Celebrating 100 Years
1914-2014
Asheville, North Carolina
April 10, 2014



Worship is at 10:30 
Sunday School is at 9:15

The deadline to get your newsletter announcements to admin@uccasheville.org is Monday at noon.  If you miss the deadline, we will include it in the following week's edition. 
 
A Few Thoughts from Joe 

 

I am so inspired by the leadership we are experiencing from the Spiritual Emphasis Team of the Capital Campaign. I hope you are creating for yourself and your family a worship center where you think and pray about our church every day. I also hope you will sign up for the Prayer Vigil on Saturday, April 19 from 7am-7pm. Just choose a 30 minute time slot that you want to be here, to walk through the building - maybe with others - to pray about and be open to the needs of this congregation. When I was young my church always had a 30 hour prayer vigil from Good Friday at 6pm - EasterSunday at 6am. That was such an important time for me to be in that sanctuary, remembering how important this church was to me, and praying for guidance and that the Spirit would lead me. I hope you will take this opportunity to have such an experience. (Call the church this week if you want to sign up - or look for sign up chart in narthex again next Sunday.)

And now we approach Holy Week. We begin with Palm Sunday this next Sunday. We will use this service to carry us into the experiences Jesus had in that last week of his life. The service will also include the baptism of twins - what a glorious moment that will be. And the service will end with the struggle, with the journey toward the cross, toward the hardest of times, toward the big decisions of life when we decide what matters most to us. Thursday, April 17 at 7pm - we will have our Maundy Thursday service in the sanctuary. This will include a reading of the story of Jesus at the Last Supper and in the Garden praying. We will leave in silence. On Good Friday, April 18 at noon, Gary and friends will provide musical meditation for our journey towards Easter. Saturday of course will be the Prayer Vigil. And Sunday, April 20 - Easter Celebration at 10:30. I am so pleased that Brenda Lewis will preach this service for us.

These next few weeks are the very essence of our spiritual life as people who follow in the ways of Jesus. I am glad to share this with a community of folk who know the stories and continue to search them for meaning and truth. I need you. I think we need each other.

Weaving Lives Together - our Capital Campaign continues to grow in activity and energy. Each week you will begin to hear more and more about what we are doing - and why it is so important as part of our ongoing ministry. Our big capital campaign day will be Sunday, May 18. You will want to be here. It will be a celebration of our life together - and how we pray God will weave lives together beyond just in our church but throughout our community. And be sure to take time to look at the art exhibit in our art gallery this month. Such powerful testimonies of who we are and why it matters.

Two more notes to mention. This Thursday - the day you likely receive this newsletter - I hope you will join Jerene Broadway and myself for the mental health spirituality group from 5:30-6:30pm. And please also note that the Mindfulness Group will meet again the first Sunday in May at 4pm. Please mark your calendars and join Ron Vinson and myself.

The Bible Study is every Monday evening form 6-7pm. All are welcome. The conversation is always lively and rich. Every voice adds to the fabric of our understanding. Room 102.

May this be a week of hope and joy for you.
Joe


 
Did You Know...

...that there is a lot to know about the first 100 years of our congregation?  Each week these articles will share another piece of our story.

 

 Last week I began telling the story of Frank Ratzell's ministry. It was a time when membership and attendance grew. On Easter Sunday in 1956, 198 attended in two services. And Easter 1961, 241 were in attendance.  Ratzell stressed the educational ministry of the church, and once said: "We have an educational job to do a responsibility not only to our own people but to the community. We are in the so-called 'Bible-belt', we are also in the midst of phenomenal religious ignorance. The theology of this area is medieval. We are a liberal island in a fundamentalist sea. We need a church school of extraordinary quality." (June 1956) Ratzell was also an exquisite and disciplined preacher. His philosophy was thus:  Preaching is the sharing of religious experience. It did not come easy to one who considered himself a "natural-born wallflower." He preached a "hard" gospel, not one that his hearers would "enjoy", but a speaking of the truth with prophetic compulsion. He shied away from telling his hearers what to think or what to do. His preaching was inseparably related to his praying. The problems of his people were constantly on his mind and the sermons were the result of "a silent perpetual wrestling": of the spirit and a silent moving of the Spirit." And so the congregation grew, and the small size of the church building became an issue. (to be continued)

 

 The Non-Glamorous Part of A Capital Campaign

      Hearing that $15,000.00 of the Capital Campaign will fix some under ground  

      leak that no one will ever see, or $10,000.00 of the Capital Campaign will  

      replace mortar on the churches stone facade is certainly not glamorous.  

