Click " View entire message" at bottom of email
to see the FULL newsletter
|
|
GCPC Alive and Well This Week! |
|
Joint Youth Group with
GCPC and First Pres!
|
|
|
Worship Preview | Sunday, November 1, 2020
All Saints Day
|
|
Sermon: "As the World Yearns" by Marcia Mount Shoop
Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12
|
|
Baptism of Autumn Virginia Burkhalter, daughter of Josie Moe and Jeffrey Burkhalter, on their farm in Waynesville, October 24, 2020.
Click here to leave a baptism remembrance for Autumn.
|
|
|
Keeping the Faith | 2021 Stewardship Campaign |
|
Dear ones,
On many Sundays we sing “World without end, without end, amen.” And our world is without end, growing, changing, transforming and growing anew.
When the pandemic reached us, GCPC had to learn new and different ways to knit our congregation and community together, so we could continue becoming the people Jesus asks us to be. Even in these times, we have baptized babies and welcomed 20 new members and another retired PCUSA minister into our fellowship.
As the chair of the Personnel Council, I’m so grateful that Luke Johnson joined the staff as our Director of Technology and Media Ministries. His skills, gifts, and heart for ministry have impacted us in ways we could have never anticipated. And what a joy to welcome Amy Kim Kryemes-Parks as our new Director of Children’s and Family Ministries! Amy Kim brings energy, experience, and many gifts we will soon all discover as we welcome her at GCPC.
None of these staff additions would be possible without your pledges.
The resources we have gathered and laid by - imagination and steadfastness, hugs and tears, money and time - have come together so we can be the Church. In this stewardship season, I’ll commit a portion of my family’s resources to make sure that GCPC can keep growing and changing - and me and my family within it.
It's time to tell us how you’ll financially support GCPC in 2021, so we can keep growing and changing. Pledging is easy on Realm. Any questions, please contact Natalie Weaver.
With the blessings of the world without end and the love shown to us in the life of Jesus,
Sheryl Aikman, Stew Crew All-Star
|
|
Click the video to watch the third installment of the Stew Crew All Stars stewardship videos.
|
|
|
WAYS TO PLEDGE FOR 2021:
-
Sign into your Realm account online or on the Realm Connect mobile app and enter a pledge under the Giving tab. Detailed instructions with photos are here.
-
Email Natalie Weaver your total pledge amount and planned giving frequency (i.e. weekly, monthly) to have her enter it on your behalf.
-
Contact the Finance Office at 828-254-3274, ext. 202 or nweaver@gcpcusa.org to request a printed pledge card be mailed to your home address.
Click here to watch a video example of how to pledge in Realm.
|
|
GCPC All Saints Eve Extravaganza | Saturday, October 31 | 3-4 PM
It’s another Drive Through Extravaganza!!! Mark your calendar!
Our new Director of Childrens and Family Ministries, Amy Kim Kryemes-Parks will be here in costume--you don’t want to miss it!!!
So you can come in costume too! You can decorate your car, too, if that sounds like fun to you! We’ll have halloween candy!
We’ll also have Communion elements for All Saints worship, votive candles, and you can even check out a hymnal.
|
|
Prayer Support on Election Day
On Election Day at NOON come pray with your GCPC church family on Zoom. Marcia will be there to facilitate. Here is the link info:
Topic: Election Day Prayer Hour
Time: Nov 3, 2020 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 850 2052 0763
Passcode: 789
|
|
Every night during election week at 5pm-5:30pm there is an interfaith prayer opportunity on Zoom:
"Holding Balance In Uncertain Times."
|
|
GLORY TO GOD
Dear GCPC Community,
We are encouraging all members of GCPC to add their voice to our worship. Will you consider the "Glory to God" Challenge? This is fun for all ages and it's easy to do too! The instructions, video link and uploading instructions are provided below. Please let me know if you have any questions or need assistance. I would love to add your voice to this project.
Keeping the song alive,
|
|
Written instructions:
1. You will need two electronic devices with recording/sound/video capabilities (iPhone, iPad, Computer) and a set of earbuds or headphones.
