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Click "View entire message"
at bottom of email to see the FULL newsletter
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La Milpa's Thank You card to GCPC for the toy drive and some of the gift recipients! | |
Sisters at the Sea.... in the Mountains! | |
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Lent Devotional - "Full to the Brim"
Sign up to receive a copy of the Lenten devotional, "Full to the Brim," created by A Sanctified Art. You can choose to receive a printed copy mailed to your address or a digital PDF copy sent directly to your email.
Beginning with Ash Wednesday, this weekly devotional follows the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C) through Easter Sunday. As you journey through the devotional at your own pace, you will find scriptures, poems, art, reflections, and hymns that are filled with promises of God’s abundant and expansive grace.
A Sanctified Art is a team of artists in ministry who create multimedia resources for worshiping communities of all shapes and sizes. They work collaboratively to bring scripture and theological themes to life through visual art, poetry, liturgy, curriculum, worship installation art, coloring pages, graphic design, and more.
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WORSHIP UPDATE!
We are planning on resuming an in person worship option on Sunday, February 27 if COVID rates continue to decrease.
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Worship Preview | Sunday, February 13, 2022
Ordination and Installation of Elders and Deacons
ONLINE ONLY Service
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Homily:
"Blessings and Woes"
by Richard Coble
Scripture:
Luke 6:17-26
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
| Thursday, February 10 | PART Mtg. | 6:00 pm on Zoom | | Saturday, February 12 | Session/Diaconate Retreat | 10:00 am on Zoom | | Sunday, February 13 | Adult Education | 9:00 am on Zoom | | Sunday, February 13 | Kid's Zoom Adventure | 10:15 am on Zoom | | Sunday, February 13 | Livestream Worship
(ONLINE ONLY) | 10:45 am on Youtube | | Sunday, February 13 | 4th/5th Grade CONNECT Class | 1:00 pm on Zoom | | Sunday, February 13 | Youth Planning Mtg. | 3:00 pm @ GCPC | | Sunday, February 13 | All Youth Group Superbowl Tailgate | 4:00 - 5:30 pm @ GCPC | | Monday, February 14 | PW Circle 1 Mtg. | 10:00 am @ GCPC | | Tuesday, February 15 | Church Office Open! | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | | Tuesday, February 15 | Staff Enneagram Retreat | 10:00 am- 1:00 pm @ GCPC | | Tuesday, February 15 | Finance Council | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, February 15 | Serve Mtg. | 6:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, February 15 | PW Circle 3 Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, Feb. 16 | Bible Study | 10:00 am on Zoom | | Wednesday, Feb. 16 | MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) Group | 11:00 am on Zoom | | Wednesday, Feb. 16 | Choir Rehearsal Pod | 7:00 pm @ GCPC | | Thursday, February 17 | Men of GCPC | 8:30 am on Zoom | | Friday, February 18 | Winter Shelter Support Team Mtg. | 11:00 am on Zoom | | Friday, February 18 | Padrino Team Mtg. | 12:45 pm on Zoom | | |
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PART Meeting | TONIGHT! Thursday, February 10 | 6:00 PM | Zoom
Hope to see you on Zoom tonight for PART. We will dig into how some characteristics of white supremacy culture are showing up in responses to COVID restrictions in the US. We will use Tema Okun’s “article on the article” particularly her section on individualism.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91314445389
Meeting ID: 913 1444 5389 Passcode: 789
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Winter Adult Education: The Difficult Words of Jesus | Sundays | 9:00 - 10:00 AM | January 16 - February 27 | via Zoom
Using a DVD series from NT scholar Amy-Jill Levine, we will explore the meaning and implications of these difficult texts together. Topics include Jesus's commandments to sell all you own, hate father and mother, be a slave to all, and other texts that have been used to justify anti-semitic, racist, and sexist violence through the ages.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82353845672
Meeting ID: 823 5384 5672 Passcode: 789
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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) to be added to the list.
