The Grapevine
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA
(707) 253-1411
May 1, 2008
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are
Christians who…
1. …have found an approach to God
through the life and teachings of Jesus.
…from Doug’s Deck:
By the time that most of you receive this issue of the Grapevine, The United Methodist Church will have been in deep deliberation at our General Conference already for several days. With our own episcopal leadership, Bishop Shamana, I also commend this time (from April 23rd to May 2nd) to you as a time for our own reflection and prayer. We are a diverse denomination, and yet there is a majority movement of ultra-conservatives within our church that is intent upon dismantling our historic pluralism and replacing it with a new orthodoxy. I grieve for the future of our denomination should that movement prevail.
As a group of us has been discussing just what it means to be a member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Napa in the “Discovery Class,” it was noted that one thing that uniquely describes us here in Napa is that “We agree to disagree” – and yet we can still gather for worship and ministry together. Instead of trying to act and think alike we celebrate our diversity and have chosen to engage one another in dialogue rather than debate.
Unfortunately this has not been true of the larger United Methodist Church. In fact, at our last General Conference (in 2004), the tenor of the debate to unify us was so strong that a statement simply saying that we are “not of one mind” over the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church failed even to be recognized. In effect the General Conference would not accept that there were theological differences among us – some of them profound differences.
I don’t think that’s true of us here in Napa. We know that we have different points of view and yet we remain committed to come together in the midst of those differences and include all people in the programs and ministries of our church. It’s not only reflected in our mission statement on the back cover, but you can see it in those eight welcoming statements printed throughout this issue that define the 1st United Methodist Church of Napa as a Progressive Christian Church.
It’s worth stating again then, I think, that we should continue to strive toward striking a balance between scripture, tradition, reason and experience – the historic Wesleyan Quadrilateral. When any one of those four is given a position of dominance over the other three, what we have is a church and a mission that is out of balance.
In the cause of shalom…always,
Doug
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are
Christians who…
2. …recognize the faithfulness of
other people who have other names for the way to God’s realm, and
acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true
for us.
...from your Membership Care Committee
Our committee is very busy. We make phone calls to many of our church people who, for whatever reason, cannot or do not attend church. We want them to know that we care about them and how they’re doing. We, in partnership with the Health and Welfare Committee, and our Parish Visitors, keep track of our home bound members. We also keep up to date membership files. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Doris Forsythe or the church office.
Next of Kin
Your church office would like to have an emergency contact for you. Please send your information to Dianne and she’ll keep it on file for you. Thank you!
Our Heartfelt Sympathy
To the family of John Morgan who died on April 8th
To Phyllis Gittings and her family on the death of her sister, Gayle Gardner, on April 8th
To Kathryn Tolman and her family for the loss of her brother-in-law on April 4th
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are
Christians who…
3. …understand the sharing of bread
and wine in Jesus’ name to be a representation of an ancient vision
of God’s feast for all people.
Behind the Scenes
Have you ever wondered how things get done? We have many volunteers in this church who give their valuable time to make sure things get done. Here are some of the people we owe a debt of gratitude for:
Reid Francis, our regular nursery attendant who has been very patient through the process of getting some additional help in the nursery and working with many different volunteers.
Nursery Volunteers, Gwen Kell, Mike Edenborough, Jennifer Mitchell, Jan Geren, Bobbi Bird and Barb Thompson. Thanks so much to all of you for filling in for the nursery when we needed you so much. We appreciate your help.
Martha Monroe, our shopper. If we need any kitchen supplies all we have to do is tell Martha and you will soon see her at Costco or elsewhere, getting the best bargains and “deals”.
Many Thanks to All of You
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are
Christians who…
4…invite all people to participate in
our community and worship life without insisting that they
become like us in order to be acceptable (including but not limited
to):
a. believers and agnostics
b. conventional Christians
and questioning skeptics
c. women and men
d. those of all
sexual orientations and gender identities
e. those of all races
and cultures
f. those of all classes and abilities
g. those
who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope
Dear Members,
Thank you for the 90th birthday cake. I enjoyed turning 90.
Love to you all,
Dorothy Gaster
HOSPITALITY
We have some members of a UMC in Ohio coming to Napa for a relative’s wedding from 7/13-7/20. Would any of you be willing to rent them a room? If so, please call the church office for more information. Thank you.
UMW
These initials stand for “United Methodist Women.” We are a fellowship of women endeavoring to grow in our faith and loving support of each other and the mission outreach of the church. When the group is large enough we divide into smaller groups where we can truly get to know each other as we work together to support mission outreach. At present we have four circles. So - how come we have these strange names for the circles? Watch for their “stories”, coming soon!
STEWARDSHIP OF OUR EARTH
Stewards: caretakers, managers, persons who oversee the provisions (of a household). As stewards, we each have a responsibility to properly manage, take care of the planet on which we live. Tuesday, April 22, is Earth Day. What are you doing to keep the air and water clean and free of pollutants? Do you "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" at home, at work, at school? How do you conserve water? Hopefully, you don't litter! Doug and Sandy Cleveland, Bill Sharp, Mary Romo and Doug Monroe participated in the Napa River Cleanup on Sat., April 19th. How are you practicing stewardship of our planet? Share ways you steward our Earth as you visit in the Fellowship Room after the service and Happy Earth Day.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
From April 23rd to May 2nd our General Conference is in session at the Fort Worth, Texas Convention Center. Nine hundred and ninety-two elected delegates from around the world will gather for holy conferencing and conversation about the United Methodist Church and the future. This is a momentous and exciting time to be the Church in the world today. The theme that blends our future with the tree of hope is a biblical sign from the prophet Jeremiah to the Church and the world that we believe God continues to call us into the future with hope as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Many of you have been delegates, alternates, and observers to General Conference. Many others have never attended a session of this body and yet your lives have been deeply impacted by what happens there. For two weeks the delegates will deliberate in legislative and plenary sessions over the many petitions and resolutions sent in by local churches, general agencies, Bishops, individuals, and groups concerning changes to the Book of Discipline and the Book of Resolutions. Delegates will work intently for long hours on each item. Their days will begin with exciting worship and extend into the wee hours as they are joined by local and international guests and observers. Our own Spiritual Image choir from South Hayward UMC will provide music for a service again this year. Preaching and daily Communion will be provided by our Bishops, who will meet for four days before General Conference begins to focus on the four themes of continuity that will undergird our shared ministry: ministry with the poor, global health, new church starts, and leadership development.
