APRIL 26, 2024

We'll be in Montreat on Tuesday

Will you be joining us?

Let’s say you are from a small church without the service of a Minister of Word and Sacrament on a Sunday when you plan to celebrate Communion? Some ministers are more than happy to help out, but not that Sunday. Now let’s say you know of a former Commissioned Pastor nearby… one that’s not attached to a church right now, but could be available to help. Problem: He or she is not authorized to administer the Lord’s Supper for your church or any congregation right now.

That’s the conundrum the Committee on Ministry has discussed. They have a recommendation to present at Tuesday’s meeting of the Presbytery. What are your thoughts? That’s the question to be posed to the body during the afternoon session of the meeting.

Busy day in store for attendees

We have a jam-packed docket for the April 30 Stated Meeting of the Presbytery. We have a request to vote on possible concurrences for two issues coming up at this summer’s General Assembly (see below). Two important presentations concerning the work of the Presbytery are scheduled for the morning session: a review of the progress of the Revisioning Task Force along with a review of the Presbytery’s finances.

Some reminders:

The meeting comes to order at 9 a.m. So arrive in plenty of time.
Purchase your ticket for lunch early, served at the Assembly Inn
The Montreat folks always have a spread of goodies in the morning. Going off your diet is approved for just this one day. (OK, we aren't doctors, but it sounds great to us)
Remember it is an uphill walk from the auditorium to Assembly Inn
Check out the displays in the hallways. Ask some questions. They don't bite.

Earth Care team display

Members of the team would love to meet you and discuss issues of fossil fuels, plastics and how micro-plastics get into our water and food. And while you are there, be sure to pick up some free flowering plants and cloth shopping bags.

Shall we concur?

Measures would take aim

at fossil fuels, plastics

At the April 30 Presbytery meeting in Montreat, members and elders will be asked whether PWNC should give its backing to two overtures scheduled for debate at this summer's General Assembly in Salt Lake City. Both overtures originate from the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley (central New York State) and deal with environmental issues, specifically fossil fuels and plastics. The Session of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville voted to seek concurrences with the two overtures. (See letter)

OVT-013

OVT-014

NOTE: Debate and votes on these overtures are scheduled for the afternoon session, following lunch in Assembly Inn. Give yourselves plenty of time to eat, but return immediately afterward to Anderson Auditorium (the good news is that the return trip to the meeting space is all downhill).

Currently the plan is for the Presbytery to debate the measures as a committee of the whole, led by the Bills & Overtures Committee. No separate meeting of the committee is contemplated. Both overtures have received concurrences from other presbyteries, so it will come before the GA. The request is for our Presbytery to be added to the list of concurrences.

DOCKET AND PACKET

Worship by Guatemala Partnership

As a part of the 30th anniversary celebration of our Guatemala Partnership going on this year we have a treat! The Leadership Team and some of our guests from Guatemala will be leading the worship service.

Note: Prior to the start of the meeting you can watch photos depicting aspects of the partnership through the years. Come in to the auditorium, sit down and enjoy while awaiting the start of the meeting.

Records review on May 4

The first of three gatherings scheduled this year for Session Records Review is a week from tomorrow, Saturday, May 4. This meeting will be at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, running from 9:30 a.m. until noon. DETAILS

Daily reports from Malawi team

The team from our Presbytery that has been in Malawi the last couple of weeks are back home now! You can get a sense of their trip by checking out their daily reports on our Facebook Page.

GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

COMING UP ON THE CALENDAR

APRIL 30: 139th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of WNC

MAY 2: Finance Committee meeting

MAY 4: Youth Adventure Day at Camp Grier (see below)

MAY 4: Session records review at Black Mountain PC

Seeking Stated Clerk candidates

Superhero powers are not required, but the heart of a servant is. A search committee is in the process of identifying potential candidates to run for Stated Clerk of our Presbytery.

Find out more here

Avery County mission trip deadline May 1

The Presbytery is heading to Avery County in May for some mission work in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. The dates are May 19-24. Interested in lending a helping hand or hammer? Registration is open now with a May 1 deadline.

