Weekly eNews for

Feb 5, 2026

NEW THIS WEEK


MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR

When I meet someone who is new to St. Monica's, I am always curious about how they started attending St. Monica's in the first place, and what keeps them coming back. Some newcomers grew up in a different church than the Episcopal Church, and others are simply "unchurched" -- they've never attended a church regularly before.


Since we've recently seen quite a few visitors to our church on Saturday afternoon at 5 and Sunday morning at 10, we decided it was time to have a Newcomers' Class. We advertised the Newcomers' Class in the e-news last week, and there were people interested in attending.


The classes will begin meeting with me on Sunday morning, February 15th, before church in the conference room in the Parish Hall. (The class starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 9:45, so you can get to church!) Our text will be Welcome to the Episcopal Church: An Introduction to Its History, Faith and Worship by Christopher L. Webber. You can order the book from your favorite bookseller or here. Please join us for the first class on February 15 at 9 a.m. Please read the first chapter of the book, if you get the chance. It's about the history of the Episcopal Church, and will give us a starting place for our conversations.


I look forward to meeting with this class. I love the Episcopal Church. Plus, it is always wonderful to meet and get to know new parishioners (or visitors who are thinking about becoming new parishioners). I think the Episcopal Church has a great deal to offer this broken world we live in, and I look forward to the chance to talk about that with y'all. I believe the Episcopal Church has a unique place in the pantheon of American churches, and I sometimes think that we don't spend enough time talking about that or celebrating that.


Please join us. I'll try to get there early and start a pot of coffee. Let me or Ken know if you have any questions. It's not too late to sign up. Just call or email the church office to let us know you're interested, and show up a week from this Sunday at 9 a.m.


2025 PLEDGE STATEMENTS ARE SENT

All 2025 pledge statements were emailed on Friday, January 30. For parishioners without an email address on file, statements were mailed by U.S. mail on the same day.


Please note that due to an error on my part, the initial statements did not include gifts made to the Organ Fund. A corrected statement was sent later that afternoon, around 5:30 pm, to those affected. If you contributed to the Organ Fund and did not see the updated statement, please check for that second email. I sincerely apologize for the confusion.


If you are having difficulty printing your statement or are unable to print at home, you are welcome to email me here. I will be happy to print a copy and leave it at the ushers table for pickup at a Saturday or Sunday service.


Thank you for your generous contributions to St. Monica’s and for your continued support of our church and ministries.


If you would like to submit a pledge for the 2026 campaign year, you may do so online here or by completing a pledge card available at the ushers table and placing it in the offering plate during the service.



Thank you again for your faithfulness and generosity.



OFFICE & eNEWS NOTICE 

Please note that I will be out of the office beginning


Wednesday, February 11, and will return on Tuesday, February 17.


and The office will be closed on


Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents Day.


Any eNews announcements for the weekend of February 14 and 15 must be received by the church office no later than 12noon Tuesday, February 10, in order to be included.


During this time, any pledge related questions may be directed to Joe Master, our Finance Director. Any pastoral needs may be directed to Rev. Sylvia Czarnetzky or Rev. Ken McCaslin.


Thank you for your understanding.


ACOLYTE TRAINING

We are recruiting new acolytes for both the Saturday evening service and the Sunday morning service. We currently just have a few. It would be great if we could expand the roster, so to speak. I noticed that there are quite a few acolyte robes in the vesting closet – robes of various sizes. So if you’ve always wanted to be an acolyte, or if you have just decided you want to participate in the liturgy of St. Monica’s, let Rev. Sylvia or Rev. Ken know and we will schedule training for new acolytes.




OPEN PLATE FOR FEBRUARY

This month’s plate collection will be held THIS WEEKEND February 7 and 8 and will support The Healthy Earth Organization.


They are a local nonprofit whose mission is to empower young people and their families to take meaningful action. Their programs focus on building sustainable habits, developing real world skills, and strengthening our Southwest Florida community.


St. Monica’s Episcopal Church is a partner by hosting a Veggie Village Community Garden on our property. You are welcome to visit the garden, located on the east side of campus near the parking lot.


For more information, visit thehealthyearth.org.


Questions may be directed to Heather Williamson.




