In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God: we worship, we love, we grow, we serve
June 2021
A few of our 2021 Preschool Graduates Rev. Craig Goodrich Rev. Rex Childs Session Worship
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Finance Palms Society Children & Youth Preschool
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Staff Spotlight Birthdays Christian Education Staff
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Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor
What a wonderful Pentecost/Staff Appreciation Sunday we had on May 23! We honored your wonderful staff with a special recognition of Preschool Director, Ashley Houk (10 years); Executive Office Manager, Sharman Pfaus (10 years); Director of Music, Brice Gerlach (20 years) and Facilities Director, Sandy Poore (40 years). Yes, you read that right, 40 years! We are so blessed to have such a dedicated and exceptional staff, and this includes everybody!
craigg@fpcnaples.org
Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund and we thank you for your generosity. Looking ahead to June, the new playground project will commence. Hurray! Youth and children summer activities will shift to summer mode. Nancy Van Fleet will be preaching on June 6 and we will be honoring our graduates of all ages. I will preach on June 13 and Rex will preach June 20 and 27. Both Rex and I will be taking vacation time in June.
I hope you enjoy this issue of the Outreach, reading it thoroughly. I particularly direct your attention to our Staff Spotlight this month which features Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, our “Number Looking back on May, we see it was a transition month for us, as more COVID-19 restrictions began 1”cheerleader, and longest serving staff member in the history of our congregation (see page 6). Also, to lift. As more people have received the COVID-19 vaccinations, in-person meetings are happening, with see Rex’s article on the Peace River Presbytery to which our congregation belongs and for which Rex is a Zoom option. In addition, in accordance with the new CDC guidance regarding masks, fully vaccinated serving as Moderator this year. Thank you, Rex, for your service to the greater church. persons need not wear masks in worship or meetings. And we are singing again! Wherever you are this summer, I hope you will stay connected with us. And if you are away, we hope After fourteen months, we ceased recording a you will take “the heart of Naples and the love of worship service on Saturday, and are now offering God with you.” life streaming of Sunday’s service. And remember as Presbyterian writer Frederick The Preschool is winding down after an exceptional Buechner has written, “Life itself is grace.” year and held their graduation on May 27. Adult And Jesus is Lord. Education concluded its wonderful Zoom sessions with speakers from local agencies we support. Blessings, peace, gratitude, Presbyterian Women and Women of the Way continued to meet as did the Men’s Morning Fellowship and Huddle Bible Study. We continue to encourage giving opportunities: to Operations, Pews and Playground, and the
Rev. Rex Childs,
Associate Pastor
Peace River Presbytery Update Rex Childs, Moderator One of the wonderful things about being part of the PC(USA) is that we are a connectional church. There are sister churches here in SWFL that we are in relationship with. We stay in regular contact with each other - sharing resources, best practices and offering support. We are one of 37 churches in Peace River Presbytery and both Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders (Ministers) represent each church at presbytery meetings held three or four times a year. This year, I am serving as Moderator of those meetings and they have been held by Zoom due to the pandemic. The presbytery has provided valuable resources for churches as we’ve worked to adapt to the changes
rexc@fpcnaples.org
brought on by COVID. We held weekly Zoom calls for Pastors to bounce ideas off of each other and share insights that we’ve learned. The presbytery also offered a grant program to help off-set the cost of purchasing or upgrading equipment so churches could provide livestreamed/recorded worship services. Grants were awarded to 31 of the 37 churches for a total of over $250,000. The pandemic has also accelerated a change to the presbytery office space. The presbytery staff has mostly been working from home, so we are beginning to explore selling the presbytery office building in North Port. The presbytery staff would then rent out office space from a church within our presbytery. This is a model that other presbyteries have adopted successfully and the consensus is that it would also work well for us.
Session
Saralene Oldham, Clerk of Session, soldham@helmsbriscoe.com Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor, craigg@fpcnaples.org
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UPDATE TO WORSHIP and MEETINGS • •
Masks are no longer required for in-person worship so long as you have been vaccinated and have adhered to the two week waiting period following your vaccine. Groups and Committees may meet in-person, and if fully vaccinated, they are not required to wear masks or maintain social distancing. All scheduling for in-person meetings, with or without the Zoom option, is to be made with Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311. Patty Rutzler, Committee Chair, patty233@aol.com Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor, craigg@fpcnaples.org
Worship
From the Pulpit
June 6 Nancy Van Fleet
June 13 Rev. Craig Goodrich “The Better View”
June 20 Father’s Day Rev. Rex Childs
June 27 Rev. Rex Childs
Doug Jensen, Committee Chair, d50.jensen@gmail.com Anna Focht, Director of Finance, annaf@fpcnaples.org
Finance
Pews
Playground
Looking Ahead to our Future We would be honored if you would consider making a gift to help us reach our goals for these projects!
