GCPC Weekly News | September 9, 2021

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This Week at GCPC!

Pics of the week

Communion Sunday

Coble family in the GCPC garden

#GCPCathome

Margaret and Blake

Irene Dillingham Richards celebrated her 97th Birthday!

Worship Preview | Sunday, September 12, 2021

Sermon:

“In the face of the strongest winds”

by Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks

Scripture:

James 3:1-12

Live Stream Worship Service

@ 10:45 AM Sunday

*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here.

Thursday, September 9	PART (Power & Race Team) Mtg.	6:00 pm on Zoom
Sunday, September 12	Presbyterianism 101	9:00 am on Zoom
Sunday, September 12	20s/30s Gathering: River Tubing	2:00 pm at Zen Tubing
Sunday, September 12	Middle School Check-In	5:00 pm on Zoom
Sunday, September 12	High School Check-In	5:45 pm on Zoom
Tuesday, September 14	Property Council Mtg.	6:00 pm on Zoom
Tuesday, September 14	Prez Beez Softball Game	7:30 pm @ MLK Park
Wednesday, Sept. 15	MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) Mtg.	11:00 am on Zoom
Wednesday, Sept. 15	Just Funding Mtg.	6:00 pm on Zoom
Thursday, September 15	Earth Team Mtg.	7:00 pm on Zoom

PART (Power & Race Team) Meeting | TONIGHT, September 9 | 6:00 PM

After a couple of months of Summer rest, it's time for the Power and Race Team to resume our intentional work together. All of us need to do our PART (get it?! do our PART!) to disrupt and dismantle white supremacy culture within ourselves and in our community. Anyone can come to PART meetings, anytime. Each meeting is a unique opportunity. The more meetings you come to, the deeper we can go together in the work.

This month we will be exploring where GCPC is in our work together around white supremacy culture. What are all the different ways this work is embodied in the life of the church? How has COVID amplified the work?

Due to the current COVID levels in Buncombe County, this meeting will be on Zoom only.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/91314445389

Meeting ID: 913 1444 5389 | Passcode: 789

Presbyterianism 101 - | Sundays | Sept. 12, 19 & 26 | 9:00 - 10:00 AM | Zoom

Who are Presbyterians? What do we believe? How are we different from other denominations? Come with your questions as we delve into our rich, complex, and sometimes contentious tradition. Email Richard at rcoble@gcpcusa.org with questions.

Click here to join the class group!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86069120237

Meeting ID: 860 6912 0237 | Passcode: 789

GCPC 20s/30s Gathering: "Tubing Down the River" | Sunday, September 12 | 2:00 - 5:00 PM | Zen Tubing - Midtown (608 Riverside Dr., AVL)

If you are in your twenties, thirties, or beyond, let's start the new school/program year off with a ride down French Broad River! Please arrive on time and feel free to bring your own tube or borrow one from Zen Tubing. GCPC will cover the cost of all tubes and river transportation. If possible, bring some snacks or drinks to share. Don't forget your bathing suit and water shoes (if you have). Friends are welcome!

Questions? Contact Richard Coble (rcoble@gcpcusa.org) or Alex Holifield (alexandralhollifield@gmail.com)

PLEASE RSVP HERE!

Youth Ministry Check-In |

Sunday, September 12

Life is full and while we know you are swimming in the beginning of the school year and all that entails, we would LOVE to see your faces and take a min to check in. Please join us on Zoom THIS SUNDAY September 12.

Middle School Youth will check-in at 5:00 pm
High School Youth at 5:45 pm

Earth Team Meeting | Thursday, September 16 | 7:00 PM | via Zoom

Many people of faith believe that Caring for God’s Creation in light of Climate Change is our most important calling. Zoom with us next Thursday as we brainstorm about what we can/should be doing personally, congregationally, and legislatively: book studies, visiting and writing legislators, hikes, zoom programs/Sunday school/worship, etc.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/91859541587 Meeting ID: 918 5954 1587 | Passcode: 789

And if you email Susan Presson at 4pressons@gmail.com that you can join us, she will resend you the zoom link on 9/15.

Prez Beez 2021 Fall Schedule

All games @ MLK Park

9/14 - 7:30 - (Away Team)
9/21 - 7:30 - (Home Team)
9/28 - 6:30 - (Away Team)
10/5 - 7:30 - (Home Team)

** plus 2 make up games which are TBD.

Clerk's Corner

Hello everyone. I am Kelley Griffith, Clerk of Session for Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. “Clerk’s Corner,” written by me, is a new feature of GCPC’s weekly newsletter, and will appear at least once a month following the monthly Session meeting.

