Snowbirds filling Marco’s pews

Houses of worship in the greater Marco area are ready to embrace the influx of seasonal residents. This ebb and flow of visitors is part of life on Marco.

“There is no season to spiritual need, yet any church, synagogue, mosque or temple located in a resort community must respond to the fluctuating population as the snow falls in the north,” said Pastor Thomas McCulley, New Life Community Church.

Most houses of worship experience an attendance increase in late October with a decrease around Thanksgiving. The big seasonal influx begins in January. Many churches add additional services, Bible studies, clergy, concert series, cultural events, and the choirs are fuller.

The Rev. William R. Lyle, pastor of Marco Presbyterian is looking forward to his first season here on Marco Island.

“As I understand the dynamics of Marco Presbyterian Church, the new year brings an increase in the activity at Marco Presbyterian Church,” said Lyle.

“During the off season our worship is around 200 or so, at least this is what I personally saw. During the season we add a second morning service at 9:00 am. I am told our worship attendance will increases to well over 700,” said Lyle.

According to Pastor Kevin A. Koenig of Marco Lutheran Church, the attendance dynamics are similar — ranging between 200 off season and 700 in season. The Lutheran Church adds a Saturday evening 5 p.m. worship service. This is in addition to the two Sunday worship services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Wesley United Methodist’s Church also experiences a similar surge in numbers experiencing a high of 800.

“The population increases dramatically during the season at least double, maybe more,” said Hanalie Treiber, publicity chairman for the Jewish Center of Marco Island (JCMI).

“We have a very active year-round membership and it simply blossoms from October to May. Each week along with returning snow-birds there are many visitors on vacation who are welcome and who join the congregation in all of its activities. Rabbi [Edward M. Maline] is excited and happy to be part of such vibrant congregation.”

The Methodists have a unique snowbird ministry, the “Purple Martin Ministry.” Purple Martin is the traditional name for Wesley United Methodist’s (WUM) “Snowbirds.” According to the Rev. Linda Johnson, Pastor of Care at WUM the ministry was created several years ago to embrace the seasonal population that moves into the church during the winter months.

“We want to engage and embrace them into the full-time population in the very best way. I am an associate pastor at Zionsville, Indiana, United Methodist Church for seven months of the year. For five months I am assigned by my Bishop to serve at Wesley UMC as associate pastor to Rev. Bill Beebe. Purple Martins’ are recognized one Sunday and are asked to wear purple to identify themselves. They are mainstreamed into the larger congregation through Bible studies, baseball and nature outings, dinners, and pastoral care. Jesus calls us to be the Church wherever we are. Can you have two ‘home’ churches, one North and one South? At Wesley we strive to make that a reality for our special ‘Purple Martins.’ ”

“We at Marco Lutheran warmly welcome all who come, in season and out,” said Koenig.

“The activity at Marco Lutheran Church centers on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is dramatically captured in ‘The Ship of the Church’, which adorns the back wall of our chancel. As we ‘Turn the Ship’ in response to various needs and opportunities, the spirit of mission, the heart of Marco Lutheran Church comes to the forefront of our activity.”

This season will be especially exciting for the combined congregation formed by the merger-in-the-works of the island’s two community churches, New Life Community Church and Marco Community Church. Pastor Thomas McCulley of New Life said, “The energy and excitement generated by the possible merger is drawing people back into church and it is great to see the sanctuary at the Church of God … filling up again.”

He explained that New Life Community Church has always been blessed with a strong core of supporters who are on the island all year long. New Life does not think about cutting most of its programs back during the summer.

“We do like to add services and amenities when our wonderful snowbirds arrive, but by putting the snowbirds to work it is always a joy and never a sacrifice,” said McCulley.

However, with the uncertain economic conditions the staff at the First Baptist Church of Marco Island was pondering, just how many bulletins to print for the first Sunday in January. It was difficult for them to estimate their attendance as the church is growing so quickly.

Below in alphabetical order are some of the seasonal offerings of the houses of worship in the greater Marco area.

Capri Christian Church, 111 East Hilo Street, Isles of Capri, has two Sunday worship services a 9:30 a.m. contemporary and a 11 a.m. blended. In season they add an 8:15 a.m. traditional service. Their “Big Event” for January is a gospel concert with commentary with Art Bush at 6 p.m., Jan. 11. Finger food and fellowship will follow the event. Call 642-6233, e-mail caprichristianchurch@embarqmail.com, or visit caprichristianchurch.com.

