GCPC Weekly News | October 28, 2021
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Guatemala Committee meeting with members of the Iglesia Jerusalem congregation. | |
GCPC Pumpkin Carving done by all ages | | |
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This week's Stewardshift video! | |
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This year, pledging through Realm is even easier! (Watch a tutorial video here.) Simply CLICK HERE to submit your pledge online, all in one form.
If you would also like to set up automatic eGiving from your bank account or credit card, be sure to checkmark Add a scheduled gift for this pledge after the pledge confirmation and follow the prompts.
You will receive an email confirmation of your pledge and a separate confirmation for eGiving, if applicable. Questions or concerns? Please contact Natalie Weaver, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or leave a message at 828.254.3274.
WAYS TO PLEDGE:
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Online pledge card HERE
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Email Nweaver@gcpcusa.org
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Call 828.254.3274 and leave a message for Natalie Weaver
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Request a mailed pledge card from the office
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Pledge Confirmation Emails
You will receive an email confirmation of your pledge when entered in Realm, whether you do it yourself or have the office assist. If you do not receive an email, your pledge may not have been submitted successfully or we may have an incorrect email address on your account. Please reach out to nweaver@gcpcusa.org if you have any questions or would like to confirm your pledge was received.
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Please keep in mind, pledging online does not automatically set up online recurring giving unless you go through the second set up selecting your bank account and giving details after submitting your pledge. If you are not sure if you set up eGiving or need assistance, please contact our Finance Office. | |
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Deacon and Elder Nominations
The Nominating Committee is seeking recommendations from the congregation for persons to serve as an Elder or Deacon, beginning in February 2022. Please fill this out by October 31st.
The Nominating Committee, relying on the Holy Spirit, will be guided by prayer, their sense of the gifts that are needed to be called into service in this way, and by the guidance of the Book of Order.
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“Elders should be persons of faith, dedication, and good judgment. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel, both within the church and in the world.” | |  |
The office of Deacon...“is one of compassion, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, of exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this office.” | | |
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All Saints Sunday - November 7, 2021
All Saints Sunday is an opportunity for us to remember and honor the great cloud of witnesses of those who have come before us. We are inviting you to add a photo along with the name(s) of those you would like to lift up in prayer in the All Saint's worship service on Sunday, November 7th. We will also be doing the traditional necrology of GCPC members who have died in the past year. Submissions should be made by Friday NOON on November 5th. Please use THIS LINK to upload information.
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How to Check-In for worship on the Realm app
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Worship Preview | Sunday, October 31, 2021 | | |
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Sermon:
“Love Shift”
by Marcia Mount Shoop
Scripture:
Mark 12: 28-34
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
| Saturday, October 30 | ALL YOUTH GROUP:
Games on the Lawn | 7:30 pm @ GCPC | | Sunday, October 31 | Kids Zoom Adventure | 10:15 am on Zoom | | Sunday, October 31 | Livestream Worship | 10:45 am on Youtube | | Tuesday, November 2 | CHURCH OFFICE OPEN! | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | | Tuesday, November 2 | VRQ BBQ Cook Team | 4:30 or 5:30 @ VRQ | | Tuesday, November 2 | Worship Council | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, November 2 | Guatemala Comm. | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, November 2 | Nominating Comm. | 6:30 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, Nov. 3 | Bible Study | 10:00 am on Zoom | | Wednesday, Nov. 3 | MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) Group | 11:00 am on Zoom | | Wednesday, Nov. 3 | Choir Rehearsal pod | 7:00 pm in Sanctuary | | Wednesday, Nov. 3 | Garden Steering Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | |
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All Youth Group Night Games! 🎃 | Saturday, October 30 | 7:30 - 9:30 PM | on the GCPC Lawn
Come for an evening of outdoor fun after dark on the GCPC Lawn! Bring a mask; bring a friend!
Before we play… We will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos by creating an altar of remembrance by gathering photographs or special items of remembrance of loved ones. We will write prayers and light candles to remember those who have come before us. Youth are encouraged to bring and add photographs to the altar of people whom they wish to remember.
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VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | Tuesday, November 2 | 4:30 or 5:45 PM
On the First Tuesday of each month, a team of folks gather at the Veterans Restoration Quarters, (1329 Tunnel Road) to grill hamburgers and prepare supper for more than 200 US Armed Forces Veterans living in transitional housing at the VRQ— an ABCCM Ministry.
