Grace Covenant Weekly News | September 27, 2018
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"Give us the courage to enter the song."
~ Marty Haugen, Here in This Place



Sunday Preview

Sunday, October 7, 2018
World Communion Sunday


Morning Prayer and Communion Service @ 8:15 AM
Hymn Festival Worship Service @ 10:45 AM

Education Hour (for all ages) at 9:15 AM


Piano Recital - Solomon Eichner | THIS Sunday, October 7 | 3:00 PM | Sanctuary
Dr. Solomon Eichner, acclaimed pianist and Professor at University of Mount Olive, will perform a free recital including works of Brahms, Faure, Debussy, Paderewski, and Chopin. To learn more or see Youtube videos of his performance, click HERE.

Announcing:

2nd Wednesday Dinners!
2nd Wednesday Dinner | October 10 | 6:00 PM | Fellowship Hall
This month, Homegrown will be our caterer!! Take a break from cooking and make some space for connecting with your church community. These events are intergenerational. (No childcare). RSVP to Sherrie by 12:00 pm on Monday, October 8th so we can have a rough estimate. But, if you forget to RSVP we hope you'll still come !
Stewardship Corner
Preparing Your 2019 Pledge
If you haven’t already, you should receive a pledge packet in the mail, which includes a letter from the Stewardship Committee, a 2019 pledge card, and a return envelope. This year, you can also complete your pledge online by clicking here:  http://bit.ly/2019pledge

The pledge card, handwritten or online, helps us plan the budget to support the day-to-day life of the church, its ministries, and its care. To continue our current levels of ministries, staffing, and building repair/reserves, we are asking members and friends to commit to share your financial resources with GCPC.
 
If you have pledged before,  consider increasing your pledge 10‐20%  to fulfill our 2019 budget of $1,275,000. If you’ve never pledged before,  please consider doing so this year . The church’s priorities are determined by pledged funds. If your circumstances change during the year, you can always contact the Finance Office to adjust your pledge up or down as needed.
 
To pledge in 2019, please complete a pledge card, handwritten or online, return it to the church by October 28th .
 
As we look around at everything happening at GCPC, it’s easy to see how much God is doing with and through our faith community. In light of such abundance, the question resonates:  How Can We Keep From Sharing?”

For questions regarding your pledge or gifts, please contact Natalie Weaver, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at 828-254-3274 x. 202 or giving@gcpcusa.org.
"How Can We Keep From Sharing?" Update
What a great start to the stewardship campaign for 2019! In less than a week we have received 16 pledges totaling $126,520. Our goal is 230 pledges for the 2019 budget of $ 1,275,000. Please prayerfully consider raising your pledge 10-20% and return your pledge card as soon as you can. Such a great and engaged church! "How can we keep from sharing?"
HAVE A PHOTO TO DISPLAY?
There's room for more photos of GCPC groups and activities on the "How can we keep from sharing?" wall display in the narthex. Lend us your recent photos, please! Leave photos in the envelope at the new information desk. Write your name on the back so we can return them to you.
Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
Creating Sanctuary starts within each of us. . .

American psychologist Edward Tolman suggested in the 1940s that mammals possess a “cognitive map” that helps them navigate not only their spatial environments but also their social and emotional relationships. He concluded that a narrow-minded map can lead one to devalue others and in the end to “desperately dangerous hates of outsiders” that range “from discrimination against minorities to world conflagrations.”

Tolman urged the creation of “broader cognitive maps… that encompass… a wider social scope, embracing those we might consider ‘other,’ and in this way encourage empathy and understanding.” To build broader maps, individuals must (1) grow past early training that limits their outlook, and (2) consciously stop themselves from taking out frustrations and aggressions on “outgroups.”

