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I do not at all understand the mystery of grace –
only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.
~ Anne Lamott
Sunday Preview
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Worship services @ 8:30 & 10:30 AM
Education Hour (for all ages) @ 9:15 AM
Courtyard Fellowship @ 11:30 AM
Sermon: "Getting in Line" by Samantha Gonzalez-Block
Scriptures:
Jonah 3:10-4:11; Matthew 20:1-16
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Last Sunday, Marcia, Richard and Samantha asked “What now?” The Stewardship Committee has one answer. Faith Forward. The 2018 Pledge Campaign kicks off on Sunday, September 24 with a celebration of what we CAN accomplish in the coming year. Join us for doughnut holes and punch in the atrium as we prepare to move our Faith Forward in worship and service.
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Celebration Team | Worship Collaboration
It's Celebration Team time again! This pop-up Team comes together to dream and collaborate about worship as we plan for our seasons of waiting and preparation in the church year. Together we explore how to bring the arts, creativity, and multi-sensory aspects into our worship. So come with your ideas, your hopes, and your creativity and spirit of play and joy. Jeff and Marcia look forward to what wonderful things emerge in our work together this fall in preparation for Advent. We will meet (Jeff and I are working on a time and place). Everyone and anyone interested is welcome to join the fun!
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"Culture of Sanctuary" Creators
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DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Update: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Throughout the United States, Self-Help Credit Unions are supporting DACA renewal applicants by offering loans at 0.0% interest and no application fee to make DACA renewal more affordable.
To meet the October 5 deadline, applicants must contact Self-Help ASAP in order to allow loan processing by October 4. Renewal applications should be submitted by September 30 so that they can be received and logged in by October 5.
Recipients of Self-Help Credit Union loans will have quick access to funds to cover the cost of applying for DACA and can avoid high-cost predatory loans, like payday loans.
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Literacy Council of Buncombe County Needs ESOL Volunteer Tutors!!
The Literacy Council of Buncombe County maintains a significant waiting list of immigrant adults with a variety of literacy and English language skill levels who want to learn and improve their English. Tutors in their ESOL program complete an orientation session and a 15-hour training before being matched with students, and receive follow-up support throughout their tutoring commitment. Tutors commit to working with students for one, two-hour session weekly for a minimum of one year. All teaching materials are provided, and VOLUNTEERS DO NOT NEED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE.
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Seeking GCPC Nursery Volunteers!
This is a church that supports young families in many ways and one of those ways is dependable and loving childcare. We still have
TWO
volunteer spots in the nursery that need to be filled for the upcoming school year.
This is a commitment of only 6 Sundays a year!
Please consider volunteering for this important ministry with our wonderful GCPC children!
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Nametag Reminder
What's your name again??? GCPC community, please remember to wear a nametag each week. Don't have one? Extra nametags are available on the tables outside the sanctuary and our ushers can help you find one. If you would like a permanent one, please turn in your sticker nametag to Sherrie Meehan's box or to a staff member and we'll have one ready for you next week. Thanks for helping to make our community a more welcoming place!
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This Sunday's Adult Education Classes:
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Pressure Points: Religious Violence | Choir Room
Fall Term |
We will examine how misreadings of Biblical passages have been used to rationalize and even promote religious violence.
This Sunday we will begin our study of religious violence by considering the history and the connection between religion and violence. If you are reading along in Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' book
Not in God's Name,
our discussion will be loosely based on chapters 1-2.
Digging In: Creation Care & Scripture | Atrium
Fall Term |
Over the nine weeks of this course we will look at Scripture in relation to contemporary concern for Creation Care.
This Sunday we will begin our study with some texts traditionally used to argue against care of creation:
Genesis 1:28 and 2 Peter 3:10.
The Improv: Boundaries | Jerusalem Room
Fall Term
| The Boundaries class will explore how to establish healthy boundaries with friends, parents, children, coworkers, self, and God.
This Sunday we will define what we mean by 'boundaries' and discuss why different people have difficulty identifying exactly what boundaries are.
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EDUCATION HOUR (for all ages) at 9:15 AM
Click
HERE
to see a preview of the full year of
2017-2018 Adult Education classes.
