BAYWATCH A Newsletter from

First Congregational Church of

Naples

6225 Autumn Oaks Ln

Naples, Fl 34119

Volume 14 No 1 January/ February 2020

FROM THE PASTOR: We have just finished a wonderful year in the life of our

church and are now embarking on what may be the best year ever as the church contin-

ues its positive direction of ministry. As I have often said, no one builds anything

alone, and it is always through the dedication of people who believe in the cause that

moves things forward. I have been blessed to have so many people who

have joined me in this effort to provide a meaningful ministry, and I often

think of the countless lives that have been touched in various ways by this

church. I am looking forward to 2020 as one of growth and joy as good

things just keep happening through this Miracle Church.

he Annual Meeting and reports from the

various boards and committees make a strong

statement as to the lives touched this past

year. Hearing the reports from the Modera-

tor, the Board of Trustees, and the Diaconate

was truly gratifying as we often forget all the church

does in the course of a year.

The presence of Pastor Cruz and his wonderful

congregation has been a wonderful blessing. While

they are able to have a place of worship, we are the

true beneficiaries of this arrangement with all his

people bring to the plate to enhance the life and wor-

ship of our congregation.

The leadership of the boards and committees of our

church is simply outstanding. Not only so, but we

have exceptional leaders who will join the leadership

team for the coming year. No organization is

stronger than its leadership, and I am sure you will

continue to feel the affects of your church’s leader-

ship.

In this issue of BAYWATCH, I have highlighted a

couple of people who have come into our midst.

While they keep a low profile within the church, you

will find these people, like others who have come

Tour way, have done remarkable things. I know you

will enjoy reading about Ed Westfall, one of the all-

time greats in the NHL. You will also read about

Davey Scoon, recently elected to the Board of Trus-

tees of NCH which is quite an honor.

Generally, people in the congregation have little

knowledge of the church’s benevolence as was the

case of our Board of Trustees allocating funds to the

children of Ebenezer School in Honduras. What the

trustees allocated, was matched by a generous member

of our congregation. During the course of the year, a

number of benevolent opportunities were met by the

people of our church.

Thanks to everyone for the outstanding support of

the Kropschot Challenge which raised over $56,000

over and above the regular giving to the church.

I am excited and looking forward to 2020 with great

enthusiasm and anticipation as I am confident it will

be another great year of ministry for our congregation.

Serving Him together,

Les

A New Mulch and Plantings

Many thanks to Dean Stahlman and his crew for the

fresh mulch around the church and the beautiful

begonias, planted in front of the social hall and adminis-

trative building. This is one of the many contributions to

the church made by Dean and the Stahlman Company in

memory of his father, Russ, who attended the church.

The Church at Christmas

A A Mission Gift That Made A Difference

When an email reached Pastor Wicker from Lavinia de Ochoa Cano from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, stating

the family who had previously sponsored gifts for the children and families of the impoverished school could

no longer do so, he brought the concern to the Board of Trustees who immediately allocated $1,000 to buy the

120 some children a gift for Christmas. Following the meeting, a trustee whispered to the pastor, “double that

amount and I will cover it.” With Christmas only days away and knowing the children would not have a

Christmas gift, Pastor Wicker hastily had the funds transferred to a bank in San Pedro Sula so that the school

could purchase gifts for the very needy children. Lavinia and her teachers acted quickly to purchase and wrap

the Christmas gifts, along with a bag of Christmas groceries for each family. No none will ever know the

difference this made for these children and their families.

Bags of groceries for the

families and wrapped

gifts for the children.

Pictured left are some of the families

and children who received the gifts of

groceries and gifts from Ebenezer

School. It would have been quite a sad

Christmas for the children, had not the

funds arrived in time to purchase the

Christmas gifts. Each family also

received a chicken to be cooked for

their Christmas dinner. One might call

how all of this happened “in the knick

of time” one of God’s miracles. What a

blessing to be a part of this wonderful

Christmas joy!

A Champion Among Us..

