Newsletter - Napa Valley Lutheran Church

I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

I had friends in town this year for BottleRock. They were visiting from Arizona. Staying in Sonoma, they drove back and forth along Route 12 each day they were here. Having travelled that road recently for an appointment I mentioned before they arrived how beautiful that drive would be for them in the daylight with the lushly growing vines covering the hills between here and there. Those of us from Arizona love to marvel at green landscapes!

It is no accident that the liturgical church (of northern European decent, anyway) symbolizes this liturgical season beginning at the end of spring and the beginning of summer with the color green. On the day of Pentecost, God sent the Holy Spirit into believers to live and share the Gospel. During the season of Pentecost, this collection of believers (the Church) is called to grow in their own faith as well as in the number of people and places who are hearing about and adopting that faith. Just as this is “the growing season” for the vines that surround us, this is also a season for us to grow!

Growing spiritually is no less intentional than true horticulture. Roots, vines and branches need tending if we expect to grow quality fruit. What makes for a fertile growing environment and how do we help those branches sturdy but pliable? Spending time in scripture and prayer, alone as well as with others, helps us remain connected to our water and nutrient delivering vine, Jesus. Meditating and pondering how we see the word of scripture and the guidance of the Spirit at work (or lacking) in the world around us help to shape us and guide how we prune back leaves and branches that won’t serve us well and maximize how God delivers energy and hydration to create the most useful and valuable fruit.

This summer, take some time to pull out your gardening gloves of prayer and garden hose of bible study and watch the faith that has already taken root within you grow and flourish!

Blessings,

Pastor Stephanie

COUNCIL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

I was born in Peoria, Illinois, and was baptized in my grandfather’s Lutheran church. When I was 2, Caterpillar transferred my dad to California. We settled in San Lorenzo and joined a Lutheran church in San Leandro. When I was 12, we moved to Orinda and joined Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.

I attended college at UC Davis where Bill and I met. We were married in Orinda (where both our children, Bryan and Laura, were later also baptized).

We lived in Marysville and Carmichael before settling in Napa and have been here 50+ years. We were happy to find a local church home at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

My teaching career started in Marysville and continued for 30+ years here in Napa. After I retired, I became recording secretary for Napa Retired Teachers plus other organizations which prepared me to accept the position of church council secretary here at Napa Valley Lutheran.

Bill and I have enjoyed being active in the church, including acting in the plays (which was fun). We encourage everyone to find some way to participate and support our church.
God Bless.
Susie Ashby

COUNCIL UPDATES

The church council met on May 14. Pastor Stephanie reported on worship happenings and plans for the season of Pentecost, as well as the “Solar Celebration” event scheduled for June 7. Treasurer Ellen Wulf presented financial reports. We looked at drafts of new logos that have been developed for the church and discussed how they would be used in signage and other media. Pastor Stephanie discussed issues related to our property insurance. Pastor Stephanie, Jill Jameson and Leanne Martinsen, will participate in the Sierra Pacific regional gathering in San Jose on May 30 as well as the June 13 business meeting on Zoom, and another budget meeting in October. The next council meeting on June 11 will be the first for newly elected officers. The minutes of council meetings are posted on the bulletin board in the narthex for more details.

SECOND MILE GIVING FOR MAY

Each month we encourage extra gifts to be given to a ministry partner either here in Napa or from our Synod and Churchwide connections.
This month, our Gifts and Service Team has designated ReconcilingWorks as our Second-Mile Giving recipient. You can put a check into the offering baskets (made out to NVLC with “Second Mile” on the memo line) and include it with your offering anytime during June.

Unity Prayer for Faith Communities in Celebration of Juneteenth: Living the Story of Freedom

Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

As people of faith who gather in worship or in community, we remember the significance of Juneteenth for all siblings of color who, though free from the literal bonds of slavery, continue to live burdened by systems of oppression.

We hear the living story of freedom and pray as people united in faith and justice for the healing and reconciliation of all creation and across the generations, knowing the word comes as freedom to the oppressed. We hear and share the messages of liberation and freedom expressed by all faiths and different communities.

A living story to keep justice and do righteousness, for wholeness is about to come.

A living story to break open our hearts to the suffering of our siblings, that we may stand in solidarity and love until righteousness reigns.

