Weekly News & Updates

What. a. week.

So many of you have been sharing your heartbreak over the devastation they've seen (like the images above) on the news, social media, and texts from friends and loved ones.

But I have seen the good as well - the "helpers", as Mr. Rogers calls them.

With so many places cropping up as opportunities to donate both physically and financially, the options can seem overwhelming. The pictures, above, are all from Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, a PC(USA) and Matthew 25 congregation - like us! - is only a couple of miles down the road from Montreat. They have lived out the Matthew 25 tenets, overnight become a hub for feeding people and distributing goods. If you're looking for a "boots on the ground" place to donate, you can do so directly on their website. During just this week, their members have organized all of the donations in the 4,000 square foot warehouse acquired just for the donations - in fact, with some of them being reallocated and sent to hard-hit parts of Tennessee.

This Sunday, the mission ministry team will, again, be collecting food donations on this "Benevolence and Brunch" Enrichment Hour on this first Sunday of the month. HOWEVER, instead of sending all of the donations to Greensboro Urban Ministries for those who seek it, the asked-for nonperishable donations will be separated out, along with any monetary donations received, and travel with Revs. Katie and Mason Todd to the southern part of Asheville, where their friend and colleague, Rev. Meg McMillan, serves as pastor at Mills River Presbyterian Church.

In worship, we will celebrate World Communion Sunday with a friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Ken McFayden, from Union Presbyterian Seminary. I'll be there to lead worship with him as he delivers his remarks - you could say I'm "cashing in a coupon" he offered me a year or so ago, supporting me in my work as President of APCE, since he has held the role as well and understands the work to balance that with the work of leading the church as well.

Look forward to seeing some of you in the morning at Brunch Buddies - and I pray I see many of you, Sunday, in worship, whether in-person or online.

With love and gratitude,

Pastor Kathryn

p.s. If you would like to participate in the CROP Walk this Sunday at Barber Park or sponsor me and Avis, please let either one of us know on Sunday!