These days will be rigorous and filled with deep faith, challenge, and spirit. I ask that you pray for our delegation and the whole of General Conference. As it only occurs every four years it bears tremendous weight for our future as God's holy vehicle of transformation. You may follow the daily proceedings online at www.umc.org and through our own website at www.cnumc.org.
Since the first regular General Conference met in Baltimore, Maryland in November of 1792 we continue this hallowed tradition as United Methodists by gathering for holy conferencing in the name of Christ who has made us disciples to transform the world for the sake of God's new heaven and earth.
Your sister and Bishop in Christ,
Beverly Shamana
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are
Christians who…
5. …know that the way we behave toward
one another and toward other people is the fullest expression of what
we believe.
G.R.A.P.E. Express for May
Please join us as we begin our last journey before the summer break. We will learn about the Ten Commandments. As we learn our verse, Psalm 119:34, “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart”, we will discover that God’s rules are as important today as they were in Old Testament times; that laws and rules are a part of everyday life and are intended to improve our lives and make us safe; and that following the Ten Commandments helps us make good choices about things we say and do.
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR
AN
ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT OUR END OF YEAR CELEBRATION!!!
Dearest Church Family:
In a recent sermon, Pastor Jennifer shared that sometimes the longest and most difficult journeys we make in life are not geographic at all; they are the journeys we take within. Such has been the experience I have had over the past eight weeks in a skilled nursing facility, recuperating from a broken hip. Unexpected opportunities for spiritual growth and ministry to others have been abundant; through His grace and my church family’s support, my journey has taken me from feelings of fear and anxiety to total trust in God.
Heartfelt appreciation for your prayers, visits, calls, cards, and other thoughtful remembrances. You have been spiritual partners in my convalescence and a blessing in my life. I love you all and look forward to returning to church soon.
Marian Long
Put your Grapevine article here. The next deadline is May 1st and will be mailed out on May 7th
By calling ourselves progressive, we
mean that we are Christians who…
6…find more grace in the
search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty – more
value in questioning than in absolutes.
This year’s SSP Gourmet Dinner will be held on May 17, 2008 at the home of Bill & Claudia Hanna. Appetizers and drinks will be served at 5:30 PM with a Peruvian dinner to follow. The menu will include classic Peruvian dishes such as ceviche, Causa Limena ( a potato dish), Anticucho de Carne (beef and vegetables skewers marinated in an Aji sauce), and Leche Asada y Alfajores(Custard with caramel filled cookies.) Tickets are available for $50.00 and can be purchased after church in the Fellowship Room or by calling the office at 253-1411. Thank you for your faithful support of Sierra Service Project. We look forward to dining with you!
UMW Circle Meetings May 8th
Judith Newton - 1 pm at Ethel Adams’
Patricia Riddell - 10 am in Kagawa Rm.
Lillian Wallace - 1:30 pm at Eleanor Greig’s home
Susanna Wesley - May 13th - 7:30 pm Susan Edenborough’s home
Unit Meeting - All Circles together on May 15th - 10am Kagawa Room
Visitors are always welcome.
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are
Christians who…
7…form ourselves into communities dedicated to
equipping one another for the work we feel called to do:
a. striving for peace and justice among all people
b.
protecting and restoring the integrity of all God’s creation
c.
bringing hope to those Jesus called the least of his sisters and
brothers
Pastor Staff Parish Relations Committee
Have you marked June 15 and June 21 on your calendars? Those two very important dates mark celebrations for Pastor Jennifer Edenborough! Help plan her Farewell Party for the 15th and come to Sacramento for her Ordination Ceremony on Saturday, June 21.
Seattle Choir Visits Napa: On Sunday, May 25th, our Cathedral Choir will be joined by members of the Wallingford United Methodist Church Choir in worship. The combined choirs will sing a mass by Johannes Brahms entitled Messe. This is the first half of the exchange; our own choir will travel to Seattle in November and sing in their church (You may remember that we did something like this back in 2000.). So save the date as we welcome our fellow choristers!
Mission Statement
The First United Methodist Church unconditionally welcomes all people in greater Napa wherever they are on their faith journey. As a congregation rooted in scripture, tradition, experience, and reason, we promise opportunities to grow in the Spirit and to become active followers of Jesus Christ.
May 4 Scripture: Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
Pastor Jennifer Edenborough God’s House Band
May 11 Scripture: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-35; 1 Corinthians 12:3-13; John 7:37-39
Pastor Douglas J. Monroe Cathedral Choir
May 18 Scripture: Genesis 1:1-4; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20
Pastor Douglas J. Monroe Bonner Bells
Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 am -- All Sunday School Classes at 10:45 am
Adult Bible Study: Parlor
GRAPE Express for ages 3 years thru 5th grade: Kagawa Room
Junior High School Group: Beall Library
High School Youth Group: Sunday at 4:00pm - Youth Room
By
calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are Christians who…
8.
…recognize that being followers of Jesus is costly, and entails
selfless love, conscientious resistance to evil, and renunciation of
privilege.