Grace Covenant Weekly News | October 12, 2017
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 So little cause for carolings
     Of such ecstatic sound
      Was written on terrestrial things
  Afar or nigh around,
That I could think there trembled through
     His happy good-night air
               Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew
     And I was unaware.
                                    ~ Thomas Hardy, “The Darkling Thrush”



Sunday Preview

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Worship services @ 8:30 & 10:30 AM
Education Hour (for all ages) @ 9:15 AM

Sermon: "The Peace of God" by Richard Coble
Scriptures:   Exodus 32:1-14; Philippians 4:1-9

Elder and Deacon Nominations 2018
The Nominating Committee is seeking recommendations from the congregation for persons to serve as an Elder or Deacon, beginning in February 2018. Look for the insert in the bulletin this Sunday or you may submit recommendations through an online google form HERE .
Upcoming events this week:
Fall Garden Potluck | Friday, October 13 |
6:00 PM | GCPC Fellowship Hall
TOMORROW! Bring your dish to share, ready to serve - the church kitchen is still under construction. Come early and help set up or stay late and help clean up. We have much to share and discuss, including solid numbers on the amount of vegetables planted, tended and harvested. Bring a friend, good stories and laughter—it is a time to celebrate your garden work.
Fall Festival - Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth and Families | Saturday, October 14th | 10 AM - 3 PM | 80 Lake Eden Rd. , Black Mountain
The Fall Festival at Black Mountain Home for Children is a mission of Presbyterian Women in Asheville Presbytery. There will be a silent auction, live music, BBQ, a car show, games and bounce houses for the kids, wagon rides, and more. You can do some early bidding at their on-line auction by clicking  HERE . For schedule of events click here .
New Class Offering starts THIS Sunday!
Our Life Together: A Family Systems Approach  
Six Sundays | Oct. 15-Nov. 19 | 5:00-6:15 PM | Fellowship Hall 
Doesn’t it feel sometimes like congregations can have a mind of their own? Using Family Systems Theory and Pastoral Theology, this class will examine how congregations deal with emotions, develop healthy patterns, and manage anxiety in life-giving ways. Together, we will ask questions like: How do we take responsibility for our emotions while remaining in relationship with others, especially in the midst of disagreements? What are some relationship patterns that might feel like they relieve stress but actually contribute negatively to a group overall? Together, we will look at how a congregation functions as a cohesive body and ways that we can promote healthy, spiritually grounded dynamics in our life together. Email Richard with questions. 
Food Connection Fundraiser:
Wasted! – The Story of Food Waste | Thursday, October 19 | 6:45 – 9:00 PM | Grail Moviehouse (45 S. French Broad Ave.)
The Grail Moviehouse presents a special screening of the new Anthony Bourdain documentary WASTED! The Story of Food Waste benefiting Asheville nonprofit Food Connection. Food Connection rescues surplus prepared meals from Asheville events and caterers and delivers these meals to nonprofits who feed the hungry. There will be a panel discussion after the screening featuring Flori Pate, founder/director of Food Connection, Chef Katie Button of Cúrate and The Nightbell, Danny Keaton of Danny's Dumpster, and Amber Weaver from the Asheville City Government. Cost is $20/person. 100% of the proceeds goes to Food Connection. Click HERE for more information.
NEW GCPC SEXTON!
Exly Lewis joins us as our new Sexton. Exly is originally from Trinidad & Tobago, but grew up predominantly in New York and Connecticut. He has worked in home improvements and renovations for over 15 years. Exly's partner works at Grace Covenant, Anna Louise Murchison, our Communications Administrator. Exly enjoys hiking and biking in the WNC mountains. Please take a minute to welcome him. His first day is October 10 and his first Sunday will be October 15.


 Stewardship Corner
The Serve Committee at Grace Covenant provides support and engagement with our mission partners in the Asheville community and abroad. We work to build new and maintain ongoing relationships with community partners, promote volunteer needs and opportunities in the community, and provide grants to our mission partners. This year (and to be announced in a few weeks), Grace Covenant will fund $70,000 in grants to mission partners, with a 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. Additionally, we will fund 35 scholars to our sister church Igelsia Jerusalem, in Coatepeque, Guatemala. The scholarships help with tuition, purchase of uniforms, books, shoes, school supplies, and other necessary items that their families could not afford. These funds come directly from our congregation’s pledges and gifts . Our church is called to engage in the world, and the Serve Committee is grateful to be able to move our Faith Forward in Christ’s love, hope and peace. 
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT!