Pew Seat Cushions – Donated: $45,056 Campaign goal: $50,000 Playground – Donated: $55,760 Campaign goal: $82,000 How to Donate Please designate your gift amount to either Playground, Pew Seat, or both. You may give by check, or give online at www.fpcnaples.org/give. Checks may be mailed directly to the church office at 250 Sixth Street South, Naples, FL 34102. Donations can also be made through the preschool website at www.fppnaples.org/support-our-school and click the “Donate Now” button.
Palms Society
Linda Gadkowski, Committee Chair, linda.gadkowski@gmail.com Anna Focht, Director of Finance, annaf@fpcnaples.org
“It does not have to do with the amount of money you have, it has to do with how secure you feel with the money you have,” he explained. Here are Deepak Chopra’s five tips for financial wellness: 1. Don’t spend money you have not earned to buy things that you don’t need, to impress people you don’t like. 2. Put away 10% of your income every month. “I did that since 1970, when I was earning $202 a month.” 3. Find an employer who takes care of their employees and offers benefits like retirement, disability and insurance. Work with friends and people you like; otherwise, you won’t be successful in your career. 4. Don’t ignore your body, mind and emotions. “If you have a healthy body, if you have good relationships emotionally and if you are a rested mind, you will make wise financial decisions.” 5. Make other people successful, which is the best way to be successful yourself. “I found in my career that if I could make other people make money, I would make money, as well.” The Palms Society is a way to honor those who include the church in their long-range gift and estate plans. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Linda Gadkowski, 508.292.5500 or Anna Focht, Director of Finance, 239.262.1311.
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Children and Youth
Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children and Youth, nancyv@fpcnaples.org
Elementary School Graduates Connor Biehl Troy Bussell, First Presbyterian Preschool Alumni Middle School Graduates Logan Brocker Marvin Docteur Emmanuel Giraldo-Castano Devan Hancock High School Graduates Ayla Coine, Gulf Coast HS Hayley Douthit, Gulf Coast HS Colin Gerlach, Gulf Coast HS, First Presbyterian Preschool Alumni Kyle Sherry, Barron Collier HS Lexie Ditheridge, Lely HS, First Presbyterian Preschool Alumni Julia Normandin, Palmetto Ridge HS
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL SUNDAYS (Ages entering K through grade 6)
Changing the World with Lovingkindness Compassion Camp is a program where kids and families explore what it means to have compassion for others, ourselves and the earth. Dates: Sundays from June 20 –July 18 11–11:30 a.m. on Zoom As we look around the world, our deep need for compassion becomes more evident with each passing day, perhaps now more than ever. Compassion Camp’s goal is to cultivate compassion for each other, ourselves, and the world. Each day we will explore themes of compassion as they relate to each session’s scripture. Lovingkindness is the utmost form of selfness love toward ourselves, others, and the earth. The practice begins with focusing on selfcompassion because once we have compassion for ourselves, we can have compassion for others and the earth. RSVP to ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org to receive your amazing Compassion Camp goody box.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well Psalm 139:14
Preschool
Teresa Doane, Elder, twdoane@hotmail.com Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org
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Personnel
Sandy is a shining star on our staff. She exudes enthusiasm and sets a positive example for others with her ‘can do’ spirit. When things get tough, you will always hear Sandy say “we got this!” She knows the ins and outs of every corner of the church building and its surroundings. Sandy is a great motivator and a treasure to anyone who comes to know her. The church has been extremely fortunate to have Sandy on staff for the past FORTY years!!! Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager
Barb Weiss, Committee Chair, bweiss1952@gmail.com Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor, craigg@fpcnaples.org
Stephen Ministers
Sandy Poore
Director of Facilities
Sandy was born at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. She has two brothers and four sisters, one which is a twin sister. She grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey and her family moved to Naples in the summer of 1974. Sandy attended Naples High School, which was the only high school in Naples until Lely High School opened, from which she graduated in 1977. Following high school Sandy studied business and accounting at Edison Community College.
Eugene and Sandy have two children, daughter Jennifer, and son Dustin. Both children attended First Presbyterian Preschool. Her favorite line is that she “started working at the church in BC (before children).” Her children and granddaughters all reside in Naples.
Sandy married her high school sweetheart, Eugene in February, 1978 and moved to Hawaii where Eugene was stationed at Schofield Army Base until 1981.
Sandy’s favorite sport is football and she’s a devoted Miami Dolphins fan. She enjoys relaxing spa days, lounging in the pool, vacations, cruises and reading. Sandy considers our terrific staff and members of the congregation her extended family and is blessed to be part of this loving environment.