2. The video to assist you in this recording is linked above.
3. Words and music are also in this article.
4. You will need to practice singing and familiarize yourself with the video prior to attempting to record.
5. When it is time to record you will use device No. 1 to play the video. Your ear buds will be plugged into device No. 1 so that you can hear the video. (the recording you make will only be your voice- we do not want to hear the piano recording on your video-we will add that in later) It is easier to sing in tune if you only use the earbud in ONE ear. . . so you can hear yourself singing and tune accordingly with the other ear.
6. You will use device No. 2 to make your recording. If you are using your phone for this purpose then you will need to turn it on its side and use the landscape mode for best results.
7. Turn on both devices and proceed with making your recording. Repeat as necessary until you are happy with the finished product. IMPORTANT: We only want to hear your voice part recorded. The video you are singing with should only be audible to you through your earbuds.
8. Upload your video following the instructions in the google link below.
|
|
Click below to get the video you will use to rehearse and record with: |
|
Once you've made your recording click the Google link below to upload your recording of Glory to God and you're done!
Thanks for being a part of our Glory to God Challenge!
|
|
Equal Exchange - No Contact Bulk Sales
*ENDING SOON!*
We are accepting orders of the in-stock products and will arrange for no contact pick up/payment during the building closure. You can find the current list of available products here or by going directly to http://bit.ly/EqualExchangeGCPC. Recently expired products available at discounted rates!
If interested in purchasing, please email Natalie with the types and quantities of each from the inventory sheet that you'd like. She will respond with the total due, available pick up dates/times, and payment options.
These orders will require a minimum of 1 case of coffee (6 bags) OR 1 case of chocolate bars (12 bars) per order. Pending availability, you can mix and match your favorites of each and add on additional items once the minimum has been reached.
|
|
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 Sherrie, and any staff member can help you get set up for your meeting if you have questions.
|
|
Spiritual/Pastoral Support |
|
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.
|
|
Prayer List
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
Marcia Zuzel (friend of Kim Hottle and Melissa Shook)
Jonathan Hettrick and family (friends of Mary Craig)
Ryan Lockett (nephew of Denise Lockett)
Eveline Damiano (Daughter of Lisette deGroot)
Jennifer Martin (Yvonne Smith's daughter)
Travis Heck (Brian Cook's brother)
Marjorie Tague (Karen Punta's friend)
Marianne Nash (Dave Nash’s daughter)
David Nash, Jr. (Dave Nash’s son)
Thomas Dellinger (son of Libbie Dellinger and Sharlena Thomas)
Betty Hord (Alexandra Hollifield’s great-grandmother)
Robb Overholt (Matt Wiedle’s friend)
Shannon Johnson (Bill McNeff’s daughter, car accident)
Hettie Lou Garland
Bob Higgins
Cory Hartbarger
Florence and Steve Riedesel
Roslyn Carney
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
Bill Williamson
Queen Mother Maggie Belle Gladden
All those participating in the “Me & White Supremacy” study
Bob Walther
Jan Brunk
|
|
Click here to watch the recorded program: Healing Families: Exploring Trauma Informed & Trauma Responsive Parenting that was livestreamed on Sunday, October 18th on GCPC's youtube channel.
|
|
Sunday Morning Film Series on Voting & Immigration Rights| Sundays | Nov. 1-22 | 9:00 - 10:15 AM
With the help of Brave New Films, a group dedicated to championing social justice issues through media and education, we will be examining voting and immigration rights through the lens of faith this November. Through zoom, we will be watching the films Suppressed 2020: The Fight to Vote and Immigrant Prisons, along with holding discussions about what we are called to do as a faith community in the face of wide-scale voter suppression and immigrant detention. Together we will grieve these wrongs, pray for God’s will, and implement the social change we seek. These sessions are co-sponsored by our Creating Sanctuary and Power and Race Teams.
Facilitators: Kathy Meacham, Alexandra Lusak, and Richard Coble
|
|
Enneagram Sessions for GCPC Parents
Wednesday enneagram Zoom gatherings, 6:30-8:30pm, for GCPC parents continue Wednesdays: November 4th & 18th. No gathering Wednesday, November 11, 2020. All gatherings are 6:30-8:30pm.