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4th & 5th Grade CONNECT | Sunday, February 13 | 1:00 - 2:15 PM | via Zoom
We look forward to CONNECTING with the 4th & 5th graders this Sunday.
Email Cat Kessler for zoom info.
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All Youth Group | Sunday, February 13 | 4:00-5:30 PM | In-person @ GCPC
We will gather early on Sunday afternoon for a Super Bowl Tailgate — youth group-style! Join us for games, snacks and a time to hang out together. Masks are required, and friends are always welcome!
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Lectionary Bible Study | Wednesday, February 16 | 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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FUND THE 2022 BUDGET
The main source of budgeted revenue is Pledged Offerings, which means our community putting their dollars together to be able to support Covenant Partner grants, special programming for children, youth, and adults, Sunday worship, special events, congregational care, support our staff team and benefits, maintain the building and grounds... and much more.
As a non-profit, we try to budget net $0 - the money we reasonably expect to come in covers the expenses we predict for the year. Right now, we're $67,280 short of funding the 2022 budget.
If you haven't already done so, please consider pledging your support today so we can finalize the 2022 budget and move into the new year from a stable financial position. If you've pledged already but need to make changes, please contact Natalie Weaver at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or 828.254.3274. Thank you for your generosity and support!
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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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Winter Shelter Team Update @ Trinity
A huge thank you to GCPC for all your incredible generosity supporting Trinity in so many ways, including carloads of donations.
To sign up, please contact Dustin Mailman at (772) 214-4116 or mailmand79@gmail.com or sign up on your own here: Trinity Code Purple Sign up.
Specific volunteer needs are:
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An on-site manager to oversee volunteers from 3-8pm (today through Monday, Jan 24). Volunteer once or multiple times. Contact Kate Shem for details, kateshem@gmail.com
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Dinner support - both bringing food and/or serving dinner(5-8pm). Dinner needed each evening or Contact Tish Anderson, 19ppanc40@gmail.com, to join the GCPC food team to prepare and serve on Feb 1 & 15 and March 1 & 15.
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Overnight volunteers (10:30pm-8am). Contact Beth Philipsen, onthecove@charter.net, with questions about overnight volunteering.
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Morning transition shift (7:30-10:30am)
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Laundry support- pick up and return bedding (THIS IS A NEW REQUEST FOR SUPPORT). Contact Kate Shem, kateshem@gmail.com, to learn more.
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CURRENT WINTER SHELTER NEEDS: | | |
Drop supplies at Grace Covenant (in black bin in the courtyard labeled Code Purple).
The bin will be emptied by 4pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Contact Robin Gaiser, robingaiser@gmail.com, with questions about donations.
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Please deliver these food items directly to Trinity United Methodist (587 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806) as the GCPC church bin is not emptied daily.
Please call the shelter number first (828-490-0444) to make sure someone is there before you drop your items off.
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You can also donate money directly by check to Trinity United Methodist Church with "Winter Shelter" in the memo line. Mail to: 587 Haywood Ave. AVL, NC 28806 | |
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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 (2/6-2/12): Ellen Sizemore | email: ellen.sizemore@gmail.com
Next week (2/13-2/19): Cathy Byers | email: byersabc@gmail.com
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Prayer requests will stay on the GCPC Prayer List for one month. Please let any staff member know if you (or your loved one) would like to remain on the list for longer.
