SPRING FORWARD!
Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 10. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour!
|
|
CLICK
"
View entire message"
at bottom of email
to see the FULL newsletter
|
|
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
~ Robert Frost,
"Acquainted with the Night"
|
|
Sunday Preview
Sunday, March 10, 2019
First Sunday in Lent
New Member Sunday
Worship services @ 8:15 & 10:45 AM
Education Hour (for all ages) at 9:15 AM
Sermon:
"Dig Deep" by Marcia Mount Shoop
Scriptures:
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Luke 4:1-13
|
|
Pilgrimage to Montgomery 2019
|
|
PRES BEES CO-ED SOFTBALL TEAM
After a long hiatus, the Pres Bees seek another run at fellowship, fitness and fun. We are looking for interested individuals of all ability levels.
When:
April-June (
Deadline for team entry is 3/20/19)
Who: Must be 18 years or older (16-17 year olds with parental approval)
|
|
Did you know that you give with a text message?
Simply send a text message to
828-266-0126
with the amount you would like to contribute
(example: 25)
. Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and credit or debit card information. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt of your donation via email.
For future giving, send a text with the amount you wish to give, and it will process automatically! You can even text “repeat” to make it a recurring donation.
Give+ Text
is one of the fastest, easiest ways to give.
Check out
this video
for a walk through step-by-step to set up
Give+ Text
today!
|
|
Community Garden Planting Day | THIS Saturday, March 9 | 9:30 AM
The fun starts again this Saturday! Buzz and Rick picked up about a zillion plants from the nursery and they are ready to go in the ground! Dress appropriately for the weather. Bring a small trowel and a bottle of water. Hope to see all of you on Saturday morning.
|
|
Community Garden Dues
If you are paying your annual dues to the office or on Sunday, please be sure to include the word "
DUES
" on the envelope or in the memo section of your payment to ensure it is applied correctly.
|
|
Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
|
|
Creating Sanctuary Team Meeting | Sunday, March 10 | 11:45 AM | Garden Room
|
|
SOUPER WEDNESDAY for Pisgah Legal Services needs volunteers!
Nancy Gaskin "birthed" this wonderful and well-organized idea of showing our appreciation to our ministry partners at PLS, by preparing a lunch each third Wednesday of the month.
|
|
*
We are looking for more people to help with this positive ministry! Numbers spread the work, but also create more opportunities for GCPC to get to know the great folks at PLS. They tell us every month how much they look forward to these lunches.
We typically provide a hearty soup, a vegetarian soup, bread, fruit, and cookies. GCPC has four 6-quart crock pots for soup makers, and every bit is consumed each time! You can sign up for one time or more; whatever fits your schedule.
There will be a table in the narthex these next Sundays for signup and any explanation. If you already know when and what you want to offer or have questions, please email
glendasb2@gmail.com.
|
|
Power and Race Team (PART)
|
|
Racial Justice Book Series | Thursday, March 14 | 12:15 PM |
Jerusalem Room
The Racial Justice Book Series is reading books examining institutional and interpersonal racism and racial equity. Come and join us for all discussions or for just one or two. All are welcome, whether you have read closely or are just interested in learning more about the subject. Copies of the books can be found in the church library.
For March,
we are reading
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
.
"In this 'vital, necessary, and beautiful book' (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’ (Claudia Rankine). Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively."
|
|
A conversation with Sheriff Quentin Miller | Thursday, March 14 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Fellowship Hall
PART
invites everyone to come get to know Sheriff Miller and his policies as the new sheriff of Buncombe County.
This is an opportunity to build support and accountability between the Sheriff and GCPC as well as “digging deeper” into his positions on:
1. Non-cooperation with ICE
2. Community policing
3. Cultural change in and out of the Sheriff’s department.
The format will be interactive and there will be some opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
|
|
Part of what
PART
does is to inform Grace Covenant about
racial equity work going on in the larger community.
