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"A king who dies on the cross must be the king of a rather strange kingdom.
Only those who understand the profound paradox of the cross can also understand the whole meaning of Jesus’ assertion: my kingdom is not of this world."
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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Sunday Preview
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Palm Sunday
Worship services @ 8:15 & 10:45 AM
Education Hour (for all ages) at 9:15 AM
Sermon:
"Shouting Stones" by Samantha Gonzalez-Block
Scriptures:
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Luke 19:28-40
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A called meeting of the congregation is scheduled for Sunday April 28 immediately following the 10:45am worship service
for the purpose of approving a $50,000 loan from the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (PILP) for a solar panel system.
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Special Offerings in April
During April GCPC has several opportunities to support important work going on in our community and in our world. One Great Hour of Sharing is an annual special offering of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). There is more information below in the GCPC Community section.
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Also, our ministry partner CIMA, has asked that we help replenish their Sanctuary Fund. This Fund assists families who have loved ones detained in last years ICE Raids. CIMA and other groups in the Latinx community are anticipating more raids in our area during April (last year’s raids were in April as well). With this fund they help families with loss of income from a detained family member as well as costs of legal assistance for families.
To contribute to this special offering,
please include the word "
CIMA
" in the memo line of your check or on your cash envelope.
You can put it in the offering plate or bring in to the office. The
funds will be collected in our Finance Office and passed along at the end of April to the CIMA Sanctuary Fund.
You can also give directly to CIMA online
HERE - "
Donate to the Sanctuary Fund
."
Information about the Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering can be found below in GCPC Community section.
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One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)
This Sunday, April 14 (Palm Sunday) we will collect the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Please bring your fish banks to turn in on your way in to worship. Envelopes for OGHS are available in the pews.
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REGISTER NOW: Sunday, April 28th
Rev. Jimmie Ray Hawkins, who serves as the Director of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness in Washington DC, will be visiting with us at GCPC.
- 8:15 & 10:45 AM Worship Services: Rev. Jimmie Hawkins preaching
- 9:15 AM education class: "Presbyterians & Advocacy: From Abolition to the Poor People's Campaign"
- 5:30 PM - Simple Dinner & 6:15 PM - Workshop "Jesus' Call to be a Matthew 25 Church"
Matthew 25 announces a clear link between following Jesus and the work of justice, hospitality and advocacy. We will examine how Christian denominations and congregations are adopting Matthew 25 as an intimate element in their mission to proclaim the good news of the gospel.
RSVP required to Anna Louise,
almurchison@gcpcusa.org
, by Monday, April 22.
Cost: $5. Limited to 60 participants.
Click
HERE for Rev. Hawkins full bio.
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1st QUARTER CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS AVAILABLE NOW
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If you gave tax deductible gifts during the 1
st Quarter (January – March),
your contribution statement is available for pick up at the Welcome Desk until 4/28/19.
Help us save on postage by picking yours up on Sunday!
Please check the gift listing for accuracy and refer to the Fund Summary at the bottom for your pledge balance. Keep in mind, this statement only includes gifts made
1/1/19 – 3/31/19; any gifts made in April will be reflected on the 2
nd Quarter statement issued in July.
If you gave non-deductible gifts like an IRA required minimum distribution or through a donor advised fund, you can contact the Finance Office for a custom statement showing your non-deductible gifts and pledge balance.
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A FEW TIPS FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND SUMMARY:
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·
Total YTD= Total giving YTD (through 3/31/19)
·
Total Pledge= Annual pledge
·
Pledge Gifts This Period= Gifts 1/1/19 – 3/31/19
·
Pledge Gifts Prior Period= Gifts made before 1/1/19
·
Pledge Balance= Remaining balance on pledge, due by 12/31/19
If you have questions or concerns about your statement, please contact Natalie Weaver, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at
nweaver@gcpcusa.org or 828-254-3274, ext. 202.
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Exciting Memorial Garden Changes
The Memorial Garden on the Gracelyn Road side of the church building is yet another feature at GCPC receiving a much-needed update. A team of GCPC members has been working with the Property Council for more than a year to improve Grace Covenant’s Memorial Garden, and the results of their hard work are becoming evident!
The garden has a rich history and offers a wonderful space for meditation and prayer, as well as a resting place for cremains of loved ones. The garden was created as an inclusive space to accept ashes from members, their families, as well as from the larger community. It is worth noting that at the time of its dedication, the Grace Covenant Memorial Garden was the only such garden in Asheville to be totally inclusive.
