Wednesdays at First is back!  Mark your calendars for the kick-off of our 2022 Fall Season:  October 12,  October 19, November 2, and November 9

Please join us to listen and to discuss key topics and recent exciting experiences with our clergy and senior staff and enjoy fellowship, conversation, and food starting at 5:30 in Spencer Hall.

Dinner ($10) begins at 5:30 p.m. with the program at 6 p.m.  Registration is required for dinner only.  No reservation is necessary if you will be joining us for the program only.  We’ve given you several options to register and pay, if you are joining us for dinner.

Sign up in Spencer Hall
Call the church office at 239.262.1311
Email Sandy Knight 
Click the link in the details for each event

October 12:   Rev. Craig Goodrich:  We are honored to have Craig kick off our series with his talk “Looking Back with Gratitude and Forward with Hope.” Coming up on seven years as our senior pastor, he will share his reflections on navigating the COVID-19 years with the many challenges, heartaches and unanticipated silver linings. He will preview upcoming events and comment on church and cultural trends including “the culture of contempt” (Arthur Brooks) in which we find ourselves.  He will remind us of our unity in Jesus Christ and our call to love God, neighbor, and enemies. Craig will highlight the good work of our wonderful staff and lay leadership and share stories and reflections on the joys of preaching and pastoring.
Register for dinner here.

October 19:  Rev. Rex Childs: 
This summer, Rex was a delegate from our Presbytery to the PC(USA) General Assembly, which meets every two years.  Its role is to review the work of synods, resolve controversies in the church, handle matters of common concern  and serve as a symbol of unity for the whole church. Rex ably served as Moderator of Peace River Presbytery in 2021.  Rex will review the important key issues addressed and approved by the GA.  He will also educate us on the various parts of the PC(USA) and their respective roles.
 

November 2:  Dr. Brice Gerlach: 
Our talented and beloved music director and organist for over 20 years took a well earned Sabbatical this summer.  Brice will describe in depth the highlights of this inspiring time off. He will also give us a glimpse into what he has planned for our music program this coming season.

November 9:  Nancy Van Fleet: 
As Director of Children and Youth, Nancy has brought her joy, dedication and creativity to developing and expanding the faith formation of our younger people.  She chairs our FPCN team dedicated to inspiring our congregation to “grow young.”  She will expand on next steps for this important endeavor and the roles each of us need to consider.  Nancy recently completed the Cohort of the Living School for Action and Contemplation (founded by Fr. Richard Rohr), and is currently completing her Graduate Certification in Innovative and Adaptive Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  She will explain the essence of these innovative programs and how they have impacted her role at FPCN.

THURSDAYS, OCTOBER 13, 20 & 27
8 - 9 A.M. IN THE CHAPEL

Join us for our fall session of Sared Habits as we explore the labyrinth. Spiricual practices, like the labyrinth, can help us in our walk with God. The labyrinth is a spiritual pracice that, through history, has emerged in popularity in times of crisis.
Facilitated by Nancy Van Fleet

Labyrinths have been found all over the world, dating from earliest antiquity. Once popular in the Middle Ages, labyrinths have been experiencing a resurgence in popularity. According to Veriditas, an organization that promotes labyrinths world-wide, they are used "to quiet the mind, recover a balance in life, and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection, stress reduction, and to discover innovation and celebration. The practice of labyrinth walking integrates the body with mind and the mind with the spirit. They can be found in medical centers, parks, churches, schools, prisons, memorial parks, spas, cathedrals and retreat centers as well as in people's backyards."

We invite you to a three-week labyrinth experience – in person or online.

Each session will include the ritual of lighting a candle, time in silence, labyrinth introduction, and the opportunity to walk our canvas labyrinth (or do a finger labyrinth walk if joining us remotely) so we can all gain a deeper understanding of this practice.  We will also provide time to reflect in the practice together. 

Week 1 – Theme: Pilgrimage
Week 2 – Theme: Homecoming
Week 3 – Theme: Mystery and Awe

In addition to being Director of Children and Youth Ministries here at FPCN, Nancy is a Veriditas Certified Advanced Labyrinth Facilitator having trained with the leader of the labyrinth movement, Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress.  She works with people of all ages in classes, retreats and programs to present the labyrinth and walks with them in the mystery.  Her work was recently featured in Lucy Tobias’ book, Circle the Center – Labyrinths in Florida.  Nancy creates, walks, and photographs labyrinths as a spiritual practice in her own life. 

We will meet either online or in-person, to be determined.  RSVP to Ashley Hancock at ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org