Session meetings take place the fourth Tuesday of each month. Any church member can attend these meetings. During the Covid season, the Session meets via Zoom. You can find the link to each meeting on the church calendar. Click on that link shortly before the meeting and the host will let you in.

You can gain access to past Session meetings by visiting the church website—www.gcpcusa.org—and clicking on “The Latest” (at the top of the home page), then on “Session,” and finally on “Session Minutes Archive.” This tab shows the members of the Session as well as the Session minutes for 2020 and 2021. Click on a given month and you will find everything Session members receive prior to each meeting: the agenda for the meeting, the consent agenda, the minutes for the previous month’s Session meeting, and the minutes or reports from councils, individuals, teams, and boards.

If you have questions about any of these matters, feel free to email me at: sunfinewood@gmail.com.

The main purpose of the Clerk’s Corner is to give a brief summary of what took place in the month’s Session meeting. So here goes for this month’s meeting, which took place on 24 August 2021.

After the call for a quorum, opening prayer, approval of last month’s minutes and this month’s agenda, Marcia led the group in a reflection on one of the lectionary readings for Sunday, James 1:17-27. In response to James’ admonition to “be quick to listen,” she asked the group to consider the question, What or who are you listening to these days?

As part of her report to the Session, she led us on an on-camera “tour” of the new video screens and cameras in the sanctuary. She said also that our church services continue to attract people who want to become members. For example, one couple living in Atlanta recently talked with her about that possibility.

Actions taken by the Session are as follows:

*The Session unanimously approved a staff proposal that the Session create a Christian Formation Council, one that would oversee matters having to do with “Christian formation,” which includes, in Marcia’s words, “spiritual practices, life application, critical thinking, experiential discipleship, discernment, and prayer life.” Existing committees that will come under the umbrella of this council include Adult Education, Youth, and Children and Families. This new council will bring the number of Session councils to six. The others are Finance, Personnel, Serve, Property, and Worship. In order to populate this council, the Session will, beginning with the Class of 2024, add an additional elder each year for three years, bringing the total number of Session elders from sixteen to nineteen.

*After assessing the increased risks posed by the vigorous and destructive Delta variant of the COVID virus, the Session voted unanimously to postpone the church’s first in-sanctuary worship service from 19 September until sometime in October or, if necessary, until some later date.

*Related to this motion were two others, both passed unanimously:

1. to create a task force that would advise the staff about how the church should respond to the COVID crisis, including how the building should be used.

2. to require that in our building everyone over two years of age must wear a mask.

That’s it for the August Session meeting. As I’m sure you are aware, much discussion takes place during these meetings. To get the full flavor, you are welcome to attend the meetings.

--Kelley

Important Announcements

WE WANT TO SEE YOU

in our CHURCH DIRECTORY!

Send your photo to pics@gcpcusa.org and

we'll take care of the rest!

GCPC Devotionals

Email prayer@gcpcusa.org

Deacon of the Week:

In 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 (9/5-9/11): Bill Ryan | email: bill73ryan@gmail.com

Next week (9/12-9/18): Pam Baker | email: pam.dunkin56@gmail.com

Prayer List

Prayer requests will stay on the GCPC Prayer List for one month. Please let any staff know if you (or your loved one) would like to remain on the list for longer.

Iglesia Jerusalem congregation

Ryan Lockett (nephew of Denise Lockett)

Jennifer Martin (Yvonne Smith's daughter)

Sheldon Smith (Beth Robrechtʼs brother-in-law)

Marie and Jose Palacios and family (Marie is the presbytery coordinator of Guatemala partnerships)

Harold Shook (Melissa Shook's father)

Bill Ross (Jonathan Ross' dad)

David Good (Amber Cook’s dad)

Kyle Holtz (Tim Hamel's cousin)

Deanna Fleenor (Mike Fleenor's sister)

Rebecca Lorenz (Phil Brown’s daughter)

Glen and Tom Kilbourne (Janet Martin’s parents)

Susan Anway (Cathy Walgenbach’s sister)

Vince O'Connor (Robin and Gordon Gaiser’s nephew)

Winnie Martel (Susie Churchfield's friend)

Alexa and Stephanos Iras Catsambis (Janice Kominski’s sister and new nephew)

Family of Bob Crouch (Allen Johnson’s brother-in-law)

For all those with chronic pain

Bob Higgins

Florence and Steve Riedesel

Susan Smialowicz

Laura Ross

Bill Williamson

Queen Mother Maggie Belle Gladden

John Mount Shoop

Elizabeth Fisher

Doris Prak

Carolyn Tingle

Irene Richards

Shelia Chapman

The Seddon Family

Our sympathy and support are extended to Janet and Blake Martin on the death of Janet's mother, Glen Kilbourne, on Saturday, September 4; to Cathy Walgenbach and family on the death of Cathy's sister, Susie Anway, on Sunday, September 5; and to Allen and Frances Johnson on the death of Allen's brother-in-law, Bob Crouch, on Wednesday, September 8. Please keep these families in your prayers.

