Outreach Newsletter December 2015

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

December 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

Rev. Craig Goodrich 2

Music 3

Finance 4

Presbyterian Women 6

Missions 6

Congregational Care 8

Calendar 9

Preschool 10

Children & Youth 11

News & Events 13

2

Dear members and

friends of First

Presbyterian Church of

Naples:

As we head into the

season of Advent

followed by Christmas,

there is much happening

in the life of our congregation that is and

will be exciting and inspiring, including

wonderful musical offerings, youth

activities and mission opportunities all of

which are described in this issue of the

Outreach.

There will be a “Seekers and Joiners”

class after worship on December 6 for

those interested in learning about

membership here at FPC Naples. Did you

know you can become an “affiliate”

member here and still keep your

membership at your “home” church?

Please note the Finance Committee Report

by Chair Richard Green. We continue to

encourage year end giving as part of our

Christian discipleship and to help decrease

our deficit. Our pledge campaign for 2016

will be in January and February and you

will be hearing more about that in the

New Year. But I hope that you will be

considering and praying now about what

your 2016 pledge will be. The theme of

the campaign, chaired by Duncan Connell,

is “Courageous Generosity: A Time for

Renewal.” I think that describes very well

where we are and what we hope for as a

congregation.

I will be preaching a sermon series in

Advent concluding with Christmas Eve.

The title of the series is “A Season of

Light” and sermons will be:

Sunday, November 29:

“The Light of Hope”

Sunday, December 6:

“The Light of Peace”

Sunday, December 13:

“The Light of Joy”

Sunday, December 20:

“The Light of Love”

Thursday, December 24:

“The Light of the World” (at 7 p.m.)

I hope that you will come to all the

worship services and invite your family

and friends.

May hope, peace, joy and love be yours in

this Season of Light.

Faithfully Yours,

Craig

Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor/Head of Staff [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

3 Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, [email protected]

A Service of Lessons and Carols with the

Chancel Choir Sunday, December 6, 2015

4:00 p.m. Experience the hope and joy of rediscovering the miracle and wonder of Christmas as told through beautiful and cherished music of the season. This special worship service, made popular by Kings College Cambridge, has become a tradition at First Presbyterian Church. Our Chancel Choir will sing many favorite Christmas anthems including the Birthday Carol by Sir David Willcocks, Sans Day Carol by John Rutter, Mid-Winter by Bob Chilcott and the Ave Maria by Franz Biebl. Sing some of your favorite traditional carols such as O Come, All Ye Faithful, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, and many others. Come and remember the reason for the season. Mark your calendar for this yuletide afternoon.

Prepare for Christmas in a relaxing and spiritual way.

There is no charge for the concert. A free will offering will be taken. Reception to follow in Spencer Hall.


4 Music Finance Richard Green, Finance Committee Chair, [email protected]

Finance year to date report

As Chairman, I want to say a large thanks to the finance committee members. As they say there is good news and some, not so good. Our new Pastor, Rev. Craig Goodrich, has arrived and is very welcome. We feel this will begin to help stabilize our financial picture. Attendance is growing and attendance is above last year for the past 3 months. The sale of the excess parking lot was successful.

Major improvements to the church that are to be done and paid for from the sale of the property are: New carpet for the Sanctuary and Spencer Hall to be done after Christmas. Our 10 year old video equipment will be replaced with new high definition video equipment. Many air conditioners have or will be replaced.

A capital reserve account has been set up for future needs and will be budgeted for each year as required. Our financial picture needs to improve. We have budgeted and run deficits for the last 3 years and we had to pull from the endowment fund almost $900,000 to cover these deficits. We have cut and are continuing to cut operating expenses but it is our giving that is falling short.