~ Contributed by Tish Anderson
Power and Race Team (PART)
The Racial Justice Book Club | Thursday, Oct. 11 | *7:00 PM | Jerusalem Room
Back by popular demand, the Racial Justice Book Club enters its second year with a new list of 12 books examining institutional and interpersonal racism and racial equity. Come and join us for all twelve 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 October , we are reading I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown. (*Note new time)
"Twelve Angry Jurors" | October 4 - 20 (Thursdays - Saturdays) | 7:30 PM | Asheville High School Theater Arts Building
AHS Theatre is very proud to partner with Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective to bring their production of  Twelve Angry Jurors   by Reginald Rose. With the permission of the publisher, Different Strokes! has taken Reginald Rose’s original cast of 12 white men, and swapped it out for a cast of 12 very diverse jurors. Aside from the natural outcomes of obvious casting choices, nothing else has been changed from the original stage play. Twelve Angry Jurors has a lot to say about how our own biases, including issues of racism and discrimination, affect the basis on which the American dream, and the American Judicial system were built.  Click here for more information and tickets.
"The Deepness of the Blue" | Friday, October 12 @ 7:30 PM & Saturday, October 13 @ 4:00 PM | Central UMC ( 27 Church St. )
Asheville Choral Society presents a celebration of the music and poetry of African-American composers and authors. This concert’s music includes beautiful melodies, driving rhythms and powerful messages – an evening of engaging music that highlights underrepresented artists and composers of color. The central piece on the program is William Averitt’s Deepness of the Blue, a 5-movement setting of Langston Hughes’ moving texts on love and the struggle of the human experience. Other selections include Rosephanye Powell’s The Word was God, Anthony Trecek-King’s (current conductor of the Boston Children’s Choir) I’m Building Me a Home and the gorgeous Harry T. Burleigh arrangement of Deep River. Click here to buy tickets.
Last Fall the GCPC Session re-committed our participation with and support of Christians for United Community (CUC). Tyrone Greenlee and the CUC Advocacy Team are inviting us to discuss James Cone’s  The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Our Racial Justice Book Club has already discussed this powerful book. It’s worth examining again with a larger community. Please consider coming to one or all of the sessions. 

WHAT: Christians For A United Community Book Study
WHEN: Sunday, October 7, 2:00-3:30 pm, continuing every other Sunday through November 18th
LOCATION: First Presbyterian Church
BOOK: Dr. James Cones'  The Cross And The Lynching Tree
REGISTRATION: Please let CUC know if you plan to attend by emailing CUC at  cucasheville@bellsouth.net or going to the CUC Facebook page. Drop ins are also welcome.
GROW 
This Sunday's Education Hour (for all ages)

Adult Education - Fall Term | September 16 - November 18

Pressure Points - Connecting Mass Incarceration and Forced Deportation: A Faithful Conversation about Justice | Choir Room
Members of two active groups in our congregation, PART (Power and Race Team) and CST (Creating Sanctuary Team), will co-facilitate a 10-week series to explore "Capital J" Justice. We’ll explore connections and commonalities between issues of power and race, mass incarceration, immigrant detention, and forced migration. The discussion-based class will utilize a variety of resources, including segments of two films, Healing Justice and The Genesis of Exodus . We’ll examine and reflect on how we, as followers of Jesus, can interrogate U.S. practices, laws, and systems while bringing theology into the realm of social justice.
Facilitators: PART and CST

Digging In - Women of the Old Testament | Jerusalem Room
This class will offer a fresh look at some of the women in the Old Testament who may have unfairly been the recipients of negative press. Many of these women have been portrayed as failures: evil, irrational, unfaithful. Could this be due to an effort to reaffirm the structures of patriarchy in spite of Jesus' explicit affirmation of women?  *This week we will be covering Delilah.
Facilitators:  Barbara McLean and Jamie Lloyd

The Improv - God at the Movies and Theater | Fellowship Hall
You sit down in your favorite theater, and Jesus walks up and asks to share your popcorn. You think, ‘What is God doing here at the movies?’ In this intergenerational class, Senior high youth and adults will be exploring how movies and plays can deepen or change how we understand our lives and our faith. A list of titles can be found on our website under Adult Education. For information or to host a screening, reach out to Richard or Samantha . * This week we will be covering The Help (movie, PG-13).
Facilitators: Richard Coble and Samantha Gonzalez-Block
CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION @ 9:15 AM  [Contact  Heather or Samantha ]

Toddlers (ages 2-3) | “God Loves Me” | 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Toddler Room (downstairs, Children’s Center)
Preschool/Kindergarten (ages 4-5) | Godly Play | 9:15 –10:15 AM | Preschool Sunday School Room (downstairs, Children’s Center)

Elementary (grades 1-3) | Godly Play | 9:15–10:15 AM | Temple Room (Education wing, upstairs)
Elementary (grades 4-5) | “CONNECT” | 9:15–10:15 AM | Indie Room (Education wing, upstairs)

Middle School (grades 6-8) | 9:15-10:15 AM | Middle School Classroom, (Education wing, upstairs)
Senior Highs (grades 9-12) | 9:15-10:15 AM | Fellowship Hall, (downstairs)