      There will never be a plaque proclaiming someones generosity and probably          no one will ever even know its been done. To help you understand here is a        visual explanation on how things will look if we don't. 

 

Friendship Hall

Walls in the Narthex 
Ministry News 
from the Ministry Coordinator 
Yolanda Adams

 

For this week's service: 

Greeters/Ushers: Mary Ann Brackett & Peggy Grant

Friendship Time:   Buddy Chambless 

Deacon of the Month: Beaver Wyatt

Childcare:  Savannah Price

Liturgy and Lay Reading: Leslie Boyd

 

 

My sincerest gratitude to all who volunteer each Sunday for these tasks. Our worship and fellowship is richer and more vibrant because of it.

Worship & Church Life 

 

 

 New Name-Tags

Have you seen out new, cool name-tags? Chances are if you were here last Sunday, you wore your name-tag or you may have requested one. You may pick up your name-tag each Sunday before worship at the entrance to the sanctuary, if you choose to leave it at the church. Part of being a close congregation is knowing each other by name. Please remember to wear your name-tag each Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maundy Thursday Worship Service: Special service April 17th at 7pm. Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter.  It commemorates the foot washing and last supper of Jesus with the apostles.
 
Good Friday Concert: Noon on Friday, April 18th. 
 
New Member Sunday - May 11th, 2014
If you have been waiting to see when the next opportunity will come around to join this wonderful faith community - Sunday, May 11th is your time. You may download the information/membership form here or pick up a copy of the form on Sunday at the back of the sanctuary. Please email a picture to Harper at admin@uccasheville.org along with your completed membership form. All are welcome to join and you need not give up your membership in another church to be a member of this church. For questions, please contact Yolanda or Rev. Joe.

Room in the Inn News
Our dates are June 1-June 8. Our building will be undergoing
renovations during that time, we will be moving RITI to Westminster Presbyterian Church which is off Tunnel Road just past the Subaru dealer. (We will provide directions when you sign up to volunteer.) Although the venue will be different, the spirit and our service will be the same. We will set up the rooms, do meals, be a presence for the women, and do the take down of the rooms the same as we do here.
 Signups will begin in the Narthex April 27 (the Sunday after Easter) and continue through May.  Thanks so much!

Peace,
Linda and Roy

 

 

Spiritual Life 
Faith Formation & Sunday School

Conversations on Faith and Spirituality with Rev. Joe.
This class will not meet again until May 11th. 

Youth Faith Exploration and Formation - Led by 
Pastor Gary & Chris Martin 
Youth in GRADES 6 - 12 will be meeting with Pastor Gary and Chris Martin.  This class will help youth explore their faith with lively,
relevant discussion.  9:15 AM . In Gary's office at the end of the art gallery. Subject: Who is Jesus?

Children's Sunday School

Do your children know the stories of Jesus?  Do they know that Jesus had a special place in his heart for children?  Have they heard of the people Jesus healed?  Can they tell you the story of Zacchaeus? 

These are just some of the stories the children's Sunday School class will be looking at leading up to the events of Easter.  Our children's Sunday School class provides a full hour of Christian education in a fun environment.  Snacks, crafts, games, and puzzles all help reinforce the stories of our faith . 

Children in grades kindergarten through grade 5 are invited to join Kate Singogo and Virginia Himmelheber each Sunday at 9:15 am in Room E-105.   

 

During Worship: Religious Exploration with Pastor Gary  

Pastor Gary will continue his teaching of the Bible stories linked with the texts each Sunday. Children may leave worship with Pastor Gary after a time with children for 20 minutes of religious education and fun.  They will return to the sanctuary at the end of the sermon. 

 

The Last Supper - Picasso Style-done by the FCUCC Children's Church group!

Adult Faith Formation Offerings:  April & May

  

 
 

   April 13:  
"Giving...for Others" - A discussion of how giving offers us ways to serve others. Led by Emily Townes Roland - Room E-101

   April 20:  
Easter - no class

   April 27:
"Giving...with Believers" - A time to look at the ways our giving weaves us together as a family of faith. Led by Julie Everett - Room E-101
 
May
   May 4:
"Giving..." - This final session will focus on some of the things Jesus did say about wealth, and what giving means for our lives.  Led by Penny Stokes - Room E-101

 

Other Faith Formation Offerings  

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Mindful Awareness: Practicing Believing in Ourselves (continuing into Spring)
 --a study retreat with Ron Vinson & Rev. Joe Hoffman.
Join this thought provoking group for an opportunity to explore how we might live daily life with a different mindset. 
This class will meet in Room E-101, from 4-6 pm.  Next scheduled class will be in April, date TBD.  Class continues through May.  Call or email  Ron Vinson for further information 828-467-6718 or   rmvinson@gmail.com  
 
Monday Night Bible Study with Rev. Joe 
Monday nights at 6pm.  This is a study of some of the lectionary texts we will be using in worship.  You do not need to attend regularly to come.   
 
