Celebrating 100 Years
1914-2014
Asheville, North Carolina
May 15, 2014



Worship is at 10:30
 
There will be no change in worship time as we have had in the past. Worship will remain at 10:30 through the summer
 
Sunday School is at 9:15 (limited during the summer)

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 

 

This coming Sunday we have our Commitment Sunday for Weaving Lives Together - our 100th anniversary capital campaign. This is a very special day, and I want to say a bit about that.

 

I was never part of a capital campaign until I came to this church - not as a clergy person, and not as a member of a church. So the first 40 years of my life, I never had the opportunity to help sustain and give a future to a church.

 

This is our 2nd capital campaign in my tenure as pastor, and my second as a person of faith. Capital campaigns give us an opportunity to invest in a faith community that gives our lives meanings. And not just in a moment. This church has been an important part of Asheville - even though we are a relatively small church - for 100 years. The Asheville Citizen Times wrote in 1981 of David Crook, one of our pastors who stayed 10 years, "this is a church that understands and values the role of the minister in the community." I think that has continued and is one reason we can make a difference in the larger public.

 

Weaving Lives Together - that is who we are in our history and in our vision. I am honored to pastor a church that is willing to invest in what makes a difference to people who have been excluded, marginalized, and oppressed. And to people who seek to learn and grow no matter where they are on life's journey. When our 100th anniversary guest preacher heard about the lawsuit our church is part of against the state of NC and Amendment One, he wrote me and said - thank you so much for inviting me to speak at this church that is so actively engaged in ministry that matters. What a privilege!

 

This Sunday is a big day. At 9am, we have a breakfast celebration in the Friendship Hall - it will be our last congregational event in this space before the renovations begin. Come enjoy the hospitality of breakfast provided, good friends, inspiration and encouragement.

 

Then at 10:30, join us for worship as we present our commitments to this campaign. Bring your commitment card - or be ready to fill one out when you arrive. Also bring a piece of cloth that can be added to a Weaving Lives Together tapestry. Something that has special meaning for you. Now is the time to add your commitment to those of 27 other folk - leaders in the church - who have already committed ..... are you ready ..... $611,000 toward our $1.3 million goal. That amount is almost the half way point. Together we can make this happen and give the start of the next 100 years of this church a real boost.

 

Following worship, during Hospitality time, you can meet Jason, the local artist who created the one of a kind mugs that commemorate our first hundred years.  

 

If you have any questions about the capital campaign - or about ways of giving, please let me know. I will connect you with someone who can answer your questions if I cannot. I do not know what people give, but am able to help answer some of your questions.

 

Thank you for being church together. I am not sure why my life has been so blessed to be such a part of you, but it has been such a great opportunity. Let's keep that going for whomever comes next in the life of this church - in its membership, in its future leadership. This is our moment. Let's make it count.

 

Make sure you also have June 8 on your calendar for our 100th anniversary worship celebration. It will be a great worship experience. And on June 7, those who can, we will have our 100th anniversary celebration dinner - you must rsvp. See the information in the newsletter, in the mail, or call the church office. We can only accept the first 125 reservations. Please sign up early. We will have another event the end of June - a cookout at the home of Craig and Carolyn Comeau, so there are plenty of options to celebrate in our big month.

 

There is NO Bible Study the next 2 Mondays. We will start up again on June 2, 6pm - a great time for others of you to join us as we weekly explore a passage from Scripture and share our lives together.

 

Peace!!!

 

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.

 