*Nursery care is available throughout Sunday morning beginning at 8:10 am.
OTHER GROW OPPORTUNITIES...
The Spirituality of Parenting | Sundays | 5:00 – 6:00 PM | October 14 - November 4 | Fellowship Hall
Can the every day mundane practices of parenting actually be spiritual practices? Do our lives with children bring us opportunities to practice our faith in new ways? In this class we will explore how parenting (across generations and within communities) helps us learn about ourselves, our humanity, and our Creator. We will also investigate ways to infuse our lives with new practices that enhance our capacity to notice and honor the sacred trust of caring for and living with children. We invite all congregants, of all seasons of life, to come and share your experiences and learn about parenting as a spiritual practice.   (*Childcare provided).
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!
SERVE
Room In The Inn (RITI) | October 28 – November 4 | GCPC
RITI returns to Grace Covenant at the end of October! We are still in need of: overnight hosts, some drivers, and a few meal opportunities. The sooner we fill the slots, the better prepared we are to host the women. Please sign up in the narthex or online HERE . Many thanks to those who have already signed up!
*A special request for ladies socks of all kinds. You can bring them to the RITI sign up table in the narthex.
Pritchard Park Breakfast Ministry | Sunday, October 21 | Sign up in narthex!
The Pritchard Park breakfast is an outreach ministry shared by other area churches. Our congregation supplies breakfast in downtown Asheville to feed the hungry on the third Sunday of every other month. Look for Cathy Byers and the sign up table in the narthex on Sunday for ways in which you can help! Food donations and volunteers are needed. Questions? Please contact David Bailey, david.bailey@unitedwayabc.org , or call him at 777-3990.
Food Connection East Kick-Off | Wednesday, October 10 | 5-7 PM | Black Mountain Ale House & Black Mountain Brewing
Food Connection has just gotten a little bigger! Please come help us celebrate the launch of Food Connection East in partnership with St. James Episcopal Church of Black Mountain. This event will take place at both the Black Mountain Ale House and the new Black Mountain Brewing where 10% of food sales and $1 from every pint sold will be donated to Food Connection. The musical guests for this evening will feature the duo of Melissa Raines and Billy Presnell of Cuberow.  Since launching Food Connection East four months ago we have already rescued and delivered over 8000 meals there!
Pisgah Legal Services 8th Annual Poverty Forum | TONIGHT, October 4 | 7:00 PM | US Cellular Center
Join us to hear Dr. Kathryn Edin speak about the relationship between women and poverty at Pisgah Legal Services’ 8th Annual Poverty Forum. The nonprofit hosts this annual event to draw attention to the plight of low-income people in Western North Carolina.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Kathryn Edin, Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University and the author of eight books, including $2 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America . The hallmark of her research is her direct, in-depth observations of the lives of low-income women, men and children. Click here to buy tickets.
YTL Annual Breakfast Fundraiser | Saturday, October 27 | 9 - 10:30 AM | Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church (100 Carroll Ave.)
Join one of our ministry partners, YTL Training Programs, for their Annual Breakfast Fundraiser. This free event is an opportunity for you to hear their year-in-review, and to learn about opportunities to get involved with and/or financially support their programs. Click here to register.
Click HERE for a link to the 2017-2018 GCPC Ministry Partners brochure.
CARE
GCPC 20s/30s Gathering: "Well Played Board Game Café" | Monday, October 8 | 7:00 PM | 58 Wall St.
Let the games begin! If you are in your twenties or thirties, you are invited to come connect with great people! Meet downtown at Well Played Café. GCPC will cover the $5 game fee and there is food for purchase. Questions? Contact Samantha .
  RSVP HERE ASAP  so that we can get a table big enough.
J.O.Y. Group Potluck | Sunday, October 21 | after 10:45 worship | Fellowship Hall
The J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) Group will hold a potluck lunch after church on Sunday, October 21st. Please make plans to attend!
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:  Peter Rosal email:   peterhrosal@gmail.com
Youth News
THIS WEEKEND:
Youth Group "AYM/Creation Care Mission Earth Day" | Sunday, October 7th | 12:00 - 6:30 PM | Meet/pick up at GCPC parking lot 
If you registered, you will receive an email shortly with all of the needed information. Please let  Samantha  know if you do not get the email. If you would like to register last minute, contact Samantha to see if there are any free spots.
PLEASE NOTE: Change to the calendar! 

