Vol 1- Gulf Breeze August 2021

The Gulf Breeze August 2021, Volume 1

What's Inside: Cover Story: Shiny Happy People Behind the Scenes: Are You Snug Member Spotlight: Sonia and Gordon Jones Gulf Breeze Monthly Features

Shiny Happy People Yes, I know it’s a dumb title, stolen from an ancient R.E.M. song. But that’s what I see every time I’m with the people of Naples Community Church (NCC). They are genuinely warm and friendly, and they care for new people as much as those who’ve been with us since the start. In fact, one new couple was recently among the last to leave because so many were welcoming them, talking, and laughing while wolfing down ice cream sundaes. Truth is, if our folks start seeing you more than once, you’re in!

One of us.

God’s love is what we are about. We’re not here to lay guilt on those who already feel guilty. We’re not here to exclude. We’re here to do what Jesus did, and offer warmth, love, forgiveness, and acceptance. Like in the words of the song, at NCC, we really are about 'everyone around love them, love them...people holding hands, laughing, laughing.'

Someone once commented to me that she would be just as comfortable with our people on Saturday night as she is on Sunday morning. A high compliment.

When people ask me about whether NCC has a denomination, I say, “The City of Naples."

We're in the city, for the city, and accountable

to the city for an authentic demonstration of Christ. This is our plot in the world that God so loved. And if God loves the world, why wouldn’t we?

All ministry is local. If we had a denomination we’d be bound by their rules, their expectations, and their values. Unlike the local church, denominations can’t go face-to-face with real people in real communities. We do!

Up until the founding of NCC, I’d been pastor of large denominational churches. Being here, in this “little church,” I’ve learned what being a pastor is all about. I work harder and have more fun than in any ministry before. I know the people — love them — pray for them — and when I preach, I even find myself diverting my eyes when I tread on tender territory that may be deeply poignant to certain members.

So, we are directly accountable to Christ as head of the church and to the community in which we serve. Odd that it feels unique. Like it is something new! While it really isn’t. It’s pretty much as it's been for the past couple thousand years. And the result?

Yep . . . shiny, happy people!

By Kirt Anderson

Behind the Scenes It takes many hands to care for our church family and the community that we serve. Each month we will give you a peek behind the scenes of our day-to-day work at NCC. Maybe you will want to get involved, too!

Are You Snug?

By Corinne and Ken Brandle

Care

knowing that someone is checking on me daily, and that others will be alerted if I don’t check in on my phone. I do not have family in the area, so this seems to be the perfect solution to having a daily check-in, should I become incapacitated.

I would highly recommend this phone app to any and all single people . . . a God-send!”

Private assistance is offered to our church family for downloading the app and enrolling in the service; but, this app could also be of interest to anyone who has family out of the area. The Snug app is a free service; but, for an annual fee, there is an optional Snug Dispatch subscription available that provides dispatched call service and emergency alerts to add further security for individuals who live alone.

Anyone interested in this service should contact Ken Brandle at 503-510-7485 for further information.

We are excited about the “I Am Fine” program and we will keep you informed as new phases are implemented. d Compa an

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We greet each other every day with a smile and ask “How are you?” The reply is often “I’m okay, how are you?” Your NCC Compassion and Care Team would like to ensure that you really are okay with the “I Am Fine” program.

This program, the brainchild of John Summerfield with the help of Ken Brandle, both of the Care and Compassion Team, is a multilevel program that we believe will bring comfort and safety to anyone in our church family who is alone or feels vulnerable, should an emergency occur.

Phase 1 has focussed on the offering and the implementation of the Snug app. For our senior church members who do not have local family or in-home help, this app will help them feel more secure if they have an unexpected issue that precludes them from calling 911 themselves.

This American-based app, which we have tested and found to be reliable, provides a proactive daily check-in on a person to ensure they are okay. The app is available for both iPhone and Android phone users.

Rebecca Sumlin decided to try the Snug app recently and now says, “Since I have had the Snug Alert app installed on my phone, I feel more secure

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A conversation with...

Sonia and Gordon Jones

Sonia and Gordon Jones, denizens of the front row at the Sunday NCC services, have had a romantic marriage that goes back some sixty-five years. Gordon claims God sent Sonia to him via special delivery. She was an 18year-old freshman intern at Bennington College when God seated her at the desk just in front of his in the same office, and allowed nature to take its course.

They got married in New York City thirteen years later, after Sonia earned her PhD from Harvard University in Romance Languages and Literature. Their first child, now a physician, who also has an M.Div., was just a bump under Sonia's gown at her graduation ceremony.

Gordon remembers that the commencement address was given in Latin. Everyone in the audience, except Gordon, knew when to laugh.

He says it has been the same embarrassing experience for him all over the world when Sonia breaks out effortlessly into Spanish, French, or Italian (but not Romanian or Portuguese which, she admits sadly, she can only read with the help of a dictionary). When Gordon heard her speaking several languages in mixed company he would look at her in amazement.

....in their own words....

After a very successful academic career, numerous articles, two Spanish textbooks, department chairmanships, and an offer to become an academic V.P., Sonia took off in an altogether different direction.