The following are some events that PART recommends.
|
|
2018-2019 CLAXTON ELEMENTARY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOPS
Thursday Evenings | 6-8 PM | Open to the public
(Free childcare for Claxton Families only; starting at 5:45pm)
SECOND EVENT:
TONIGHT, Thursday, March 7 | Understanding Gender Identity
Transgender, cisgender, gender expansive--what's it all mean? How can a school be welcoming for students of all genders? Join us for activities and discussion led by Allison Scott and Craig White of the Campaign for Southern Equality.
|
|
GCPC Bird Walks | Saturdays, March 16th & April 13th | 8:00 AM | Beaver Lake Sanctuary
Depending on how active the birds are the trip will last around 2 to 3 hours. Walking is fairly easy around the lake and boardwalk. Bring binoculars if you have them. Questions? Email Rick Pyeritz at
eapyeritz@gmail.com
or call at 828-273-5954.
|
|
Straws Sales Return!!
Fill your Easter baskets with colorful washable, reusable straws!
|
|
Paper Straws (red)
4 - $1
24 - $5
Plastic Reusable Straws
1 - $2
6 - $10
Metal Straws
1 - $2
3 - $5
All income from the sale of these straws goes to GCPC’s solar panel fund. We hope they also encourage all of you to care for God’s creation and to eliminate single use plastics from our lives.
|
|
This Sunday's Education Hour (for all ages)
|
|
Adult Education Lenten Term |
March 10 – April 14
| 9:15AM
Pressure Points |
God of the Oppressed: The Black Liberation Theology of James Cone
| Choir Room
"It is my contention that Christianity is essentially a religion of liberation. The function of theology is that of analyzing the meaning of that liberation for the oppressed so they can know that their struggle for political, social, and economic justice is consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Any message that is not related to the message of liberation of the poor in a society is not Christ's message. Any theology that is indifferent to the theme of liberation is not Christian theology." James Cone (1936-2018) was a pioneer and a leading voice for Black Liberation Theology.
*This week we will be covering
Chapter 1
,
(click for link)
A Black Theology of Liberation.
Facilitators:
Marcia Mount Shoop and Richard Coble
The Improv |
I Am What is Right with the World and What is Wrong with the World: A Mindfulness Based Approach
| Fellowship Hall
What is wrong with the world? What can I do about it? Our study group will discuss current issues causing fear, anger, and anxiety in today's society. The documentary
"I AM"
which explores conflict, greed, violence, racial inequality and environmental concerns through interviews with religious leaders, scientists, environmentalists, and philosophers will serve as the foundation for our study and discussion. These authors, poets, and teachers hypothesize that the solution to the world’s problems are right in front of us. A key message from the February 10
th
sermon
"Leave and Follow"
was that "We can transform our world by imagining it differently, dreaming it passionately via all our senses, and willing it into creation." Other resources for the group will include
The Power of Now
by Eckhart Tolle and
Wherever You Go There You Are
by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Facilitators:
Paul Rogers and Christi Mobley
Digging In |
Subversive Scripture: From Study to Practice
| Jerusalem Room
While the intellectual study of the Bible can produce valuable information and knowledge, there are other ways to engage Scripture that transform us and our actions. Through a variety of learning practices and exercises, we will cultivate a deeper understanding of both our sacred texts as living words (Hebrew 4:12, 1 Peter 1:23), and ourselves as the living words of God (2 Co. 3:2-3). We will subvert overly-intellectualized readings of Scripture, for "It is not enough to learn Torah — one must
be
Torah by living in such a way that others can learn from your example" (Dr. David Ariel). By experiencing our sacred texts, ourselves, and each other in embodied ways, practicing Scripture can become both delightful and liberating.
Facilitator:
Keaton Hill
|
|
CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION | 9:15 AM
Toddlers (ages 2-3) | "God Loves Me" |
Toddler Sunday School Room (downstairs, Children's Center)
Preschool/Kindergarten (ages 4-5) | Godly Play |
Preschool Sunday School Room (downstairs, Children's Center)
Elementary (grades 1-3) | Godly Play |
Temple Room (upstairs, Education Wing)
Elementary (grades 4-5) | "CONNECT" |
Indie Room (upstairs, Education Wing)
Middle School (grades 6-8) | "Collaborate" Curriculum |
Middle School Room (upstairs, Education Wing)
Senior Highs (grades 9-12) | "Wired Word" Curriculum |
A-Frame (upstairs)
Confirmation Class |
Senior High Room (upstairs, Education Wing)
*Nursery care is available throughout Sunday morning beginning at 8:10 am.
|
|
OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES...
|
|
Winter Women's Memoir Series | 4th Monday of the month | 6 PM | Garden Room
Join us for a series of book talks focusing on memoirs written by people of faith. Open to all women of the church. One copy of each book can be found in the church library. Please pre-read the book to ensure lively discussion.
