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UPCOMING EVENTSMarch 3 -‐ New Elders Commissioned
March 5 -‐ Choir Prac4ce 6pmMarch 6 -‐ Scripture & Sangria 7pm
March 10 -‐ Mission Brunch
March 11 -‐ DORCAS Circle 12pm @home of Susan Owens
March 12 -‐ Choir Prac4ce 6pmMarch 13 -‐ Care Team Mee4ng, loca4on TBD
Scripture & Sangria 7pm
March 15 -‐ Keenagers 11:45am, loca4on TBDMarch 17 -‐ 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff
March 19 -‐ Choir Prac4ce 6pm
March 20 -‐ Scripture & Sangria 7pm
March 23 -‐ Men’s Breakfast/Work day at Marie Reader’s 9:00amMarch 24 -‐ PALM SUNDAY and bagging food pantry items for Grace Place
March 26 -‐ Choir Prac4ce 6pm
March 27 -‐ Scripture & Sangria 7pm
March 29 -‐ GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE @ LOWDERMILK PARK, 6pm
March 30 -‐ Habitat for Humanity Workday, loca4on TBD
March 31 -‐ EASTER SUNDAY
All Choir rehearsals are @Judy Junkroski’s. Scripture & Sangria meets at Sr. Tequila’s on Livingston Road.
Spring is a season of resurrec/on and hopeBy Pastor MichaelI have a palm tree in my house, a housewarming gift from
Paul (the bass player in the band, not the self-‐proclaimed Apostle). After I’d nurtured the plant to the best of my abilities for about a year, I noticed parts of it were turning brown. Leaves were hanging and branches were no longer the brilliant green they once were. I panicked because I thought my beloved palm was dying. But the tree weathered on and has even thrived since then. I’ve learned a lot about cycles.I’ve since come to realize that every spring, the palm tree
sheds part of its skin to make way for new growth. Parts of it literally die and fall to the ground, only to reveal the verdant green of life within. Even though I’ve come to expect the palm tree to shed every season, I’m still amazed to see that smooth green stalk breaking through that crinkly brown wrapping. The branches don’t look wrapped, they look dead. Yet there is new Continued on page 4
The Chalice NewsFirst Christian Church is a member church of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): www.disciples.org
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF NAPLES FLORIDAMarch 2013
Church Office: 1660 Trade Center Way, Suite 5 Naples, FL 34109Sunday Morning Worship: 3285 Pine Ridge Road (Etudes de Ballet)
Phone: 239-‐514-‐5002 Website: fccnaples.org Email: [email protected]
The FCC Mission Team will be kicking off their Kirst monthly fundraiser brunch on March 10, 2013! There will be a Mission Team brunch the Kirst Sunday of every month through July to raise funds for a mission trip to General Assembly, July 13-‐17 in our own “backyard” of Orlando. General Minister and President of our denomination, Sharon Watkins, says “The 2013 General Assembly theme, ‘Lord, Teach Us to Pray,’ calls us to pray deeply for God’s direction, strength, courage, and initiative in mission.”We’re looking for a dedicated group to travel to
General Assembly, to take part in worship and Orlando area missions work. A whole lot of fun
FCC Naples renews mission with Habitat for HumanityBy Pastor Tony
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF NAPLES FLORIDAYouth
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Beginning March 30, members of FCC Naples are invited to volunteer to work on a new Habitat for Humanity project. We will be working at various locations in Golden Gate, helping to recondition homes that have been purchased by Habitat for Humanity. The renovated homes will be made available to the many Golden Gate families in need of safe shelter. Sign up sheets will be available on Sunday mornings, and a sign up page is also available on the FCC website. Let’s start getting back out there and supporting our local mission efforts by being the hands, feet (and possible sore backs) for the body of Christ!Habitat for Humanity is “a nonproKit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that has helped to build or
repair over 600,000 decent, affordable houses, serving more than 3 million people worldwide,” according to their website. “Habitat has an open-‐door policy: All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background.” We are excited about once again partnering with this wonderful organization.