The VRQ continues to have a good record of preventing COVID infection for staff, residents and volunteers. They are still using the infection control method of preparing the trays then the residents are allowed in, spaced apart, and seated one per table. They have also been responsible in cancelling or limiting our participation if there has been any significant exposure or community conditions change. Policy is that all employees are to wear masks. I have been assured by Danny Szemple, volunteer coordinator, that any volunteer may ask an employee to put on their mask to cover both mouth and nose.
Because changes may occur without notice IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I KNOW WHO IS COMING each month so that I can communicate any changes. The second concern is that the number of volunteers has been down. Some of our regulars are unable to come because of the pandemic. We need to have at least four and preferably six willing to be there to cook and three to help prepare the trays each month. If more want to come, we can always find things for them to do. Thanks for responding if you can be there. We do this routine on the first Tuesday of each month. Hope to see you there.
~Bill Neeriemer, bill.nmer@gmail.com
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Fall Adult Education - Caste | Sundays | October 10 - November 21 | 9:00 AM | via Zoom
A Close and Spiritual Reading of Isabel Wilkerson's Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. We will go through Caste chapter by chapter on Sunday mornings. Leaders from the Racial Justice Book Series will take turns leading the discussion. Whether you were a part of the summer gatherings or not, whether you read the book years ago, or are coming to it for the first time, please join us! Questions? Email Richard Coble.
Reading Schedule
- 10/31: Part 4, p. 167-260
- 11/7: Part 5, p. 263-308
- 11/14: Part 6, p. 311-357
- 11/21: Part 7, p. 361-388
| GCPC Kids Zoom Adventure | Sundays | 10:15 AM | via Zoom | |
You will receive an email on Friday with the zoom information.
Email Cat Kessler (ckessler@gcpcsua.org) if you would like to be added to the list.
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Lectionary Bible Study | Wednesday, October 20 | 10:00 AM | via Zoom
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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Rev. Tami Seeing Transformation in our Faith Communities
Covenant Partner FAITH 4 JUSTICE ASHEVILLE
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Faith 4 Justice Asheville (F4J) missioner, the Rev. Tami Forte Logan, stays real busy. She’s a familiar face at GCPC for past workshops, Sunday preaching, the pilgrimage to the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the recent zoom seminar “The Violence and Virtue of White Women’s Tears." Currently, Rev. Tami consults with GCPC’s Building Visioning Team and helps Asheville’s Land of the Sky UCC deepen their work of dismantling white supremacy. At the same time, she continues to offer support to many people involved in regional racial equity efforts. (See video “Why F4J?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf-Y4wwFdzk)
The work of F4J started as a collaboration between Rev. Tami and area clergy convinced that God calls us to the task of provoking justice for and with black and brown bodied people through faith and racial equity work. One way to achieve the goal is to help faith leaders—clergy and laity—"tell the truth.” Rev. Tami gets many calls, texts, and emails from pastors seeking advice and support as they begin a transition to ministry focused on justice and equity. She then pairs more seasoned F4J clergy with those just beginning the risky journey of change so that support can be ongoing and frequent. “These pastors risk a lot, including their jobs.” Despite the dangers, “we have to stop elevating whiteness above God,” she exhorts.
In 2020, Rev. Tami cited working with young Black leaders as one of her favorite parts of the year. This time when asked what has been good about 2021, she answered with this: “Spirit is happening. Spirit is provoking justice.” Expressing her deep faith and giving hope to all who listen, she attests, “I’ve been doing justice and equity work for over twenty years and now I am finally beginning to see people of faith gaining a courage and boldness they didn’t have before. I am blessed to witness a good deal of personal and spiritual transformation and there’s no question we are starting to see shifts, ‘holy shifts,’ as Marcia would say.” Rev. Tami continues, “People are more vocal. More churches are getting involved at a deeper level and I am grateful that the Holy Spirit is provoking justice in ways we have not seen before. The more our region grapples with racial reckoning and repair, the more I feel empowered and encouraged on this journey toward collective liberation.”
GCPC, we are so blessed to have Rev. Tami in our faith community. Please pray for her and the Faith 4 Justice collaborative. If you are able, support the work with a financial gift so the F4J collaborative might reach even more people with the message of hope and liberation.
Donation link: https://onrealm.org/gcpcusa/-/form/give/F4J.
