GCPC Alive and Well This Week!
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Racial Justice Book Series
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Worship Preview | Sunday, May 10, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Youth Sunday
Homily:
"Fearless Faith" by Frank Callison, Lindsay Hamel
& Maggie Kinton
Scripture:
Exodus 3:1-8,10-15
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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 Sherrie, and any staff member can help you get set up for your meeting if you have questions.
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From the GCPC Worship Council
Dear Church Family:
Worship Council has been so impressed and amazed by the great work the staff has been doing--the daily devotionals, live streamed worship, and all the ways we are able to connect as a church family. Even though the Worship Council hasn't been able to help support worship in the sanctuary as we normally do, staff has provided us with a beautiful Easter season.
The Worship Council has been discussing ways that we can celebrate when we finally are able to enter our church doors and worship face to face. I am excited to share a summer project for our Grace Covenant community! We are going to build a banner together that reflects this time physically apart from each other!
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The theme is "HOW HAVE YOU BEEN FINDING GRACE?" The banner will be constructed much like a quilt and you will have a square to add whatever the Spirit leads you to add to this touchstone of our congregation's life during the COVID 19 pandemic. We will supply your quilt square and easy instructions and ideas for how you can create your square with stitching, fabric markers, images, and more. When we come back together, we will hang this collectively on the wall of our church in a creative way, one that reminds us how the Spirit has held us together during COVID-19, bound by Christ's love and the desire to serve God, our community and each other. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Christ's blessings,
GCPC Worship Council
Margaret Belk Tierney, Council Chair
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GCPC's Got Talent!
In this time of social distancing- and now with a stay home/stay safe order in place- the staff invites you to share your hidden talents with your church family. There's a lot of talent out there -- we are sure of that!
Perhaps you play an instrument and want to share a song. Maybe your child or your family wants to sing a hymn, perhaps your child has written a song or created a beautiful work of art while staying at home. A family dance routine, a poem, a soliloquy, a magic trick, pet tricks or sharing a secret recipe. . . the possibilities are endless.
If you and/or your family would like to participate and share your talents then please create a short video using your phone or IPad so we can kick off our very first "GCPC's Got Talent." Please limit your video presentation to 3-4 minutes. Upload your video in an email to Jeff at
jjones@gcpcusa.org
and we will post them for our church family to enjoy. We look forward to seeing and hearing all the amazing ways that you will share your gifts during this time!
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Spiritual/Pastoral Support
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Deacon of the Week
I
n 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.
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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
Pat Cocke (Les Stradley’s friend)
Marcia Zuzel (friend of Kim Hottle and Melissa Shook)
Suzy Carter (David Carter's wife and Yvonne Smith's friend)
Eveline Damiano (Lisette de Groot's daughter)
Joseph Tierney (Paul Tierney's father)
Melissa Matherly Bowers (friend of Rick and Lynne Noble)
Glen & Tom Kilbourne (parents of Janet Martin)
Jonathan Hettrick (friend of Mary Craig)
Mike Arim (friend of Ken and Ednamae Fisher)
Bud Darnell (Jerry Bleckley’s cousin)
The Moore Family (friends of Jim and Martha Branden)
Anne Z. (friend of Jim and Martha Branden)
Laurie Allen (Amber Cook’s cousin)
Jay and Elizabeth McKell
Paula Kelton (Mary Bridges’ mom)
Jeb Kramer (Nancy and John Kramer’s grandson)
Tim Hoyt Duncan and Nancy Hoyt Duncan (friends of Rick and Lynne Noble)
Hettie Lou Garland
Betty Smith
Margaret Rada
Bob Higgins
Cory Hartbarger
Florence and Steve Riedesel
Elizabeth Fisher
Doris Prak
Roslyn Carney
Dean Presson
Bill McNeff
Daniel Breen
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
David Johnson
Penny Ponder
Bradley Moe
John Mount Shoop
Carol Kavalhuna
Cecil Jividen (following the death of his brother-in-law and good friend of 66 years, Jim Spencer)
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Racial Justice Book Series | Thursday, May 21 | 7:00 PM | via Zoom
In May, we are reading
How to be an Antiracist
by Ibram X. Kendi.
Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science with his own personal story of awakening to antiracism. This is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society.
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"Zoom Education & Formation" | Sunday, May 10 | 8:30 AM
All are invited! We will be discussing the chapters 11 & 12 of Barbara Brown Taylor's book,
An Altar in the World
. You are encouraged to purchase the book, but Richard can also send you a pdf of the chapters if you contact him directly at
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
.
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Virtual Youth Group: The Afterparty! | Sunday, May 10 | 5:00 - 6:00 PM on Zoom
Join us for a shorter, more casual evening of fun to say THANKS for your leadership in worship! We'll celebrate the morning's service, play some games and have time to share ideas for the summer ahead.
Contact
Samantha
for details.
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Enneagram Sessions for GCPC Parents
Carol Hovis continues facilitation of
enneagram
zoom gatherings for
GCPC parents
in
May.
We will meet
Wednesdays, May 13, 20 & 27, 6:30-8:30pm
. All parents are welcome; you can participate once or every week. If you don't know your enneagram type, contact Carol.
Email
Carol
if you would like to participate.
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C
ommunity Working Together
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Bountiful Cities
Bountiful Cities nursery has an abundant selection of organic edibles, pollinator plants, medicinal and culinary herb starts ready for the growing season! A list of our current inventory can be found
here
. If you'd like to place an order with us, please use this online
form
. All payments will be made online to maintain safe social distancing practices, we'll be happy to coordinate pick up and delivery options upon purchase. Feel free to reach out to Alex Bergdahl at
alex@bountifulcities.org
with any questions.
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Free WNC COVID Legal Hotline | Thursday, May 21 | 8 AM - 2 PM
John Noor, GCPC member and attorney, is organizing this effort in partnership with Pisgah Legal Services, the Buncombe County Bar Association, and the NC Bar Foundation.
Click
HERE
for full media release
.
- What: A legal aid project with Pisgah, Legal Aid of NC, and the NC Bar Foundation to provide free legal guidance to businesses, nonprofits, and individuals that have been hit by the pandemic.
- When: May 21st well be hosting a legal relief hotline where folks from the 18 county WNC region can call in and talk with a lawyer for free about any issues that have come up during the pandemic.
Volunteer Attorneys Needed!
We need attorneys to provide free legal information and advice to callers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Attorneys can sign up for a 2-hour shift to answer questions related to housing (for renters & homeowners), bills or debt, unemployment insurance, health insurance, personal safety, stimulus checks, public enefits, and other basic needs matters. Attorneys are also needed to take calls from small business owners and nonprofit executives who are facing challenges due to the pandemic.
- Answer calls from your home or office (through easy-to-use app).
- Information provided to attorneys related to COVID-related matters, including expanded unemployment benefits, stimulus checks and resources for business owners.
- Designate which legal matters you want to advise on.
- Malpractice insurance provided by the NC Bar Foundation.
- Questions? Contact: Emily Dezio, emily@emilysuttondezio.com, Cell 828-242-6754 (texting preferred)
- Attorneys can register HERE.
Volunteer Call Operators Needed!
We need volunteers to answer calls and gather basic information (name & legal problem) in order to direct caller to the appropriate attorney. No legal background necessary.
Please sign up for a 2-hour shift as a call screener.
- Answer calls from your home or office (through easy-to-use app).
- Brief (20 minute) orientation/training provided.
- Spanish speakers needed.
- Questions? Contact: Katie Russell Miller, katierm@pisgahlegal.org, 210-3420
- Volunteer call operators can register HERE.
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GET HELP/GIVE HELP:
Local Outreach for Those Affected by COVID-19
Pandemic of Love, Asheville, has been launched as an extension of a larger national/international mutual aid movement (Pandemicoflove.com) that started only a few weeks ago and has already connected well over 30,000 patrons with people in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as this virus has spread rapidly, now too have extraordinary acts of kindness and love for neighbors in need. Volunteer operated, and started by nationally recognized activist extraordinaire Shelly Tygielski, in her home state of Florida, Pandemic of Love has now established micro-communities throughout the Nation aimed at connecting those in need with those willing to help on a local level.