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During the past year, the original fountain has been replaced with a beautiful rock water feature. Other changes underway include updating the original plantings with the help of a gardening expert who specializes in designing with native plants, and new signage to communicate that this is sacred space. The garden’s custom-crafted iron gate which features a Celtic cross is being cleaned and its center stone from the Iona Community in Scotland is being permanently secured.
Anyone wishing to inter ash remains in the garden should complete a form (
CLICK HERE) accompanied by a check for $325 by May 5, 2019. The form is also available in Sherrie Meehan’s office.
The application fee, which has been substantially lower than all other church memorial gardens, will increase to $450 for applications received after May 5. Anyone who has questions should contact Penny Ponder at
pmponder@gmail.com, or at 277-8147 (H) or 712-5513 (cell).
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Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
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Creating Sanctuary Team Meeting | THIS Sunday, April 14 | 11:45 AM | Indie Room
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Power and Race Team (PART)
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The Racial Justice Book Series | TONIGHT, April 11 | 6:00 PM | Garden Room
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For April, we are reading
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing by Joy DeGruy.
"While African Americans managed to emerge from chattel slavery and the oppressive decades that followed with great strength and resiliency, they did not emerge unscathed. Slavery produced centuries of physical, psychological and spiritual injury. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing lays the groundwork for understanding how the past has influenced the present, and opens up the discussion of how we can use the strengths we have gained to heal." (Amazon)
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PART
Meeting | TONIGHT, April 11 | 7:00 PM | Fellowship Hall
We will be going more deeply into some of the study resources Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility, provides for communities just like ours.
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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.
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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)
FOURTH EVENT:
Thursday, April 11: Divided America: Finding Common Ground
How can we “Be the change” in our own families and communities? In this session we will recognize the divisions that exist in our country and discuss tools and skills that will help us forge a path towards resilience and peace. FREE for anyone to attend with childcare provided to Claxton families only.
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Public Lecture by Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative | Thursday, April 25 | 7-9 PM |
UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena
Bryan Stevenson, the attorney, activist and best-selling author who
led the team that created the first national memorial to victims of lynching,
will speak at UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Seating at this
free, unticketed event is first-come, first served.
Kimmel Arena’s “Clear Bag Policy” will be in effect; please do not bring backpacks.
Parking is limited at UNC Asheville; please consider using public transportation.
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GCPC Bird Walk | THIS Saturday, 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.
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GCPC Hike to Looking Glass Rock | Tuesday, April 23 | Meet at GCPC @ 8:30 AM or at J&S Cafeteria (across from airport) @ 9:00 AM
As part of the GCPC Earth Team program, Les Stradley will be leading a hike to Looking Glass Rock.
Hike Description:
Trailhead is on Davidson River Road, 5.55 miles north of junction US 276, US 64, and NC 280. We will climb 3.1 miles, elevation gain of 1700 feet, to the summit. We will have lunch at the edge of a cliff with breathtaking views of the Pink Beds, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Pisgah Ledge. Round trip hiking is 6.2 miles and rated moderate/strenuous.
Tips:
Wear sturdy boots or hiking shoes, bring 2 bottles of water, a good lunch, sunscreen, hat. Dogs must be on a leash.
Sign up
: Text or call Les Stradley at (828) 329-3332. Let me know where you plan to meet.
*Hike will be limited to first 12 to sign up.
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This Sunday's Education Hour (for all ages)
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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 3
,
(click for link)
The Cross and the Lynching Tree.
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
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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.
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OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES...
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Marketplace, AD - VBS: “Love Your Neighbor” | June 24-27 | First Presbyterian - AVL
Marketplace is for children ages 3 years old (by January 1, 2019 AND fully potty trained) through children who will be completing 5th grade.
All forms and payment are online this year at:
http://bit.ly/MarketplaceAD
.
Youth and adult volunteers are also needed. Email
Heather Ferguson
for more information.
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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!
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Time for PRITCHARD PARK | Sunday, April 21
Sign-ups for the next Pritchard Park are in the Narthex this Sunday, April 14. Food donations and volunteers are needed. Questions? Please email Rick Noble at
rick@noblebelfast.com
or call him at 803-422-1977.
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Ministry Partner News and Events...
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Community Power Dinner & Multigen Action Gathering | Thursday, April 11 | 6 - 8PM | Liberation Station (10 N. Market St.)
