CHRISTMAS TEA
Our Napa UWF is preparing for our Christmas tea! The tea committee, chaired by Cheryl Casciani, has met several times and plans are underway for another great afternoon tea. Tickets ($30.00) will go on sale starting Sunday, November 9th after worship and will continue each week until sold out. If you would like to host a table or reserve seats with friends, please contact Cheryl. Also, if you would be able to bring tea sandwiches or dessert cookies, Cheryl would love to hear from you. This year’s tea will benefit the local non-profit, VOICES Youth Center.
For those unfamiliar with their services, they are a youth developed, youth led emancipation center focused on supporting current and former foster youth transition into healthy adulthood.
We are also taking donations for the silent auction. Donation forms are available in the church office. We are accepting gift baskets, gift certificates, jewelry, household items, handmade items etc. Contact Holly Zaccone for more info.
OCTOBER FORUM SUCCESS
We had a very successful forum on Friday, October 17th. About 60+ people attended a very informative evening with our great guest speakers, Rev. Wakoh Shannon Hickey PHD,BBC Interfaith leader; John Tuteur, Napa County Registrar of Voters; and from the League of Women Voters, Yolanda Schonbrun, Linda Dietiker-Yolo and Iris Barrie.
Below are some pictures from the event. A big “THANK YOU” to Connie Matthew-Warren and Leigh Andersen for planning and organizing this successful, social action event.
John Tuteur shares about voting site security
League of Women Voters representatives
Rev. Wakoh Shannon Hickey
Napa UWF vice president, Leigh Andersen introduced guest speakers and discussed how social action, voting and your freedom to do so is practicing hope for our future.
DAYS FOR GIRLS
Our next opportunity to volunteer to help with the Days For Girls sewing project is Saturday, November 1st at 9:30 am – 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Even if you don’t know how to sew, if you can operate a pair of scissors and cut fabric, you are needed for this wonderful mission opportunity.
CIRCLE UPDATES
The Katherine Parker Circle met on Thursday, October 9th with 15 people in attendance. During their meeting, they continued their recommendations for books to read. “Abundance” by Izra Kline was recommended by Mary Herzog. Sally Hunter talked about the book “The English Experience” by Julie Schmacher for some good light reading. Another book recommendation was “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhom recommended by Margaret Payne. They also celebrated 4 of their members’ birthdays which included Ruth Jenkins-McIntire, Marlene Haas, Margaret Van Zandt, and Katherine Tolman. They shared some scripture and discussed upcoming event of Napa UWF.
Aletha Silcox opened and closed their meeting with prayer.
The Sarah Crosby Circle met on Saturday, October 11th and continued their conversations from the book “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. The fourth and final agreement was titled, “Always Do Your Best”. The idea is that your “best” will fluctuate depending on your mood, environment, health, current situation, etc. But in striving to do your best under any circumstances, you will be living your life more intensely, be more productive, giving of yourself with a sense of pride to your family, your community and that action will make you feel happy in return. Doing your best means no regrets with not expecting any rewards and learning to accept yourself and increase your awareness.
The group in attendance also looked forward to volunteering at the October 17th Forum and the Food Drive through the end of the month.
UWF THRIFT STORE
Repairs to the ceiling of the back room of the thrift shop have been completed and they are catching up on the multitude of donations that have been coming in. They continue to receive donations and also have a weekly sale of items each Tuesday. Come down for a visit and see the great deals they have to offer!
Member Spotlight –
HOLLY ZACCONE
Holly has a long history of involvement at Napa Methodist Church, spanning from the late 80’s until present. She has served on the UWF Exec Team for nearly 6 years as VP and is excited to be acting as the current President. Her commitment to the church is shown through her service, including a term as Co-Chair of the Worship Committee, time with the Fun & Fellowship Committee, singing with and producing Fusion Worship Experience for 7 years, playing with the Bonner Bells for nearly 20 years, producing the annual Lenten Devotional for more than 18 years, and currently singing with the Cathedral Choir and playing ukulele with the fabulous Uke-Laity.