~ Submitted by John Huie and Lynne Meacham
More about Faith 4 Justice at https://www.faith4justiceasheville.org/
and https://www.facebook.com/Faith4JusticeAVL
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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 (10/24-10/30): John Curry | email: jcurryavl@gmail.com
Next week (10/31-11/6): Bill McNeff | email: wpmcn6@yahoo.com
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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
Marge and Warren Weidner (Jane Stoffer’s sister and brother in law)
Jami Schaefer (friend of Sarah Van Gunten’s life long friend, Sherry)
Debi Miller (friend of Marcia Mount Shoop)
Joan Haag (Carolyn Haag’s mother)
Jeff (Tricia Hynes’ son)
Dick Gibson (Jeff Gibson’s dad)
Davis (son of Linda Upchurch)
Maria and Esteban Goicoechea (La Mariposa and her husband)
Winnie Martel (Prayers for Winnie and Susie Churchfield)
Jennifer Martin (Yvonne Smith’s daughter)
Tayler Alexandria (Marta’s goddaughter)
Bob Higgins
Florence and Steve Riedesel
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
Bill Williamson
Queen Mother Maggie Belle Gladden
Elizabeth Fisher
Doris Prak
The Seddon Family
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Compassion Camp | Saturday, November 13 | 9:30 - 11:00 AM | @ GCPC
We will meet on the church lawn for a Bible story, community building, music, movement, creating, playing and a sending. These sessions are designed for families to participate together (no drop-off).
Masks will be required by everyone who is able. 11 AM-Noon there will be free time on the playground following Compassion Camp.
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Presbyterian Womenʼs Circles are Zoom meetings. Please join us.
Circle 1: Second Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m.
Circle 2: First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.
Circle 3: Varies (Click here to see schedule for 2021-2022), 7:00 p.m.
Circle 4: First Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m.
Circle 5: First Monday of each month, 11:00 a.m.
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Need to set up a church zoom meeting?
Contact Anna Louise and she can get you all set up!
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The garden is being put to bed for winter. On October 23 eleven gardeners harvested 193 pounds of green peppers, turnips, collards, snacking and jalapeno peppers, and tomatoes for use by Western Carolina Rescue Mission.
Anthony Cole harvested 350 more pounds of potatoes and distributed them to families experiencing food insecurity.
Teams have been clearing beds and planting cover crops. The last garden day of the season for 2021 is Saturday October 30. Saturday gardeners will harvest tomatoes and greens and pull up tomato plants. A new garden shed is scheduled to be installed next week.
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Community Working Together | |
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Prayer Vigil this Saturday for the Climate Talks in Glasgow
Saturday, October 30 | 5:30 PM | Grove park
Six years ago, some of us gathered on the eve of the Paris Climate Talks on a rainy evening in Grove Park to send our prayers and hopes for the success of that gathering.
We are moved to gather again this Saturday evening 10/30 to similarly unite our hearts and send our thoughts to those who'll be gathering to try and reach consensus on making the great necessary changes to avoid climate catastrophe. If you're able to join us, we'll meet again at Grove Park (on north Charlotte Street, opposite St. Mary's Episcopal Church) at 5:30 for a brief ceremony. Feel free to invite others.
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Buncombe Community Remembrance Project | Historical Markers Installation Ceremony | Saturday, October 30 | 10:00 AM | Pack Square Park
Fostering truth telling and acknowledging the history of racial violence does matter as a first step towards healing, reconciliation, and transformation. The Buncombe Community Remembrance Project Steering Committee embraced the theme of truth telling in undertaking the Equal Justice Initiative’s Historical Marker Project.
Racial violence directed at Black people in America has been well documented throughout the history of the United States. The struggle continued from the first Africans in America, enslavement, Jim Crow Laws, Reconstruction, Freedom Riders, the Civil Rights Movements, to the present-day Black Lives Matter Movement. As we honor the three individuals lynched in Buncombe County, the information listed provides just a small snapshot of the times in which the three men lived.
(Read this entire article here.)
| 8th African Americans in Western North Carolina & Southern Appalachia Conference: "Reparations, Revelations & Racial Justice: The Path Forward" | Saturday, November 6 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | |
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As a project of the UNC Asheville, The African Americans in WNC and Southern Appalachia Conference illuminates the African American experience in Southern Appalachia including history, culture, community, and enterprise. Now in its 8th year, the conference seeks to eradicate incomplete and false narratives about African Americans in this region, while creating new possibilities for the future.
In this way, the Conference will continue to be a community-wide effort in making the invisible histories of African Americans, and other historically minoritized highlanders—visible—and it has grown to encompass the living histories and mutable futures of our vital community here in WNC.
Click here to see the Program Schedule.
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Support Afghan Refugees in Asheville
Asheville has welcomed over 10 Afghan refugees. The maximum number of refugees is capped at 40. Those newly arriving to our country need many things. You can help. Click here to indicate the ways you can assist. You can give in a variety of ways, meeting specific needs, volunteering for transportation, giving resources for the purchase of gift cards. (Read the entire call here.)
