The Crier From: Covenant Presbyterian Church September, 2017 Volume V ~Issue 9 Meanwhile ... (Front page) INSIDE: Calendar 2 Mailbox 3 FYI 3 The Garden 4 PNC Report 4 Worship 5 Property 5 LLL 6 Stwshp. & Finance 6 Farewell & Welcome 7 More Stwshp. & Finance 7 Birthdays & Anniversaries pg. 8 New to our Office pg. 8 In Memory pg. 9 Peace Prayer pg. 9 M E A N W H I L E . . . Remember when you were in elementary/grade school, and August rolled around? Some of us dreaded it, I’m sure, but I remember being so excited about school starting, I could hardly contain myself! It was an annual tradition in August, that my mother, my aunt and my cousin Sandy and I got all dressed up to go into the City to buy our school clothes on Market Street. My mother and aunt wore suits, hats and gloves, and my cousin and I wore dresses, of course, and our best shoes from last year. As we crossed the Bay Bridge into the City, we saw the Folger’s Coffee sign, and you could smell the beans roasting from the highway! It was heaven to us, to be so grown up, have lunch at Blum’s, and come home with two or three outfits from the Emporium. We spent the first days of school, which always started in Septem- ber, roasting in plaid wool, oxford saddle shoes and hot sweaters, be- cause we wanted to step into Autumn, even though it was (and still is) one of the hottest months in the Napa Valley. It’s changed a lot since I was a kid – we took off the summer to help pick prunes! There was a purpose for summers off – to help on the farm. Now, school starts mid-August, and ends mid-May. The Church year has always followed the School year, even though our liturgical readings don’t! We start Sunday School, youth groups, and choir in Au- tumn, as a new beginning, a new life for the Church. So, enough history, nostalgia, reminiscing. Where are we right now, at Covenant? Actually, it’s a pretty lively time – our Pastor Nominating Com- mittee is hard at work, and I’ve been hard at work, too, trying to get to know the folks that are new here! I believe there are several people who are interested in joining in membership at CPC; details to follow. Life- long Learning is preparing for the children, and adults, for fall pro- grams; Tuesday weekly bible study continues to be lively, spirited, and a bright spark of light in the week. I’m starting a new group with other colleagues in the Presbytery in September, and also I think it’s time some of you may want to gather together to talk about where the church is going into the future. I have books. I have resources. I have friends, and I have dreams and thoughts I want to share with you, about where we can go. … Meanwhile, we move on. With blessings always, Lynda
Transcript
The Crier From: Covenant Presbyterian Church
S e p t e m b e r , 2 0 1 7 V o l u m e V ~ I s s u e 9
Meanwhile ...
(Front page)
INSIDE:
Calendar 2
Mailbox 3
FYI 3
The Garden 4
PNC Report 4
Worship 5
Property 5
LLL 6
Stwshp. & Finance 6
Farewell & Welcome 7
More Stwshp. & Finance 7
Birthdays & Anniversaries pg. 8
New to our Office pg. 8
In Memory pg. 9
Peace Prayer pg. 9
M
E
A
N
W
H
I
L
E
.
.
.
Remember when you were in elementary/grade school, and August
rolled around? Some of us dreaded it, I’m sure, but I remember being
so excited about school starting, I could hardly contain myself! It was
an annual tradition in August, that my mother, my aunt and my cousin
Sandy and I got all dressed up to go into the City to buy our school
clothes on Market Street. My mother and aunt wore suits, hats and
gloves, and my cousin and I wore dresses, of course, and our best shoes
from last year.
As we crossed the Bay Bridge into the City, we saw the Folger’s
Coffee sign, and you could smell the beans roasting from the highway!
It was heaven to us, to be so grown up, have lunch at Blum’s, and come
home with two or three outfits from the Emporium.
We spent the first days of school, which always started in Septem-
ber, roasting in plaid wool, oxford saddle shoes and hot sweaters, be-
cause we wanted to step into Autumn, even though it was (and still is)
one of the hottest months in the Napa Valley.
It’s changed a lot since I was a kid – we took off the summer to help pick prunes! There was a purpose for summers off – to help on the farm. Now, school starts mid-August, and ends mid-May. The Church year has always followed the School year, even though our liturgical readings don’t! We start Sunday School, youth groups, and choir in Au-tumn, as a new beginning, a new life for the Church.
So, enough history, nostalgia, reminiscing.
Where are we right now, at Covenant?
