We all know that we celebrate the 4th of July as the anniversary of when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence for the first 13 American colonies and the document was eventually signed by 56 men. But let’s not forget that on the 100th anniversary, in 1876, women’s rights activists Susan B. Anthony, Lillie Deveroux Blake, Phoebe Couzins and Matilda Joslyn Gage, crashed the party in Philadelphia to present the “Declaration of the Rights of Women” as members of the National Woman Suffrage Association. The Declaration was signed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn Gage and Susan B. Anthony. The declaration outlined women’s grievances against the government and demanded equal rights including suffrage. Unfortunately, it had little immediate impact, but it served to remind Americans at that time of the nation’s constitutional obligation to provide equal rights to all of its citizens. So, how far have we actually come since then? Something to ponder.
Look for other sales at the Thrift Store all month long! We continue to take donations as well.
CIRCLE UPDATES
The Susanna Wesley Circle is currently in a transition time. Napa United Women in Faith is seeking some of our members who would like to attend a circle meeting but have been unable to meet during the middle of the week in the afternoon due to their work schedules. Possibly an early evening time once a month would be easier on their busy schedules. If you would like to consider this option, please contact Holly Zaccone for more info.
The Katherine Parker Circle met on Thursday, June 12th. Their discussion, from the theme in the United Women In Faith Program Guide, was “Making the Commitment; How Are You Living Out Your Faith?” Their conversations centered around how they practice their faith and how they remember their faith. They also shared with one another the books that they have read or are currently reading. Members of their circle talked about the planning for the annual Napa United Women in Faith picnic and the possibility of moving it to a new location this year.
They also celebrated 4 of their circle members’ birthdays.
UPDATE: The Annual Picnic will be at Margaret Payne’s Backyard on Thursday, July 10th at 11:00 a.m.
Sharon Lavender will be co-hosting with Margaret Payne.
The Sarah Crosby Circle met on Saturday, June 14th at 9:30 a.m. Gretta Steinbruner led their continuing discussion from the book, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. As always, it was a lively discussion.
The School Supply drive is set for July. We have very specific requests this year from the distribution center. We are basically asking people to purchase the Crayola products, (pencils, crayons) that the stores promote for usually a bargain of .50 to $1.00. There is usually a limit on the number a person can buy at the special prices so we hope as many of our church members as possible can purchase those items.
Look for 24 pack of crayons, 12 pack of colored pencils, 10 or 12 pack of colored markers, either fine or broad tip and bold or classic colors.
Member Spotlight
CHERYL CASCIANI – Cheryl has served our church community in so many ways and her leadership has definitely left its mark on so many activities that she has been involved with. We are truly blessed to have her as such a dedicated member of Napa United Women in Faith and our Napa Methodist Church community.
Cheryl was our UWF President from 2020 – 2024 and served on the Church Council for those years also. During her time as President, she facilitated monthly Thrift Shop meetings with volunteers to help organize and improve communication. She also took on the huge responsibility of writing out our UWF job descriptions for our Executive team members and also helped create a new set of Napa UWF bylaws. Cheryl also created the Period Poverty program at Napa Methodist providing menstrual products to anyone in need. She is also a regular volunteer to sew reusable cloth menstrual pads for donation to girls in Africa as part of the Days for Girls program.
Cheryl was also responsible for successfully writing and submitting an application for a Beulah Grant to help fund the new church van which was very successful – we received $10,000.00.!!
Cheryl has been instrumental in the success of our two Napa UWF Teas in the last couple of years as she has been the Chairperson of the Tea Committees. Most recently, she has served on the Sanctuary Committee at Napa Methodist and the joint committee with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. In the near future, Cheryl is hoping to organize an online auction fundraiser to provide funds to our sanctuary families immigration legal fees.
Cheryl was born in San Francisco and raised in South San Francisco. Her sister was 10 years old when Cheryl was born. She graduated from South San Francisco High School. She met her husband, John, on a blind date set up by one of John’s classmates. When John invited her to his church, she was impressed and knew he was the one for her. They married when they were 20. They had their first child when Cheryl was 23 and eventually had 3 children, Jenny, Chrissy, and Robert. Cheryl and John are currently proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren.
Cheryl was employed with Wells Fargo Bank and in 1973 they moved to Sonoma to raise their family. Cheryl eventually worked for the City of Sonoma at the Fire Dept. and City Hall and later for St. Francis Solano School retiring around 2012.
Favorite Hobby: Genealogy, Quilting, Sewing, and Crafts.
