GCPC Weekly News | July 8, 2021
| |
|
Click "View entire message"
at bottom of email to see the FULL newsletter
| |
July 4th Outdoor/Hybrid Worship Service | |
Worship Preview | Sunday, July 11, 2021
New Member Sunday
| | |
|
|
Sermon:
"Measure for Measure"
by Richard Coble
Scripture:
Amos 7:7-15
| | |
| July 8-11 | Middle School Retreat | Massanetta | | Thursday, July 8 | Evening Vespers | 7:30 pm @ GCPC
(also on Zoom) | | Saturday, July 10 | Compassion Camp | 9:30 am @ GCPC | | Sunday, July 11 | Betsy Rhodes'
Memorial Service | 2:00 pm @ GCPC
(also on Livestream) | | Tuesday, July 13 | Property Council Mtg. | 6:00 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, July 14 | Bible Study | 10:00 am @ GCPC
(also on Zoom) | | Thursday, July 15 | J.O.Y. Group
Bingo & Donuts | 10:00 am @ GCPC | | |
|
Evening Vespers | Thursday, July 8 | 7:30 - 8:00 PM | Outside @ GCPC
Evening vespers will be outside. In the event of rain, we will use the narthex with all the doors open and canopy in the courtyard. Please bring a chair if you have one.
You can also join this service via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/98906064373
Meeting ID: 989 0606 4373 | Passcode: 789
| |
|
GCPC Compassion Camp | Saturday, July 10 |
9:30 - 11:00 AM (note new time)
On the Second Saturday of each month we will meet on the church lawn for a Bible story, community building, music, movement, creating, playing and a sending. The theme for these times is Lovingkindness.
Lovingkindness is the utmost form of selfless love toward ourselves and others. The practice begins with focusing on self-compassion because once we have compassion for ourselves, we can have compassion for others.
These sessions are designed for families to participate together (no drop-off).
Families with Children 0-5th grade will meet from 9:30-11:00 am.
Please wear comfortable clothes, a water bottle and a blanket to sit on.
Masks will be worn by staff and volunteers.
As always, this is open to the community, please invite friends to join us!
| |
Bible Study | Wednesday, July 14 | 10:00 AM | Outside @ GCPC
The program year is over, but in an effort to continue our deep study of scripture and to see one another in fellowship, the lectionary Bible study will meet in-person, outdoor meeting on July 14. Bring your Bibles and an open heart as we discern together what God is saying to use through the week’s lesson! All are welcome! You can also join in via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/93439349183
Meeting ID: 934 3934 9183 | Passcode: 789
| |
|
J.O.Y. Group Morning Bingo! | Thursday, July 15 | 10:00 AM | Outdoors @ GCPC
To all those of retirement age, empty nesters, or qualifying for a senior discount, you are invited to come out for doughnuts, coffee, and ‘competitive’ outdoor bingo on July 15 at 9am. Highly sought-after prizes will be awarded!
RSVP HERE or email Richard by Sunday, July 11 so we can plan accordingly.
| |
|
Marcia was invited to write an article about dismantling white supremacy culture in white dominant churches. You can read the article at this link.
"I appreciate the opportunity to write this piece for the Yale ISM Review. It was a gift to reflect on these last 5 years at Grace Covenant and the deep healing work God has called us to together." ~ Marcia
| |
|
If you are interested in volunteering please contact cathy@bountifulcities.org or fill out this FORM to get regular weekly updates about volunteer opportunities.
In addition to getting a workout in a garden you can get involved by signing up for our monthly newsletter. We coordinate free workshops, movies and events on everything from seed saving, to cooking with kids, to fixing garden tools. Sign up to find out about these opportunities HERE. Of course we are always accepting monetary donations for the work we do, and we appreciate the on-going support of the GCPC community! If you would like to contribute to our work please visit https://www.bountifulcities.org/donate.
| |
|
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 (7/4-7/10): Cathy Froehlich email: oremont2@gmail.com
Next week (7/11-7/17): Martha Ensign Johnson
email: marthaensignjohnson@gmail.com
| |
|
Prayer requests will stay on the GCPC Prayer List for one month. Please let any staff know if you (or your loved one) would like to remain on the list for longer.