Actually, it’s a pretty lively time – our Pastor Nominating Com-
mittee is hard at work, and I’ve been hard at work, too, trying to get to
know the folks that are new here! I believe there are several people who
are interested in joining in membership at CPC; details to follow. Life-
long Learning is preparing for the children, and adults, for fall pro-
grams; Tuesday weekly bible study continues to be lively, spirited, and
a bright spark of light in the week.
I’m starting a new group with other colleagues in the Presbytery
in September, and also I think it’s time some of you may want to gather
together to talk about where the church is going into the future. I have
books. I have resources. I have friends, and I have dreams and thoughts
Church Staff ~ Pastor Rev. Lynda Hyland Burris Music Staff: Mark Osten, Ted Lassagne, musicians Mark Teeters, Music Director Administrative Assistant, Sue Harrison Pastor Emeritus. Rev. Dr. Bob Grove Pastor Emerita Rev. Dr. Deana Reed
The Session
Moderator Lynda Hyland Burris
Clerk of Session Paula Jones
Com. Life/Evangelism/Membership Michael Burkett Jenna Cooledge
Life Long Learning Diana Greenwood
Mission/Outreach Kathryn Tiberend
Property/Bldg. Use Cal Groeneweg, temporary
Special Projects Bev Penry
Stewardship/Finance Cal Groeneweg
Barb Pahre
Worship Bill Lockhart
Covenant Presbyterian Church: A Welcoming Community
Covenant Presbyterian Church is a fully welcoming church,
which invites all to life and leadership regardless of age, race, gender,
sexual orientation or any other worldly condition. We pray, as those who follow Christ,
for the capacity to envision life as it could be and, with the help of our loving God,
to unite ourselves across our differences and to treat all with respect, dignity, love,
9-4 Labor Day ~ Office Closed No PNC meeting tonight 9-5 Tues. Bible Stdy., 10 am 9-7 Deacons Meeting, 7 pm 9-8 N.A. Meeting, 7 pm Parlor
9-10 Worship, 10:30 a.m. Hunger Offerings Sunday School resumes Community Life, 11:30 a.. m.
Retirement Party for Sue Harrison, 4:00 pm
9-11 PNC, 7 pm Parlor
9-12 Tues. Bible Study 10 am
Lunch Bunch to follow
9-14 Mission Commission, 8:30 a.m.
Stewardship/Fin., 7 pm
Parlor
9-15 5-10 pm Public rental of CPC
Parking Lot only!
N.A. Meeting, 7 pm Parlor
9-16 Meeting of Presbytery at
Saint Luke’s in Marin County
AAUW Luncheon, 11 am Hall
9-17 Worship, 10:30 am
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Annual Golf & Picnic Event
See page 8
9-18 PNC, 7 pm Parlor
9-19 Tues. Bible Stdy., 10 am
9-22 N.A. Meeting, 7 pm Parlor 9-23
ALS Ride (See bulletin board)
9-24 Y.O.P.D. Support Group, 3-5 pm
9-25 PNC, 7 pm Parlor
Book Discussion Group, 7 pm
9-26 Tues. Bible Stdy., 10 a.m.
9-28 Regular Meeting of Session, 7 pm
9-29 Food Distribution, 1-5 pm
N.A. Meeting, 7 pm Parlor
9-30 Zimmerman Memorial, 2 pm
TAI CHI ~ Will not meet
in September.
V o l u m e V ~ I s s u e 9 P a g e 3
FYI
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS The next meeting of Session will be on
September 28th, at 7 pm
in the Parlor.
There was no meeting in August.
THE DEACONS The next meeting of the Deacons
will be on September 7th,
7 pm in the Parlor.
There was no meeting in August
Choir will resume on Sunday, September 17th. Come join us!
New singers always welcome.
Rehearsal: 9:45 am Sunday mornings
FROM OUR MAILBOX
Bernie Valencia writes:
I wanted to let you all know that I have
moved to Santa Fe to live for about a year. This
is where my Father was raised; I have many rela-
tives here. I have a 2nd opinion diagnosis of
Gastroparesis. While I do still have Barrett’s, the
latter is the worst culprit.
I hope upon my return, I’ll be much bet-
ter—and able to see you all again. My former E-
mail and telephone number are the same. My
new address is:
2808 Pintado Circle
Santa Fe, NM 87507
I look forward to hearing from you all.
Love and blessings, Bernie
NEW ADDRESS: The Flower Family
Trish, Richard and Cheyenne 2193 Ethel Porter Drive
Napa, CA 94558
NEW ADDRESS: The Rev. Timothy Locke 66 Lighthouse Court
Napa, CA 94559
*Telephone and E-mail are the same.
NEW ADDRESS:
Joe & Debbie Burger
215 Old Vine Way, Napa 94558
*Telephone and E-mail are the same.
