The Grapevine
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA
(707) 253-1411
December 15, 2009
Open Hearts, Open Minds,
Open Doors:
the People of The United Methodist Church
…from Doug’s Deck:
Deep into the season of Advent, now, can Christmas be far behind? It’s set a number of us thinking about our “giftedness” – a topic we always share at our Leadership Team meetings. It was out of one of those meetings that we began to think about how we, as a congregation, might share our giftedness at Christmas-time this year with those who have very little. Serendipitously (okay, as a nudge from the Holy Spirit!), I’d already begun to ponder the gospel lesson for the Third Sunday of Advent; and this is what I read:
10And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none….” – Luke 3: 10-11
So we’re inviting all of you to bring some warming winter wear to one of the two Christmas Eve services (4:30 and/or 11:00) and leave it as a gift to those who desperately need such warmth at this time of the year. Will you do this?
Most of us have more than just the “two coats” that John the Baptizer speaks about above – maybe more than several – that we simply do not use that often and could “gift” to someone else. Would you bring one or more of them to the worship service on Christmas Eve and leave it as a gift? We’ll see that it gets to those who are most in need of it.
It doesn’t have to be coats, of course; it could be a sweater, a big scarf, a pair of winter gloves, a watch cap…you get the idea. And if you know that you’re going to be somewhere else on Christmas Eve, bring it by early; we have a cuddly place for all of these gifts to stay until they’re turned over to those who will wear them.
We’ve been singing the verses to the advent hymn, “People Look East” over the past couple of Sundays which proclaims that “the Guest”…“the Rose” …“the Star”…indeed, “the Lord, is on the way.” One wonderful way of truly celebrating the coming of that guest, of nourishing that bud into flower, of our seeing that star shining in the east and announcing with shouts of joy “him who brings new life to earth,” is to share from our abundance that all might embrace with warmth and gladness his coming.
May it be piled high and spilling over at our chancel rail this coming Christmas Eve….
Shalom, Doug
A concern expressed in church
I am deeply concerned about the future of our church. Based on the results of our Stewardship Campaign and careful prayerful review by a budget committee, Church Council passed a 2010 balanced budget that allows for 2 pastors for only half the upcoming year. This means that after July 1 we will have only 1 pastor. I’m very concerned that it will be difficult to nurture ourselves and continue as a voice for Progressive Christianity in this community with only one pastor.
We are at a critical point. It is why I am asking: If you have already pledged for 2010, will you consider “gifting” the church an additional $25/month (that’s only about $6/wk) so that our church can retain both pastors? If you do not pledge, how about giving such a gift? If everyone did we’d be able to afford 2 full time pastors. You can fill out a new estimate of giving card, or just mark your name and gift on a pew envelope this Sunday. Staff Parish committee needs commitments this month in order to inform our District Superintendent of our 2010 budget.
To make the above appeal even more crucial I ask you to look at the latest Lay Leadership Report for 2010 committees (you can get one in the church office). You will see that there are too many spaces with TBS (to be selected) or simply left blank because no one has agreed to assume that particular responsibility. As we face the prospect of reduced pastoral support for committees with only 1 pastor, we also face fewer members participating in the work of our church. The survey we took last year indicated that we are a church in decline. Are we really decaying or dying? I certainly hope not! There are more and more young children in worship. We share and celebrate the miracles of prayer each Sunday. Those visiting report a welcoming and loving feeling of community within our walls. None of that happens by accident. We all must do our part. Am I doing mine? Are you doing yours? Could we do more? Do we attend worship regularly? Of which committee, ministry, or group are you an active member or participant? Look over the Lay Leadership Report and sign up for one of the vacancies. You’ll be glad you did, and so will our congregation. And how about that gift?
Barbara Thompson, Lay Leader
Napa
Valley Chorale Holiday Concert, Spirit of Light
Sunday, December
13, at 3:30 and/or 7:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
It's going to be a good one, with wonderful music in vivid acoustics! You don't want to miss it...... Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at FUMC or by calling Jan at 255-4662 or email her at jannapa@aol.com.
Candy Cane Carol
Sing-a-long for the whole family!
Monday, Dec. 21, 2009 at 6:00
p.m.
FUMC Sanctuary
Donations Accepted
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
Voices is Moving
On Dec 19th, VOICES
will officially move to its new location at 780 Lincoln. We
will be getting the building ready on Saturday, December 5,
9am-noon. If you would like to help us clean up the inside and
the grounds at our new place, please call the Rev. Linda S. Powers at
(707) 815-4774. The building will eventually need some
reconstruction and we are looking forward to inviting FUMC to also
join us in refurbishing and remodeling of the new center. There
will be Saturdays in January and February were construction work will
take place. More information to come.
Yours, Rev LSP
Grapevine Schedule
The next deadline is December 24th
and it will be mailed out on December 30th.
Please email your articles to secretary@napaumc.org
Brought to You by Your Faith Partners Team
December is “National Drinking, Drugging, and Driving (3D) Prevention Month.” Every 45 minutes someone in America is killed by a drunk driver and 1 in 3 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash sometime during their life. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is one of the year’s most deadly seasons due to alcohol-related crashes. For a safe holiday season, plan ahead to call a taxi or designate a sober driver before a celebration begins. Remember, that no amount of alcohol is safe before driving-you can’t feel .08 (the legal blood alcohol content limit for drivers). Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive under the influence of alcohol. Be a responsible host! Remind your guests to plan ahead for a taxi or designated sober driver, offer alcohol-free beverages and food (high protein is best), stop serving alcohol one hour before the party ends, and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver or stay. For more information or to get involved in the Napa County DUI Task Force, please contact Maria Osorio at (707)-253-4266.
What are you good at?