This week I want to change pace and jump ahead to our last capital campaign. It was 11 years ago - May 18, 2003. The church had grown beyond the capacity of our small building at 308 Merrimon Avenue - the one we built in 1914 - to hold us. We were meeting in 3 different buildings on Merrimon Avenue for Sunday School. The youth group was meeting in the boiler room which had no heat or air. We had put up a tent in the Friendship Hall for one children's Sunday school class. Brooks Howell United Methodist Retirement Home was offering us free space for adult classes. It was such a moment. And our still relatively small congregation said - we have to raise $1 million and move. Our consultant said that was an ambitious amount that he could not guarantee for us. We went ahead anyway. And on May 18, in the Diana Wortham Theater in downtown Asheville, we held worship with a full house of members and friends of the congregation. A copy of the bulletin for that service can be found on the table in the art gallery as part of the 100 year history time line. And we surpassed our goal - we raised $1.1 million. I still feel deep gratitude for all that made it possible, for we were surely not a wealthy congregation. But people gave generously. Some of our folk had been members since the 60's, and they gave a lasting gift that is still making a difference today. A favorite prayer response of the congregation - and one we used that day, one written by our own Penny Stokes - is still relevant today:  Our prayer rises up on the wings of the morning, Leaps from the cliff edge to dance on the wind. Soars to the heart of our faithful Creator, to nest like a sparrow in God's loving hand.  

 
Ministry News 
from the Ministry Coordinator 
Yolanda Adams

 

For this week's service: 

Greeters/Ushers: Trina Summers, Beaver Wyatt 

Friendship Time:   Buddy Chambless 

Deacon of the Month: Luz Jones

Childcare:  Savannah Price

Liturgy and Lay Reading: The Spiritual Emphasis Team - Alice Martin-Adkins, Bev Reddick, Mary Cowal

 

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

  

A Federal Challenge of Amendment One


Thank you from Rev. Joe Hoffman:
 
I am grateful for all the notes and comments I have gotten from so many of you in support of my participation in the lawsuit against the state of NC around Amendment One. It has been a fascinating past 36 hours. Most of the comments I have received have been positive - only a few that I would characterize as negative. None as hostile.

Now our work is to continue to educate each other. I continue to receive notes asking - are there really inequalities between my rights as a straight person and those of a gay person. This is not to be made fun of - but instead it is a time to engage in serious conversation that can help people learn.

As I said in my sermon in February 2006 - it is time for this to change! It is time for all to have justice and equality.
Joe Hoffman

Below are some links with information pertaining to the lawsuit. 
Asheville Citizen-Times Article
Chicago Tribune Article
www.amendmentonechallenge.org
The National UCC's "I Do" Page
NBC News Article
I Do Press Conference at Holy Covenant UCC on April 28, 2014
Worship and Church Life 
 
New Member Sunday
We had a wonderful new member Sunday last week. See pictures below. We will have a new member directory available in the Narthex this Sunday for you to get to know our new brothers and sisters in faith. Thank you for being so welcoming.
 
Conversations on Faith and Spirituality with Rev. Joe
The next class will be June 1st in Room E-101.
 
Show some Church Pride!!! - Buy or Special Order!!!
Look at these cool t-shirts and ball caps with the new logo! We have some for sale now and will be taking special orders for more. See Yolanda after church in her office to purchase and to make an order - Prices range from $8.00 to $16.00 depending on size and sleeve length. Ball caps are adjustable
 

 

Commemorative Anniversary Art! 

We've been working on something special!  

In honor of our 100th anniversary, we commissioned a local artist to create special, hand crafted, one of a kind art mugs for members and friends of First Congregational.  Jason Bige Burnett has hand built, hand carved, screen printed, and glazed these beauties just for us.  We are offering them to members and friends of the congregation for a special price and will be available for sale at $35 each (much lower than his usual work). 
Each one is unique and a piece of artwork in itself!  Did you notice that the red screenprint design in the background is from a photograph of our stained glass??
Jason will be with us for worship on Sunday and you can meet him, see more examples of his work, and order your mug during Hospitality Time.  The mugs will be waiting for you at the Anniversary Dinner (if you plan to attend) or can be picked up afterwards.   

   

Name Tags

Thanks to all of you who have been wearing your name tags! It's great to greet each other by name. Gary has come up with and ingenious idea about how to store them! They are hanging along the back pews. Each week a greeter will direct you to where the name tags are. If you have lost your name tag already, just ask the greeter to sign you up for a new one. Don't forget your "pride embellishments"!!!! 

