The Grapevine
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA
(707) 253-1411
August 1, 2009
Open
Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors:
the People of The United Methodist
Church
…from Doug’s Deck:
I’ve always asked those in the “Discovery Class” – those interested in membership in our church – to consider an exercise that might help them discern their calling. I thought that I’d share it with you.
Try this. Using a blank sheet of paper, make three columns: the left one is to be entitled MY GREATEST JOYS; the one on the far right is entitled THE WORLD’S NEEDS; the middle one, eventually, will be labeled MY LIFE PURPOSE.
While you’re in a relaxed and non-judgmental frame of mind, consider some “matters of the heart” – those places, people, activities, creative projects, passions, or interests that bring you lasting joy and deep satisfaction, i.e., those things that mean the most to you. Basically, what do you love doing? What “lights you up,” fills you with renewed energy, or ignites your imagination? Prayerfully ponder all of these things.
Then begin to list the words and/or phrases that articulate what you’ve just brought to mind in the left-hand column under “my greatest joys.”
Later, and in the same relaxed and open frame of mind, ask yourself: “Where do I hurt over what’s happening to my community, my nation, my world? What situations trouble me or cause my heart to ache with sorrow and/or compassion? Where do I get frustrated, angry, or depressed about what’s going on around me?”
List these things that come to your mind in the right-hand column labeled “the world’s needs.”
Keep both of your lists handy and add to them over the next several days. Don’t worry about “getting it right” or putting everything down initially; just add to both lists as ideas spontaneously arise. In fact, periodically revisiting and adding to your lists is a spiritual practice that can literally span a lifetime!
When you’re ready, and guided again by your heart, take some quietly meditative time and ask yourself these questions: “Where are there some possible connections between my joy and the world’s needs – where do they intersect in some way? How might I contribute my time and energy in ways that would make a difference to at least one other person or creature and that would also fill me with great joy?”
In the middle column (Yes, you’re finally there, under “my life purpose!”) begin to list or draw lines connecting these intersections.
Take some time to gaze at what you’ve done. Don’t censor or judge the possibilities just yet. Prayerfully imagine that where your greatest joys and the world’s needs intersect may just be where God is calling you at this time and place in your life. Write freely. Try articulating this thought in a single sentence – it might very well be your purpose in life.
Last, but far from least, now begin to take the steps necessary for your life purpose to reach out into your world. God – along with many others – goes with you. You are not alone.
Shalom, Doug
Pie and a Movie group will meet the usual 3rd Friday night. The date is August 21st and the time is 6:30.
This months movie is "October Sky" made in 1999 staring Jake Gyllenhoal, Laura Dern and Chris Cooper. This is based on a true story and one everybody will enjoy. It takes place in a coal mining town where a young teen has a dream of something else other than mining.
Please bring something to share over coffee and a few suggestions of movies you would like to see in the coming year.
Bike and Build
Many thanks to several volunteers who are bringing food for the dinner we are providing to the "Bike & Build" group of bicyclists who are stopping overnight at our church on August 15th. We are looking for 33 very hungry cyclists who began their ride in Jacksonville, Florida . . . that is not a mistake!! The day they arrive at our church they will have started in Davis and ridden over the hill and into Napa via Monticello Road. Hungry group.! Tell Bill Sharp (Chief) or Charlie Ray (Flunky) if you are able to provide a casserole, salad, dessert, etc., vegetarian or other. They will bed down overnight with sleeping bags on the floor of the fellowship hall. All the comforts of home! The next morning we are taking them to the Senior Center for breakfast and then they are on their way to San Francisco. Yes, by bicycle!
Hello Readers of the Fun Book
Club,
We met at Kay
Stevens’ last month. We decided that Olive is a very complicated
woman and we like certain aspects of her behaviour and are
surprised/shocked at others. Some of us (including
me) have not yet finished so we’ll read on. For
our next gathering we will read
Outliers: The Story of Success,
by Malcolm Gladwell.- we'll meet again at Kay's on Tues. Aug
4. Bring the title of a "classic" you'd like to
read for a future selection - you don't have to bring the
book, just the title. Then planning out for your August
reading, our next book is Shanghai
Girls by Lisa See.
