The Grapevine
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA
(707) 253-1411
November 15, 2009
Open
Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors:
the People of The United Methodist
Church
…from Doug’s Deck:
Our annual Church Conference is just around the corner – Sunday, November 29th at 3:00 P.M. You all are invited and encouraged to attend! Unlike in years past, our District Superintendent will not be presiding – that role will be taken by my colleague, The Rev. Audrey Ward, who’s serving the St. Helena U.M.C. The purpose of our conference will be the same, though: it will be a time for us to review and evaluate the mission and ministry of our church. The mission of our Annual Conference still remains to be a singular one: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” We’ve gone a step further with that here – with our unconditional welcome of all people as a Progressive Christian Church and a Reconciling Congregation.
Along with others, your Leadership Team will be working on the theme of our Church Conference in the weeks ahead, but I’d like for us to consider just what it might mean for us to aim toward becoming a truly “fruitful congregation.” That phrase comes from a book entitled Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, and according to its author, Robert Schnase, those practices are:
1.
radical hospitality
2. passionate worship
3. intentional faith
development
4. risk-taking mission and service
5. extravagant
generosity
You might think that we’re very close on all five; and I think you’d be right! But there’s always room for improvement.
Just like you and me, people are looking for a church that not only believes in but demonstrates these five practices – they’re what makes a church healthy, vital, attractive…“fruitful.” If, from not only Sunday-to-Sunday, but week-to-week, we’re repeating and improving upon these five practices, we are going to be a vital congregation that anyone would find attractive!
Let me ask you, though: which one (or more) of those five practices do you think is most important? Which one(s) seem to resonate the most within you? Why do you suppose that is? What’s more, how might personally practicing all five with more intentionality, yourself, help you change your own habits, values, attitudes – even shape your journey of faith? It’s worth thinking about.
If you find yourself wanting to know more about any or all of this, seek me out when I’m back in the office; I’d really like to hear from you.
Shalom, Doug
THE HOLIDAYS WILL BE HERE SOON !
It is a time for getting together with family and friends. It is wise to remember that it is not a happy time for some. Some families only get together this one time a year or do not get together at all. There are higher rates of domestic violence and driving under the influence arrests this time of year. The holidays sometimes bring feelings of fear, sadness, anxiety, loneliness, anger and depression.
Your Faith Partners Ministry wants you to know there are many community resources to help individuals and families cope with these issues now and throughout the year. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Some helpful numbers are:
Alcoholics Anonymous 255-4900, Narcotics Anonymous 251-5982,
Al-Anon/Alateen (888) 425-2666.
PEACE AND LOVE FROM YOUR FAITH PARTNERS MINISTRY
Wendy Couch, Susan Edenborough, Jan Geren, Katherine Tolman,
Ruth Jenkins-McIntire, Kerrie Rutherford, Ken Rutherford and
Pastor Liaison, Rev. Roger Kimble III
McCurdy's School Scores Again
The United Methodist Women has mailed its third contribution of Campbell Labels and Box Tops for Education - General Mills to the McCurdy School in Espanola, New Mexico. McCurdy School is one of the 103 institutions that UMW supports in the United States. This was our largest number of labels yet. We mailed 201 Box Tops for Education bringing our total to 458 and 347 Campbell labels making a total of 901.
Great work! Keep those box tops and labels coming!
For more information check the bulletin board in the Fellowship Room
Missions/Church and Society
Nov. 14th—Napa River Clean Up #2 from Kayaks—We’ll use kayaks from a local rental Shop—Begins from Kennedy Boat Launch
Dec. 6th—A Very Giving Christmas—Church Fellowship Hall after worship service
Pie and a Movie group will meet on November 20th at 6:30. No reservations are required...just come, bring a little something to share and enjoy the movie. This months selection will be "Dragonfly" made in 2002. It stars Kevin Costner and Susannah Thompson. This is a supernatural thriller, scary and romantic. A change up from our normal with a surprise ending...come check it out!
Mini Thrift Shop
The last day for the 2009 season is Tuesday, Nov. 26th. We will close at noon in order to have our Appreciation Luncheon for our hard working volunteers. Please hold all your donations until our reopening in February 2010. We are grateful for your support this year and look forward to another successful year. Come on by and do some great Christmas shopping!