 

 

Spiritual Life 
Faith Formation & Sunday School


Conversations on Faith and Spirituality with Rev. Joe. 
 Will meet twice a month during the summer. 9:15 AM. Next class June 1st - Room E-101

Youth Faith Exploration and Formation - Led by 
Pastor Gary & Chris Martin - on break over the summer.  Will resume in the fall. 

Children's Sunday School-last Sunday School Class, May 18th! 

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: A Time with Children

     

 

Children's Church and Religious Exploration - will continue over the summer.

 

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. 

 

 

 

Other Faith Formation Offerings  

   

 
Monday Night Bible Study with Rev. Joe 
Starts back up  June 2nd.  Monday nights at 6 pm.  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   
This class has ended for now and may begin again at a later time. 

      

Hospitality News

Friendship Time will meet in the Fellowship Hall after our wonderful commitment service this Sunday. This will be a special Friendship Time as it will be last time we will meet in the Fellowship Hall before it gets transformed by the renovations. So please come down and have some "together time" and say goodbye to those beautiful linoleum floors.
 
We are also requesting your help (really)! We will be moving all of the tables and chairs to a "POD" which is a storage container in the parking lot and we need help to get them moved. If we have help - it will take no time at all. Many hands, light work.
 
Please continue to bring your contributions to our Friendship Table. We always are happy to get any kind of foods and snacks but we are always in need of fresh fruit and veggies platters, cheese, crackers and savory items.

What is much needed is volunteer help for set up and clean up. If you have enjoyed our time of hospitality and fellowship and have not had the opportunity to help Buddy set-up or clean up, please be a volunteer angel and support him in this ministry.

 Contact Buddy to volunteer at w_chambless@live.com. Your help is valued and needed.
 
JAVA TIME - NO JAVA TIME THIS WEEK DUE TO CELEBRATION BREAKFAST!!!
 
See you at 9 am in the  Administrative Hallway for some good hot and cold beverages before your Faith Formation class!
Embracing our Future - 
Weaving Lives Together 
Weaving Lives Together
Video by Jane Stoffer!

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEWS

 

       

REDIRECTING OUR INNER GLOW

 

On a cold winter night in 2013, Marcus Renner of Green Opportunities performed a preliminary energy audit for FCUCC. According to Mr. Renner, many older churches - especially those with big, pre-1970s structures constructed before builders cared about energy issues - are huge energy-wasters.

 

Mr. Renner provided a series of infra-red photos showing areas of concern at FCUCC. The left photo was taken in the bell tower, where on open access hatch allowed cold air to flow into the church and precious heat to escape. The light area in this picture shows the heated belfry; purple indicates where we were heating the outdoors! The right photo shows the outside belfry wall, with portions heated to more than 60 �F on a night when the outside air temperature was 31�F. In addition, rain was leaking into our sanctuary through the unsealed belfry opening.

 

Addressing this problem was a high priority in order to reduce FCUCC's excessive contribution to global warming. Property manager Gary Mitchell initiated a temporary fix soon after the huge leak was identified. Last week contractors finished a permanent retrofit to seal the hatch properly against heat loss and rain seepage.

 

In the months ahead, our Capital Campaign funds will be used to upgrade FCUCC's inefficient gas boiler by installing a new geothermal heating/cooling system and better insulation. This will keep more heat within the building but will also allow the "inner glow" of our Earth-friendly congregation to radiate far and wide as an example of our commitment to being as "green" as possible.

 

 

 

      

   

MINISTRY TEAMS & CHURCH ACTIVITIES

Weaving the Tapestry of Our Lives Together Breakfast!:  A catered brunch celebration for members and friends of First Congregational Asheville.  Sunday, May 18 at 9:00 AM in the Friendship Hall.  Since this is a catered event, please RSVP by signing up in the Narthex this Sunday or contacting Marcella Gonzalez by call or text at 828-216-0847. This Sunday is the deadline for signing up. 
   