Did you know that you can give easily and securely from your smartphone? 

Simply download the  'Give Plus Church' app and select  'Grace Covenant Presbyterian' to set up one-time or recurring ACH or debit/credit card donations. The  Give + Mobile app is free and easy to use. You can also log in to manage and view your giving history conveniently anywhere, anytime. 

e-Giving allows you to give when the Spirit moves you, not just on Sundays or when you have your checkbook handy. For more information about how e-Giving supports  faith forward stewardship, check out this short video:  Benefits of e-Giving Video 

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Natalie Weaver, our Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or  828.254.3274, ext. 202.

Creating Sanctuary Team
We Are Family

"God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family; that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion." Desmond Tutu (from GCPC bulletin 10/13/16). 

Can we help each other as well as our politicians "realize we are family?" 

Our calls to legislators are counted; they matter.

Senator Richard Burr-  202-224-3154
Senator Tom Tillis-  202-224-6342
Representative Patrick McHenry-  202-225-2576
Representative Mark Meadows-  828-693-5660
An invitation from the Creating Sanctuary Team:
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) | Wednesday, November 1 | 6:00 PM | Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit | Mars Hill
Anyone interested in attending a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration  please contact the GCPC office by Friday, Oct. 27 . The service (which will include communion) will be led primarily in Spanish by Rev. Hilario Cisneros of La Capilla de Santa Maria, and will be followed by a potluck. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday which combines indigenous and European traditions, and is celebrated on All Saints Day and All Souls Day in the Catholic calendar. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and to help support their spiritual journey. Directions to the church will be provided.
Habitat for Humanity House Update
We continue to have 100% show rate for our volunteers and we are working safely! The GCPC family has a chance to meet our Habitat family on Sunday, November 19th. Prayers are still important and any financial donations are appreciated. The best way is to make the check payable to GCPC with "2017 Presbyterian/ Methodist Habitat House" on the memo line. Many thanks to all our amazing volunteers and for your continued support! Contact Bill Ryan with any questions.
Before
After
Bill Ryan & Judy McDonough
Bill Ryan & John Huie
Knit and Natter
Just a reminder…. a knitting group meets on Wednesdays at 10 AM at the church. If you knit, or want to learn to knit, or crochet, you are invited to join the group. If you have any questions about the group, contact Lynne Noble.
SCARVES are a great way to bust your stash. We are knitting and crocheting scarves that will be Christmas presents for the participants at the Senior Opportunity Center downtown. Contact Lynne if you want to knit or crochet a scarf for the Seniors. And, thank you.
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 ONE volunteer spot in the nursery that needs 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!
GROW 
This Sunday's Adult Education Classes:
Pressure Points: Religious Violence | Choir Room
Fall Term | "Identity is based on narrative, the stories we tell about who we are, where we came from, and what is our relationship to others." -- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.  We will be examining the Biblical narratives that have shaped who we are and that have been used to justify violence between us. We will consider how a deep, attentive reading of these texts actually provides a sacred antidote to violence.  This Sunday we will practice a deep reading of the stories of Ishmael and Isaac, and Esau and Jacob. For those following along in Rabbi Sacks' book  Not in God's Name,  our discussion will be loosely based on chapters 6-7.

Digging In: Creation Care & Scripture | *Jerusalem Room
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 examine God's response to Job in Job 38-41, where God is established as the center of all creation. 

