Nucc june july 13 steeplelights

June/July 2013

Naples United Church of Christ God is stillspeaking,

© Colleen Braun | Dreamstime Stock Photos

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From the Senior Minister

Dr. Ron Patterson

I would love to talk

about this project or

answer any questions

you might have—or

just check in with

you on your summer

plans. Please give me

a call.

““

Just to the south of the current steeple there is an open patch of lawn waiting for a dream to come true. For several years a growing group in our congregation has experienced the spiritual power of walking the labyrinth in meditation and prayer. We currently have a full-sized canvas labyrinth that can be set up in the McSpadden Hall, but because of the busyness of that room, that possibility is only available on certain dates and times.

Here’s what is being proposed:

That we construct a 42’ Chartres-style labyrinth on the south lawn of the Gates Chapel. The labyrinth would be built from pavers and include a quiet water feature in the center. It would be encircled by a passively lit circle of palms matching those in the current memorial garden. Upgraded landscaping would incorporate our current butterfly garden. A prototype of this labyrinth can be found at the Naples Botanical Garden.

After discussion by our Council and approval from the Board of Trustees, a member of the congregation volunteered professional services as a landscape architect, and with the help of the Trustees and a few donors, most of the basic cost has been covered. But to make this idea happen over the summer we need to raise a few thousand dollars.

This is a gift we can give to ourselves and to this community—especially to our neighbors and the thousands who walk and drive past our church home every day. One of our sister congregations with a similar location near St. Petersburg reports that their outdoor labyrinth has become a place where members of the community find an introduction to faith.

The cost breaks down this way:

Basic Labyrinth Cost: $18,500, water feature: $1,028, foxtail palms—eight at $500 each ($4,000), with a few more thousand for landscape lighting and additional landscaping to make it a place of peace and beauty.

Here’s my request:

Will you make a gift if you are able? I’m not looking for massive amounts of money, but rather for gifts in any amount to invest in the spiritual growth of this congregation and this community. We are very good at helping others—massively and generously reaching out to those in need in this community and around the world. That is our call—but this project—very small in comparison—is something to help our hearts and our souls find strength for the journey of love. I know it’s something I need. I hope you will help!

With love, Ron

A Summer Dream Come True: An Outdoor Labyrinth

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Once upon a time I was a minor gardener. Way back in ’64 when we moved into our first home in Philadelphia, the front embankment was dry, unsightly dirt, because the children who lived there before us had spent considerable time rolling down it. Over the next several years I painstakingly replanted it, one plug at a time, with ivy, myrtle, and pachysandra. Slowly, with tons of evening waterings, the bank became transformed from dust to lush, green growth.

Then, not quite so far back, in ’94, we moved into a parsonage in suburban Boston, and I spent all my spare time trying to make the front and back yards pretty. When my younger brother was visiting one spring, I marked off a shape in the grass in the backyard, and he obligingly, patiently turned over the soil so I could make a perennial garden. Alas, the soil about 8 inches down was largely clay. So, over time and with lots of folding in of pounds of peat moss and topsoil, the odd dirt-shape became a beautiful garden, a source of great joy.

Ron, in his sermons, often talks about planting seeds that blossom forth as various kinds of love toward and amongst God’s people. One such mention by Ron started me thinking about how important it is to prepare soil for planting seeds. I thought about it in terms of people—people in my life who have turned over the soil of my mind and spirit, revealing rich, receptive dirt—that I was unaware of at the time.

In my case I can name several people: My minister in the ‘50s, who presented each high school graduate in the church school with a small copy of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. Then there was that minister’s wife, who formed a “motion choir” of the teen girls at church—I still recall the liturgical dance motions for Malotte’s Lord’s Prayer. And the young pastor at church camp who was our keynoter each day on the history of Protestant theology; and on and on. Funny how all these folks with the spades and seeds were church people!

As time went by, I let that turned-over soil become hard and cracked. The seeds planted went dormant, but it turns out they were just taking their sweet time germinating. Along came other mentors, as my children grew up, who scared me to death when they began watering and fertilizing the seeds of professional ministry in me, buried away for so long.

I could go on, but I’d like you to dig back in your garden of memories to locate the person or persons who first took a spade to the God-given soil of your mind and spirit and dropped in a few seeds that eventually blossomed and bore fruit. As you think back, who else was it that might have paid attention, nurtured, and provided fresh water and fertilizer for a seed of potential in you? I’m talking about your potential—it doesn’t have to be for ordained ministry. That’s my peculiar…er…particular dirt story.

Affectionately, Bev

From the Interim Associate

Rev. Beverly Duncan

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In This Issue...

June/July 2013

2 .......... From the Senior Minister

3 .......... From the Interim Associate

5 .......... NUCC ConfirmationClass of 2013

6 .......... Board of Mission and Outreach

7 .......... A Tree Growns in NUCC

8 .......... Profiles in Good Age

9 .......... Mother’s Day at PCA

9 .......... Children’s Musical

10 ........ Palette Pals

10 ........ Bazaar

11 ........ Stoves for Guatemala

12 ........ Stephen Ministry

13 ........ Volunteer Corner!

