In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God: we worship, we love, we grow, we serve
July 2022
MONTREAT 2022
Standing: Mike Calyore, Kyle Sherry, Emmanuel Giraldo-Castano, Daniel Taylor, Audrey Gordon, Ayla Coine, Christina Liu, Tiffany Liu, Maryn Coine, Vanessa Giraldo-Castano, Dominique O’Connell, Caitlin Hancock, Heather O’Connell, Samantha Sacristan, Ashley Hancock Kneeling: Jack Fogelman, Nancy Van Fleet Rev. Craig Goodrich Missions Deacons
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Stephen Ministry Women’s/Men’s Ministries Green Team
5 6 7
Personnel Membership Children and Youth
8 9 10
2 Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor Each month of the year has its own distinctive features. We begin July looking forward to the July 4th celebration of our country’s founding and the Declaration of Independence. And of course, July is summertime! While local, national and international events and news, tragedies, wars and conflicts continue unabated (and we pray “Help us, Lord!”) it seems that life does slow down a bit in Naples, and here at church. In July, our committees and boards (Session and Deacons) take the month off from meeting. Staff members take vacations. This summer Brice Gerlach is on a well-deserved sabbatical after twenty-one (21) years and Rev. Rex Childs is on paternity leave until later in the month. Congratulations to Rex and Cayla on birth of their daughter MaryAnn June Childs on May 22. Of further note, Rex is serving as a commissioner to our denomination’s General Assembly which is meeting virtually in July. Thank you, Rex!
Our youth and young adults are back from a wonderful Montreat experience. (pages 10 & 11) and we have welcomed Debbie Savage as our new Director of Finance (page 8). Personally, I am looking forward to preaching a three-part sermon series on the Book of Jonah. Wherever you are, I hope you are well and continuing with your spiritual practices and prayers as you worship, love, grow and serve. In that connection I offer you the following prayer from John Baillie’s A Diary of Private
Prayer: “O Lord, it is you who have given me the gift of this day’s life. Give me also, I pray, the spirit to use it as I should. May I not stain the brightness of the morning with any evil thought or darken the afternoon with any shameful action. Today, let your Holy Spirit breathe into my heart clean and true desires worthy of your reign. May your truth inspire my mind. May your justice and goodness make a throne within me and direct my wayward will. May Christ be formed in me and let me learn from him how to be humble in heart,
craigg@fpcnaples.org
gentle in bearing, modest in speech, helpful in action, and prompt at carrying out my Father’s will… O Lord, you alone know what lies before me today; grant that in every hour I may stay close to you…Do not let me embark on anything today that is not in line with your will for my life, nor shrink from any sacrifice that your will demands. Suggest, direct and guide every movement of my mind; for my Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Amen.” A blessed summer and peace to you,
FROM THE PULPIT July 3 Rev. Craig Goodrich “For the Good of All” July 10 Rev. Craig Goodrich Jonah Sermon Series: “Running Away”
July 17 Rev. Craig Goodrich Jonah Sermon Series: “A Big Fish Story” July 24 Rev. Craig Goodrich Jonah Sermon Series: “Wide is the Mercy”
Missions
Cleve Cleveland, Committee Chair, Carleton_cleveland@hotmail.com Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org
Please enjoy this article that was recently published in The Greater Naples Leadership communication, The GNL Connection.
CALLING ALL QUILTERS Hal Hills, Class XXII
Making a quilt is no small task. It takes fabric, forms, and commitment. Each quilt is made up of three layers; the top (for display), the batting (for warmth), and the backing of fleece or cotton (for comfort). And it takes 10 to 12 hours to complete an average quilt. So why am I telling you this? Because the First Presbyterian Church of Naples’ Sew and Sews (So and so’s, get it?) have decided to create 128 quilts, one for every family in the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance’s soon to be constructed community. Cleve Cleveland (Class XXII), a member of the First Presbyterian congregation and a Board member of IFHA, reminds us that the Alliance is building safe, affordable housing in Immokalee for farmworkers and other lowincome families.
Infrastructure is mostly complete, and construction of the first two of eight buildings will begin this summer. The Sew and Sews have made quilts for Africa, baptismal blankets for older children, comfy quilts for displaced children, and shawls for people going through difficult times. They can use more help, and you don’t need to be a member of First Presbyterian to pitch in! This is an entirely nonsectarian activity. Experience in quilting would be great, but anyone who can cut, iron, tie, and talk would be more than welcome. If you have a sewing machine, by all means, bring it, but they have spares.
