Click "View entire message" at bottom of email

to see the full newsletter 

#GCPCinthesanctuaryandonline

Worship Preview | Sunday, April 12, 2026

Second Sunday of Easter

In-person and online service

Deacon of the Week:

The Deacon of the Week is available to talk, provide support, and coordinate care if needed. You are not alone. You are loved. Please reach out to our deacon of the week if you have any needs or concerns.

This week (4/5-4/11) Liz Harris-Lamkin | email: chaplainehl@gmail.com 

Next week (4/12-4/18) Roberto Martinez | email: robolisa2@hotmail.com 



Deacon of the Week Prayer

Goddess of Light, Creator of all that is, give us the patience , compassion, warmth and understanding to guide us through these dark and troubled times. Divine Mother, strengthen us with your love and wisdom as we strive to make this world a better place. Amen.

~ Roberto Martinez

Click here to read the "Envision the Possibilities" Stewardship Letter

How to Make Your 2026 Pledge

• Scan the QR code for a link to the online Pledge Card
• Click here: https://onrealm.org/gcpcusa/-/form/pledge/envision 
• Email your pledge and giving frequency to giving@gcpcusa.org
• Email Sue Kersbergen (sue@gcpcusa.org) or Denise Ochoa (denise@gcpcusa.org)in the Finance Office at GCPC to help you get set up. 

GCPC Campfire Collective | Thursday, April 9 | 5:00 PM | Garden Room

We all have stories to tell. Come share your real experiences and stories in the company of other folks of good will. Warm up, cultivate joy, go light or go deep.  Imagine sitting around the campfire together – remembering, sharing, laughing, connecting, opening our hearts and minds, learning, and supporting.

Each gathering will open with a moment of centering and reflecting on a theme or a question. Then each person will be offered time to share an anecdote or a brief story that carries personal meaning to which the group may respond. 

Come as often as you like. Everyone is welcome. Sharing our stories in a semi-structured framework, we will deepen friendships and build community. (And bring a whittling stick if you have one!)

John Huie and others will facilitate. 

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Group Mtg. | Wednesday, April 15 | 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM | Garden Room (Admin. Building) 

This support group introduces techniques for daily living with such issues, led by Paul Rogers, a retired physician in our congregation and supported by other pastors in the GCPC community. We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. New participants welcome at any time. Contact Anna Louise, annalouise@gcpcusa.org, with questions.

GCPC Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Training | Wednesday, April 15 | 6:30-7:30 PM | on Zoom

Everyone in the GCPC Community is invited to this important one hour training. This training is required for anyone who works with children under the age of 18 at GCPC and anyone who works with vulnerable adults at GCPC. This training is for everyone who wants to do your part to help make GCPC a trustworthy community for everyone! 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89935940885

Meeting ID: 899 3594 0885

GCPC Choir | Wednesdays | 6:45 PM | Choir Room

The choir is open to all youth and adults who have a love and curiosity for creating music together! No previous experience or training is necessary. You will be welcomed with open arms and supported as you discover or rediscover your singing voice. Childcare is provided for those who have little ones. I hope you will consider adding your wonderful presence and voice to our choir! ~ Ray

GCPC Writing Collective | Thursday, April 16 | 5:00 PM | Indie Room

If you love to write and welcome a chance to be creative and supportive around writing in community, come to the GCPC Writing Collective on the third Thursday of the month in the Indie Room (Education Wing) at 5 pm. Come as you are and when you can. Bring a journal and something to write with or your laptop and any food you wish to have.

This will be a supportive, generative gathering that centers the way writing makes space for creativity, expression, connection, and healing. The group will be convened by Marcia Mount Shoop, Margaret Belk and others. Feel free to reach out with questions.

YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtube.com/live/D1pQblevKjQ

FACEBOOK LINK: https://www.facebook.com/GCPCUSA/live_videos/

Pride Collective Gathering: Hike at the Arboretum | Saturday, April 18 | 9:45 AM (Meet @ Discount Shoes)

Our next Pride Collective gathering will be on Saturday, April 18, when we return to the Arboretum to take in the sights and sounds during a spring hike. We will plan to repeat the same hike we did in the fall, with a chance for everyone to go at a comfortable pace or to relax inside the visitor center or outside while waiting for the hikers to return. We will also have lunch together afterwards.

Let’s plan to meet at 9:45 in the Discount Shoe Store parking lot at 1263 Brevard Road. We will carpool to the Arboretum with drivers who have passes. The cafe at the Arboretum has expanded, but we haven’t eaten there so we can’t report on it. Please share your ideas for where to eat lunch and let us know who has passes. Liz has one and we will be getting one by then.



We are looking forward to the beauty and companionship!

Therese & Leon

New Member Breakfast | Sunday, April 19 | 8:30 AM | Fellowship Hall

GCPC is hosting a new member breakfast on Sunday, April 19, at 8:30 am in our Fellowship Hall downstairs. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet church leadership as well as other folks who are getting to know our community.

There will be an opportunity to join the church as members that day but this part is not required to join in on the fun! So if you’re relatively new to GPCP and/or curious about membership come on by!

RSVP to Marcia at marcia@gcpcusa.org if you plan to attend!

GCPC Blood Drive | Saturday, May 16 | 9 AM - 2 PM | Fellowship Hall

Every year the Deacons host a Red Cross Blood Drive at GCPC. This year's Blood Drive will be on May 16.

Remember that the Power Red slots are to donate two units of red blood cells during one donation. Please view eligibility requirements for this slot before you sign up.

A Deacon will be at a table after worship for the next several weeks to get you signed up to help save lives! Or you can sign yourself up at the link below!

GCPC Community Garden

NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!

The 2026 garden season is just around the corner and we need more volunteers for the garden team. This is a wonderful way to commune in nature with GCPC members and neighbors alike, all while growing food to share with various communities around Asheville. All ages are welcome... come grow with us!

GCPC Nametags

If you are in need of a new nametag,

please email Anna Louise at annalouise@gcpcusa.org.

On Tuesday, March 24, nineteen garden volunteers planted lettuce, collards, cabbage, kale, chard, beets, and broccoli.

CoThinkk Annual Mixer

 Saturday, April 18

 6:00 – 8:00 PM

 Downtown Asheville

 RSVP now to save your spot

This isn’t just an event—it’s a space to experience the heart of CoThinkk. You’ll hear from members, learn about the impact we’re building together, and explore how you might plug in—through your time, your talents, and your vision.

We’ll also take time to celebrate the powerful strides made over the past year—and look ahead to what we can create together next.

What: Spring Fling 2026 , a joyful community celebration featuring a plant sale, live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, and more. Asheville Creative Arts will offer a family-friendly puppet show and GreenWorks will gifts us trees.

When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 11 AM to 5 PM 

Where: Peace Gardens & Market

The next local, in-person Racial Equity Institute (REI) Phase I Workshop is taking place for two full days, Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9. 

From the REI website: "REI’s two-day workshop is designed to develop the capacity of participants to better understand racism in its institutional and structural forms. Moving away from a focus on personal bigotry and bias, this workshop presents a historical, cultural, and structural analysis of racism. With shared language and a clearer understanding of how institutions and systems are producing unjust and inequitable outcomes, participants should leave the training better equipped to begin to work for change."

We hope you will be able to attend this training. Please register here to reserve your spot. Contact information for organizers to whom you can direct your questions is also available on the registration page.

Asheville Middle School is currently seeking a Part-Time Academic Tutor to support students through small-group instruction and targeted academic support. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with middle school students and wants to make a meaningful impact in our learning community while earning $35 per hour. If you or someone you know may be interested, please consider applying or sharing this opportunity with others.

Apply Online Today!