13 ........ Children’s Talent Show

11 ........ Stephen Ministry

14-15 .. June Calendar

16-17 .. July Calendar

18-19 .. Youth Christian Education

20-21 .. Adult Enrichment Opportunities

21 ........ Greetings from Mr. Ron

22 ........ June/July Lectionary

22 ........ Condolences

23 ........ Bargain Box News

23 ........ Visitor Information Brunches, Ucc Classes, New Member Sunday’s

24 ........ Book Recommendations

24 ........ Financial Outlook

25 ........ Endowment Committee

25 ........ Stewardship Update

26 ........ June Birthdays and Anniversaries

27 ........ July Birthdays and Anniversaries

27 ........ In Service to Our Country

NUCC StaffMinistersRev. Dr. Ronald M. Patterson, Senior Minister

[email protected]

Rev. Beverly Duncan, Interim Associate Minister

Rev. Luvvy Kovacik, Assistant Minister

Music MinistryDr. Becky Weese, Director of Music

Christian EducationDr. Greg Smith, Adult CE

Nancy Van Fleet, Director of CE

Ronald Thompson, Ministry Intern

AdministrationKary Sirken, Church Administrator

Sharon Magiera, Finance Administrator

Susan Pratt, Pastoral Assistant and Membership

Kaleigh Caldwell, Administrative Assistant

Donna Blais, Publications

Gregg Lepore, Production Manager,

Susan Melick, Events Coordinator

Pat McGee, Volunteer Coordinator

Georgia Lundy, Sunday Fellowship/Kitchen Coordinator

Daniel Brower, Facilities

Hector Indart, Facilities

Precious Cargo AcademyMary Jo Welch, Director

Leanne Badham, Assistant Director

Bargain Box Thrift StoreSandy Goldstein, Manager (239) 262-3802

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I had the chance to meet and interview the NUCC Confirmation Class of 2013. They are Lizanne, Colton, Bailey, Christopher and Joe. Since last fall, these five candidates have participated in a class taught by Charnley Marsden and John Richardson, which covered basic Bible study, the history of Christianity, our church, the Christian faith and other topics.

I started the interview with a few very simple and non-threatening questions; for example, What is your favorite subject, and in what extracurricular activities or sports do you participate? I then told them they had to think about their answers to the next questions. Since this was mostly a group interview, in some cases when one of the candidates answered a question, there was a lot of nodding of heads in agreement.

I asked what their favorite Bible stories were and asked them to explain why. This seemed to be a hard one, but after thinking about it here’s what they told me:

• Exodus: because of the plagues of Egypt and the Hebrews had to keep fighting for their freedom.

• David and Goliath: because there was a lot of action and it instilled confidence.

• Jonah: because it was a story about being forgiven.

• David and Goliath: it showed that the underdog can win, and it demonstrates you should never give up.

• Genesis: it was the beginning of everything.

I thought those were some pretty amazing answers! I then asked what was one thing that they learned in this class. They all chimed in say-ing they learned the history and timeline of Christianity; they learned about other religions and how “they” act and what “they” do; they learned that some religions such as Islam and Judaisam are monotheistic just as ours is, and they learned about the Trinity.

In answering the question about what it means to be a Christian, they universally said “helping people, believing in God and that God can help if we ask, worshiping together as a family, spreading the faith of God by doing and being and not just saying, and being nice to my brother!”

I must readily admit that I was somewhat hesitant when asked if I would do the interview. But I learned some things. I learned when it comes right down to it, we are so very fortunate to have a great group of youth in our congregation. They are polite, respectful, and you can see by their answers, that for teenagers, they gave some pretty adult responses.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate!~ Ronnie Bellone

NUCC ConfirmationClass of 2013

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Board of Mission and Outreach

During 12 combined years and countless hours, NUCC was blessed to have Gordon and Sharon Svoboda serve on the B of M & O. Until February 2013, they volunteered many hours to develop and oversee grants to local, national, and international nonprofits, building a strong foundation for the current board. Please extend a personal thank you for their work on behalf of NUCC’s congregation when you see them. They put us on the “local map” as a church that truly cares for those less fortunate, promoting volunteerism and finan-cial support. They exemplify what a true Christian can accomplish for our brothers and sisters!

The responsibility of the B of M & O has grown geometrically over the past three years as the volunteers and staff at the Bargain Box increased their profits from $15,000 to over $200,000 annually. This was possible because of generous donations of goods, clothing, and furniture from the congregation, with hours of sweat equity from the Bargain Box volunteers and staff. All the dollars go back into our community (lo-cally, nationally, and worldwide) through the granting process. Your Board of Missions takes their responsi-bility very seriously. We are honored to be chosen by Nominating to serve the congregation.

Two challenges have been presented to your B of M & O:

1. Increased fiduciary responsibility based on the tremendous success of the Bargain Box.

2. Total grant requests exceeding available resources (remember…knowledge of our generous church is growing!) requiring us to prioritize grants and choose the areas of greatest need on behalf of the congregation.

We are building on the Svoboda foundation to meet these challenges in several ways:

• Grant request evaluation will be primarily consolidated into an active process from October through April in an effort to weigh areas of greatest need and utilize the fabulous talent of our many seasonal members wishing to serve (remember, you don’t need to be in Naples full-time to be part of Missions).

• We continue to support the Minister’s Discretionary Fund for emergencies identified by our pastoral staff, and The Spirit Fund for emergencies and natural disasters (recently we funded a truck trailer for the Florida Conference for use during storm assistance & recovery by volunteers).

• We are refining our overall strategy and guiding principles for the granting process.

• Face-to-face site visits to agencies are increasing to learn more about a request prior to awarding a grant …over the past year, many local agencies were visited, including Harry Chapin, Children’s Advocacy, Dental Outreach Clinic of Collier County, Children’s Hospital of SWFL, Salvation Army, and ECHO.

• Additional information is requested on an enhanced grant application form to increase our knowledge and understanding of how the money will be used, and includes areas such as a budget for the request, how it fits into the agency mission, how will they measure the outcomes to determine if the dollars actually accomplished the stated goals, are challenge-grant dollars available to match our dollars, how will they fund in the future if it is an ongoing project or equipment that requires maintenance, etc.