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Wisdom in the Woods Retreat | Oct. 19 – 22 | Boone/Blowing Rock
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: September 25th!!
Are you a woman who has a few decades under her belt? Do you remember bell bottoms or even poodle skirts? Would you like a chance to connect on a closer level with each other than sometimes it feels like life and schedules allow? Introducing our first annual Wisdom in the Woods retreat! This will be a time for fellowship and also digging deeper into our faith together. The cost is $175 per person which covers room, most meals, and programming. Registration forms are available at the Information Station.
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Bible Study | Wednesdays | 11 AM | Conference Room
Everyone is welcome to join the pastoral staff to read and study our sermon texts for Sunday. No preparation needed, just come ready to open scripture and discuss.
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Serve Committee Mission Grants
The Serve Committee is accepting grant applications from community partners and nonprofits through October 6, 2017. 2017 Mission Grants will focus on supporting ways to build equitable opportunities and/or processes for those marginalized in Asheville by race, gender, economic position and/or residency status.
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VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | First Tuesday of the Month |
Next cook date: Oct. 3rd
Inviting you to join the BBQ Cook Team at the VRQ on the first Tuesday to help prepare, cook and serve the evening meal. ABCCM-Veteran Restoration Quarters located at 1329 Tunnel Road provides transitional housing for more than 200 US Armed Force Veterans. If this service fits your schedule come at 4:15 to help prepare and cook or 5:45 to serve the evening meal.
Commitments can be for one Tuesday or more. After serving the meal we join the veterans, sharing the meal and conversation. The evening usually ends by 7. No kitchen clean-up. It is a good time and good camaraderie. Email
Anna Louise to be added to the list. Questions? Contact
Bill Neeriemer.
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GCPC Palooza Service Sites
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Aimee's Memorial Garden - Haywood Street
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RITI - AHOPE Front Yard Project
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SAVE THE DATE !
ROOM IN THE INN | November 12 – 19, 2017
GCPC’s session of “Room In The Inn” at the end of August was a wonderful experience for all – the ladies who are in “Room In the Inn” program, the GCPC volunteers, and the UU volunteers. The ladies found shelter and safety for a week as we were graciously allowed to use the Grace Episcopal Church while our church building is under construction. The warm hospitality of Grace Episcopal is amazing! What outstanding neighbors they truly are!
We thank All of You who helped in any way! – The meals were delicious, the drivers were helpful and most kind; the support of the hospitality folks was invaluable; the overnight hosts were phenmonenal in tending to their duties.
GCPC will be again hosting “Room In The Inn” November 12 – 19, 2017. We hope that you will mark your calendar and be ready to sign up to help!
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Salsa Dancing & Lesson (to support hurricane disaster relief in the Caribbean) | Monday, October 2 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM | Habitat Tavern and Commons (
174 Broadway, Asheville
)
Come dance for a good cause! Enjoy an evening of beginner Salsa lessons, led by Samantha Gonzalez-Block and open dancing for all ages and levels. Any donations collected will go towards hurricane disaster relief in the Caribbean. All are welcome to come socialize and enjoy.
Nos vemos! See you there!
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SOS ~ Save Our Sanity | 7:00 PM | Meets first Monday of the month
A social, prayer, support group for mothers of young children! Come with an appetizer and choice of drink; leave the kids at home. Together, we’ll create the fun and support we need as we work to raise our little ones. To be added to list, email Anna Louise at
almurchison@gcpcusa.org
.
First Meeting
: Monday, October 2 – Jessica Graham's Home. Click
HERE
for the full calendar.
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PNO ~ Parents’ Night Out | 5:00 – 8:15 PM | Meets one Saturday a month
**We still have THREE dates that need hosts!**
Please click
HERE
to sign up for one!
Leave your children at the church for childcare, and let’s all go out on the town together! Contact the church to reserve a space for childcare the Monday prior to our outing Saturday. Drop your child and $10 at the church on the night of the event. Carpool or meet us wherever we are to gather! Email Anna Louise at
almurchison@gcpcusa.org to be added to the list. (Schedule will soon be posted on the website, under CARE tab.)