Holly was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but didn’t stay there long. Since her father was in the Army Corps of Engineers, they moved around a bit, spending time in Council Bluffs, Pierre, SD, Colorado Springs, CO, and Great Falls, MT before landing in Napa in 1966 when her dad took a position at Mare Island. She has a brother who is 7 years younger. Holly attended Vintage High School and moved on to Napa Valley College, earning a general AA. This led to Sac State (CSUS) where she completed a BA degree in Communications. Returning to Napa, Holly hoped to find a career in Public Relations at a local winery but instead found herself creating a tabloid publication called “The Marquee”, which promoted local arts and entertainment. After running this business for 5 years, she created a new business named “Picture This!”, which became a popular place to get your pictures and logos printed on t-shirts, mugs, and many other imprintables. Holly closed the shop when her daughter Shayley was adopted but continued to run the business from home for another 10 years.
Holly and husband Dana, another long time Napa resident, were married at NMC 30 years ago. They met as cast mates in a Napa College production of “110 in the Shade”, a musical version of the “Rainmaker”. They performed in several shows together and their love of music and performing continues to this day. Dana works in the wine industry as a Viticultural Consultant, working with several well known wineries and vineyard management companies. They have two children. Shayley (20) is currently attending CSUF (Fullerton) studying Communications with a Marketing minor (entertainment and tourism emphasis) and working at Disneyland. Skyler (15) is a freshman at Napa High School and plays on the baseball team.
Favorite Hobby: Playing ukulele (current), singing/dancing/musicals (past)
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Restaurant: Celadon
First Car: 1968 Ford Mustang 302 (green)
Favorite Travels: Spending time on Maui 5 straight years, sharing the experience with extended family.
Favorite Church Memory: Playing the Holy Family at Christmas with each of their children.
What would you tell your younger self: Not to worry so much!
Did you know?: Holly was a member of Napa’s Pepperettes Baton & Dance Club for 13 years where she danced tap and ballet, and twirled baton. She was also a Majorette in high school where she performed fire baton during the halftime shows.
Thank you Holly for your continued service and commitment to the Napa Methodist Church family and mission!!
COMPASSION MINISTRIES
Eva and Mike’s Brown Bags will need volunteers on Saturday, Nov. 22nd at 9:30 a.m. to help build 80 lunches for the homeless shelter. Home baked cookies are always a needed donation as well.
NAPA UWF MEETINGS IN NOVEMBER
The next Exec Team meeting is Thursday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m.
The Katherine Parker Circle will meet on Thursday, November 13th at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor.
The Sarah Crosby Circle will meet on Saturday, November 15th at 9:30 a.m. in the church parlor.
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.
The assembly has inspiring speakers of women leaders who will spark your passion and energize your purpose. There are workshops that teach tools to create meaningful changes in your life and your community. There are powerful worships of renewal and connection in faith. And there are sisterhood opportunities with women from around the world who share your commitment to justice and Soul Care.
There has never been a more important time for women of faith to come together, tap into our strength, and unite to change the world.
This time the event will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Anyone is invited to attend so it’s time to mark it on your calendars and seriously consider attending. Registration opened on September 1st and is currently active.
If you would like more information or are thinking about attending, please contact Bobbi Bird.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Nov. 2 Sylvia Andrews
Nov. 7 Sally Dyck
Nov. 8 Cheryl Casciani
Nov. 8 Heather Hagerman
Nov. 8 Joanne Biggs-O’Callaghan
Nov. 17 Jeanie Marco
Nov. 20 Jan Geren
Nov. 25 Sharon Lavender
Nov. 30 Jan Hougland
A THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Dear God, we thank you for the countless ways you bless us each day,
for smiles you place along our path,
for the peace we find in creation.
Help us to live in a spirit of gratitude,
to see your presence surrounding us
and to embrace each moment with joy.
As we connect with each other, may we rise above our differences and find the blessed community you intended, one full of support, empathy and kindness. Dear God, we thank you for the opportunity to draw close to one another, to share hope, grace and faith, to love unconditionally, as you love us.
Amen