The Grapevine

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA

(707) 253-1411

May 1, 2010

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors:
the People of The United Methodist Church

…Pastor’s Column:

It is that time of year for dusting and cleaning. You know what I mean. Those little fur balls rolling around in the corners of our homes that have gone undisturbed for quite some time now. Some of us might even be able to sign our signatures in the dust on some things. (Smile) It is a reminder that we must be diligent in our efforts to keep the dust off our things and out of our homes.

Likewise, we must also dust off our spiritual lives. Sometimes it’s our prayer life that needs polishing up. For others it’s that thing called faith we let sit idle on the shelf gathering dust. Still, for some others, it might be our spiritual and worship practices that are neglected. Just like with the dust in our homes, we all have good intentions about dealing with cleaning up our lives when we find the time and energy. Well, low and behold, kids, job, life, health and our favorite TV shows take precedence over those little dust balls, spiritual and real.

God understands. God just wants us to slow down and keep pace with the Holy Spirit. Perhaps a bible verse, a hymn, a prayer, or even a picture will cause you to just stop a moment and reflect on what God is doing in your life at that moment. God is calling attention to things in your life that need dusting. It could be your health, kids/grandkids, marriage/relationships, and even spiritual life.

Some of our dust balls have become tumble weeds just rolling across our lives. We have neglected some things far too long. You know what they are. Little or big, the dust balls in our lives need to be cleaned up. God continues to call us towards accountability to ourselves, each other and the world. A clean heart makes way for a clean and happy life.

So grab a dust rag and let’s start dusting. We’ll probably look like Pigpen in the Snoopy cartoon, with dust flying everywhere, but that is okay. God will always find us in beneath the dust, clean us up and make us like new again. Yea, even God has dusting to do and I thank God for that!

Shalom my friends,
Roger

The SamAntics choir presents "A Recital of British Music Hall Songs"
Saturday May 15, 7:00 PM in the FUMC Fellowship Hall.

A selection of rare old songs, this show is, by turns,  dramatic, funny, silly and charming, in the tradition of British Music Hall, Vaudeville and TV variety shows.  It features about 20 of the SamAntics singers,  accompanied on piano by Director Sam Schieber, performing solos, a quartet, ensemble pieces and sing-alongs to well-known old tunes.

Please join us for a fun show!

Tickets are $10 at the door.

For more information, contact Bill Pramuk, 226-2884

The Board of Trustees is organizing an All Church Workday on Saturday May 15th. Mark your calendars and think of ways we can do some spring cleaning and/or projects for our beautiful church. More info is available @ FUMC office or call John Thompson @ 695-7768 with your project ideas. We need many people of all skill levels to make this a success. Please bring your own tools, supplies and rags. We’d love to see you here!

What Does It Mean to be a member of the United MethodistChurch?

If that’s a question that you simply find intriguing, or if you’ve been attending our worship services pretty regularly over the last few months and have indicated that you’re interested in becoming a member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Napa, then we have a gathering just for you! Beginning on Sunday, May 2nd – (skipping over “Mothers’ Day”) and continuing on the 16th, 23rd and 30th of that month – Pastor Doug and our lay leaders will offer an opportunity for you to discover answers to that question above (as well as many others!) that you might have about our church. There is a curriculum, of sorts, but the most important aspect of this gathering will be the dialogue that we will have about our shared journeys of experiencing the presence of the sacred in our lives. If you’d like to know more about this group, speak to Pastor Doug, but also get your name on a mailing list by contacting our Office Manager, Dianne Mahler, by phone (253-1411) or email (secretary@napaumc.org). We look forward to hearing from you!

Sierra Service Project

Gourmet Dinner

Dave and Lisa Doshier will be hosting the gourmet dinner in their lovely garden, surrounded by views of the eastern hills, horses and Milliken Creek.  The teens will serve and entertain the guests.

"Tiger in a Pot"
Saturday, May 22nd
5:00 PM Appetizers
6:00 PM Dinner

Your $50.00 contribution to this fundraiser supports the eight campers attending SSP in Los Angeles where they will spend a week in service to the people of the Vermont Square neighborhood.

They will accept your reservation and payment in the Fellowship room each Sunday after worship service: May 2nd, 9th and 16th.

Stewardship is more than money

This past week many of you participated in activities celebrating Earth Day. Thank you for your efforts as good stewards of our earth, either individually or in groups. I saw Oneta Afentoulis, Marsha Nieman, Katherine Tolman, and the entire Lewis Family, Kaylee, Carson, Taylor, Laura and Tom downtown at the Saturday cleanup. Who else was doing something “earth friendly” that day? or last week? Now the key is to make it a habit! Save water, reduce, reuse, recycle, buy locally grown produce, turn off lights – I’m sure you can think of more ways to be good stewards of this beautiful space in which we live! Keep up the good works!