• We are exploring how we can work more closely with Endowment and Women’s Fellowship

If you would like to learn more about the role of the Board of Missions & Outreach or have suggestions, talk to a current member. We have name tags noting we’re serving, so look for us on Sundays or give us a call. There are files in the top two drawers of the file cabinet in the Volunteer Office on current and past mission partners. Please do not take the files home but do enjoy reading them in the office. It might lead you to volunteer at one of the local agencies or provide additional financial support to our many Mission Partners.

We are grateful and honored to be serving you,~ The Board of Missions and Outreach

A New Foundation for Our Future

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On April 14, 2013, in the narthex of NUCC there was a palm tree with photos of children from the Ebenezer School in Honduras. Members and guests crowded around to pick a student they chose to support for a year. Almost all the “leaves” left the tree, and together with children already sponsored, a total of 97 students will complete their studies this year at the Ebenezer School. What greater gift to these children.

On March 14, 2013, seven members and friends of NUCC left for the annual trip to Honduras, loaded with vitamins and best wishes. They spent three days sanding, painting, and fixing a bad leak in the roof. We saw the children in their classrooms and peeked into the computer lab. Then time out for a trip to the Pizza Hut, where the children climbed the jungle gym, played soccer, and ate lots of pizza. A few moments of happiness.

For all of us who visit the school, it is an emotional experience. Amid surroundings of squalor and poverty, there is a tiny house, set apart by its iron gate, filled with 115 smiling, orderly children. Without this school, most of these children would be on the street, wading through garbage, wondering how and when they might eat. In their own small way, by a handshake, by a smile, these special children say “thank you” to all the sponsors at NUCC.

A Tree Growns in NUCC

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~ by the Rev. Bev Duncan, Interim Associate Minister

Profiles in Good Age

Another in a series of occasional profiles of NUCC members and friends I have been privileged to meet in my ministry.

William (Bill) Roy

In December 1919, in the middle of a snowstorm, near Birmingham Alabama, a feisty little boy was born to a Mrs. Roy, wife of the local Methodist minister. They named the baby William Glenn. The doctor who was going to assist at the birth in the parsonage didn’t get there until two days later—because of the snow!

In the 1920s the Roy family moved to Lake City, Florida, where, in high school, William (now called Bill) became a star on the cross-country team. The indomitable teen ran a sub-four-minute mile and held onto that record for several years. It was a foretaste of accomplishments to come.

In 1942 Bill joined the Navy and found himself aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown in the Pacific as ship’s photographer. On a beautiful day, June 2, 1942, the Yorktown was on alert for attacks from Japanese sea and air forces near Midway Island. Sure enough, and horrifically, three bombs and two aerial torpedoes struck the Yorktown and it was listing 27 degrees to port. The commanding officer gave the order to abandon ship.

So Bill taped his film cans tightly shut, put on a life vest, stuffed the film cans under his shirt under the life vest, and jumped into the dark, oil-slicked water, grabbing onto a rope trailing from a lifeboat carrying critically wounded sailors. After many hours in and on the water, they were all rescued and taken onto a waiting ship.

Four days later, in the early morning of June 6, Bill Roy, as ship’s photographer, joined a volunteer salvage party to go back to the Yorktown to see if they could save it. The Destroy-er U.S.S. Hammand took them to the Yorktown and tied up alongside. Bill scrambled aboard the Yorktown to take photos. As he was snapping pictures, the Hammand was struck by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine and disappeared beneath the water after breaking in two. No one survived—except Bill.

Bill was picked up from what remained of the Yorktown, with 60 photographs of the entire episode safely in his camera. His photographs are recognized today as an outstanding account of one of the greatest sea battles—the Battle of Midway.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Bill became chief of instruc-tion at a photography school in New York, and was a member

of the Screen Directors’ Guild, while producing Navy films. From there, he became a Navy film director in Pensacola, Florida, and instructed sailors in aerial mapping, as well as still and motion-picture photography.

In 1946 Bill married Ruth Lambert, and they had three children: Glenn, Jan, and Lynne. While in Florida, Bill started working toward his law degree, even as he was making navy training films. After his graduation, the family moved to Melbourne, Florida, and he was the Contract Manager for the Saturn Moon Rocket Program—and knew the 7 original astronauts! Finally (but not really), Bill joined Dow Chemical as their lawyer in Washington DC, representing their international interests for three years.

Eventually, Bill moved to Midland, Michigan, the Dow company headquarters, and traveled a great deal as their Senior Attorney.

It was in 1981 that Bill, now a widower, met Barb DeBolt Stubbert on a blind date arranged by one of Bill’s clients. After their date, Bill drove Barb to the home she shared with her five children. WOW, and he was about to retire (in case he had any thoughts of settling down…)!

In 1986 Bill and Barb were indeed married—in the Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples. Barbara’s parents lived in Naples. The newlyweds themselves moved here in 1988. Since then the two have been energetic globetrotters: adventure-traveling to 150 countries, circling14 times around the world—4 times by train. While traveling they have adopted 7 young people (from China, Uzbekistan, Romania, and Cambodia).

Thirty-eight wonderful years later, indomitable Bill deserves—at age 93—to sit back and page languidly through his photo albums, but he and Barb, as is their style, were off again in May: Bill was looking forward to their cruise through the Panama Canal Zone, landing in Los Angeles, and then driving on to Las Vegas before returning and taking in a couple of Battle of Midway celebrations in early June in Jacksonville and Washington D.C.

After that, maybe it’ll be skiing in the Alps or Andes. Or running another sub-four-minute mile in Amsterdam—while making a video. Only God knows, but even God has trouble keeping up with Bill.

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Mother’s Day at PCAOn May 10th the children of Precious Cargo,

their mothers and family members enjoyed an

afternoon punch and cookie party to celebrate

Mother’s Day.