Rematch! Second annual Chili cook off returnsThe compe))on is as fierce as the flavors!The Second Annual Chili Cook Off will be held on
March 17th, 2013, which is also the church’s 57th birthday! Come celebrate after worship as we sample what’s sure to be fantastic chili. Trophies and prizes will be awarded for the “best” chili. Who will be the winner this year? The only way to Kind out is to attend the Chili Cook Off!
will be thrown into the mix as well! If you’re interested in attending, please see Tony or give him a call at (239) 285-‐8329.
Mission fundraiser brunches begin again in March
Arianna HufKington, founder of The HufKington Post, recently spent some time at the Wisdom 2.0 conference, which is designed to address “the great challenge of our age: to not only live connected to one another through technology, but to do so in ways that are beneKicial to our own well-‐being, effective in our work, and useful to the world."
The conference is in its third year, and its founder and host is Soren Gordhamer, who has dedicated himself to helping us Kind ways to tap into our inner wisdom even as we integrate more and more technology into our lives. The
conference also included CEO’s and technology ofKicers from major corporations, Congress people, psychologists and theologians.
Read the fascinating and thought-‐provoking article on the HufKington Post website: http://www.hufKingtonpost.com/arianna-‐hufKington/my-‐weekend-‐at-‐the-‐happies_b_2776604.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=022813&utm_medium=email&utm_content=FeatureTitle&utm_term=Daily%20Brief
Use the church directory on your mobile deviceIn addition to our printed directory, the 2013-‐2014 church directory is also available on your iPhone.
Just download the Instant Church Directory app from the iPhone AppStore and login with the same eMail address you have listed in the directory. The app will open and you’ll see a list of everyone’s name, along with a thumbnail photo. Click on a name or photo and you’ll see that person’s complete contact card. You can eMail, text, or call someone right from their directory listing.The app is privacy-‐protected.
Only eMail addresses listed in the system are allowed to login, and even then only after you receive a secret password from the directory company. It’s a very well-‐designed, useful, and fun iPhone app. Download it today!Also, remember to login to the
WiFi network at church in order to use your Logos Bible software to complete polls, and receive Scripture and calendar dates.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF NAPLES FLORIDATechnology
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Finding Wisdom in our technological era
By Stewardship FoundationScriptures tell us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Every day
Disciples are praying to discern God’s will for their lives. What does the Lord require of us? One idea to consider is to create a legacy with your family Kinances that will continue ministry
beyond your lifetime. You can establish a permanent fund during your lifetime and create signed documents that provide for additions at the time of death. What ministries do you love? You decide what ministries will receive an annual distribution from
your permanent fund each year for all perpetuity. Once you have considered the ministries that you would like to beneKit with a legacy gift, consult your
professional advisors and a Christian Church Foundation representative for ideas on how choosing certain assets (especially tax-‐burdened assets like IRAs or 401(k)s ) can increase the overall value of your estate. Changes to your plan can often be accomplished with simple beneKiciary designation form changes, without the expense of revising the will or trust documents already in place.Permanent funds, such as
those held in trust by the Christian Church Foundation, support the ministries of the donor’s choosing. We hope you would consider a legacy gift that would support First Christian Church in your plans.To learn more about
permanent funds through the Foundation, call (800) 668-‐8016.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF NAPLES FLORIDAGiving
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What does the Lord require?
Continued from page 1life within. The palm is simply shedding an old skin to make way for the new.We do the same thing throughout our spiritual lives. As we gain more wisdom through study, prayer,
service, and the practice of Jesus’ teachings, we begin to shed the skins of materialism, greed, jealousy, anger, hypocrisy and selKishness. The Christ coming alive within us bursts through the tough outer shell of our mortal lives, revealing fabulous new growth, new purpose, and new inspiration. Spring is a time for the replenishing and resurrecting nature of God to Kill us anew with faith and love.