Thank you for keeping the
church office advised regarding
any changes in your
contact information!
Sept. 10, 2017
4:00 pm @ Covenant
Join us as we celebrate 15.5 years together and wish
Sue Harrison a happy Retirement!
Parent and Grandparent Alert:
LOOK! For boys and girls, preschool—8th grade
SUNDAY SCHOOL will resume
September 10th
Volume V ~ Issue 9 page 4
A Beehive of Activity
Have you been to our Covenant Garden lately?
It is an ever changing hive of activity. God’s
hand continues to be evident. Here is a brief
run down of recent activities.
Master Gardeners have been helpful in the
“corn fall” events. Judy Davies’ hus-
band is getting us a soil analysis. No so-
lutions yet.
Bill Lockhart, Judy Davies, Jenna and Ryan
Cooledge, and Josh, joined 15 communi-
ty and CanDoCanGrow volunteers to
prepare the soil in the back half of the
garden for spring planting.
Take a look at how the soil is being pre-
pared: wet the soil, lay down cardboard,
cover it with compost, keep it wet.
SOIL ready.
A tractor arrived to help spread the com-
post. Irrigation lines were laid not only to
the back half BUT TO OUR FRUIT
TREES!!!! HOORAY – finally.
The $650 invoice for irrigation lines, valves,
faucets, etc. was suddenly donated by
Jim and Donna Haller. Jim laid the lines.
Thank you to them.
A port-a-potty, paid for by CanDoCanGrow
and there only seasonally, was deliv-
ered. You can’t even see it. It’s locked
and gets serviced every Wednesday.
The lock combination is our address if
you need it.
Latinos Unidos has harvested and donated
about 250 pounds of tomatoes and squash.
If you peek under the leaves, there are
pumpkins and watermelon in the garden, just
waiting to ripen.
Our work is never done. We are still looking for
a donation of a fence, a shed for the back half,
and a wash stand. It’s a great community
effort. Covenant’s dedication to mission is
evident in every plant. The world may not
remember what we said, but they will re-
member what we do. Keep doing.
Thank you.
Barb Pahre,
Garden Faciliator
YOUR P.N.C. AT WORK by Cal Groeneweg
The PNC has been meeting every Mon-
day. We have reviewed the Mission Study,
and are making some minor adjustments to
it. COM might request a copy and we want
to ensure that it tells the story of CPC:
What we have done, where do we want to
go, and “who” we are—all points the Mis-
sion Study needs to tell.
We will soon be working on the Mission
Information Form (MIF), which will be used
to enter into the PC (USA) data base to ob-
tain information about our candidates.
Please continue to pray for us, as we do
your work and the work of our Lord in
searching for the right person to lead CPC.
Russ Kindg and Cal Groeneweg, Co-chairs
Carla Yost, Corresponding Secretary
Carol McCormick and Donna Kadel, Recording Secretaries
Ryan Cooledge, Technology Coordinator
Lee Stanford, Liz Groelle and Chuck Youngson,
PNC Committee Members
Come and join us!
Bill Lockhart, Worship Chair
The Worship Commission is looking for
one (or more!) older youth or adult who is
interested in being part of a team of Sound
Technicians, available to run the system for
worship services, memorial services or such
gatherings in the sanctuary as a Sound Tech
might be needed. With more trained people,
the ‘duty’ times can be rotated—to the benefit
of all. Please contact Bill Lockhart, 738-7531
if you are interested.
Once again, CPC hosted the end-of-
summer concert for the Lighthouse for the
Blind Summer Music Camp. A small group
of CPC folks assisted with the service and
some family members attended on Friday
evening, August 11th. The musicians
played flute and piano solos accompanied
by gifted singers. The Camp Chorus per-
formed. The Jazz Bank played Dave Bru-
beck’s “Take Five” very well, and some oth-
er popular songs. The performers were all
well-rehearsed, and the troupe thanked
CPC for hosting them. They have one
more performance this summer, a concert
in San Francisco.
HURRICANE HARVEY
Volume V ~ Issue 9 Page 5
THE PROPERTY COMMISSION
Cal Groeneweg, Acting Chair
At the July meeting of folks interested in
Property issues, there was a long discussion
about our property needs and maintenance is-
sues. We discussed the idea of finding a
“Property/Maintenance” Manager who would
help us prioritize our property issues, schedule
minor repairs, and perform standard checks on
items around the grounds. It would be ideal to
stop the deterioration of items that need repair or
be able to fix things before they lead to larger
issues.