Room in the Inn Begins June 1 
Our first 2014 Room in the Inn begins on Sunday, June 1 and ends on the morning of Sunday, June 8. What a wonderful way to embrace the hope of Easter, and to respond to Lightning Bobʼs urging us to get going. (Note: If you missed Brendaʼs Easter sermon, just ask us about it next Sunday!)
Due to our buildingʼs upcoming renovations, we will be welcoming our RITI guests at Westminster Presbyterian. FCUCC will provide all the volunteers.
Beginning this Sunday, the 27th, we will be in the narthex with our volunteer sign-up posters. There are opportunities to help set-up on the 1st, provide food (including bringing dinner and staying for that meal to visit with the ladies), drive the guests to or from A-Hope, stay overnight, or help with clean-up on the 8th.
We will have handouts (including directions to Westminster Presbyterian) describing the various jobs in case youʼve never helped with RITI before, or if you need a reminder. Hope you are willing to be part of this rewarding outreach. See you on Sunday! Thanks for any help you can offer.
Peace,
Linda and Roy
 
******Lunch Bags Available***********
 
If you are making lunch or snack for the ladies of Room In the Inn, please don't buy anymore paper sacks. We have so many at the church already so see Yolanda to get a bunch!
 
 
ONE HUNDRED YEAR CELEBRATION DINNER
   
 

ALL are invited to our 100th Year Celebration Dinner
When: June 7th, 2014
Where: The Manor - 265 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville
Time: 5:00 pm
Price: $30.00 per person*
Special Guest Speaker: Mr. Richard Ward
* We would like all who would like to attend to do so regardless of your financial resources so please contact Yolanda, to make arrangements to attend. This is everyone's celebration!!!

Things to know: 
-Vegan/Vegetarian option available by reservation only. If you would like this option, please let Yolanda know when you make your reservations.
-Shuttle service will be available starting at 4:15 pm leaving from the Preferred Properties Parking Lot. Please park there or across the street at Oak Plaza.
- Please make reservations by contacting Yolanda at ministry@uccasheville.org or by phone 828-252-8729
If you have made your reservations please see Yolanda for your tickets.

- A fun time will be had by all!!!!

GRADUATION SUNDAY - JUNE 15th

We will be celebrating all graduates on June 15th, so if you are or have graduated from anywhere anything please let Yolanda know at

  
There will be wonderful newness this year!  We hope you will celebrate our 5th anniversary at this wonderful, peaceful place.
Lake Logan Episcopal Center, Canton  
 
Our theme is
"What Does God Ask of Us (and what does God not)?

Micah 6:8 (NSRV)
 "But God already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously.
 
 
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 is open! 
To find out more about David's work and music, please visit his website at

 http://davidlamotte.com/

 

  

  

 

 

NICARAGUA TEAM NEWS  

COME CHANGE THE WORLD. . .STARTING WITH YOURSELF.

 

   

You've heard the stories. You've seen the pictures. You know (theoretically, at least) about the heart-changing, soul-changing, life-changing things that happen when we unplug, unwind, and get outside our comfort zones.

 

We meet people. We hear their stories of struggle and victory. We share our stories with them. We laugh, dance, sing, cook, and eat with them. We pray with them, study with them, and learn from them. We weave our lives together with theirs, and come away richer.

 

Come, go with us. Let your life be changed. You won't regret it.

 

When: November 21-30, 2014

Informational meeting coming soon. Let us know of your interest-contact Pam Jeffers or Penny Stokes at 828-891-6432,

or via e-mail: pjeffers48@yahoo.com 

   

 

 


FCUCC Art Gallery Shows 

May   100th Anniversary Art Show
June - 100th Anniversary Art Show
July - 100th Anniversary Art Show
Aug. - Adriana Vasilut - Romanian Art (Gail Roberts)
Sept. - Monroe Moore (tentative)
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
   
  Celebrating 100 years Display
 
 
 
Youth News from Youth Leaders JP and Taleese with friends Anna and Colin Blanchard
 
Anna & Colin BlanchaTh
 There are still unclaimed items in Yolanda's office from the Silent Auction!!!!! Please pick them up!

 
FCUCC YOUTH END OF YEAR LOCK-IN.
Ron and Mary Vinson has generously offered their beautiful home that sits on beautiful acreage for a overnight stay, May 17th in Bakersville. Ron and Mary will lead hikes and river walks and there will be a campfire.
Please arrive with your teen at the church at 9:00 am on the 17th. We will return after the service on May 18th.
Please bring $10 with your teen to cover food costs for the weekend.
 
