Napa United Women In Faith 2025-2026 Executive Team Members
The following people were elected to office for the 2025-2026 term via email vote and ratified by unanimous approval at the July meeting. President: Holly Zaccone Vice President: Leigh Andersen Secretary: Vicki Poli Treasurer: Margaret Van Zandt Reading Program: Mary Herzog Communications Coordinator: Pat Parker Mission Coordinators Spiritual Growth: Joan Feury Membership Growth/Outreach: Bobbi Bird Social Action: Lorrie Weeks and Connie Matthew-Warren (has one vote on Exec. Team) Committee on Nominations: Executive Team Thrift Shop: Martine Patrick Circle Leaders: Katherine Parker Circle: Margaret Payne Sarah Crosby Circle: Liz Kirkaldie Susanna Wesley Circle: In transition – not filled at this time.
“Ten Minutes a Day” Challenge Submitted by Connie Matthew-Warren
Last April I attended two meetings on Climate. The first was the yearly California Climate Policy Summit in Sacramento. This is put on by the Climate Center with around 500 attendees. The group was young, three quarters were in their 30’s, and they were positive and energetic. The day was full of carbon drawdown, sequestration, biomass, virtual grid, sustainability, cap and trade, policies, politics and more. There were startup companies, researchers, academic teachers and students. The keynote speaker’s message was to stay positive; every state was doing something to improve the climate picture (California doing a lot) and that we are all in the same boat, including the fossil fuel industry and workers. So, we all must work together, all row together, to move forward. I also attended the Earth Connect Retreat at Windsor Community UMC. A much smaller event, 30-35 attendees, and a much older crowd. This also was a message of hope. A hope that we, as God’s people, would stay connected with creation. It was there that I learned about the 10 Minutes A Day Challenge from the Climate Justice Ministries Task Force.
(They) encourage every church member of the California-Nevada Annual Conference to spend 10 minutes outside each day. They firmly believe that our actions and our energy for earth justice work must be fed and empowered by nurturing our love for God’s creation, and this simple practice is an important step in that direction.
So, I started consciously, deliberately, spending 10 minutes outside, using each of my senses to notice my environment. I used my eyes to notice the movement of leaves, or light or a bird high in the air. I would close my eyes to better hear quiet sounds, close by and far off. I sensed the pressure on my feet, or the dampness of the grass, the warmth of the sun or coolness of a breeze. The taste was a little trickier. When I breathed in with my mouth open, I could smell the air differently. Perhaps a slight sweetness or moisture, maybe a dryness or warmth. Mostly, I completed 10 minutes in the morning on my back deck. Slowly I have noticed the changes from spring into summer, the blooming of color and more hummingbirds. I hear the chatter and movement of the squirrels. When I traveled in June, there were days with airports, highways, and city streets. I had to settle for standing on concrete and the noise of lawn mowers/blowers, and traffic. I struggled to feel connected to nature. Luckily, most of my vacation was outdoors, in National Parks, camping, and beside lakes and rivers. As I read or heard new information, I added it into my 10 minutes. This practice enriched my vacation, as I noticed the changes of vegetation and animals as I traveled through 6 states. I learned that only female cottonwood trees produce the small white blossoms. A few days later I found myself enjoying a cool breeze, with the air full of white “snow” and the ground speckled in white. I contemplated the fact that I was sitting among a grove of female trees. This practice of noticing nature, through my senses for 10 minutes a day, has enriched my appreciation and commitment to improving and sustaining our
environment. I challenge you to try it and see how it can empower you to action!
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
Congratulations to Leigh Andersen and Cheryl Casciani for receiving their Special Mission Recognition Awards. They were both very surprised as they received their certificates and gold pins during worship on July 20th. To hear more about their dedication and service to our Napa Methodist congregation, please read the June and July newsletters as they were both featured in the member spotlight articles.
CIRCLE UPDATES
The Katherine Parker Circle in July was the Annual UWF Summer Picnic for all of our church-wide Napa UWF members. The picnic was at Margaret Payne’s house again this year with Margeret behind the BBQ tongs as she cooked up hot dogs for everyone! All the other food provided by members was so delicious as well! Everyone who attended had a great time visiting with one another across all of our circles. A big “thank you” goes out to Margaret for hosting and all of her helpers who made the picnic possible.
The Sarah Crosby Circle would like to thank everyone who donated Crayola products for our annual school supplies drive for the Napa Teachers’ Resource Distribution Center. Their circle’s next quarterly mission will be for the Napa Food Bank during the month of October. Their July circle meeting continued conversations from the book, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. This session focused on the theme, “Don’t take anything personally. When people say mean things or decisive comments regarding something about you, they are imposing their opinions and thoughts from the world that they are living in and their experiences. The truth is that we are not responsible for others peoples comments unless we agree with them and take on their truth instead of living in our own beliefs and thoughts. As always, this brought on interesting conversations and experiences that many could relate to in the circle members’ own lives.
The next Giggles, Gab and Grub is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. This time it will feature barbequed hamburgers, baked beans, and ice cream sundaes!