*Childcare provided.
•
March 25 –
Undaunted: Surviving Jonestown, Summoning Courage and Fighting Back by Jackie Speier
Facilitator: Mary Lou Nash
|
|
Bible Study | Wednesdays | 11:00 AM | Garden Rm
Join the pastoral staff to read and study our sermon texts for Sunday. No preparation needed; just come ready to open scripture and discuss!
|
|
Blessing of Steady Collective’s Vehicle | Sunday, March 17 |
11:45 AM | Courtyard
All are invited to join Hill Brown of Steady Collective, one of GCPC’s Ministry Partners, after worship on March 17 to bless the vehicle (purchased with the assistance of Grace Cares Impact Grant funds from GCPC) which will be used for mobile harm reduction in communities that are often excluded from conventional medical and treatment institutions.
Future events at GCPC will provide further education about the vitally important work of Steady Collective and how mobile harm reduction works to reduce overdose deaths and the spread of infectious diseases, as well as to facilitate relationships which encourage marginalized populations to seek treatment for substance abuse.
|
|
SERVE
Fair | Sunday, March 24 | 11:45 AM | Fellowship Hall & Atrium
All year, GCPC funds --
your funds --
help the greater Asheville community, from schoolchildren to neglected and disadvantaged adults. Come meet representatives from our ministry partners after 10:45 worship on March 24. They look forward to speaking with you in the Fellowship Hall.
|
|
Ministry Partner News and Events...
|
|
Food Connection presents "Chefs In Action" | Thursday, April 4 | 6 - 9 PM | Celine & Company "On Broadway" (
49 Broadway
)
No fresh food should ever end up in the trash while people go hungry. So far, Food Connection has rescued and delivered over 100,000 fresh meals! Come to Chefs In Action to see what goes into making a real food connection. Guests will enjoy a night of fun, food, drinks, music and fundraising. Tickets available at
Food-Connection.org.
*More reason to celebrate: The Charlotte chapter of Food Connection has just launched!
|
|
“Winner Winner Wednesday Dinner” | March 13 | 6:00 PM | FH
Take a break from cooking and make some space for connecting with your church community.
This meal will be catered from Moe’s Southwestern Grill.
These events are intergenerational.
*RSVP to Sherrie,
smeehan@gcpcusa.org
, by 12:00 pm on Monday, March 10
th
so we can have an estimate.
|
|
Mild Cognitive Impairment Support Group (MCI Group) | Wed., March 20 | 12:00 PM | Garden Room
This support group introduces techniques for daily living with such issues, led by Paul Rogers, a retired physician in our congregation. We meet the 1
st
and 3
rd
Wednesdays of every month.
*New participants welcome at any time.
Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
, with questions.
|
|
The 2019 Flower Chart is on the bulletin board next to the elevator.
There are just a few Sundays left!
Please consider signing up to give flowers one week. The cost is $45, payable to GCPC. Please send your dedication to
Anna Louise
.
|
|
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 10:45 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.
|
|
Youth Group "Youth Sunday Practice!" | This Sunday, March 10 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | GCPC
Let's not throw away our shot to have an awesome Youth Sunday! We need
all hands on deck as we prepare to lead worship. If you would like to play an instrument on Youth Sunday, please bring it to youth group. Heather Ferguson & Jeff Jones will be joining us! Dinner will be provided by the Graham and Plocica/Aikman families.
|
|
Summer Opportunities:
Montreat Senior High Youth Conference Week 6:
July 28 - Aug 3
Massanetta Middle School Youth Conference Week 3:
July 11-14
|
|
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.]