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Deacon of the Week
Each Sunday morning there will be a deacon available for everything from praying with you to giving you a tour of the building. This deacon will be wearing a purple sash and stationed in the narthex before 10:30 worship and in the front of the sanctuary after worship. He or she is also available during the week if you or someone you love needs assistance from our board of deacons.
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Church hike from Potato Field Gap over Lane Pinnacle to Tanbark Tunnel, Mountains to Sea Trail
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Many thanks to Les Stradley for organizing this hike!
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Prayer List
[We are happy to pray for anyone who is in need. Concerns will stay on this list for a month unless we hear otherwise. Please keep us updated.]
Jerusalem Church congregation
Linda Parker (Anna Jarvis' sister-in-law)
JoAnne Hewett and family (Allison McLamb's co-worker)
Betsy Needle (Robin Gaiser’s friend)
Sherry Harcke (Les and Susan Stradley's friend)
David Bartlett (Anna Louise Murchison's friend)
Cecelia deMattos (Molly deMattos' mother)
Nikita Norris, Regina Hunter & family (Habitat for Humanity partner family)
Denise, Betty and David Whitt (Mary Ellen Horne's partner and family)
Roy Hicks (Melissa Hicks' father)
Glen Russell (Robin Gaiser's brother)
Ronda Latrella (Susie Churchfield's friend)
Betty Weller (sister of Lucy Reiley and Margaret Peery)
Family of Saralyn Griffith
Virginia Bradley
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Jerry Bleckley
Teresa Stern
Cindy Egerer
Florence Riedesel
Gerry Simons
Cory Hartbarger
Pat Cheffins
Esther Colton
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* Middle School & Senior High Sunday School:
Every Sunday | 9:15-10:10am |Youth Rooms (Promise Zone)
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Presbytery Youth Rally at Montreat | THIS SUNDAY, September 24th | *2:00 - 6:45 PM | Meet/pick up at GCPC parking lot
This is a not-to-miss afternoon! We will gather with youth from across our presbytery and engage in fun activities together (co-led by GCPC's own PYC youth). There is no cost or meal, but GCPC encourages you to bring a snack and a water bottle.
If you meet us at Montreat, arrive to Upper Anderson at 2:50pm & pick up at 6:15pm.
***
RSVP HERE
ASAP so we can assess carpool needs. Parents, we are looking for drivers.
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Register right away for:
AYM/Creation Care Mission Earth Service Day | Sat., October 14th| 12:00 - 6:30 PM | Meet/pick up at Grace Covenant parking lot
Asheville Youth Mission & Creation Care Alliance are hosting a youth service day focused on faith and the environment. We will be doing meaningful service outside and meeting youth from across the area. Wear clothes that can get dirty (long pants, sturdy shoes) and bring a water bottle. GCPC will cover the entire cost for participants. Dinner and t-shirt provided.
***
REGISTER HERE
by September 26th to attend.
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Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
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REI (The Racial Equity Institute) Training | November 15 & 16 (8:30 AM- 5:15 PM) | St. Mary's Episcopal (
337 Charlotte St.
)
REI is an alliance of trainers, organizers, and institutional leaders who have devoted themselves to the work of creating racially equitable organizations and systems. They help individuals and organizations develop tools to challenge patterns of power and grow equity.
Register for the next Racial Equity Institute training in Asheville. Registration is first come first serve, and it always fills up fast. Registration is not complete until the form is filled out and submitted, and we have payment for your seat. Click
HERE for more details about the workshop in the attached Registration Form.
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Koinonia Series Discussions |
6:00-7:30 PM | Thursdays | The Cathedral of All Souls (
9 Swan St
) | Zabriskie Hall
All Souls has a series where they are "listening to the community." These events are free open to the public.
9/21 - The Life and Health of Neighborhoods
A discussion on the way in which race, povery, and trauma create barriers to economic success for adults and impact the health of children. Led by Lisa Eby, Director of Human Resources for Buncombe County and liaison for the Isaac Coleman Initiatives; David Thompson, Director of Student Services at Buncombe County Public Schools; and J. Hackett, Executive Director, Green Opportunities.
9/28 - Neighborhood and Physical Health
How do we recognize, uphold, and encourage the inherent health of our neighborhoods? Led by Kathey Avery, ABIPA (Asheville Buncombe Institute of Parity Achievement) and Nikita Smart, Hillcrest Outreach Coordinator, Doula with Homegrown Babies.