Much fun was had by all!

Children’s Musical“Under God’s Sea”

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Palette Pals

Palette Pals wrapped up a most successful season of “arting” and the steering committee has planned some exciting things for the fall and beyond. Following our April meeting, we had a luncheon to honor Bitsy Amick who has moved to South Carolina. The Palette Pals did small pieces of art that our Pat DeReamer assembled into a lovely collage for Bitsy to take to her new home. In addition, Maggie Lauer made a beautiful pillow that everyone signed for our farewell to a longtime member.

Art room rental space is available for outside instructors.

Our space has been reviewed by outside art professionals as the best art studio in Naples. For this, we are deeply grateful for the guidance and planning by Darrell and Nancy Seibert. Our first nationally known instructor, Janet Rogers did a 3-day watercolor workshop in April. This was enthusiastically attended and they echoed the same sentiment for having an ideal art facility. In April, we did yet another class for an art group that will be continuing in October and beyond.

Fall plans

Our next meeting will be November 4. In conjunction with all of our meetings we will be doing demos and visits to well-known studios during the new season. Some of the events will include: * Class on making silk scarves by Jean Marie, instructor from the Von Liebig * Demo by Teri Clemente, instructor for Pelican Bay residents * Fabric Painting by our own Maggie Lauer. Special note of Recognition for Pat DeReamer & Vee Lyons who were juried into the Von Liebig for an April opening of a new show.

Donate a basket for the Basket raffle! You could spend the summer looking for just those “right pieces” to fit the theme of your choice! This is a very popular part of the bazaar – but your help is needed to provide a basket worth about $100-150. Call 239-261-5469 to volunteer – or – ask questions! (Baskets need to be complete by October 18)

When you have a moment or two – start sorting through your jewelry and linens! We can take them anytime – just drop them off at the church.

Do you have some special “treasures” that you no longer use or want? The Silent Auction welcomes those “special” items or services valued over $100 – crystal, fine china, silver, decorative items, special collections, fine jewelry; gift cer-tificates from your favorite service providers - restaurants, salons; gift of use of your vacation property; sharing of your gourmet talents for a cocktail party, luncheon, etc, etc, etc, The Silent Auction needs these “treasures!” Call the church office.

We have the capability to store items from now until the Bazaar – please bring to the church!

Questions? Call the church office.

Bazaar, November 9, 2013Your help is needed now!

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Although many snowbirds had left by Sunday May 5th, our congregation, once again, demonstrated their ability to make a real difference in the lives of God’s people.

Member Mike Armstrong, with the help of our children at the first service and some well-known adult volunteers at the second service, creatively illustrated for our congregation the living conditions in the indigenous Mayan villages of Guate-mala. Mike then focused in on how one simple act – replacing open cooking fires with a safer, cleaner, more efficient stove (costing just $100) – could dramatically improve the lives of ten people (an average family).

Mike introduced Lois and Ken Werner, founders of People for Guatemala, and Amilcar, an engineer on their team who designed and builds these stoves. They had come from Guatemala to set up an exact replica of the stove in our Gathering Place and to answer our questions. Their insight and first-hand knowledge helped build members’ interest, understanding and enthusiasm.

Dave Stevenson announced an anonymous “matching gift challenge” (dollar for dollar) up to the first $15,000 and, on behalf of the Board of Missions and Outreach and the Endowment Grant committees, a gift of $2,500 to begin the effort.

Because of the matching gift– each $50 gift will buy a $100 stove. That one stove will dramatically improve the lives of 10 people – eliminating cooking smoke and related adverse health effects, using 2/3 less firewood and enabling the “Impossible Dream” for a hard-working family. With the full match, NUCC could provide 300 stoves and improve the lives of 3,000 people.

As if all this interest and enthusiasm were somehow not enough, a second anonymous challenger came forward to offer up to an additional $15,000 to match further gifts from members! We were witnessing a “miracle in the making!”

The outpouring of gifts (of all sizes) from members in the week that followed caused Sharon Magiera, our Finance Administra-tor, to remark that it was “like we were back at the peak of the season!” Through May 22, gifts of $83,960 have been received (from over 240 people). More come in each day. With the full $15,000 of our initial matching challenge gift and additional $15,000 of our surprise second challenge gift – we can now buy 840 stoves and help 8,400 people lead healthier, safer lives. God is still speaking here at our Naples United Church of Christ!

Gifts that come in from this point will not be matched, but are still welcomed and greatly appreciated. With or without matching, your gift will be a force for dramatic, positive change in the lives of God’s children in Guatemala.

We will let you know our final tally in the next issue of Steeplelights. We have included a tear-out form for those members who still might like to help. Please mail your check and the form below to NUCC, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples, FL 34103.

Stoves for GuatemalaMiracles in the Making

Stoves for GuatemalaEach stove costs $100 – one stove improves the lives of 10 people (one family). Your gift will do the following:

Eliminate cooking smoke and related diseases,

Consume 2/3 less firewood,

Enable the “Impossible Dream” for as many families as you can help.

Make your check payable to “Naples United Church of Christ”, note in memo area (lower left) – “Stoves for Guatemala”.

Here is our check for $__________ to buy _________ stoves (@$100 / stove)

Name(s) _______________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for joining in this Mission 4/1 Earth effort!

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Stephen Ministers are there:

…after you’ve washed and returned the last casserole dish.

…after the divorce papers have been served and the bottom falls out of your life.

…after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away – and the house suddenly seems incredibly empty.

...after you arrive home following the funeral service and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.

…after the relationship has ended but the wounds are still bleeding and painful.

…after the doctors have said, “There’s nothing more we can do.”

…after the door has slammed shut – for the very last time.

