Newsletter - Napa Valley Lutheran Church

Go in peace to love and to serve.
Let your ears ring long with what you have heard.
May the bread on your tongues leave a trail of crumbs
to lead the hungry back to the place you are from.

Take to the world this love, this hope and faith.
Take to the world this rare, relentless grace.
And like the Three-in-One know you must become who you want to save
‘Cause that’s still the way He takes to the world.
– Take to the World by Aaron Tate (performed by Derek Webb)

While I was in seminary a friend introduced me to the first solo album of Derek Webb. I had known his music as a fan of the Christian pop band, Caedmon’s Call. I knew I loved “the sound” of his music, but I instantly fell in love with the theology he sang on this album titled “She Must and Shall Go Free” (a reference to the image of The Church as the Bride of Christ). Recently, this song was shuffled into my playlist as I was driving through town. As the season of Easter has been winding down and we approach our celebration of Pentecost, Holy Trinity Sunday, and summer streets in Napa full of visitors and families without the constraints of school schedules, these words struck a nostalgic and rallying chord within me. I was hit with the words of a seminary professor who called the Eucharist our “altar call” where Lutheran’s most evangelical work is done. For many, Communion is the central element of our worship service; everything we do leading up to that moment is preparing us to receive Christ’s body and blood as a gift of God’s forgiveness and sustenance to do the work of the Gospel. I argued with that professor. I felt like communion was a pretty exclusive part of our service reserved just for “believers” and couched with words and images non-believers struggle to understand. Then these lyrics made everything he had said make sense. Communion doesn’t change a visitor into a believer; it changes believers into preachers and doers of the Gospel. “May the bread on your tongue leave a trail of crumbs to lead the hungry back to the place you are from.” Do you walk away from our table changed? Do you leave Sunday morning with a hymn stuck in your head? Is there a person who crosses your mind during worship to pray for or check in with? You have a chance to be the way God takes to the world.
Pastor Stephanie

NAPA VALLEY LUTHERAN IS A RECONCILING IN CHRIST CONGREGATION

At the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021, Pastor Cindy helped lead NVLC into conversations about becoming an RIC congregation. At the congregational meeting in January 2021, the congregation voted to become a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Some work needed to be done to fulfil the requirements of the designation, including writing a welcome statement and agreeing to annual financial support of the national network (Reconciling Works).

By becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation and continuing to hold that partnership, we agree to several ongoing commitments:

RIC Partner Public Commitments (updated 2021)
The purpose of the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is to ensure the welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; work for racial equity and commit to anti-racist work; and to support the national program.
To be recognized as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Partner, your faith community will:

Clearly state a welcome to people of “all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions” or “LGBTQIA+” and name its commitment to “racial equity” or “anti-racism” in a Welcome Statement.
Anything in quotations above must be included in your RIC Partner Welcome Statement to meet ReconcilingWorks commitments.

Be open to calling LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC (Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color) Rostered Leaders. A Rostered Leader is any clergy/pastor or deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); this commitment extends to all areas of leadership within the life of your community.
Allow sanctuary/community space to be used for LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings.
Make a meaningful contribution annually to support the national RIC program.
A meaningful annual contribution is determined by your faith community, its budget, and the understanding that your generosity funds the RIC Program.

As June is Pride Month, it seems appropriate to remind ourselves of this ongoing commitment we make as allies of the LGBTQIA+ community and our work toward racial justice and equity.

This month, our Gifts and Service Team has designated ReconcilingWorks as our Second-Mile Giving recipient. Please show your financial support as you are able.

SOCIAL STATEMENT DISCUSSION

Additionally, you are encouraged to attend conversations with Pastor Stephanie following worship on June 8 and 29th regarding the 2009 ELCA Social Statement, Sexuality: Gift and Trust and the considerations for updating this statement to be considered at the 2025 and 2028 Churchwide Assemblies. These documents are found on ELCA.org under Faith and Society.

You can ask Pastor Stephanie to print a copy or download the document yourself at: https://www.elca.org/faith/faith-and-society/current-social-writing-projects/human-sexuality-gift-and-trust-reconsiderations.

HAPPY PRIDE DURING JUNE (and all year long)

Napa Valley Lutheran Church members have multiple opportunities to be a part of June Pride month.

First, in worshiping! June 29th at NVLC is Reconciling In Christ Sunday,

with the theme “Resilient Community”.

Next, in giving! We are a Reconciled In Christ Partner and as such we support ReconcilingWorks as Lutherans for full participation. (for more details, see above).