Property Commission made a recommen-
dation to Stewardship/Finance Commission re
financing this position and suggests that this be
a priority for this year’s “short” budge as well as
an addition to the 2018 budget. The Steward-
ship/Finance Commission did have a lengthy
discussion on this matter and made a recom-
mendation to Session to approve this position
based on the needs around CPC since we have
upgraded our grounds. We know we have many
items that need attention. Session approved
the idea and the Property Commission will be
seeking a Property/Maintenance Manager, an
independent contractor will be hired for 16
hours (per month) .
In addition, Session approved the motion
to allow Property Commission to accept bids
from one or more new landscapers, to maintain
our grounds and the area around the Presbytery
building, so that our whole site is managed by
the same company and our grounds are kept
looking healthy and well-cared for, in a uniform
manner. Under this plan, CPC will bill the Pres-
bytery of the Redwoods each month for the care
and maintenance of the grounds surrounding
their building.
The commission is currently seeking to
hire a new landscaping company and hope to
have someone in place by September 1st.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
needs your support for immediate emergency
response and long-term recovery efforts.
Make check payable to
Covenant Presbyrterian
Church. Write on your
# Drooo169-Harvey
on the Memo line.
Thank you!
Volume V ~ Issue 6 Page 6
Stewardship/Finance Commission
Announcement
“We are moving back to a calendar year. Here is what it means for
you/your pledge or financial gift.”
As recently announced, Session has voted
to return to the calendar year budget
(January - December), beginning in 2018.
Meanwhile, our pledge cycle will function on
a 1/2 year budget from July 1, 2017 through
December.
How does this “stub” budget (1/2 year)
effect your current pledge? Those of you
who have made a 2016/2017 pledge are en-
couraged to continue (or increase) that
pledge through December 31, 2017.
If you did not make a pledge toward the
2016/17 budget and would like to make a half
-year pledge, please contact Sue in the
church office or continue to give your mone-
tary gifts in the Sunday offering. Everyone
will be asked to prayerfully consider pledging
in the future—just as we have done in the
past, with the 2018 Stewardship campaign to
be held this fall. The fall campaign will sup-
port the new Jan.-Dec. 2018 budget.
Still have questions? Speak to Cal Groe-
neweg or Barbara Pahre, your elders cur-
rently serving on the Stewardship/Finance
Commission.
Thank you!
Life Long Learning SHARING YOUR STORY
Life Long Learning Commission is now gather-ing names of people who would like to share their Faith Journey. Typically, we have offered Faith Journeys as a six week series; a different story each week, following worship. There are helpful guide-lines available. These stories have been so meaning ful to both the Story Teller and those who have been fortunate to hear the story! In a way, it is like gathering around the dinner table at Grandma’s house, telling family stories. We all hold a ‘family memory’ of how we became part of the Christian family and while it is the basis of our connection here at CPC, it is also unique to each of us. If you have an interest in participating as a Sto-ry Teller this year, please contact Diana Greenwood to sign up: [email protected] We plan to offer the next Faith Journey series begin-ning in late summer.
Advice from a Pumpkin
Volume IV ~ Issue 9 page 7
Fond Farewells and a Welcome
On Friday, September 29, we will bid a
fond farewell to the person we all lean on for
information, a sympathetic ear, calm in the
midst of chaos, and the keys to most any-
where. Sue Harrison, our Administrative As-
sistant is retiring. Hopefully, you have already
contacted the office with your RSVP for the
“Iced Tea Party” to officially bid her farewell on
Sunday, Sept. 10 at 4:00, at the church.
Every ending offers joyous new begin-
nings. It is a great pleasure to announce that
your Session approved our own Diana Green-
wood for the position of Administrative Assis-
tant and has charged her with the same sym-
pathetic ear, information, a sense of continuity,
and sets and sets of keys.
The Personnel Commission interviewed
Diana and were excited by what they learned.
Not only has Diana been an active, creative
member of Session and chair of Lifelong
Learning for CPC, she brings a business back-
ground, a design background, and prior experi-
ence as an administrative assistant. Session
enthusiastically invited Diana to remain on
Session for the duration of her term, and to
continue her leadership with Lifelong Learning.
Welcome, Diana, to a new role with
your Covenant family.
Barbara Pahre, Personnel Chair
Happy September
BIRTHDAY!
9-1 Muriel Lesnewich
9-8 Ted Lassagne
9-11 Eleanor Bolin
9-24 Bev Penry
9-27 Anna Ernest
Jenna and Ryan Cooledge September 12
Lee and Cyrus Pearson
September 15
Steve and Holly Miller
September 20
Joe and Ruth Chandler
September 28
Happy September
ANNIVERSARY
More Stewardship/Finance News!