Quilter Martha Waddell with one of the Sew & Sews creations.
Feed the 5,000 This month we are helping to restock the food pantry of THE SALVATION ARMY. Ushers will have a Publix bag available as you leave the Sanctuary the first Sunday of July. Food donations will be collected at the 6th Street church entrance on the second Sunday of the month, July 10. 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: 2 cans tuna, ham, chicken Pasta and pasta sauce Peanut butter & jelly Macaroni & cheese
2 cans pinto, kidney, baked beans Rice Canned fruit Canned vegetables
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David Witman, Deacon Moderator, dpwitman@hotmail.com Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org
4 Deacons
W
e are now into the summer season, and many of our members have left Naples and returned to their summer homes for the season. This is also true of the Deacons whose numbers have shrunk a bit as well. And so, it may be time to remind ourselves that we are all ONE in the Body of Christ irrespective of the fact that we are not now all together in Naples. You have heard it said many times from our pulpit that the church is not a building or a place; rather, it is the congregation. While we are apart physically, we maintain our spiritual connection and are still the church. This is the reason why we have such a dynamic website where we can continue to participate in Sunday morning worship live or via video recording. We can keep up with what is going on in the church and view messages from our Pastors and staff regarding the functioning of the church. And, we can actually attend meetings in cyberspace by way of Zoom. While these tools have their limitations, they do serve to remind us of our part in the church and keep us involved during the summer. The whole concept of the church being all of us as ONE in the Body of Christ is explained by Paul in chapter 12 of his letter to the Corinthians. Please take a moment to read and contemplate Pauls’ message, as follows:
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For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many
members yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect, 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Blessings, and JOY! David Witman Deacon Moderator
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 Lately, we have learned of several members of our Church who have contracted cancer and are undergoing procedures to treat this terrible disease. CANCER HOPE NETWORK blog has recently published an article which is helpful for those of us who want to help our friends with cancer but who may not be sure about the difference between actions that will help and actions which might do more harm than good. Incidentally, this advice can be applied when caring for friends and family with other serious diseases. Enjoy the Article! ____________
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good way to build the consistency you want to give and that your loved one so desperately needs.
Think practical. Think small. Small portions make a big difference. Jenn recalls friends who brought a meal each week, “it was often enough that we could eat for a couple days. It wasn’t too Don’t ask, do. Grabbing your keys (and a mask!) much – and it was spaced out.” For caregiver Marlys, small, freezer can help, too. Survivor Ed recalls how meaningful it was to have his -ready dishes made life while her husband was in hospice care more brother-in-law driving him to manageable. treatment. Support Volunteer Mona’s friends took her dancing after her first chemo. “My friends If cooking’s not for you, gifts like pajamas, hats or (audio!) books were there to encourage me and are loving gifts that are a simple give me strength when I was weak. I realized it’s true that you click away. Cleaning services make life easier. This really is one of never know what strangers will become your friends and family.” those times that the thought counts. It’s hard to ask for help. Offering Connect. that help takes the weight off of Help isn’t just for patients. For our loved ones. Anything that moves beyond “let me know if you caregivers thrust into a world of appointments and pickups and need anything” is progress. newfound duties while balancing Support Volunteer Kathy their own responsibilities, it’s easy remembers small, everyday gifts to feel overwhelmed. It’s also easy of time and help. “Sometimes, to feel guilty about being those ordinary moments are the overwhelmed when you feel you best moments. The little things mean so much more than the big. “should” be focused on your friend or family member who “has it Talk with a caregiver who worse.” understands
Choose your words carefully. Or just be. It sounds simple. But in their rush to find common ground, people say some pretty awful things. “My aunt/cousin/colleague’s friend died from that!” “Did you smoke?” “Have you tried (insert alternative Check in. Consistently. Time and again, survivors therapy here)?” remember the loneliness and Think first. Don’t blurt out the first isolation cancer brought. “I found thing that comes to mind. There’s out who my friends are. And who still a chance you’ll say something they weren’t,” said long-term cervical survivor Ellen. “Some you wish you could take back – people shut down and turned but it’s much less likely. away. I know cancer scares a lot of people. You don’t know what to It’s ok to talk about topics other say. I don’t myself. But people than cancer. “You don’t need to who were just there made a huge say ‘I’m sure it’s gonna be ok,’” difference. The smallest suggests two-time survivor Dale. “You don’t know that. Keeping the kindnesses mean something.” conversation as normal as possible Life’s busy. Checking in matters, but it doesn’t have to be dramatic. was so meaningful.” Survivor after survivor mentioned Still not sure what to say? Saying silly emails, funny memes and the quick call to say hello. nothing is ok, too. Sometimes, there aren’t right words. But your presence – physically or digitally – If life keeps getting in the way, setting a reminder or alarm is a can make all the difference.