What to bring:
Sleeping bag/ Blanket and pillow/ air mattress
Bathing suit/clothing that can get muddy
Hiking shoes
Change of clothes
Towel
Flashlight
Any necessary toiletries
Any necessary medication
Sunscreen
 
I also wanted to share with you that due to our awesome fundraising we can now attend the retreat this summer at the cost of only $50 per teen. I really hope this will help to take the financial burden off of each of you as well as ensure that everyone who wants to attend can.

 

The retreat will be July 17th through the 20th 


JP & Taleese Morrill
EARTH TEAM NEWS

Eco-Tip for the Week
Is your shampoo or dish-washing soap bottle almost empty? Add a bit of water and give it a quick shake to coax the remaining product out for use. 

 

A CONVENIENT TRUTH: Urban Solutions from Curitiba, Brazil  

Documentary film tells the inspiring story of how a large Brazilian city used environment-friendly and cost-effective innovations in transportation, recycling, parks and affordable housing that transformed Curitiba into one of the most livable cities in the world. 

May 24th, 7pm. Sponsored by FCUCC Earth Team and Transition Asheville.

 

In Our Wider Community 


Support our friends at Community High School through plants!

 See FCUCC's Serena Dotson-Smith perform!

 

FEAST OF AWARENESS

 

The Haywood Street Congregation invites you to a Feast of Awareness on the evening of Sunday, June 8th. This is an opportunity for those who cannot join us on Wednesdays to experience the Welcome Table and a Haywood Street worship service. Dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. and the worship service will take place at 6:00 p.m. There will also be an art market featuring works of the Haywood Street Congregation. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on-line at www.haywoodstreet.org/feast, or by a registration form also available on-line. For more information, call 828-575-2477.

 

Birthdays & Milestones

May 

2      Linda Dunlap

2      Allen Nice-Webb

10      Carol Groben

12     Betsy Smith

14    Diane Ansley

17     Vic Scott

18      Horace Hunt

19     Win Word-Sims

23     Jasmine Beach-Ferrara

24     Jen Stump

25     Pat Toops

28    Joann Lausier

28    Cathy McGaughey

30    Amanda Berry

 

If your birthday is missing from this list or incorrect, please email Harper and also if you like to add a milestone like and anniversary, birth, graduation etc, please email admin@uccasheville.org  

 

Graduation!

Congratulations Cara Pollard! This Saturday Cara will graduate from Mars Hill University with a Masters in Education - So proud of you Cara!


CHURCH LIFE IN PICTURES
Meet our new members and welcome to old friends!
Stephen DuBay (L) Randall Bowman (R)
Noreen Bania & Doug Williams

 
Austin Blythe (R).

Katelyn Smith (L) & Leah Edwards (R)
Beth Young (L)
Mauri Wilke & Max Hansen























Ellie Charlton & her daughter Quana
  






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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

 

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  
April 20: $5,695
April 27: $1,675
May 4: $10,122
May 11: $5,267
 
Attendance
April 20: 265
April 27:  152
May 4 : 170
May 11: 118

We Offer 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

 

 

New this week:

 

 Pray for the ~"Weaving the Tapestry of Our Lives" Brunch... and come join in the celebration and fun!

~ Give thanks for the $611,000 already pledged.

 ~Pray for all who are making decisions about their commitments this week.

~ Pray for God's Spirit of generosity and joy to move among us. 
 

~ Hannelore Hanson who was hospitalized last week.

 

~ Mandy Kjellstrom's son that lives in Spearfish, SD was admitted to the hospital with sepsis and diabetic ketoasidosis. The sepsis is from an unknown source. Please pray for Mandy s she flies out to be with him and of course, her son.

 

Please continue to pray for:

 

~ Kate Singogo and her family as her Dad recovers from heart surgery.

 

~ Luz Jones and her family

 

~ Alison Langley's son who is undergoing his second round of therapy.