Upcoming @ GCPC

Writing & Reflection Gathering for Parents and Caregivers | Sunday, September 26 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | GCPC Courtyard (and Zoom)

Parents and caregivers are invited to a gathering on Sunday, August 15 from 6pm - 8pm to write, listen, share and support each other as we process our experiences through COVID & quarantine. We are meeting in person in the church courtyard, as well as virtually on Zoom. If you are coming in person, please bring a chair, writing pad & drink of choice, and plan to be masked if within six feet of each other.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84037146630

Meeting ID: 840 3714 6630 | Passcode: 789

Questions? Please email Margaret Tierney (margarettierney6@gmail.com), Anne Turnbow-Raustol (aeraustol@gmail.com), or Kate Shem (kateshem@gmail.com).

Faith 4 Justice AVL presents ... The Violence and Virtue of White Women's Tears | Thursday, September 30 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM | GCPC's Youtube Channel

Join Faith 4 Justice Asheville and a multi-racial panel of women discussing the Violence and Virtue of White Women’s Tears as they wrestle with…

How, when and where white women’s tears have resulted in violence against black and brown bodies biblically and throughout history
How are white women’s tears weaponized in multi-racial spaces, and used to control and center white comfort?
What is our response to white women’s tears and how is that response to Black and Latinx women’s tears different?
How can white women accept responsibility so their tears don’t manipulate, violate and do harm?
Where and when should white woman cry and grieve so that they can genuinely and fully heal?
How do all women strengthen relationships across color-lines as we address these painful and controversial issues?

As always, donations are welcome to help Faith 4 Justice AVL continue this important work. Click here to donate.

Presbyterian Womenʼs Circles are Zoom meetings. Please join us.

Circle 1: Second Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m.

Cathy Froehlich - 775-1016, oremont2@gmail.com

Circle 2: First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.

Ann Brown - (828) 279-4917, hbcove@aol.com
Heather Hudson - 501-442-6223, hehudson@charter.net

Circle 3: Varies (Click here to see schedule for 2021-2022), 7:00 p.m.

Andrea Rosal- (828) 545-8466, ameach@gmail.com
Angela Kemper - (828) 301-1475, angela@hunter-kemper.com

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, 11:00 a.m.

Lynne Noble – 803-206-3821, lynnesno ble@gmail.com

Setting up Zoom Meetings:

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 Anna Louise, and any staff member can help you get set up for your meeting if you have questions.

GCPC Community Garden

This week gardeners harvested chard, eggplant, green peppers, snacking peppers, tomatoes, squash, okra, green beans, and jalapenos. Fourteen gardeners harvested 50 pounds on Saturday to be delivered to YTL families. Saturday gardeners also planted collards. Seven Wednesday gardeners harvested 138.5 pounds for delivery to the YWCA; they also planted collards, lettuce, and cabbage.

It's never too late to sign up to volunteer in the garden. Please contact Betsy Wilson at betsywilson1111@gmail.com if you are interested.

Community Working Together

Blue Ridge Pride Festival and the Welcoming WNC Procession have been canceled this year due to COVID concerns.

Here is a link to the press release offering full details.

Good Trouble: A Critical Race Theory Colloquy | September 14, 21 & 28 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM | via Zoom

This colloquy offers a guide for those who wish to understand and support the underlying tenets of Critical Race Theory in this time when it is under attack in many state and local legislatures and school districts across the country.

This event is hosted by Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary in Atlanta.

Each session will include brief biblical reflections to provide a theological framework for the class, as well as presentations by content providers and an opportunity to discuss this challenging topic with others in the course.

This colloquy is about shaping behavior: Learning Partners (JFSTS for “students”) will be given tools to help them discuss CRT with others in their community with whom they disagree and help them to craft a thoughtful defense of CRT in public spaces.

Click here to learn more & register

Creation Care Alliance hosts...

