Celebration Communty Beach Church

What an amazing service yesterday! The weather was beautiful (the rain and clouds held off until well after the service was over). Several of you have already sent me (we written) copies of your letter to the editor and some of you have received this response..."who is trying to make you leave this park?" You have asked me for more specifics on this, so here is a quick synopsis...

The Community Services Advisory Board has made Celebration Community Beach Church’s exit from Cambier park a priority. After several months where the church put up with accusations, innuendo and downright deception from this board, the city attorney stepped in an issued a legal opinion that some members of the board disagreed with, the result being of Audrey Bender resigning from the board in protest. However, they were able to have this discussed at the January workshop of the Naples City Council. And we are now on the agenda for the November 2009 workshop. Why November 2009? Because in November 2010, our use agreement with the city will be up for renewal and some members of city council want to make sure that we have plenty of time to locate a new church location. So, yes….there is an organized effort including a letter of protest filed with the city from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Remember, in your letters to the papers and city council...BE POSITIVE!!!!!

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP CELEBRATION BEACH CHURCH STAY IN CAMBIER PARK?

1. PRAY. Pray for our church leaders, Naples City Council Members, and for all our members and attendees.

2. SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
(This is effective whether you live in the City or the County.)

Here’s how:

Email: letters@naplesnews.com

Mail: Naples Daily News
ATTN: Letters to the Editor
1075 Central Avenue
Naples, FL 34102

Fax: # 263-4816
If you have questions, call: # 263-4773

Rules of engagement: 250 words or less; Must include full name, address and phone (address & phone will not be printed.); If mailed or faxed, letter must be signed; last but not least - WRITE SOMETHING POSITIVE…NOTHING NEGATIVE!

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Editor,

I’d like to share my personal experience with you about Celebration Beach Church and what it means to me. A friend invited me to the service at Cambier Park several years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. The music is upbeat, the sermon topics are bible based and relevant to my daily life, I see friends and familiar faces all around me, and Pastor Gene’s jokes make me laugh long after I’ve left the park. Life isn’t always easy, in fact things are especially difficult right now, but Celebration Beach Church picks me up and helps me find joy in each and every day. What better place to be with God than in nature! Celebration Beach Church is a great asset to the community and an important part of my Naples lifestyle.

WARNING – if you go, it may be habit forming!
Valerie Pike (25 year, full-time, Naples resident)

3. SEND A LETTER TO NAPLES CITY COUNCIL
(Most effective for City Residents.)

Here’s how:

Mail: Naples City Council
735 Eighth Street South
Naples, FL 34102

Fax: # 213-1010
If you have questions, call: # 213-1000

Mayor: Bill Barnett, mayor@naplesgov.com
Council Members:

Penny Taylor, ptaylor@naplesgov.com
Theresa Heitmann, theitmann@naplesgov.com
Gary Price II, gprice@naplesgov.com
John Sorey III, jsorey@naplesgov.com
Margaret ‘Dee’ Sullick, msullick@naplesgov.com
Bill Wilkomm III, bwilcomm@naplesgov.com

Only one rule: WRITE SOMETHING POSITIVE…NOTHING NEGATIVE!

SAMPLE LETTER

(Date)
(Name of Naples City Council Member)
(Address)
RE: Leasing Cambier Park to Celebration Beach Church

Dear (Naples City Council Member),

I am writing to you in support of renewing Celebration Beach Church’s non-exclusive lease at Cambier Park in November 2010. As a constituent of the City of Naples I thought I should bring to your attention the positive effects of this motion:

If the lease is renewed:

1. The City upholds the federal laws of treating religious organizations the same as it treats non-religious organizations.


2. The City generates much needed revenue, helps downtown businesses, and increases utilization of City Parks.


3. The City promotes healthy enjoyment of the great outdoors.


4. The City leads by example in the every growing ‘green movement’.


5. Lives may be changed for the better because Celebration Beach Church is in the Park. Life hurts, God heals.


6. People may be drawn to the City of Naples because they’ve found a church they can call ‘home’.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my opinion on this matter. I hope that my expressed concern will make a difference in your decision.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your City of Naples Address)
(Your phone number)