In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God
July 2016
IN THIS ISSUE From Rev. Goodrich
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Music/Worship Endowment
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Missions Presbyterian Women
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Congregational Care
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Calendar
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Preschool News & Events
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Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor/Head of Staff As we head toward the heart of summer, I offer you these words from John Baillie’s classic devotional, A Diary of Private
Prayer:
“O Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until eventide. Inspire all my thoughts. Pervade all my imaginations. Suggest all my decisions. Lodge in my will’s most inward citadel and order all my doings. Be with me in my silence and in my speech, in my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening, and give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship, ‘My heart an altar and Thy love the flame.’ ” A wonderful prayer to start each day. I hope you will pray it with me. Even though it is summer now, there is still much that is happening in the life of our congregation. Looking back, we have celebrated the conclusion of the 50th school year for our Preschool (just think of the thousands of children who have learned of the love of God here!) and recognized Ashley Houk on her fifth anniversary as our Preschool Director. We have elected nine additional deacons, enjoyed a tremendous Deacon’s Brunch and celebrated with Sandy Poore, our Director of Facilities on her 35 years of employment at FPC Naples. Mary Joy Silmaro, true to her name, has brought joy and wonderful organ music to us as she has served as Music Intern this summer. Shana Dublan and the youth have once again taken the pilgrimage to Montreat, North Carolina for a wonderful week at this great Presbyterian youth conference center.
craigg@fpcnaples.org
We celebrated the life of long-time member, Ed Wilson, rejoiced with Greg Adams and Shawna Storozuk as they spoke vows of marriage, and welcomed new members, Bill and Jill Crawford. Looking ahead: Our new video system has been installed with new cameras which will significantly sharpen the picture and improve the quality of the worship experience for those who worship with us online.
Sharon Smith joins us as our new Director of Finance, overseeing the financial ministries of the Church. Vacation Bible School, with the fun theme of “Egypt: Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace” will be July 11-15. There is still opportunity to volunteer. Please contact Shana Dublan. Plans are developing for our 65th Anniversary celebration next February. Stay tuned! As Andie and I will be away during late June and the first part of July on vacation/study leave with family in Virginia and North Carolina, I hope you will warmly welcome our guest preachers: Rev. Dr. Winston Lawson (longtime Atlanta pastor and friend) on July 3 and Rev. Graham Hart (our Presbytery Executive) on July 10. I look forward to coming back home and seeing you on July 17 as we serve together here in the heart of Naples with the love of God. And as for our own hearts, let’s keep them burning! Faithfully and Gratefully,
Music
Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org
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Jerome Cole, Colleen Kilpatrick, Mary Joy Silmaro and Brice Gerlach.
Our Director of Music, Dr. Brice Gerlach and three of his students from Ave Maria University are pictured above following A Festival of Great Organ Music on June 5 at Artis—Naples.
Colleen Kilpatrick also graduated from Ave Maria University this May as class Valedictorian and will attend Westminster Choir College for her Master’s degree in piano.
These students have great musical futures! Jerome Cole graduated from Ave Maria University this May and will attend Indiana University on a full scholarship to pursue his Master’s degree in Organ Performance.
Mary Joy Silmaro will be a senior this coming year at Ave Maria University and has been our Music Intern at First Presbyterian Church this summer.
Worship
It will be great to follow the careers of these fine young musicians!
Barbara Church, Worship & Music Chair, churchbarb@aol.com
Do you view our weekly worship service online?
If so, you will be pleased to see that we have installed new cameras in the Sanctuary. This allows for a much higher quality video. The service is available by noon each Sunday. Please visit us online.
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Endowment Committee
Linda Gadkowski, Endowment Committee Chair lgadkows@capecod.net
Ben Franklin said there are only two certainties in life: Death and Taxes. There is little we can do to avoid the former and with some planning we can minimize the latter. One of the best kept secrets for reducing Federal Estate Taxes is gifting while you are alive. Gifting of appreciated assets such as stock to charity (FPC) is a good idea to reduce income and estate taxes. Also creating various trusts can be a brilliant idea. Use care though. As legendary jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes put it... put not your
trust in money, but put your money in trust.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can help FPC contact Fred Garner at 239.434.2438 or Linda Gadkowski at 508.292.5500. Remember please, these thoughts are general in nature and are not meant to be specific as to your personal situation or to take the place of your professional advisors.
