“Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive
and even spiritual satisfaction.”
~ E.O. Wilson
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Sunday Preview
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Worship services @ 8:15 & 10:15 AM
(This will be a paperless service)
Homily:
"Mutual Aspirations" by Marcia Mount Shoop
Scriptures:
Jeremiah 2:4-13
; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Click
"
View entire message"
at bottom of EMAIL to see the FULL newsletter
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GCPC Palooza 2019 is almost here!
Come and celebrate, explore, and engage how the faith we practice together forms the lives we live.
How can your faith change the world?
How does the way of life we learn about at the Communion Table
shape the lives we actually live?
These are the questions we will be exploring together all Fall at GCPC.
And it starts at Palooza on September 7 and 8!
Saturday night is a night at The Improv!
Dinner and improv comedy will be full of laughs, food, fellowship, and new insights about how living faithfully means being able to improvise, adapt, and make life from where we are. You'll be entertained, engaged, and inspired! We'll be entertained by The Asheville Improv Collective and The Irreverands--an improv troupe of reverends--some of whom will be familiar to you!
Sunday will be full of celebration, inspiration, and opportunity!
One worship service at 10:15am in the Sanctuary with Spirit-filled worship and Communion starts the celebration. Then lunch is provided and we will enjoy everything from bouncy houses and games to new ways to make the practices of faith a part of your everyday life. Instead of one big day of service this year for Palooza, we will have many of our Ministry Partners, GCPC Teams, Committees, Councils, and Programs with us so that you can explore how to make service, growth, and community a regular part of our lives, not just one-time special events.
Oh, and ice cream from The Hop... with toppings!
GCPC Palooza 2019! See you there!
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Ongoing Collections - Narthex Updates
GCPC has several ongoing collections that have recently been updated. They are located under the Norfolk Pine in the narthex. Below is a pictorial update:
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GCPC has an ongoing
food drive that helps stock pantries at
ABCCM.
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GCPC's
Prayer Shawl Ministry appreciates your yarn donations.
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Terracycle provides an outlet for some hard to recycle items including personal care & beauty items (toothpaste tubes, skin care packaging, etc.); writing instruments (markers, pens); and Brita related products.
Batteries can be recycled in the container on the right.
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GCPC's
Lost and Found is now located under the Welcome Desk in the narthex.
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Summer Music Happenings
- Last Sunday for Summer Choir! We will rehearse Sunday morning at 9:15am. If you'd like to give singing a try, please join us in the sanctuary.
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Laurie Stradley--Reader, community, family
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Jonathan Ross--College instructor, singer, disc golf
Laura Ross--Yoga instructor, musician, hospitality
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Robin Gaiser--Musician, author, swimmer
Gordon Gaiser--Traveler, reader, walker
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Lon Bechtel--Thoughtful, quiet, reader
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Amber White--Happy, realtor, cook
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Chuck Reiley--Energetic, Rotary, athletic (golf, aerobics)
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The Crew is supported by the whole GCPC Staff. Marcia, Samantha, and Natalie are with us at meetings each week.
We'll have a table at Palooza. Come say hi!
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Community Garden Potluck
It was a great evening of food celebration and fun! We rejoiced to hear about how the garden has served this community and brought people together for nearly a decade.
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Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
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Susan Murty, a resident of Highland Farms, spent two weeks in May volunteering at one of the eleven shelters operated by Annunciation House in El Paso. The following is one of her journal entries:
"When a Brazilian family arrived, we struggled to communicate with them until a Portuguese-speaking volunteer arrived and completed their processing. They were leaving Brazil in fear for their lives. When the family car was stolen by a gang, they reported the theft to the police; however, because the police were connected to the gang, they threatened the family.
Each day families wait patiently in the heat for instructions. Kids play with a soccer ball in a small area with dirt paths and palm trees. Some people rest on their cots or watch TV.
All are grateful for the kindness given to them after their difficult trip and the time in detention. Often when they leave, they hug and bless us."
