Dear Members and Friends of Napa UMC,
I am here! I arrived in Sacramento on Tuesday, June 30, rented a car at the airport, spent the night at an Airbnb in Fairfield, and like many clergy in the denomination who were starting in their new appointments, I reported for my first day at the church on Wednesday, July 1.
What a wonderful welcome I received on my Day 1. I entered the parking lot about the same time as Loie and Dave Whitmer who had come to welcome me with most delicious peaches from their tree. (I must meet that tree!) Our amazing Dianne Mahler was fully prepared for my orientation and patiently answered my many questions as I familiarized myself with “the lay of the land”. Thank you!
So many people have helped make this challenging move as smooth and successful as possible. I am especially grateful to the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, led by Tom Lewis, and to the Trustees, led by Greta Steinbruner and Liz Kirkaldie, for coordinating the repairs and fresh painting of the parsonage. While the paint dries, I will be living in God’s House in the church’s apartment, and will become well-acquainted with all the creaks and things that go bump in this beloved building. Dianne kindly slipped out to the store and returned with a brand-new pillow to ensure I was comfortable. That thoughtful detail brought tears of gratitude. Thank you!
During the transition between Pastor Marylee’s departure and my arrival, Rev. Sally Dyck and Rev. Clyde Vaughn, retired clergy among us, had faithfully provided excellent pastoral care. Thank you! Napa Church is one lucky congregation! And now you might have heard “word on the street” that I have already begun making pastoral care phone calls. That is true! Whether you need it or not, be warned of my zeal to check in with everyone whose care I have been entrusted with. I take it quite seriously and apologize in advance if I happen to interrupt any World Cup matches!
I look forward to worshiping with all of you this Sunday as we gather around the Lord’s Table, break bread together, and listen anew for Christ’s call to faithful discipleship. What a strange time in which to do discipleship! Some could argue we are living during one of the most challenging seasons in history. If so, what a privilege it is to serve at such a time. In the words of Roland Fernandes, the General Secretary of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), “if we are indeed here for such a time as this, then perhaps our calling is not to remove uncertainty, but to respond within it. And to join together as one – loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously.” So, for me, rather than lamenting the difficulty of the task before us, I choose to thank God for entrusting us with such meaningful work, I choose to thank God for selecting us to be partners at a times as this, and I pray that God would give us to us a double portion of courage and joy do life together well, indeed, very well.
Thank you for the warm embrace you have already extended to me whether personally or through those you have asked to serve on your behalf as leaders. I feel incredibly blessed to be part of the Napa UMC family, and I look forward to discovering all that God has in store for us as we build upon the ministry Pastor Marylee so faithfully led.
With love,
Pastor Grace