Did you know that you can make your contributions online using a secure server. This feature allows you to make a contribution towards the Stewardship Fund, Flower dedications, Deacons Benevolence Fund, Feed the 5,000, Birthday Mission Fund, Season of Music and the Preschool Angel Fund. You will find a link on the bottom of the front page of our website, “GIVE online”. You can set up a one-time gift or a recurring gift. If you wish to set up a recurring gift, click on “Create Account” when prompted to set up an account which will allow you to edit your transaction at any time. Online giving accepts checking or saving accounts and VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. If you choose a checking or savings account, the Church will not incur any fees related to your transaction. The Church has computers available for you to use. If you have any questions or need assistance in setting up a gift, please contact Sharman Pfaus, at 239.262.1311 ext. 236.
Missions
Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net
Thank you for remembering to feed the CareBear. We are continuing our collections through the summer and will begin preparing the food packs for needy children at Big Cypress Elementary School when school starts. This is our adopted school. We want to be prepared to fully support this project and help them during the coming school year. We partner with our mission friends at Moorings Presbyterian Church and they are working hard to be fully engaged in this mission outreach as well. It’s heartwarming to participate with other churches in the Peace River Presbytery in our mission work.
Care Center, the Guadalupe Center, Grace Place, and Mision Peniel. Pantries are always in need during the summer when the kids are out of school. We also made our contribution to our international funds. In July the committee will meet to plan for the late summer and fall mission events. We will have dates for Mision Peniel and St. Matthew’s House workdays, Habitat for Humanity outings (which will not all be on Tuesdays) and mission tours. We will let you know when we will be collecting items to donate.
Please remember the school supply donation that Presbyterian Women will sponsor in July, and the Undy Sunday donation sponsored by Catholic Charities in August. You will see donation And thank you to everyone of you boxes in Spencer Hall. who stop each Sunday morning The mission work of FPCN is while you are getting your important to all of us. Whether cookies and punch or coffee and you donate, participate, or pray remember to donate to the Care for it, you are part of it. Thank Bear. Thanks to John and Nancy you. Kay and Dorothy Gomori who recently adopted him. You can Betty Mangos be a CareBear caretaker too. Just Mission Committee Chair sign up at the Mission Table in Spencer Hall. Take him home each Sunday and bring him back the next. We count the money each week and take it to the depository. That’s all there is to it! Thank you to all who have donated. We are building this fund and it will used in the best way possible...to feed hungry children.
The Missions Committee is happy that our budgeted donations have arrived at The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, St. Matthew’s House, Helps Outreach, The Immokalee Child
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Feed the 5,000 This month our efforts will help support The Salvation Army in Naples. Ushers will have a Publix bag with a list of desired food items available as you leave the Sanctuary on the first Sunday of the month. Please bring your food to the 6th Street church entrance before service on the second Sunday. If you prefer, 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: Jam or jelly Peanut butter Canned chicken, tuna, ham Canned fruit Macaroni & cheese Canned vegetables Pasta Pasta sauce Rice Please no open containers or out of date food. The Mission Committee thanks you in advance.
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Presbyterian Women
Joan Gust, PW Moderator, jrwgust@gmail.com
Piece of Salad Luncheon All ladies are invited
to a Piece of Salad Luncheon on Wednesday, July 20 at noon in Spencer Hall. Bring a favorite item for a salad buffet such as chopped meat, vegetables, cheese, dried fruit, etc. Lettuce, beverage and dessert will be provided. School supplies will be packed for Grace Place following the luncheon.
School Supply Collection The Presbyterian Women are collecting school supplies for Grace Place of Naples. The items will be packed during their summer Salad Luncheon on Wednesday, July 20. Items requested are: composition notebooks crayons (especially fat crayons) pencils pencil cases erasers markers and washable markers yellow highlighters pens (red and blue) folders (with and without prongs) glue and glue sticks index cards paper blunt scissors spiral notebooks Please place your donations on the table in Spencer Hall. Collections will take place through Sunday, July 17.
Congregational Care
Shirley Hagerson, Director of Congregational Care shagerson@comcast.net
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Emergency Contact Form Now that we are in hurricane season we would like to make sure we have your emergency contact information up to date. Forms are available at the Information Table in Spencer Hall and online at www.fpcnaples.org. Forms can be returned to the basket on the table in Spencer Hall or to the church office. Collier County Emergency Management Hurricane season is upon us and early preparation is essential. Tropical storms and hurricanes routinely cause power outages that impact every facet of our existence and we want you to be ready! What if you did not have power/utilities or safe drinking water for a week or more? Collier County Emergency Management advocates that The First 72 Is All You as there may be no available services or supplies for a few days (72 hours) after a storm. Be sure to have at least 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day to ensure hydration. For just 3 days, that’s 12 gallons of water for a family of four. Stock your hurricane kit with prepackaged foods that are high in protein, such as peanut butter or granola bars. Also, ensure you have enough prescription medication to last a week or more. Florida’s Emergency Prescription Refill law guarantees you access to a refill during a disaster. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Please visit Emergency Management’s website at www.collierem.org or the DOH-Collier website at www.collierprepares.org for disaster planning ideas and items you will want in your disaster kit.