…after the phone call you’d always hoped you’d never get.

… after you realize the hands on the gold watch you received at your retirement party move more slowly than you ever imagined.

…after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”

…after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.

…after the baby has arrived, putting more demands on you than you ever dreamed possible.

…after you find the pink slip inserted with what is now your final paycheck.

…after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” We are ready to come alongside you – or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives – and provide comfort and support for as long “after” as we are needed.

Adapted from a presentation made during a worship service by Enie Bourland, a lay Stephen Leader at Houston’s First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.

Copyright© 2003 by Stephen Ministries in St. Louis, Missouri. Congregation members have permission to reproduce this sheet to use within their congregation to build support for Stephen Ministry.

~ Stephen Ministry

Stephen MinistryThe After People

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This is the name of a new initiative beginning this summer to do what the name says – care for our members and friends! But it can only be successful if YOU are willing to be a part of it! What can you do? There are a variety of needs – one MUST fit your interests!

• Friendship Visits – Enjoy meeting people and visiting? We have some shut-in members and friends of the church who would be thrilled to have a visitor from the church. You could make a new friend!

• Telephone Calls – Maybe you can’t visit in person, but you love talking on the phone! Checking in on folks could be a blessing for them – and you!

• Altar Flowers – Many Sundays the altar flowers are not taken home by the donor. People are needed to distribute them to those who would enjoy them!

• Soup Ministry – If you lived alone, wouldn’t you love to have someone give you a container of soup and a cookie for a meal? We could do this once a month this summer. This would require some people to determine a recipe – shop for supplies – work in the kitchen one morning to make soup and bake cookies – package them – and distribute them to folks who would benefit. What fun! A morning of fellowship in the kitchen while providing love and warmth to fellow members.

• Organizational Helpers – Are you interested enough in this concept of NUCC CARES to help plan and organize these activities with the help of the church staff? It cannot be done without organizational help.

NUCC CARES can be a part of the total pastoral ministry of the church – a third level after Pastoral Calling and Stephen Ministers. Please become a part of showing that NUCC CARES! To volunteer or to ask questions, contact the church office.

~ Pat McGee, Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Corner!NUCC CARES!

Children and Youth Talent Show

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9 10 11

16 17 18

23 24 25

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10:00am Worship Service (S) 11:00am Stephen Ministry Pastoral

Care (P) 11:00am Diaconate Meeting (ACR)

FATHER’S DAYFATHER’S DAY10:00am Worship Service (S) 11:00am Stephen Ministry Pastoral

Care (P) 11:00am Visitor Information Brunch

(N104)

9:30am Monday Morning Workshop (N104)

6:00pm Trustees (ACR)


5:00pm Baby Basics Diaper Pick-Up (WH)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 9:30am Monday Morning Workshop

(N104)

3:00pm Prayer Shawl Ministry (P) 6:30pm Board of Christian Education

(N101)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 3:00pm Precious Cargo Staff Meeting

(ACR)

4:00pm Bargain Box Committee Meet-ing (BB)


Care (P) 12:00pm Single Senior’s Lunch

(Pelican Bay Sandpiper Club)

NEW MEMBER SUNDAYNEW MEMBER SUNDAYYOUTH MISSION TRIP YOUTH MISSION TRIP

AND SYNODAND SYNOD 10:00am Worship Service (S) 11:00am Stephen Ministry Care (P) 11:30am Middler’s Plus Brunch

(Moorings Country Club)

YOUTH MISSION TRIP YOUTH MISSION TRIP AND SYNODAND SYNOD



6:30pm Executive Meeting of the Council (ACR)



Care (P)

What’s Happening This Month at Naples United Church of Christ

1

5 6 7 8

12 13 14 15

19 20 21 22

26 27 28 29

12:00pmAl Anon (N207)

VACATIONBIBLE SCHOOL

8:00am NUCC Summer Golf (Audobon CC)12:00pm Al Anon (N207)4:30pm Trembley/Starr Wedding Rehearsal (S)

12:00pm Al Anon (N207)

11:30am Glenview Worship Service (Glenview)

1:00pm Stephen Ministry (N207) 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

(BH/S)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 10:30am Lectionary Bible Study

with Rev. Beverly (ACR) 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

(BH/S)

4:00pm Thursday at the Movies and Dinner (BH)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2:00pm Summer Book Study with

Dr. Patterson - Brian McLaren’s Book (N104)

5:00pmTrembley/Starr Wedding (S)

10:30am Lectionary Bible Study with Rev. Beverly (ACR)

7:00pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (BH/S)

2:00pm Summer Book Study with Dr. Patterson - Brian McLaren’s Book (N104)

6:00pm Precious Cargo Staff Meeting (N207)

7:00pm PFLAG Meeting (N104)





YOUTH YOUTH MISSION TRIP MISSION TRIP AND SYNODAND SYNOD

12:00pm Al Anon (N207)

YOUTH YOUTH MISSION TRIP MISSION TRIP AND SYNODAND SYNOD

1 2

7 8 9

14 15 16

21 22 23

28 29 30

1 2

7 88888 99

1144 11155555 11111166666666

22211 2222 2233

2222888 22222229999 30


Care (P) 11:00am Diaconate Meeting (ACR)


Care (P)




6:00pm Trustees (ACR)


3:00pm Precious Cargo Meeting (ACR)

4:00pm Bargain Box Committee Meeting (BB)

6:30pm Executive Meeting of the Council (ACR)


Care (P) 12:00pm Single Senior’s Lunch

(Imperial CC)


Care (P)



5:00pm Baby Basics Diaper Pick-up (WH)


3:00pm Prayer Shawl Ministry (P) 6:30pm Board of Christian Education

(N101)

What’s Happening This Month at Naples United Church of Christ

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INDEPENDENCE DAYINDEPENDENCE DAYOffice ClosedOffice Closed

8:00am NUCC Summer Golf (Country Club of Naples)

4:00pm Thursday at the Movies and Dinner (BH)


7:00pm PFLAG Meeting (N104)




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Youth Christian Education

Take a look at our church facebook page, search for Naples United Church of Christ and like our page to find out about youth events.

