T h e F i r s t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h o f N a p l e s
January 2016
IN THIS ISSUE From Rev. Goodrich Music
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Session Finance Presbyterian Women
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Missions
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Congregational Care Calendar
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Preschool Children and Youth
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News & Events New Members
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Rev. Craig Goodrich, SeniorPastor/Head of Staff Dear Friends, As we head into the New Year, the year of our Lord 2016, it is a good time to look back with gratitude and forward with hope.
As I look back on 2015, I am grateful for the warm welcome you have extended to Andie and to me (and to many of our visiting family members!) as we have arrived and started to settle here in Naples. I am grateful for our exceptional staff who exhibit an amazing team spirit, creativity and love for our congregation; grateful for elders and deacons who have governed and served so well and compassionately. I am grateful for the extraordinary gift of music and for Sunday morning worship with growing attendance, including more children and youth; grateful for the Presbytery's encouragement and support, and for the welcome of other PCUSA pastors. I am grateful for the wonderful Christmas Eve children's pageant and our inspiring candlelight service and singing "Silent Night" all together by candlelight. I am grateful for our outreach into community and for our letting folks know that we are here "In the Heart of Naples, With the
Love of God."
As we turn the corner and begin our journey into the New Year, I am hopeful. And I hope you are as well. I am hopeful for the return of many of our members and friends for the Season; hopeful for continued momentum sustained by the Spirit; hopeful for a greater partnership with the Presbytery and our sister churches; hopeful that we might develop more educational opportunities and programs.
craigg@fpcnaples.org
The overall preaching theme for the Sundays up until Lent will be "Courage." And we will begin on Sunday, January 3 with the sermon "The Courageous Journey." On January 24 we will kick-off our Stewardship Campaign, led by Duncan Connell and our Generosity Ministry Committee. Our theme will be "Courageous Generosity, A Time for Renewal." Our hope is that 2016 will be a time of "renewal," including the renewal of the financial health of our congregation. I hope also that we will be patient with our expectations and with each other, and vigilant and faithful in our daily walk with God. And finally, I hope and that we will individually and together put down deeper roots into the soil of God's grace at the same time as we grow new branches extending God's love to the community and world through compassionate mission and service.
May God grant us courage to follow Jesus Christ and may we know joy in the journey! Happy New Year!
Music
Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org
Daniela Shtereva, violin Alexandra Carlson, piano Sunday, January 31, 2016 4:00 p.m. Daniela Shtereva was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, into a family with preserved musical traditions for five generations. She began violin lessons with Elena Doykova and completed her high school studies with Elena Koynova. Shtereva holds a bachelors degree from the National Conservatory of Music in Sofia, an M.M. degree from Louisiana State University and an Artist Diploma from Carnegie Mellon University. Currently, Shtereva performs as a member of the Naples Philharmonic and performs on a violin and a bow generously on loan from her teacher – Cyrus Forough. She joined the Naples Philharmonic in 2008. Alexandra Carlson earned her Master of Piano Performance and her Doctorate of Musical Arts, cum laude, from the St. Petersburg RimskyKorsakov Conservatory. She now performs a wide range of solo, chamber and orchestral works in Russia, Europe and the USA. Since moving to Naples she has performed in The Rachmaninoff Festival, the US-Russia Bridge Project Festival, and the Arts Naples World Festival. She has also appeared with the Naples Philharmonic and in the Sypert Salon Series at Artis—Naples, and in the Guest Artists Recital Series at the Bower School of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University. These virtuosic artists combine their talents in a concert that will feature Guilllaume Lekeu’s Violin Sonata and Violin Caprices by Niccolo Paganini.
Doors open at 3 p.m. There is no charge for the concert. A free will offering will be taken. Reception to follow in Spencer Hall.
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Session
Libby Biehl, Clerk of Session, libbykb629@gmail.com
Serving First Presbyterian Church of Naples
Elders
Deacons
Class of 2016 Janie Casassa Franklin Ellis Richard Green Betty Mangos Joanne Slager
Class of 2016 Florence Calyore Linda Gadkowski Midge Murdock Gary Root Pat Stevens Mary Vande Voren Jeanie Weigel
Class of 2017 Michael Calyore Barbara Church Don Grandi Shirley Hagerson David Weigel
Class of 2018 Libby Biehl Norman Brown Duncan Connell Keith Gahagan Janet Root
Class of 2017 Bob and Pat Collins Kathy Grandi Nina Howard Jane Long Bill Morgan Jeanne Perkins Terri Storter Debbie Warren Class of 2018 Tom Anderson Barbara Ann Budd Ben Jones Marylyn Rustman Dan and Diane Stellema Dorie Tichenor
Ordination and Installation of new Elders and Deacons will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the 10 a.m. worship service.