PLEASE… PLEASE—don’t ask me if I'm over it yet—I’ll never be “over it”. PLEASE—don’t tell me she's in a better place—she isn't here. PLEASE—don’t say “at least she isn't suffering”- I haven’t come to terms with why she had to suffer at all. PLEASE—don’t tell me you know how I feel, unless you’ve lost a child. PLEASE—don’t tell me to get on with my life—I’m still here, aren’t I? PLEASE— don’t ask me if we feel better—bereavement isn’t a condition that “clears up”. PLEASE—don’t tell me “God never makes a mistake” you mean he did this on purpose? PLEASE—don’t tell me “at least you had her for 28 years” - what year would you have chosen for your daughter to die? PLEASE—don’t tell me God never gives you more than you can bear—who decides? PLEASE—just say you are sorry. PLEASE—just say you remember her if you do. PLEASE—just let me talk if I want to. PLEASE—just let me cry when I must.
Rita Moran, 1989
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Calendar SUNDAY
Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
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July 3 8:45 a.m. Choir rehearsal 9 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
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4 Church office Closed
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11 a.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group
FRIDAY
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7
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11 a.m. VBS bag pickup 12 p.m. VBS training-shop keepers 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal
11 a.m. VBS bag pickup 12 p.m. VBS training—leaders 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
11 a.m. VBS bag pickup 1 p.m. Cookie Baking
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9 a.m. Vacation Bible School
9 a.m. Vacation Bible School 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal
9 a.m. Vacation Bible School 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
9 a.m. Vacation Bible School 12:15 p.m. Cookie Baking OUTREACH DEADLINE
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24 8:45 a.m. Choir rehearsal 9 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
31 8:45 a.m. Choir rehearsal 9 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
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9 a.m. Cookie Baking
8:45 a.m. Choir rehearsal 9 a.m. Vacation 9 a.m. Sunday School Bible School 9:30 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. VBS bag pickup 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
8:45 a.m. Choir rehearsal 9 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. CE meeting 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
SATURDAY
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12 p.m. Salad 7 p.m. Cumberland luncheon Church 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal
9 a.m. Cookie Baking 5 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal
2 p.m. Weigel/ Myers wedding
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7 p.m. Cumberland 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal Church
9 a.m. Cookie Baking
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. 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.
Preschool
Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org
Proverbs 20:12 Ears to hear and eyes to see; both are gifts from the Lord.
A Worthwhile Investment Often you hear that investing in children, whether monetarily or personally, is an investment in our future. The children of today will be our State Representatives, Senators, Mayors, teachers or business leaders of tomorrow. The best gifts we can give our children to ensure they reach their highest potential are love, support and encouragement. The staff at First Presbyterian Preschool understands the importance of all these gifts and it is with this in mind that our program and curriculum are formed. Yes, we are charged to ensure the children know their ABC’s (by both sound and sight!), how to write their names, how to recognize shapes and colors, among many others. But we are also charged with teaching appropriate character traits such as conflict resolution, independence, self-control, selfrespect, as well as respect for those around us.
These character traits are often taught throughout each day without the children even realizing it. For example, when Seth and Jake both want to play with the same train, we encourage them both to think about how the problem could be solved. In order to do this, the staff may ask questions of the children to provide a basis for higher order thinking so that the children can come up with a solution themselves. We may need to add language that’s appropriate to their discussion to aide in the solution. The input from the teacher varies greatly depending on the age of the child.
Often, listening may not even involve verbalization, but may simply mean taking notice of body language or just simply a need for human contact. As early educators, we listen often. We listen to parents, to one another and to our students.
We have two ears and only one mouth and, therefore, should hear twice as much as we speak. We view listening as a dialogue, a back and forth opportunity to learn and teach, between the “student” and the “teacher”. We speak when we feel safe and secure. We must feel that we can trust others not to judge as they listen. We want to feel understood. Children have the same feelings. Every adult that a child encounters is a teacher…yes, you too are a teacher! Are you listening? Are you making a good investment?
Ashley Houk Preschool Director If all of these traits are taught successfully, they will follow the child into adulthood. Teaching any concept, whether academic or character related, involves the need to listen. We never grow out of the need to listen. Even as adults we must listen to our boss at work, our Pastor at Church, our own children. We listen for the word of the Lord and use these words to guide us in our Christian lives.