Mental Health and Spirituality   
Many of us live with the challenges of mental illness, either in our own lives or in the lives of people we love. In the midst of the chaos of such illness, we find ourselves struggling to find hope, meaning, & resilience. 
In the fall we initiated a monthly gathering of those in our church community impacted by mental illness. We will be exploring how nurturing our spirit & deepening our spiritual life can contribute to our healing & well-being.   
Our gathering will take place on the 2nd Thursday of each month, 5:30-6:30 pm in the education wing- next meeting is April 10. The series of gatherings will be facilitated by Rev. Jerene Broadway, chaplain at Mission Hospital's Copestone Psychiatric Unit. 

      

Hospitality News from Buddy
 
 
 
Friendship Time outside this week. May we have donations of fresh fruit, assorted dips,Hummus  veggies, muffins and breakfast breads. All food donations are truly appreciated.
If you would like to sign up to help Buddy pull off this amazing feat each Sunday, please email him -
BUDDY CHAMBLESS 

Proudly serving Equal Exchange Free Trade Coffee, Teas and Organic Sugars for both Friendship and Java Time.

JAVA TIME:
See you at 9 am in the Gallery for some good hot beverages before your Faith Formation class!
 
EASTER EGG COLORING CONTEST!
 
Easter Sunday during the Sunday School Hour at 9:15 am, there will be an Easter Egg Coloring Contest in the Fellowship Hall. Kids of all ages are invited to participate! Look for more details to follow.

Embracing our Future - 
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEWS

Get a Bag Article and Card

 

The "Weaving Lives Together" communication team has prepared for our congregation information materials related to our building project and capital campaign.  Please stop by one of the tables at church beginning Sunday, April 13, and pick up your bag of materials.  (One per household, please.)  You can help us save postage by getting your bag by April 20.  Thank you!

 

Community Prayer Center

Don't have the space or stuff to create a Prayer Center? Well we have created on for all to use in the Narthex. You can add to the community prayers, add stones, pictures and artifacts every week or any day you want to come by the church to light the candle of unity and prayer. 

 

 

MINISTRY TEAMS & CHURCH ACTIVITIES

  

Faith and Flicks
Season 3: 2013-2014 Mental Illness and the Healing Community  

 

April 13th at 5:45pm 

Screening of Canvas: 2006. Written and directed by Joseph Greco. Based on a true story. Explores schizophrenia: A woman's schizophrenia affects her relationships with her husband and son. Rating: PG-13. Running Time: 101 minutes.

Join us for a screening of the film at 5:45 with a brief discussion to follow. Led by Jerene Broadway, who is the chaplain for Mission Hospital's Copestone psychiatric unit, and Jim Lowder, who works with homeless mentally ill persons through Homeward Bound WNC. We will conclude between 8pm and 8:30pm, depending on the length of the film. Popcorn and bottled water will be provided. Guests are welcome to bring personal snacks. Location: First Congregational United Church of Christ, Room 101. Enter door off of parking lot in the rear of the building.

 

 

 

We Welcome Bobby Jo Valentine 

 

Home (Original)  - Bobby Jo Valentine 
Home (Original) - Bobby Jo Valentine

 

 Bobby Jo Valentine will perform in worship on April 13th.  He will also perform an acoustic concert April 13th at 4pm.  He will be playing acoustic guitar, backed by an upright bass.  The concert will be of uplifting folk music. It's free, but a donation would be welcome!  

 

"5 out of 5 stars. If Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz and Regina Spektor combined forces, you would have Bobby Jo Valentine." -Alexa Spieler, A-List Music

San Francisco based singer-songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine has received numerous recognitions for his work, including designation of Songwriter of the Year by the West Coast Songwriter's Association. Valentine's lyrics explore the tense high wire between light and dark, but doesn't always wrap things up with a tidy answer. The singer's sense of realism, charm and infectious melodies and vocals have earned the praises of industry vets like Brian Lucey, mastering engineer for The Shin and The Black Keys, who said, "Bobby writes with a sweetness and honesty seldom heard in acoustic pop music."

