The Grapevine
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA
(707) 253-1411
August 1, 2008
Open
Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors:
the People of The United Methodist
Church
PASTOR’S COLUMN
New beginnings have always excited me. Whether it was my freshman year at high school, that first day at college or seminary, raising my right hand to join the Army, or saying my wedding vows to Veronica 21 years ago, I still get goose bumps thinking about those times. Changing churches is a similar feeling for this United Methodist pastor. After 30 years of ministry, I still get excited when I drive up to a new appointment and walk inside the sanctuary and my office for the very first time.
The next exciting thing is meeting people and letting them know that I am a down to earth pastor who will love and care for them as the Good Shepherd has taken care of me. I am a Laker's basketball fan, love my 49'ers and hate baseball (sorry Doug). I played enough little league and pony league to last me a life time. (sigh) I love grandkids, lemonade, pound cake, and jazz. These are the simple things that keep me excited and humble about life.
I am excited about meeting each of you. Folk have been so open and welcoming to Veronica and me that I am humbled. Never have people been so sweet right off the bat. I can feel God's love here at the church and see it expressed in the Hope Center and Thrift Shop. Yes, there is still a lot left for each of us to do as God's servants in Napa and this world. You and Doug have invited me in to be part of this ministry team and we will invite all the world to celebrate the love of Christ with us every day.
I believe the church must have an open heart and mind to welcome all of God's children. When we can care for and love any child without regard to race or culture, then we have arrived at being the church God needs in this world. I am all about equality and sharing and not about entitlement and politics. God loves every one, regardless.
Jesus never let his politics, religion or prejudices keep him from doing God's will and work. We too will take up that mantle and love regardless. I am excited to be amongst you and doing God's work. May the years to come be fruitful and exciting ones as we transform God's world and our hearts. I am excited! How about you?
Shalom my friends.
Roger
All Church Picnic at Fuller Park on Sunday, Aug. 17th
11 am to 2 pm
Walk on over after church (or take the shuttle) to join in the fun. There will be a potluck lunch and games for all ages. Don’t miss out!
Bring a chair and a dish to share. Table service and water will be provided.
You may drop off your things on the way to church at 8:45 am if you’d rather.
Judith Newton Circle will meet on Thursday, Aug. 19th at 1:00 pm at the home of Marianna Stanley.
UMW 2008 Reading Program
Book Review
“Muskrat Will Be Swimming”
by Cheryl Savageau
This is a 32 page children’s book found in the Nurturing for Community Section of the UMW Reading Program Library. Although it is written for children it is also a wonderful book for adults to read and does qualify for the reading program.
It is a story of a girl of Native American and French descent who loves her lakeside community and its people. However, she feels demeaned when classmates call her a “Lake Rat”. She confides in her Grampa who listens, questions and reminds her of a legend concerning Muskrat. A dream and a symbolic dive into the lake help the girl accept where she’s from and who she is.
AVOID THE SUMMER SLUMP! Every year, as sure as the days get longer, our congregation goes off on summer vacations and our income goes into a slump. Please plan ahead and keep your pledge up to date, whether you're in town or not. Hey, you could even pay ahead so you don't have to think about it!
Thank you from your friends on the Finance Committee.
Celebrate Recovery
Get High on Hope - See you Sept. 28th!
Prayer Cards
Vacation Bible School (and our regular GRAPE Express during the school year) start at 10:45. The problem is that worship is usually not over by then, so we're trying to streamline the worship service in order to end at 10:30, thereby honoring the planning of those in charge of Sunday School. Instead of standing to share joys and concerns, we're asking you to use the prayer request cards found in the pews. When you've filled it out, bring it forward (or send with someone else in your area) and put your prayer request in the plate at the altar. This may be done at any time during worship before the sermon. Your requests will be lifted up during prayer time.
Thanks to Nic Pope for
installing our new Sound System and providing telephone support...
and thanks to Gifts and Memorials
for providing the money for it.
Anybody who has an interest in knowing how to operate the board, (i.e. the sound system), please come to the SOUND BOARD TRAINING WORKSHOP with Nic Pope on TUESDAY, AUG. 12 @ 7:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary.
We would like to see as many people as possible get properly trained on the new system. Please call the church office for more information.
Lillian Wallace Circle will meet at 1:30pm on Aug. 14th at the home of Carlena Milligan. The program will be “On Aging” by Annabelle Mieth.
A WORD OF APPRECIATION
Dear Congregation:
We on the Finance Committee worry about the state of the church’s fiscal health. That’s our job. But we sometimes focus on the wrong side of the equation -- so let us say thank you to the over 90% of the congregation who are up to date or ahead on paying their pledges. As of mid-year our financial picture was . . . acceptable. There was a hint of the coming of a summer slump -- reduced income -- but we have faith that we will be able to support the budget and pay our apportionments in full for the TWENTIETH consecutive year. We are warned against the sin of pride, but we can all safely feel good about this church’s faithful response to its financial responsibilities.
Keep up the good work,
Your Finance Committee
To My Church Family
Thank you so much for your calls, your cards and your visits. I have had to dig deep to find the patience I need to help heal the injury. Because of the type of break I sustained it is being allowed to heal itself, assisted by pain pills, and it is a slow process. Just knowing you are sending healing thoughts my way has brightened my days.
Love and Blessings,
Grace Buer
Save the Date!