Barbara Thompson, Stewardship Chair

Endowment Fund

“Give the gift that keeps on giving”

Join us at the next Builders Luncheon
Saturday, May 8—noon

Fellowship, food and entertainment
Program—presentation of our church’s Endowment Fund
Sing-a-long with Marian Long at the piano

Committee Members

Annette Perry-Chairperson, Mary Herzog, Hugh Reat, Hugh Silcox

Woman2Woman, an educational campaign of Cope Family Center

Cope Family Center is beginning a campaign to educate the women of our community about the importance of supporting women, especially mothers. This campaign will be a series of small gatherings where women can come and learn about the issue of women’s poverty in the Napa Valley and what is being done to address the problem. The campaign will actively be seeking 100 women to become involved with Cope Family Center and become part of the solution to help mothers become self-sufficient.

We do know that poverty is the strongest factor known to be correlated to child abuse and neglect. “When women are poor, entire communities suffer because they are not free to earn an income, feed their families, or protect themselves and their children against violence.” In Napa County over 25% of the population lives below the self-sufficiency standard ($51K for a family of 3). Parents suffering from chronic poverty are more likely to display negative behaviors such as spanking and yelling and less likely to nurture. In 2008, there were 1061 reports of abuse reported to Napa County Child Protective Services. Children who are maltreated suffer from depression, are unable to perform well in school, are more likely to be involved in crimes and suffer mental health disorders as adults.

You might wonder, what does poverty look like to others? A teacher recently said, “I see kids coming to school with dirty hair and clothes. They fall asleep in class because they are hungry or haven’t had a good nights’ sleep. Their grades suffer as a result.”

At Cope Family Center, we envision the Napa Valley as a vibrant, healthy community in which to live and work and that it meets the needs of mothers raising the next generation of community members. We strive to attain this vision by providing a nurturing resource center, the First Stop for Families; empowering disadvantaged families to access essential resources, and to promote the healthy development of their children.

You are welcome to attend one of Cope’s educational gatherings beginning in early summer 2010. Please call or email Liz Marks for an invitation at 707-252-1123 X108, lmarks@copefamilycenter.org

Spring Into Action—United to Prevent Underage Drinking in Napa
A Town Hall Meeting co-led by local youth—Thursday, May 13th at 5:30 pm
Valley Oak High School Multi-Purpost Room, 1600 Myrtle Avenue, Napa
Dinner will be provided

Did you know? Underage drinking is the #1 contributor to death of people under 21 in the U.S. It leads to injury, sexual assault, increased risk for alcoholism and harm to the developing brain. Strategies to effectively prevent underage drinking do exist.

For more information contact one of our Faith Partners or Katie Keating, 253-4724

The Napa Valley Chorale as you’ve never seen them before!

Go see the 20th Century Revue, the Chorale’s spring concert at the Napa Valley Opera House on May 2nd at 7:30 pm. Several members and friends of our church are involved in this exciting program: Jan Lanterman is artistic director and conductor; Ellen Patterson is the leader of the stage band and Steve Cairns, Wendy Camp, Elizabeth Dreyer, Don Hitchcock, Kevin Pope and Frank Hernandez are among the singers in this revue of popular music from 1900-1999.

Among many others, you’ll hear nostalgic favorites like “Shine On, Harvest Moon”, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime”, “Ain’t She Sweet” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo”. From the fifties and sixties you’ll hear “Rock Around the Clock”, “Aquarius”, “Let The Sunshine In” and “Blowin’ in the Wind”. From the end of the century you’ll year the disco influence of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “I Believe I Can Fly”. Something for everyone!

Tickets are available through Napa Valley Opera House (www.napavalleyoperahouse.org) or phone 226-7372 or stop by the Opera House Box Office at 1000 Main St. in Napa.

V.O.I.C.E.S. – Young Moms Need Support

We have two active Mommy and Baby groups now at VOICES.  Our work is around developing healthy parent and child relationships and supporting these sometimes very young, first time moms.  Just like with our regular youth, these moms sometimes come up short financially at the end of the month.  As part of my ministry, I like to have emergency "rations" available.  Amber, the program facilitator, and I, for the PACES (Parent and Child Education Support) would appreciate it if any of you (individually or as a group) would make up individual bags for us.  Each bag should contain the following:

*1 Big can of powdered formula $28.00 (organic) Shelf life: 2 yrs

*3 jars of baby food (1 meat, 1 veggie, 1fruit) $.68-$1.50 Shelf life:  6-10 mos

*Small box of rice cereal $2.00 Shelf Life: 1 yr

Since we will be keeping these bags over a period of time, we would appreciate it if you would get items with the longest shelf life possible. Should you have any questions, please call me or Amber at (707) 251-1577. 

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Linda S. Powers

Pie and Movie Group

We will take a break for the summer and return in the Fall with a line-up of new movies. All and any who are interested are welcomed. Think about all the movies you’ve loved and have not seen in sometime.  Maybe you would like to share in the new Fall lineup...if so, just let me know. We meet the third Friday night of the month at 6:30 pm at the church. 