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
Benefit for The Table
Mark your calendars for Thursday, Nov. 19th for a benefit performance for The Table at Dreamweavers Theater. On stage that evening will be “Over the River and Through the Woods”, a comedy about a young man, Nick, who routinely has Sunday dinner with his grandparents. One Sunday the lovely Caitlin O’Hare joins them and Nick’s life gets a lot more interesting! A dessert reception starts at 7pm and the performance begins at 8pm. Reservations are $25 and may be made at FUMC on Sundays after worship, beginning on October 25th. Call Eva Joell for more information.
Grapevine Schedule
The next deadline is November 19th
and it will be mailed out on November 25th.
Please email your articles to secretary@napaumc.org
Calling all UMW Women:
We are looking for volunteers to help shape the January 24th, 2010 church service. Worship committee has graciously given that date to UMW to lead the service as we did last year. We have some lead time to organize and be sure that everyone that wants to participate has a voice. Please contact Barb Thompson 255-0457 or Joan Feury 255-0494 to sign up for a part. Barb is heading a committee that will plan the service. We would like all that want to participate to be known to this committee or be a part of it. You will hear more at the Unit Meeting November 19 at 10:00 A.M. in the Kagawa Room. Please come and help us praise God and witness to the joy that being an United Methodist Woman gives, as we work in mission to help others and be in fellowship with each other.
Joan Feury, Co-Chair
New Love, New Mercy Stewardship Report
We’re off to a great start! Thanks to all of you who have turned in an estimate of giving card. We have received 127 commitments, totaling $268,310 towards the 2010 budget. It’s never too late to turn in an estimate of giving card, but the sooner the better as far as our budgeting process is concerned. The “pledged” goal is at least $350,000 so we are 3/4 of the way there!
I’d like to thank all who have helped so far. The Stewardship Committee: our pastors Doug and Roger, Dianne Mahler, Donna La Point, Mark Andersen, and Ruth Jenkins-McIntire; our 4 Stewardship speakers: Gayle Geren, Hugh Silcox, Julian Nolan, and Jan Lanterman.; brunch coordinators: Evelyn Lutz and Martha Monroe; and Mary Herzog, our financial secretary, who keeps the totals. Many hands make light work! Thank you one and all!
Barb Thompson, Stewardship Chair
VOICES - 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. I, and
the program facilitator for the PACES (Parent and Child Education
Support), Amber, 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 bag would
consist of:
1 Big can of powdered formula $28.00 (organic)
Shelf life: 2yrs
3 jars of baby food (1 meat, 1 veggie, 1fruit)
$.68-$1.50 Shelf life: 6-10 months
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.
Any questions, please
call me or Amber at the VOICES number - (707) 251-1577.
Yours
in Christ,
Rev. Linda S. Powers
Churches Reach Out in Response to Fort Hood Shootings By Barbara Dunlap-Berg
First United Methodist Church in Killeen, Texas, immediately opened its chapels for prayer after a gunman opened fire at nearby Fort Hood Nov. 5, killing more than a dozen people. The church, where much of the congregation is affiliated with the military, was staying open for prayer the next day, and will host a community worship service on Sunday. "When a tragedy like this occurs, the whole family comes together. By that, I mean the entire military community," said the Rev. E.F. "Skip" Blancett, church pastor. "A lot of conversation is going on in expression of grief and sympathy." Throughout the region, United Methodists were offering prayers and counseling and raising funds in the aftermath of the shooting at the military post, home to some 70,000 soldiers and their families. "By the moment, our net expands," said Blancett, who was a Navy chaplain for 22 years. "This is the most unusual church you ever will see, with a heart as big as Texas."
God has once more showered me with His love through my wonderful church family and friends. Thank you so much for surrounding me with your love at my loss of my Sweet Charley. I care that you care.
Annabelle Mieth
Remembering the Past - Building For The Future
Once upon a time there was a lovely and gracious lady who was a member of our church. She wore her hair up in braids with a big bow in back. Her name was Esther Umhalt and in the late 1980's she named us in her will and thus a legacy was born. We used the money to set up an Endowment Fund.
Other persons have added to the fund since then by naming the church in their wills and making contributions in honor of and in remembrance of persons. The earnings from the fund are distributed quarterly. Sixty percent of the earnings go into a dedicated account administered by the Trustees and is used for capital improvement of our property and buildings. The other forty percent goes into a account called Special Programs which funds one time special programs and provides start-up money for special programs.