Financial statement as of September 2015. Actual Budget Compared to Budget Offerings Income $641,678 $730,015 ($88,337) Other Income $34,870 $38,034 ($3,164) Preschool Income $253,201 $242,585 $10,616 Total Income $929,749 $1,011,106 ($81,357) Expense $1,157,962 $1,204,854 ($46,892) Operating gain/ (loss) ($233,268) ($193,748) By year end we will have a loss of about $300,000 plus. In the future, we hope to eliminate the need to rely on Reserves to fund operations. If you are in a position to make a year-end gift to help with this year’s deficit, we would very much appreciate it. Our “Courageous Generosity” campaign will soon be underway – with emphasis in January/February. We hope that you will make a pledge and also increase your giving. One of the Endowment committee ideas for year-end giving and tax planning is to consider giving a gift of highly appreciated stock to the church as we approach the end of the year. Consult your tax advisor for details. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help, you may contact Fred Garner 239.434.2438 or Linda Gadkowski at [email protected].

Richard Green Finance Committee Chair


5

YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS

PLEASE NOTE: All 2015 contributions MUST be either postmarked by December 31, 2015, received in the church office by 12 p.m. or processed online by December 31, 2015 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2015. As we approach the end of 2015, persons who make year end contributions might want to consider donations of stock. Please contact Sharman Pfaus at 239.262.1311 ext. 236 or

[email protected] if you wish to make a stock donation.

What is Alternative Giving? Alternative

giving, virtual

giving or graceful

giving is a form of gift

giving that has a symbolic

value to the recipient and

benefits a meaningful

cause at the same time. The gift giver makes a donation

on the gift recipient’s behalf, rather than giving them an

item. In 1916, Lily Hardy Hammond wrote, "You don't

pay love back; you pay it forward.”

Have your children often wondered what to give you for a

Christmas gift? Have you said many times, “I don’t need

a thing?” Church member, Ed Wilson, answered his

children by giving them a wonderful and thoughtful

response…“I want you to make a donation to my

church!”

Why not give your children the same response?

Gifts can easily be made to the church in honor of a loved

one. The gift is a tax deduction for the gift giver and

warms the heart of the recipient. The church will send the

recipient a card informing them that a gift has been made

to the church in their honor and a letter is sent to the giver

for tax records. All donations will be deposited to the

General Fund of FPCN.

Music Finance Richard Green, Finance Committee Chair, [email protected]

Endowment Committee It’s been a pretty good year for stock investors. Consider giving a gift of highly appreciated stock to First Presbyterian Church of Naples. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help First Presbyterian Church of Naples, please contact Endowment Committee members Linda Gadkowski at 239.775.9901 or Fred Garner at 239.434.2438. 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.



6

Feed the 5,000

Luke 9:10-17

Youth Haven receives the food we gather this month. Our donations help to make it possible for Youth Haven to serve more than 2,400 children and family members as shelter, counseling, food, and caring is provided to those in need. Wish List: 2 cans of meat, fish or chicken 2 cans of vegetables rice pasta and pasta sauce peanut butter and/or jelly breakfast foods applesauce, canned fruit or fruit cups PLEASE—no open packages or out of date food. 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 Sixth Street church entrance before the 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."

The Angel Tree A Christmas Tradition

Each year we decorate a tree in Spencer Hall with tags that have names of migrant farm workers’ children. If you would like to purchase a gift for a needy child, please take a tag from the tree. Write your name and phone number on the sticker and

leave it with the mission volunteer at the tree. Gifts should have an approximate value of $20. Some gift ideas are learning toys, board games, puzzles, balls, craft kits, and roller skates.

Please wrap the gift securely and put the tag with the child's name on it. Please return the wrapped gift by Sunday, December 13.

Missions

Presbyterian Women Ann Goodnight, PW Moderator, [email protected]

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S GATHERING The December Women’s Gathering will be held on Wednesday, December 2 and features a concert by Brice Gerlach and Michele Byrd. They always delight us with their musical

talents in presenting a heartfelt program. Menu: Appetizers and punch will be served prior to the concert. Lunch will be pork tenderloin, oven roasted potatoes, carrots & green beans, ice cream and cookies. Faith/Joy Circle will be the hostesses.