"Two Chinese girls are sold to pay off a family debt to two
mountain men in California looking for wives. It's a glimpse
onto an early time in history." That will be September's
book to discuss. After that we'll read the selected
"classic".
Happy Reading! Barb
To the Methodist Church Family
Thank you for letting us borrow tables and chairs for our grandmother’s Celebration of Life. Church was an essential element of Luella’s life. Though we did not share this with her, we are thankful that so many people touched her life and she theirs. Thank you for coming to her party! We deeply appreciate the essay that was written about our grandmother and the beautiful picture that was taken. If you’d like a copy, call the church office. God Bless!
The Mock Family—Ted, Tedi and Marcy
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
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.
Grapevine Summer Schedule
The next deadline is August 20th and it will be mailed out on August 26th.
Please email your articles to secretary@napaumc.org
“Health Care Reform and our Community” Forum
August 3rd in Napa with Congressman Mike Thompson
The Community Health Care Outreach and Reform Project will hold a public forum on ““Health Care Reform and our Community” August 3rd from 7-9 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Napa. The forum will focus on community needs and resources, how they may be affected by change in the national health care system, and ways in which public education and action can have a significant impact. Featured speakers include Congressman Mike Thompson, Randy Snowden (Director of the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency), Cathy Hoffman (Napa County Children’s Health Initiative, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured), Beatrice Bostick (Community Clinic Ole) and Chris Manson (St. Joseph Health System).
The Community Health Care Outreach and Reform Project is a non-partisan education and advocacy initiative supporting changes that increase the accessibility, quality and effective utilization of health care resources and services in Napa County. The project is developing connections among groups and individuals concerned about problems with the health care system who will work together as informed advocates for change: citizens and consumers, service providers and insurers, community organizations and leaders, public agencies and others. For more information on the community forum and project, contact Ira Saletan at saletan1@sbcglobal.net or (707) 320-3140.
CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM
One of the primary requirements for membership on the Finance Committee is cautious optimism. I have related to the Finance Committee for many years as lay leader, lay member, and secretary and so I have some grasp of the financial picture of the church over time. Here at the mid-point of 2009 I find my cautious optimism severely strained. At the current rate of shortfall, our income for the year will be over $55,000 less than our anticipated expenses. I have often made these gloomy predictions and we close out the year with a burst of speed and all is well -- for the time being. Sometimes we are saved by an unexpected bequest, by significant generosity of the part of one or more of our members, or some extraordinary circumstance. The primary reason for this current shortfall is that pledge income is significantly below budget. I know times are tough -- that some have lost jobs -- that some are experiencing unexpected medical expenses. I also know that the church has obligations that must be met and we cannot raise taxes or borrow money to pay them.
Our anticipated expenses for 2009 are $427,038. About 33% of our expenses are for salary and benefits for our two appointed pastors. About 20% goes for other compensation such as the office manager, music staff, etc. Another 20% pays our conference apportionments. And another 20% pays for property expenses such as insurance, utilities, custodial service, the church van, etc. Everything else -- office expense, postage, program ministries like music, education, etc -- amounts to 7% of the budget.
I will repeat my mid-year mantra: If you’re behind on your pledge, catch up. If you’re up to date, pay ahead. If you’re so inclined, now would be a great time to make an extra gift. And, of course -- if you know that you cannot meet your estimate of giving, let the church office know.
