Rooted in Faith, United in Fellowship | October 2026 Outreach

The October 2026 edition of Outreach is officially here. This month highlights our church family stepping into a vibrant autumn together—celebrating our unity in the global body of Christ, gathering for seasonal fellowship and mission outreach in downtown Naples, and reflecting on the faithful generations that paved the way as we prepare for our upcoming 75th Anniversary.

A Pastoral Message from Dr. Aaron Janklow

Dear Members and Friends of First Presbyterian Church,

Finding a Home in the Heart of Naples

As I’ve expressed in worship and in my weekly email messages, thank you for the welcome you have extended to my family and me. After so much anticipation and excitement, alongside the work that goes into a move, it is wonderful to begin in ministry here "in the heart of Naples.” We are settling into life in Naples and, most importantly, are finding a home at First Presbyterian Church. It is a joy to be among you, and I am excited to become deeply involved in this community and church.

Each Sunday, I feel honored to sit in the chancel beneath that gorgeous cerulean cross and look out at a sanctuary full of people who feel God working in their lives through the worship and ministries of First Presbyterian Church. Over the course of my first month, I have been impressed by your sincere desire to know Jesus Christ more deeply and to extend Christ’s welcome to everyone who visits and seeks to find a place at First Presbyterian Church.

Glimpses of God’s Kingdom and Growing Fellowship

At our most recent Discover First Presbyterian, a class for those interested in learning more about Christianity and membership, I was greatly pleased that 17 people were in attendance. It is incredibly meaningful that these people have felt God at work in their lives through the worship and ministries of FPC. As each participant shared what drew them to First Presbyterian Church, it was meaningful to hear the many different reasons people feel drawn to our church. I am excited to amplify these themes as we continue to ask how God might be using First Presbyterian Church to provide more and more glimpses of God’s coming kingdom in the world. 



A Global Body, Deep Foundations, and a Cloud of Witnesses

Worship is the heart of who we are, and this month we will celebrate World Communion Sunday and All Saints Sunday. On World Communion Sunday, October 4, we will acknowledge that while there are many local expressions of faith, we are part of the body of Christ that stretches around the globe. As Scripture and liturgy are spoken in different languages, we are reminded that the same Spirit draws us together in worship of the one true God. We are united not by our sameness, but by our common faith in Jesus Christ. Then, on All Saints Sunday, October 11, we will not simply remember, but celebrate those who have gone before us in the faith, whose lives and legacies have shaped us and contributed to our faith. 

While serving at St. Giles’ Cathedral, Rev. Gilleasbuig Macmillan said on several occasions, “We worship in a building we did not build, we recite creeds we did not write, and we sing hymns we did not compose.” Indeed, at First Presbyterian Church, we continue to build on the foundations that have been laid for us. As I begin in ministry with you, and as we get ready to embark upon First Presbyterian Church’s 75th Anniversary, I am grateful for the generations before me who have helped make First Presbyterian Church what it is today. I am also excited about what God is doing among and through us today and in years ahead.

Whether we are gathered around the Communion table in our sanctuary acknowledging Christians around the world or standing beside the fountain of our Columbarium remembering those who have come before us, may we remember that we are part of the body of Christ, a great cloud of witnesses..

In Christ,

Aaron

Dr. Aaron Janklow

Senior Pastor and Head of Staff

Inside the October Issue

• Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat (Oct. 16): Discover everything happening at our free festival (5:30–7:30 p.m.), featuring decorated trunks, bounce houses, complimentary dinner in Spencer Hall, local first responders, and the Preschool Silent Auction benefiting the Angel Fund.
• Gathering Stories — Sharon Cumming: Read Susan Pratt’s heartwarming profile on longtime member Sharon Cumming, chronicling her 13-year career with Eastern Airlines, military airlift flights into Vietnam, and the joy of her beloved teddy bear collection.
• Local and Global Mission Impact: Catch up on the second shipment of critical medical supplies arriving at our partner church in Matanzas, Cuba, details on the upcoming Guatemala mission trip, the Helps Outreach food collection, and our Undy Sunday drive for Catholic Charities.
• "Our Hands, God's Work" Through Sew & Sews: Learn about the dedicated fellowship creating 128 handcrafted quilts for families moving into the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance, alongside the kickoff of our monthly Spencer Hall Soup Ministry.
• The Next Chapter Seminar Series: Explore the Palms Society's three-part educational workshop starting October 18, addressing estate planning, senior living and hospice guidance, and end-of-life planning with Pastor Aaron.
• Reformation Sunday & Music Previews: Join us on October 25 for our annual Kirkin' O' the Tartan service featuring bagpipes and tartans, and get early dates for our upcoming Evenings at First series and the Season of Music concert calendar.

How to Read the Issue

Digital editions can be read online anytime in our publication archive, or you can pick up a printed copy in Spencer Hall and the church office during regular weekday hours.