Facilitated by Carol Hovis, all parents are welcome. If you don't know your enneagram type, contact Carol. Email Carol if you would like to participate.
|
|
PART (Power & Race Team)
Tema Okun is an author and facilitator who has been helping organizations, communities, and individuals dismantle white supremacy culture for several decades. You can find more about her work here and a full list of her "Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture" here. PART has been engaging for some time with these characteristics and exploring how they show up at GCPC and in each of us.
|
|
At the last meeting we went back and looked at the General Assembly (GA) when it denied to have the report on the status of Black women and girls to be heard on the floor. Unfortunately white supremacy was alive and well in this polity maneuver. Gaslighting occurred when white people said it was not important enough to override structures, and saying it is the rule and we must abide by it. Some attendees to the GA were therefore saying through words and behaviors that polity was the only right way instead of suspending the rules and having humility. As someone stated on PART, we should have had a washpan of love that flowed over our BIPOC brothers and sisters in Christ.
Marcia stated that her Black colleagues are creating many opportunities to hear their stories which is an outpouring of their love. But, because of objectivity we do not listen and BIPOC are told not to question. We as white people instead intellectualize things and disengage with our bodies.
What is required for change to occur is to deeply listen to each other and honor the authenticity and power of the story. If we become uncomfortable, feel it and process it with a lense of openness, humility and love.
Please join us on November 12th at 6pm for our next meeting. All are welcome.
~ submitted by Liz Huesemann PART Member
|
|
Sunday Evening Bible Study & Prayer Group | Sundays | 5:00 PM via Zoom
Our new Bible Study and Prayer Group will be focusing on how selected passages from the Gospel of John speak to our spiritual lives and needs today. With a contentious election looming, the pandemic entering a new phase, and the cold weather approaching, the coming months will be difficult. Our hope is that this group is a time of support, contemplation, and fellowship, where we can feel the movement of the Spirit and ready ourselves for another week. So please, join us as you can. Contact Richard with questions.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 834 6929 0018
Passcode: 789
|
|
Pre-K - 3rd Grade Sunday Morning Adventure | 10:15 am | Zoom
You'll get an email every Friday with the Zoom link for our Sunday 10:15am check in. Email Anna Louise if you did not receive the link.
|
|
4th & 5th Graders CONNECT Class | Sundays | 5:00-5:45pm | Zoom
Each week, families will receive an email with a unique login for class. If you would like to be on the list, please email Anna Louise.
|
|
Halloween Party 🦇 & All Saints Day | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM on Zoom (**Please arrive between 4:45-5:00 PM!**)
Get ready for a thriller of a youth group gathering this week! All Hallows Eve may be over, but there's still plenty of spooky fun to be had. Grab your costume and a bowlful of candy and join us for a night of tricks and treats! We will also take time to remember all of the many "saints" who have come before us.
WEAR YOUR COSTUME! Please arrive to the meeting with your Zoom camera off. We will reveal our costumes all together!
|
|
Presbyterian Women’s 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: Second 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.
|
|
Community Working Together |
|
Participation in the electoral process is a part of our responsibility as people of faith. We are called to vote our faith convictions at the polls.
Visit http://pcusa.org/vote to learn more about the PCUSA Votes campaign. Its goal is “…to engage, educate, and motivate people to exercise their right to vote, especially those who are a part of marginalized communities.”
-
October 31 - Early Voting Ends at 3 pm.
-
November 3rd - Election Day. You can ONLY vote on this day at YOUR Precinct location.
Election Day Nov. 3. On this day you can only vote at your precinct location.
Candidate Information and Sample Ballots
-
The NC Board of Elections offers this link for getting your sample ballot and finding your polling place on Election Day.
-
The League of Women Voters nationally has created Vote411, a resource for getting information on the candidates on your ballot.
-
Common Cause NC and Democracy NC have come out with their 28-page candidate guide for statewide and federal offices. Get your copy here.
-
The NC Council of Churches has created a nonpartisan reflection guide for voting this fall. Here is a link where you can get permission to access a free copy.