10/12 - Personal Resources for Economic & Social Equity
Led by Jesse Pitt, Asheville Schools. We will explore equity in resources using an interactive equity inventory.
10/19 - At-Risk Children in Buncombe County
Led by Christine Craft, Homeless Coordinator for Buncombe County Schools, and Greg Borum, Children First, this discussion will touch on homelessness, economics, and other challenges facing children in our community.
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Dreamers and DACA Renewal Deadline
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Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Meeting |
Mondays |
6:30-8:30 PM |
(RE Commons - downstairs at UUCA).
This space will be one where folks can come together to talk about issues of anti-black racism and white supremacy within ourselves, our families, work places, community, and beyond. What are we learning? What are we unlearning? where do we need support? What struggles are we having that we need some support on? How can we stay accountable in this work? How can we lean in to discomfort and risk-taking? Mostly a discussion space, this weekly meeting will sometimes include role-playing difficult conversations and situations (our Calling In session) and sometimes include an educational component. Newcomers are always welcome. Show up. Stay accountable. Get support and build connections to encourage you in continuing the work. For more info, contact Elizabeth at
elizabeth@lainschell.com or
avlsurj@gmail.com. This weekly meeting is co-sponsored by UUCA's Anti-Racism Group Action (ARG!a).
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Lunch and Learn Series "African American History in Buncombe County" | September 27 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM | Stephens Lee Recreation Center
(
30 George Washington Carver Ave.
)
Come learn more about the history of the African American community in Buncombe County — the challenges, the triumphs and the future of our community. Hosted by the Buncombe County Community Engagement Team. The lecture series will be held from Noon till 1:30 p.m. on each of the dates listed below. These events are free of charge and open to everyone. To sign up, click
HERE
.
- September 27 | Dr. Sharon West on access and availability of health care for African Americans in Buncombe County.
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"Evicted: Housing Crisis in WNC” featuring Matthew Desmond | Thursday, September 28 | 7 PM | The Sherrill Center/Kimmel Arena, UNC Asheville
Please join us for Pisgah Legal Services' 7th Annual Poverty Forum for a community conversation about affordable housing issues in WNC and how we can work together to bring about change. Dr. Matthew Desmond is the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Social Sciences at Harvard University and co-director of the Justice and Poverty Project. Click
here to purchase tickets.
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"Americans Who Tell the Truth" Opening - Meet Bree Newsome! | Saturday, September 30 | 4:30 - 6:30 PM | YMI Cultural Center
(39 S. Market St.)
Join us as we celebrate the portrait unveiling of North Carolina's own civil rights activist, Bree Newsome, as she is inducted into the 'Americans Who Tell The Truth' collection, joined by the artist Robert
Shetterly, for an evening of superb company, delectable hors d'oeuvres, entertainment and the opportunity to view the newly acquire,
community-owned 'Americans Who Tell the Truth' Print Library Collection.
Student-priced tickets available.
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Travel in North Korea: Off the Beaten Path | Friday, October 20 | 11:30 AM | UNCA Reuter Center, Manheimer Room
North Korea is one of the most secretive and remote locations on earth, visited by few Americans. In Jonathan Tetzlaff’s travels, he visited not only the capital, Pyongyang, but also remote locations in the central and northern portions of North Korea (along the border with China).
Jonathan is one of the few Americans to view the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – one of the most heavily-militarized borders in the world – from the
northern side. Other destinations included Chongjin, for decades a city closed to all visitors. Opened only a short time before his trip, security in Chongin was very tight.
Jonathan will discuss his travel, varied accommodations and unexpected experiences. Jonathan will also touch on tensions between the US and North Korea, recent advances in North Korean nuclear technology, and the regional and global consequences if war were to break out. The presentation will include numerous unusual photographs taken during the trip.
This event requires no tickets or reservations and is open to the public. The presentation will last approximately 45 minutes with ample time for Q&A. If you have questions, please contact Jonathan Tetzlaff at
jctetzlaff@yahoo.com. Information about Fab Friday Lunch and Learn Lectures is also available at:
https://olliasheville.com/special-programs.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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