CIRCLE MEETINGS The third week of the month is Circle meeting week. Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 16. LOOKING FORWARD 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.

Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, [email protected]



7 Missions Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, [email protected]

A lot has happened this last month. We are blessed and enriched through all of the projects and good works we participated in, including the lecture by Bob Goff (author of “Love Does”) at Moorings PC. Below are pictures from the Peace River Presbytery event on World Missions. The guest speaker was Dr. Hunter Farrell who, along with Elizabeth Little, gave us a wonderful insight of how our money and efforts help support missions throughout the world. This month we have bell ringers for Salvation Army at both doors of Publix, Neapolitan Way. What a wonderful outreach for our church and a gift to the Salvation Army. We had our cute Santa's again signing us up--thank you Pat Warner and Ed Wilson.

The Angel Tree will be available on Sunday, November 29. Take a tag with a child’s name and buy a Christmas gift. What better way to get into the Christmas spirit! If there is any way that you would like to participate in the missions of our church, call me at 239.254.9883 or the church. We have activities planned and a fund where you can give. Betty Mangos Missions Committee Chair


8 Congregational Care

In Memoriam Mary Burns

November 6, 2015

Are you or someone you know homebound, feeling lonely or in need of a friend? Well maybe a

visit from a member of the Care Visitation Committee is the answer. Members of this committee love to visit people, send cards, and talk on the phone. We all like to be remembered by members of the church.

Please let Shirley Hagerson, Congregational Care Elder (239.596.3125), Carolyn Bennett, Care Committee Chair (239.213.0048), or Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager (239.262.1311) know how we can help.

Also, if you would like to know more about being a member of the care giving group please let us know.

Life certainly is a mixture of joys and challenges. We rejoice in each other's joys and seek ways to support each other during challenges. So with faith, family, and friends, why is there a role for Stephen Ministers?

Well, who can be that compassionate one

-to-one listener when, for example, family is also involved in the stress, friends are "up north", or when the hurt currently stretches faith thin? Sometimes someone fresh to the situation can bring a pinch of peace, can hold your hand in faith, can listen while you think through your situation and options, can be present when others aren't emotionally or physically available.

We might think of asking for a Stephen Minister as weakness, but isn't seeking someone to journey with you as you deal with a challenge really a proactive step? We might think our challenge isn't serious enough to warrant asking for a Stephen Minister. But if our equilibrium is disrupted, leaving us "treading water" rather than moving ahead, isn't that serious enough? We might think it would leave us feeling indebted. But people who train to be Stephen Ministers may have felt the effectiveness of someone sharing their challenges and thus wish to "pay it forward". Additionally, they probably have had some moments that God's close presence strengthened their faith and made them ready to reach out to others in faith.

So, if at some time you think having a

compassionate Christian friend to provide confidential emotional and spiritual support might be a good idea, why not give the program a try? A Stephen Minister leader will talk with you in confidence to learn what is hurting you. The leader will then select one of your church's Stephen Ministers to offer support by visiting with you weekly to share in your challenge. You and your caregiver will seek to divide the sorrows and multiply the joys in your life.

STEPHEN

MINISTRY

Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, [email protected] Calendar 9

December

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate

location)

11 a.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet 2 p.m. HS Youth 4 p.m. Session

2 11 a.m. PW Coordinating Team 12 p.m. PW Gathering 2 p.m. Congregation-al Dinner meeting 7 p.m. Choir 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal

3 9:30 a.m. Bible Facilitators 12 p.m. Huddle 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

4 9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet 5:30 p.m. First Friday/Parent’s Night Out

5 9 a.m. Hanging of the Greens

6

8:30 & 10 a.m. Communion Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 11 a.m. Seekers and Joiners Class 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 4 p.m. Concert

7


location)

8 a.m. Facilities Committee 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet 1 p.m. Worship & Music Committee 2 p.m. HS Youth 2:30 p.m. Mission Committee 6:30 p.m. Session/Deacons Gathering