Spring resurrec/ons
By Rev. Stephanie Munz Campbell Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former First
Lady Barbara Bush, with Doro Bush Koch,
announce that Grace Place has been chosen as the newest program in the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy network.Grace Place is proud to be chosen to be part of
the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy network for the critical work we are doing in family literacy.Just like our students, we all accomplish more
when we work together, learn from each other, share techniques, skills, and resources. The Bush Family Literacy Initiative, like Grace Place, focuses on leveraging family dynamics to maximize gains for both children and their parents. As described by former Florida Governor Jeb
Bush:"The purpose of our Family Literacy Initiative
is to establish literacy as a value in every family. I believe that by helping every family to understand that the home is the child's Kirst school, the parent is the child's Kirst teacher, and reading is the child's Kirst subject, that we will do more to dramatically improve our educational system than any test will ever measure." Former First Lady Barbara Bush pointed out in her
remarks that functional illiteracy is strongly correlated with poverty, incarceration, and other social problems. Teaching "literacy, language and life skills" is the heart of our mission and family literacy is the foundation on which we build. We are glad to have FCC and the Barbara Bush Foundation as partners with our students.
March food drive for GPIn addition to literacy and life skills, Grace
Place also runs a food pantry. Their supplies are lacking, so the FCC Care Team has offered to run a food drive for them this month.On March 10 and 17, the Care Team will
provide the items Grace Place requires, and you’ll all have a chance to go on a shopping spree, purchasing whatever you can to Kill the typical shopping bag Grace Place makes. On Palm Sunday, we’ll celebrate by serving, and assemble the bags after worship.Many of our members leave after Easter, so we
want to get the cupboards at Grace Place Killed as soon as possible. We need all of your help! Please look for more information about the Food Drive during church announcements in March.
Hunger & Homelessness CommiEee formsIn late February the Collier County Hunger and
Homelessness Coalition gave a moving presentation at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church. Several members of FCC Naples attended, and have formed an action committee to investigate different ways we might serve this growing area of need in our community. In a country as blessed as America, and in an area as afKluent as Naples, the fact there are over 1000 students accessing homeless services is shocking.
Continued on next page
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF NAPLES FLORIDALocal
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Grace Place newest member of Bush Literacy Network
By DS Newton
Today I climbed a mountain LordAnd there You took my hand.I searched for Your love for me.I wondered what You planned.
Twas only in my heart, LordI made this wondrous climbAnd yet I heard with my own earsYour voice say, “You are mine.”
You said You would not leave meTo travel on my own.You promised to walk with meUnAl You call me home.
You fill my heart with gladnessFor I’ve known sorrow too.I’ve learned laughter, joy and all You giveAs I walk close to You.
March Birthday Celebra/ons3rd -‐ Lee Miller 18 -‐ FCC Founded!
5th -‐ Barry Davis 25 -‐ Susan Owens
5th -‐ Kelly Occhiuzzo 27 -‐ Alexis Bard
12th -‐ Grant Scullin 28 -‐ Chace McCumber
14th -‐ Michael Junkroski 28 -‐ Sundi Faith-‐Shene
17 -‐ Sharon Ardrey
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF NAPLES FLORIDA
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Contributor’s
I Walk With My Lord
HHC CommiHee formsContinued from previous pageHomelessness is a justice issue. A family
working full-‐time for minimum wage simply cannot afford housing. Wages and housing affordability are interrelated issues.The coalition has created a plan to end
homelessness in the county by 2020. The plan was created after numerous meetings with families, service providers, educators and ofKicials. It includes ideas for short-‐term relief such as “Blessings in a Backpack,” which provides weekend meals to school kids in need. The plan also outlines long-‐term goals such as increasing the supply of affordable housing units in Collier County. If you’re interested in participating on this committee, please contact Dara Albert.
March Serving ScheduleMarch 3 Greeter: Beverly Krepel Elders: Dorothy & Helen Communion Prep: Charlo\e Coun4ng: Mary
March 10 Greeter: Lynn & Jamie Elders: Dorothy & Helen Communion Prep: Mary Coun4ng: Mary
March 17 Greeter: Dorothy Newton Elders: Dorothy & Helen Communion Prep: Martha Coun4ng: Phil
March 24 Greeter: Dara Albert Elders: Dorothy & Helen Communion Prep: Dorothy Coun4ng: Mary
March 31 Greeter: Grace Williams Elders: Dorothy & Helen Communion Prep: JoAnn Coun4ng: Mary