The Stewardship/Finance Commission is happy to report that we are now debt-free as we move
into our pastor search. This is an exciting time in the life of CPC. We—along with all of you—look
forward to what lies ahead. If you have any questions about these changes, or financial matters
at this time, feel free to contact:
Pam Kindig, Treasurer 258-2932
Barbara Pahre, Stewardship/Finance 224-7129
Cal Groeneweg, Acting Property Chair ~ 253-8236
Volume IV ~ Issue 9 page 8
Spotlight on Your New Administrative Assistant
Welcome, Diana Greenwood!
Diana Greenwood was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Canadian parents, which gave
her dual citizenship as a Canadian born “abroad.” She grew up in the Lutheran church, and in Min-
neapolis her mom worked for Lutheran Brotherhood, a mission outreach organization matching
families to orphans. Diana’s father was a biochemist and a geology enthusiast who had a sense
of wanderlust. Wherever the rocks were, they would go.
The family moved back to Canada when Diana was a toddler and she spent her young
years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, better known as “Winterpeg.” She has fond memories of building ig-
loos in the front yard, skiing down the hills the snow plows created, bon fires on beaches, and wan-
dering the woods behind her house. In those woods were snowy owls, cardinals and magpies,
wasps’ nests to dodge, and thorns the size of swords. There, she wrote her first stories.
In the mid-sixties the family moved to southern California, and then came north to Vacaville
to settle. Diana left for college at Sacramento State and then, based in San Francisco, embarked
upon a career in commercial interior design and store planning, which sent her around the country,
blueprints in her suitcase. She eventually left the corporate world for freelance design, landing in
Napa in 1988, opened her first retail store downtown, Paysage, and later co-owned a wholesale
amenities design business, The Napa Valley Wildflower Company. Her beautiful daughter, Arin,
was born in 1992 and Diana has found more joy in motherhood than any other life achievement.
In the late nineties Diana returned to her first love—writing stories. She was a staff writer for
Brehm Communications for ten years, a freelance writer for various clients, and with memories of
childhood books inspiring her, began to write poetry and fiction. Her first young adult novel, Insight,
was published by Zondervan, Harper Collins, in 2011. She continues to write and teach and is a
member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Diana and Arin stumbled upon Covenant Presbyterian Church 14 years ago when Jan
Lasagne asked Arin to play flute for the congregation. From that first moment, with light dancing on
the pews and birds chirping in the garden, CPC felt like home. They became members; Arin was
baptized, and they are both grateful to be a part of such a loving, welcoming place of worship. Di-
ana facilitated the former CPC Youth Group, has taught Sunday school for seven years (like her
mother and father before her), is currently the Chair of Life Long Learning, and is finishing her first
term as a member of session. “My faith has grown by leaps and bounds at CPC,” she said. “This
church is rich in unconditional love and spirit. There’s no place I’d rather be.”
When CPC Administrative Assistant, Sue Harrison, announced her retirement, Diana decided
to apply for the position. It spoke to her as a job where her varied skills could be put to good use, she
could learn and grow with the challenges, and she already loved her co-workers—the congregation
and the interim pastor, and her boss—God. She is hoping her boss watches over her and guides her
as she steps into Sue’s shoes, and as hard as those shoes will be to fill, Diana looks forward to
serving all of CPC with love.
Join us on Tuesdays 10 am ~ Church Parlor
Lively Discussions,
appreciation for God’s Word.
All are welcome!
Visit our Website! www.cpcnapa.org
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cpcnapa
THE CRIER ON-LINE is published on or
about the 1st of the month.
Deadline for submissions is the
3rd Sunday of each month.
.
Communion is served
on the first Sunday
of the month, 10:30 a.m.
.A Letter from Ghost Ranch Debra Hepler, Executive Director
Dear Friends,
I In this grieving time for the families of
Charlottesville, let us pray for all hearts to
know the peace and love of the Holy Spirit, to
listen to the words of love and compassion as
spoken by Christ, and to understand that all
people are created in the image of God. God
cares for us, not for what we look like in our
physical appearance and color, but through
our hearts and souls. As God’s people, we
are asked to do the same.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
Volume IV ~ Issue 9 page 9
Marlene Violet Zimmerman July 27, 1933 ~ August 14, 2017
Marlene passed away following a lengthy and courageous battle
with cancer. She will be remembered as our friend, a woman who cared about social justice, who was an advocate of
life long learning. She served on Session … she volunteered to
clean cupboards in the office … she was active in the Napa community.
A service celebrating her life will be held September 30, 2017 ~ 2 pm
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Condolences may be sent to her family In care of her daughter:
