Here's a message to a city that never sleeps: it's nap time. At least that was the message yesterday at 14 Pews, where many gathered for the Southern Naptist Convention to catch a few z's.

"[It's about] bringing an awareness about napping...Technology and different things keep us up later and lead [us] further down into insomnia. One of the ways to save us would be to nap more," said Emily Sloan, conductor of the Naptist Convention.

Nap-goers learned about the importance of napping and relaxation in a lecture by Stanley Merrill of The Jung Center of Houston, who then led them in a meditative exercise. Upon being told to let their minds wander, everyone then conked out in the darkened church. People slept on the ground and even on the pews, heads against soft, fluffy pillows for about an hour during the afternoon.

They then awoke to the ringing of a bell with the promise of milk and cookies, delicacies associated with insomniacs as a midnight snack, after the naptisms. People stood in line and answered several questions regarding their beliefs on the importance of sleep. Sloan then had them lie on a cot and sprinkled the down of a former pillow across their bodies. Upon completion, she pronounced them "naptised" and told them to lead a restful life.

14 Pews is the first wooden, whitewashed church in the Houston Heights area and is a non-profit cinema that holds screenings of indie films and documentaries.

The Southern Naptist Convention, in association with the Napping affects Performance and the Universal Nap Church, will host "NAPTURE: Don't be Left Awake!" October 21 at the 14 Pews.

Click here for a slideshow from the Naptist Convention.

For more information, visit www.nappingaffectsperformance.blogspot.com.