The new UMW "Saturday Circle" will meet again on Saturday, September 13 from 1 PM to 3 PM. This new circle will meet every other month on the second Saturday. If you are interested in learning more about the United Methodist Women, their mission work, and their role in the church, plan on attending the September meeting. Watch the bulletin and the next Grapevine for more details. If you have any questions, or would like to RSVP, please contact Amy Herzog at 251-8768 or miabeth@pacbell.net. Child care is available. Talk to Amy for more information.
CONGREGATION CROSS-CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP
Saturday, September 6th from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
First United Methodist Church of Napa
Presented by Intercultural Leadership Institute
Of the UMC CA-Nevada Annual Conference
GOALS FOR OUR TIME TOGETHER:
* To understand cross-cultural dynamics and their impact on
how we see and do church
* To have more objective ways of describing what is going on
cross-culturally
* To have ways to move through confusion to understanding
* To have your pastor share from his/her cultural background
and call to ministry
* To have the congregation share hopes for how this appointment
can strengthen the life and ministry of the church
HAVE YOU EVER…
* wanted to have an authentic conversation with a person of a
different race or culture and got stuck?
* wanted to have ways of talking about cultural and racial diff-
erence without being misunderstood?
* been anxious about what changes might take place in your
congregation if you have a pastor of a different cultural/
racial identity?
IF SO…
* would you like to learn some communication tools to help
make conversation and understanding easier?
* would you like to experience difference as a way to be in
relationship rather than to be separated?
We ask that you attend - all are welcome - “Let us listen to each other and grow more fully into being the Body of Christ, developing the vision to see God in one another”.
Welcome Meetings for the Kimbles
Your Pastor/ Staff Parish Committee invites you to host a get acquainted meeting for our new pastor Roger and Veronica Kimble! It will be more fun for the Kimbles (not to mention easier) to get to know us in small batches. They have graciously agreed to be available on Sunday afternoons or evenings during the months of August and September. So all you have to do is pick a Sunday, CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE TO RESERVE THE DATE, then invite a few of your church friends over! Hurry, the Sundays are going fast! See you in church!
New Book Club Starting!!!!
Want to join a friend's book club, but it's full?
Have you promised yourself to start reading more?
Want something fun to do on Friday night?
If you answered "YES" to any of these questions then plan to join us Sept. 5th, 7:30, at the church for the new Friday Nite Fun Book Club.
Our first meeting will be to get acquainted, decide on what books to read, and other important things like "who will bring the refreshments". We hope you can come join us - Put it on your calendar: 7:30, Friday, September 5, at the church!
This ad is sponsored by your
Fun and Fellowship Group
“Get High on Hope”
FUMC’s Faith Partner’s team continues to work its mission:
The FUMC’s Faith Partner Ministry (FPM) serves the needs of the congregation and the broader community by providing education, support, healing and connection to community resources for those suffering from substances abuse, addictions and family stressors. This Ministry will respond in a loving and direct manner to assist affected individuals and their families.
As its first major endeavor, the FPM is planning to participate in National Recovery Month (September). The FPM will lead worship on September 28th and provide the congregation with a glimpse of why there is such a need for healing and reconciliation from the terrible disease of addiction. In addition to worship, there will be a coffee hour panel of experts that can answer questions on addictions, prevention, intervention and treatment.
If anyone would like to participate in the worship service by providing their personal recovery story, please contact Doug or Linda S. Powers (251-1577)
Have you seen the beautiful pictures of our new members in the Fellowship Hall? Thanks, Charlie Ray!
Board of
Trustees Report:
At
our meeting on June 12, we voted to provide an air conditioning unit
for the pastor's office as that room gets very warm. The unit
was purchased and installed last Friday. Many thanks to
Trustees Dale Parker and Bill Sharp for getting it installed and
working before our next hot spell.
Other items on our agenda
were the new sound system for the sanctuary, the progress in getting
bids to fix the cracked front steps and having the signs changed
outside to include our new Pastor. We also voted to put signs
on both front doors indicating which door should be shut first so
that they will lock.
The signs are up and the outside sign
has been updated thanks to Trustee Ward Thompson.
We are also
planning for our "Month of Saturdays" Work Party and are
seeking volunteers. We
really need a good turn out and
plan to work each day from 8 to noon getting the church spruced up
and ready for fall.
The schedule is as follows:
Saturday,
Sept. 13th. Clean and Clean-Out
Saturday, Sept.
20th. Repair and Prepare
Saturday, Sept.
27th Painting
Saturday, Oct.
4th Outside projects and
hauling away of junk and trash.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Martin, Chairperson
Put your Grapevine article here. The next deadline is Aug. 21st and will be mailed out on
Aug. 27th
Dear Church Family,
Please accept our deep gratitude for your cards, prayers, gifts and words of comfort and wisdom during the illness and death of my dad, Verne Ingram. Doug, Jen and Roger, along with all of you, did truly make a difference to a grieving family and we truly appreciate your loving care.
Dianne Mahler and family
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
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
Adult Bible Study: Parlor
Sunday School for All Ages will resume in the fall
Intergenerational Vacation Bible School ends on Sunday, August 10th
Aug. 3 Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
Pastor Doug Monroe Special Music
Aug. 10 Scripture: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105 ; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33
Pastor Roger Kimble, III Special Music
Aug. 17 Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2, 29-32; Matthew 15:10-28
Pastor Doug Monroe God’s House Band
Aug. 24 Scripture: Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20
Pastor Roger Kimble, III Special Music
Aug. 31 Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 105; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28
Pastor Doug Monroe Special Music