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The Rev. Canon Esau McCaulley, PhD |
Join Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church for an online talk on the prophetic witness of the Black church -
On Nov. 3, the Rev. Canon Esau McCaulley, PhD, will deliver the fourth annual Gotto Lecture in New York City
~ from Fifth Ave. Presbyterian Church
This year’s Anita and Antonio Gotto Lecture Series at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City will feature the Rev. Canon Esau McCaulley, PhD, a priest, author and theologian who regularly writes opinion pieces for The New York Times and hosts The Disrupters podcast.
His most recent book, “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope,” looks at the tradition of African American biblical interpretation and argues that the Bible rightly understood and read from a decidedly Black perspective can speak a word of hope to African Americans in the United States.
McCaulley is calling his lecture “Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy: the Prophetic Witness of the Black Church.” McCaulley will examine the development of the current divides about social action in white Christian churches and examine how the Black church charted a different path. His talk is set for 7 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 3. The event is free, but attendees must register.
Register for the livestream here.
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Facing our insatiability -
Systemic poverty exists because many of us support policies that suppress wages
~ by Jessica Vazquez Torres
I looked at my Amazon orders last week to gauge the depth of my complicity with economic injustice: 90 orders since January 2020. Do I struggle with this? Yes. Has that struggle led me to disentangle myself from the economic system that allows me to have what I want when I want it, and the cheapest price? No. I do always choose Amazon day — meaning that I choose to wait longer and group my orders to minimize the impact my comfort has on the workers, drivers and the planet. Do I struggle with this? Yes. How about you? Where are you complicit? Is it Walmart? Target? Whole Foods? Dollar Tree?
Among the seven industrialized democracies of the world — the so-called G7 — the United States distinguishes itself by having the highest level of income inequality. Top-earning households in the U.S. have steadily gained more of the nation’s total income, and lower-income households are earning a decreasing share. Incomes among the upper class have grown much faster than incomes among the middle class. After the Great Recessions, most households saw a reduction in wealth, except the wealthiest families. Racial disparities persist in income between Black and white households.
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Pledges & Prepay
Now that 2022 pledges have started to come in, you may wonder if you can prepay that before the end of the year. The answer is "yes," but please be sure to differentiate between the current year (2021 General Fund) and next year (2022 General Fund).
If you are prepaying a 2022 pledge for next year, please be sure to notate that on your gift- simply write "2022 pledge" in the memo line of your check or select 2022 General Fund online.
If you have questions about your 2021 pledge balance or need assistance in submitting a 2022 pledge, please reach out to Natalie Weaver in the Finance Office at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or leave a message at 828.254.3274.
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3rd Quarter Giving Statements Emailed
If you gave July 1 - September 30, you should have received an email on 10/25/21 with a link to your 3rd quarter giving statement. These will come through our software from notifications@onrealm.org with a blue link towards the bottom, which will open your contribution statement in a PDF. This shows the details of all donations made in the 3rd quarter and your pledge summary at the bottom, if applicable.
As a reminder, you can access your giving history and YTD gifts in real time by logging in at onrealm.org/gcpcusa and clicking the Giving tab. You can adjust the filter to show specific dates or funds.
Questions or concerns? Contact Natalie Weaver in the Finance Office at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or leave a message at 828.254.3274 and she will return your call.
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John Philip Newell presents Spiritual Exile & Seeds of Promise | Saturday, November 20 | 1:00 PM | Online | Cost: $25
In his widely acclaimed series Spiritual Exile & Seeds of Promise, John Philip Newell explores the yearnings that have led countless numbers of people into an experience of exile from the religious traditions of their inheritance, whether in literally leaving church or in looking well beyond its bounds for vision and nourishment.
‘Listening to the Inner Child’, the fifth episode in the series, will explore our longing for interconnectedness. This is a yearning that honors the way of the child again, whose instinct from birth is for relationship. The diaspora of today is disillusioned with religion’s path of separateness, prompting as it has done the divisions that lead also to hatred and violence. A vital characteristic of today’s vast spiritual quest is the search for interrelationship in all realms of life as the way of wellbeing.
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HOW TO CONTACT STAFF:
The church office is open weekly for walk-ins on Tuesdays, 10am - 4pm. Our staff can also be reached by email or voicemail Monday - Wednesday. To leave a voicemail for a staff member to return your call, follow these steps:
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Call the main office at 828-254-3274.
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Listen through the office closure notice, which will then take you to a staff directory.
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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.
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If you just want to leave a message for the general voicemail box, press 0.
You can also reach our staff by email- please see our website for each staff member's individual email address.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
828.254.3274
www.gcpcusa.org
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