Iglesia Jerusalem congregation
Sherry Harcke (Les Stradley's friend)
Pat Cocke (Les Stradley’s friend)
Glenn Russell (Robin Gaiser's brother)
Nancy and Richard Schaadt (Donna Robertson's sister and brother-in-law)
Louise Seitz (Janet Schifflin's friend)
Jeffrey Ferris (Mary Lou Nash's son)
Erik Jacobs (Kathy Jacob's son)
June Collins (Carolyn Tingle’s mother)
Robin Smith (Beth Robrecht's sister)
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Betty Smith
Margaret Rada
Bob Higgins
Olga Malinoski
James Harwell
Joyce Summerlin
Marty Johnson & Gabe Boehm
Cory Hartbarger
|
|
Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
|
|
Enneagram Gatherings
Join us for weekly two
hour enneagram gatherings
Fridays,
10:00am & Monday
s
,
6:00pm in the A-Frame @ GCPC
.
Contact Carol Hovis
cmhovis@gmail.com
about cost & details. All are welcome; you can come once or every week.
|
|
*There is still room for Saturday's retreat; contact
Carol
.
Enneagram Retreat: "Reclaiming our Holy Idea" | THIS Saturday, March 9 | 10 AM - 3 PM | GCPC
The Enneagram is a powerful tool to look at 9 distinct personality strategies of how we humans cope in relationships, work & the world.
Holy Ideas are 9 essential qualities we humans lose sight of at an early age. Knowing our ennea-type offers us a way to rediscover the particular holy idea we forgot.
Cost: $60;
Scholarships available. Bring a bag lunch; cost includes hearty snacks & hand-outs. RSVP by March 7th:
cmhovis@gmail.com. Click
HERE for flyer.
|
|
Save the Date:
April 27th Enneagram retreat on Arrows
Stay tuned.
|
|
“AppalachA’ville” – 42nd Annual Appalachian Studies Conference |
Co-hosted by UNC Asheville and Mars Hill University, the conference will include plenary sessions and panels for registrants only, as well as numerous public events on Saturday, March 16. The conference will cover a wide variety of topics that relate to various aspects of life in Appalachia, including sacred spaces for Cherokee and Appalachian people, and forging international connections in mountain communities around the world.
The following events are free and open to the public on Saturday, March 16:
- 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Screening and Discussion of hillbilly | The Reuter Center on campus. hillbilly is a 2018 award-winning documentary directed by Ashley York and Sally Rubin.
- 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Innovation Expo | Highsmith Student Union. The Innovation Expo, supported by the North Carolina Humanities Council, will feature a selection of area organizations and businesses that illustrate how people come together to identify needs, solve problems, build community, and strengthen the local economy.
- 4 pm – 5:30 pm | Keynote Address | Lipinsky Hall, with overflow seating in the Reuter Center. Western North Carolina in Fact and Fiction: Words from Lee Smith, Ron Rash and Wiley Cash.
- 8 pm – 9:30 pm | Poetry Reading | YMI Cultural Center, downtown Asheville. Affrilachia y el Caribe with three poets: Ricardo Nazario y Colón, Shauna M. Morgan, and Frank X Walker.
- 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm | Old-Time Square Dance | YMI Cultural Center, downtown Asheville. Everyone is welcome. The host caller will be Phil Jamison, director of Warren Wilson College’s Traditional Music Program, and the host band will be the Warren Wilson College Old-Time Ensemble. The evening will also include a guest performance by the Green Grass Cloggers.
|
|
Open for Lunch
Book Talk by Robin Gaiser | Sunday, March 17 | 5:00 PM | GCPC Fellowship Hall
In her new book,
Open for Lunch, Robin Russell Gaiser writes of her encounters with a dozen strangers in casual lunch spots from upstate New York to Asheville, North Carolina. She began these encounters almost by chance when she invited someone in line with her at a Subway restaurant to share her table. But as she pursued such encounters over the years, she gradually became “the reporter reporting on myself. Soon the stunning stories of my lunch mates took me deeply into my own narrative.”
Please join Robin for a reading and signing. Books will be available for purchase.
|
|
The mental health conference aims to accomplish three major objectives: To raise awareness of the role of the church in addressing various forms of mental illness and mental health; to decrease the stigma of mental illness; and to identify community resources for churches, those dealing with mental illness and their caregivers.
Cost is $7 and includes lunch. Click
here
for brochure.
|
|
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
