GCPC Weekly News | July 30, 2020

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GCPC Alive and Well This Week
Session Meeting
Welcoming New Members





Montreat @ Home


Worship Preview | Sunday, August 2, 2020

"A God Thing" by Marcia Mount Shoop
Scripture: Matthew 14: 13-21


Live Stream Worship Service @ 10:45 AM Sunday



Click for Children’s Bulletin and coloring page for this Sunday!
If you haven't already heard about the new GCPC Mission Statement unanimously approved by the Session in June 2020, click here to read the full letter from the Session. The Me and White Supremacy Study initiative at GCPC is also introduced in this letter. Check for ways to engage in this study at Grace Covenant this fall.
At GCPC our faith calls us to practice…

Theological CURIOSITY

Moral COURAGE

Abundant COMPASSION

Beloved COMMUNITY

With God’s help, we are seeking our transformation and the healing of the world.

    A More Light congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
and a Supporting Sanctuary Church in Western North Carolina

More Light Presbyterians

Zoom Information Session--for anyone interested in the "Me & White Supremacy" initiative at GCPC
On Sunday, August 2 at 7-8:30 learn more about this initiative.
We will explore aspects of the study and how we will engage together to eliminate white supremacy in ourselves and in our faith community. Whether you have already registered to participate in the initiative or not join us for this opportunity to learn more.
Bring your questions!

Zoom Link for Sunday's gathering:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88356662039

Meeting ID: 883 5666 2039
Passcode: 789

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Continual Hope and Praise -
2020 Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering
Thank you for your generosity! We celebrate the service of Presbyterian Women all over the world with our offering of Continual Hope and Praise.

We are collecting the 2020 PW Birthday offering now through the end of July. Please send your check to the church office, or give on-line through the church website at  www.gcpcusa.org  or through the new REALM mobile database platform. Click on the drop-down menu to select the fund:  Presbyterian Women Birthday/Thank Offering.

Click on this  video link  to see how the Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering has impacted our community through a recent grant to WNC Faith4Justice.
Event Registrations in Realm!
You may have noticed the Event Registrations advertised recently in Realm. Realm provides an easy way to register online (and even pay!) for upcoming events. Be on the lookout for more registration possibilities coming up!

"Giving" in Realm
 You can see your giving records and set up one-time or recurring donations under the  Giving  tab once logged in. Check out this how to, to self-manage your online giving or contact Natalie  for assistance.

*Important Note:
Realm uses your primary email address to link to your individual member profile. 
  To log in or register, visit   onrealm.org/gcpcusa .  
If you have questions or need assistance, please email  Anna Louise to set up an appointment time to go over Realm.

After you have created your login, please go to the drop-down menu in the right-hand corner next to your name and choose "Manage Privacy." On the next screen, click "Custom Privacy" to manage what information you want in the directory. (You can also manage your "Notification Settings" in that drop-down menu.)

Please change your privacy settings to "Anyone"
so you will appear in the church directory.
Recurring Weekly Zooms:

If you are a part of a group, Team, or Circle at GCPC and you want to have a Zoom meeting, let staff know. We will help you get set up on our GCPC Zoom account for group gatherings and meetings. You can schedule your meeting on the calendar with Sherrie, and any staff member can help you get set up for your meeting if you have questions. 
Click HERE to read a card to the GCPC community
from Heather Ferguson!
Spiritual/Pastoral Support
Deacon of the Week
I n this time of physical distancing, the deacons of Grace Covenant continue to be available to talk and pray with you by phone or online and to coordinate care. If you have difficulty reaching your assigned deacon or if you do not know who your assigned deacon is, please feel free to reach out to our deacon of the week.
This week (7/26 - 8/1):   Marcy Onieal email: marcy.onieal@gmail.com
Next week (8/2 - 8/8):  Nancy Kramer  email: nancykramer1981@gmail.com
Prayer List

*At the end of this month, the Prayer List will only include those who have been put on the list in the last month. If you would like someone to stay on the list for more than one month, please contact Sherrie or Anna Louise .
 
Iglesia Jerusalem congregation
Pat Cocke (Les Stradley’s friend) 
Marcia Zuzel (friend of Kim Hottle and Melissa Shook)
Jonathan Hettrick and family (friends of Mary Craig)
Sharon Meares (Moderator of Presbyterian Women in PWNC)
Deerfield Retirement Community
Ryan Lockett (nephew of Denise Lockett)
Family of Larry and Trudy Forward (daughter, Jenny, and grandsons, Ben & Matt)
Jennifer Martin (Yvonne Smith's daughter)
Becky Hamilton (friend of Pam McGill & Pamela Culp)
Vicki Meiser (Matt Wiedle’s mom)
Queen Mother Maggie Belle ( Phyllis Utley’s mother and Co -founder of 12 Baskets Cafe)
Harold Shook (Melissa Shook’s dad)
Fred Schroeder (Penny Ponder's brother)
Brimi Jane Moffmon (daughter of Selena Hilemon and Jill Moffitt)
Debbie Willmschen and Lisa Phillips (mother and aunt of Natalie Willmschen)
Hettie Lou Garland
Margaret Rada
Bob Higgins
Cory Hartbarger
Florence and Steve Riedesel
Doris Prak
Roslyn Carney
Bill McNeff
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
Carol Kavalhuna
Carolyn Crew
Bob Walther
Kelley Griffith
Bill Williamson
Charlie Clogston
Amanda Pressley