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News and Events
Kathleen Law, Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
Thank You Dear Shirley (Hagerson), I wish to express my most sincere gratitude for my lovely “shawl”. It has been my constant companion through all these difficult days for me. It “soaks” up my prayers AND my tears, and I thank those women whose love went into making them, and you for bringing it to me at the hospital. I am home, but all is not well for me at this time, but I pray for better days, and truly appreciate all these expressions of love from dear friends at First Presbyterian. My love and thanks, Barbara Swallen
My grateful thanks to everyone at First Presbyterian for your support and encouragement during my long recovery process. Visits from many people, phone calls, cards and most of all the prayers which surrounded me with love and caring were a vital part of my returning to health. I am so blessed to be part of a church which demonstrates the love of Jesus in so many ways. Like the prayer shawl I have used so often, reminds me of enfolding love. I felt that love from people of my ‘home church’ in Naples. Hoping to see you all in November. Wendy Evans
Dear Friends, Your visits, prayers and smiles were so appreciated during my hospitalization and now recovery. I am very blessed. The flowers were beautiful, too! Sincerely, Robbie Heatherly
Dear Members of the Board of Deacons, I would like to thank you for two recent donations of $381.61 and $366.63 and for your continued support and that of the people of your parish to assist us in addressing the ever increasing needs brought to us. Since your last donation in March we have helped the following in your name:
Dear Rev. Goodrich, This is a very belated thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Storter who brought the beautiful bouquet of flowers for my husband’s 97th birthday. They were lovely and we kept them for quite a while by cutting the stems and putting them in the refrigerator at night. We are most appreciative of this very kind thought. Sincerely yours, Sharon and Andrew Cumming
Rev. Goodrich, I wish to thank you and the church members for the service and reception held in memory of my father Ed Wilson. Your thoughts and kindness are greatly appreciated. Best Regards, Ed’s son, Gary Wilson
$179.50 for bus; A gentleman needed transportation back home to his family in SC. $150.00 for motel; A Veteran recently released from the hospital who lives with his mother but she had bronchitis and he cannot contract any sickness and needed a place to stay for a few nights. $150.00 for motel; A mother with 2 young children needed help with her motel stay while she looks for a job. $150.00 for motel; A gentleman who was recently hit by a car and all his tools to be an electrician were stolen from his van so he needed help with a week stay until he was able to work again. $100.00 for motel; A young lady who was stranded and homeless needed a place to stay while she waited for a spot at St. Matthew's House.
On behalf of all those we serve and the volunteers at St. Vincent De Paul, please accept your thanks. Sincerely, Kimberly Schul Operations/Financial Director
News and Events
Kathleen Law, Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
WELCOME Sharon Smith Director of Finance Sharon Smith
has been a resident of Naples since 1974. She was a teenager when she began her working career at Naples Community Hospital, now known as the NCH Healthcare System. While working full-time, she attended evening classes at the University of South Florida and earned her BA in Accounting in 1983. Shortly thereafter, she was hired by PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Staff Accountant. In the following year Sharon had the opportunity to work in close association with Miles Collier of Collier Enterprises, and remained there for the next nine years as a Controller in the Agribusiness Division. Her most recent position was at the tax accounting firm, Parker & Associates.
Bill and Jill Crawford
Sharon looks forward to her new role with the FPC of Naples. Returning to non-profit accounting brings her career full circle and renews a passion to support the community of Naples. She looks forward to meeting the parishioners and working with staff members. Sharon and her husband, Michael have been married for 24 years; they are the blessed and proud parents of their daughter, Jenna, who was adopted from China 17 years ago.
Summer
Guest Preachers July 3 Rev. Winston Lawson July 10 Rev. Graham Hart
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Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102 Permit No. 8
First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311
Staff Listing Minister Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor ext. 235 craigg@fpcnaples.org Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries ext. 239 briceg@fpcnaples.org Mary Joy Silmaro, Summer Music Intern Christian Education Shana Dublan, Dir. of Children/Family Ministries ext. 229 shanad@fpcnaples.org Bethany Gordon, CE Assistant ext. 212 bethanyg@fpcnaples.org Kymberly Dorsey, Nursery Supervisor Preschool Ashley Houk, Preschool Director ext. 209 ashleyh@fpcnaples.org Liz Psota, Preschool Administrative Assistant ext. 246 lizp@fpcnaples.org
Office Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager ext. 236 sharmanp@fpcnaples.org Loida Garcia, Church Receptionist ext. 200 loidag@fpcnaples.org Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications ext. 213 kathleenl@fpcnaples.org Sharon Smith, Director of Finance ext. 242 sharons@fpcnaples.org Facilities Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities ext. 228 sandyp@fpcnaples.org Tina Romero, Custodian of Facilities ext. 216 tinar@fpcnaples.org