We are building a
church database of things that
we are good at or enjoy doing. We
want to offer/share
our “gifts” with our church community as
service,
fellowship and mentoring opportunities.
Please list below the skills, activities or services
you
would like to offer/sign up for. Nothing is too
small or
insignificant and the sky is the limit. Be
creative! Please
return this form to the church.
Name:_________________________________
Gifts/Services:__________________________
__________________________
Email:_________________________________
Phone:_________________________________
Our New Nursery
If you haven’t seen our new nursery yet please stop by and take a look. It is coming right along, however the Nursery Committee has a request that you may be able to help with.
Would you consider donating a new or nearly new leather or vinyl sofa for the nursing moms in the congregation? Additional items that we are requesting are as follows:
Dishpan for
sanitizing toys
Dust Buster
Dustpan and broom
CD player and
children’s music
Three pull up shades for the Holyword
windows
Adult couch and chair
End table and lamp
Clear
baskets and bins for toys
Large pillows and soft seats (even dog
beds work)
Play quilts like in the Environments catalogue
We greatly appreciate any help you can give us!
Subject:
I feel part of the Lost Generation
I
am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can
change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
"Happiness
comes from within."
is a lie And
"Money will make
me happy."
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are
not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know
that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more
important than
family
I tell you this,
Once upon a
time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my
era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years
from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I
do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In
the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer
can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It
will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It
is foolish to presume that
There is hope.
Now that you are depressed, read it from the bottom up.
2010 SPENDING PLAN
The Church Council at their 23 November 2009 meeting passed a 2010 Spending Plan (Budget) recommended by the Finance Committee Budget Subcommittee. The Spending Plan is based upon a predicted income of $393,200. This income includes pledges received and anticipated as well as other sources such as non-pledged, loose plate, facility use, etc. The anticipated income would not support the desired Spending Plan, being out of balance by nearly $40,000. The balanced Spending Plan adopted by the Church Council for 2010 does not include any increases in compensation for clergy or lay-staff. It also anticipates that after 1 July 2010 we will be served by only one appointed pastor.
The Church Council, the Finance Committee, and the Stewardship Committee wish to thank the congregation for their generous financial commitment to the support of the church. There were 48 increased pledges and 9 new pledges for 2010. In the end, however, it was not enough to do everything we would like. It is a difficult time -- we will be challenged to do more with less. We are the Church -- and with God, all things are possible.
Michael S Herzog, Secretary
FUMC Finance Committee
The Fun and Fellowship Committee will have a soup lunch for the congregation after the Children’s Christmas Pageant on December 20th. Please plan on celebrating with the kids after their play.
“Calling all lovers of chile.” Here is your chance. Get your recipes ready! We also need you hardy souls to judge our First Annual FUMC Chile Cookoff on January 24, 2010. Please call Patty Renfrow at 252-4763 to volunteer. Thanks!
Just a reminder... the Pie and a Movie Group will not meet in the month of December.....mark your calendars for January 15th. We start the year off light with "Singing In The Rain".
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
CALLING ALL READERS!
Do you need something to read over the holidays? Why not pick up The Time Traveler's Wife and join the Just for Fun Book Club on January 5 at Kay Steven's home. We always welcome new readers and have lively, if often discursive discussions. January reading is Say You're One of Them, by Uwem Akpan. This Oprah 2009 book pick was #3 on the Best-Sellers list. We're trying to select paperbacks to keep the purchasing costs down, (this one is available at COSTCO) and with advance notice our selections are usually obtainable at the library. Join us, won't you?
Christmas Offering
Your 2009 Christmas Offering will be given to the HOPE Center as they continue their work, providing resources to the homeless and the indigent.
Christmas Services
Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 20th at 9:30 am —The
Very Important Christmas Pageant
Presented
by the children who ride the GRAPE Express!
Christmas Eve., Dec. 24th at 4:30 pm—Come hear the good news of Jesus’ birth told especially for children and their families with the help of God’s House Band—Please join us for lots of music and joy!
Christmas Eve Traditional Service at 11 pm—Beautiful and heartwarming with music provided by our Cathedral Choir—Come feel the true meaning of Christmas!
Inviting
all women in the church to our
United Methodist Women's Christmas
Program,
Installation of 2010 Officers, and
Consecration of the
church's Prayer Shawl Ministry
Thursday, December 17, 10:00
a.m.
Kagawa Room
Luncheon to follow
FIRST NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION OF 2010
Beginning on Sunday the 10th of January at the 10:45 AM Sunday School hour Barbara Thompson and Michael Herzog will lead a class based on the book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Robert Schnase. The class will continue for six weeks. Schnase contends that successful congregations often have certain characteristics in common. These fundamental practices demonstrate congregational health, vitality, and fruitfulness. They also help churches fulfill their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The five practices relate closely to our United Methodist membership vows of supporting the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
If you would like to be part of this important study, please contact Barb or Michael, or Dianne in the church office. We will have to order books and January will be here before you know it.
BRUSH UP YOUR STORIES
Michael says: The worship service on the 27th of December will be something a little different. We will sing the Christmas music you haven't heard enough of yet, read Scripture passages about Samuel and Jesus as boys, and tell our stories of Christmases past. Your stories don't have to be accounts of life-changing experiences -- warm and fuzzy stories will do very nicely. But, we certainly won't refuse to hear your great epiphany, if you happen to have one. The thing is, you will provide the message for the day. It will be good. It will be fun. It will be meaningful. Fight the urge to linger in bed and come worship God and celebrate our community.
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
Dec. 13 Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
Rev. Doug Monroe Cathedral Choir
Dec. 20 Scripture: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:47-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Dec. 27 Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:18-26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52
Michael Herzog, Lay Speaker Special Music
Jan. 3 Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
Epiphany Special Music
Jan. 10 Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Baptism of Our Lord God’s House Band