Finance
Richard Green, Finance Committee Chair, rgreen@cbcworldwide.com
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LUNCH and LEARN
Come and learn about managing your money. WOMONEY (women and money) will be given in Spencer Hall on Monday, January 18, from 12-1 p.m., and Monday, January 25, from 12-1 p.m. In this workshop you will be taught by Linda Gadkowski, a fee-only certified planner (practice closed to new clients) with 25 years of experience. You will receive a 25 page workbook Missionscovering all aspects of personal financial planning. The second session will be led by Kris Kaltenborn, portfolio manager from Northern Trust Bank, who will be discussing First Church’s endowment investments, estate planning and opportunities for gifting to the church. Bring a bag lunch. Brave men are also welcome. There is no charge for the events. Please contact the church at 239.262.1311 to make a reservation.
Endowment Committee Congress passed and made permanent the provision permitting IRA owners 70 1/2 years of age and older to donate as much as $100,000 a year directly to a charity. This counts as part of the owner’s annual required distribution. This also helps reduce higher taxes on Social Security and Medicare because the contribution does not count as income. Example: Required distribution amount is $25,000. With a donation to the church of $10,000, only $15,000 has to be taxed. Please contact Linda Gadkowski 239.775.9901 if you have any questions.
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Presbyterian Women
Joan Gust, PW Moderator, jrwgust@gmail.com
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S GATHERING January 13— Women’s Gathering will take place at noon in Spencer Hall. The program will be our own Betsy Grant, who will demonstrate flower arranging and three lucky guests will go home with an arrangement. Menu: Egg bake, broccoli, gelatin salad, cake with strawberries. Reservations ($7) will be available in Spencer Hall on Sunday, January 3 and January 10. CIRCLE MEETINGS The third week of the month is Circle meeting week.
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARDED AT DECEMBER GATHERING
Honorary Life Memberships are awarded to individuals by their local church groups to honor members for their commitment to Christ and the mission of the church. This tradition was started in 1912 and the contributions to this fund support the training of women for future leadership in the church. First Presbyterian Women awarded an Honorary Life Membership to Mary Vande Voren. Mary has been a member for over 10 years and during that time has served as a deacon, Blood Drive Organizer, Red Kettle Bell Ringer Organizer, PW Circle Leader, PW Bible Facilitator and front office volunteer. Congratulations and Thank you, Mary!
LOOKING FORWARD January 17—Blanket Sunday (see page 15) February 3—Gathering
Missions
Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net
Feed the 5,000 Luke 9:10-17
The Salvation Army is an evangelical, international, Christian church. Its mission is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to meet human needs in His name. Your gift will help restock the pantry of the Salvation Army. The food drop location is on the Sixth Street entrance of the church. Someone will be there to help you with the bag on the second Sunday of the month. Just as Christ took five loaves and two fish and multiplied them to provide for the 5,000, your gift can do the same. If you
prefer, checks may be made payable to "First Presbyterian Church" with the memo marked "Feed the 5,000." Suggested Items: 2 cans of kidney, pinto, or baked beans 2 cans of tuna, chicken, or ham 1 jar of peanut butter 1 jar of jelly or jam 1 can of fruit 1 can of vegetables 1 box of macaroni and cheese 1 pound of pasta 1 jar pasta sauce 1 pound of rice
Missions “I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng.”
Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net
so often used--”we talk of the Second Coming--half the world has never heard of the First”. (Psalm 35:18, NASB) That statement startles me and shows how much we take for “When we worship together in a granted. Even though I cannot corporate setting at church, personally do this work, I can prayer meeting or Bible study, help World Missions PCUSA do it. that power is multiplied. One can I think that everyone in our put a thousand to flight, but two church has a heart for mission can put ten thousand to flight. work. Sometimes it is just a That’s why it’s so important that matter of getting hooked up, we give thanks and worship when making the call to volunteer, we come together in our church remembering to write the check, services.” being in touch with others who are out in the field. It is also why we do great things in mission work together, whether On January 24, the Missions it is with money or time or prayer. Committee invites you to browse Throng means together--a crowd. through the tables in Spencer Hall We go out into the world to do at our Mission Fair. These are God’s work as one--First agencies our church supports. Presbyterian Church-- and we not There may be volunteer only show the community and the opportunities that you would be world that we care, we come interested in. Can you volunteer together as a whole showing that every week? one time? one our church cares about hunger hour? Would you like to learn and injustice. We stand together about where our mission and our power is multiplied. donations go? There will be no asking for money--our donation We were blessed to have had the to these agencies are given Missions Director of World Missions PCUSA, together as a church from our Dr. Hunter Farrell visit us in tithes and offerings or our November. Presbyterians send donations to the Mission Fund. 168 missionaries into dangerous Here our congregation can see places to teach, feed, and where we are investing our minister to people who have money, if who we support is never been taken care of and meaningful to us, if we are who need to hear that Jesus making a difference. Charitable cares about them. We here at giving is important to all of us and FPCN support Presbyterian World to our church. Mission Agency and they need our help. This is something we Something new! Our very special can do when the nightly news “Care Bear” is in Spencer Hall. horrifies us with stories of Drop in your change each week injustice. It’s a good time in the so that we can put food in history of the world to show backpacks of needy children at people who Jesus is. The quote Big Cypress Elementary School.
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We are joining Moorings PC on this project providing 5 backpack food packs per week at a cost of approximately $5 each. Our youth will assemble them including a “love note of encouragement” on Tuesday, then the food is discreetly placed by the child’s teacher while they are at recess every Friday. This is something you should know-there are children who get up in the morning to go to school, not from the comfort of their beds or homes. They are homeless, some living in their cars. This small gift provides a little extra food for the weekend for children who are eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the week while they are in school. Check your pockets --do you have some spare change for this worthwhile project? Maybe you would like to “bear” sit some month--it’s easy. And if you would be willing to deliver backpack food to the school, would you call me? We want as many as possible from the congregation to get involved. My number is 239.254.9883. Thank you! God bless us in the New Year. Betty Mangos Chair, Missions Committee
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Congregational Care
Now the holidays are over and all the family and guests are gone, do you find yourself a little on the lonely side? Would you, a member of the family or a friend enjoy having a visitor from the Care Visitation Ministry? We are a ministry who is willing to provide support and friendship for people who are incapacitated at home or in a care facility. If you would like a visitor please call either Carolyn Smith Bennett at 239.214.0048 or Shirley Hagerson at 239.596.3125.
In Memoriam Robert Lowe December 18, 2015
Raymond Keegan December 22, 2015
Shirley Hagerson, shagerson@comcast.net
STEPHEN MINISTRY Someone once said the best Christmas gift is a family all wrapped up in each other. Hopefully your holiday was filled with joyous times shared with friends and family. Hopefully you felt anew the joy of the birth of our Christ. Hopefully your spirits were lifted by the various traditions that come with the celebration of His birth. But for some people, holidays heighten their hollow feeling due to separation from those people they most love. Or maybe illness or other unfortunate circumstances limited their joy. Such sorrow can spill over into one’s faith in the goodness of the Lord. If your holidays bring too much sadness, you might want to contact First Presbyterian’s Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministry provides one-on-one Christian care to those in need. Lay Stephen Ministers serve as a confidential ear; walking alongside a person experiencing personal troubles, making sure those who are hurting know they can safely share their pain with someone who cares, and praying with them for the Lord’s guidance. After each Sunday service a Stephen Minister is available in Spencer Hall. You might want to stop by to look at materials and talk to that Sunday’s caregiver to find out more about the ministry.