I give regularly to the Endowment Fund by sending gifts “In Honor Of” and “In Memory Of” special people that I’ve known. This is a way of building on the legacy and keeping faith with those Saints who have gone before us. It lifts my spirit to look around our church and to participate in the special programs and to know that I had a part in making it happen.
So, I urge all of you to go and do likewise. Try it, you will like it. It will fill you with a sense of well-being and joy.
Donna La Point
A
NOTE FROM OUR CHURCH
MEMBERS, THE HOFFMANS,
TO BILL CRANE
10/18/09
Dear Bill,
Our daughter, Marian, has written a little book of poetry and we would like to share this one page with you. Marian now has four grown sons and nine grandchildren, but you see, she still has fond memories of you.
Yours truly,
John and Margaret Hoffman
REDWOOD JR. HIGH BAND
Napa, 1957
I
played drums... badly.
Still, I was in the band, and
We marched
like recruits in
Basic training on the not yet paved lot
Behind
the music room in
Redwood’s first year
A young Mr. William
Crane
Will eventually lead
half of Napa’s students
Through
the magic of
Music, but just then he had us,
And the drone of
tractors
Paving the tennis courts close by.
Riiiiiight Face and
we turned
In unison. Left face, and we jerked left,
Heads
focused directly forward.
Bobby Poole strained under the weight
Of
his tuba. The Clarinets squeaked
Off-key, the trumpets blared, and
we all
Followed Mr. Crane as he continued to
Raise and lower
his conductor’s
Baton and shout commands.
The bass drum
buried me beneath its
chrome-rimmed
Weight, and I
missed every beat on the
snare
Drum.
He tried me out on the “bells,” a
small upright
Xylophone, but I
didn’t shine at that
Either. But I was trying, I practiced,
I
Was cooperative. We settled on the snare
drum,
Ratta-rat-tat.
Ratta-rat-tat. I got a “B,” a
Sympathetic nod to my lack
of music genes.
Mr. Crane was a giant. He treated us with
Respect,
and was respected back. In time, he
Turned us into a marching
band. And he
Was beloved, especially by this off-beat
Little
Drummer girl.
Marian Hoffman Johnson, 2008
Lost and Found
There are many items that have been left in the kitchen. Are any of them yours? There’s a cookie tin, a baking dish, casserole dish, glass bowl and a canning jar, etc. There is also a black jacket that was found in the balcony.
Please feel free to stop by the office or kitchen to pick them up.
JUST FOR FUN BOOK CLUB
For your November reading, we are suggesting The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson. This nonfiction book is set in Chicago at the time of the World's Fair at the end of the 19th century. If you are planning to visit or have recently been to Chicago, come share your thoughts with us December 1. We'll gather at Kay Steven's home: 13 Highland Drive.
Then during the December winter days we're reading The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. This 2004 novel was recently made into a motion picture, but the book is usually better! We'll see. That discussion will take place January 5, 2010.
We meet the first Tuesday of each month. Come join us!
HELPING the HOMELESS
Project Homeless Connect on November 20th helps homeless people not just learn about available services, but actually gets them some services on the spot. Many caring volunteers are needed to help make this happen. To volunteer, contact Katie Meehan-Rubin, Volunteer Center of Napa Valley, 252-6222 or katier@volunteernapa.org.
Organizers: the Volunteer Center in partnership with Community Action Napa Valley.
UMW Reading Program Reminder
In order to be eligible for credit in the 2009 UMW Reading Program all participants should turn in their Report of Completion of Requirement Form to their UMW Circle president at their November meetings.
Extra forms can be found on the Reading Program Library shelves. Information on the form should include the plan you have chosen, your name and address, the titles and categories of books read. Regular reading of Response and New World Outlook magazines are also essential and should be noted on the forms.
Reminder to UMW Circle Chairpersons: Please turn in all 2009 UMW Reading Program forms to Trudie Atchison by the end of November. Thank you.
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 3 years old through 5th grade—10:45 am
Youth Group—11:00 am
Come and see what your church has to offer you this year
Nov. 15 Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 2:1-10; Psalm 113; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8
Rev. Roger Kimble Cathedral Choir
Nov. 22 Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-12; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
Rev. Doug Monroe Thanksgiving Sunday Bonner Bells
Nov. 29 Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
Lay Speaker, Michael Herzog First Sunday of Advent God’s House Band
Dec. 6 Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
Rev. Roger Kimble Communion Sunday Bonner Bells