Fall Eco-Grief Circles

Join Creation Care Alliance for an Eco Grief Circle this Fall (Wednesday September 22-November 3 at noon ET). This seven-week online experience will be offered in sessions that last about 1 hour and fifteen minutes. Together you will explore grief and sorrow, anxiety and fear, guilt and shame, anger, and despair. This experience is designed to offer mutual support, healing, insight, and love but is not a grief therapy experience. Past participants expressed profound gratitude for being among people who could talk honestly about grief, suffering, and the ecological and social challenges of our time. The leadership team includes counselors, pastors, and environmental advocates. There is limited space for this online experience.

Creative Homeownership and Repair of Racial Wealth Gap

Homeownership has been a key part of building generational wealth for many people. But not for everyone. The racial wealth gap and generational wealth disparities are due to many factors. Repairing the historical damage in this homeownership area, however, is starting to happen in creative ways here where we live. Share this information widely, volunteer, and contribute financially where you can.

(Thanks to PART and CREATING SANCTUARY list-serv members who shared ideas in an impromptu email chain. Contact Anna Louise if you want to receive PART and/or CREATING SANCTUARY communications.)

Click here for a pdf file of these resources.

Yenny Delgado

'The church must give attention to ethnicity'

Public theologian Yenny Delgado: ‘Indigenous people have been denied self-identification and self-determination’

~ by Gail Strange

“Yenny Delgado is a psychologist and public theologian. She says she her ministry focuses on intersections of psychology, theology, gender, and a lot about ethnicity — because it is who she is as a person.

As a member of a super-majority white congregation in the Washington, D.C. metro area for the last 12 years, she often felt otherized and her full identity boiled down as only a Latina immigrant. However, she is of Native American descent from Latin America and recognizes the importance of the diversity within the Latin community in the United States, as it is not one ethnic monolithic group.

According to Delgado, for people of color who identify as Native there’s a level of invisibility in the Latino community. “Because if you are Latina, you cannot be a Native, or if you are Latino, you cannot be African American,” she said. Delgado says the church has been complicit in the matter of misidentifying ethnicity not only now but also for the past 500 years."

'Stated Clerk remembers September 11'

After 20 years, J. Herbert Nelson says retaliation isn’t the answer

"Twenty years ago this week, our world changed. For those who remember that fateful day in September 2001, you likely recall where you were when you first heard that a plane had struck one of the towers of the World Trade Center. As the next several hours unfolded, we stood in shock as plane after plane, carrying hundreds of people, crashed into the second tower, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. For the first time in most of our lives, our country, and our very way of life, were under attack.

As the dust began to settle on that September day, 2,977 people were dead, including passengers and office workers, as well as police, firefighters and other emergency personnel who disregarded their own safety to rescue as many people as they could.

People lost their spouses, children lost their parents, and parents lost their children. Thousands who survived that day went on to deal with lifelong health issues and deep emotional scars that will never heal”

GCPC Covenant Partner,

Hood Huggers International (HHI)

Click here to read their latest newsletter

Stewardship & Sustainability | GIVE HERE

Sustainable Stewardship

Stewardship is not just a once a year pledge drive or hopeful number in the budget, it's a daily practice of maintaining a stable financial foundation to fund our ministry and mission. Every penny you give helps support a more sustainable future here at GCPC. Just to name a few, that includes: work in our community; grants for our Covenant Partners; programming for Children, Youth, and Adults; property repair, maintenance, and upgrades; staffing the businesses and ministry functions.... and much much more! Thank you for your thoughtful support and sustainable stewardship.

WAYS TO GIVE:

MAIL gifts to the office at 789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804(the office remains closed but we are checking the mail)

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

or through your Realm Connect smartphone app

TEXT "giveGCPC" to 73256 on your mobile device, then follow the prompts

Interested in setting up online recurring giving? 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.

If you have any questions, please contact Natalie in our Finance office at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or by leaving a message for Natalie Weaver at 828-254-3274.

STAY CONNECTED

HOW TO CONTACT STAFF:

Our staff are all still working remotely as the office remains closed due to the pandemic. To leave a voicemail for a staff member to return your call, follow these steps:

The Church Office is open on Tuesdays, 10am - 4pm.
Call the office at 828-254-3274.
Listen through the office closure notice, which will then take you to a staff directory.
Enter the first 3 letters of either the staff member's first or last name on your phone keypad (i.e. to reach Natalie Weaver, you'd enter 628 for NAT or 932 for WEA).
You'll be directed to the staff member's individual voicemail, where you can leave a message to be returned as soon as possible.
If you just want to leave a message for the general voicemail box, press 0.