From Pastor Sara

Dear First Church Family,

As you read this, I will have my feet up, enjoying my first few days of retirement! The past weeks have been a whirlwind of packing, preparing for Christmas Eve and for my final sermon, shopping, wrapping gifts, and cooking for holiday celebrations with some of my family—including my 95-year-old stepfather, who has recently transitioned from weeks in the hospital to assisted living. It’s truly been an “unexpected” Christmas! (To fully grasp the significance of that statement, watch my Christmas Eve sermon online if you missed it)

Amidst all this activity, I’ve had the joy of celebrating with the Methodist Day School staff, children, and parents. I hope you appreciate how wonderful our Preschool is under the exceptional leadership of our Director, Alicia Silvin, and our Board Chair, Karen Bach. I have often told Alicia that she’s the best director I’ve had the privilege of serving with in the four churches to which I’ve been appointed. 

I’ve also had the wonderful opportunity to ring and sing with our incredible Music Director, Karen Click. This experience has brought so much laughter and joy into my life, especially after spending decades away from choirs following my divorce from my music director husband. I have truly enjoyed singing and ringing alongside my fellow choir and bell choir members, and I will miss you all dearly. Have you noticed how much the choir has flourished under Karen’s leadership? She has brilliantly revived the Bell Choir and had the bells refurbished after years of neglect. Karen has done an outstanding job, and I will greatly miss her, as well as Mark, who have both become cherished friends and valued colleagues in ministry.

And then there’s Pastor Scott! Words cannot fully capture my gratitude for the opportunity to partner in ministry with him. You are truly fortunate to have Scott as your next Senior Pastor. During my previous role as the Conference Director of Clergy Excellence, I interacted with hundreds of clergy, and I can honestly say that Scott is among the very best in our Conference. Scott and Amy have also become dear friends, and I will miss them both immensely. The camaraderie and joy we’ve shared while leading worship and serving together have been nothing short of remarkable!

Finally, what can I say about each of you? The outpouring of love I have received from this congregation is a gift I will cherish for the rest of my life. You are the most loving, caring, and generous community, genuinely committed to the mission of making disciples of Jesus in the downtown Naples area.

I so appreciate all the cards, gifts, and well-wishes I have received for my retirement. Taking the time to read each thoughtful and kind message in your cards and emails has truly lifted my spirits during this “unexpected” Christmas. Your generosity has provided me with a wonderful send-off that I will cherish as I remember you fondly in my prayers.



Working with the church leaders has been a true joy, and together we’ve made significant strides in addressing the deferred maintenance of our campus while also setting a course for the church’s ministry for years to come.

Thank you seems so inadequate, but please know my thanks come from a deeply grateful heart to each of you. First Church, you are the best, and I love you!

Pastor Sara

Just a few snapshots from our recent worship service and time of fellowship together. We are grateful for these moments of worship, connection, and shared joy—and especially thankful for Pastor Sara and her faithful leadership among us.

Lifted Arms, Shared Hearts

Exodus 17:11-12

This Sunday marks the beginning of a new season in the life of our church as we gather for worship around the message Lifted Hands, Shared Hearts, based on Exodus 17:11–12. In this powerful story, we see Moses growing weary as the battle rages below—and Aaron and Hur stepping in to hold him up. Victory comes not through one person’s strength, but through shared faith, shared support, and shared commitment to God’s work.

As we step into this season together, this message reminds us that none of us is called to carry the journey alone. God forms us into a community where hands are lifted together, hearts are bound together, and ministry is shared together. Join us as we reflect on what it means to support one another, serve faithfully, and move forward in God’s mission—because in Christ, together, we rise.

We hope you’ll join us for worship and be part of what God is doing among us.

MDS Weekly Update

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We are grateful for the continued improvements to our Methodist Day School that enhance both the safety and beauty of our campus. Recent upgrades include installing new windows in every classroom, each with an emergency egress option to ensure quick, safe exits if needed. These thoughtful improvements reflect our deep commitment to providing a secure, welcoming, and nurturing environment for our children, families, and staff.

Meal Packing

January 6, 2026

We invite you to join us for an enriching experience as we gather to pack meals for families in our community through the Meals of Hope ministry. Each volunteer session is not just an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need, but also a chance to connect with fellow community members in a spirit of joy and camaraderie. Following our fulfilling work, we embrace the Methodist tradition of fellowship by enjoying a meal together at a local restaurant, deepening our bonds and sharing stories. Your participation would mean the world to us, and we would love for you to join this heartwarming mission. For further details, please do not hesitate to reach out to Wendy McKee. Together, we can create hope and nourishment for families in our area.



