During Advent, we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ child to once again remind us of the miracle and hope of Christmas. We also look for hope, love, joy, and peace in our world, our community, and within ourselves. For some, it can be a very busy time of concerts, parties, planning, family time, shopping, and a plethora of other activities. But for others it can be a lonely, melancholy, stressful, sorrowful or depressing time. As sisters in Christ, we need to be aware of each other’s circumstances and situations and react sensitively.
My challenge to you this season is to reach out to 5 people with a phone call. Check in with them and share some time with them; share memories of past Christmases and listen to their needs. And remember, the greatest gifts you can give this year are signs of hope, love, joy and peace!
CHRISTMAS AT THE THRIFT SHOP
On Saturday, December 6th the UWF Thrift Shop will be open and it’s a great time to come and find your Christmas treasures for presents, home decor, or serving trays or bowls for Christmas dinner. So much to choose from at great prices! Thrift shop volunteers will assist you with big smiles and the added benefit is that your purchases will benefit the Napa UWF mission goals.
CHRISTMAS TEA
There’s just a few tickets left for this year’s Christmas tea! The UWF event is on Saturday, December 13th at 1:00 p.m.
For more info, call Cheryl Casciani.
CIRCLE UPDATES
The Katherine Parker Circle met on November 13th at 10:00 a.m. Aletha Silcox read Psalm 100 which seemed appropriate since it is considered a Psalm of Thanksgiving. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.”
Joan led everyone singing “We Gather Together” from the Methodist Hymnal. Sally Hunter began the program of the day with everyone sharing how their Thanksgiving has changed over the years. Everyone also shared blessings of small things that they’re thankful for.
Continuing their appreciation to those in our church community, they wrote thank you notes to members on the Finance Committee. Connie Matthew Warren read a devotion article about how fear and anxiety can freeze us up.
Co-chairs for the Katherine Parker Circle will now be Connie Matthew-Warren and Sally Hunter. Everyone was pleased that they volunteered for these positions.
Aletha Silcox gave a fantastic recommendation to all the members about the exciting opportunity to attend the National UWF Assembly in May 2026. She highly recommends attending this event if at all possible; May 15 – 17 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Katherine Parker Circle decided that their next circle meeting will be postponed until January 8th at 10:00am
Book Recommendations
If you are looking for some good books to read or want to gift a book to someone for Christmas, the Katherine Parker circle recommends the following:
The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall.
Trash by Cedar Monroe
The Little House of Hope by Terry Catasus Jennings (a children’s book but
well worth the read!)
You Are Here; Connecting Flights by
Ellen Oh (exploration of contemporary Asian American identity through interwoven stories set in a teeming Chicago airport). Happy Reading!!
The Sarah Crosby Circle met on Saturday, November 8th at 9:30am.
Gretta Steinbruner reported that the Napa Food Bank received 455 pounds of food that our church community collected during the month of October! Another successful food drive.
(sarah crosby circle continued)
Members attending this meeting discussed looking for possible local opportunities for Spring 2026. In the past, the circle has coordinated an event for each quarter of the year. They have done recycling projects, shoe drives, food drives, and collected school supplies for local teachers. The circle members are looking for additional opportunities to support local organizations in our Napa community.
These discussions will continue at their January 10th meeting at 9:30 am.
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
ASSEMBLY 2026
There has never been a more important time for women of faith to come together, tap into their strength and unite to change the world. Assembly is happening May 15 – 17th, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Experience moments of reflection, renewal, and connection in faith with women from around the world. Gain tools to create meaningful change in your life and your community. And connect with women from around the world who share your commitment to social justice and spiritual growth.
Napa UWF has been setting aside funds the last 4 years to help send our interested members to this year’s assembly. If you register to attend this event, your name will be put in a pool of our members attending and our Exec. team will split the funds available to help assist with your travel expenses for this venture. Every little bit helps, right?
So far, Holly Zaccone, Molly Peck, Joan Feury and Connie Matthew Warren have committed to attend. Will you be joining them? Contact any of the above names for information regarding how to register. Or click on this link:
LOS RIOS DISTRICT MEETING
CONNECT AND LEARN
AT NAPA METHODIST CHURCH
Please reserve Saturday, January 31, in your 2026 calendar. Our Napa UWF is hosting the Connect and Learn District meeting. This will be an opportunity for our members to “connect” with other UWF units. The event will be from
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration information will follow in an email and the January Potpourri newsletter. The meeting will include a continental breakfast and lunch.
Member Spotlight –
CONNIE MATTHEW-WARREN
Connie’s continuous acts of kindness and her genuine, caring heart are personality features that carry her through her life’s journeys.
Perseverance and consistency have paved the way throughout her career and her personal life.