 

 

  

 DANCING THE ARAMAIC LORD'S PRAYER  
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL18, 2014  
AT  
UNITY CHURCH OF GREENVILLE 
207 E. BELVUE RD., TAYLORS, SC  
6:30-8:30 p.m.  
An Easter Experience  

 
Here is an opportunity to experience the message of Jesus through simple dance movements while chanting " The Lord's Prayer" in the ancient language of His time. Everything is taught as we go along, and new-comers will feel comfortable as they watch more experienced people around them...letting the group as a whole "carry" any who are unfamiliar with the words or movements.  For details see the flyer attached below. For questions, call Darilyn Dealy at 828-252-8866.
"Dancing the Aramaic Lord's Prayer", led by Amina Linda McMakin. Good Friday, April 18, at Unity Church, 207 E. Bellevue Rd, Taylors, SC.  Experience--through sound and movement--the message of radiant love that comes through the words of Jesus in his native tongue.

 

 

 

 

 

  It's That Time... RETREAT TIME!!!
 "What Does God Ask of Us (and what does God not)?" This years dates for retreat are August 8 -10 at Lake Lake Logan Episcopal Center, Canton
 
This year we are proud to have David LaMotte as our retreat and worship leader.  Mark your calendars and look for more information to come! Registration begins next week.
To find out more about David's work and music, please visit his website at

 http://davidlamotte.com/

 

  

  

NICARAGUA TEAM NEWS

 

Maybe you've heard about our delegations to Nicaragua-what a life-changing, eye-opening experience such a trip can be. But what do we do there? What is it really all about?

Well, it's about developing a more global perspective of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It's about seeing firsthand the effects of poverty in developing countries. It's about liberation theology, social justice, fair trade, and sustainable agriculture.  It's about understanding the effect U.S. national policy has on our sisters and brothers in the South. It's about meeting people, sharing meals with them, staying in their homes, listening to their stories and telling them our own. It's about discovering community.

 

 

 

You're probably thinking, "That doesn't sound like any mission trip I've ever heard about."

 

And you'd be right. This is no ordinary mission trip.  It's a sacred journey that will challenge the way you think, the way you perceive your place in the world, and the way you live out your faith.

 

Interested? Come and join us on an adventure that just might change   your life.

 

            Open the door.

             Unplug.

            Unwind.

            Discover your deepest self.

 

Our next delegation will be during the week of Thanksgiving, November 21-30. We'll be teaming up with some folks from the Unitarian Universalist congregation to make this journey. We have a limited number of spaces, and we'll be having an informational meeting sometime soon, so if you think you might be interested, contact Pam Jeffers at pjeffers48@yahoo.com, or by phone at 828-891-6432.

To see more, including a picture of Joe dancing, check out the church's website:

http://www.uccasheville.org/equipo-nicaragua-team-nicaragua.html 

 


FCUCC Art Gallery Shows 

 

April  -Congregational Show ("What Does This Church Mean to Me" - CONGREGATION
May   100th Anniversary Art Show
June - 100th Anniversary Art Show
July - 100th Anniversary Art Show
Aug. - Adriana Vasilut - Romanian Art (Gail Roberts)
Sept. -
Oct. - Artist Rule group
Nov. - David Voorhees - Pottery
Dec.- Tidings Of Comfort And Joy - Gary Mitchell 


If you are interested in displaying in our gallery please contact Gary at cantorucc@aol.com

 A Note about April's Show.
Thanks so much for the wonderful contributions to this month's congregational show. It looks amazing and as someone said on Sunday "it tells our story". It surpassed my imagination. We are still taking your submissions and certainly want to have your thoughts and art up with all the others. Please bring whatever you have with you the next time you are here at the church. 



The Weaving of our Prayers at the center of everything.


    
 
Youth News from Youth Leaders JP and Taleese with friends Anna and Colin Blanchard
 
JP & Taleese Morrill
Anna & Colin Blanchard

The youth group will be holding a silent auction 

April 13th after church and before the Bobby Jo Valentine concert.

We are having the silent auction to raise money to attend a retreat this summer. We hope to attend the "One Bread, One Body" retreat at Lake Junaluska in July. The weekend we go will include worship and community as well as activities partnering with "Stop Hunger Now" to provide 50,000 meals for hungry people by the end of the summer's sessions. Events like this give the youth at our church a chance to reflect on their place in the community, learn, and grow together. This is an opportunity for our youth to build positive memories that help them think to look outside themselves, and grow into community minded adults.

If interested in helping or making donations you can contact Taleese at taleesemorrill@gmail.com or 

EARTH TEAM NEWS
Eco Tour of Warren Wilson College's 
~ Ecodorm
~ Gardens
~ Solar Project
~ Anything else environmentally/sustainability focused

Saturday, April 26th - 10 am - Noon

Maximum capacity for the tour is 50 people. 
We will meet at the church at 9:15 am to carpool. Tour will be led by Stan Cross.