~ Submitted with support of CST and PART
|
|
Nice White Ladies: The Truth about White Supremacy, Our Role in It, and How We Can Help Dismantle It | TONIGHT, Thursday, October 29 | 7:00 - 8:00 PM | Free Webinar
Join Desiree Adaway for a conversation with Dr. Jessie Daniels, Faculty Associate at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center and Professor of Sociology at Hunter College, to dive into the topic of her new book, Nice White Ladies.
We’re going to talk about:
- The ways in which upholding white supremacy serves white women
- The role white women play in shaping and benefiting from white supremacy
- How white women’s quest for equality to white men constitutes a feminism that upholds white supremacy
Join us to look at how the Nice White Lady archetype shows up in your life.
|
|
PechaKucha Night AVL | adé PROJECT presents: Black STARSEED | Friday, October 30 | 7:00-9:00 PM
On October 30, Artists Designing Evolution (adé PROJECT) is joining forces with PechaKucha Night Asheville to celebrate the voices of those most often silenced and left to bear witness to destruction, then bear the burden of resilience. We are Black women, we are mothers, we are daughters, we are sisters, we are Queens. We are Black STARSEED. This is revolutionary reimagination and #artisourRESPONSE.
This event is a re-routing of sorts, a ceremony and celebration, of our circling back to our own truth and telling it for ourselves. Each story weaver who will be sharing, is a healing artist in her own way. It is our honor to welcome them and hold space for this very sacred and necessary moment in community together.
The lineup features::
Ann-Lee Waite | Cortina Jenelle (MC) | Lucia Daugherty
Michele Ashley | Miranda Williams | Olufemi Lewis | Sasha Mitchell
|
|
Donation Opportunity
Land of the Sky, UCC, in partnership with Buncombe County Schools, has started a virtual learning center. The program is in need of snack donations. If you feel called to donate nutritious snacks, please reach out to GCPC member, Mesheala Sundblade (828-772-6609). Refrigerator space is limited. You are welcome to drop off donations in the sanctuary @ 15 Overbrook Place, Asheville, NC between the hours of 8am-1:30pm, Monday-Friday.
|
|
GCPC Covenant Partner, SOS: Saving Our Selves / What They Don't Teach You in School
SOS has coached several individuals in reimagining and recreating community development and mutual aid. Incarcerated individuals have strengthened their relationship with children and co-created a reading program for them and their children. The children on the outside and the parents who are incarcerated have been able to connect more deeply through stories beginning with the book "Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out." by Farrah Gray. Farrah shared lessons on what he learned outside of the traditional education system that enabled him to succeed in business by age 15.
~ submitted by Phyllis Utley
|
|
GCPC Covenant Partner, Bountiful Cities |
|
Bountiful Cities has been a presence in Asheville for twenty years, and its mission around long-term, equitable, food security has adapted to the needs of the community. Their three key programs include: a Community Garden Network (CGN) that includes almost 40 community gardens; FEAST - healthy eating, cooking, and gardening education for K-8 students; and Grass to Greens- edible landscaping and gardening consulting services. Bountiful Cities also acts as fiscal agent, and in conjunction with the City of Asheville, manages the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council (ABFPC). A myriad of collaborations, incubations, and fiscal sponsorships with organizations like Southside Rising and the Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust weave together with Bountiful Cities as partners.
A few weeks ago Christi Mobley and I spoke with Cathy Cleary, Bountiful Cities’ Outreach Coordinator, about how Bountiful Cities is making it through a global pandemic.
|
|
Bountiful Cities continues to share food and resources with community members, sourcing produce from farms, businesses, and local gardens. Through grant funding from the City of Asheville and in collaboration with ABFPC they are building little free food pantries in several neighborhoods most at risk for food insecurity. GCPC’s Pandemic Palooza collected supplies that Bountiful Cities distributed to Deaverview residents.
Isa Whitaker, the community garden network coordinator, works hard to partner with Asheville neighbors who live in food deserts. With strong relationships in Shiloh, Pisgah View, Southside, and Hillcrest Apartments, their mission is to partner with neighbors and communities of color without being a burden. They recognize that so many people are feeling the trauma of COVID19 and ongoing violence against brown and black bodies. Bountiful Cities aims to support the leaders of the gardens without centering white voices.
