Oil Well Road Updates
LATEST MODULAR UPDATE: GREAT PROGRESS!
Much progress has been made over the past week behind the scenes for the Modular Church Building for the Park. We are much closer to beginning the site preparation and installation, although we do not have any specific dates yet. The County Staff have tried to be helpful, but we have learned that “accelerating the process” is not their practice.
Below are specific details to best explain the recent progress since the most recent update:
Details:
Since our most recent update, our Administrative Parking Reduction (APR) application has been approved.
Bowman (our Civil Engineers) has resubmitted our final Site Development Plan Insubstantial Change (SDPI) application. Three areas requiring review and approval of county staff have been approved, including “GIS Review”, “Fire Review”, and “Zoning Review”. Our final area that has been revised and is awaiting approval is “Landscaping”.
Bowman understands the urgency of receiving approval and has been in daily communication with county staff as Bowman makes the county staff requested changes that will result in approval.
Our Building Permit documents have been approved, with the one remaining requisite being the submission of a signed and stamped approved SDPI. Thus, our General Contractor (GC), Advanced Modular, will submit documentation of the SDPI approval to the County, and we expect the subsequent approval by county staff. (Even though all staff work for the County and they share one large document management system, “County-approved” documents are required to be submitted to the County when required for applications.)
Also on hold until the approval of the SDPI is the County’s approval of our Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for the Modular Building. Bowman will trigger the County's review of the TUP upon approval of the SDPI, and we expect subsequent approval by county staff.
Thus, we are on the cusp of approval of our SDPI, with the TUP and Building Permit following within a week or so. (Approvals all depend on the processing speed of county staff.)
As soon as the Building Permit is issued, our GC will schedule their subcontractors and the delivery of the modular units. From that point in time, our GC plans to complete the building and obtain the Certificate of Occupancy within eight weeks. We are getting closer! Thanks for your patience!
BIBLE CAMP AT EMMANUEL PARK CHURCH:
Dates: July 21–25, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Emmanuel Park Church
Who: Children who have completed Kindergarten through 5th Grade
Theme: “The word is near you.” — Romans 10:8
We’re excited to welcome your child to a week of faith, fun, and fellowship at Bible Camp! Led by trained college counselors from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida and supported by Emmanuel Lutheran Church volunteers, this enriching experience will be filled with learning, laughter, and lasting friendships.
Campers should bring their own lunch each day.
Space is limited to just 16 campers!
Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis—so don’t wait! To register or for more information, please contact: Dee Schleutker
Dee@NaplesEmmanuel.org
We can’t wait to see what God has in store for this incredible week!
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE KICK-OFF: LET’S SUPPORT LOCAL STUDENTS!
This Sunday marks the start of our 3-week School Supply Drive. Although it may feel like summer just began, the first day of school is right around the corner in early August—and we want to ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed.
This year, we are collecting supplies for:
Children and families at Emmanuel (both Mooring Line and Oil Well Road campuses)
Calusa Park Elementary School, one of our local Collier County schools
We believe every child deserves to begin the school year with confidence and the supplies they need to focus on learning—not worry.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Pick an apple off the tree in the Narthex and bring in the listed item.
2. Shop our Amazon Wish List – it's quick, easy, and ships directly.
3. Make a monetary donation to Emmanuel:
Online via our website
Or by check (please note "School Supplies" in the memo line)
Thank you for being a blessing to the students in our congregation and community. Together, we can help every child start the year strong!
THE BUS IS ALMOST FULL! REGISTER NOW! Join us for an unforgettable day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach with your Emmanuel Family.
Date: Saturday July 26
Cost: $ 58 per person
Who’s Invited: Youth, friends & families welcome!
To reserve your place, fill out the Registration Form and drop it off with your money at the church.
Let’s make a splash together this summer!
REPRESENTING EMMANUEL AT THE FLORIDA-BAHAMA SYNOD ASSEMBLY: Pastor Rick Bliese, Pastor José Lebrón, Deacon Dee, Deacon Nieves, (representing Emmanuel Lutheran Church) and Howard Isaacson, Beatrice D’Angelo and Sabra Malary (representing Emmanuel Lutheran Global Seminary) attended the Florida-Bahama Synod Assembly, June 12-14, in Kissimmee, FL. This year’s Synod Assembly theme was, “There’s a Time for Everything.” (Ecclesiastes 3)
We’re grateful for their participation and leadership as they represented our congregation in this important gathering of churches across the synod.
Here are some reflections from the assembly and insights they brought back to share with our community!
Reflections from Synod Assembly – Deacon Nieves
Deacon Nieves had a wonderful experience at this year’s Synod Assembly. She was encouraged by the strong attendance and grateful for the chance to reconnect with colleagues she only sees once a year.
A highlight for her was the keynote speaker’s powerful and inspiring message: a call for churches to welcome people of all backgrounds, to embrace diversity, and to engage the younger generation in meaningful ways. The speaker’s energy and passion resonated deeply, reminding all in attendance of the importance of inclusivity and community involvement.
Deacon Nieves also appreciated the opportunity to spend time with the rostered leaders from Emmanuel outside of the usual church setting—celebrating birthdays, sharing laughs, and simply enjoying fellowship together.
Reflections from Synod Assembly – Deacon Dee Schleutker
"This year, I was especially looking forward to hearing the keynote speaker, Rev. Emily Harkins, pastor of The Dwelling in Winston-Salem, NC—and she did not disappoint. She radiated a deep passion for the homeless ministry she leads, and her message was both inspiring and deeply moving."
In addition to the keynote, Dee shared how much she values the opportunity to reconnect with pastors and other rostered leaders from past years.
"This year, I was blessed to catch up with Pastor Will and his family, which was a true joy."
MAY FINANCIAL UPDATE: Total income for the month of May was $121,730 -- $34,000 below budget and $4,660 below last year’s May’s offering. Total operating expenses in the month were $188,758 compared to a budget of $213,263.
Year to Date:
Income received through May 31, 2025 is $941,252. Operating expenses for the same period are $999,897 – resulting in a net budgeted income of $58,645.
We know that the months of summer take many people from here to there – and perhaps a number of places in between. In the midst of all that, worship, learning, and service are taking place in and through Emmanuel. In addition, your entire staff is working and planning for the fall as well as making plans for a more impactful year of ministry to our respective and collective communities. We thank you for your continued support of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. If you haven’t had a chance to give recently, or if you feel like you could give more, now is a great time to do so. You can give online through the link provided. You can mail your offering to us or bring it when you came and worship, learn, and serve.
Let us come together in faith and generosity to meet this need and continue to do the work to which we have been called.