Eco Tip for the Week   

 

Announcing a three-part series of classes for first-time or experienced gardeners. All classes will be held at Jubilee!, 46 Wall Street, Asheville, from 7 to 9 pm. Cost is $15 per class or $40 for the entire series.

  

Tuesday, Apr. 15: Mulch. Water & fertility. Compost tea. Cover cropping & nutrients. Diseases & insects. Q&A. 

  

Eating less meat is one of the best ways you can reduce your environmental footprint. Cutting just one-third of the meat from your diet can save as much as 340,667 gallons of water, more than 4,000 square feet of land, and the greenhouse gas equivalent of driving 2,700 fewer miles a year  

Birthdays

April  

Taleese Morrill - 04/07

Ellie Charlton - 04/08

Ann Mojonnier - 04/12

April  Spencer - 04/12

Doug Lebbon - 04/16

John Himmelheber- 04/19

Roy Dunlap - 04/19

Gabe Gibson - 04/20

                                                    Emma Claire Hoffman - 04/22

                                                    Nikolaos Waddell - 04/23

                                                    Max Meier - 04/23

                                                    Elijah Purdom - 04/29

 

If your birthday is missing from this list or incorrect, please email Harper!  admin@uccasheville.org  

 


CHURCH LIFE IN PICTURES



Ryan playing before service
Pastor Gary and Miracles
   
Passing the Peace
Joyful Voices Readers Russ & Jacque
Reader William
Readers Ellenor & Yolanda
Choir sings
Communion Call to the Table
   
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FCUCC
Mailing address
 
P.O. Box 3211
Asheville, NC 28802
Street address
20 Oak Street in Downtown Asheville
PH: 828-252-8729
FAX: 828-254-7362

ADMINISTRATIVE  OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday  
8 am - 1:00 pm

Yolanda is in the office until 6 pm each day except on Wednesday.
 
Staff days off are as follows:
 
Yolanda ~ Wednesday
Gary ~ Thursday
Reverend Joe & Harper ~ Friday 

STAFF
 Senior Minister

Associate Pastor, Commissioned Minister of Music & Sacred Arts 
Wedding Planner/Coordinator 
 

Administrative Assistant

Ministry Coordinator


Contract Finance Officer

Andrea Blankinship


DEACONS
The deacons  are available for most pastoral care needs, and if we cannot help you, we will try to find someone that can.  
 
List of current Deacons: 
 

Wes Heath, Chair 

828-772-1066, wheath1234@aol.com 

 

Leslie Boyd 828-243-6712

leslieboyd@gmail.com 

 

Mary Ann Brackett 828-777-6384- cell; 828-676-0716- home

mochasmoms2@charter.net

 

Luz Jones 828-506-3402

luzjones@aol.com

 

Trina Summers 828-298-5320

katrinasummers@gmail.com

 

Yolanda Adams 828-279-4899

yoliea@gmail.com 

 

Carol Duin 828-254-4068

scduin@gmail.com 

 

Jacque Wuelling 314-409-4850 jacque45@live.com 

 

 
 
 
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Gifts to FCUCC  
March 2:  $5,958
March 9: $6,138
March 16: $4,216
March 23: $2,573
March 30: 
 
Attendance
March 2:  124
March 9: 122
March 16: 101
March 23: 122
March 30: 127
April 6: 150

Our Prayers

 

The deacons and congregation pray for those that need prayer. Please write your requests on the card provided and put them in the prayer box in the Narthex. The box is checked regularly and all requests are confidential unless noted otherwise. You can also request prayers online or e-mail ministry@uccasheville.org

 

"I do believe we're all connected. I do believe in positive energy. I do believe in the power of prayer. I do believe in putting good out into the world. And I believe in taking care of each other" 

 

We pray together for:

 

New this week:

* Betsy Alexander. Her dad passed away

 

* Sarah Owenby - her grandfather passed away today, Tuesday, April 8th.

 

*  Daryl Hill- his Aunt passed away yesterday, (Monday).

Please keep him and his family in prayer.

 

* Harper and her family as they deal with final arrangements for her grandpa.

 

* Viviana (our custodian). Her dad suddenly died. Pray for her and her family.

 

 

* Frank Freeman's Grandmother -

 

* Aurel Peterson's friend - Missy-doing better

 

*Bill Petz' Mother and His wife's mother as well.

 

 * Cathy and Andy Sadler. The wife and son of Pat Sadler

 

*Phil Sageser

 

* Please if you can, write a note to Buddy's friend Bob who is presently incarcerated and needs encouragement   Please leave all notes in the clear pocket outside Yolanda's office.

 

* Alison Langley's son John 

* Hannelore Hanson