FEAST is a school-based program that is also pivoting to remote learning. School gardens need constant maintenance and without students Bountiful Cities has leaned heavily on community volunteers to carry out the tasks necessary to keep school gardens in their network flourishing. FEAST teachers are no longer fully employed and are adapting using limited resources to continue meeting with students, give garden tours, and virtual cooking classes.
|
|
Similarly, the CGN has turned their monthly free workshops into free virtual classes. If GCPC members have gardening or cooking gifts and skills and a willingness to teach a virtual class, Bountiful Cities would love to highlight your expertise. Also, the CGN continues to hold socially distanced volunteer workdays, and is always in need of enthusiastic volunteers.
Finally, Bountiful Cities tries to raise funds for their mission of long-term food security solutions throughout Asheville. During the instability of 2020, the immediate needs take precedence, and they continue to be “dedicated to teaching sustainable agriculture skills and resources in urban environments to promote social justice and economic viability.” If you think you have gifts you can share, please reach out to me or Christi. We can connect you with the Bountiful Cities as they continue to “envision abundance and food sovereign communities in Asheville.”
~ submitted by Amy Wiesner, Serve Council Member
|
|
GCPC Community Garden News
Collards, cabbage, kale, and spinach continue to grow in the garden. While teams are no longer working on their regular workdays, a schedule has been made for weekly harvesting of these greens. Members of Wednesday teams will harvest on Fridays while Saturday teams will harvest on Saturdays. For the first 4 weeks, the schedule is team 3 on Friday 10/16, team 4 on Saturday 10/24, team 1 will harvest on Friday 10/30, and team 2 will harvest on Saturday 11/7. The first two of these weekly harvests each resulted in over fifty pounds of greens delivered to Western Carolina Rescue Mission (10/16) and Loving Food Resources (10/24).
|
|
3rd Quarter Statements Emailed 10/21
I f you gave January - September, you should have received an email on 10/21 from notifications@onrealm.org with a link to your contribution statement PDF. This shows the details of your donations and pledge balance, if applicable.
Please note, this only includes gifts made through 9/30/20. To see all your giving records to date and manage online giving, log into Realm at onrealm.org/gcpcusa and click Giving, or contact Natalie in the Finance Office at nweaver@gcpcusa.org.
|
|
Thank you for your generous giving! Your gifts are enabling the church to continue our important work in our community. We appreciate your faithful support!
Remote Giving & Paperless Statements
Here are a few different ways to stay up-to-date on your giving remotely:
-
MAIL gifts to the office at 789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
-
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
-
TEXT "giveGCPC" and AMOUNT to 73256 (i.e. giveGCPC $100)
-
MOBILE through the Connect - Our Church Community app
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.
To sign up for paperless statements or if you have any questions, please contact Natalie in our Finance Office at 828-254-3274, ext 202 or nweaver@gcpcusa.org
|
|
GCPC Out and About Online |
|
Blue Ridge Pride presents: Generation Plus "Caring Community Connections" | Wednesday, Nov 4th | 12pm Zoom (pre-registration required)
There are multiple thriving social groups in our community. Is there a group that will meet you needs? And how things have changed with Covid-9. Join us to learn more about building a supportive community. Register in advance for this meeting:
|
|
Autumn Lecture Series:
A Story Medicine Fundraiser
We all carry our stories within us. When we use them for stewing, ranting or giving up, we get stuck in this gooey energy and wonder why we cannot move forward. Our Indigenous ancestors knew that the stories of humanity, of the human condition, would heal the earth and the world. During these days of contagion, we have had to forego our annual Gala Fundraiser, the financial life-blood of Story Medicine Worldwide and its healing work. Instead we are offering this Lecture Series with presentations by two artists and two scientists, all Story Medicine certified facilitators. Join us in an interactive exploration of how story can guide us through the deep troubles of our times.
Each Lecture Topic will be in two parts, Monday nights, 6:30-7:30.
Click HERE for more information about each topic.
For each lecture, the suggested donation is $25 or more. No one will be turned away, any contribution is appreciated. Click HERE for flyer.
|
|
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