Favorite Holiday: Easter
Favorite Color: Earthy Tones
Favorite Restaurant: Hop Creek
First Car: 1960’s Chevy Truck – Stick Shift
Favorite Travels: Venice, Williamsburg and Plymouth.
Favorite Church Memory: Her baptism at the age of 21 at the S.F. Lutheran Church
What she would tell her younger self:
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff!!!
Thank you Cheryl for all the ways you serve Napa UWF and our Napa Methodist Congregation. We appreciate you!
News from the Napa UWF Exec. Board
We are still looking for a volunteer to take the position of Vice President as a board member. We need your voice and ideas as a board member. Next meeting is Thursday, July 17th at 11:00am. Please consider volunteering for this position and contact Holly Zaccone as soon as possible.
Submitted by Pat Parker
Our next gathering day is September 6th from 9:30-11 am in Fellowship Hall. We need pinners, fabric cutters and markers, straight stitch sewing machine stitchers and serging machine stitchers. It is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Since we began this volunteer project before Covid, we have made over a 1000 flannel liners for the menstrual kits working with a group from Sacramento.
The following article is an interesting story about one of the women who volunteers for Days for Girls.
Meet Maya! A Story of Dedication
Maya Devi Khaitu, DfG’s Nepal Country Director, understands firsthand how
stigmatized and misunderstood menstruation often is in her country. Maya grew up in a small town, watching her older sister and aunt stay away from the rest of her family while menstruating. When she got her first period, Maya explained that she did not fully understand what it was or what it meant. She did not have access to proper menstrual supplies and remembers being given a piece of cloth to manage her menstruation.
“Psychologically, it’s so scary and embarrassing because of the culture around periods,” Maya explains. She even began “praying she was a boy” due to the shame she felt because of menstruation.
Her experiences helped her develop a passion for equity. Maya began her career working in human rights, advocacy, and women’s health issues, including period poverty. She started working with DfG as a volunteer in February 2015, became a program officer in September 2016, and was appointed country director in January 2019. When she first started at DfG, she noticed that all the girls she interacted with in Nepal became shy when the topic of periods was raised. Through her continuing work and ongoing conversations about menstrual health in her communities, Maya hopes that menstrual stigmatization can be reduced.
In Nepal, DfG has programs that reach girls as young as seven or eight years old. At this age, the sessions are fun and interactive, incorporating games, singing, and storytelling to introduce the subject of menstruation. As the girls grow older, the programming evolves, becoming more substantial, formal, and focused on education.
One of Maya’s favorite programs is DfG’s Men Who Know program, which educates boys and men about menstruation, encourages them to be allies, and creates more period-friendly environments. Maya believes that men and boys need to be educated on menstruation and the importance of menstrual health for society to successfully destigmatize the topic.
One of the biggest challenges Maya faces in her work is reaching rural communities
in Nepal, where access to technology and education is limited. She hopes to connect
with more of these communities over time and help shift the perception of menstruation from a taboo topic to a natural, accepted part of life.
Looking ahead, Maya hopes to increase the provision of washable pads in Nepal and continue to advocate for improved water, sanitation, and hygiene standards in public spaces. She uses communication channels, such as radio shows and community events, to increase public awareness and knowledge of period poverty.
Maya is a passionate and driven changemaker who, in her own words, is “proud and grateful” to do this important work every day. DfG is equally proud to have her leading the charge in Nepal to destigmatize menstruation and increase access to menstrual products.
Days for Girls is an award-winning global NGO bringing menstrual health, dignity and opportunity to 3+ million girls (and counting!) worldwide.
CIRCLE MEETINGS FOR JULY
Katherine Parker Circle – July 10th at 11:00am at Margaret Payne’s House
Everyone: Please join us at our Annual Summer Picnic at Margaret Payne’s Backyard on July 10th at 11:00am.
Sarah Crosby Circle – July 12, 9:30 am.
Susanna Wesley Circle – TBA
** Everyone is invited to any circle!!
COMPASSION MINISTRIES
Eva and Mike’s Brown Bags will need volunteers on Saturday, July 26th 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 JULY BIRTHDAYS
Holly Zaccone – July 2nd
Martine Patrick – July 3rd
AB Boyes – July 3rd
Laura Lewis – July 5th
Andre Youngson – July 16th
Amy Herzog – July 20th
Leigh Andersen – July 28th
Debbie Stevens – July 28th
Marylee Sheffer – July 29th
Happy Birthday to all our members!