~ Contributed by Tish Anderson
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LEARN AND DISCERN with Presbyterian Peace Fellowship | October 11-14 | Montreat, NC
At this three-day gathering, people who are interested in accompaniment with Presbyterian Peace Fellowship gather to train in non-violence and anti-racism, engage with accompaniment principles, learn about the contexts in which we have been invited to practice accompaniment, and spend time in discernment and reflection.
See more information
HERE
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Power and Race Team (PART)
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The Racial Justice Book Series will NOT be meeting in August.
Please check back in the fall for new titles.
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My Place in Race Workshop | Saturday, September 28 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Evergreen Community Charter School (
50 Bell Road, 28805
)
Open to 7th and 8th grade students. Lunch, snacks, and transportation provided.
This free workshop seeks to help 7th - 8th graders:
- participate in meaningful and intentional dialogue around the concept of race
- engage with the dynamics of the oppression/privilege model
- understand and self-identify their own racialized identity
- discover their own ways to engage in the greater global conversation around racial equity
Space is limited.
Please
APPLY
before September 10th.
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Earth Team Meeting | Wed., September 4 | 5:30 PM | Jerusalem Rm
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GCPC Bird Walk | Saturday, September 14 | Meet at 8 AM at the Beaver Lake Sanctuary
Bring binoculars if you have them. The walk will take about 1 to 2 hours depending on weather and bird activity. Questions? Contact Rick Pyeritz at
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Creation Care Guide Workshops-September 10 &12
These CCA gatherings will focus on helping congregations and individuals to discern next steps in their care for neighbor and creation. Using the
Guide for Cultivating Creation Care
we will explore ways to start a creation care team, listen to your community and discern steps for action. Creation Care Team Leaders, clergy, and all those passionate about creation care, ecological justice and loving our neighbors are welcome to join as we share moments of inspiration, support one another, and learn ways to more significantly transform our communities to be more compassionate and resilient.
Hendersonville Workshop
September 10, 6-7:30pm
St. James Episcopal Church
766 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Asheville Workshop
September 12, 6-7:30pm
First Baptist Church (Dining Room)
5 Oak St, Asheville, NC 28801
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Hard 2 Recycle Event | Saturday, September 14 | 10 AM - 2 PM |
2319 US HWY 70
, Swannanoa
Hard 2 Recycle events are free to the public collections geared to bring awareness to alternate modes of recycling to our area. Our goal is to educate, collect and divert items that would normally end up in the Landfill i.e Styrofoam, electronics, books, batteries and much more. Click here for
WHAT CAN I RECYCLE page.
Email volunteer@ashevillegreenworks.org to find out about volunteering at Hard 2 Recycle events.
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Climate Justice Rally | Friday, Sept. 20 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Pack Square
Show your support for God's Creation, the Earth! The WNC chapter of the Climate Reality Project is hosting this rally. Pack up the kids and come out and help us support the effort. Speakers, Music, etc. For more information, click
HERE
.
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Education Kick-Off (for all ages) on
Sunday, September 15th @ 9:15 AM
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Adult Education - Fall Term | September 15 - November 24
Pressure Points - The Church and Native Americans: Grappling with the Past, Facing the Future | Fellowship Hall
This 11-week program will outline a Christian's response to social issues related to Native American Peoples of North America. This will involve educating ourselves about the history of native peoples (from their perspective using The Great Courses as an academic basis for this education) prior to European contact and the philosophical/theological/political concepts that were employed against Native peoples after contact. In the second half of the course's term, we will deal specifically with Cherokee Indian issues as a case in point of our country's and our church's involvement in oppression of native culture, highlighting the Cherokee Nation/ECBI's response to that oppression. Ultimately, we would like to posit for our class how we should prayerfully yet actively respond to these issues in the future.