ROCK CLIMBING at Climbmax! |Sunday, October 21 | 5-7 PM
Get ready for an evening of crazy fun! More info to come soon! 

ALSO, SAVE THE DATES FOR:
* Saturday, 11/3 – Sunday, 11/4 | Senior High Camping Trip 
* Friday, 11/9 – Sunday, 11/11 | Middle School Camp Grier Trip
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
Sherry Harcke (Les Stradley's friend)
Pat Cocke (Les Stradley’s friend)
Glenn Russell (Robin Gaiser's brother)
Francis Miller (Nancy Miller's son)
Steve and Joanna Bowman (Mike Fleenor's brother-in-law and sister)
Nancy and Richard Schaadt (Donna Robertson's sister and brother-in-law)
Dagmar Peguero-Olinger (Mary Craig's friend)
Shaketia Simpson and children (Habitat Partner family)
Jon Breen (Daniel Breen's uncle)
Pam Morrell (Penny Ponder's daughter)
Buster Fipps (Amber White's stepfather)
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Teresa Stern
Betty Smith
Madge Francis
Margaret Rada
Steve Dykes
Amanda Pressley
Marty Johnson and Gabe Boehm

Our sympathy and support are extended to Mark Clevenger and family following the death of his mother. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Grace Covenant Community Out and About...


Enneagram learning opportunities with
Carol Hovis!
Weekly enneagram gatherings  on different topics pertaining to all 9 types, will occur  Monday evenings, 6-8pm  and  Friday mornings, 10am-12noon  in the A-Frame Room (October 1st thru December 14th), facilitated by Carol Hovis. For more information, including cost and content, email Carol,  cmhovis@gmail.com . All are welcome. 
An Evening with Kate Bowler | Saturday, November 3 | 7 PM | First Presbyterian Church
Kate Bowler, author of  Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I’ve loved)  will speak at First Presbyterian Church, Asheville.

Diagnosed with stage IV cancer at the age of 35, Kate writes powerfully about the transformation she has experienced in the face of tragedy. As a young mother living with cancer and a historian of American religion, Bowler frankly address the uniquely American concept that tragedy is a test of character, and looks at the different ways that people try to rationalize suffering and catastrophe, for better or worse.

Dr. Bowler will speak in the Sanctuary from 7-8 pm and allow time for questions. Signed copies of her memoir will be available for purchase. Tickets are $10 in advance and selling fast! 
"I Am MLK Jr." Movie Screening | Tuesday, October 9 | 7:30 PM | Montreat, Anderson Auditorium
(This film screening is brought to you by the Better Angels conference. It's not too late to  register  for the full conference and get more of that content.)
I Am MLK Jr.  is a documentary that celebrates the life and explores the character of American icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Following his journey across the mountaintops and valleys while capturing the Civil Rights Movement at large, the film provides intimate, first hand insights on Dr. King, exploring moments of personal challenge and elation, his legacy and an ongoing movement that is as important today as when Dr. King first shone a light on the plight of his fellow African Americans. Click here to reserve a ticket.
Better Angels Conference | October 8-11 | Montreat, NC
This conference will examine the biblical, theological, and sociological understandings of power and the church’s relationship to it. When do we build power for the gospel, and when do we resist the powers that oppose it? How is power necessary for congregational leadership, and when does it divide? How do we wield power in the church in unifying ways without diminishing Jesus’ radical call to discipleship? Click HERE for more info and to register.
*Mention that you are from GCPC and you will get a $25 discount.
AwakeningSoul Presents "Justice is the Body of Love ~ Love is the Soul of Justice" | November 8-11 | Lutheridge Conference Center
AwakeningSoul is an uplifting, four-day event held annually. Come for sanctuary, sustenance and inspiration. This year's presenters include: Ed Bacon, Heidi Kim, Larry Maze, Catherine Meeks and Brian Prior. Click HERE for full information including registration and cost.
5th Annual African Americans in Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachia Conference - “Making the Invisible Visible” | October 18-20 | YMI Cultural Center
The three-day event will feature a variety of topics, including race in education, social justice, and history while highlighting regional African American culture, with a theme of “Making the Invisible Visible.”
Conference activities are free and open to everyone with advance registration requested online or by calling 828.255.7216. 
*Please note the new meeting day for Open Hearts is Wednesday (1st and 3rd of the month).
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804