Connie was born in Wichita, Kansas and grew up on the family farm. She has 1 older sister and 2 younger brothers. Her Mom was a registered nurse and the daughter of an American Baptist minister and her Dad was a Dentist. Connie learned resiliency at a very young age when she spent three months including her 16th birthday in a body cast after an accident. She graduated from Maize High School and went straight to college in Oklahoma. She took a break from college and found some freedom enjoying some fun times in Florida. She eventually went back to school and graduated “summa cum laude” from the Oklahoma Baptist Nursing School. In fact, her senior project was picked to be presented at her graduation! While looking into nursing positions, she found her calling in Oklahoma City working at a Burn unit. She transferred to the Dallas Parkland Hospital Burn unit and worked there for 5 years. Connie discovered that her true talent in the burn unit was helping burn victims and their families through traumatic times and assisting them with psychological support as they transitioned into a new way of life.
While in Dallas, she met her first husband, John and they were married and had 2 children 18 months apart; her daughter Amy and her son Sean. John took a construction job in Napa and they moved here in 1989. Connie took a job with the San Pablo Burn Unit and worked there for 13 years. Connie and John divorced in 1991 which was a difficult time in her life, but through her perseverance and faith she found great support from her Napa Methodist Church family. While continuing to work as a single parent, her children were attending elementary school in Yountville. One of her best friends was (member spotlight continued) married to a man who had a brother, Steve, living with them who worked nights at Napa Pipe. He was always helpful to many working parents as he would walk to the school and chaperone many of the kids to their respective homes safely at the end of the day. All the kids referred to him as “Uncle Steve”. Connie’s friend introducing her to Steve, the man with a big heart, became a pivotal time in her life, especially since her kids already knew him! Connie and Steve married in 1997.
Connie eventually transferred to the San Francisco Burn Unit and worked there for 15 years. She never was interested in a management position as she loved the consistency working with her burn patients and “bedside” was where she thrived in relationship with the victims and their families. She also worked for Shriners Hospital for 3 years. After “retiring” from hospital burn units, Connie worked as a Hospice nurse. Once again, she found herself working with her patients and their families during rough times and helping them transition. Connie and Steve are both retired now and enjoying travel. Connie credits her successes to consistency and always “finding your spiritual loft” and her husband’s stability and love and acceptance for all family members. She says that when you have all these things you can thrive. Connie is not only a devoted member of Napa UWF and the Katherine Parker circle of which she is now co-chair, but she is also the Los Rios District’s Social Action Coordinator. It is also worth noting that Connie has been instrumental and in charge of many of our Napa UWF Social Action local events.
Favorite Hobby: Decorating for Holidays and other events. Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving Favorite Travels: Europe and Alaska Favorite Color: Green Favorite Restaurant: Napa Valley Bistro First Car: A green Chevy Nova Favorite Church Memory: Raising her children in our church, they sang in Sharon Olsen’s children’ s choir; and church Christmas memories with her kids. What would you tell your younger self: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey so be present in each moment.”
Thank you Connie for all you do for Napa UWF and Napa Methodist Church!
2026 IMPORTANT UWF DATES
As you roll your calendar over to 2026 at the end of this month, please make sure you have these important dates saved on your calendar:
Jan. 15 – UWF Exec. Team meeting 11 am
Jan. 31 – Connect and Learn Event 9 am
Feb. 7 – Days for Girls Sewing 9:30 am
Mar. 5 – UWF Exec. Team meeting 11 am
Mar. 6 – World Day of Prayer
Mar. 7 – Days for Girls Sewing 9:30 am
Apr 2 – Spiritual Retreat Practicing Hope
9 am – 3:00 pm at Church
May 2 – Days for Girls Sewing 9:30 am
May 7 – UWF Exec. Team meeting 11 am
May 15 – 17 UWF Assembly 2026 in
Indianapolis, Indiana
June 18 – Picnic with UWF Friends
“Communities of the Spirit”
At Kennedy Park 11 am
July 8 – UWF Exec. Team Planning 11 am
COMPASSION MINISTRIES
Eva and Mike’s Brown Bags will need volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 27th at 9:30 a.m. to help build lunches for the homeless shelter. Last month we made 90 lunches so I’m sure that we will either meet that quantity or make even more. Home baked cookies are always a needed donation as well. Contact Leah Danao for more information.
CIRCLE MEETINGS
Due to our Christmas Tea on Dec. 13th, the next circle meetings will be held in January.
Katherine Parker Circle: Jan. 8 at 10:00 am
Sarah Crosby Circle: Jan. 10 at 9:30 am
Susanna Wesley Circle will be a new circle group starting in January. They will meet during the week with an early evening time slot once a month. For more info, please contact Bobbi Bird.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Dec. 5 Connie Matthew-Warren
Dec. 7 Stephnia Pramuk
Dec. 11 Dawna Dack
Dec. 12 Wendy Noonan
Dec. 26 Dottie Lee
Dec. 26 Melinda Hawks