Iglesia Jerusalem congregation
Ryan Lockett (nephew of Denise Lockett)
Jennifer Martin (Yvonne Smith's daughter)
Bertilda Arteta (Marta Alcala-Williams' mother)
Sheldon Smith (Beth Robrechtʼs brother-in-law)
Alyse Pryzant Pribish (Ashley Cooper's mom)
John Maddrell (Martha Seddonʼs step-father)
Denise Currie-Lowe (Karen Rohlʼs sister)
Barb Patterson (Friend of Mount Shoops)
Bob Crouch (Allen and Frances Johnsonʼs brother-in-law)
Marie and Jose Palacios and family (Marie is the presbytery coordinator of Guatemala partnerships)
Libby Shook (Melissa Shook's mother)
Harold Shook (Melissa Shook's father)
Johnnie Hayes' family
Bill Ross (Jonathan Ross' dad)
Family of Lilian Probst (niece of Marc and Susan Probst)
Bob Higgins
Florence and Steve Riedesel
Roslyn Carney
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
Bill Williamson
Queen Mother Maggie Belle Gladden
John Mount Shoop
Elizabeth Fisher
Doris Prak
Dan Blake
Chuck Reiley
William Madamba
Mary Lou Nash
A Memorial Service will be held for Betsy Rhodes this Sunday, July 11th at 2:00 pm. You can connect to the service on Youtube here. There will also be an outside viewing area on the GCPC lawn to watch the livestream. A reception to greet the family will be on the lawn following the service.
| |
|
Volunteers Needed!
Would you like to serve on the Bereavement Team? We provide receptions following funeral services. We ask that you commit to one month, working alongside another team member. You can also be on a call list to help as needed. Please contact Cathy Froehlich, oremont2@gmail.com or 828-775-1016.
| |
|
Youth Coffee Breaks | Saturday, July 17 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM & Sunday, July 18 - 4:00 - 6:00 PM| Location: TBA
Join us for a beverage break and some good company! We will announce the location next week. For now, please mark your calendars to join us for a little break.
| |
|
Outdoor Worship Service | Sunday, July 18 | 10:45 AM | GCPC Lawn
In cooperation from the weather, we are rescheduling our second in-person, outdoor service for Sunday, July 18th. This service will be a hybrid event, so you can come in person or watch the live stream on our youtube channel. Worship will start at 10:45 as usual.
If you are coming for the face to face service, please remember a few things:
- Bring a chair if you have one
- Bring a water bottle
- Bring a mask (when we do congregational singing we will mask)
- Remember that our parking lot space is limited, so leave yourself time to walk. If you have mobility issues, we do have spaces reserved in the parking lot for you. If you need to drop off your chair so you don’t have to carry it all the way, there will be deacons in the parking lot to help you.
- Remember that we are not asking who is vaccinated. So, we will need to continue to be mindful that everyone is finding their way in this next phase in their own way.
- Some people want to give hugs, others do not. Some people are masking, others are not. Some are distancing, some are not. Together we are learning new ways of being together and honoring each other. Let us come together, in person and online, for a time of worship and community gathering.
| |
|
The Racial Justice Book Series | Sunday, July 25 | 6:30 -8:00 PM | Outdoors @ GCPC
The Racial Justice Book Series will meet one last time for the summer in person and outdoors on Sunday, July 25th!
Bring your own dinner and be ready to discuss this important text from a faith perspective.
| |
|
Presbyterian Womenʼs Circles are Zoom meetings. Please join us.
Circle 1: First Tuesday of each month, 10:00 a.m.
Circle 2: First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.
Circle 3: Third Thursday of each month, 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.
| |
|
Setting up Zoom Meetings:
If you are a part of a group, Team, or Circle at GCPC and you want to have a Zoom meeting, let staff know. We will help you get set up on our GCPC Zoom account for group gatherings and meetings. You can schedule your meeting on the
calendar with Anna Louise, and any staff member can help you get set up for your meeting if you have questions.
| |
|
Thanks to all for a most productive morning and welcome to our newest Team member, Mike Rowe!
