|
Click "View entire message"
at bottom of email to see the FULL newsletter
| |
Paty and Gaby from La Milpa | |
GCPC Members & La Milpa crew. | |
Many thanks to all who contributed to the toy drive for La Milpa. | |
PW Circle 1 December Meeting | |
|
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:
-
Online pledge card HERE
-
Email Nweaver@gcpcusa.org
-
Call 828.254.3274 and leave a message for Natalie Weaver
-
Request a mailed pledge card from the office
| |
PLEDGING vs. GIVING - What's the Difference?
Understanding our Church Budget
Money is money, right? You may be asking why it matters if you pledge or just give throughout the year, but there is a difference in our budget between pledged offerings and unpledged gifts. All are welcome and appreciated, but understanding the difference highlights just how important your pledge is to GCPC programming and planning.
Pledges are what the Finance Council uses to help set the next year's budget- they are revenue we can reasonably expect to receive in the year because you told us you plan to give. We take every $ of pledged revenue and use that to plan the programming, grants, and operating expenses for the next year. Every dollar you pledge and give helps directly support the ministry and mission in our community here at GCPC.
We are currently in the process of developing the 2022 budget, but can't finalize it until we hit our pledge goal. If you haven't already, please prayerfully consider submitting your 2022 pledge online HERE to help us fund the budget and start the new year strong.
| |
Sisters at the Sea Retreat 2022 - | February 3-6, 2022 | Folly Beach, SC | $275 | “Shift Happens”
Are you ages 25ish-50ish and would like a weekend of connecting and rejuvenating in a beautiful natural setting? Mark your calendars for our 12th (we think!) annual SOS (“Save our Sanity”/“Sisters at Sea”) retreat! This year’s theme will be “Shift Happens,” facilitated by our own Marcia Mount Shoop. Register today to ensure this special time of building friendships and centering your faith in the new year!
All attendees must be “fully vaccinated” against the Covid-19 virus.
Click here to read the COVID mitigation plan for this year.
| |
|
Youth Summer Trips Are Coming Up Fast!
Watch the recording of our Summer Trip Info Meeting and let Melva know which trip(s) your youth is interested in attending.
Check out the 2022 summer trip schedule with dates and costs (scholarships are available):
-
Massanetta Middle School Conference (July 7-10 | Rising 7th-9th | $340)
-
Presbyterian Youth Triennium (July 24-27 | Rising 10th - Graduates | $515)
-
Montreat Youth Conference (July 31-August 6 | Rising 9th - Graduates | $540)
Although we are not asking for financial commitments at this time, we do need to know by January 3 if your youth is interested in attending Triennium, and by January 21 if they are interested in attending Montreat.
| | |
|
|
Sermon:
"Reality Shift"
by Marcia Mount Shoop &
Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks
Scripture:
Luke 1:39-55
| | |
*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
| Thursday, December 16 | 20s/30s/& Beyond Gathering: Winter Lights | 6:00 pm @ Asheville Pizza and Brew | | Thursday, December 16 | Earth Team Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | Sunday, December 19 | Kids Zoom Adventure | 10:15 am on Zoom | | Sunday, December 19 | In-person and
Livestream Worship! | 10:45 am @ GCPC
(also on Youtube) | | Sunday, December 19 | Confirmation | 3:30 pm @ GCPC | | Tuesday, December 21 | The Longest Night: A Service of Consolation | 6:00 pm @ GCPC
(also on Youtube) | |
Friday, December 24 |
Christmas Eve Services | 3:30 pm - Interactive Service for all ages
(also on Youtube)
7:00 & 9:00 pm - Identical Candlelight Communion Services
(7:00pm on Youtube
9:00 pm on Youtube) | | Sunday, December 26 | Livestream Worship
(ONLINE ONLY) | 10:45 am on Youtube | | Sunday, December 26 | ALL Youth Coffee Break | 1:00 - 3:00 pm @ Starbucks on Charlotte St. | | |
The church office will be closed on Friday, December 24, Monday, December 27, and Friday, December 31st. | |
|
The Wednesday Lectionary Bible Study will NOT meet on December 22nd or the 29th.
