The Grapevine
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA
(707) 253-1411
May 1, 2009
Open Hearts, Open Minds,
Open Doors:
the People of The United Methodist Church
Pastor’s Column
Well, Generalissimo Veronica is at it again. It is spring cleaning time at the house. That means the honey do list is endless. (sigh) Carpets have to be shampooed, touch up painting done, garage and closets cleaned out, windows washed and high shelves dusted. With the precision of a drill sergeant she gets the best effort out of me. I complain the entire time, but after 22 years, she knows how to simply ignore my complaints and get me to finish the honey do list. When all is said and done, I have to admit the house looks better and is fresh and clean.
What do you do to assist with the spring cleaning of your soul? We all have spiritual junk we need to get rid of. There is some heavy lifting of sin and guilt that only Jesus can help you with. God’s warm and comforting light needs to be shined in the dark corners of your souls and minds. A good scrubbing of your spirit is probably long over due and don’t forget to shake out the prayers that are selfish and me centered.
Fortunately, God works on us every day of our lives. God knows there is always something to clean up in our lives, repair or rebuild. Faith is a funny thing. If you don’t use it you start to lose it. Like a good battery, you need to be charged up with God every day. Real faith takes time to simmer and cook over the years, so when you need a good spiritual meal, faith is there to sustain you. I think love and hope need to be dusted off a bit too.
Well, I can hear my General calling. Break time is over. I have to get back to dusting and cleaning. Aren’t you glad Jesus did all the hard prep work for each of our lives and souls? All we have to do is allow the Holy Spirit to assist us each day for the task at hand. May your love, faith and soul always be fresh and clean for God to touch and use.
Shalom.
Roger
Grapevine
The next deadline is May 7th and it will be mailed out on May 13th.
Please email your articles to secretary@napaumc.org
Celebrating 25 Years of Providing Affordable Housing for Seniors
The Board of Directors of Napa Housing Foundation invites you to join them at Napa Creek Manor, 1300 Jefferson St., Napa on Saturday, May 16th from 2-4pm.
The program will begin at 2:30pm with music by the Sing Alongs, remarks by residents and community leaders, sharing memories and refreshments. Please RSVP to 257-1878.
MYF—Youth Group
St. Paul UMC in Vacaville and The Rev. Sandy Gess have invited our MYF over for a work day on Saturday, May 16, 2009, 10AM to 2 PM. We will help them prepare a room for painting and will fellowship with their youth group at lunch time. Anyone else is invited to attend and help out. Some of you may not know that the Vacaville church suffered extensive damage from a flooded creek by their church several years ago. They are still in the process of repairing the sanctuary and classrooms. Their official workdays are always on the third Saturday of each month. There are usually 5-8 members of their church as well as some kids. The work that you can help with is dependent upon what skill levels your team has. Tools and willing adults are also needed.
Types of jobs which are standard for Work Days are:
-
mopping
- gardening
- dusting (including bringing down spider
webs)
Jobs that are related to Flood Recovery:
- Dry wall
finishing and sanding
- Painting walls and doors
- Painting
door trim
- Staining/sealing wooden baseboards
If you can help, out you are invited to come work with us on Saturday, May 16, 2009 there at St. Paul UMC, Vacaville, 101 West Street, Vacaville, CA 95688, 707-448-5154, 10 AM -2 PM.
Sunday the 31st of May is The Day of Pentecost -- "a rush of wind and tongues of flame." Wear RED to church and celebrate the Spirit.
BUILDERS’ LAST ROUNDUP OF THE SEASON
Meet in the KAGAWA ROOM at NOON on Saturday, MAY 9. There is a slight change from the usual Potluck, in that the food will feature beef straight from the ranch, courtesy of Bill Bishop. This will result in gourmet meat loaf by Loeta Stocking and staff. So, what do we still bring? Just salads and desserts, plus a story to share recalling an experience on a ranch.
Program--Marian Long has entitled the program “As the Spirit Moves Us.” She will interview the audience with spontaneous responses encouraged. Come, bring someone new, have fun with good company, and eat well!
COME PLAY WITH US! FUMC Play group meets each Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the church nursery. Babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their caregivers are welcome!
Call Eva at 252-0708 for more information.
FUMC serves THE TABLE on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Our next day is May 26th. We can always use extra help so if you’d like to help us, please call Eva to sign up.
Pie and a Movie—This month the group will meet on Friday night the 15th at 6:30 sharp. Our selection will be "Bottle Shock" made here in the Napa Valley.
No reservations required...bring something to share if you like and enjoy.
After six months of chemotherapy with two different drugs, Dave's lungs appear to be clear and the tumor on his liver has stopped growing. A PET scan revealed some involvement with a rib. Dave is scheduled for surgery in early May for the removal of the malignant tumor and any affected bone. We appreciate your continued prayers!
Thank you,
Sabrina and Wesley Melton
COMING SOON TO A FELLOWSHIP ROOM NEAR YOU!
Mark your calendars now -- on the 7th of June after the worship service there will be an all-church potluck and guided table-talk session to gather ideas for the next step in our Vital Signs process. Begin to think now about life-long learning opportunities and community service in mission experiences that you yourself would like to participate in -- and come prepared to enjoy the fellowship and share your ideas.
The UMW Sarah Crosby Circle Presents
A Mother/Daughter Tea
Saturday May 9th from 2-4 pm
Fellowship
Hall
Donation
is $5 per person
Finger foods and dessert provided. Please bring your own tea service. If you would like to attend please call the church office at
253-1411. Any donations collected at this event will go to our social action project, Healthy Moms and Babies. Needs include: Diapers: sizes newborn, 1, and 2; Clothes: 6-9 months and some preemie/newborn; Toys 0-9 months: teething toys, rattles, stroller toys, crib mobiles etc. Books: board books in English and Spanish, 6-9 months; Equipment: baby gyms, diaper bags/changing mats, carry slings; Umbrella strollers; Breast feeding bra pads, ”modesty” shawls (over the shoulder for breastfeeding) They accept new items only.