We are the church,
Michael S Herzog, Secretary
Napa 1st UMC Finance Committee
Book
Study
August 23 – October 11, 2009
Saving
Jesus from the Church
How to Stop Worshiping
Christ and Start Following Jesus
The Napa First United Methodist Church has a certain flavor, position, shape, or set of attributes to which all of us have contributed over the years. We are a church in the best progressive tradition which sometimes stretches the limits of the national and international church body. There is a new book by UCC pastor and philosophy professor Robin Meyers which comes as close to making a position statement for the Napa FUMC as I have ever seen. It is not one of those far-out fringe books that I enjoy but many think is not really church. If you have read or studied Paul Laughlin's “Remedial Christianity”, you will recall his broad range of Christian traditions. I believe that “Saving Jesus from the Church” is at exactly the right place for many of us here in the Napa church.
Further, this book is a
perfect beginning for the UMC “Rethink Church” campaign.
Presented here is where I think our church should be going in the
future. While Robin Meyers does teach at Oklahoma City University, he
is much more pastor than professor and that difference is obvious in
this book. Find out more about the author
at:
http://www.mayflowerucc.org/staff/meyers.html
If you are interested in pursuing an excellent plan for a new vision for the Napa church, please join us at the Lutz home on Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM this fall. For more information, or to obtain a book, call Peter or Evelyn Lutz at 255-8593 or e-mail plutz@sonic.net.
I
want to thank my church family for all the wonderful letters and
cards and prayers you have sent me. There is nothing that makes us
feel so good than a friendly note saying “Hi”. Again, I want to
thank you. It will probably be another couple weeks before I can
make it back and driving but my God willing, I’ll be back. Love
you all!
Elva
Stockton
The Table
Many thanks to all of you who came to the brunch: A Taste of The Table. The food and fellowship were good and together you contributions raised $688. An additional $225 has been donated since that time. The money will be used to purchase the food we serve at The Table on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
During the summer months we receive fresh fruit and vegetables from the Farmers’ Market, plus surplus produce from members’ gardens. Recently a friend of a member of FUMC cleaned out her freezer of six turkeys that she had bought on sale! They will provide meat for several meals at The Table. All these contributions are wonderful examples of a community working together to help folks in need.
Our next time to serve at The Table is Tuesday August 25th. If you would like to help in any way, please contact Eva Joell at 253-0708.
Butterflies, Purple Tulips & U2
Some of you may not realize that our own Sandra Silveira is an author. She has written a wonderful book titled “Butterflies, Purple Tulips & U2”. It is a remarkable story in which she tells about her daughter, Aimee, how she lived with a rare disease called epidermolysis bullosa and still balanced her life. You may all remember Aimee as an active participant in our church, along with her mother, father and assistance dog, Inverness. Sadly, Aimee passed away in 2006. This book is mostly about memories of Aimee and is filled with her writings and poems as well as beautiful photographs. It also helps to address EB and how the family tackled the obstacles of this disease in the hope that it will help others who may suffer from it. This book is available for check out in the UMW Reading Program library under the Nurturing for Community section. Although it is not eligible for the reading program, it is a wonderful tribute to Aimee and a must read for everyone. If you’d like to purchase a copy of the book, please feel free to contact Sandy Silveira at 252-2284.
Summer Discovery Class
A month of Sundays, Beginning August 2nd at 10:45 am
A time to discover what it means to be a member of the United Methodist Church and how that is expressed in this particular church, FUMC, Napa—If you’ve been thinking about becoming a member, come discover with us!
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 is on vacation until August
Youth Group
is on vacation until September
Vacation Bible School Sundays
from 7/12 thru 8/9 at 10:45 am
Aug. 2 Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13; Psalm 51:1-12; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35
Rev. Roger Kimble Communion Greg Grabow will sing “Deep River”
Aug. 9 Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:5-33; Psalm 130; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35-51
Rev. Doug Monroe Larry Black, Baritone
Aug. 16 Scripture: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58
Rev. Doug Monroe Heather Banks, Susan Dunaway-Tsujihara, Laura Lewis
Aug. 23 Scripture: 1 Kings 8:1-43; Psalm 84; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69
Rev. Doug Monroe Confirmation Sunday God’s House Band
Aug. 30 Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Psalm 45 or 72; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-23
Michael Herzog, Lay Speaker Sheila Whitney, Soprano