Hosted by
BeLoved House
. Gather with community to really work in making a change! Use your voice, dreams, skills and gifts to move projects forward that are transforming our community. Are you tired of the way this country is going? Tired of ranting behind a screen? Come together to be inspired to be the change we wish to see! Interested in Tiny Homes? Latinx cultural organizing? Kids Justice League? Systemic change work? Join an action team! Make plans on one night to fill every other day with meaningful action. Nurture yourself through community connection and moments for inspiration. We are the change! Community is the solution! The purpose of this meeting is to bring the power to the community again and to use our power to really make a difference! Click
HERE
for more info.
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Community Response to Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose | Tuesday, April 23 | 11 AM - 1:30 PM | Trinity United Methodist Church (
587 Haywood Rd.
)
Buncombe County Health and Human Services CARE Team presents an interfaith seminar on this rising concern in our community, in partnership with Trinity United Methodist Church. Two of our Ministry Partners, Steady Collective and BeLoved, helped in organizing this event. Click
HERE
to register.
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Immigration Lunch and Learn | Thursday, April 25 | 12:00-1:15 PM |GCPC Fellowship Hall
Join us for an Immigration Lunch and Learn. These events are free, but please register so we can have an accurate headcount.
REGISTER HERE
. We are proud to present this event in partnership with the YWCA's
Stand Against Racism
.
*Lunch will be provided. Donations accepted.
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Creation Care Alliance and First Baptist Church present a
4-part series to examine climate change.
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Practicing Shalom in Our Time of Climate Change | Wednesdays, April 24 - May 15 | 6-7 PM | Crouch Chapel, First Baptist Church
- April 24 - "Living in this time of Climate Change" Deke Arndt, Chief, Monitoring Branch, National Center for Environmental Information, NOAA
- May 1 - "Practicing Shalom in Climate Change" Rev. Nancy Sehested, Co-pastor, Circle of Mercy Congregation
- May 8 - "Asheville Responds" A panel of local leaders: Sophie Mullinax, Blue Horizons Project, Coordinator; Dawn Chavez, Asheville Greenworks, Director; Scott Hardin-Nieri, Mountain True, Director of Creation Care Alliance
- May 15 - "First Baptist Responds" Dr. Mack Dennis, Pastor
Click
HERE for full flyer.
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GCPC 20s/30s Gathering: "Barbara Brown Taylor Book Talk" | Monday, April 15 | 6 - 9 PM | The Cathedral of All Souls (9 Swan St)
Barbara Brown Taylor will be reading from her new book "Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others." Let's meet there at 5:45pm (if you are able) and then debrief over dinner at The Cantina nearby. Contact
Samantha
to RSVP.
*Contact Heather
hferguson@gcpcusa.org
for childcare by April 12th.
Click
HERE to access an excerpt from her book.
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Mild Cognitive Impairment Support Group (MCI Group) | Wed., April 17 | 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.
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Men @ GCPC | Thursday, April 25 | 8 AM | HomeGrown (371 Merrimon Ave.)
Join us for fellowship and discussion of the
introduction
to Bryan Stevenson's New York Times bestseller,
Just Mercy,
in preparation for Stevenson's talk at UNCA the evening of April 25. Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org,
with questions.
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Young Fathers Group | Tuesday, April 30 | 7 PM | East Village Grill (
1177 Tunnel Rd.
)
Fathers with babies and young children will be meeting for informal conversation, exploration, and support. If you find yourself in this particular stage of life, please come for food and fellowship! Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
, with any questions.
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Presbyterian Women Sunday | April 28
God is Faithful – 2019 Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering
Loving us still,
God makes us heirs with Christ of the Covenant.
Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child,
Like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home,
God is faithful still.
-
A Brief Statement of Faith
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Originally begun in 1922, the Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offering is an annual tradition that has celebrated our denomination’s commitment to mission through the funding of more than 200 projects that touch the lives of women and children, both in the US and abroad. We ask that you give as you have been blessed, generously and as led by the Holy Spirit.
We will collect the 2019 Birthday offering on Presbyterian Women Sunday, April 28. Special envelopes for this offering will be in the pew racks.
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GCPC Church-Wide Work Day | Saturday, May 4 | 9 AM - 12 PM
Projects available for all, young and old. Bring your favorite mop or dust cloth, your favorite hammer and saw, your favorite paint brush and roller, or your favorite shovel and rake. Come and enjoy some food, a whole lot of fun and fellowship, and we might even get some work done! Mark it on your calendar and look forward to seeing you at the church on May 4th. Questions? Contact
Cliff
.
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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
.
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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 10:45 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.
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No Youth Group, Youth Sunday School or Confirmation on April 14 or April, 21.
We invite youth to meet Heather in the Godly Play room to help out with Godly Play during the Sunday School hour.