Sandy began working for First Presbyterian Church on June 1, 1981 as a part-time employee assisting George Healy, Head Custodian and Senior Pastor, Dr. Russ Mase. At the time this was to be a temporary position. She loved working with the congregation, committee members and staff, and never left.
She enjoys spending time with her large family consisting of 24 nieces and nephews, 35 great nieces and nephews, and 10 year old twin granddaughters Alyssa and Ashleigh. She babysits her granddaughters Tuesday-Thursday after school, and in between she works at her husband and sons construction business doing bookkeeping.
Sandy has seen many changes over the years with staff and numerous construction projects. The new church construction was definitely the most challenging. Staff offices and conference rooms were in trailers on 2nd Ave., preschool rooms were on each corner of 3rd Ave. and 6th St., choir and youth groups were held in Wynn’s catering building and church services were held at Gulf View Middle School. It was both an exciting and stressful time. When finally in our new buildings, she saw and experienced it all...between prepping for the first service in our new sanctuary, hanging the glass cross and the installation of the Ruffatti organ. Her position as Director of Facilities evolved as the years went by. She works closely with a fantastic Facilities Committee which oversees the grounds and keeps our church up to code and looking pristine.
Dustin, Sandy, Ashleigh, Eugene, Alyssa and Jennifer.
Membership
June 1 Jean Scholtens Carolyn Bennett Doug Jensen Alison Yang Kyle Sherry Lou Mahigel
Deborah Meeson-Vige, Committee Chair, Deborah.meeson@gmail.com Kathleen Law, Communications Coordinator, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
June 7 Sylvia Marsh June 8 Janis Cummin Yancey Brame
June 3 Lynne Strohaver
June 10 Deborah Weidner Mary Kissel Robert Mason Janet Koonce Bill Wright
June 4 Fred Garner
June 11 Kathy Peterson
June 5 Michele Gerlach Rachel Holloway Jack Foust
June 12 Anne Raymond Barbara Beach
June 2 Cindy Esler
June 6 Stan Adams Joe Johnston
June 13 Millie Iarossi Diane Miller
June 14 Florence Calyore Bob Knudson Kim Witmer Ashton Quinn Chloe Van Vuuren Nancy Dunlap
June 19 Jane Holbrook Jay Swallen Nancy Masterson
June 15 Mary Vande Voren Decker Boyd
June 21 Diane Stellema Gary Lubben Chuck Work Michelle Bloom
June 16 Joanne Slager Cleve Cleveland Mike Autera June 17 Janet Root June 18 Kelly Holmberg
Christian Education
Wednesday Morning Men Faith and Fellowship Join other committed men in our congregation on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Following the presentation there will be a time for questions and discussion. We will gather via Zoom, at 8 a.m. June 2—“James, brother of Jesus” led by Bill Crawford. June 16—”Ruth” led by Cleve Cleveland. For Zoom instructions contact Rev. Rex Childs at rexc@fpcnaples.org or Bill Kearney at skearney239@comcast.net.
June 20 Jack Marsh
June 22 Diana Childs June 23 Janie Casassa Peter Weidner Alex Yanushefski June 24 Shel Veil Andie Goodrich
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June 25 Sheila Lytle David Brown June 26 Chuck Lyon Dottie Morse Jan Modesitt June 27 John Rader Daisy Scott June 28 Mariellen Lemasters Amy Manley June 29 Connor Biehl June 30 Lisa Brock
Roni Haggart, Committee Chair, vhaggart@gmail.com
A men’s
Bible Discussion Group All men are invited and encouraged to gather with us via Zoom each Thursday from 10:45 a.m. - noon For Zoom instructions contact Rev. Rex Childs at rexc@fpcnaples.org
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 LISTING Name Phone: 239.262.1311 Ministers Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor
Ext.
2035 2027
craigg@fpcnaples.org rexc@fpcnaples.org
Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries
2039
briceg@fpcnaples.org
Christian Education Jack Fogelman, Kidz Lab Teacher Audrey Gordon, Childcare Provider Ashley Hancock, Christian Education Assistant Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children and Youth
2012 2029
ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org nancyv@fpcnaples.org
Office Anna Focht, Director of Finance Angie Johnson, Office Assistant/Receptionist Kathleen Law, Communications Coordinator Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager
2042 2000 2013 2036
annaf@fpcnaples.org angiej@fpcnaples.org kathleenl@fpcnaples.org sharmanp@fpcnaples.org
Facilities Lisa Ethier, Custodian Eduardo Martinez, Maintenance Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities
2016 2014 2028
lisae@fpcnaples.org eduardom@fpcnaples.org sandyp@fpcnaples.org
Preschool Ashley Houk, Preschool Director Lindsay Willkomm, Assistant Preschool Director
2009 2038
ashleyh@fpcnaples.org lindsayw@fpcnaples.org