Napa Fires and St. John’s: Saturday Update

Special Edition E-Vine: Napa Fires and St. John’s Update

Saturday October 14, 2017

Several additional announcements for our St. John’s family regarding the fires and our response.

• St. John’s Check In. Thank you to all who have completed the “St. John’s Check In” form.  It has been very helpful in keeping contact with our St. John’s family, and helping to bring awareness of the status and needs. We are going through each form, and noting the needs, including prayer requests.  We are also noting the many offers of help, and answering questions raised. The information is being shared with staff, including teaching staff, as well as our St. John’s Emergency Response ministry.  If you haven’t completed the form, here it is:  St. John’s Lutheran Check-In
• Worship Tomorrow: We will be having services tomorrow (October 15) at the usual times (8:30 and 10:15).  We will be inviting anyone interested to stay after each service for an update related to the fire response, and to share needs.  We’ll talk about the needs in our St. John’s family, ways to help, and will answer questions.  We know that many have left the area because of evacuation and the poor air quality, so we will be making available any pertinent information shared (E-vine, Facebook, etc.)  Because of these meetings, the “Foundations” class will not be meeting after the 10:15 service.  The class will resume next Sunday.
• St. John’s Fire Relief Fund: We have set up a “St. John’s Fire Relief Fund” to provide assistance to individuals and families affected by the fire.  This is a way we can directly and quickly provide help to those in need.  Please make checks payable to St. John’s and write “Fire Relief Fund” on the memo line.  You may also donate online. Here is the Donate Online to St. John’s link.  Use the “Other” option and specify “Fire Relief Fund.”  If you have a need or know of someone who could use this assistance, please contact the church or school office.  We have set up a Fire Relief Fund Team to make decisions regarding disbursing the funds.
• CNH District Fire Relief Fund. If you would like to donate to Fire Relief in general, for fire relief needs beyond Napa, please consider donating the California-Nevada-Hawaii District (LCMS) Disaster Fund.  This is the link to make such a donation. CNH Disaster Relief Fund.
• Helping Staff who have lost their homes. Please keep them in your prayers.
  • Bailey and Jake Spears: Bailey Spears is one of our preschool teachers.  Jake is a teacher at Justin-Sienna High School.  They lost their home in the fire, escaping only with cars and the clothes on their backs. This is a link to a GoFundMe Fundraiser to help them replace their wedding rings which were lost in the fire.  We also encourage you to consider supporting them directly with gift cards and gifts.  You can send cards and support directly to Bailey and Jake at this address.   Bailey and Jake Spears, c/o  Jennie Lovie, 2542 Lowell St, Napa, CA 94558
  • April and Ricardo Mora. April is an aide in our preschool.  She and her husband also lost their home in the fire.  We encourage you to consider supporting them directly with gift cards as well.  You can send cards and support directly to April at their temporary address.  April and Ricardo Mora, 385 Coombs St, Napa CA 94559

• Others who have lost homes. We will share tomorrow additional information regarding other church and school families who have lost their homes, or whose homes have been damaged, and where help is needed.
• Other Donations. There are many other organizations that are accepting donations, and numerous special needs being addressed through GoFundme.com, youcaring.com, and similar websites.   Please give as the Lord moves you.  But also please read carefully about the appeals and the organizations.
• Church, School and Mission. We are postponing the visit by Mike Zimmer to a later date.  So the workshop previously announced for next Saturday morning has been canceled.