Summer 2013

Hello! Konichiwa! Mhoroi! G-day! ¡Hola! What a summer we have ahead! We begin with Vacation Bible School from June 10 – June 14. It is not too late to sign up to volunteer or attend. We will enjoy an “Everywhere Fun Fair”, where children experience the love of Jesus, meet welcoming friends from the Bible, and reach out to their neighbors from Japan, Zimbabwe, The United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico. While at the “Everywhere Fun Fair”, children will enjoy activities and experiences that demonstrate God’s welcoming love to everyone. They will encounter ways to love and serve God and be a neighbor to the world.

We will begin our California journey in San Diego on June 23. There we will attend Week of Hope, where our students will be challenged to live as Jesus did as they serve the needs of people through local ministries and non-profit organizations. Our students will provide helping hands at the Ronald McDonald House, River and Canyon Restoration, Bayside Community Center, Pacific Pointe Retirement Village, San Diego Rescue Mission, Hand Up Youth Food Pantry and Hilarious Givers. In addition to serving the community, our students will take turns preparing meals and cleaning the church where they will live with other youth groups during the week. They have the opportunity to serve by leading worship music and other parts of the worship program. In one week, they begin to understand what Jesus meant when He said – “I came not to be served but to serve…” Matthew 20:28. Week of Hope will end the morning of June 28. At that time, four of our youth will return home with a chaperone and the remainder will continue to Synod.

Our denominational “family reunion” (Synod) will be held June 28-July 2, 2013 in the Long Beach Convention Center overlooking the Pacific Ocean in downtown Long Beach, California. There we will gather for worship services and be inspired by prominent speakers while our youth will see how church business is conducted. Other youth activities at Synod which we will participate in include a presentation by Dig Deep – An Ecological Justice Group Committed to Clean Water for All and a tour of Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution in San Pedro, CA. This experience will include a tour by prison officials, conversation with volunteers who visit as part of the UCC-supported “Prisoner Visitation and Support Program,” and informal discussions of criminal justice and human rights. Our youth will also attend Synod’s first Youth Read with Lillian Daniel, author of When “Spiritual but not Religious” is not Enough. Lillian Daniel has served as the senior minister of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn in Chicago since 2004. A regular contributor to the Huffington Post, she is an editor at large for Christian Century magazine, a contributing editor at Leadership Journal, and the host of the Chicago-based television show “30 Good Minutes”. We have had two book discussions about this book, and we are excited about the opportunity to meet the author.

Please keep us in your prayers, as we will lift you up in our prayers. We have been overwhelmed by the support of this church. Thank you and bless you all!

Blessings to all,Nancy Van FleetCE Director

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Thursday at the MoviesThe popular summer program, “Thursday at the Movies”, is back. Join us on June 6th June 6th to watchto watch Seven Days in Utopia. Join us on July 11th July 11th to watchto watch City of Angels. The movies begin at 4:00 pm in Beverly Hall and for those who wish, dinner at a local restaurant will follow. A $5.00 donation for the movie is appreciated. Please sign up in the Gathering Place.

Golf Outings for NUCCThanks to Michael Hunt for hosting us at our first golf outing at Quail West on May 9. It was a picture perfect day. WOW! Beautiful course, but difficult, yet lots of fun had by all.

Friday, June 14: at Audubon CCHosts: Ed Graf & Gary Fox

Thursday, July 11: at Country Club of NaplesHost: Bobbie Smith

It is important for you to sign your name on the sign up sheet during coffee hour or call the church office. Include your phone number so that Rev Luvvy can contact you with your tee time. Golf and lunches can be paid on these golf dates with credit card.

Summer Book Study with Dr. PattersonThis summer, you are invited to join Dr. Patterson to discuss Brian McLaren’s exciting new book: Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? Christian Identity in a Multi-faith World. Dr. Greg Smith, who recently reviewed the book states that “in the current multi-faith world no religion exists in isolation. McLaren argues that we live in a unique time when the world’s religions are at a crossroads. People of each religion must choose whether to stand their ground and interact from a distance with words and actions that fail to fully embrace the others or to cross the road and truly encounter one another.” McLaren asks us to “imagine, then, Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed crossing the road to encounter one another. Imagine us following them. What will we discover in that crossing (p.273)?” Class will gather twice each month during the summer at 2:00 p.m. (June 13, 20; July 18, 25 and August 15, 22.) Books are available to purchase in the Church Office.

Adult Enrichment OpportunitiesPerky PatchersPerky Patcher’s will not meet in the summer months. We will begin again on September 13, 2013. Contact the church office if you are interested in joining us in the Fall and want to work on a project during the summer months.

Single SeniorsSingle Seniors will be meeting for lunch after worship service.

Sunday, June 9: at Pelican Bay - SandpiperHost: Irma Johnson

Sunday, July 14: at Imperial CCHost: George Kessel

It is important for you to sign your name on the sign-up sheet during coffee hour or call the church office. Lunches can be paid that Sunday with credit card or cash to our host/hostess.

Lectionary Bible StudyCome to the Conference Room near the NUCC offices for a weekly Bible study of the lections (readings) for the following Sunday. Every Wednesday, June 12 through July 31, at 10:30am, Rev. Bev will lead a discussion of the upcoming Sunday’s texts. Each issue of Steeplelights, near the back, has a list of the Bible texts for every Sunday in the month. Of the basic four listed for each Sunday, the preacher usually chooses one. Nevertheless, there is a theme that ties all four together, and the choral and instrumental music is chosen for that theme. You may bring your Bible or use one we will provide. Advance registration is preferred, at least for the first meeting on June 12. Please call Kaleigh in the church office at 261-5469 to sign up, or speak to Bev. All are welcome!

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I am here for the summer keeping cool and working full time in a special training program called CPE that is required by my seminary in order to graduate. Since January, I have completed a large part of my theological training. I have also just finished a World Religions class and the U.C.C. polity courses which taught me the history, government, vision, and basically the how’s and why’s of the U.C.C.

My next big step toward ordination is here in Corvallis:

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) began in 1925 as a form of theological education that takes place not exclusively in academic classrooms, but also in clinical settings where ministry is practiced. CPE is offered in many kinds of settings: in hospitals and healthcare facilities, including university, children’s, and veterans’; in hospices; in psychiatric and community care locations; in workplaces; in geriatric and rehabilitation centers; and in congregational and parish-based settings. The “textbooks” for CPE are in-depth study of “living human documents.” “Living human documents” are the people who receive care, as well as ourselves, the givers of care. Through the practice of ministry and reflecting on it with a supervisor and our peers, the experiential learning of CPE takes place.

So I am writing to you from this wonderful hospital in central Oregon where I am working from June 5 to August 19. Kristy and I are blessed to stay in the area with family and have the use of a car for this time. We will also be attending the local UCC church. When I return, I hope to apply what I have learned by increasing my role in pastoral care and assisting the Stephen Ministry program.

Completion of these courses moves me even closer to ordination in the Florida Conference, UCC. I am continuing on toward a Master of Divinity from Lexington Seminary while still moving toward ordination through a Florida Conference program that allows for alternative paths to ordination. This new program looks at my years of staff experience and several competencies which will allow them to approve my work for ordination before completing seminary.

~ Ron Thompson, Ministry Intern

...in Corvallis, Oregon at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

Greetings from Mr. Ron

Middlers‘ Plus GroupSunday, June 23rd, RSVP by Wednesday, June 19th

Summer Sunday Breakfast Brunch

All are Welcome!

The Moorings Country Club2500 Crayton Rd.261-0909

$20 per person11:30 amHosted by Doug and Anne Gebbie

Includes:Juices, iced tea, coffee or lemonade. Other drinks are cash only.

Tickets will be sold. Call the church office for questions. Registration forms are available in the Middlers‘ Plus mailbox with menu items.

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June/July LectionaryOur music and worship resources each Sunday are based on the lectionary readings. The lectionary is a three-year cycle, which takes the reader through all the major themes in the Bible. Use these readings to prepare for Sunday and for your private devotions.

June 2(Second Sunday after Pentecost)

1 Kings 18:20-21,30-39Ps 96 or

1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43Ps 96:1-9

Gal 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10

June 9(Third Sunday after Pentecost)1 Kings 17:8-16, (17-42)

Ps 146 or 1 Kings 17:17-24

Ps 30Gal 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17

June 16(Fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14)15-21a, Ps 5:1-8 or

2 Sam 11:26-12:10, 13-15Ps 32, Gal 2:15-21,

Luke 7:36-8:3

June 23(Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)

1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15aPs 42 and 43 or

Isa 65:1-9, Ps 22:19-28Gal 3:23-29Luke 8:26-39

June 30(Sixth Sunday after Pentecost)

2 Kings 2:1-2,6-14Ps 77:1-2, 11-20 or

1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21Ps 16, Gal 5:1, 13-25

Luke 9:51-62

July 7(Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

2 Kings 5:1-14, Ps 30 orIsa 66: 1-14, Ps 66:1-9

Gal 6:(1-6), 7-16Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

July 14(Eighth Sunday after Pentecost)

Amos 7:7-17, Ps 82 orDeut 30:9-14, Ps 25:1-10

Colossians 1:1-14Luke 10:25-37

July 21(Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

Amos 8:1-12, Ps 52 orGen 18:1-10a, Ps 15Colossians 1 :15-28

Luke 10:38-42

July 28(Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Hos 1:2-10, Ps 85 orGen 18:20-32, Ps 138

Col 2:6-15 (16-19)Luke 11:1-13

Our CondolencesPlease see the printed booklet for this information.

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Bargain Box NewsCOME OUT, COME OUT where ever you are, we need your help! Our volunteer list has dropped to drastically low numbers. What’s the requirement for the position...you must have a pulse! But, on a much more serious note, we need cashiers for Tuesday morning,Wednesday afternoon, Friday morning and Saturday. The experience is fun and very rewarding! Now that it has slowed down, it is a perfect time to clean your closets, drawers and any other cubby hole in your home and send those items our way. Call if you need guidance 262-3802.

~ Sandy, Bargain Box Manager, 153 10th St S, Naples, FL 34102

2013 ScheduleJune 16 “Visitor Information Brunch” 11:00 am 23 New Member Sunday

October 13 “Visitor Information” Brunch following both services 14 UCC History and Culture - 2:00pm & 7:00pm 20 New Member Sunday 21 NUCC 101 “What we do...and how we do it”

November 17 “Visitor Information” Brunch following both services 18 UCC History and Culture - 2:00pm & 7:00 pm 24 New Member Sunday

2014 ScheduleJanuary 12 “Visitor Information” Brunch following both services 13 UCC History and Culture - 2:00pm & 7:00 pm 19 New Member Sunday 27 NUCC 101 “What we do...and how we do it”

February 9 “Visitor Information” Brunch following both services 10 UCC History and Culture - 2:00pm & 7:00 pm 16 New Member Sunday