LADIES & GENTS LUNCHEON  – February 9th, 2026

We will be lunching at Goldies on February 9th. It is located at 5400 Taylor Rd. which is off of Pine Ridge Rd. It is near Naples Blvd. where Home Depot is. Thank you Linda 


For more information contact Linda Duffy (link is connected to the church directory, be sure to be logged in).


THINGS TO COME


NEWCOMER'S CLASS  – February 15th, 2026

Please join us for a NEWCOMER'S CLASS, starting Sunday, February 15 at 9 a.m. in the conference room in the Parish Hall.  The class will be led by the Interim Rector. There will be teaching as well as discussion each session, and each class will conclude by 9:45 so you can get to church. If you are interested, reach out to Sylvia or let the church office know. Please secure a copy of Welcome to the Episcopal Church by Christopher L. Weber from your preferred bookseller and join us! The class concludes on March 22. To be prepared, please read the first chapter of the book before the first meeting.


Here is a quick link to purchase on Amazon if you'd like


SHOVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 5:00 to 7:00 pm


Join us for a fun and festive Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church. This annual fundraiser is a wonderful way to gather as a parish on the eve of Lent and enjoy a delicious meal together.

Gluten free options will

be available upon request.


Location:

  St. Monica’s Episcopal Church

  7070 Immokalee Road

  Parish Hall


Cost:

  Adults: $10

  Children 10 &under: $5


Registration:

CLICK HERE to register and pay online,

  or you are welcome to pay by cash or

  check after the Saturday & Sunday services.


Payment Options:

  All forms of payment is accepted.   

   In person:  Cash or Check Only

  Online or in office: Cash / Check  /  Credit / Debt



All are Welcome.

We hope you will join us for a great evening

of food, fellowship, and celebration.


THE ORDER OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

February 21st & 22nd

After a summer of discernment of God’s Will, Rita Allan and Anita Lackey entered and completed the required three months of further discernment and study about The Order and are ready to take their lifetime vows for Membership in The Order of the Daughters of the King®️…the vows of Prayer, Service, and Evangelism. Each will receive the Cross of The Order which they promise to wear daily as a reminder of their vows. Please keep Rita and Anita in your prayers as they are now writing their personal Rule of Life, that consists of a Rule of Prayer and a Rule of Service.


The Service of Admission to The Order will be held on

Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the 5 p.m. liturgy

and will be repeated on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 10 a.m.


Please join us to pray and celebrate with them. Thank you and God bless you! 


NOTE:

More Information about The Order will appear in the weekly Announcements and eNews.


For His Sake, 

Toni Strong, Chapter President


POTLUCK SOCIAL - February 21

Join Us for a Parish Social on February 21


You are warmly invited to a parish social on Friday, February 21, immediately following the 5:00 PM service. This is a great opportunity to linger a little longer, enjoy good conversation, and spend time together as a parish community.


Whether you can stay for a few minutes or the whole evening, we hope you will join us for fellowship and connection after worship.


We look forward to seeing you there.

CANCELLED EVENT

Dear Friends,


Due to unforeseen circumstances, the benefit concert on February 22 at St. Monica's Episcopal Church is postponed until a later date.


Best wishes,

Helen Tintes

DO YOU FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK?

If not, you’re missing out on all the fun things happening around St. Monica’s. Be sure to follow our page so you can stay connected with photos, events, and moments from our parish family.

COME PRAY WITH US

Your faith and scripture will come alive as we pray together. We invite you to spend a special hour with us each week.


All are welcome to gather in the church sanctuary every Tuesday at 10 am. We will praise God with song, read and pray with Scripture, share faith experiences, share intercessory prayer for our needs and the needs of others and also healing prayer.


For more information  contact Theresa Miller


NAME BADGES HELP KEEP ATTENDANCE

Please take a moment to find and wear your name tags because it makes it easier for visitors and other parishioners to recognize you by name and allows the office to note your attendance (a requirement for the Diocese). As you leave the church, please leave them in the baskets near the doors and they will be placed back on the board for pick up the following weekend.

REGULAR CHURCH GATHERINGS


Zoom Only

  • Contemplative Prayer: Wednesdays, 11am – Zoom


In-Person and Zoom 

  • Bible Study: Fridays, 9am – Library
  • Men's Book Group: Mondays, 9:30am – Conference Room


In-Person Only   

  • Prayer and Faith Sharing: Tuesdays, 10am – Church   
  • Ladies & Gents Luncheon: 2nd Monday, 12:30pm – Different locations   

Please call the church office at 239.591.4550 or email for the link and password to the Zoom meetings.