Iglesia Jerusalem congregation
Debi Miller (friend of Marcia Mount Shoop)
Jeff (Tricia Hynes’ son)
Maria and Esteban Goicoechea (La Mariposa and her husband)
Winnie Martel (Prayers for Winnie and Susie Churchfield)
Jennifer Martin (Yvonne Smith’s daughter)
Jack Waskey (Anna Hamel’s father)
Brenda Young (Leslie Sharpe’s mother)
Joel Holtzclaw (Leslie Sharpe’s uncle)
Geraldine Haynes (Libby Kyles’ aunt)
Michael Riedesel (Steve Riedesel's nephew)
Marianne Nash (Dave Nash’s daughter)
Phil Noland (Kelly Spradlin's friend)
Ben Nicoll (Christa Hyatt's friend)
Mike Wisecup (Kim Hottle’s brother)
Mimi (friend of Robin and Gordon Gaiser)
Family of Marcia Zuzel
Seminarians
Bob Higgins
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
Doris Prak
Sharon
Michelle Chromey and family
Marty Dean
Joe Brumit
Martha Kisiah
Kathy Jacobs
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection for the Life of Truly Mount will be livestreamed on the The Presbyterian Church of Danville's Youtube channel on Sunday, February 13 at 2:00 pm .
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Winter/Spring Memoir Series | Mondays | Feb. 21, March 28, & May 2 | 6:00 PM | GCPC Fellowship Hall
Join us for a series of book talks focusing on memoirs written by people of faith. Please pre-read the book to ensure lively discussion. The church now has copies of all three books. Please contact Richard or Anna Louise if you would like to come by and borrow one of the copies.
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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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Community Working Together | |
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A call for volunteers for a Community Work Day -
the rescheduled 2022 MLK Day of Service Event!
Saturday, February 26 | 12 - 4 PM | 47 Bryant St.
Join on this day for community building and connection! Food and refreshments and good company will be provided.
Folks can park across the street at the Community Center's field or small lot or find street parking.
Make sure to layer up to stay warm and bring gloves if you've got them! Please also be sure to bring a mask so that we can gather together safely! We hope to see you there!
~ Hood Huggers Team
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Hard 2 Recycle | Saturday, February 19 | 70 Fernihurst Dr. 28801 | A-B Tech (parking lot across from Fernihurst Mansion) | |
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Guatemala Partnership
GCPC's Guatemala Partnership Committee has been continuing to keep connection with our brothers and sisters at Iglesia Jerusalem throughout the continued pandemic. Among the ways we have strengthened our relationship include:
- GCPC and IJ committees have held Zoom meetings to interact and learn more directly about each other and the efforts, challenges and joys taking place during the pandemic.
- With COVID hitting Guatemala especially hard, GCPC made a special "COVID-relief" gift of $600 in 2021.
- Continued annual scholarship support for the children attending school in Coatepeque.
- IJ diligently and lovingly shared the use of the scholarship donations in a detailed report.
Contact Anna Hamel at anna_hamel@yahoo.com to learn more or to join the Guatemala Partnership Committee.
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GCPC's Circle of Welcome gives thanks to our members for their time, talents and resources as we circle around an Afghan family recently relocated in Asheville.
On Monday and Tuesday our Circle of Welcome brought together donated furniture and household items to make ready a home for two families; a young woman and her niece (whom we support) and a woman and her mother (supported by Central United Methodist Church). These four women are now sharing a home and settling into a new life in Asheville. Next steps for them include learning English, enrolling in AB Tech ESL classes or the local school, moving toward finding jobs, learning the bus system, navigating all of this after sustaining loss and separation from parents, siblings, aunts and uncles.
If you would like to help in some way, contact Bonnie Parker at bparker17@gmail.com or Lara Hollaway at lhollaway@gmail.com.
Prayers and proximity are always welcome.
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A Year of Service for a
Lifetime of Change
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The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people (ages 19–30) to accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation.
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CLICK HERE to read the February 6th, 2022 newsletter that outlines news and opportunities for action. | |
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Wade in the Water: White Supremacy, Race, Religion, and Reciprocity | March 9-12 | Charlotte, NC and Online
For the first time in its 23-year history, the White Privilege Conference is being hosted by a religious organization and specifically by The Presbytery of Charlotte. Our keynote speakers will include Resmaa Menachem, Khyati Joshi, Bree Newsome and Gregory Drumright. We plan to be both in-person and hybrid knowing that the in-person experience will be life-changing. We are taking Covid precautions for our in-person presentations & we have a virtual track available.