What is special about Pandemic of Love is the personal connection between patrons and people in need. After completing a Request for Need/Commitment to Help form online, volunteers create matches that connect people in a tangible way to give quickly, discretely and directly. In these times of isolation, the personal connection established between patrons and people in need, in our own community, is the heart of this movement. There is no catch. Kind people are introduced to kind people which results in an act of kindness and connection. General donations are also an option and very welcome.
Anyone throughout Asheville in need of essentials to help weather this crisis, or anyone able to help a local family with funds for groceries, medicine, etc, is urged to reach out. Help is available throughout the Nation for family or friends elsewhere. Those interested in volunteering for this effort or with questions, please email
PandemicofloveAVL@gmail.com
.
To learn more about Shelly and this movement, or to access Get Help/Give Help forms go to
Pandemicoflove.com
, click on HELP, and submit under the Asheville, NC tab.
Forms are also available by following links to
Request Aid:
Commit To Help:
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At Stewart Detention Center near Lumpkin, GA, where 2,000 undocumented immigrants are detained, an outbreak of more than 40 COVID-19 cases among employees has been confirmed. ICE has also confirmed nine cases among detainees, but there is concern that additional cases may be undetected, most likely because testing for detainees is not as readily available as it is for employees.
The crowded conditions at Stewart prevent social distancing within the facility; immigrants-rights advocates are urging state lawmakers to secure protection for those being held at Stewart. Advocates contend that many detainees could be released at no danger to society and actually with positive results as the individuals return to positive roles in their communities.
To join the efforts to improve conditions at Stewart and to seek release of detainees, contact the North Carolina senators and your Congressman by telephone, email, or letter at your earliest opportunity.
~ contributed by the Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
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Financial Help for Immigrant Workers Affected by Pandemic
Please consider supporting one of our Ministry Partners, WNC Workers Center, with a Rapid Response Fund for Workers. Many immigrant workers won’t be able to access the stimulus bill funds. A rapid response fund has been set up to support immigrant workers whose hours have been reduced or have lost their jobs and can’t get unemployment benefits. Information can be found here:
https://wncworkerscenter.org/rapid-response-fund-for-immigrant-workers-in-wnc/
~ contributed by the Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
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YMCA Community Health Updates
We have had to change our schedule just a bit for meals, but we are still offering FREE meals for kids 18 and under at a variety of sites throughout Buncombe, McDowell and Henderson counties.
Please review the attached document titled "Free Meals for Kids" for locations and times. Kids do not not have to be present to get the meals.
Please share with all of your families!
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We are still continuing our mobile markets, but as mentioned before, instead of client choice we are pre-packing food boxes for our neighbors to just come and pick up. We are discouraging drive-through pick-up, as this is putting our team more at risk. Folks can come up to the back of the truck to grab a bag.
If you serve the Candler area, please make note of the new time for that market. We will still be in the same parking lot as the Mission My Care Plus clinic, but the time will be from 4:30-5:30. We adjusted the time to be more accessible to working families. It will still be on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. Once we get through this outbreak, we plan to set-up inside the Enka-Candler Library.
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ASPCA Relief & Recovery Initiative
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is providing
free cat and dog food, and access to urgent veterinary care
for Western North Carolina residents. Pet food distribution and access to urgent veterinary care are
by appointment
only
. The location and more details about these free services will be provided when an appointment is made.
Appointments can be requested by calling the following ASPCA hotlines:
- Pet Food: 800-738-9437 (Daily from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET)
- Urgent Veterinary Care (Cats and Dogs only): 855-434-9285 (Mon.–Thurs. from 8 am-6 pm ET, Fri.–Sun. from 8 am–2 pm ET)
Important Details:
- These services are open to all residents of Western North Carolina.
- Urgent Veterinary Care includes conditions such as ear or eye infections, acute vomiting and diarrhea, severe skin issues, urinary tract infections, minor laceration repair, abscesses, etc. We have limited diagnostics available and will not be hospitalizing patients overnight. A quick assessment of our ability to treat an animal will be made when an owner calls to inquire about the service.
- Pet food is available for drive-thru pick-up or curbside delivery to homes.
