Newsletter - Napa Valley Lutheran Church

You are invited to join our congregation in counting our many blessings. Help us imagine how God is calling us to embody and use all of the gifts we’ve received to further bless our neighbors.

In 2025-2026 we will embark on a time of discernment and (hopefully) will even take some action to improve our facilities, reimagine how God’s people gather to grow in their faith, and use our various gifts in service of those who also need God’s blessings in our community.

We need your prayers, your financial contributions, your participation in worship and other gatherings, and the relationships you have already nurtured in your neighborhoods to bring about all that God has in store for Napa Valley Lutheran Church’s future!

As we Ponder Anew what the Almighty can do, please Ponder Anew what YOU can do as well!

Blessings to you and thanksgiving for you,

The Gifts and Service Team of NVLC and Pastor Stephanie

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

CHRIST IN OUR HOME: The October, November and December 2025 booklets are available now. If you would like to have one of these delivered to your home, please contact the church office at secretary@napavalleylutheran or 707-226-8166 to make arrangements.

SECOND MILE GIVING FOR SEPTEMBER

Each month we encourage you to offer extra support for one or more of our fine Synod, Churchwide, or Napa community ministries. This month our Second Mile offerings will go to Global Refuge, an internationally recognized leader in welcoming refugees and immigrants from around the world. Here is some information about their mission from their website: Since 1939, Global Refuge (formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) has provided welcome and hope to more than three quarters of a million refugees. We are transforming lives and empowering New Americans with support and resources to begin anew.
Our legacy of compassionate service has made a difference in the lives of more than 800,000 people who have sought safety and hope in America’s communities. Our history reflects our own deep immigrant roots and passionate commitment to welcoming newcomers, especially those who are most in need.
Disinformation and hateful rhetoric about immigrants and refugees are everywhere…on social media, in political speeches, on the news, and beyond. Combat myths with the facts, statistics, and stories that prove that immigrants and refugees make the United States a better place.
Check out the website https://www.globalrefuge.org/ for more information and facts.
Our congregation has been supporting their work through second mile giving, and we have also participated in the Christmas card writing program, “Hope for the Holidays.” We will be doing that again this year, and I trust that the messages we have used in the past will be close enough to the ones for this year that we can get started as soon as we want. The window for sending cards starts at the end of October and ends on the second of December, so you have lots of time to write this year! Cards (no envelopes, please) are available in the narthex, as are lots of different brochures that Beth Nelson Chase gave me earlier this year to share with you. Please help yourself.
Also, there is a list of facts that Global Refuge has issued to counter the disinformation about refugees that all of us have heard lately. Please take one of those also if you like.

SPECIAL ELECTION

On November 4, 2025, California voters will participate in a special election on Proposition 50. The Sierra Pacific Synod online newsletter featured this issue and more information can be found online at https://lutheranpublicpolicyca.org.
In a letter from Regina Banks, Director Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California stated “We find our role in offering a recommendation on this ballot measure to be among the more complex we have faced.”, and I think it worthwhile to read these letters to understand the thoughtful deliberation that has taken place, as you discern how you will cast your ballot.

To learn more, you’re invited to a Lunch & Learn with Regina Q. Banks, Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy–California, on Tuesday, October 14 at noon via Zoom. Regina will share more about LOPP-CA’s discernment on Proposition 50 and answer questions.

LOPP-CA Letter on Prop 50
and a Letter from our CA Bishops

As election season begins, the Lutheran Office of Public Policy–California has shared their discernment on Proposition 50, accompanied by a letter of support of LOPP from the Bishops of the Sierra Pacific, Pacifica, and Southwest California Synods. In this season, we hold one another in prayer, asking for God’s wisdom and guidance in the days ahead.

LOPP-CA Prop 50 Letter

Letter from CA Bishops in Support of LOPP

Note: If you get this newsletter via email, the links should work, but for those who receive a hard copy newsletter, and just want to read the letters, printed copies of these letters will be available in the Narthex for your consideration.