Here, in a nutshell, is what was accomplished in less than 2 hours! We harvested 252 lbs produce (zucchini, summer squash, cukes, Swiss chard, green beans, okra), weeded, added string to tomatoes and eggplants, tilled Bed 11, fish emulsion on tomatoes, emptied Japanese beetle traps and mowed between beds!
| |
|
Community Working Together | |
|
A Summer Virtual Sunday School on the Climate Crisis | Sundays | July 11, 18, 25 and August 1 | 4:00 - 5:15 PM | via Zoom
This program is taught by the southern Indiana group Presbyterian Climate Advocates, made up of the Rev. Dr. Trisha Tull and Carol Dunn of Scottsburg (Indiana) Presbyterian Church, Beth Snyder of Jeffersonville (Indiana) First Prez, and Kristina Lindborg, an Indiana Citizensʼ Climate Lobby volunteer.
To register and receive your Zoom invitation, please go to website: https://www.presbyclimateadvocates.org/upcoming-classes/
| |
GCPC Ministry Partner, Working Wheels, Cruises to 240
Working Wheels has now served over 240 families in Western North Carolina with safe, reliable transportation!
Founded in 2014 as a very small, all-volunteer satellite office of Wheels4Hope in Raleigh, Working Wheels has grown into an independent nonprofit with 5 employees and two separate transportation programs: one for participants in need of cars, and one for participants who already own cars and are in need of affordable repairs.
| |
Buncombe Community Remembrance Project
July, 2021 Issue
| |
Stephens Lee Recreation Center Event | |
|
GCPC Ministry Partner, Pisgah Legal
Millions of dollars in lost state funding is threatening to disrupt services for Western North Carolina (WNC) victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as similar services across the state.
The grants, which come from the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission’s allocation of federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds, are scheduled to end on September 30, 2021. The VOCA fund is filled by fines and penalties from federal prosecutions and a change in administrative process over the past several years greatly depleted the fund. VOCA grant dollars have decreased nationally, and the impact on the state and WNC is severe.
Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is losing $1.2 million in VOCA funding over the next two years. Other local nonprofits that have also lost funding include: Helpmate, Our VOICE and The Mediation Center. These four organizations provide a continuum of complementary and non-duplicative services to victims. See how these organizations work together to serve clients effectively and compassionately.
| |
|
Summertime Stewardship
Are you looking forward to time outside and away
from screens, but concerned about staying on top of your pledged giving? Don't worry, there are ways to give easily remotely, even automatically!
MAIL gifts to the office at 789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804(the office remains closed but we are checking the mail)
BANK BILL PAY mails checks remotely, one-time or on a recurring schedule – contact your bank to set this up
| |
ONLINE at https://onrealm.org/gcpcusa/give/now
or through your Realm Connect smartphone app
TEXT "giveGCPC" to 73256 on your mobile device, then follow the prompts
Interested in setting up online recurring giving? Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to self-manage eGiving through Realm or return this signed authorization form to have our Finance Office set up on your behalf.
If you have any questions, please contact Natalie in our Finance office at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or by leaving a message for Natalie Weaver at 828-254-3274.
| |
|
HOW TO CONTACT STAFF:
Our staff are all still working remotely as the office remains closed due to the pandemic. To leave a voicemail for a staff member to return your call, follow these steps:
- Beginning in June, the office will be open on Tuesdays, 10am - 4pm.
-
Call the office at 828-254-3274.
-
Listen through the office closure notice, which will then take you to a staff directory.
-
Enter the first 3 letters of either the staff member's first or last name on your phone keypad (i.e. to reach Natalie Weaver, you'd enter 628 for NAT or 932 for WEA).
- You'll be directed to the staff member's individual voicemail, where you can leave a message to be returned as soon as possible.
-
If you just want to leave a message for the general voicemail box, press 0.
You can also reach our staff by email- please see our website for each staff member's individual email address.
| |
|
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
828.254.3274
www.gcpcusa.org
| | | | |