“You have to call and get help. I’d call my daughter to come stay with him for a few hours. You need to have someone you can call on so you can take breaks. I couldn’t let myself get worn down – my oncologist said I had to listen to my body – no matter if it’s 80 degrees out and you should be out planting flowers, if you’re tired, lay down and take a nap. You can’t do it by yourself. You’re a person, you’re a human and you cannot.” ~Anne, survivor, caregiver Most of all, remember that you and your loved one are not alone. This journey is new for you, but you’re not the first to travel this road.” www.cancerhopenetwork.org
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Women’s and Men’s Ministries
Women’s Ministry Bible Study We invite you to a weekly Bible Study held on Mondays at 1 p.m. in the Youth Room, located on the second floor of the Mase Education Center. We are reading the Gospel of John.
This is a women’s fellowship/study with no homework. Please bring your own Bible. We look to covenant with each other week by week as we delve into God’s Word. For more information please contact Janeen McClure at jrmc@airmcclure.com
Summer break has arrived. Circles and Gatherings will resume in November. Sew and Sews will continue making quilts for residents of the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance community starting in September. Until then, Presbyterian Women extend hospitality to our congregation after service each Sunday with cookies and punch. The Love and Friendship Circle will be serving in July. We thank Grace Circle led by Andie Goodrich and Coke Evans for serving in June.
Our Moderator, Carolyn Smith Bennett is having a busy summer arranging a full-time move to Moorings Park in Naples. We wish her and Michael good luck and safe travels. We will also be working on our 2022-2023 directory this summer. If you have pictures or information you would like to share, please e-mail Betty Mangos at bmangos710@gmail.com. Presbyterian Women is a national organization with PCUSA , a sisterhood of faith, mission, and social justice. We invite all ladies associated with FPCN to join us this fall. Contact Carolyn Bennett: cjosmith341@gmail.com. Our Bible study will be Celebrating Sabbath by Carol M. Bechtel. Copies will be available in Spencer Hall this fall. Below is a schedule of Circle meetings. You are invited to join us. • Grace Circle—Leaders Andie Goodrich and Coke Evans meet 10 a.m. first Tuesdays • Love and Friendship Circle—Leader Martha Waddell meet 9:30 a.m. third Wednesdays • Sunshine Circle—Leader Janet Root meet 11:30 a.m. third Wednesdays • Peace with Honor Circle—Leader Betty Mangos meet 1:15 p.m. third Wednesdays
Wednesday Morning Men:
Faith and Fellowship 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, Audio Visual Technician, davidf@fpcnapels.org or the church office for Zoom instructions and a link to the meeting.
During the months of July and August we will not meet formally, however, breakfast gatherings are scheduled for July 6, August 3 and 17 at 8 a.m. To reserve your spot and for more information please contact Bill Kearney at skearney239@comcast.net. Bill will contact those who are interested and supply the location information. If you have any topic ideas to be used for the next series, please share them with Bill as the next session will begin in September.
Adult Education
Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org
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The Green Team - from Path to Positive Communities—Local Climate Leadership
Climate Solutions for Your Home and Neighborhood Changing your personal habits can be a great example for others and an important way to reduce climate pollution. We’re building a safer and healthier future for our kids and families, helping our neighbors improve their homes and lives, and even increasing property values which increases tax revenues for important services. It doesn't take much to start good climate habits that can save you time and money.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
1. Residences account for about 20% of carbon pollution in the United States. We need to reduce residential pollution to stop climate change.
