“My prayer in 2026 is that we embrace the many opportunities we will have as United Women in Faith, to put our love into action.”
“Let us go forth with intention in 2026 to serve the Lord by continuously putting our love into action to improve the lives of women, children, and youth. May it be so.”
Quotes from Sally Vonner
General Secretary and CEO
United Women in Faith
February National Highlights
Black History Month – All month long
Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14
Presidents’ Day – Feb. 16
Random Acts of Kindness – Feb. 17
Ash Wednesday – Feb. 18
1st Sunday of Lent – Feb. 22
PRESS RELEASE FROM UWF
United Women in Faith issued the following statement, which can be attributed to Sally Vonner, General Secretary and CEO on January 7, 2026.
“As women of faith, we have a responsibility to raise our voices when we see the rights of innocent people being trampled. In Minneapolis yesterday, we witnessed a grave injustice as an ICE officer shot and killed a woman inside her vehicle. We are heartbroken and angered at this senseless murder.
“We are called to put God’s faith, hope, and love in action. This violence and circumvention of due process is unacceptable. No one should be afraid to live in their own communities. Law enforcement should never be weaponized against the very people its officers are sworn to protect. Renee Nicole Good did not deserve the fatal treatment she received.
“Such excessive use of force is alarming, and we know that such situations are uniquely dangerous for people of color, persons who are unhoused, immigrants, and those with mental health conditions. Our prayers are with the people of Minnesota and all those around the world in fear of the weaponization of law enforcement.
“We want our sisters in faith and the broader community to know that no one should embrace silence in pursuit of peace. Now is the time to raise our voices in dissent, to work together across lines of difference to push back against excessive police force and seek justice for the people most victimized by the current state of affairs.” United Women in Faith is a sisterhood acting in faith to tackle the hard work of the world without hesitation.
*Prayers for the families of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti and all the victims of violence from ICE *
Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.”
CIRCLE UPDATES
The Katherine Parker Circle met on Thursday, January 8th at 10:00 a.m. This circle generally meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month. There was some discussion regarding the January 31st Connect and Learn event that our Napa UWF is hosting. Volunteers signed up to bring food for the light morning snack and a soup and salad lunch.
Their discussion revolved around the January topics from the UWF Program Resource Booklet for circles. The January theme in the Resource guide was “A light for our path and mapping our journeys”. The circle celebrated Evelyn Lutz’s birthday.
The Sarah Crosby Circle met on Saturday, January 10th at 9:30 a.m. They had a lively discussion about their future projects for the year. They agreed to contribute to the Interfaith Refugee Support Ministry with a donation for the online auction sponsored by Napa Methodist Church and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. They decided to create a Garden Basket with members of the circle contributing a gardening related item and will bring it to their next circle meeting on Saturday, February 14th.
They also discussed future projects for the year including the school supplies drive, the food drive and our next UWF tea.
The Susanna Wesley Circle will be starting soon for any Napa UWF members or Napa Methodist Women who would like to join a circle once a month on a Thursday evening. Date and time will be announced soon. For more information, contact Bobbi Bird.
ONLINE AUCTION
Napa Methodist Church and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Napa presents “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”; an online auction for the Interfaith Refugee Support Ministry. This online auction will benefit Immigration and Refugee Support in Napa County. The auction will run online from March 1st through March 22nd. They are currently
accepting donation items that are new or in excellent Vintage condition. They are also seeking fine wine or cooking experiences, time share vacation opportunities, gift certificates for restaurants, beauty salons, spa days,
golfing or pickleball lessons, balloon rides etc. All donations need to be collected by February 23rd. If you would like to help get donations, have one to submit, or have any questions, please contact auction@napamethodist.org.
The Interfaith Refugee Support Ministry is a collaborative effort with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and Napa Methodist Church. Thus far we have assisted families from Afghanistan, Guatemala and Mexico, and have provided thousands of dollars of help with the legal immigration process, housing and food assistance, transportation, education, and health care and mental health counseling. All our families are in various stages of the legal asylum process. We plan to continue support in all these areas to our current families and to the broader immigrant community in our area and hope to begin to include other faith communities as the need for help continues to grow.
LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET
Lent is just around the corner and it’s time to put together our annual Lenten Devotional Booklet. Holly Zaccone is looking for volunteers to write a devotion. Please email her at hzaccone@aol.com and she will send you a writing prompt. The due date for submitting a devotion this year is February 8th so that the booklet can be printed and distributed for Sunday, February 15th. If you have any questions, call Holly Zaccone.
⇨ THRIFT SHOP UPDATE ⇦
Please consider joining the Thrift Shop volunteers. Times and dates are flexible on Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. We are also open the first Saturday of the month. We are a very small team that works hard and laughs a lot. Our sales have increased and the number of customers has increased this past year and we have become a social hub for them. The blessings of donations can be a bit overwhelming for the few of us to process. We would like backup help so we can take some time off. If interested in joining the Thrifty Team, please contact Margaret van Zandt, Leigh Andersen, Pat Parker or Debbie Stevens.
COMPASSION MINISTRIES
Eva and Mike’s Brown Bags will need volunteers on Saturday, Feb. 28th at 9:30 a.m. to help build lunches for the homeless shelter. Each month we make brown bag lunches that include sandwiches, fruit, a beverage and cookies.. Home baked cookies are always a needed donation as well. Contact Leah Danao for more information.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Feb. 1 Kris Irvine
Feb . 2 Loie Whitmer
Feb. 4 Sue Brooks
Feb. 18 Jennifer Reid
Feb. 19 Evelyn Lutz
Feb. 24 Hanny Coppenrath
Feb. 26 Susan Quintana
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF YOU!
The Member Spotlight will hopefully return in next month’s newsletter.
IDEAS WELCOMED
If you have something you would like to add to our Potpourri newsletter, please contact Holly Zaccone.
CHECK YOUR CALENDARS
Tuesday, Feb 3rd – Thrift Shop reopens
Thursday, February 12th 10:00 a.m.
Katherine Parker Circle meeting
Saturday, February 14th at 9:30 a.m.
Sarah Crosby Circle meeting
Saturday, April 25th 9:00 – 3:00 p.m
Annual Women’s Retreat
“Practicing Hope”
Thursday, June 18th 11:00 a.m.
Picnic with Napa UWF Friends
“Building Communities Of The
Spirit” Possibly at Kennedy Park
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
We Believe Love in Action
Can Change the World