We will resume our Wednesday study on January 5th, 2022.
| |
|
20s/30s/& Beyond Gathering:
NC Arboretum “Winter Lights” & Dinner | Thursday, December 16
- 6:00 PM | Asheville Pizza and Brew
- 7:00 PM | GCPC Parking Lot
If you are in your twenties, thirties, or beyond, let's celebrate the Advent / Christmas season together!
Dinner: For those who want to meet up for dinner, join us at AVL Pizza and Brew (645 Merrimon Ave) at 6:00. The restaurant does require proof of COVID vaccination. Please bring a picture of the front and back of your vaccination card along with a photo ID in order to enter the restaurant.
Lights: From there, we will head over at 7pm to the church parking lot (789 Merrimon Ave) to divide up into 4 cars (we had to purchase tickets in advance, so we have spots for 20 people!). From there, we will head to the Arboretum. Note: If you won’t be joining us for dinner, you can still join us at the church at 7p to head to the lights!!!
Friends are welcome!
Questions? Contact Richard Coble (rcoble@gcpcusa.org) or
Alex Hollifield (alexandralhollifield@gmail.com)
| |
|
The Longest Night: A Service of Consolation | Tuesday, December 21 | 6:00 PM | Sanctuary
The Longest Night service is a time to be together around the Lord's Table with space for lament, for grief, and for a collective yearning for God to come closer to the world's struggles. Scripture, sacrament, song, silence, and prayer will help us welcome God's merciful and mysterious presence with us.
| |
Christmas Eve Services | Friday, December 24
3:30 PM | Interactive Outdoor Worship Service for all ages
Join us as we journey together through this Holy Story. Dress warmly, because rain or shine, we will be traveling to the manger.
7:00 & 9:00 PM | Candlelight Communion Services
The 7 and 9 pm services will be identical and will include Holy Communion as we gather to celebrate the nativity of our Lord.
| | |
|
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 (12/12-12/18): Earl Fowler | email: earljfowler@aol.com
Next week (12/19-12/25): Louise Root |email: lcr@rootandroot.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
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)
Gregg Young (Leslie Sharpe’s brother)
Don Pressley (Amanda Pressley’s brother-in-law)
Buster Carswell (Amanda Pressley’s brother-in-law)
Jack Waskey (Anna Hamel’s father)
Family of Abigail Carter (family member of Alexandra Lusak)
Valerie Simon (Alexandra Lusak’s daughter-in-law)
Brenda Young (Leslie Sharpe’s mother)
Joel Holtzclaw (Leslie Sharpe’s uncle)
John Hamel (Tim Hamel's dad)
Sandra Jakiela (Dean Presson's sister)
Seminarians
Bob Higgins
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
Bill Williamson
Elizabeth Fisher
Doris Prak
The Seddon Family
Barry Sharpe
Sharon
Michelle Chromey and family
Marilyn Roderick
Our sympathy and support are extended to Steve Riedesel and family following the death of his wife and GCPC member, Florence, who died on Friday, December 10th.
Please keep the family in your prayers.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Need to set up a church zoom meeting?
Contact Anna Louise and she can get you all set up!
| |
Community Working Together | |
|
BeLoved Toy Drive
Toy Drive focusing on BIPOC children and youth
| |
|
Michelle C. Johnson and Tema Okun present....
Everything Belongs: Loving Our Grief
Wednesday, December 29 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Many of us have been socialized to deny our grief or grieve in private. In so many ways, dominant culture pushes us to “be positive.” Dominant culture doesn’t want us to know how to feel; if we did, we would not accept the level of harm and dis-ease that our culture produces. As a result of this push to be positive, we bypass what needs our attention. This is a time of great grieving and some of us are carrying personal grief that needs expression and healing in community. Our ability to grieve is a testament to our capacity both individually and as a community.
Everything Belongs is a 90-minute online session focused on collectively learning to love our grief instead of having an adversarial relationship with it. During our session, we will explore what you are currently grieving, what we are collectively grieving, and move through practices meant to support us in honoring our grief.