Calendar
Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
January 2016
FRIDAY
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SATURDAY
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
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8:30 & 10 a.m. Communion Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
1 p.m. PW Search Committee
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate location) 9:30 a.m. Bible Facilitators 11 a.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet
12 p.m. Preschool Parent Meeting 7 p.m. Choir 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal
9:30 a.m. Stephen Ministry 12 p.m. Huddle 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet
9 a.m. Deacon’s Retreat 2 p.m. Mary Martin Memorial Service
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8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Men’s Club 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Installation/ Ordination Deacons/ Elders 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate location) 8 a.m. Facilities Committee 9 a.m. Prayer Shawl Meeting 1 p.m. Worship & Music Committee 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet 2 p.m. HS Youth 2:30 p.m. Mission Committee
9 a.m. CE Committee 11 a.m. PW Coordinating Team 12 p.m. PW Gathering 2 p.m. Personnel 7 p.m. Choir 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal
10 a.m. Sew & Sews 12 p.m. Huddle 4 p.m. Middle School Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
OUTREACH DEADLINE 9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet
17 Blanket Sunday
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Preschool Closed 12 p.m. Lunch & 8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Learn—Womoney 10 a.m. Adult Sunday School 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate location) 9 a.m. Prayer Shawl Meeting 9:30 a.m. Faith/Joy Circle 3 p.m. Finance Mtg. 5:30 p.m. Deacon’s
9:30 Love & Friendship Circle 12 p.m. Sunshine Circle 1 p.m. Peace w/ Honor Circle 1:30 p.m. Kitchen planning 7 p.m. Choir 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal
12 p.m. Huddle 4 p.m. Middle School Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet
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8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Adult Sunday School 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 4 p.m. Concert
7:30 a.m. Blood Drive 10 a.m. Men’s Club 12 p.m. Lunch & Learn—Womoney
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible 7 p.m. Choir Study (separate location) 7 p.m. Cumberland 9 a.m. Prayer Shawl rehearsal Meeting
10 a.m. Sew & Sews 12 p.m. Huddle 4 p.m. Middle School Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet
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This calendar does not necessarily include all events that are scheduled at the church. For additional information, call 239.262.1311 or visit the website www.fpcnaples.org.
8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Adult Sunday School 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 4 p.m. Concert
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Contact Director of Facilities, Sandy Poore at 239.262.1311 ext. 228 or sandyp@fpcnaples.org to reserve a room for your meeting. Please do not assume that if a room is vacant that it is available for use. This will alleviate any awkward situations from occurring.
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Preschool
Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org
How do you spell Christmas?
First Presbyterian Preschool’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Save the Date!
The Preschool recently held its annual Christmas sing-along. To make things a little more interesting and fun, Shana helped by finding a skit for the parents to perform. During the skit, the parents were asked to voice a line that used each letter of Merry Christmas to begin a sentence. Each sentence was intended to leave each one of us with a renewed feeling of peacefulness and joy during the Christmas season. The parents were given their lines and a letter pasted to a large poster board. The letters were read out of order and, following their lines, the parents were asked to stand in a specific space. At the end of the skit, the letters were supposed to spell “Merry Christmas”. We were so excited to involve some of our parents, grandparents and even two previous students. As the skit progressed, I realized that something wasn’t quite right! The letter ‘H’ is not the first letter of Christmas! Oh, no. Would the parents think poorly of us for spelling two very important words incorrectly when they expect us to teach their children to spell, and essentially read? Fortunately, it was just the opposite. I explained that, as Preschoolers, we often misspell and mispronounce. It’s often a hazard of learning, but the key is that we learn from these mistakes. Luckily, the parents were amused and continued to enjoy the evening. Christmas is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is so important for us to find peace and joy, whether we spell it correctly or not. It’s the meaning of the season that we need to focus on!
February 20, 2016 5:30 to 8 p.m. Food truck— Boys and Girls Club Blue CanTEEN food truck Ice cream truck Deejay Crazy Z providing musical entertainment Outdoor movie (Happy Feet) Face painting Balloon art Free popcorn Sponsored by:
Children and Youth
Shana Dublan, Director of Children and Family Ministries shanad@fpcnaples.org
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Family, children and youth Events We will not be hosting a First Friday in January. Our normal schedule will resume on Friday, February 5 with the movie Gnomeo & Juliet. Registration forms are available online or in the Christian Education office.
Family Fun Sunday January 17
Following the 10 a.m. service let’s get together and go Glow Golfing. We will meet at the mall and enjoy lunch together. Then we’ll follow it up with a round of golf.
February 5 First Friday
This event is $10 per person and requires registration.
Gnomeo and Juliet 5:30-8:30 p.m. Hotdogs Fresh garden salad Tater tots and applesauce
If you are interested in any of these events, either as a volunteer or participant, please contact Shana Dublan, Director of Children and Family Ministries, at shanad@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311 ext. 229.
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Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
Blood Drive
BLANKET SUNDAY JANUARY 17
Monday, January 25 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. BLANKETS needed!