Facilitators:
Buzz Durham, Mike Fleenor, Jaan Ferree, Mary Berg, Marcia Mount Shoop
The Improv -
The Spirituality of Vulnerability: Brené Brown and Richard Rohr
| Jerusalem Room
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path” (Brené Brown, Daring Greatly). In this class, we will be discussing how the insights of shame researcher Brené Brown and spiritual writer and Franciscan friar Richard Rohr can inform our spiritual lives.
Facilitators:
Richard Coble, Nancy Gaskin, Paul Rogers
Digging In - Living the Questions: Taking the Bible Seriously | Choir Room
Living the Questions is for those who are looking for a resource that encourages questions they’ve always wanted to ask and sparks open dialogue in a safe place. It’s also for those who have stopped taking the church seriously and for those asking what a meaningful faith can look like today. Living the Questions provides a context where people can be liberated from stagnant clichés, pursue their questions and deepen their understanding as part of a life-long spiritual journey. This video-based program (along with downloadable participant guides and readings) includes conversations with scholars, theologians and clergy. Spirituality, Bible, God, creation, Jesus, Gospels, Paul, and evangelism are some of the topics we’ll consider.
Facilitators:
Denise Snodgrass and Tim Hamel
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)
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*Nursery care is available throughout Sunday morning beginning at 8:10 am.
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Wearing God: Clothing, Laughter, Fire, and Other Overlooked Ways of Meeting God
by Lauren F. Winner New York: Harper One, 2015.
Clothing. Beekeeper. A loaf of bread. A cypress tree. These are a few of the lyrical metaphors for God found in the Bible. Author, scholar and priest Lauren Winner shows just how rich the biblical depictions of God are – and helps us consider how our friendship with God, and our sense of ourselves, changes and deepens if we pray to a God who is as close to us as clothing, a God who laughs at injustice, a God who arrests our attention like flame. This is a very readable and thought provoking book.
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Summer Bible Study has finished.
Please join us for our regular Wednesday lectionary Bible Study, which will resume on September 18.
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VRQ Cook Team Needs YOU!
Next Cook Date: Tuesday, September 3rd
For many years a team from GCPC has cooked a meal at the Veterans Restoration Quarters (VRQ) on the first Tuesday of every month.
The VRQ houses 240 veterans in a re-purposed motel in the Oteen area of Asheville. The GCPC Cook Team shops for the food and prepares a meal of 240 grilled hamburgers with coleslaw and beans or potato salad.
We need several new team members to help us get the job done. We have two shifts:
- A preparation crew who arrives at 4:30 to cook and prepare the meal.
- A serving crew who arrives at 5:30 to serve the meal, cafeteria style. (VRQ does all the clean up).
Crew members will tell you, spending time at the VRQ is a great gift. If you are interested, please contact Bill Neeriemer at
bill.nmer@gmail.com
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Haywood Street Clothing Bin Volunteers Needed
Have you noticed the blue bin in our parking lot? Have you ever wondered about what happens to the clothes that are donated? Here is your opportunity to find the answers and volunteer in a very meaningful way. Volunteers are needed to deliver donations to the Haywood Street Congregation once a week for one month.
Volunteers are needed for September, December and every month next year.
Please email Nancy Kramer at
nancykramer1981@gmail.com
to claim your slot.
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Habitat for Humanity Shifts
The 2019 Presby/UMC house is underway. House is moving along well.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for the construction of the house should contact Bill Ryan (
bill73ryan@gmail.com
).
Minimum age to volunteer at a site is 16.
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Ministry Partner News and Events...
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Kathy Izard: Reading & Signing "The Hundred Story Home" w/ AHOPE | Thursday, August 29 | 6 - 7:30 PM | Pack Memorial Library (67 Haywood St.)
Join Homeward Bound for a
reading and book signing event with Kathy Izard, author of
The Hundred Story Home. Kathy Izard was a graphic designer, wife, mother of four daughters and volunteer at Charlotte’s Urban Ministry Center when an unlikely meeting with formerly homeless author, Denver Moore, changed the course of her life. Kathy quit her job to take on what seemed like an unimaginable task in her second half of life—to build housing for Charlotte’s homeless population.