Cost for the week is $150, which includes food and shelter at the Gilmer Retreat Center. They also welcome day helpers, with no charge involved.

Get all the details by clicking on the buttons.

FLIER

REGISTRATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDE

Events of interest in the Asheville area

Screening of the film Black in Asheville. Filmmaker Todd Gragg will participate in a Q&A following.

4 P.M. SUNDAY, APRIL 28

FIRST PC OF ASHEVILLE

Pilgrimage to Peace panel discussion organized by Churches for Middle East Peace.

7 P.M. MONDAY, APRIL 29

WARREN WILSON PRESBYTERIAN

Planning for the inevitable

Putting together an End of Life Plan can seem like a puzzle, but a workshop on April 28 at Kenilworth Presbyterian in Asheville can lend a hand. The workshop will be both in-person and online via Zoom from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Want to attend in person? Email or call Leslie Peterson at (828) 231-8842 so that enough handouts will be available. To participate via Zoom, click on the link below.

REGISTRATION FOR ZOOM ATTENDEES

Make plans now for Guatemala trip

Applications are now being accepted for our fall mission trip, celebrating 30 years of the Partnership. Dates are Oct. 30-Nov. 6. You can access the application and information online by following this link, or download the form using the link below.

DOWNLOAD THE FORM

Prepare for 2025 BOP plans

Board of Pensions consultant Elizabeth Little has scheduled an opportunity for plan participants to find out about changes being made in 2025 plans. This represents a significant change for churches and pastors because the existing benefits plan has been in place for more than 35 years.

The meeting is open to all church representatives and enrolled members wanting to find out more. Join Elizabeth at 2 p.m., May 7, at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Asheville.

A second meeting has been scheduled for the Gastonia area: 10 a.m. May 30. Watch for more details and registration link soon.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CHANGES

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

Two great opportunities for your youth

Middle School and High School students from around the Presbytery will gather in the great outdoors at Camp Grier for a variety of adventures, fellowship and worship. Click on the flyer above for more details. Click on the button below to register.

Spring is still coming in fits and starts, but before you know it summer will be here. Encourage your youth to join with other PWNC youth for a mission trip to Charleston, SC, July 14-19.

Click on the flyer above for more info. Click on the button below to register.

Camp scholarships still available

Even if you've already registered for Camp Grier's summer programs this year, it's not too late to get some help with the cost. Scholarships are $500 and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis until the fund goes dry.

DOWNLOAD DETAILS

APPLICATION

ARTS & RECREATION

MONTREAT

MAY 6-11

Rhythms of Wonder is the theme of the Arts, Recreation and Worship Conference scheduled for May 6-11 at Montreat Conference Center. The conference is designed for those who want to deepen their creativity, broaden their leadership skills and experience personal spiritual renewal. In addition to whole group worship and recreation events, participants select from a wide range of unique courses.

BIBLE & MUSIC

MASSANETTA SPRINGS

JULY 21-27

Registration is now open for this event at the conference center in Virginia.

A conference for all ages of worship leaders, whether you are ordained or a layperson, staff or volunteer or congregant.

The 2024 theme is “A New Creation,” looking at themes of hope in Revelation and beyond.

For more information, visit this website.

SAVE THE DATE

PRESBYTERY MEETING April 30 at Montreat

ADVENTURE DAY May 4 at Camp Grier

IN OTHER NEWS

Four PC(USA) clergy represent the denomination at an interfaith service for seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in Gaza

Presbyterians Today: Is your church the right place to heal from religious trauma?

Grandparents take their seat ‘Around the Table’

A Russian priest who held Navalny’s memorial service is suspended by Moscow church

Have a position open? Looking for an open position? Either way, check our our listings.

PWNC Job Listings

Share Your Good News With Us!

If you have items of interest to share with the Presbytery in the weekly newsletter, please email John Pea. We would also love to receive pictures of your congregation in action to share in this weekly update!

(Event information should be sent electronically, preferably with an image, 10 days in advance, for inclusion in the following week's distribution. Submissions may be edited for brevity. The General Presbyter or Stated Clerk will make final decisions about what may be included.)

The e-news publication goes out each Friday to members across the Presbytery. We look forward to sharing your good news!