This session will include meditation, ritual, reflection, and small and large group community building. Please bring a journal and anything else that would help you feel supported.
| |
|
Virtual event: "ᏣᎳᎩ: Wherever We Are, Cherokee Spirituality Edition"
Saturday, December 18 | 1:00 PM EST
Since time immemorial, spirituality has guided and grounded the Cherokees. That's why for this month's edition of "ᏣᎳᎩ: Wherever We Are," their virtual event series, they will be discussing Cherokee Spirituality.
| |
|
Interfaith Initiative for Social Justice
Calls to Action/Engagement
The Interfaith Initiative for Social Justice is committed through their e-newsletter to offer articles, blog posts, opinion pieces, and video and audio segments on social justice issues to educate, inspire, and offer ways to take action. Below are links to two documents that provide those opportunities.
-
Here are such items focused on racial and criminal justice issues.
-
Here are other social justice issue items.
| |
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II |
Decolonizing the church through radical hospitality
‘If we’re going to live faithful to the gospel, we’ve got to live dangerously’
~ by Pam Wineman
“We are going to have to figure out ways to change the culture of the church; that we’re not looking for members who we want, we are looking for people who want to be closer to the Lord, and that’s a different kind of evangelism. Come whoever will ought to be able to come,” said Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), during the December broadcast of “Good Medicine,” hosted by the Rev. Gregory Bentley and Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart, Co-Moderators of the 224th General Assembly (2020).
The son, grandson and nephew of Presbyterian pastors, Nelson is the first African American to lead the PC(USA). Prior to becoming Stated Clerk in 2016, Nelson served as director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness in Washington, D.C. His service to the denomination also includes calls as pastor of St. James Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, and organizing pastor of Liberation Community Church in Memphis.
The discussion revolved around “What are the barriers to the church fully embracing its call to serving the whole community without fear of those we perceive as others?”
| |  |
Second Presbyterian Church Louisville Refugee Team |
‘Presbyterians are stepping up to welcome refugees. How can you help?’ -
PC(USA) Refugee associate details what people can do on ‘Join the Movement’ webinar
~ by Rich Copley
"There are two major points of welcome for Afghan refugees coming to the United States.
First, refugees are arriving at military bases, where they need some basics such as food and clothing, said Susan Krehbiel, Associate for Refugees & Asylum for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Once they leave the military bases, there is a second welcome in communities across the country where families are resettling.
One thing both situations have in common, Krehbiel said, is “Presbyterians are partnering in both places. Some Presbyterians are connected with those efforts at the bases and they’re collecting donations, that is clothing, the diapers, the food, those kinds of things. And others are working with the resettlement organizations in the destination communities, opening up church spaces in some cases.”
Krehbiel was the guest on the most recent episode of “Join the Movement,” a livestream series highlighting how people can get involved in the work of the Compassion, Peace & Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency."
| | |
|
2021 Year End Giving Cut Off
Please note that the office will be closed for the holiday on Friday, 12/31/21. If you would like to make a year-end gift to be included on your 2021 contribution statement for tax purposes, be sure to plan ahead with your gift. Here are the ways to make your year-end gift before the 12/31/21 cut off date:
-
Give online here up to 11:59pm on 12/31
-
Log into your Realm account, select Giving, then click + Give
-
Text "giveGCPC" to 73256, then follow the prompts
-
Mail gifts to the church office at 789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804 *must be postmarked 12/31/21 or before*
-
Come by during Tuesday office hours on 12/21 or 12/28, 10am - 4pm
-
Drop in the Narthex donation boxes on Sunday, 12/19 or 12/26
Wishing you safe and Happy Holidays!
| |
|
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.
| |
|
STOCK DONATION CHANGES
The DTC and account number for our stock brokerage receiving account has changed since the BB&T and Truist merger in 3/2021. Please contact Natalie Weaver at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or 828.254.3274 for the updated account information before initiating any transfers- if you try to send them to the old account, it will not go through.
| |
|
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Black Mountain Center for the Arts
December 10-19
Fridays/Saturdays @ 7:00 PM
Sundays @ 2:00 PM
Tickets $20
Featuring Matt Wiedle and Lara Hollaway!
It's the holiday classic like you've never seen before: the story is staged as a live radio broadcast! Actors portray numerous characters, and sound effects are done through Foley artists. It’s a Wonderful Life is about the life of George Bailey, a generous and well-meaning man who has become too downcast and tired to continue living. It will take help from a lovable angel to show George what life would be like if he wasn’t born for George to have a change of heart and understand the true spirit of the holidays. (Proof of vaccination is required for indoor performances.)
| |
|
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:
-
Call the main 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
| | | | |
