GCPC Weekly News | November 11, 2021
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Click "View entire message"
at bottom of email to see the FULL newsletter
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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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Worship Preview | Sunday, November 14, 2021 | | |
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Sermon:
"Shift and Flow"
by Marcia Mount Shoop
Scripture:
Hebrews 10: 11-25
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
| Thursday, Nov. 11 | Nominating Comm. Mtg. | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Thursday, Nov. 11 | PART Mtg. | 6:00 pm on Zoom | | Sunday, November 14 | Adult Education: Caste | 9:00 am on Zoom | | Sunday, November 14 | Kids Zoom Adventure | 10:15 am on Zoom | | Sunday, November 14 | Livestream Worship | 10:45 am on Youtube | | Sunday, November 14 | All Youth Group | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, Nov. 16 | CHURCH OFFICE OPEN! | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | | Tuesday, Nov. 16 | Finance Council | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, Nov. 16 | Session | 6:00 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, Nov. 17 | Bible Study | 10:00 am on Zoom | | Wednesday, Nov. 17 | Just Funding Mtg. | 6:00 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, Nov. 17 | Choir Rehearsal pod | 7:00 pm in Sanctuary | | Thursday, Nov. 18 | Wisdom in the Woods Comm. Mtg. | 11:15 am in Fellowship Hall | | Thursday, Nov. 18 | PW Circle 3 Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | Thursday, Nov. 18 | Earth Team Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | Friday, November 19 | Padrino Lunch | 12:45 pm on Zoom | | Saturday, Nov. 20 | Compassion Camp | 9:30 am @ GCPC | | |
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PART Meeting | TONIGHT, November 11 | 6:00 PM | on Zoom
The Power and Race Team will be meeting tonight! All are invited. As we continue to seek to dismantle white supremacy culture in ourselves and our community, we will be talking about the history and importance of Critical Race Theory. We will also be examining the white supremacy cultural characteristic of 'defensiveness and denial' as defined by Tema Okun. If you have time, check out this recent article in The Root: "Why White People Hate Critical Race Theory, Explained." We will also be grounding ourselves in spiritual practices and mindfulness to support us in this ongoing work.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91314445389
Meeting ID: 913 1444 5389 | Passcode: 789
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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
- 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, November 17 | 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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Compassion Camp | Saturday, November 20 | 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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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 (11/7-11/13): Cathy Byers | email: byersabc@gmail.com
Next week (11/14-11/20): Leslie Sharpe | email: leslieysharpe@gmail.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)
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)
Gregg Young (Leslie Sharpe’s brother)
Lee Smith (Mary Berg's husband)
Henry Spradlin (Kelly Spradlin's brother)
Seminarians
Bob Higgins
Florence and Steve Riedesel
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
Bill Williamson
Queen Mother Maggie Belle Gladden
Elizabeth Fisher
Doris Prak
The Seddon Family
Tyler Elstrom
Our sympathy and support are extended to Joe and Janice Brumit, following the death of Joe's sister, Frances Ledford, on Thursday, November 4th. Please keep their family in your prayers.
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On Tuesday, November 30th, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will participate in national #GivingTuesday, which highlights the work of non-profits and other organizations. The PCUSA will have live satellite links to churches and ministries all across the country from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The first two hours will be hosted by Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church! We’ll be discussing poverty with BeLoved Asheville and the Presbyterian Hunger Program, racial justice with Faith 4 Justice (the ministry that was shown during our October Presbytery meeting), New Worshipping Communities with the Artisan Church New Worshipping Community in Lincolnton, and meeting with the Asheville Young Adult Volunteers. More information will be forthcoming.
Please save the date, plan to watch, and make a contribution to the PCUSA!
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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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98 pounds of collards, kale, and turnips were harvested in the warming sun by ten Saturday gardeners. All was delivered to WNC Rescue Mission, along with tomatoes previously harvested and ripening.
Two varieties of garlic were planted as well.
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Community Working Together | |
BeLoved AVL invites you to sponsor a Winter Survival Kit! | |
Also, BeLoved has a new donation space! | |
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Racial Justice Coalition launches a new initiative with community allies - the Government Accountability Project (GAP)
GAP regularly gathers information from public meetings and other community sources, as well as through direct relationship-building with people inside both city and county governments. Thought leaders within key issue areas—including housing, education, economic development, public health, and public safety and justice— make up the strategy team. This strategy team analyzes the information gathered and distills what is most relevant to racial justice.