Lastly, in participating! Napa has many events going on during June:

*Harvey Milk Flag Raising Ceremonies

*Pride Pet Parade

*Cornhole Night

*Day of Solidarity

*Pride Car Cruise

*Drag Me to Napa Valley

And many more! Go to Napa Pride 2025 Events.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

As we look forward to the 20^th anniversary of the marriage/merger that formed
Napa Valley Lutheran church, here are a few highlights in the history of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. (Information gleaned from the 50^th Anniversary Directory and various newsletters.)
In August 1947, the Home Mission Board of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC) enabled the purchase of the first parsonage on Sycamore St., and the calling of a pastor.
On November 2, 1947, Pastor Robert Lutnes preached his first sermon, and on November 16, 1947, the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer was officially organized.
Regular Sunday Services were held at the I.O.O.F. Hall starting on January 25, 1948, Property was purchased at Elm and Jefferson to build a parish building and parsonage. The buildings were constructed largely with volunteer labor and the Church building was dedicated April 24, 1948. In 1950, Pastor Lutnes worked with the Lutheran World Federation to arrange for 6 displaced families from Europe to come to Napa. In 1951, Pastor Lutnes accepted a call to a church in Tacoma Washington and Pastor Earl Soiland was called to be the pastor. In 1959, The congregation became self-supporting, and also purchased the house east of the parsonage for use primarily as Sunday School (it became known as Luther Cottage). In 1961, Redeemer became part of the American Lutheran Church (ALC). When Pastor Soiland announced plans to retire, Pastor Leon Bauer was called and installed on October 22, 1967. His wife Jan served as choir director for many years. In 1977 both Luther Cottage and the parsonage were sold to enable the construction of a building to meet the congregation’s needs for education and fellowship. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 9, 1979, for Luther Hall, which was dedicated on March 23, 1980. At about the same time, the church office was remodeled, a southern entrance was added to the sanctuary, and the chancel was remodeled. 1987, Redeemer became a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). In 1989 the church building was expanded to include the current church office and meeting room. Sharon Lubkeman, a seminarian at PLTS first served as parish visitor and after her ordination, she was called to serve as a part-time Assistant Pastor in 1990. She was with the congregation for 7 years until her call to El Cerrito. In 1995, a substantial gift willed by Marie Heuer lead to the establishment of an Endowment fund, which began distribution of fund income in January of 1998. After Pastor Bauer retired in June 1998, Interim Pastor Dave Larson served for one year. Pastor David Hamilton was called and installed on August 15, 1999. During his tenure, his wife Denise created many of the banners that beautify our worship space and served in many capacities, including church secretary.

COUNCIL UPDATES

Elections for church council officers and members will take place at the congregational meeting on June 1. At our meeting on June 19, we will thank members who are leaving the Council for their service, and welcome new members beginning their terms. Minutes of our church council minutes are posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex so everyone can read them!

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

CHRIST IN OUR HOME:

The July, August and September 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.

GRATITUDE

Thank you so much for the generous contribution of $687.00 from your congregation to the Napa Valley Together Fund!… In this climate, it is deeply gratifying to be surrounded by compassionate people like you and the members of your faith community, who see the humanity of our immigrant neighbors and aspire, as we do , to keep local families together, to ensure due process under the law, and to empower those living in fear with tow thigs: accurate information about their rights; and the knowledge that they are valued and appreciated by those of us not in the crosshairs. Please know how grateful we are to have received this unexpected and beautiful gift, Pastor Stephanie.

Sincerely, Terence P. Mulligan, President Napa Valley Community Foundation

Thank you for your generous contribution of $2,000.00 to Global Refuge. Since 1939. We’ve built a legacy of compassion by walking alongside more than 770,000 new neighbors as they rebuild their lives in the United States, restoring a sense of home for families who had to leave theirs. With a growing need of more than 100 million people displaced around the world, our work is needed more than ever… Thank you for supporting our long-term work of welcome by creating safer, more rewarding realities for those we serve.

With Gratitude, Andrew G. Steele, Chief Development and Mobilization Officer

RESUMING OUR HOPE CIRCLE MEETINGS

Hope Circle is a gathering of women around scripture, prayer, fellowship and service. “Circles” have their beginnings in the women’s organizations of the Lutheran Church. The modern iteration within the ELCA is Women of the ELCA (WELCA).

Pastor Stephanie would like to resume our monthly Hope Circle gatherings in June. The group previously met on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month at 1:00pm. So far, one person has indicated desire to participate who has a conflict with the time. Pastor Stephanie proposes we meet on Wednesday, June 18^th at 1:00pm in Luther Hall to reconnect, pray, and discuss plans moving forward. Please contact Pastor Stephanie with any questions, comments or concerns.

LUNCH BUNCH will meet at the Biscuit BBQ 966 Pearl St., on Thursday, June 26 at 12:45 p.m. Call Carol Holmes for reservations.

DIRECTORY UPDATE

Please note that that Debbie Re has a new email address: dre122873@gmail.com .

Note: If you would like to update your contact information or if you have corrections, please let the church office know. The best way is to email Leanne Martinsen at secretary@napavalleylutheran.org.

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 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!

# # #