From Pastor Sara

Welcome Elly!

Please join me in welcoming Elysia Cartagena (Elly) to our church staff! Elly has been hired as our full time Bookkeeper/Accountant and Administrative Assistant to the pastors, effective February 4, 2025. She is training with Jaimie who is still working remotely for us from South Carolina for a few more weeks. We are so grateful to Jaimie for ensuring we make a smooth transition of these vitally important responsibilities for our church. I am also grateful to Al Johnson, Chair of SPRC; Gwen Pleban, Member of SPRC; Tom Bach, Chair of Finance and Norine Tempelman, Treasurer and Member of SPRC who assisted with the interviewing and hiring process.

Elly comes to us with almost 30 years of experience in office management mostly in construction companies. She has experience with payroll processing, accounts receivable/ accounts payable, billing, collections and deposits, processing daily transactions, bank reconciliations and general office duties. We feel blessed to have found someone, like Jaimie, who could do both the bookkeeper and administrative assistant work. Please welcome Elly to her new role whenever you stop by the office.

NEWS FROM THE CONFERENCE

Click below for news form the conference

Get ready to tickle your taste buds and mingle with the best at our Brunch Bunch on February 16th, right after worship at the fabulous Ridgway Bar and Grill! It's the perfect opportunity to feast on delicious food while basking in the glow of wonderful fellowship. So, don’t just sit there like a pancake on a plate—hurry on over to the Welcome Center and sign up! Let’s ketchup and relish in a delightful gathering that’s sure to be eggs-traordinary!

SAVE THE DATE

The Southwest District Office of the Florida United Methodist Conference is going to have this amazing training again this year. Pastor Scott is attending and would love to have a team join him for this training. Please email or sign up at the Welcome Center or you can register below.



UPDATE FROM MDS

In Family Chapel this week with Pastor Scott and he talked about The Good Samaritan parable and sang some fun songs with all the MDS families! 

Toddler Classroom: In Ms. Evie's class this week has been all about friends. They have been doing a lot of sensory play this week. A favorite was washing farm animals and playing with moon sand.  

Two Year Classroom: In Ms. Margie's class this week has been all about Family and Feeling. They started the week of reading a story about feeling. Then, they had fun making a cut out house with pictures of kids and themselves. They really enjoyed the craft using stampers with different emotions. 

Three Year Class Room: This week we celebrated Mrs. Ledbetter's birthday. The class learned the nursery rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock.  Everyone had fun being creative and decorating their Valentine's Day boxes. They letter of the week was letter Qq. The class had fun doing feather quill writing. Saving cream name practice was a favorite actity this week.   

VPK Classroom: This week in Ms. Angela and Ms. Audrey's class the letters of the week were letters Kk and Qq. The class played a fun word building game this week with their word families that they have learned. They have been practicing reading their Bob books we are so excited!  

Update on Cuba

Pastor Vincente and Dunia extend their heartfelt prayers and blessings to the cherished members of the First Church Family. They have thoughtfully shared a collection of pictures and videos showcasing their recent worship services, reflecting the vibrant spiritual community they nurture. Furthermore, they express their enthusiasm for the upcoming project of constructing a new worship area, which promises to enhance their communal worship experience and foster deeper connections among the congregation. This initiative not only signifies growth and progress but also embodies the collaborative spirit that defines their ministry.

ROOF UPDATE!

Construction work on the roof is currently underway, with an anticipated completion date set for February 14th. We have engaged the services of Kelly Roofing to implement a comprehensive multigenerational solution aimed at addressing the persistent roofing issues that have resulted in numerous leaks throughout the office and parlor areas. Furthermore, the air conditioning units have been upgraded to meet current codes, featuring new stanchions for enhanced stability and efficiency. The scope of the replacement project encompasses an impressive total area exceeding 8,300 square feet, effectively covering the entire office, library, parlor, and the Barton Hall area, thereby ensuring a significant improvement in the overall functionality and comfort of these spaces.

Are you interested in traveling to Rwanda or Kenya to visit a Zoe Empowerment Group?

In the past, First Church has helped support the SW District sponsor a Zoe group. This is an amazing ministry that empowers orphans and young people to lift themselves out of poverty and gain valuable life skills and start entrepreneurial businesses in a community setting. 

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 to Jaimie Dandridge 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.

Interested in taking a Lay Servant Ministry Course?

Please click the link below for information on upcoming courses. Certified Lay Servant and Certified Lay Speaker Advanced Courses are beginning soon.

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

• Thelma Johnson (member)
• Christiane Adkins (mother of Karen Parry)
• Julia Wayne (daughter of Lawrence & Jane Crouch)
• Family of Dick Evans (bereavement)
• Family of Jeff Currier (bereavement)
• Julianna Thomas (Gail Jaworsky Granddaughter)
• Danielle (friend of MDS)
• Theresa Shaw (friend of Al & Thelma Johnson)
• Ted and Ann Baker (attenders)
• Jean Humphries (member)
• John Schloendorn (Church electrician and friend)
• Michael DiGaetono (friend of John Riccio)
• Ina Gassett (friend of Norine Tempelman)
• Joan & Dick White (friends of Judy Margrey)
• Jen Wolf
• Gary Matter
• Marcia Bowser (neighbor of the Parry's)
• Chris Grimshaw (member and husband of Christine Grimshaw)
• Evelyn Johnson (sister-in-law of Al Johnson)
• Rev. Flo Scott (attender)
• LeeAnne Merrifield (daughter of Jim Merrifield)
• Larry Croy (friend of Bill Parry)
• Baby Abby Joy and parents (family of Lisa Passeri)
• 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.

Our friends at Grace Lutheran Church are holding a rummage sale to support missions. See below for more information.

Need to Reach Us? Here’s How!



We are available to you! Our church office is open Tuesday-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