First Baptist Church, the Family Church, 1450 Winterberry Drive, currently offers two worship services on Sunday — 9 a.m. traditional and a 10:30 a.m. contemporary. Life Groups and Kid’s Clubhouse also meet at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The church’s 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday evening activities, for adults, youth, and children begin Jan. 14. They are also home to “The Well,” Marco’s first Christian Bookstore and Coffee Shop. Call 394-1646, e-mail info@fbcmarco.com, or visit fbcmarco.com.

The Jewish Congregation of Marco Island, 991 Winterberry Drive, has services on Friday evenings at 8 p.m., followed by a time of food and fellowship. Saturday morning 9:30 a.m. Torah study followed by a 10:30 a.m. service and luncheon, which began Jan. 3. Rabbi Maline teaches an adult study course one Sunday a month with breakfast. Hebrew language instruction is available and there is an extensive library available to all.

The Saul I. Stern Cultural Series begins on Jan.7 at 7:30 p.m. Elaine Newton, professor emeritus of humanities at York University in Toronto, will discuss “People of the Book.” The Brass Quintet of Naples Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Feb.4. David O. Stewart, a Washington attorney, will discuss his book, “The Men Who Invented the Constitution: The Summer of 1787,” on March 15. All events are followed by a reception and tickets are required: $20, single tickets for members; $25 for others; $50. Tickets for the series are $50 for members is and $60 for nonmembers. The JCMI also hosts the Sidney Hoffmann Jewish Film Festival.

There is also an active Sisterhood and Men’s Club, auctions, bingo, mah-jongg tournaments, bridge groups, and a fledgling book club. Call 642-0800, or visit marcojcmi.tripod.com.

Marco Lutheran Church, 595 North Collier Boulevard, adds a Saturday evening 5:00 p.m. worship service. This is in addition to the two Sunday worship services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The church also offers: Divorce Care led by family minister Joyce Heffernan; Caring for Care Givers led by parish nurse, Dr. Gail Cacciola; weekly Bible Classes led by Rev. Carl Zahrte, the Day Out Club; and Wednesday activity Food For Thought. In addition, the Artist Series kicks off in January with an art exhibit, “The Great I Am.” The first of the Artist Series Performances is on Jan. 9 with an Entertainment Revue, followed by organist Paul Todd, Jan. 20; an evening of gospel music with Phil and Pam on March 17; and Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band on March 24. The annual Rummage Sale and Chili Supper are also highlights of the season.

The congregation also welcomed Guy Seter, his wife Quenby, and daughter Rileigh Jan.4. He will serve as a Director of Christian Education Intern. Seter’s emphasis will be on children and youth. Call 394-0332, e-mail marcoluth@comcast.net, or visit marcolutheran.org.

Marco Presbyterian Church, 875 West Elkcam Circle, adds an additional worship service and Sunday school classes. The services and classes are as follows: Sunday — 9 a.m. worship service with children’s church, adult Christian education hour; 10 a.m. fellowship; 10:30 a.m. worship service, adult, youth and children Christian education hour; 4:30 p.m. youth group; and 6 p.m. worship service. Nursery is available for all morning services. There is also a Wednesday evening prayer and Bible meeting at 6:30 p.m.; two 7:30 a.m. men’s Bible studies, one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday; and a women’s Friday 9:30 a.m. Bible study. The church also hosts an annual Mission Conference. New this year will be a men’s conference, with Dr. L. Roy Taylor. The goal of the conference is to empower men to be Christian men in an ever-changing world. The church is also looking to have one or two mission trip(s), to Nassau and a closed country to aid church planting.

The church will also host a concert series, entitled, “Music Makes the Heart Glad.” The series begins Jan.25, with The Miracles Choir at 6 p.m. — Christian favorites sung by musically gifted adults with intellectual disabilities. This is followed by the organ piano duo Babs Hillenbrand and Marv Hollenbeck at 6 p.m., Feb. 15, playing classical selections and traditional hymns. Feb. 27, the legendary Blackwood Brothers Quartet will perform gospel favorites at 7 p.m. On March 15, pianist Marv Hollenbeck will present a potpourri of patriotic songs, hymns, and gospel music at 6 p.m. The final concert in the series will feature the gospel singing Baker/Plasma Families at 6 p.m. on April 5. Concerts are free and open to the public. A love offering will be received.