United Women In Faith Assembly May, 15 -17 2026
Assembly 2026 is a once every four years gathering of women committed to faith, empowerment, and making a difference. It is described as a weekend event that uplifts your soul, strengthens your faith, and brings you together with an unstoppable sisterhood. This time the event will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Anyone is invited to attend so time to mark it on your calendars! Registration opens September 1st. If you would like more information or are thinking about attending, please contact Bobbi Bird. Dream it, Believe it, Do it!! Days for Girls
The next Days for Girls event will be Saturday, September 6th. Napa UWF volunteers will once again meet in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30 – 11:00a.m. to sew Days for Girls kits. Even if you don’t know how to sew, if you can operate a pair of scissors, you are needed for this wonderful mission opportunity. We will see how much we can get done in just an hour and a half. See you there!
Membership Directory Pat Parker will once again be producing our annual membership directory. Please let her know about any changes of your contact information or any mistakes that may have occurred in last year’s directory by August 15th.
ALL CHURCH COMPASSION WEEKEND
Napa United Women in Faith will participate by assembling toiletry bags for the homeless Sept.12th and 13th. Please start collecting items to donate for these bags and talk about it at your circle meetings. The Sarah Crosby circle will collect donations for men’s and women’s socks.
Member Spotlight VICKI POLI – It’s actually hard to find someone in our congregation who is more dedicated to our community and youth than Vicki Poli ! Vicki has a long history with our church and the list of things she has contributed to over those years is lengthy. Vicki has served on the Trustees, Finance Committee, and was an usher/host for many years. Vicki is currently part of the Church Council and presides as secretary of the meeting minutes for them. Vicki is also very active with United Women in Faith and is on the Executive Team as Secretary for meeting minutes with them as well. She has been on the committee for the women’ s retreats and also has donated some beautiful art stencil pieces for the silent auctions for the UWF teas. But her passion and dedication is most visible with the youth of our church community. Vicki has been the Director of Children’s Ministries, and prior to that she was in charge of the Grape Express Sunday School for 15 years!! She also took the leading role for coordinating Vacation Bible School for six years in a row. She was also a volunteer for Messy Church, Wonder Church, and 6 Summer Sundays. She is currently one of the lead volunteers for Sundays 4 Kids .
Vicki was born in Shelton, Washington and lived there until she was 18. Vicki was the oldest with 3 siblings, Cathy, Daniel, and Lori. She graduated from the Irene S. Reed High School and soon married her high school boyfriend. He joined the Navy and they moved to San Diego where they lived for 3 years until they were eventually transferred to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo. Vicki had three children; Jeremy, who resides in Tennessee; David who lives in Napa; and Miranda “Mandy” who currently lives in Nevada. When her youngest, Mandy, was 4 years old, Vicki started working in the Time Keeping office at Mare Island. After a divorce, Vicki signed up for the Apprenticeship program in 1983 to become a Pipefitter for the base, and worked as a Pipefitter until the shipyard closed in 1992. It was there where she met the love of her life, Vic Poli as he was the lead mechanic as a Pipefitter. They married in 1986 and made their home in Napa. Unfortunately their years together were cut short with Vic’s passing in 2001. Vicki has 4 grandchildren and currently has 2 dogs; Jasper (7) and Penny (1). Vicki was employed with the Napa County Assessors Office for many years before retiring and then being rehired by them after retirement to work part-time as a very valued employee. She is happy to have her son David living with her and most recently her sister Lori, who is also a member of our church. Vicki and Lori worked together as volunteers for this summer’s Vacation Bible School. Favorite Hobby: Crafting Favorite Holiday: Christmas Favorite Color: Purple Favorite Restaurant: Small World First Car: 1968 Plymouth Valiant with a push button transmission. She called it Prince Valiant and was the first of the 4 kids to drive it. Favorite Travels: A trip to England organized by Pastor Virginia Pearson to celebrate John Wesley’s birthday in 2004. Also a cruise to Alaska with Vic and trips to the Inn at the Lost Coast in Mendocino with her sister Lori. Favorite Church Memory: All of the Vacation Bible Schools and any of her time that she spends being around kids. She loves their honesty and their open way of sharing their faith. What you would tell your younger self: Hang in there! – Life gets better! Thank you, Vicki, for all you do. We are blessed to have you at Napa Methodist!
CIRCLE MEETINGS FOR AUGUST
Katherine Parker Circle – Aug. 14th at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor.
Sarah Crosby Circle – Aug. 9th at 9:30 am. In the church parlor.
Susanna Wesley Circle – TBA
** Everyone is invited to any circle!!
THRIFT SHOP The July 50% off sale was a big success. We will do it twice a year now.
COMPASSION MINISTRIES
Eva and Mike’s Brown Bags will need volunteers on Saturday, Aug. 23rd at 9:30 a.m. to help build 70 lunches for the homeless shelter. Home baked cookies are always a needed donation as well.
Celebrating August Birthdays
Susan Tsujihara – Aug. 6th Annette Perry – Aug. 11th Karoline Hall – Aug. 13th Dianne Mahler – Aug. 17th Liz Marks – Aug. 19th Joan Feury – Aug. 24th Jeanette Fuqua – Aug. 25th