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Asheville GreenWorks presents
"Mind Your Plastics May 2020"
For years, Asheville GreenWorks has worked at
#goingplasticfree
, and this year will be no different. Starting Monday, May 4th, we’ll be releasing
daily blog posts
from our staff, members of the Plastic Reduction Task Force, and other zero waste advocates in Buncombe County. There will be repurposing and upcycling challenges, a special screening of The Story of Plastic, and a Trivia Night testing your knowledge of the topics we cover throughout the month.
Now, more than ever, we are challenged to find the fine balance between safety, cleanliness, and waste reduction. Thank you for your commitment to Asheville GreenWorks; we can’t wait to share another amazing Mind Your Plastic May with you.
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GCPC Diaspora
Dispatches from GCPC scattered around the globe
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With over 9% of mortgage loans currently in forbearance and some states still not allowing showings on houses, the real estate market is facing some unknowns.
As you can guess, this can be a make it or break it time for realtors. Working as a real estate business coach with 32 of the top real estate agents in multiple countries, I’ve been given an inside look at how people are handling the current situation on a personal and a business level.
Here are the 10 most common things I’ve observed in clients that are THRIVING:
- Set a goal or intention on who they would like to BE after this is over.
- After having a hard time or experiencing mood fluctuations, they let go of what they think they “should” have gotten done that week, accept it, and have compassion for self.
- Schedule in fun and make it a priority. Examples: reading, hobbies, theme nights with the family, riding bike, bonfire, family walks, funny movies, etc.
- Daily exercise. (Increases the natural “feel good” hormone serotonin in the brain)
- Focus on what they “can do” instead of what they “can’t” in business and in personal life.
- Ask for help when they feel scared or need connection.
- Keep to a set schedule, normal bedtime, wakeup time, and daily structure.
- Limit social media to specific times of the day.
- Have a creative outlet. Examples: cooking, painting, music, video games, decorating, knitting, cleaning, playing sports, photography, writing.
- Find a way to help others around them and attach to a bigger cause which then becomes part of their daily routine.
In a time of unknowns, there are many things we can still control. By being intentional, this allows us to show up as our best self and then in turn have the energy to pour into others and do God’s work.
~ Tyler Elstrom, GCPC Member living in San Diego, California
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Well-dressed gardeners on the garden runway... spring fashion!
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Thank you for your generous giving! Your gifts are enabling the church to continue our important work in our community. If you have not signed up for online giving, you can do that
here
. You can also mail your checks to the church. Without you, the church could not continue its ministries in these difficult times. Thank you, again, for your generosity and your faithfulness!
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IRA, Financial Advisor, & Charitable Distributions
If you're giving through a third party and having a check sent directly to the church, please be sure to ask your adviser to include your name and fund designation on the distribution so we can properly apply it on your contribution statement.
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Remote Giving & Paperless Statements
Did you know that you can make donations and receive statements online? Here are a few different ways to stay up-to-date on your pledge remotely:
- MAIL gifts to the office at 789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
- BANK BILL PAY mails checks remotely, one-time or on a recurring schedule - contact your bank to set this up
- ONLINE at www.gcpcusa.org/ways-to-give - just click GIVE HERE
- SMARTPHONE with the Give+ Mobile App or by texting 828-266-0126 the amount you’d like to contribute
To sign up for
paperless statements
or if you have any questions, please contact Natalie in our Finance Office at 828-254-3274, ext 202 or
nweaver@gcpcusa.org
.
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GCPC Out and About Online
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May 2020
Virtual Enneagram Gatherings
Subtype Gatherings:
Sundays, 1:30-3:30pm
,
May 17, 24, 31
Weekday Gatherings,
Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm & Fridays, 10am-12noon
,
starting May 11th
Topic: Relationships between different types
All are welcome; you can participate once or every week.
Basic knowledge of your enneagram type is suggested.
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Presbyterian Association of Musicians presents . . .
"Worship and Music Now"
As we manage in a time of uncertainty for church programs, we at PAM thought it might be a good idea to experience a bit of our Worship and Music Conference community now, so we asked members of our 2020 conference leadership if they could help us deliver some "Worship and Music Now."
Every Thursday at 7:30 pm eastern, we will bring you another Worship and Music Now episode with a Conference faculty member. Click
here
to watch.
Remember, you won't be able to watch each new episode until 7:30 pm eastern.
Thursday May 7th - TBA
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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