Call 394-8186, e-mail office@marcochurch.com, or visit marcochurch.com.

New Life Community Church/Marco Community Church, 590 West Elkcam Circle (between the Winn-Dixie and the cemetery) has a 9 a.m. adult Sunday school, 10 a.m. worship service and a 7 p.m. Wednesday night Bible study. New Life plans to offer the popular Alpha Course (alphausa.org) this season. Alpha has always been more successful when the population is high because it draws people from outside the local congregation. The Corner Cottage and Tea Lady Ministry will continue. The Corner Cottage, 100 Palm Drive, Suite 210, in the Shops of Olde Marco offers Bible studies, craft classes, topical tiny teas, as well as, a variety of courses ranging from abuse and addictions to divorce, loss and grief. The Saturday, 2 p.m. teas, held in the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall are as follows: Jan. 31, “Be My Valentine,” March 7, “Garden Party,” and April 18, “Teapots and Toppers” with a hat contest.

For New Life call 394-4980, e-mail pastor@newlife-marco.org, or visit newlife-marco.org. For the Corner Cottage or Tea information call 642-1406.

San Marco Catholic Church, 851 San Marco Road, also offers additional Masses in season: Saturday 2:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.; Sunday 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 6 p.m. The Sunday 6 p.m. service is a contemporary Mass. The Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, is as follows: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 7 p.m. Beginning Feb. 26 until April 8 daily Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Call 394-5181, or visit sanmarcochurch.org. Information on some specific parish services and ministries: Liturgical — worship 394-5181, alter servers 393-0891, music 394-5181 ext. 15, eucharistic 389-4972, lectors 642-3836, ushers 642-9582, and youth choir 775-8284. Support — bereavement 394-5181, communion to homebound 389-0945, Meals on Wheels 394-0108, Overeater’s Anonymous 394-5044, Respect Life 394-2864, and respite care 272-3434. Education—Educational Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults 394-4068 and scripture study 642-9905. Service — Council of Catholic Women 393-2509, Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes 389-0512, San Marco Senior Women 389-4997, and St. Vincent de Paul 775-1667. Prayer — Rosary for Life 394-3620, Novena 404-5361, Yes Lord, Prayer Group 642-6083, Divine Mercy 394-5181, and Blessed Sacrament 394-5181. Youth Ministries — Maidens of Mary and Squires 394-5181.

St. Finbarr Catholic Community, 13520 Tamiami Trail East, located on Highway 41, one mile east of the intersection of Highway 41 and Collier Boulevard (State Road 951) adds an additional Mass to its weekend schedule: Saturday Vigil 4:30 p.m., Sunday Masses 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and weekday Masses on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at 9 a.m.

St. Finbarr will also host a Country Western Dinner on Jan. 14

Call 417-2084, e-mail office@stfinbarr.org, or visit stfinbarr.org. Ministries and services: Liturgical — alter servers, eucharistic ministers, lectors, music, and ushers. Support and prayer — communion to the homebound, rosary makers, and prayer shawl. Service ministries — Council of Catholic Women and Knights of Columbus.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1101 North Collier Boulevard will have three Sunday services: 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 9:15 a.m. casual, family-friendly Holy Eucharist with guitar music followed by Sunday School for children and youth; and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with choir. Fellowship and refreshments follow each Sunday service and the nursery is available at all Sunday services. Also new, now through the Easter Vigil, is the Saturday 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist service. During Lent there will be a 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist and healing service followed by a catered dinner in the parish hall.

Call 394-7242, e-mail office@stmarksmarco.org, or visit stmarksmarco.org.

The United Church of Marco Island, 320 North Barfield Drive, currently has one worship service at 10 a.m. During season, they offer more classes such as book clubs, concerts, Christmas bazaar, women’s fellowship lunches and events, etc. They are also the church that runs the Bargain Basket and are a Stephen Ministry church. The Bargain Basket is one of the oldest ministries of its kind in Collier County.

Call 394-6572, e-mail ucmarco@comcast.net, or visit ucmarco.org.

Wesley United Methodist Church, 350 South Barfield Drive, have a 9 a.m. contemporary service and a 10:30 p.m. traditional service. Children’s Sunday school is available during each service. Adult Sunday school is also available at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

United Methodist Women meet the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in their Fellowship Hall. The Methodist Men meet monthly for breakfast meeting on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:45 a.m.

Call 394-3734, e-mail WUMCMarco@comcast.net, or visit wesleymarco.com.