An unassuming champion sits

among us on Sunday mornings in

the person of legendary hockey

player Ed Westfall, who played

for the Boston Bruins and the

New York Islanders, and in fact,

held records for those teams. Ed

played for the Bruins from 1961-

72, and was the first player re-

cruited by the start-up New York

Islanders in 1972 where he was

team captain for seven years. He

was a part of teams that won four

Stanley Cups. Following his re-

tirement in 1979, he spent 23

years as broadcasting analyst for

the NY Islanders. Having a

brother who was developmentally

challenged, Ed worked with the

Kennedy Family and Eunice

Shriver in founding Special

Olympics, now a world-wide or-

ganization for the developmen-

tally challenged. Putting hockey

aside, he relates that Special

Olympics was one of the

“Wonderful lights of my life.”

While hockey is a tough sport for

only the most hearty, Ed is one of

the kindest, most gentle people

one will ever meet. We are hon-

ored to have Ed sit among us for

worship on Sunday mornings.

Congratulations to Davey Scoon

Davey and Kristine Scoon joined our church last May, prior to their departing to

their northern residence. It was recently announced that Davey has been ap-

pointed to the Board of Trustees of NCH, certainly an honor and recognition of

his leadership. Davey presently serves as chair of the Allianz Mutual Funds

Board, among other boards. He has an MBA from the Harvard School of Busi-

ness, and has been an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin and Tufts

Medical School. He and his wife, Kristine, have been active church members

wherever they have lived. Davey will join our Board of Trustees and Kristine

will join our Board of Deacons. Davey and Kristine say they were attracted to

our church because of the authenticity of the people and the wonderful music.

Last October, Bruce and Barbara Kropschot gave another challenge to the church by matching special challenge

gifts that came into the church between November 1 and December 31 with a 40% Matching Gift. The church

members and friends donated $40,354.00 over and above their regular giving, which was matched by $16,495.00

from the Kropschot’s for a total of $56,495.00. Thanks to everyone who was able to support the challenge and

thanks to Bruce and Barbara for making the challenge. These funds will place the church in a very positive posi-

tion in starting the new year.

Pictured left is Ayuni De Lucia (whom we know as Uni)

who is a student at Palmetto Ridge High School and

sings in the choir. When she heard about Laces of Love

for needy children, she immediately went to work to

find funds to purchase shoes for children. Through her

ROTC efforts she was able to buy $195.00 worth of

shoes and is shown here with Command Sergeant Major

Mason Rader, presenting the shoes to Brenda Weir who

brought the idea of Laces of Love to the women for

their Women’s Retreat project. Hats off to Uni for her

heroic effort!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

How special were the Christmas Eve Candlelight

Services with a combined attendance of over 300.

Pictured upper left is the church with its Christmas

lighting. Pictured above are the Victorian Carolers

who dressed and sang in both services. Pictured left

is Sofia Ponti, viola,; Mary Cay Neal, violin; Pastor

Miguel Cruz, trumpet; and Juan Carlos Varilla,

soprano saxophone.

Leo Tolstoy’s “Martin the Shoemaker” is re-

enacted on Christmas Sunday. Martin dreamed he

would see God on Christmas Day. What he did see

was an old man shoveling snow, a mother and her

baby, and a boy who stole an apple. Pictured left

with Pastor Wicker who played Martin, are Mary

Wood and Leela Wilson who played the parts of

the mean spirited woman and the boy who stole

the apple and Gary Kraft who played the part of the

policeman who settled the dispute. Not pictured

are Steve Wood, the old man shoveling snow in the

cold, and Maribeth Wilson who played the part of

the woman with the baby in the cold.

Welcome to Our New Members

Received into the membership of the church on January 19

were Paulette and Bob Webster who joined as associate mem-

bers. The Webster’s have attended the early service of the

church for seven years. Winter residents of Olde Cypress, they

live in Edgewood, KY, the rest of the year. The Webster’s say

they like the intimate setting of the 8:00 AM service and

seldom miss while in Naples.