The next packing date is Tuesday, January 6, 10:30 am to noon at Meals for Hope, 4176 Mercantile Avenue in Naples. Please get in touch with Wendy if you would like to volunteer!

The United Methodist Women will gather for their next meeting on Tuesday, January 6 at 10:00 a.m. in Barton Hall.

This time together will offer an opportunity for fellowship, prayer, and meaningful conversation as the women continue their shared commitment to faith, service, and mission. Meetings like these are a vital part of the life of First United Methodist Church of Naples, providing space to encourage one another and to plan ways to live out God’s love in our community and beyond.



All women of the church are warmly invited to attend. Whether you are a longtime participant or curious about getting involved for the first time, you’ll find a welcoming group and a meaningful morning together.

The Christmas season may be drawing to a close, but there’s still one more way to share in the joy of serving together. Christmas decorations will be taken down on Friday, January 10 at 10:00 a.m., and we invite everyone to lend a hand.

This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship as we work side by side to carefully store the decorations that helped make our sanctuary and campus so beautiful throughout Advent and Christmas. Many hands make lighter work, and the more helpers we have, the quicker and easier the process will be.



Whether you can stay for a few minutes or the whole time, your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued willingness to serve and care for our church home together.

This Christmas, our hearts were especially full as we received word of the joyful worship celebrated by our sister church in Cuba. In the midst of ongoing challenges, the congregation gathered to praise God, sing carols, and proclaim the good news of Christ’s birth with faith, hope, and deep gratitude.

Pastor Vincente shared heartfelt thanks to our church for helping provide a Christmas Day meal for his congregation. Because of your generosity, families were able to celebrate not only with worship, but also with food on their tables—a tangible reminder that they are not alone. This partnership continues to be a powerful witness of God’s love crossing borders, binding us together as one body in Christ, and living out the hope of Christmas in real and meaningful ways.

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 recognition! The cost is $40. You can arrange to purchase flowers for a dedication by signing up in the church lobby or by sending an email to Karen in the church office. You can either pick up your flowers after church or donate them to an organization in our community, bringing a ray of sunshine to workers and volunteers.

There are many open dates to donate flowers!

See the signup sheets in the foyer.

Volunteers!

At First United Methodist Church, we 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 and contribute to the uplifting moments that connect and inspire our community. Please get in touch with Pastor Scott or Judy Margrey if you would like to be a part of this team.

Come be part of our team of greeters, ushers, acolytes, and scripture readers. Tyler Castrillo and Eileen Hung bring the light of Jesus into the worship service. 

Please let us know if you or a loved one is in the hospital so Pastors Sara or Scott can 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 God has given us to pray for 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, email us and we will pray for that person and that need privately: pastor@fumcnaples.org

• John Mayeux (former member)
• Christy Gifford (niece of Judy Margrey)
• Marilyn Kaye
• Jupiter Lee (MDS student)
• Clint Cabonaro
• Teresa Toma Manoquin
• Nicole McNamara
• Susan Tarantino (friend of Pam Kennedy)
• Slavka Pehar (friend of Pat Hamann)
• Jessica Rich (friend of Pat Hamann)
• Ross (cancer)
• Larry and Judy Stewart (former attenders)
• Ina Gassett (friend of Norine Tempelman)
• Julia Barnard
• George Sumrall (friend of Norine Tempelman)
• Jean Miller (daughter of David and Dottie Brennan)
• Brad Wood (member)
• Jean Humphries (member)
• Paul Burfoot (son-in-law of Lee Kraus)
• Mary Bach (sister of Tom Bach)
• Emily Cundra (granddaughter of Gail Jaworsky)
• Adrian Hill (friend of the Bach Family)
• Jane Briscoe (daughter of Betsy Ard)
• Richard Rydzinski (grand-nephew of Gail Jaworsky)
• Russel Clark (Amy Ehler's Uncle)
• Lynette Backiewicz (friend of Karen Parry)
• Danielle (friend of MDS)
• Ted and Ann Baker (attenders)
• Michael DiGaetono (friend of John Riccio)
• Chris and Christine Grimshaw (members)
• Evelyn Johnson (sister-in-law of Al Johnson)
• 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.

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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

Please email us: admin@fumcnaples.org or

Mail contributions to:

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