Martha Monroe

Promoting Maternal Health in Napa and Around the World

In recognition of the struggles that many mothers face both here in Napa and worldwide, the Sarah Crosby Circle is accepting donations of money and new baby items for Healthy Moms and Babies, V.O.I.C.E.S. food bags, and money for UMCOR Birthing Kits. While we will be collecting these items at the UMW Tea: Honoring Our Mothers, we invite the entire congregation to donate items as well, and will be prepared to accept these items on Mother's Day, in conjunction with the Rachel Sabbath Service that is planned. Please help us make a difference to mothers in Napa and throughout the world this Mother's Day weekend.

Healthy Moms and Babies--Sweet Baby Dreams Gift Shop Donations

Pregnant women at Healthy Moms and Babies earn points by attending education classes (breast feeding, childbirth preparation, newborn care, postpartum, and parenting). They also earn points by attending appointments with the HMB Social Worker and the Registered Dietitian, when needed, due to risk factors. The clients can then “buy” items in our gift shop with their earned points. Our new moms appreciate receiving incentives and recognition for making the effort to learn critical information to ensure a healthy, happy baby and family.

Healthy Moms & Babies clients need the following new items:

Diapers: sizes newborn, 1, and 2
Clothes: 6-9 months and some preemie/newborn
Toys 0-9 months: teethers, 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)

UMCOR Birthing Kits

Each year more than 600,000 women die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth in developing countries. Approximately 9 million infant deaths occur each year. Of these, over half (53 per cent) occur during the first four weeks after birth, and more than one third (3.2 million) occur within the first week of life. Tetanus and other infections are among the leading causes of newborn mortality. Infants with neonatal tetanus often have concomitant cord infection caused by unclean delivery or unclean cord care practices.

Donate Money for Birthing Kits

You can help a mother or a baby survive during delivery through the use of one simple kit. The birthing kit costs about $8 to assemble and contains basic yet essential items to promote safe and healthy deliveries. They include:

One hotel-size bar of soap – to clean the birth attendants hands both before delivery and prior to cutting the umbilical cord, and to clean the mother after delivery.

One pair of clean latex gloves – to reduce disease transmission

One square yard of clear plastic sheeting – to provide a clean surface to deliver the baby

Three pieces of clean string each 12 inches long – to tie the umbilical cord.

One clean single use razor blade – essential for clean cutting of the umbilical cord.

Two flannelette receiving blankets, each 1 yard – one to dry and stimulate the baby, and one to swaddle the baby

One gallon zip lock bag – to package the kit and to hold the placenta for safe disposal

These kits are distributed only to hospitals and clinics with programs in place to provide education on how to use them correctly.

"Reader's Theatre Group Looking For Participants"

"Did you enjoy the Palm Sunday Reader's Theatre?  Wish you could have been up there? Well, now's your chance! Elizabeth Dreyer is putting together a group of people who want to be involved in ministry this way.  If you're interested, please email her at

PercussionQueen7@gmail.com.  No memorization is required for most plays, and no experience is required. 12 years old and up, please.  We're looking forward to hearing from you!"

“JUST FOR FUN” BOOK CLUB

Come join us Tuesday, May 4, for a discussion of The Help. We’ll meet at 7:30 at Kay Steven’s home: 13 Highland Drive (just east of Silverado Trail). We need to select another book to read so come with suggestions. See you there!

Grapevine Schedule

The next deadline is May 6th and it will be mailed out on May 12th.

Please email your articles to secretary@napaumc.org

First United Methodist Church

625 Randolph St. Napa 94559

Office: (707) 253-1411 Fax#: (707) 253-1976

www.napaumc.org

Facebook: Napa First United Methodist Church

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

The Second Annual UMW Tea: Honoring Our Mothers will be on Saturday, May 8 at from 2 PM to 4 PM at the church. Everyone who has had a mother is invited to attend.

Participants are asked to bring new items to donate to Healthy Moms and Babies, food bags for V.O.I.C.E.S. and/or $8 for an UMCOR Birthing Kit. Information about each of these recipients can be found in the Grapevine.

Mission Statement

The First United Methodist Church of Napa unconditionally welcomes all people 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 to become active followers of Jesus Christ. We are

affiliated with The Center for Progressive Christianity and a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network.

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 3 years old through 5th grade—10:45 am—Kagawa Rm.

Middle School Group—10:45 am—Beall Library

Youth Group—11:00 am—Youth Room

Come and see what your church has to offer you this year

Visit us on Facebook—Napa First United Methodist Church

May 2 Scripture: Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelations 21-1-6; John 13:31-35

Rev. Roger Kimble Cathedral Choir

May 9 Scripture: Acts 16-9-15; Psalm 67; Revelations 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29

Rev. Doug Monroe God’s House Band

May 16 Scripture: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelations 22:12-21; John 17:20-26

Rev. Roger Kimble Cathedral Choir

May 23 Scripture: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-35; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17

Rev. Doug Monroe Bonner Bells