From Sue Hassall:

"Bob has had a stroke. He is doing well but will be in the hospital rehab unit for several weeks for intensive therapy. He would really like to receive notes and/or cards to our address here in Durham.
Thanks so much,"

Sue Hassall
807 W Trinity Ave, Apt. 103
Durham, NC 27701


A Note from the Mount Shoop Family:

Your prayers, cards, texts, and all kinds of expressions of love have helped us and supported us more than we can say. John's surgery for prostate cancer was a success. And his first blood test came back with his PSA as "undetectable." Thanks for praying with us for the next two years to keep getting that good result every three months. We are grateful to be a part of this amazing faith community!

With love and gratitude,

John, Marcia, Sidney, and Mary Elizabeth
Richard returned to work this Monday, July 27, from parental leave.

We are so appreciative for the time over the summer to bond and grow as a family. Thank you for all the many cards, emails, calls, and texts of congratulations and prayers for our family. It means so much to be a part of this caring community.

-Richard, Lindsey, Joseph, and Auden
Formation/Education
GCPC Summer Speaker Series | 7:00 PM |
4th Thursday of the month
Meta Commerse | Spotted Wolf Peace Series - Part 2 | TONIGHT, Thursday, July 30 | 7:00 PM | via Zoom
The Spotted Wolf Peace Series is a two-part Story Medicine presentation, naming and describing our social climate grounded in U.S. history and in-depth research into the spiritual nature of the problem of violence. Meta’s story, scholarship, experience as a healer, black mother, elder and author all inform this piece from an  African Frame of Reference  so named by her mother, Johari Amini.

Part Two (July 30) of The Spotted Wolf lecture series, "Recognizing the System" will focus on white supremacy as it is basically structured and developed through institutions. This talk will help attendees better and more clearly recognize and "unplug" from such institutions and then begin to imagine systems designed to serve ALL life. Meta Commerse is an author, educator, healer and speaker living in Asheville since 2009. She uses the indigenous modality of Story Medicine in all of her work.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 878 6556 2293
Passcode: 789

*As an extra security measure, please have your device identified by your name so you can be let in from the "waiting room" on Zoom.
  • Aug. 27 - DeWayne Barton (Hood Huggers International)
Reparations Deliberation: A Discussion on Black Liberation An Evening with Racial Justice Coalition leaders

Friday, July 31 | 7:00PM | via GCPC's Youtube channel

The Racial Justice Coalition is doing important work
around things like policing, reparations, and addressing the root causes of racial disparities in Asheville/Buncombe County.
This is a great opportunity for us, Grace Covenant,
to learn and to grow in our understanding of issues
that are harming people in our community.
Rob Thomas is the Community Liaison for the Racial Justice Coalition. As a community activist, a native of Asheville and an African-American man, Thomas has lived through many of the experiences that the Racial Justice Coalition is seeking to improve regarding racism in law enforcement.

Tashia Ethridge is a young activist who has been doing work centered around racial equity and intersectionality for two years with a focus on Urban Renewal and its continuous impact on the black community. They are the newest member of the Racial Justice Coalition.

David Greenson is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Racial Justice Coalition. He grew up in Oakland, CA, lived for many years in New York City, and has been in Asheville for five years. He's a longtime community organizer, with an increasing focus on antiracist education, advocacy, and organizational consulting.
Summer Women’s Memoir Series | 6:00 – 7:00 PM via Zoom 
Join us for the last in a summer series of book talks focusing on memoirs written by people of faith. Open to all women of the church. Please pre-read the book to ensure lively discussion.

  • August 30 | The Yellow House by Sarah Broom | Facilitator: Amy Pike
PART (Power & Race Team)
PART looks forward to joining our church family in reading and reflecting on the book, Me and White Supremacy .

We have heard many of you ask, "What can I do in the midst of the racial injustices?" As Layla Saad states, "Begin within. Begin with you and white supremacy." It truly is time to stop harming People of Color and for white people to step up and do better.

Our next PART meeting will be August 13th at 6:00pm via Zoom . We will continue to dismantle white supremacy norms in our community and in ourselves using the work of Tema Okun. Contact Marcia or Liz with questions.


~ Liz Huesemann, PART member
Presbyterian Women’s Circles are Zoom meetings.  Please join us.

Circle 1:  First Tuesday of each month, 10:00 a.m.
         Carol Kavalhuna – 658-1088,  carolkavalhuna@gmail.com
         Cathy Froehlich – 775-1016,  oremont2@gmail.com

Circle 2:   First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.
         Barbara McLean - 254-1034,  Barbaram_2@charter.net
         Heather Hudson – 501-442-6223,  hehudson@charter.net

Circle 4:   First Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m.
         Frances Johnson – 628-4742,  facjohnson@gmail.com
         Connie Jones – 231-2680,  Conjones@charter.net

Circle 5:   First Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m.
         Lynne Noble – 803-206-3821,  lynnesnoble@gmail.com




Community Working Together
Foodbank
Volunteers needed for Manna FoodBank 

Distribution for Latinx Families | Monday, August 3 |
2:00pm - approx. 5pm | BCS Central Office School Bus Parking Lot (the corner of Adams Hill Road and Bingham Drive).