The Improv: Boundaries | *Fellowship Hall
Fall Term  | The Boundaries class will explore how to establish healthy boundaries with friends, parents, children, coworkers, self, and God.  This Sunday we will continue to look at how to establish healthy boundaries in specific relationships. We will be focusing primarily on boundaries in friendships this week.
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.
OTHER GROW OPPORTUNITIES
The Racial Justice Book Club | Thursday, November 9 | 12:15 PM | Jerusalem Room
This year, GCPC is committing to reading a book every month by an author of color who examines issues of race and justice. In the fall, we will be looking at racial justice from a systemic perspective. The book club will be meeting the second Thursday of every month. For November, we will be reading and discussing White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson.
Please contact Richard or Marcia for any questions.
Bible Study | Wednesdays | 11 AM | *Sanctuary
*Note room change. 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.
Wednesday Sanctuary Open for Prayer 
Each Wednesday from 11:45 AM - 1 PM*, the sanctuary will be open for silent prayer. Some evenings will close with a brief time of centering prayer. *Please note time change.
SERVE
Room In The Inn | November 12-19, 2017
Can you drive?
Can you prepare part of a meal?
Do you have a talent or skill you might share?
Can you help set up for a meal?
Do you have time on a Sunday afternoon in November to help?
Do you like conversation?
Can you spare an evening?
 If you can do any of the above, please stop by the ”Room In The Inn” table in the narthex this Sunday to find out how you can help the women who are in the Room In The Inn program now. They are currently working to get into a home (an apartment) of their own, and not sleep on the streets or by the river any more. You can also sign up online here. You and your help are needed. Thanks in advance. Call Nan Clarke, Lynne Noble, Geneva Neeriemer, or Beth Philipsen for ANY questions
CARE
PNO ~ Parents’ Night Out | 5:00 – 8:15 PM | First Meeting: Saturday, October 21st
Leave your children at the church for childcare, and let’s all go to Richard Coble and Lindsey Williford’s house! Contact Sherrie to RSVP and/or reserve childcare by Monday, Oct. 16th. Drop your child and $10 at the church on the night of the event. Email Anna Louise to be added to the list. (Schedule will soon be posted on the website, under CARE tab.)
GCPC 20s/30s Gathering:
"Living Liberation" Discussion | Monday, October 23 | 7 - 8:30pm | French Broad Chocolate Lounge ( 10 S Pack Square )
What is liberation theology and how does it inform our lives of faith? If you are in your twenties or thirties, join Richard and Samantha downtown for a good discussion over good chocolate (truffles on us!). Together, we will be discussing the first chapter of James Cone's  The Cross and the Lynching Tree.  You can access the chapter HERE .   Contact   Sherrie   by Sunday, Oct 15th if you will be needing childcare.   RSVP HERE   so that we can get a table big enough. See you then!
PW Circle Meeting
#3 | Thursday, October 19 | 7 PM | Jennifer Vogel | 5 Robinhood Rd. | Leader: Jennifer Vogel
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.
This week:  Sally Booher,  phone:  828-254-6910
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)
Nikita Norris, Regina Hunter & family (Habitat for Humanity partner family)
Denise, Betty and David Whitt (Mary Ellen Horne's partner and family)
Glen Russell (Robin Gaiser's brother)
Ronda Latrella (Susie Churchfield's friend)
Betty Weller (sister of Lucy Reiley and Margaret Peery)
Rindy Moore (Richard Coble's friend)
Mary Vogel (Vann Vogel's mother)
Chris Barkley (Kathy Theoharis' sister)
Virginia Bradley
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Jerry Bleckley
Teresa Stern
Cindy Egerer
Florence Riedesel
Gerry Simons
Cory Hartbarger
Esther Colton
Pat Cheffins
Gordon Gaiser
Connie Jones
Youth News
No Youth Group this coming Sunday evening.  
Next youth group will be Sunday, 10/22, 5-7pm. 
AYM/Creation Care Mission Earth Service Day | This Saturday, October 14 |  *12:00 - 7:00 PM  | Meet/pick up at GCPC parking lot 
If you registered for this, you should have received an email with all of the information. This is a youth service day focused on faith and caring for God's creation. Bring a water bottle and wear comfy clothes (long pants, sturdy shoes). GCPC will cover the cost and dinner will be provided.   Bring a  youth permission slip  OR an  adult permission slip .
TIME TO REGISTER FOR.......

Senior High Camping Trip | Saturday, October 28th, 2pm - Sunday, October 29th, 2pm | Celo (Meet/pick up GCPC parking lot )
Senior Highs, get ready for an outdoor adventure hiking, hanging out and worshiping in the woods! We will camp near Dean Presson's cabin in Celo. The cost is free and please make note if you have a tent that we can borrow. * Register digitally HERE   or pick up a hard copy registration form in the Information Station by Sunday, Oct 15th.
Middle School Retreat 2017 ~ Camp Grier | Friday, Nov 10th, 5:15 PM - Sunday, Nov 12th, 12:15 PM | Old Fort
Youth (grades 6-8) are invited to a fun-filled weekend with other youth from across our presbytery. It is sure to be a fantastic time playing games, doing energizers, and creatively exploring our faith together. The cost is $90 and there are full and partial scholarship available.  * Register digitally HERE  or pick up a hard copy registration form in the Information Station by Sunday, Oct 29th.
Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
Green Opportunities' Southside Community Kitchen Announces New Hours!
Lunch | Wednesdays and Thursdays | 12:00-1:00 PM Brunch | Fridays | 10:00-11:00 AM

Southside Community Kitchen is Green Opportunities’ soul food restaurant and interactive culinary classroom, located at the Arthur R. Edington Education & Career Center at 133 Livingston Street in Asheville, NC. GO Kitchen Ready students-in-training are responsible for prepping, cooking, and serving all meals in Southside Community Kitchen, allowing them to gain invaluable hands-on “back of house” experience operating a commercial kitchen and providing “front of house” dining room service.
 