9 9 a.m. Christian Ed. Committee 11 a.m. Preschool Christmas Rehearsal 7 p.m. Choir 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal

10 10 a.m. Sew & Sews 12 p.m. Huddle 4 p.m. Middle School Youth Group 6 p.m. Christmas Preschool Program 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

11 9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet

12

13 8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. New Member Acceptance 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

14 9 a.m. Angel Tree gift organization

15 OUTREACH

DEADLINE 7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate

location)

9:30 a.m. Faith/Joy Circle 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet 3 p.m. Finance Mtg. Youth Group Christmas Party 5:30 p.m. Deacon’s

16 9 a.m. Angel Tree Gift delivery 9:30 Love & Friendship Circle 12 p.m. Sunshine Circle 1 p.m. Peace w/Honor Circle 7 p.m. Choir 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal

17 12 p.m. Huddle 4 p.m. Middle School Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

18 9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 1 p.m. Preschool Happy Feet

19

20 8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

21 Preschool closed

22 Preschool closed 7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate

location)

23 Preschool closed

24 Christmas Eve

Services

5 p.m.

Family worship

7 p.m.

Candlelight

worship

25

Merry Christmas

Church office closed

26 Youth Ski Trip 9 a.m. Cookie bakers

27 Youth Ski Trip 8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Children’s Choir 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

28 Preschool closed Church office closed Youth Ski Trip


location)

Preschool closed Youth Ski Trip

30 Preschool closed Youth Ski Trip 7 p.m. Cumberland rehearsal

31

Preschool closed 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

January 1, 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR Church office closed Preschool closed


10 Preschool Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, [email protected]

Another success! The Preschool held their annual Silent Auction during the Fall Festival at the end of October and I am happy to report that it was an overwhelming success. We received donations from our families and from community

establishments as well. Each classroom asked for donations from families to create baskets and the parents went above and beyond and brought in many delightful, fun items. We had such a generous response by some of the classroom parents that we ended up splitting some baskets due to the amount of items we received. The Preschool was able to raise a little more than $6,700 from the Silent Auction. These funds will be used to provide student scholarships and financial assistance during the 2016-2017 school year. The Preschool Committee will also explore other options for the funding such as equipment and material needs (furniture, play materials, etc.).

We really appreciate the help and assistance that we received from all of those that extended a hand. Kathleen Law was critical in getting the word out with publications regarding the event. Shana and Issac Dublan, Kymberly Dorsey and the youth were a huge help in setting up the tables and getting things ready for display. Chris Calyore volunteered her time to help put baskets together and actually helped during the Silent Auction. Liz Psota was

responsible for creating all the bid sheets and the nice hand out that listed all of our fabulous donations. Of course, without the help and donations of the parents of the Preschool and the Preschool Committee, we wouldn’t have experienced the success that we did. We ask that you consider supporting these entities that made donations to the Silent Auction in an effort to show your appreciation for their dedication to the students of First Presbyterian Preschool. Port Royal Jewelers

Bonita Bay Club

Pampered Chef (Chris Calyore, Independent Consultant)

The Parrot Bar & Grill

Kiwi Spa

Regina’s Ice Cream

Pinchers Crab Shack

Law Offices of Conrad Willkomm

Burn Boot Camp

Dolce & Salato

Food & Thought

SWFL Player and Development Center

Willis and Davidow, LLC

Crystals by Candie, LLC

Bayfront Inn 5th Avenue

Naples on the Run

Outback Steakhouse

Gutters Unlimited Plus


11 Children and Youth Shana Dublan, Director of Children and Family Ministries

[email protected]

Fall Festival Fun!


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 [email protected] or 239.262.1311 ext. 229.

Middle and High School groups will come together for food and fun! All students are invited to the Christmas Party on December 15 following school. Meet in the youth room and bring a wrapped gift, no more than $20 please. We will have games and Christmas dinner. Party ends at 6 p.m.