Key findings on the most urgent matters making their way through the political process will be shared once a week (if not more) on the GAP website, enabling more effective advocacy.
To stay up to date with the most current issues, including ways to take action and advocate for racial justice, visit the GAP website and/or subscribe in order to receive weekly updates.
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Supportive Accountability presents new course offerings. . .
Offerings are designed for white leaders, educators, organizers, advocates, and other individuals who recognize that being anti-racist, addressing patterns of supremacy culture, and being human in healthy and loving ways takes intention, practice, and support. The approach is shaped by the wisdom of Black and Brown leaders and from lessons learned in multi-racial collaborations.
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AVL Greenworks Hard 2 Recycle Event | Saturday, November 13 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | 16 Miami Circle, Arden 28704 | |
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Achieving Racial Equity in North Carolina’s Legal System | Tuesday, November 16 | 7:00 PM | Online
The Western North Carolina Chapter of the ACLU would like to invite you to an exceptional virtual panel discussion on improving racial equity in North Carolina’s legal system.
The webinar will examine how our legal system disproportionately targets and incarcerates people of color, all too often lacks transparency and accountability, and what we can do to fight back.
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"Saying No to Plastics" | Thursday, November 18 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Online
Join congregation members and people of faith from across western North Carolina for a presentation and conversation regarding the importance of saying "NO" to plastics! We will hear from Watershed Outreach Coordinator at MountainTrue, Anna Alsobrook, regarding her work to clean up plastic and microplastic pollution in our rivers and watersheds. We'll then have time to consider together the many ways that our congregations and communities can lessen plastic use and become more sustainable--for the good of all Creation!
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Blue Note Junction | Sunday, November 21 | 3:00 - 6:00 PM | Burton Street Recreation Center and Peace Gardens
The Blue Note Junction - community health & business incubator - is a community-driven solution to the disparities that have resulted from underestimating and under-resourcing historically African American neighborhoods in Asheville and beyond. This multi-dimensional project is part neighborhood market, part event venue, part business incubator and part community spa - sitting at the crossroads of health and entrepreneurship.
Your donation gets you access on November 21, 2021 from 3-6pm (and beyond for afterparty) at the Burton Street Recreation Center and Peace Gardens for the fundraising event. The all-ages event will feature small bites, drinks, live music, and raffles. Celebrate and toast the vision of this exciting new initiative!
RSVP on Facebook and purchase tickets!
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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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Acknowledgement
Buncombe County Register of Deeds humbly acknowledges that the land we are on is the ancestral land of the Anigiduwagi, more commonly known as the Cherokee. This land was acquired through violence, oppression, coercion and broken treaties.
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‘Welcoming the stranger through the Matthew 25 lens’ -
Nov. 17 online event addresses refugees and immigration
~ by Melody K. Smith
The online Matthew 25 program series continues at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Hear the stories of newcomers to this country and their journeys and connect with local leaders offering ministries of welcome and justice. Together we will explore how Presbyterians are living out the Matthew 25 call to welcome the stranger as they accompany new immigrant neighbors who come from Central America and Afghanistan and places in between.
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‘Critical race theory, say hello to the Bible and theology’
Union Presbyterian Seminary webinar gives viewers tools to counter what’s become a polarizing argument
~ by Mike Ferguson
Rather than using critical race theory as a rallying cry for driving people to the polls, the 50-year-old theory ought to be taught as it was originally intended: in law schools.
That was among the nuggets uncovered Tuesday during “Critical Race Theory Meets the Bible and Theology,” a webinar in the Just Talk/Talk Just series sponsored by Union Presbyterian 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 the seminary and the director of the Center for Social Justice & Reconciliation, moderated the 72-minute talk, which can be viewed here.
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Stated Clerk issues Call to Prayer for the people of Ethiopia | |
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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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My Story Talk - Nina Simone | Thursday, November 11 | 7:00 - 8:00 PM | Online
The Wilma Dykeman Legacy is holding an exciting event focused on legendary WNC native and jazz icon, Nina Simone. Dr. Warren Carson, retired Professor of English and Director of the Gospel Choir at the University of South Carolina Upstate and a Simone expert, will be the presenter. Email mystory@wilmadykemanlegacy.org to register or to get more information. Get details on this event and the Wilma Dykeman Legacy here.
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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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