The reading will be followed by a Q&A with guests from AHOPE Day Center- Homeward Bound of WNC.
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Anti-Racism & Sanctuary Training | Friday, September 13 | 9:30 AM - 4 PM | Unitarian Universalist Congregation (
1 Edwin Place
)
As we desire to create sanctuary everywhere, let us ground ourselves in anti-racist training to prepare for whatever the future calls us toward. This training will be done in solidarity with WNC's immigrant communities, but it's reach is inclusive of all vulnerable and marginalized people everywhere. Facilitated by Rev. Tami Forte-Logan. Sliding scale: $35-$65 (includes lunch). Presented by CIMA and Faith Communities Organizing for Sanctuary.
REGISTER HERE.
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Advocate Training w/ Homeward Bound | Friday, September 27 | 12 Noon
(Lunch will be served)
| Location: TBD
Homeward Bound is hosting an Advocate Training to provide volunteers and supporters with an overview of key information about Homeward Bound’s programs and plans. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more, to get an insider's "snapshot" of Homeward Bound. You will meet key staff who are vital to the work of helping our community's most vulnerable end homelessness through permanent housing.
Please
click here
to RSVP as soon as possible
(deadline is Friday Sept. 6).
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Pisgah Legal Services' Annual Justice Forum featuring Jose Antonio Vargas | Thursday, October 3 | 7:00 PM | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (U.S. Cellular Center)
Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, author of
Dear America: Notes of An Undocumented Citizen and a leading voice for the human rights of immigrants. He is the Founder and CEO of Define American, the nation’s leading nonprofit media organization that fights injustice and anti-immigrant hate through the power of storytelling.
Mr. Vargas will share details of his childhood journey to the United States from the Philippines and his life in America as an immigration reform activist. Some have called him the most famous undocumented immigrant in America.
For the first time, the Justice Forum is free to attend thanks to our generous sponsors. Tickets to the pre-forum reception are $60 per person. Availability is limited. Click
HERE
to register.
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The GCPC Softball Team, "The Prez Beez" return for Fall Ball!
Everybody come out and have some fun supporting our church softball team! All games are an hour long.
For the simplified Prez-Beez schedule, click
HERE
.
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Sign up for “Dine with Nine”
(begins in October)
Who?
Open to all
What?
A rotational supper club for individuals and couples who want to be part of a fellowship group of folks from GCPC.
When?
TBD. Each group determines the frequency and the timing of their gatherings. Groups stay together for one year.
Where?
Private homes and /or restaurants. Group members do not have to be able to host the group in order to participate.
Why?
To more tightly bind the fellowship of our congregation.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Wisdom in the Woods | November 8-10 | Lake Logan, NC | Leader: Carol Hovis
Are you a woman who has a few decades under her belt? Would you like a chance to connect on a closer level with each other than sometimes it feels like life and schedules allow? This will be a time for fellowship and also digging deeper into our faith together with Carol Hovis who will lead us in programming.
Stay tuned for registration info soon!
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Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Group | Wed., September 4 | 12 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 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month.
*New participants welcome at any time.
Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
, with questions.
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PW Circle Meetings - September
#1 |
Tuesday, Sept. 3 | 10:00 AM | Cathy Froehlich | GCPC Fellowship Hall
#2 |
Tuesday, Sept. 3 | 7:30 PM | Heather Hudson | 4 North Valley Dr., Weaverville
#3 | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 7:00 PM | Grace Hall | TBD
#4 | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 7:00 PM | Betsy Rhodes | 188 Marlborough Rd.