Early bird registration ends February 12!
There is a 20% discount for PC(USA) members.
Enter PCUSAWPC23 at check out.
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Join CreationCare Alliance for an environmental justice webinar with Will Barber III. Barber's presentation will focus on the many social justice implications of climate change and will be followed by conversation and Q&A. This will be an opportunity for participants to consider deeply how environmental racism and climate injustice can be addressed systematically and within their communities, congregations, and lives to create a just, sustainable, and compassionate future.
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Join us for the first of four Environment, Health and Faith focused Sacred Conversations. For the first Sacred Conversation: Wholly Sacred and Beautifully Ordinary: Water, we will explore the use of water in religious rituals and our everyday lives. Partners in Health and Wholeness is excited about their new pilot project offering the opportunity for faith communities to explore the intersections of environment, faith and health.
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Historically, African Americans have not had the luxury of self-care
Black History forum focuses on mental health
~ by Gail Strange
In celebration of Black History Month, the African American Intercultural Congregational Support Ministries will host the first of three forums to give participants an opportunity to go into an in-depth conversation around the topics of resistance, rest, recovery and reparations, which are the supporting pillars of the theme of the 2022 celebration, “Resiliency to Recovery.”
The forum will be held at 4 p.m. TODAY!, Thursday, February 10, and can be watched on the PC(USA) Facebook page.
Click here to join the forum.
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Photo by Karsten Würth via Unsplash | |
Presbyterians for Earth Care says ‘the time is now’ to cherish Creation, cut carbon and speak up -
Its proposed overture is one of a handful commissioners will consider during this summer’s General Assembly
~ by Mike Ferguson
Presbyterians for Earth Care has joined a growing list of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) groups calling for a speedy divestment from companies that contribute to the production of the two major greenhouse gasses, carbon dioxide and methane.
Nearly 80 people attended a Saturday webinar to learn more about PEC’s proposed overture, “The Time is Now to ‘Cherish Creation, Cut Carbon and Speak Up.’” Read the proposed overture and its rationale on the PEC website, found here.
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Photo by the National Cancer Institute via Unsplash | |
Is being Black a preexisting condition? -
Panel looks at the causes and potential fixes for disparate health outcomes
~ by Mike Ferguson
The extent to which being Black is a preexisting condition that can foster poorer health outcomes was the among the topics addressed during a webinar put on Tuesday by Union Presbyterian Seminary. Click here to watch the hour-long webinar, sponsored by the seminary’s Center for Social Justice & Reconciliation and its Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership.
Dr. Rodney S. Sadler Jr., Associate Professor of Bible at Union Presbyterian Seminary and the director of the Center for Social Justice & Reconciliation, hosted the forum.
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Poems for a Dangerous Time: A Gathering around the Psalms | February 20-22 | Montreat Conference Center
Inspired by the students and family of Patrick Miller, this gathering will explore the rich and varied ways biblical Psalms give voice to the cries of the believer: in lament, in anger, in praise, in rejoicing.
According to Pat’s family and his students at both Union Seminary (VA) and Princeton, nothing could honor him more than a gathering around the Psalms, exploring the way they sustain communities of faith, even – or especially – in dangerous times.
Leaders include: Brent Strawn, Nora Tubbs Tisdale, Aisha Brooks Johnson, and Martin Tel. Commuter rates are available.
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RECURRING GIVING:
Interested in fulfilling your 2022 pledge with automatic giving? There are a few easy ways to make that happen!
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Bank Bill Pay: contact your bank and they can set up a check to mail directly from your account on a recurring basis. There's typically no charge for this service, but contact your bank to confirm.
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Realm eGiving: have GCPC's software draft your bank account or charge your credit/debit card on a recurring schedule. GCPC does incur online processing fees, but you have an option to offset these if desired (1% ACH, 2.75% credit card).
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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 - Friday. 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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