COUNCIL UPDATES

The church council met on August 21. Pastor Stephanie presented a report of her activities, and we also heard updates from the Property and Hospitality teams. We are still in need of a council secretary. The minutes of council meetings are posted on the bulletin board in the narthex for more details.

COMMUNITY ACTION OF NAPA VALLEY (CANV) FOOD BANK

Carol Shirmang delivered 32 pounds of food to the food bank in September.
Please continue to support our neighbors in need by purchasing non-perishable food items and place them in the shopping cart in the narthex.
From the CANV Neighbors Helping Neighbors Newsletter:
Our Food Bank is currently experiencing significant shortages in the warehouse. While cereal and canned meat are the most needed items, anything helps right now—canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, rice, beans, soups, and shelf-stable proteins are all in high demand. Every donation, big or small, goes directly to families, seniors, and individuals in Napa County facing food insecurity.

And for those who are curious….
Mark your calendars / Save the date
for a field trip to the Napa Food Bank at 938 Kaiser Road
Monday, October 20^th at 10:00 am
Details to follow in the Sunday Bulletin.

NAPA VALLEY LUTHERAN & THRIVENT MOVE IN KITS

Thank you to everyone that participated in the “Move-In” Kits. Leanne Martinsen developed this as a Thrivent Action Project, and the kits were assembled on “God’s Work – Our Hands” Sunday, September 7. We exceeded our goal and on September 16, Leanne and Lynette Felsing filled their cars to deliver them to Lutheran Social Servies in Concord, along with several nice bonus items. The estimated value of everything was at least $1,400!

GRATITUDE

Dear Pastor Stephanie, Leanne, Lynette and members of Napa Valley Lutheran Church,

On behalf of LSS of Northern California and the individuals and families we serve, thank you for your congregation’s generous collection of seven welcome baskets to support individuals moving into housing. Your thoughtful gifts provide essential needs that restore dignity and hope to our most vulnerable neighbors throughout Northern California.

Through your community’s compassionate response, families moving into their first stable home in years can focus on rebuilding their lives rather than worry8ing about basic necessities. Young people starting fresh have the tools they need to establish independence. Parents can stretch their limited budgets further, investing in their children’s future, rather than everyday essentials.

Your church’s service helps our participants continue their journey to self-reliance by meeting immediate needs and creating stable environments where healing and growth can flourish. These gifts represent far more than material support – they reflect our shared humanity and offer tangible reminders that they are not forgotten in their time of need.

In our most recent fiscal year, LSS provided housing, supportive services, and pathways to independence for more than 6,500 people across nine counties. Your partnership ensures that as people rebuild their lives, they have the foundation they need to thrive.

Thank you for your commitment to our shared work and for serving our community’s most vulnerable neighbors. Together we are ending homelessness in Northern California -for good.

Most Sincerely,
Julie Clemens, Development Director
Lutheran Social Services of Northern California

Also…

LSS thanked NVLC for a donation of $400.00 in August.

ELCA churchwide organization thanked NVLC for donations received in August
$415.00 Lutheran World Relief through ELCA World Hunger
$1,656.00 Lutheran Disaster Response

THE WOMEN OF NAPA VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH are invited to meet together the 3^rd Wednesday of each month from 1pm – 3pm in Luther Hall. Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 15^th. If you are interested, please notify Pastor Stephanie so she can make sure you are mailed your own copy of Gather, the quarterly magazine published by WELCA. During our meetings we will discuss the themes presented in the magazine along with projects we may be interested in supporting or undertaking ourselves.

Gather with us for community, prayer, and partnership in the Gospel. Please also let Pastor Stephanie know if you wish to be included but are unable to attend our monthly meetings.

To our dear Church Family,

John and I want to thank you for the very many months of thoughts and prayers. It has been a challenging time, but with the Grace of God and all your prayer support, we are doing much better now.

Lovingly,
Roberta and John Simcoe

Thank you to the members of our congregation that have been sending in your contributions to the church office.
It is much appreciated. Your financial giving to NVLC is still necessary for us to maintain the needs of the congregation. Remember, that although we did not provide boxes of offering envelopes, as in past years, we still have the opportunity to make special offerings for special occasions, any occasion that is special to you!

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