May we receive the voices of giftedness and wisdom from people across every hue and lived experience.

Let us not grow weary in doing what is right.

May those with privilege and power use it to break open systems and institutions, that all may share equally and equitably in the goodness and in prosperity.

May we elevate Black joy as a form of resistance and mutual care.

May we celebrate the sacred vocation of Black fatherhood, motherhood, and parenting.

Help us to speak truth.

Open us to receive the full nature of our history as a nation.

Let us journey together as instruments of love overflowing towards the care of all people and in peace.

May we seek a shared path together to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly toward equality, equity, and justice for all.

Collaboratively written by the faith leaders of Faithful Voices for Racial Justice, a project of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa (faithful-voices.org). Used by permission.

From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

ADVOCACY

It is easy to be discouraged about the current state of our government, but here is some good news. The Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California tracks state legislation all year and had selected six bills that were deemed worthy of support, in three areas: Environment, Hunger and Immigration.

SB868(Wiener): Electricity: portable solar generation devices
SB 1125 (Menjivar):Water Rate Assistance Program
AB1049 (Rodriguez): California Food Assistance Program: sponsor deeming rules
AB2299 (Calderon): California Anti-Hunger Response and Employment Training Act of 2026
SB1105 (Perez): Law enforcement
AB1537 (Bryan, Carrillo, Ortega): Peace officers: secondary employment

On May 20, Lynette Felsing and Leanne Martinsen spent a full day in Sacramento at Lutheran Lobby Day. We agreed that this was an uplifting experience, to be among like-minded folks and to have the opportunity to speak with legislative staff about issues that are important to us.

We hope that more folks will join us next year…and…please VOTE!

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

CHRIST IN OUR HOME: The July, August and September 2026 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.org or 707-226-8166 to make arrangements.

SUMMER BOOK GROUP UPDATE

We’re taking the summer off but we hope you’ll join us for our next read together, The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage by Richard Rohr. This book is available to order in hardback, audiobook, ebook and large print. You are encouraged to place your order this summer to be prepared when we resume in late August or early September.

This is a book that some who can’t join us on Wednesday mornings may want to discuss, so Pastor Stephanie will plan 2 times each week to meet. If you have a preference for a weeknight evening or a Saturday time (after 10), please let Pastor Stephanie in know so she can schedule these discussions for the most participation.

GRATITUDE!

To Napa Valley Lutheran Church Endowment Fund:

On behalf of Operation With Love From Home, thank you for your generous donation of $2,000 in support of our mission…Your support helps us continue sending care packages and heartfelt messages to deployed service members, reminding them that they are appreciated and never forgotten….As we head into our 20^th year, I’m proud to share that we have never wavered in our commitment to fulfilling our mission. We are deeply grateful for people like you who brighten the lives of our deployed service members around the world. On behalf of our board, our steering committee, and volunteers, thank you again for your generosity.

Sincerely, Board Treasurer

************************************************************************

Thank you for your gift of $1,750.00 to the ELCA Fund for Leaders….Your gift ensures that students at ELCA seminaries who display tremendous promise can answer the call to leadership for this church and our future. By making their education more affordable, you help future ministers graduate from seminary with less debt and financial stress…You make God’s love real.

In Christ, The Rev. Benjamin A. Hogue, Director, Ministry Engagement and Support

************************************************************************

Thank you for your kind offering of $5,000.00 to Global Refuge… With more human beings displaced every day by violence, scarcity, and a changing climate, our work of welcome is needed more urgently than ever. Once again, thank you.

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

THE WOMEN OF NAPA VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH are invited to meet together each month in Luther Hall. Our next meeting is Wednesday June 17 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. 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 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.

LUNCH BUNCH will be on Thursday June 25 at 12:45 PM at Wah Sing, in the RiverPark Center on Imola St. Call Carol Holmes for reservations.

SYNOD WOMEN’S RETREAT

SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat will be held September 11–13, 2026 at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, CA. Join us for a meaningful weekend of community, reflection, and renewal. Stay tuned for more details about guest speakers, workshops, and possible discounts!

Carol Shirmang reports that she delivered 32 pounds of food to the food bank in May.

Thanks to all who contributed!

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 meet 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!

# # #