#5 | Monday, Sept. 9 | 10:00 AM | Lynne Noble | Baptist Home
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Centering Prayer | Wednesday Nights | 6:30 - 7:00 PM | Sanctuary
Christianity has a rich and ancient tradition of intentional and prayerful silence as a spiritual practice. Sacred silence teaches us to listen devoutly, humbly, and with trust. It is beautifully simple and a spiritual skill whose gifts goes deeper and gets more powerful the more one practices it. This practice is open to all and is come as you are able. Questions? Contact Marcia at
mmshoop@gcpcusa.org
.
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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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All GCPC Youth Events (for grades 6 – 12) will kick-off on Sunday, September 15th!
Don't hesitate to dive into a year of fun, fellowship and faith growth alongside caring peers and adults. Get ready for a transformative and exciting journey together!
Sunday, Sept. 15th:
- Youth Breakfast, Sunday School & Choir: 9:00-10:15am
- Youth Group: 5:00-7:00pm
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Youth Committee Meeting | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 6 - 7 PM | Garden Room
All Youth, Adults and Parents are invited to join the Youth Committee, where we will work together to ensure that that this will be a meaningful year for GCPC youth. We will discuss programming, youth leadership and more. Come lend your voice to this meeting or feel free to jump in another month. See you then!
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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)
Deborah Strong (Robin Gaiser's cousin)
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)
Robin Smith (Beth Robrecht's sister)
Rebecca Wells' brother, Jamey
Natalie C.
Jeff Combs (Bill McNeff's friend)
Jennifer Vaughn (Mary Berg's friend)
Louise Hill (Geneva Neeriemer's mother)
West Asheville Presbyterian Church
Sarah Ralston (Susie Bleckley’s mother)
Marcia Zuzel (friend of Kim Hottle and Melissa Shook)
Nicolle & Scott McCoy and family (Family of Melissa Hicks)
Hettie Lou Garland
Betty Smith
Margaret Rada
Bob Higgins
James Harwell
Joyce Summerlin
Cory Hartbarger
Mary Ellen Horne
Penny & Ray Ponder
Steve and Florence Riedesel
Walt Justice
Donna Robertson
Our sympathy and support are extended to the Yvonne Smith and family following the death of Jack Smith on Thursday, August 22. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Thanksgiving for the Life of John Joseph "Jack" Smith will be held at GCPC on Saturday, August 31 at 11:00 AM. Please keep the family in your prayers.
We got news from former member, Edward Fawbush, that his wife
Martha Fawbush died and there will be a service this Saturday, August 31 at 2:00 pm at the Asheville Area Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services' Chapel (702 Riverside Dr.).
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Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
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There's still room for Saturday's retreat,
Enneagram Retreat:
Day of Triads: Consolidating Insights
Saturday, August 31st |10 AM - 4 PM | GCPC
_________________________________________________
Upcoming Retreat:
Enneagram Retreat on Relationships
Saturday, September 21st | 10 AM - 4 PM | GCPC
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Are You Doing It Wrong? | Friday, September 20 | 9 AM - 12 PM
or
3 PM - 6 PM | YWCA (185 S. French Broad Ave.)
This training is for licensed mental health professionals willing to own that they don't know everything about working with populations of color, even though they already went to the one diversity training their agency required. Presented by Elizabeth McCorvey, MSW, LCSW and Catie Beaulieu, LPC, MBA. Cost is $125. Click
HERE
for more information and to register.
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CoInspire rate extended!
Due to multiple inquiries of groups still organizing and committed to attending, we have extended the regular rate to the end of the day Friday, August 30!
Rates increase by $75 on August 31.
Take advantage of the special group incentive
The first registration from a church group or presbytery team will be at the full comprehensive or commuter rate. Any additional registrations
(all the friends and colleagues who come with you!)
from the same church group or presbytery team will be
reduced by $25 per registration
.
Two or more people constitute a group, and there is no limit to the number of people in your group who may take advantage of this offer.
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CoInspire - Liberating Imagination, Eviscerating Racism | October 7-10, 2019 | Montreat Conference Center
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.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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