St. Mary's Lay Ministries

We come together as a community of the faithful to share our time, talent and our humanity. With a spirit of thanksgiving, we find our place in worship, the community of the church and the broader community of Napa and the world. We are all God's ministers in living our daily lives.

Christian Growth

Stewardship: St. Mary's is pursuing a year-round program which promotes our understanding of how to live a life of Christian Stewardship and to provide a growing appreciation of the church's mission and ministry. 

Newcomers Meetings: Scheduled throughout the year to acquaint new people, and reacquaint interested parishioners, with St. Mary's, its mission and goals, and with the Episcopal Church in general. These meetings allow for the exchange of information in a personal and informal setting.

Church School: For children from pre-school (ages 3-4) through the sixth grade, from September through June. Children attend school during the early portion of the 10:00 A.M. worship service, entering the church in time for communion. Volunteers are always needed to teach this vital program. Two teachers per class work on a monthly rotation through the school year. 

Nursery: Care is available during the 10:00 A.M. service for children from birth to age 3.

Journey To Adult: The Journey to Adulthood is a six year program of spiritual formation for youth that provides a liturgical framework for their experience in our modem culture, celebrates their individuality and their creative potential, and instructs them in skills needed for successful adult participation in church and society. Journey to Adulthood is composed of three two-year segments: Rite 13 for youth entering grades 6 and 7, J2A for youth entering grades 8 and 9, and young Adults in church for youth in grades 10 through 12. The years focus on the great stories of Holy Scripture and their impact on our lives; on prayer; on the ways we encounter God; on our possessions; on how our faith guides us; and on how we relate to one another and to God. A course on confirmation is taught in the fourth year of the program. Classes are held Sunday moorings at 9:00 AM in the St. Mary's Youth Center, so the youth may attend worship at 8:00 and 10:00. Additional afternoon and evening activities are scheduled on an occasional basis. Christian formation is a lifelong process. The Journey to Adulthood gives young people a firm foundation on which to build their spiritual lives.

Bible Study: Provides creative and scholarly exploration. Classes vary with the interests of parishioners and are generally held on Tuesday evenings. Your ideas are welcome.

The Library: Contains books and videos by today's (and yesterday's) great Christian thinkers and educators. Open to parishioners on Sundays and during church office hours.

Cursillo: Literally a little course in Christianity, this weekend experience has made a lifelong difference for those who have attended.

The Book of Remembrance: When a fellow member or a dear friend passes away, their name(s) may be entered into the Book at the request of a Parish member. Gifts and endowments to St. Mary's may be recorded as well. The Book is available for perusal at the Mary Attar when the Sanctuary is open. 

Worldwide Marriage Encounter: An escape from distractions for couples with good marriages who are interested in acquiring the tools to build a better Christian marriage.

St Mary's Scrip Program: St. Mary's Scrip program enables us to receive a donation from participating merchants at no cost to you when you shop. Our program includes both paper and electronic scrip (e-Scrip), and while grocery stores are the emphasis of St. Mary's scrip program, we also receive donations from numerous other merchants who participate in the e-Scrip program. We purchase paper scrip certificates, which are used the same as cash, from Browns Valley Market, Raleys / Nob Hill, See's Candies, and Vallergas Markets at a discount. Albertson's and Safeway provide cards that are presented at the time of purchase, and a percentage of the purchase amount is credited to a St. Mary's account. Volunteers are available at the table to sell scrip certificates and provide information on how you can participate in St. Mary's scrip program following the Saturday evening and Sunday morning services.

Our Parish Family Cares

These are ministries of our Christian fellowship at St. Mary's. It helps our parish family grow stronger when those in need ask for help for it gives those willing hearts a chance to act. If you have a need or want to help, call the church office

Coffee Hour: What better way to get to know someone than over a cup of coffee? Volunteer hosts and hostesses prepare and serve coffee and tea after the 10:00 a.m. service and are responsible for clean up. Food is always nice but is not necessary. Not sure what to do? Team up with someone who has done it before. Sign-up on the calendar in Turnbull Hall or contact the church office.

Movable Feast: This new approach to an old-fashioned idea provides food to parishioners for a period of time during those stressful times, such as a birth, severe illness, or hospitalization. If you are interested in providing a little home-cooked comfort. 

P.I.E. Ministry: This ministry swings into action when a newcomer fills out a visitor's card during services. A welcoming phone call is made immediately and a fresh pie is delivered within a week.

Ride assistance: Available for those needing a ride to any of our church services. Allow a few days to set up a ride. E-mail rbull@aol.com be sure to put "ride assistance" in subject line.

St. Mary's Shepherds : Volunteers provide a ministry to shut-ins and those who need a helping hand. While these programs are primarily aimed at ministry with St. Mary's family, the program permits access to the wider community needs.

Prayer Chain: Available for those in need of extra prayer for themselves, a loved one, or a friend. One phone call sets the chain into action. Members of the chain immediately pray and then call the next person on the list.

Foyer Groups: Formed each fall from a list of parishioners who have signed up on the list in Turnbull Hall for a round-robin of meals and fellowship in their homes. Groups of 6-8 randomly selected persons collectively decide on the format, dates and times of the get-togethers. Singles and couples are always welcome. 

Our Larger Family, the World

St. Mary's Foundation: The Vestry has established "The St. Mary's Foundation." Managing any investments of St. Mary's which are not used for the current operating year is the purpose of the Foundation. The St. Mary's Foundation Committee consists of. Bob Benning, Teri Buchanan, Jack Bellevue, David Doshier, Malcolm Mackenzie, Nancy Nicks, and Dave Parkinson. Providing stable income with capital appreciation and achieving this by investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, loans, cash and cash equivalents is the goal of this committee. St. Mary's Foundation is able to accept more than cash donations. Real estate, insurance, stock certificates, precious metals are just a few of the non-cash assets which may be donated. Parishioners now have another level of convenience to underwrite special projects for St. Mary's.

Special Events: Coordinated by your vestry commission for fellowship and fundraising. The net proceeds are allocated among St. Mary's, community outreach and the support of ministries and parishes abroad. Interested in helping? 

Food Barrel: Always in the church entry, Parishioners donate non-perishable commodities to the Napa Food Bank. Parish volunteers help with the Food Bank's Brown Bag program.

The Table: Parish volunteers cook and serve an early dinner to the needy at the First Presbyterian Church. St. Mary's day at The Table is the third Monday of each month.

The United Thank Offering:  Begins with individuals who express their recognition of the presence of God in their daily lives and their thanksgiving for his presence by saying a prayer and placing a coin in their blue offering box. Our coins are united annually with the coins of others into one great offering from which grants go around the world. 

Church Women United: An ecumenical group from many churches in the Valley. Celebration days are held quarterly at member churches. Board meetings occur the first Monday of each month at the First Baptist Church, Napa. Membership is open to all women of the church. Ministries include operation of the C.W.U. Clothing Center at 2473 2ed St.., Napa, a shoe fund to provide new shoes to school-age children, and a fund to buy school uniforms.

Dear Lord, teach me to see life as a community of sharing and help me to be an active participant. Amen.

Revised 10/16/05