From Your Pastors

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

This past week, Rob and Gwen Pleban, Scott and myself attended Annual Conference in Lakeland. It was an inspiring and uplifting Conference with many great speakers and worship experiences as well as some of the more mundane voting items and reports. Gwen and Rob will have a more complete report in the future. You should know that they represented you well! It was fun to be with them and we enjoyed some of the great cuisine to be found in Lakeland!!

Scott and I had the opportunity to have our photo taken with the Bishop which Scott creatively adapted into baby pictures!! It was good to connect with colleagues and friends and to have some fun as well as attending to the more serious presentations.

The appointment ceremony of our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Debbie Allen. This ceremony is not just a formality; it is a heartfelt celebration of leadership and spiritual guidance. We look forward to another year under her spiritual guidance and leadership.

Two of the great highlights were presentations by our fellow clergy from different parts of the country.

The first is Vitality in the Multicultural Setting with Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz.

The second is a bible study with John Yambasu from Sierra Leone.

If you want to get a taste of what we experienced at Conference these two presentations could be worth your time!

Trinity Sunday

"The Triune God: Our Source of Hope and Strength" 📖 Romans 5:1–5

This Sunday, we celebrate the mystery and beauty of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through Christ, we have peace with God. By the Spirit, God’s love is poured into our hearts. And in the Father, we find a steadfast hope that never disappoints.

Come worship with us as we reflect on how the Triune God surrounds us with grace, fills us with love, and anchors us in eternal hope—even in times of suffering. This is a Sunday to be renewed and reminded: We are not alone. God is with us, always and in all ways.

Facilities Update

The re-flooring of the Preschool wing adjacent to the office began on Monday!!! I can’t wait to see the new updated look for our Methodist Day School!!!

We’ve had a few facilities challenges this past week with a big expense from our plumber ($2387) who was trying to clean out the roots blocking the piping in the drain outside Barton Hall in the Columbarium area which was causing flooding during recent thunderstorms. This also required an electrician to fix a dangerous situation where spliced together wires that led to the drainage pump were submerged under water. The drainage pump had to be replaced. This whole area will need new PVC piping to replace the old Corrugated Piping. We are awaiting a quote from our landscaping company as the plumber said this is the last time he can work on cleaning the roots out of the pipes. He went through several drill bits and almost got one of his snakes stuck in the piping! The plumber also suggested some needed landscaping changes such as reducing the amount of mulch and removing some of the soil to allow for better drainage in that area. There is another area by the front door of the office where the drain is also blocked by roots. We don’t have all the bills in yet but this is going to be an expensive project.

Another challenge has been with the outdated fire monitoring system in the offices. An irritating beeping warning alarm has been going off periodically for several weeks now. After two very expensive visits from Cintas ($638 and $1735) the offending station has been replaced. However, the bad news is that all the stations are old and will eventually have to be replaced.

This may sound like depressing news, but I want to keep you informed of the condition of our facilities. The good news is we have made substantial progress in the past year with a new roof over the offices, preschool, and Barton Hall, replacing years of patching with a multi-generational fix. we have repaired the leaking window and damaged wall behind the altar, repaired and polished the marble floor in the sanctuary, cleaned of the stone work outside the sanctuary, as well as the driveway pavers, replaced the moldy carpet with new flooring in the office suite, painted Barton Hall, the kitchen, the upstairs music room, the office suite, and the parlor. These are just some of the wonderful upgrades to our facility. Many folks have contributed their time and talents to help us spruce up our property! Together we are working as a team to make God’s house a glorious place to gather!

New Bible Study

Wednesdays at 10:30

Starting July 9, 2025

When Jesus taught in parables, he was doing more than telling simple morality tales. His stories were grounded in the world in which he lived and his vision of the Kingdom of God. This book explores six parables that give us a window into Jesus’s message and movement, and, once they are heard in their own context, ask what they might mean for us today. Parables include: the New Wine and Wineskins, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Wedding Party, the Workers in the Vineyard, and the Wicked Tenants.

Join us for this 6-week study on Jesus's teachings. Sign up at the welcome center. Cost for book is $15. I have ordered a number of books but ...

If you wish to purchase your own book or an e-book click below.

Missions Update Cuba

Pastor Vincente was also on his way to their local conference in Villa Clara after a day of celebration in worship on Sunday.

Brunch Bunch

Our next Brunch Bunch gathering is scheduled for Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Bayside Seafood Grill and Bar, 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd N. These times together are a wonderful opportunity for connection over delicious food. A sign-up sheet will be available at the Welcome Center starting in early June, so mark your calendars and prepare to join us for an time of fellowship, laughter, and the warmth of community. We look forward to sharing this time with all of you!

An amazing time of fellowship at Seasons 52

Volunteers!

At First United Methodist Church, we warmly invite you to become a cherished part of our vibrant community by volunteering for our Sunday worship services. We are all called into service to God and have unique talents and gifts that can help create a truly special worship experience, as many hands working together bring our services to life. Each week, we have individuals read scriptures, light candles, take up the offering, and greet attendees. Additionally, we hold monthly communion and anointing services, where your support is invaluable. We would be thrilled to have you join our team, contributing to the uplifting moments that connect and inspire our community. Please contact Pastor Scott or Judy Margrey if you would like to be a part of this team.

Grace Place Backpack Drive

UMW is once again filling backpacks to help with Grace Place’s Annual Backpack Drive. This outreach helps the children participating in the Center’s services as well as other K-12 children in Golden Gate City get back-to-school ready.

We would like for you to join us in this mission for the upcoming school year!

There are three ways to participate:

1.    Donate to the backpack fund which will be used to purchase all the required school supplies in bulk. A full backpack runs about $50 depending on the cost of the backpack itself. Make checks payable to: United Methodist Women.

2.    Pack your own bag and bring to church prior to June 30th. The list of items by age needed is with the signup sheet in the Narthex.

3.    Donate directly to Grace Place via the website:

graceplacenaples.org

There are many option to participate, we would also love for you to come help us assemble the backpacks on July 1^st.

Click on the below button to see the list of needs.

Every week, you can donate altar flowers for our Sunday worship and dedicate them to the memory of someone who was special to you or to honor someone who presently needs to be recognized! The cost is $40. Purchase and dedication can be arranged by signing up in the church lobby or by sending an email the church at admin@fumcnaples.org. Then you can either pick up your flowers after church or donate them for us to take to organizations in our community, bringing a ray of sunshine to workers and volunteers.

Please be sure to let us know if you or a loved one are in the hospital so Pastors Sara or Scott can come visit and pray with you and your family.

We are always in prayer for our church family, those around the world living in poverty, our leaders, and our country. Please join us in prayer.

Prayer Requests

From our FUMC Church Family



Intercessory prayer is a blessing that God has given us to pray on behalf of others. If you have a prayer request for someone that we can pray for specifically or even if you have a private prayer that you do not want published below, just email us and we will pray for that person and that need privately: pastor@fumcnaples.org

• Bill Noland (friend of the Barkers)
• George Japak (Mark Japak's brother)
• Russel Clark (Amy Ehler's Uncle)
• Lynette Backiewicz (friend of Karen Parry)
• Mary Lou Riccio (member)
• Elena Lerdon (member)
• Pastor Vincente's brother (healing)
• John O'Brien (member)
• Kevin Lee (cousin of Tom Bach)
• Julia Wayne (daughter of Lawrence & Jane Crouch)
• Emily Cundra (family of Gail Jaworsky)
• Danielle (friend of MDS)
• Ted and Ann Baker (attenders)
• Jean Humphries (member)
• John Schloendorn (Church electrician and friend)
• Michael DiGaetono (friend of John Riccio)
• Jen Wolf
• Gary Matter
• Chris and Christine Grimshaw (members)
• Evelyn Johnson (sister-in-law of Al Johnson)
• Rev. Flo Scott (attender)
• LeeAnne Merrifield (daughter of Jim Merrifield)
• Family of Valya Staruchin, Januk, Orysia and family, Irina and family (three families of the Jaworsky's in Ukraine)
• Rosa Fogle (family of Thelma and Al Johnson)
• All the many unspoken requests and needs of our congregation and their loved ones.

Southwest Florida District

Lay Servant Ministry News

Need to Reach Us? Here’s How!



We are available to you! Our church office is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. After hours, for pastoral emergencies, call the office and you will hear how to contact Pastor Scott who will respond to all pastoral emergencies. 

Call the church office: (239) 262-1033

Email us: admin@fumcnaples.org  or

Mail contributions to:

First United Methodist Church, 388 First Ave S, Naples FL 34102