A special welcome to Dean Stahlman who also joined on

January 19. Dean began attending the church with his father,

Russ Stahlman some years ago. Following the death of his

father, through his company, Stahlman Landscaping, Dean

set up a permanent memorial to take care of the landscaping

of the church, including flowers, shrubs, and mulch, a service

which his company has done quiet well. Dean says he loved

attending with his dad, and like his dad, loves the church.

A Job Well Done Art Green is necessarily retiring from delivering Meals

on Wheels for 20 years due to problems with his sight.

When he and his wife, Jackie, moved to Naples in

1999, the two of them immediately began the volunteer

job of delivering Meals on Wheels which they did

weekly together until Jackie’s death two years ago. Art,

however, continued to run the weekly delivery and

along with the plate of food, also a smile and friendly

face and conversation. Art was in a recent automobile

accident which totaled his car. After reflection about

his sight, he decided it might be time to retire from

delivering meals. This remarkable soldier of the cross

has touched many lives with his volunteer efforts. Our

gratitude for a job well done and a most dedicated life.

WAVV 101.1 Thought for the Day

Be sure to listen to Pastor Wicker’s “Thought for the Day “on

WAVV Radio each day, Monday-Friday at 10:00 AM. WAVV

Radio has a strong signal that reaches across Southwest Florida

as far away as Sarasota. The Thought for the Day is sponsored by

Mancan with offices in Naples and Fort Myers. Mancan is an

employment agency for temporary workers and owned by

Jonathan Mason, a charter member of FCCN. Jonathan’s

daughter, Deborah, manages the offices in Southwest Florida.

Many thanks to Mancan for their generous support.

Pictured above are pictures of the January Women’s Luncheon with

speaker, Manuel Vazquez, from the Shelter for Abused Women and

Children of Collier County. The informative program told the women of

the many services provided to women and children by the Shelter and the

overwhelming need. The Shelter reaches out to women and children who

are abused and provides them a safe place to live, as well as support.

Speaker Vasquez related stories of women and children who had been

rescued and had their lives turned around because of the Shelter.

Annual Meeting Highlights

The Annual Meeting of the Church was held on Sunday, January26.

The meeting was called to order and a quorum determined by Church

Clerk, Patricia Hermsen. Reports were given by the following boards

and committees:

Pastor’s Report: Rev. Les Wicker

Moderator’s Report: Bruce Kropschot

Board of Trustees Report: Kay Burnett

Board of Deacons: Maisie Brown

Board of Christian Education: Phyllis Wicker

Budget Presentation: Bob Dincesen

Report of the Search Committee: John Papandrea

Report of the Nominating Committee

The Annual Budget of $288,750.00 was adopted. All reports were

most positive, reflecting on a successful and meaningful year of ministry for the congregation. Appreciation is

given to all who have served on the church boards and committees enabling the church to look forward to posi-

tive future. Copies of the Annual Report are available in the church office.

The beautiful flowers that are placed in the church each Sunday are

arrangements by Susie Aguirilla, a member of Pastor Cruz’s

church. Few people have the talent of flower arrangement like

Susie who travels to Miami each week to pick up the flowers. Susie

prepares a special arrangement for those who place flowers in the

church which may be found either in the foyer or information table.

If you would like to place flowers in the church in memory or honor

of someone, you may do so. The cost is $45.00. The flower sign-up

sheet is found in the foyer. Please take the opportunity of expressing

your gratitude to Susie for her devoted work. If you ever need flow-

ers, you may reach Susie at 239-465-2527. What a blessing to have

the dedicated work of this lady who goes the extra mile to prepare

the beautiful flowers for the sanctuary.

First Congregational Church of Naples

6225 Autumn Oaks Ln Naples, Fl 34119

Sunday Worship 8:00 am (Abbreviated Service)

10:00 am Traditional Service (Child Care) Affiliated with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

This Newsletter Especially For: A Positive Church with A Positive Message

Non-Profit Org

US Postage

PAID

Permit # 174

Naples, Fl

Keep abreast of church activities on website at www.naplesflchurch.com

Like us on

Facebook!

An Outstanding Retreat has

been planned for the women

of the church and their

guest. No one will want to

miss this

opportunity. You may sign

up at the church or call the

church office at 514-3500.