OFFERING ENVELOPES - Just as a Reminder

We are so grateful for your ongoing generosity and faithful giving. Every offering you give helps us continue the mission and ministry of St. Monica’s, and we truly appreciate it.


That said, we have a small but important request: please do not tape the flaps of your offering envelopes


As shown in the image, the envelope flaps are designed to stay closed once you seal them with the glue inside the flap. When tape is added, it makes it much harder for our office staff to open them quickly and carefully. It slows down the processing, increases the risk of tearing checks or cash inside, and adds extra steps to what is already a detailed task


We know the intention behind taping is likely to keep the contents secure, but we assure you the envelopes are kept safe and handled with care from plate to processing


Thank you for helping us by leaving the flap untaped, it’s a small act that makes a big difference.

A ST. MONICA'S PRAYER

Dear Friends,

 

In our Tuesday staff meeting we ended with St. Monica's prayer. It was for her son to return to the church. When he finally returned he became the future Saint and Bishop Augustine of Hippo who became a prominent Christian theologian and philosopher.

 

We thought we might share it with you:


St. Monica, I need your prayers. You know exactly how I'm feeling because you once felt it yourself. I'm hurting, hopeless, and in despair. I desperately want my child to return to Christ in his Church but I can't do it alone. I need God's help. Please join me in begging the Lord's powerful grace to flow into my child's life. Ask the Lord Jesus to soften his heart, prepare a path for his conversion, and activate the Holy Spirit in his life. Amen.

FEB. ANNIVERSARIES

2/1

Marc & Tanya Buck


2/2

Doug & Deb Blatz

Ralph & Julie Pike

Jim & Laura Stamper


2/5

James & Sue Lemons


2/8

Bill & Susan Docimo


2/20

Rob & Kathy Crevier

FEB. BIRTHDAYS

2/4

Jeff Gault


2/6

Susan Bench


2/7

Nancy Hennel


2/8

Lynn Swendeman


2/9

Jim Sarconi


2/11

Charlie Kalwinsky

Ralph Turley


2/12

Butch Yarusevich


2/13

Sue Adams

2/14

Ed Romatzick


2/15

Marciadee Newman


2/16

Marilynn Dessauer

Liam Freigang

Tom Gibson


2/21

Melanie Rose

Toni Strong


2/23

Gee-Gee Schilling


2/24

James York


2/25

Mark Giersch


PRAYERS & VISITS

PASTORAL CARE
If you go to or are going into the hospital, or your spouse, partner, or family member is experiencing a pastoral or health care issue, please contact the church office during office hours after hours please reach out to:  Deacon Ken McCaslin at 610.608.0704.

PASTORAL CARE MESSAGE

Your clergy are here to walk with you. Pastoral care is an important part of the ministry of the clergy, so please don't be shy! At any time reach out to one of us and we would be happy to talk to you, anoint you, pray with you, or walk with you. If something is going on medically or otherwise in your life, let us know. If you are going into the hospital, let us know ahead of time so we can visit, and, more importantly, be praying with and for you.

ACCESSING THE PRAYER LIST:
For the safety and privacy of our members, the Prayer List will no longer be viewable in the on the website nor added back to the eNews due to the public accessibility of both.

 

We understand how important this list is to our Church family, and we want to ensure you can still access it in the following ways:

 

1.   Online Access: Log in to our  Members Directory. Once logged in, click on "Additional Pages" and select "Prayer List".


2.   Printed Copies: Printed versions are available at any of our services or can be picked up from the front office.

 

Thank you for your understanding and support as we prioritize the privacy and safety of our members.

SHARE THE eNEWS WITH OTHERS

If someone approaches you expressing interest in receiving our eNews, you can let them know that they don't need to wait for the office to handle it. The quickest and easiest way for them to sign up is by visiting our website at www.stmonicasnaples.org/ and registering themselves. By taking this simple step, they'll start receiving our updates promptly. If they've previously contacted the office to be added and haven't received the eNews the next week, advise them to reach out to confirm that their email address was correctly noted. We want to ensure everyone stays connected and informed about all the exciting happenings at St. Monica's. Thank you for helping others get connected to our eNews community!