterian Women’s Circles will resume in November. If you are interested in joining one of the Circles here is a list of times and leaders to help you get started:

 First Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. - Grace Circle, leaders Andie Goodrich 404.317.5850 and Coke Evans 559.978.5898

 Third Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. - Love and Friendship Circle, leader Martha Waddell-Gill 507.581.1480; Sunshine Circle, leaders Janet Root 239.227.9787 and Janeen McClure 216.570.2340; Peace with Honor Circle, Betty Mangos 239.254.9883

Women’s Ministry Bible Study

We are currently taking a break for a few weeks. We will join together again on Monday, September 25 when we begin a new study.

All women are invited to join us for this weekly Bible Study, held on Mondays at 1 p.m. in the Parlor. Please bring your Bible.

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

on Sunday, September 17 following the 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.

A Farewell to Ashley Houk

It is with sadness that we say goodbye to our Director of Preschool, Ashley Houk. Ashley has faithfully served FPCN Preschool for over 12 years, caring for and nurturing countless students during her tenure.

Ashley and her husband, Scott, have

Fran Engelhardt, Committee Chair, engelhardtfran@gmail.com

Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org

Renovation continues in the Jassimedes (Ushers) Room

Installing the tile floor

Floor installed walls prepped for cabinets

Cabinets and countertop being installed

New cabinets and countertop

Sink countertop installed

September 1

Roger Miller

Roy Parker

September 2

Jane Milnar

Diane Walker

September 3

Ali Norris

Caryn Yarbrough

September 4

Bill Barton

Jana Knudson-Pioli

Barb Westover

September 5

Kim Mahon

Helen Mavity

September 6

Roni Haggart

Tom Morr

Pat Pickworth

September 8

Teresa Doane

Nancy Kay

Ginger Krueger

September 9

Melissa McClayton

September 10

Isobel Buchanan

Laura McDonald

Tom Yorke

September 11

Robin Gunning

September 12

Barb Goldsworthy

September 15

Michael Bennett

Libby Brown

In Memoriam

September 16

Carol Hastings

Marge Hyland

Tim Tubergen

September 17

Tom Packard

September 18

William Morgan

John Slager

September 20

Franklin Ellis

Sue Merz

September 21

Barbarann Budd

Pam Goldsmith

Sudy Irvine

Gene Miller

September 22

Audrey Gordon

Tony Krembs

Morgan Rodgers

Dale Voncanon

September 23

Shirley Hagerson

Erik Miller

Sally Veil

Sally Wilder

September 24

Shareen Montgomery

F.D. Wilder

September 25

Sandy Ryder

September 26

Don DeVoe

Peter Lilly

September 27

Bret Miller

September 28

Steve Barwick

Jan Garner

Linda Pratt

September 29

Heather Cartwright

Susan DeVoe

Susan Kogan

TC Maxwell

Jeannie Yorke

September 30

Jack Kuhne

Cheryl Myers

Diana Richter

Barb Weiss

Thank You

Dear Family and Friends of First Presbyterian Church,

As a child, we will remember saying, “Here’s the church and here’s the steeple, look inside and see all the people.” It brings to mind how thankful I am for all of you at First Presbyterian Church, our loving and caring members and wonderful Staff that welcome and greet us every Sunday! On my recent stay at NCH, I found an enduring love of friends and family, “you made my day” kind of feeling. I am so thankful for my Deacon years when I met so many new and wonderful members and renewed old friendships. I’m so appreciative of your prayers, visits, cards and offers to help in any way; I will never forget your many kindnesses to me!

In Christian Love and Peace, I am so grateful, Mary Gahagan

First Presbyterian Church of Naples

250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102

www.fpcnaples.org

239.262.1311

Save

A Season of Music Concert Series

Sunday, October 29, 2023

First Presbyterian Soloists

Sunday, November 12, 2023

James Kealey, organ

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Chancel Choir Christmas Concert

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Voices of Naples

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Catherine Lan and Tao Lin, piano

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Seraph Brass

All concerts will be held at 4 p.m. There is no charge for the concerts, a free will offering will be taken. A concert brochure with additional information about the artists will be available in October.