March 16 “Visitor Information” Brunch following both services 17 UCC History and Culture - 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm 23 New Member Sunday 24 NUCC 101 “What we do...and how we do it”

May 4 “Visitor Information” Brunch following both services 5 UCC History and Culture - 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm 11 New Member Sunday

Visitor Information Brunches, UCC Classes, New Member Sundays

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Book Recommendations~ Don Snyder

The Power of Habitby Charles Duhigg

The author insists that humans have stew-ardship of the brain, that there are specific acts of moral agency that each of us can deploy in the interests of our brain, that we can in large part co-create the kind of brain we’d like to have, and that it’s up to each of us to nurture and cultivate our

brains throughout our lives. This effort does require work, and in terms of spirituality it calls for habits and practices that testify to our convictions. In this sense, neuroscience supports recent works urging a return to Christian spiritual practice and disciplines. Our spirituality consists primarily of our habits. The book explains how and why such practices become hard-wired into our brains.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Godby Rob Bell

The following quotation from the book is as good a summary as I can find. It is an interesting and provocative book. “This book … is deeply personal for me. Much of what I’ve written here comes directly out of my own doubt, skepticism, and dark nights of the soul when I found myself questioning – to be honest – everything. There is a cold shudder that runs down the spine when you find yourself face-to-face with the unvarnished possibility that we may in the end be alone. To trust that there is a divine being who cares and loves and guides can feel like taking a leap – across the ocean”

On God’s Side - What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t learned About Serving the Common Good.by Jim Wallis

He contends that we live in “a shallow and selfish” age where taking care of ourselves and those closest to us has resulted in the

loss of the democratic ideal of the common good. Looking out for those who are homeless, poor, and unemployed has been set aside for other priorities by both political parties. He contends that “people were made for family, community, and human flourishing, not consumerism, materialism, addiction, and empty overwork.” He explains how the good news of Jesus transforms not only our individual lives but also our public lives.

l h d

This year continues to show a small improvement in New Operating Income over last year, increasing year-to-date by 4%. Both revenues and expenses are up over last year but the bottom line ends up with a balance of $292,317. Precious Cargo has shown a consistent balance of income over expenses as their budget is driven by enrollment. They are managing their finances well and that shows with New Operating Income of $49,746.

And even though the Bargain Box has seen their sales drop off somewhat this year, they have made year-to-date donations of $135,000. What a success story!

~ David Hocking, Treasurer

Financial Outlook

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Endowment Committee

Designate NUCC as a partial beneficiary of your IRA

While it is always advisable to keep your attorney informed of your estate planning intentions, adding the church as a beneficiary of your IRA can be done very simply by updating the beneficiary designation form for your IRA.

Upon your passing, funds designated for charitable beneficiaries such as NUCC will avoid both the probate and the higher estate and income tax burdens normally imposed on retirement plan assets.

Talk with your attorney with the realization that such an estate planning designation does not require a new will or trust and can be just as easily changed if you so desire, simply by completing a new beneficiary designation form.

The choice is yours – what is it that you want to see preserved?

In a number of our more recent discussions with donors, we are discovering greater appreciation for their ability to direct their own gift to those programs or initiatives of the church that are most important to them.

In the last few months, more current gifts have come into the Endowment Fund for Music, and various estate gifts have been directed to Outreach efforts, some general and some specific, to Precious Cargo Academy and to preserv-ing and maintaining our campus buildings and grounds.

In each case, the donors felt a closer connection with what the church was doing in their particular area of interest and wanted to help see that continue after they are no longer living.

On our Steeple Fellowship donor form, we give all our donors the opportunity to tell us how they want the income from their gift to be used.

While many donors are still electing to let that be unrestricted – so that the future governing bodies of the church can allocate income from the unrestricted fund to address evolving future needs beyond those of an annual operating budget as they see best from year to year – we are now seeing more donors elect to put some or all of their gift to a directed use.

The message here is that “the choice is yours.” You decide whether and how to direct your gift to a priority that you wish to see continued long into the future.

Please know that we are available to talk with anyone who is considering making a gift.

For the Endowment Committee,David Stevenson, Chair

Preserving Our FutureTwo Simple Observations for Your Consideration

The Stewardship Committee is excited to report that as of May 28th we have raised $1,225,336.00. That is $4,664.00 short of our goal. We are expecting additional support from new members so that we will exceed our goal. Thanks to our members and friends, our church programs will be funded and our operations cost will be met. We expect this church year 2013- 2014 to be the best in the history of our church. Thanks for your generous support in helping spread the love of Jesus Christ in Southwest Florida and beyond.

May God richly bless you,Your Stewardship Committee

Stewardship UpdateDear Members and Friends,

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Please see the printed booklet

for this information.

Birthdays and AnniversariesJune Birthdays

Please see the printed booklet for this

information.

June Anniversaries

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Please see the printed booklet

for this information.

Birthdays and AnniversariesJuly Birthdays

Please see the printed booklet for this

information.

July Anniversaries

In Service to Our Country:Please see the printed booklet for this information.

Naples United Church of Christ5200 Crayton RoadNaples, FL 34103

(239) 261-5469 O Fax: (239) 261-2475www.naplesucc.org O email: [email protected]

Non-Profi tOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDNaples

FLA 34103Permit #15

Place Label Here

God is stillspeaking,

Please Note:Please call the church office with address updates

The next issue will be a double issue for August and September.

August and September’s issue Submission Deadline: July 15th

Don’t Forget! Go Green! Go Paperless!

Take Steeplelights with you!You can now have Steeplelights sent to your email. Contact the church office(239) 261-5469 if you would like to receive Steeplelights electronicallyinstead of through the mail.

Documents

Nucc june july 13 steeplelights