Meals in our community kitchen are open to all. A suggested donation of $5 for lunch/brunch is encouraged for those who are able to pay. All donations support our training program. 
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).
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.
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.
"How Whiteness Shapes Multiracial Spaces: Lessons from  Behind the White Picket Fence" \ TONIGHT , October 12 | 5 PM | UNC Asheville, Humanities Lecture Hall
A lecture by Dr. Sarah Mayorga-Gallo. Mayorga-Gallo is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. She earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from Duke University. Her research interests are racial and ethnic inequality, urban neighborhoods, and Latinx migration.  This event is FREE and open to the public. Click here for more information.
"Healthcare for All - A Moral Obligation?" | TONIGHT , October 12 | 7 - 8:30 PM | First Baptist Church ( 5 Oak St. )
Healthcare for ALL - WNC presents a lively, non-partisan, multi-faith discussion. Do our core beliefs move us toward Healthcare for All? Five speakers, representing a variety of spiritual paths, will explore whether we have a moral imperative to care for all. They will address how their different theologies and philosophies inform responses to our current healthcare crisis. Speakers include: Rev. Mack Dennis - Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church; Jackie Simms - Ethical Humanist Society; Yousuf Ben Omran - Islamic Center of Asheville; Stephen Wall, M.D. - Congregation Beth Ha Tephila; Dr. John Grant, Pastor, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. David Blackmon - Moderator. A Q&A session will follow the presentations. Admission is FREE and doors open at 6:30 PM. For more information, please email hcfawnc@gmail.com.
Regional Food Waste Summit | Friday, October 20 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa
The Regional Food Waste Summit will bring together industry leaders to initiate cross-sector conversations and spark collaboration. Attendees will learn more about what the food waste systems are in our area, with a goal of establishing a collaborative network to address food waste recovery issues including:
• Driving support and awareness for excess, edible food collection and distribution
• Increasing landfill diversion tactics
• Developing community- and municipal-level compost initiatives 
• Hearing about innovative enterprise development 
This event is FREE and open to the public, but registration is REQUIRED! 
Click HERE for more information and to register.

"Love > Fear - The Journey to Refuge" - A Multimedia Experience | Thursday, October 19 | 7 PM | Grace Centre (495 Cardinal Rd., Mills River)
Fused by the power of story and a desire to help, more than 40 volunteers, artists, and Carolina refugee agency partners have come together in support of refugees, who now number 65 million globally. Join us for music, art and videos. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Click HERE to see flyer. Click to learn more about Fuse-Media.org.
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
CoThinkk’s 2017 Annual Event: “Becoming We: Strengthening our Roots” | Saturday, October 21 | 7:00-11:00 PM | The Collider ( 1 Haywood St. )
The 2017 Awards Event will allow us to highlight the innovative work of
leaders working across the region through announcing our 2nd year grant
recipients and an awards ceremony that will honor community leaders and
allies. The event will feature the talents of local artists and bring
the voice of the young people who are working across the Southern
region. Come join a diverse array of community leaders and colleagues as
we celebrate this important milestone and honor the important work that
leaders of color are doing in Asheville and Western North Carolina. For more information, click here or to reserve your free ticket, click here .
"Being Mortal" Film Screening & Panel Discussion | Friday, November 10 | 6 PM | Asheville Community Theatre ( 35 East Walnut St.)
Based on the bestselling book by Dr. Atul Gawande, the PBS Frontline documentary film, Being Mortal, explores what matters most to patients and families facing serious illness. Regardless of your age, you have a part in the discussion that asks: "Have you and your family had these important conversations and planned ahead?" To reserve your seat, as tickets are FREE, please call 828-254-1320 or email Callie at cdavis@fourseasonscfl.org. Click here for more information. Reserve NOW before it fills up!
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804