Our annual collection of GENTLY USED or NEW blankets, bedding (pillows, sheets, cases), and warm clothing (jackets, hats, sweaters) will be collected on Sunday, January 17. Monetary donations are also accepted to assist in supplying the needs of Collier County’s homeless and less fortunate population during chillier weather. These items will be taken to St. Matthew's House and the Immokalee Friendship House.
Sign up in Spencer Hall on the following Sundays: January 10, 17, or 24 or call Pat & Bob Collins 239. 261.6649
Let YOUR HEART influence your generosity to create warmth and joy for those in need. Checks should be made out to First Presbyterian Church with “Blanket Sunday” marked in the memo.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, March 5 Congregational Dinner Irish dancers, Irish food and Irish songs! More info in February Outreach
News and Events
Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
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The Men’s Club 10 a.m. coffee & fellowship 10:30 a.m. program (ladies are welcome) Monday, January 11, 2016 Rev. Craig Goodrich
Monday, January 25, 2016 Jeff Lytle
“Good Courage”
Collier County: Past and Present— A Front Row Seat
Craig Goodrich, joined First Presbyterian Church of Naples as Senior Pastor, in October 2015.
Jeff Lytle, recently retired editorial page editor of the Naples Daily News, and television civic affairs program host. His experience enables him to provide unusual insight regarding our community.
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News and Events
Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
Thank You Thank you all at First Presbyterian Church for the prayers, cards, flowers, and calls this past year. I feel truly blessed to be a member of this church and I feel the love of so many good people. I would like to thank each by name but the list is so long. May God’s blessing be on our church always. Joanne Applegate I can’t thank you enough for the beautiful prayer shawl. Every time I use it I feel the love of the women of the church. You have been a blessing. Doris Norgart I’d like to thank everyone in our congregation for delivering the Christmas Remembrances from our Deacons.
I’d also like to thank Pat Collins my Co-Chair and her husband Bob for all of their assistance. Your caring good deeds remind all of us that our folks who are homebound, hospitalized or in skilled nursing are never forgotten. Especially during this time of Jesus’ birth. God Bless All, Kim Shoellhorn Deacon Moderator 2015 Remembrances Chair 2013-2015
Just a note of thanks for all the prayers and visits from you wonderful people. My thanks especially for that beautiful prayer shawl. Sincerely, Jerry Harvatt Thanks to all who supported our Angel Tree. We provided 154 gifts for the migrant farmworkers children of Lipman Produce. Many thanks to Karen Ryan and Saralene Oldham who helped sort and bag the gifts. Also thanks to our “elves” Michael Bennett and Ben Currier for delivering the gifts. Shirley Hagerson, Angel Tree Coordinator
Holy Paparazzi Pictures Bring your best smile for the new directory. Pictures will be taken on January 17 after each service. LIFE OF THE FRIENDSHIP PADS! Have you ever wondered what happens to the Friendship pads after you sign them on a Sunday morning? Well, there is a life to those sign in sheets which carry some important information back to the church office. Once collected, attendance is posted in our database. We recently updated our Friendship Pad forms to include a place to mark your return to the north or return to Naples. Please use this section to indicate to us when you are changing your mailing status. We can then update the computer as to which address to use and you won’t risk missing any mail from us! If a visitor signs the friendship pad, their name is put into a spreadsheet and if contact information is provided, we send a welcome card. Once a visitor has worshipped with us 3 times, they are included in our database (ACS) to receive church information: newsletter, mailings, etc. Upon scheduling a new member class, these visitors are invited to attend and we hope to engage them in the life of the church via membership. Now that you know why these friendship pads are so important to the life of the church, what can you do to help? Please PRINT your name CLEARLY Include any new contact information especially, phone, cell phone and e-mail When you see a new face next to you be sure to greet them warmly and invite them to the Welcome Center in Spencer Hall. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the church office and speak to Sharman Pfaus, at 239.262.1311 ext. 236 or sharmanp@fpcnaples.org.
Edith Andrew
Andie Goodrich
Debra Meeson-VigĂŠ
Deborah Wiswell
Paul Casassa
Isabelle Connell
Nancy and James Kier
Gary & Pat Nordbrock
Teresa Doan
Gary & Virginia Krueger
Peggy Patrick
Linda & Jon Gartley
Gladys & Scott Macdonough
Lee Ryan
First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311
Courageous Generosity: A Time for Renewal January 24, 2016 Kickoff Sunday
Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102 Permit No. 8