If you would like to know about this New York couple's next move you might want to read a book that Sonia authored called It All Began With Daisy, which became a N.Y. Times bestseller describing the founding and growth of the multi-million dollar dairy business they started on a farm in Nova Scotia. It turned Gordon into a true "Farmer Jones" and Sonia into Nova Scotia's and Harvard's "Yogurt Queen." This true story was one of a series of Canadian TV programs called Stories of our Beginnings. Those of you who can attend the inaugural 'Member Spotlight' presentation on Wednesday, August 18th, at 11AM, will hear an amazing story and receive a complementary copy of Sonia's yogourt cookbook. n.b. That is the French spelling of "yogurt" used in Canada. Always politically correct, all the yogourt containers were printed in both English & French.

Book Review:

IT ALL BEGAN WITH DAISY

By April O'Leary

What happens when a New York City couple decides to relocate to a small farm on the coast of Nova Scotia for a professional opportunity? This is the story of our very own Sonia and Gordon Jones!

Sonia Jones, a new Harvard Grad with a PhD in Romance Languages, finds her opportunities for employment at a university outside the United States. With Gordon’s support, he leaves his work in the New York financial district, and they leave the hustle and bustle of the city life, not knowing what was yet to come.

Two daughters and one Jersey cow named Daisy later, their yogurt business is birthed in their small kitchen. Watch as Sonia and Gordon juggle a life of raising kids, navigating an unfamiliar business, and growing their faith and their skills as they distribute their yogurt across Canada.

This heart-warming and often humorous story will give you a peek behind the curtain of fighting for your shelf space in crowded market places, speaking up for your career as a woman in the 1980s, and

showing up to live life to the fullest each and every day.

This is what It All Began With Daisy is all about. Come take the ride with Sonia and Gordon and you’ll see a life that has been well-lived!

Did You Know...?

All through June, Pastor Kirt delivered inspired sermons about Joseph using Genesis chapters 37-50 as his text. But, did you know...

Jacob, Joseph’s father, was 90 years old when Joseph was born?

Joseph’s age was 17 when he was sold into slavery 30 when he was made a ruler in Egypt 37 when the famine began 44 when the famine ended Governor of Egypt another 66 years after the famine ended 110 when he died - and it was 400 years later when his bones were buried in Canaan The Gulf Breeze

Editors: Kat Langenheim and Chris Pettingill

Designer: Juliann Thomason

NCC's Birthdays

Polly Marjorie James Jill Shirley David Gina Lesley Joann Karen Geri Morgan Bill Jo Ellen Brenda Lynn

8/1 8/2 8/4 8/4 8/5 8/5 8/7 8/8 8/9 8/11 8/13 8/15 8/16 8/16 8/19 8/19

Kay Errol Bill Marci Rhys Stuart Veronique William Dawn Corinne Nikki Diana Chris Hugh Neil

8/19 8/21 8/22 8/23 8/23 8/23 8/23 8/23 8/24 8/25 8/25 8/26 8/27 8/31 8/31

If your name is not included, please be sure to send in your information to Zen.

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Chancy's Movie Corner

TIA POP RA

By Steve Chancy

Based on the inspiring true-life story of Christian music super-star Jeremy Camp, "I Still Believe" navigates through Camp's journey of finding love, suffering a devastating loss, and learning how to keep the faith despite catastrophic trials and tribulations. The film confronts, head-on, the ever-complex and ever-present question of why God allows suffering. It provides a reminder that there is a purpose, a beauty, and consequential meaning to be found in all of the difficulties experienced in life and that God sometimes uses those difficulties more than He uses the less complicated

Did you ur attend o July 4th m Ice Crea Social?

trials of life. “I Still Believe” does an outstanding job of depicting faith in light of an unimaginable tragedy, the suffering that follows, and a catharsis that only an unwavering trust in God could ever bring. It is an emotionally powerful masterpiece that is all the more potent and meaningful for being based upon actual events.

What's In A Name?

There are 22 biblical names in this puzzle. Their names can go in any direction.

Names can share letters as they cross over each other.

ABIATHAR ABIGAIL BALAAM BARNABAS CALEB CORNELIUS DEBORAH DORCAS ELKANAH ERASTUS GAIUS GAMALIEL HABAKKUK HOSEA ISAAC ISAIAH JACOB JETHRO LEVI LYDIA MALACHI MARTHA

EVENTS CALENDAR August 15 All-church brunch after the service, at The Boathouse On Naples Bay, 990 Broad Avenue August 18 At the inaugural "NCC Member Spotlight," our featured guests are Sonia and Gordon Jones, sharing their inspiring life journey. 11 am, in the Sanctuary and via LiveStream.

Light lunch to follow. All who attend will receive a copy of Sonia's yogurt cookbook.

Reminder: No Bible study in August Ladies:

Have you heard? The NCC women's group, F3: Faith, Fun, and Fellowship, is here! Our focus is to build lasting friendships, grow in faith, and have fun together. Watch for more details in our September newsletter.

Naples Community Church 849 7th Avenue South Naples, FL 34102

Connect with Us! Kirt Anderson Founding Pastor

Zen Jordan Administration

kirtea@naplescommunitychurch.org

office@naplescommunitychurch.org

April O'Leary Technology april@olearypublishing.com

Billy Dean and Dawn Birch Worship music@naplescommunitychurch.org

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(239) 213-1325

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