Would your child like to be a part of the Christmas Eve Family Worship Service? We are currently looking for 7 children/youth to take part in a short Christmas play. There are both speaking and non-speaking roles. Please contact Shana to sign up. Rehearsals will take place following youth group (twice) and after worship (once).

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 will be available in January.

12 Children and Youth Shana Dublan, Director of Children and Family Ministries

[email protected]



13 News and Events Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, [email protected]

A Night on

Broadway!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this

night a success!



“Earlier this year we included the same “request for information” in an issue of Outreach as the one included below. (Sincere thanks to those of you who responded.) In recent months we have had situations in which we needed to get in touch with an “emergency contact” for two of our church members, and there was no record in the church files of whom that might be. So, while we hope there will be no emergency or disaster, we would need to be prepared. If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to fill out the information in the form below. Please return to the church by mail or drop it off at the reception desk. Please do not list your significant other as the contact – list instead a different family member or a friend”.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Your Name: ___________________________________________________ Parish No: _______________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: __________________________________ Cell: _____________________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

City, State, ZIP:_________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ___________________________________ Cell: ____________________________________

Relationship: __________________________________

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The prayer Shawl Ministry will be reconvening on January 5, 2016. Join them on Tuesday’s in the Youth Room at 9 a.m.

They have supplies to share and get you started knitting or crocheting. Shawls are given to those finding themselves in life changing health situations. If you have questions, please contact either Gail Clark at 239.331.3312 or Dorie Tichenor at 202.412.0799.

Nina Howard, a recent prayer

shawl recipient.



Hanging of the

Greens

Please join us on Saturday, December 5 as we make our church beautiful for the Advent season. Meet in Spencer Hall at 9 a.m. for coffee and instructions. We need help fluffing the trees, hanging garland and wreaths, decorating the Spencer Hall tree, and Nativity scene set up. Many hands make light work! If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Church at 261.1337 for more information.

Seekers and Joiners Class

Are you interested in knowing what First Presbyterian Church has to offer? Then join the Seekers and Joiners Class on Sunday, December 6 in the Parlor following the 10 a.m. worship service. To learn more visit the Welcome Table following the worship services.

Holy Paparazzi Pictures Bring your best smile for the new directory. Pictures will be taken on December 20 and January 17 after each service.

HUDDLE

All men are invited to join HUDDLE on Thursdays at noon in Spencer Hall. Bring your lunch and a Bible and join in a lesson and discussion.

Please consider dedicating a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one, and help beautify the Sanctuary for the Christmas season. Fill out the following form and return it along with payment to the church office. Please note Poinsettia Dedication on the payment. All orders must be received no later than Sunday, December 13. Please use one form per dedication. Additional forms may be found in the church office, Spencer Hall or online at www.fpcnaples.org. The cost is $25 per poinsettia. Please PRINT CLEARLY the information you would like to appear in the dedication.

In memory of _________________________________________________________________________

In honor of ____________________________________________________________________________

Given by _____________________________________________________________________________

Your name _______________________________________ Phone _____________________________

Amount enclosed $________

A list of dedications will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletins. You may pick up your poinsettia following the 7 p.m. service on Christmas Eve.



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

Wednesday, December 3 at 12 p.m.

Presbyterian Women's Gathering

Christmas mini-concert with Brice and Michele

Friday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Parent’s Night Out/First Friday Event—Movie: Frozen

Saturday, December 5 at 9 a.m.

Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, December 6 at 4 p.m.

Season of Music Concert, Lessons and Carols

with the Chancel Choir

Week of December 7 Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringers

Thursday, December 10 at 6 p.m.

Preschool Christmas Event

Sunday, December 20

Cumberland Church Christmas Service

Thursday, December 24

Christmas Eve Services

5 p.m. Family Worship Service

7 p.m. Candlelight Service

Saturday, December 26

Youth Ski Trip

Celebrations & Events of the Season

http://www.fpcnapels.org

Outreach Newsletter December 2015

Documents

Transcript of Outreach Newsletter December 2015