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Youth Adventure Day! | *Saturday, April 27th | 10:30 AM -7:00 PM | Camp Grier (Old Fort) | GCPC discounted cost $10
Register HERE
by April 19
and let the adventure begin! The Presbytery of Western North Carolina & Camp Grier are inviting youth from across our presbytery to a Middle School & High School adventure day that includes: canoeing, climbing wall, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, dinner and more. Bring a bagged lunch and we are looking for help carpooling. Full/partial scholarships available.
This will be our youth group event for the weekend.
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LAST CALL FOR SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES!
You must register by April 14th!
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Montreat Senior High Youth Conference Week 6:
July 28 - Aug 3
- This is for youth who have completed 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th grade by this summer. The discounted cost is $445 (full/partial scholarships available) if you register HERE by April 14th.
Massanetta Middle School Youth Conference Week 3:
July 11-14
- This is for youth who will have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade by this summer. The discounted cost is $255 (full/partial scholarships available) if you register HERE by April 14th.
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SENIOR HIGHS, APPLY FOR THE PRESBYTERY YOUTH COUNCIL!
Our presbytery is seeking rising 10th -12th graders to serve on the Presbytery Youth Council for 2019-2020. The council leads youth events (including the Middle School Retreat & Youth Adventure Day). This is a valuable way to grow in faith and as leaders alongside other Presbyterian youth. For more info: contact
Beth Gunn
or
click here
.
THE APPLICATION IS
HERE
.
It is due by May 28th, but you must
notify Samantha that you are applying by May 12th
, so that session and pastors can write recommendations in time.
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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.]
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)
June Collins (Carolyn Tingle’s mother)
Robin Smith (Beth Robrecht's sister)
Thomas Pack III (Mesheala Sundblade's boyfriend)
James Martin (Stacy Shelley's dad)
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Betty Smith
Margaret Rada
Bob Higgins
Olga Malinoski
James Harwell
Joyce Summerlin
Marty Johnson & Gabe Boehm
Cory Hartbarger
Our sympathy and support are extended to Colt Burgin on the death of his father, Alan Burgin. Please keep his family in your prayers.
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Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
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Enneagram Retreat | Saturday, April 27, 10 AM -3:30 PM
Experiencing the Arrows of our Type
Each ennea-type has 2 resource points called Arrows. We will sit in circle according to our type and have opportunity to move to our Arrows in the circle, exploring how these resources show up for us. This retreat is open to everyone; those brand new to the enneagram system and those who already know their type. Contact Carol Hovis for more information:
cmhovis@gmail.com
.
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Earth Day Vigil: Walking the Path | Sunday, April 28 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Sacred Garden/Labyrinth, First Baptist Church (
5 Oak St.
)
Please join people of various faith communities from across WNC as we:
- Celebrate the beauty of creation
- Share our gratitude and appreciation for the earth
- Enjoy music, poetry, and prayer
- Grieve for the damage we are causing to creation and our neighbors
- Reflect on our responsibility to our children and future generations
- Resolve to bring our hope and faith into action
- Enjoy food and drink and connect with great people
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Faith and Conscience Convocation: A Call for Accountability for Torture | Sunday, April 28 | 2 - 5 PM | UNCA's High Smith Student Union - The Blue Ridge Room South (Room 203)
The NC Council of Churches, Carolina Jews for Justice, and the ACLU of North Carolina will convene people of faith and conscience in Asheville to explore the findings of the North Carolina Commission of Inquiry on Torture's September 2018 report and to address the responsibilities of public officials and the citizens of NC to repair the damage done to those who were rendered to CIA torture sites on flights based out of NC public airports.
Please see the attached flyer for details.
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SAVE THE DATE!
CoInspire Conference | October 7-10, 2019 | Montreat Conference Center
Montreat Conference Center will host CoInspire, the second in a series of conferences addressing systemic racism in the church. In response to the racism and violence in our world, this event seeks to bring together people of faith
in order to disarm prejudices that divide us and equip each other for practicing resurrection as new creations in Christ. We will delve into the questions around the toxicities we are currently breathing into our bodies and exhaling into the shared air. CoInspire will examine ways that we, as members of Christ’s body, might co-inspire one another to liberate imagination for new ways of being, and examine ways we can conspire to eviscerate the racism within our church. We will seek to identify those things we want to breathe in to precipitate a pathway to eviscerating the racism in our country and our world.
Traci Blackmon, executive minister of justice & local church ministries for The United Church of Christ and senior pastor of The Kind United Church of Christ, will be the conference’s preacher. Click
HERE for full press release.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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