Friday, November 13, 2026
Church members were thrilled to see beloved interim pastor Rev. Dr. Winston Lawson, who spoke at the installation.
Rev. Dr. Clifford Hayes speaks about his son, Rev. Dr. Jonas Hayes, during the younger Hayes installation as pastor at Lely Presbyterian.
Church leaders lay hands on new Lely Presbyterian pastor Rev. Dr. Jonas Hayes.
Ruling elder Janice Croley of Peace River Presbytery welcomes the congregation.
Rev. Dr. Michael McCormack attended college with Jonas Hayes.
Rev. Dr. Jonas Hayes is happy to be at Lely Presbyterian.
Beth Thompson sings with the Lely Presbyterian choir.
Rev. Melana Scruggs, who has served at Lely Presbyterian, led the prayer of dedication.
Nominating Committee member Paula DeLuca.
Lely Presbyterian is not a super church in terms of the size of its membership. In that regard, they are middle-sized. What makes them a super church is their congregation and the love and support they show for everyone. That was never more evident than Sunday afternoon, March 30, when they gathered to celebrate the installation of Jonas Hayes as their new pastor.
Four pastors, one of them the new pastor’s father, stepped up to the pulpit to support and welcome Hayes to Lely Presbyterian in an hour-long ceremony.
Ruling elder Janice Croley of Peach River Presbytery welcomed the congregation and delivered the call to worship. Elder Verona Lawson, wife of the church’s recent interim pastor, Rev. Dr. Winston Lawson, delivered a litany of peace to the congregation. “We pray for all people of this struggling world,” Lawson said, "that whatever our religious tradition or social background, we may learn to understand, trust, and respect each other.”
Music director Carl Granieri set the tone by following Lawson with a beautiful hymn on the piano, Salted by Fire, accompanied by the church choir.
The new pastor’s father, Rev. Dr. Clifford Hayes, then spoke of memories with his son, who he called a preacher’s kid, or PK.
Rev. Melana Scruggs, who served the church after Rev. Dr. Lawson’s interim service, offered the prayer of dedication leading into the service of installation. Then, the pastor-elect was presented by elder Jeff Witte. “I bring Jonas Mark Hayes,” Witte said, “to be installed as pastor of Lely Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida.”
Rev. Dr. Michael McCormack of First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, Tampa Bay Presbytery, who attended Tusculum College with the younger Rev. Dr. Hayes, spoke the charge to the minister, followed by Rev. Dr. Lawson, who delivered the charge to the congregation and read from Acts 2:42-47. The younger Hayes then rendered a litany of life together. Granieri led the congregation in the singing of the hymn, Here I Am, Lord, from the piano to conclude the celebration. Everyone then gathered in Kemp Hall to share a celebratory meal in honor of their new pastor.
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