This presentation will provide an introduction to the concept of restorative justice. Restorative Justice is a complement to the judicial system at the community level, enabling communication between victims, offenders and community members. Two primary goals of restorative justice are to place key decisions into the hands of those most affected by a crime and to transform the justice process into a healing experience for those involved. In restorative processes, victims of crime are given an opportunity to communicate directly to the person who harmed them and share their ideas on ways the harm can be repaired. This process enables offenders to develop a greater understanding of the impact of their actions and receive guidance on making amends. Community members are actively involved in supporting and guiding the process.
Presenters:
Jessalyn Nash is currently an adjunct professor at Sonoma State University in the Criminal Justice Department and provides trainings and courses on restorative justice internationally. She was formerly the Director of a national Restorative Justice Initiative at the American Humane Association and Co-Founder/Executive Director for a non-profit restorative justice organization in Northern California for ten years. The agency’s programs served children, youth and families referred by Child Protective Services, Superior Court, Probation and schools. She is a seasoned mediator, educator and facilitator of restorative justice practices, including family group conferencing, circles and victim-offender mediation.
Arnold Rosenfield has served for 25 years as a Superior Court Judge, the majority of which was spent hearing juvenile court cases involving both delinquency and dependency. Arnold is a member of local, state and national committees that promote implementation of Restorative Justice principles and practices throughout both the State of California and the United States. He serves on the Judicial Council Advisory Committee, which advises a statewide governing body of the courts of California on rules and procedures for both juvenile and family courts. He teaches and co-teaches college courses on Restorative Justice.
Friday Nite Fun Book Club Changes to Tuesday Nite
The consensus of my random survey indicated that Tuesday was the preferable day to meet. Most agreed that Friday was not ideal. Of those who responded to the question of where to meet, more wanted to use the church. If we continue meeting the "first" of the month, that would be TUESDAY, MAY 5, at 7:30 at Barb Sharp’s home. I have finished The Shack and would be willing to lend my copy to anyone. Please RSVP to Barb Sharp at 258-8835.
Happy Spring! Barb Thompson
First United Methodist Church
625 Randolph St. Napa 94559
Office: (707) 253-1411 Fax#: (707) 253-1976
www.napaumc.org
Pastors: Douglas J. Monroe
Roger Kimble, III
Sunday Worship - 9:30 a.m.
Child and Infant Nursery Care is available
Church Office Hours:
Monday—Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
The Grapevine is published bi-monthly.
Editor: Dianne Mahler
I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you, my church family, for your prayers, concerns, calls and cards during my recent surgeries.
I do ask for your continued prayers as I will soon be receiving radiation treatments for five weeks.
Thank you again, Lavonne Van Cleve
Sierra Service Project
Gourmet Dinner
The Hannas will be hosting our gourmet dinner in their beautiful garden surrounded by vineyard and mountain views. The youth will serve and entertain guests.
"A Little Bit of Italy"
Saturday, May 30th
6:00PM
Your $50 contribution to this fundraiser supports the eight youth attending SSP in Loleta, CA where they will spend a week in service to the Wiyot Tribe.
The youth will accept your reservation and payment in the Fellowship Room each Sunday after worship service: May 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th.
To Whom It May Concern:
We all know individuals who struggle with day to day living because of a hearing loss. While the purchase of hearing aids for many is only a dream, help is available for those who lack the resources to purchase hearing aids. The Starkey Hearing Foundation works to make hearing aids available to those in need. Any assistance you can lend to the effort of sharing the information with the members of your congregation and/or school is greatly appreciated.
The Foundation has a program that serves low income individuals residing in the US to acquire hearing aids. The United States program has provided over 77,100 hearing aids to 45,100 individuals since 1999. Hearing aids are provided through an application process to those low income individuals permanently living in the US who have no other resource to acquire hearing aids. All applicants must meet the program’s financial criteria, complete the application process and be approved for hearing aids. Verification of the applicant’s financial situation and proof of a need for hearing aids are a part of the application process.
Hear Now works with licensed practitioners, in the applicant’s area, willing to donate their time and talent to assist clients with the fitting and follow up processes. The applicant is responsible for the cost of the hearing evaluation and a nominal processing fee to the program. The recipient is also financially responsible for the cost of batteries and repairs. Once an application is approved, the aids are given to the applicant at no additional cost.
If this program can be of help to the members of your congregation, or if you want further information, please call the Hear Now program at 1-800-328-8602 and ask for the Hear Now program. Please visit the Foundation at www.sotheworldmayhear.org. We look forward to the opportunity to speak to you about the program and how we can serve you and your people. Thank you for helping us to assist those in need in your area.
Joanita Stelter, Program Coordinator
Starkey Hearing
Foundation
6700
Washington Ave S, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
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.
Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 am
Coffee, cookies, lemonade and friendship are served at 10:30 am
Adult Bible Study: 10:45 am Parlor
Sunday School for All Ages begins at 10:45 am
High School Youth Group begins at 11:00 am
May 3 Scripture: Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
Michael Herzog, Lay Speaker—Communion Sunday God’s House Band
May 10 Scripture: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
Rev. Roger Kimble, III—Mother’s Day Cathedral Choir
May 17 Scripture: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
Michael Herzog, Lay Speaker Bonner Bells
May 24 Scripture: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
Rev. Douglas J. Monroe—Four Parts of Mass—sung by two visiting choirs with Cathedral Choir