1. Save money by saving energy. Adjust your thermostat, turn off those unused lights, insulate doors and windows, wash clothes and dishes in cool water. So many options!
2. Energy use is the biggest contributor to carbon pollution. Typically heating/cooling and vehicle fuel make up 2/3 of your carbon footprint.
2. Travel wisely. Group your trips, travel with family and neighbors. Use public transportation, walk, or bike when you can. If you have a car, think higher MPG, maybe a hybrid or electric.
3. A typical home wastes up to 40% of the energy it consumes through lighting, heating and cooling unused rooms, poor insulation, or wasteful habits.
3. Eliminate waste wherever you can. Use less and recycle. Go for glass and reusable containers instead of plastic bags and wraps. Take reusable bags to shop. Make sure everyone in your family has a reusable water bottle and takes their own mug to the coffee shop.
Climate change is a big problem that affects everyone, so how can you and your family make a difference? It turns out there are lots of ways you can make a big difference—starting right now.
We can all make our home and neighborhood better. The most important thing to do is to get started. Pick one or two actions from the list below and do them now. The rest will follow more easily.
4. Almost anything you do to reduce your home carbon pollution will save you money. You can save up to half your utility bills. 4. Green your neighborhood. Restore nature and increase property values by planting trees and other native plants to help reduce heat, 5. Healthier diets make for healthier people and a improve mental health and community wellhealthier planet. If every American cut their being, provide better air quality and cleaner meat consumption by half, we could cut water. agricultural carbon pollution.
6. You can multiply your impact by setting a good example and talking about why you are making different choices. 7. Sharing your commitment can help others save and live happier lives.
As good stewards of God’s earth we encourage you to take one or two new climate actions over the summer!
5. Help others. If your neighborhood has plenty of trees and gardens, seek out vulnerable ones that don’t and could use your help. If your neighbors don’t have the right kind of roof for solar panels, build support for community solar. Partner with other neighbors to make a difference. 6. Eat healthier. Increase plant-based protein, double up on fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seafood in your diet. If you can, start a garden and grow your own veggies. Eat it all, and compost the scraps. 40% of all food in the United States goes to waste!
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Barbara Weiss, Committee Chair, bweiss1952@gmail.com Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor/Head of Staff, craigg@fpcnaples.org
Personnel
Debbie Savage Director of Finance Welcome Debbie! Debbie comes to us with a wealth of knowledge in the financial and church environment, having worked for a large church in North Carolina and then at a Naples church as Senior Accountant. Debbie is personable, professional and as she says, “unflappable”. Debbie is a great fit for our staff and the congregation. Please welcome Debbie! - Rev. Craig Goodrich Debbie moved to Naples in August 2019 to be closer to her parents who live here full time. Although she’s originally from Michigan and a graduate of the University of Michigan, she’s also lived in northern VA, eastern NC, and most recently Louisville, KY. Her past work experience includes hotel management, retirement community management, and after staying at home for several years to raise her daughters, she’s worked as an accountant both in the
corporate world and for two other churches. She is very excited to be joining the team at FPCN and has felt incredibly welcomed by everyone. Family has always been important and she loves traveling to visit her two grown daughters, one in Columbia, SC and the other in New York City. She hopes to have grandchildren one day, but in the meantime she has grandkittens, which she loves playing with when she visits her daughters. When she isn’t traveling to visit family and friends, they love to come see her in her ‘new’ to her condo, where her lanai faces a small lake. Some of the duck families that live on the lake even come to visit her on the lanai, which has been great entertainment. She’s been slowly furnishing and decorating her condo and enjoys hosting guests, who affectionately refer to her place as ‘Debbie’s Bed & Breakfast’. Her vision was to make her home a peaceful and calm space where family and friends could gather to share love, faith, fun, laughter and good food! In her free time, Debbie serves as a Stephen Minister and as a co-facilitator for DivorceCare. She loves to cook and bake, swim, travel, read, and spend time with her family!