Manna FoodBank, CIMA and Buncombe County Schools will host a food distribution in the Emma and Woodfin/North Asheville Latinx communities. Manna needs volunteers to repack staples boxes, load food onto church vans and other vehicles, and help with distribution at Emma and Woodfin.  If you are interested in volunteering, Contact Gerald Kirksey at 615 330 4801 or  kirksey@kirkcron.com
Working Wheels News!
See how Working Wheels transforms donated cars into affordable, reliable vehicles for working families in Western North Carolina.

Do you know someone who could donate their car and change a life? Please share this video with them!
Park Superintendent launches Smokies Hikes for Healing
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash is inviting the public to participate in a new initiative he developed called Smokies Hikes for Healing. Up to 10 people can join the superintendent on eight hikes led by facilitators who will provide an opportunity for an open conversation about diversity and racism while enjoying one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. The public can also participate by coordinating their own experiences using Smokies Hikes for Healing materials.

“National Parks have long provided a place of healing, and I believe the setting of this mountain sanctuary is a powerful space to bring us together to engage in crucial conversations,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “This year has brought a lot of uncertainty and fear that tends to draw people to their corners. Through this opportunity, I’m inviting everyone to step out and have real conversations about the history of racism locally and globally. In learning about our past, we open the doors to our future.”

The Park provides an ideal backdrop for sharing, understanding, and healing. The goal of this initiative is to provide a safe space for individuals of all backgrounds and ethnicities to begin difficult conversations that can lead to change. Through this initiative, Superintendent Cash extends an invitation for everyone to be a part of these important and pivotal conversations in one of America’s most special places.

Space is limited to up to ten participants for each hike. Groups will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing and wearing of facial coverings when the appropriate distance cannot be maintained. Interested individuals can find more information on how to apply for the hikes by visiting  smokieshikesforhealing.org
As Latinx workers across North Carolina continue to provide essential services such as farm work, construction, lawn care, food processing, restaurant work, and cleaning services, they do not have the luxury of sheltering in place. They are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19; as a result, as of mid-June, Hispanics, who represent only 9.5% of the NC population, accounted for 44% of the state’s viral cases, the NCDHHS has reported.

In WNC, figures are also disproportionately high. As of July 16, in Buncombe County, approximately 250 of 957 COVID cases were in the Latinx community; in Henderson County, approximately 300 COVID cases (of 982) had been reported among the Latinx population.

True Ridge, a nonprofit in Hendersonville, which "works to connect members of the Latinx community with resources," has received a state grant to help address the heavy impact COVID-19 is making among Hispanics.

True Ridge and other agencies listed below are requesting additional funding to extend their efforts to support the individuals and families whom they serve.


~ submitted by the Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)


Stewardship & Sustainability GIVE HERE
Thank you for your generous giving! Your gifts are enabling the church to continue our important work in our community. If you have not signed up for online giving, you can do that   here . You can also mail your checks to the church. Without you, the church could not continue its ministries in these difficult times. Thank you, again, for your generosity and your faithfulness! 
Realm eGiving Transition |
Self Set Up How To

If you had recurring online giving set up on our old website, Natalie has been working hard to manually transfer over transactions into our new software, Realm.  You will be able to manage your directory profile, register for events, view contribution records in real time, and manage online giving all in one place. If you self-set up on the old site, however, your account information may have been masked,  which requires action from you to finalize the transfer.  Please check your email for the next steps and let  Natalie know if you have any questions. 

Interested in setting up online recurring giving for the first time?  Follow these simple  step-by-step instructions  to self-manage eGiving through  Realm  or return this  signed authorization form to have our Finance Office set up on your behalf.
Remote Giving & Paperless Statements  

Did you know that you can make donations and receive statements online? Here are a few different ways to stay up-to-date on your pledge remotely:

  • MAIL gifts to the office at 789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
  • BANK BILL PAY mails checks remotely, one-time or on a recurring schedule - contact your bank to set this up
  • ONLINE at https://onrealm.org/gcpcusa/give/now
  • TEXT "giveGCPC" and AMOUNT to 73256 (i.e. giveGCPC $100)
  • MOBILE through the Connect - Our Church Community app


Please note, the church office is closed and staff is not there to receive payments left on-site or in the mailbox.

To sign up for  paperless statements  or if you have any questions, please contact Natalie in our Finance Office at 828-254-3274, ext 202 or  nweaver@gcpcusa.org
GCPC Out and About Online
July & August 2020
Virtual Enneagram Weekday Gatherings  

Fridays , 10:00am-12noon

Topic: Relationships between different types

Click here for flyer

All are welcome; you can participate once or every week. 
Basic knowledge of your enneagram type is suggested.

Contact Carol for more information:    cmhovis@gmail.com
STAY CONNECTED
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274 
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804