Debbie (far right) with her sister, parents and daughters on an Alaskan cruise
The church office will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
Membership
July 1 Doc Neumann Brian Boeve July 2 Bob Padgett July 3 Sharon Cumming July 4 Shirley Bartholomew Bruce Rogers Estella Platte Susan Craig July 5 Ann Herring July 6 Kevin Batcher July 7 Jacque Coombs Janet Magennis Karen Newton
Deborah Meeson-Vige, Committee Chair, deborah.meeson@gmail.com Kathleen Law, Communications Coordinator, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
July 9 Connie Abston
July 18 Amy Frick
July 27 Forest Reeves
July 10 Pat Barton Beverly Vining Harry Verhey Sara Moran
July 20 Jerry Nichols Tom Clark
July 28 Mark Mollers Gary Krueger
July 21 Jack Tiller Caroline Wulfert
July 29 Norm Brown Ron Avola Jane Payne
July 12 Richie DeVoe Beth Tomkow Richard Beach Christian Calyore Steve Yarbrough Debbie Savage July 13 Marjorie Cashion July 14 Richard Trampe July 15 Nancy Daniel
In Memoriam
July 8 Barbara Gray Morgan Forsythe Matthew Fisher Bill Crawford Holly Jensen Ted Pierce
July 16 Andrew Haradean David Jackson July 17 Eric Holt Don Boyd Isabelle Connell Donna Estler
July 22 Kathy Patton Lois Tichenor Susan Corryn Sharman Pfaus July 23 Sally Lutz Steve Hendrick July 24 Jo Debbink Katy Mann July 25 Janey Lahey July 26 Joan Gust Harriet Tobin Cindy McCarthy
July 30 Ruth Batcher Roxy Barry July 31 Joy Buck KC Hornbach David Mills Lynn Thye
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10 Children & Youth
Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children & Youth, nancyv@fpcnaples.org Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org
I am very grateful for my time at Montreat because of all the new people I met and all the fun activities. Emmanuel GiraldoCastano I was grateful to have the opportunity to be on the Montreat trip and it was a great experience to meet new people. Christina Liu
This summer 4 adults and 13 youth and young adults travelled to Montreat, NC. The theme was “More that Enough,” affirming our youth in their calling to be and to shape the church of Jesus Christ. The speakers helped youth come to know and believe that they are the beloved of God and Montreat was a place of authenticity, community, connection, and God’s truth thrived. It was an inclusive space where each voice was heard, where change was invited, where we were all challenged and embraced. This could not be possible without all of you and your support – financially and prayerfully. In great gratitude, Nancy Van Fleet
Montreat Reflections I made really close connections with people and got to leave with new friends. Daniel Taylor
I loved the beautiful scenery and change of climate from Florida. I took away a lot from the sermons that I will use in my life back home. Tiffany Liu At Montreat I was able to strengthen lifelong friendships and to have impactful and meaningful conversations about God’s love and our more than enough-ness. Ayla Coine This trip has been a very eye opening experience and I have learned a lot about myself and others. I’ve made many wonderful connections that I hope will last a lifetime. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to go on this trip and everything that I learned from it. Vanessa Giraldo-Castano This week at Montreat was a reminder that I have grown and matured in ways that I didn’t even notice and was one of the first of many instances where I realized I’m pretty content with my path in life right now. Kyle Sherry
I experienced love in its purest form, redefined my social and emotional boundaries, and poured myself out to my friends (new and old) and the Lord. Samantha "Sammi" Sacristan
I am incredibly grateful and blessed with the beauty and history at Montreat. I found the message of inclusion, acceptance very inspiring and something to aim for. Beautiful, fabulous and I felt the love. Heather O’Connell
I really liked Montreat with the music and energizers, and Gail and the pastor speaking. Dominique O’Connell
It was a very enjoyable trip. I met many awesome people and glad to have enjoyed the company of my friends. Jack Fogelman
I am grateful for my time at Montreat because of the connections I made and improved with those around me and the time to learn about myself and others. Caitlin Hancock
Montreat is a special place with time to connect with God and our current high school generation. Mike Calyore
Children & Youth
Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children & Youth, nancyv@fpcnaples.org Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor, rexc@fpcnaples.org
MONTREAT 2022
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First Presbyterian Church of Naples
Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102 Permit No. 8
250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311
Staff Ministers Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor Worship & Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries Bob Henstein, Summer Director of Music David Fister, Audio-Visual Technician Osei Allen, Sound and Video Operator 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, Communications Coordinator 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.
2035 2027
craigg@fpcnaples.org rexc@fpcnaples.org
2039
briceg@fpcnaples.org
2044
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