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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Pics of the week
• This Week @ GCPC - Calendar and description of events this week @ GCPC
• Formation for Adults, Children & Youth
• Important Announcements
• Stewardship & Sustainability
• Prayer List
• Upcoming @ GCPC - Events in the near future @ GCPC
• Community Garden News
• Community Working Together - Includes info from Covenant & Ministry Partners
• GCPC Out & About - Info about events in the wider Asheville community

Silent vigil held by Just Peace Israel/Palestine this past Saturday @ Grace Covenant

#GCPCinthesanctuary

Pizza and Pumpkins!

Cancer Support Ministry Dinner with Dr. Chris Chay

Sunday, November 5 is All Saints' Sunday.

GCPC Members who passed away since All Saints' last year will be remembered during our necrology read during Communion. Loved ones are invited to light a candle when the names are read. This year we also invite anyone who has lost a loved one to be held by the community on this day of remembering as well. You can send a picture (with your loved one’s name, birthdate and date of death) to micah@gcpsusa.org. And this year we are also offering everyone who is remembering a loved one this year to bring a small container of “sacred soil” from a place that is holy ground for you (that could be anywhere from home to a favorite place to hike) and add it to our wheelbarrow from the GCPC Community Garden. During worship you will be invited to add your soil and share the name allowed of someone you are remembering.

*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here.

Session has called a congregational meeting immediately following worship on Sunday, November 12 pending action of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina to hear the report of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC).

This is exciting news! The APNC has worked faithfully and diligently together to get to this point in the process. They are excited to introduce you to the candidate they recommend for our new Associate Pastor.

Boundaries 2.0 | Sundays | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Fellowship Hall and Zoom

*High School Youth are invited to join this class too! This class is returning to the topic of boundaries, covered in two other previous classes at GCPC in the last few years. Boundaries 2.0 will be in conversation with the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace:A Guide for Reclaiming Yourself and explore the premise that setting boundaries helps us realize our sources of support and realize our potential and personal freedom. We hope our discussions can inform how we can create loving boundaries that empower us in our own lives while creating healthier, happier relationships. You are welcome to participate if you read the book, are reading it or will read it one day. We invite all who desire to be in the community to join us. 

Class facilitators are Dean Presson, Patty Thompson, Marta Alcalá, Libby Kyles, Margaret Tierney, and Paul Rogers. 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89789974514

Meeting ID: 897 8997 4514 Passcode: 789

The Losses and Opportunities of Aging | Sundays | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Choir Room and Zoom

Jeannie DuBose and Kathey Avery will facilitate this course. The second half of life brings inevitable losses while also offering the ripest opportunities to live our most satisfying days yet. With our faith tradition as guiding light and mirror, we will explore strategies and practices which make for a generative, vibrant elderhood.  

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82159114466

Meeting ID: 821 5911 4466 Passcode: 789

Formation |11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: 

• Children 0-4 are welcome to enjoy free play in/outside on the 1st floor of the Education wing. Childcare Staff will provide supervision and activities for play.
• Children Kindergarten-3rd Grade are invited to have a time of free-play in/outside. Inside activities will be on the 2nd floor of the Education Wing. Childcare Staff and volunteers will provide supervision and activities for play and a snack.
• NEW! Music with 4th-8th Grade Youth are invited to the Youth Room to check in, followed by music in the Choir Robe Room with Ray! (just down the hall from the Youth Room.)
• High School Youth are invited to choose their own formation adventure following worship. You may choose to join in adult classes or join the 4-8th grade youth for music in the Robing room.   

LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group | Sunday, November 5 | 12:45 PM | Fellowship Hall and Zoom

The LGBTQIA+ (Adults and Youth) Affinity Group’s next meeting is November 5th at 12:45 -2pm for brunch in the Fellowship Hall. We will continue to deepen our connections and community through conversation and fellowship. We are practicing shared leadership. Paul Rogers has volunteered to be our confab guide for this meeting.

Parents are welcome. Bring your favorite brunch food to share. You can store your food in the downstairs kitchen refrigerator if needed. And feel free to extend Halloween and wear your costume.

Contact Liz Huesemann at lizhuesemann@gmail.com with questions.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86445820961

Meeting ID: 864 4582 0961 Passcode: 789

Music with Youth (6-12th grade) | Sundays | 5:00 PM | Sanctuary

Meet for music with Ray prior to the All Youth Group gathering at 5:30pm. Middle school youth can choose to attend at this time, at the 11:30am time, or both!

ALL Youth Group (6-12th grade) | Sundays | 5:30 -7:00 PM | Atrium

Join us every Sunday night from 5:30pm-7pm. Each gathering will begin with a meal and be followed by community building and shenanigans. Each evening will end with a brief check-in/ prayer before youth head home. 

Help make Youth Group a Success!

The congregation is being asked to help provide a meal for Sunday evening youth group. Please consider signing up for a week to bring a meal. Food can be made at home or ordered in, whatever works best for you! Some ideas are: burritos, sandwich bar, pasta bar, breakfast for dinner, etc...

We are asking you to: 1. Bring food for 15 people; 2. Deliver and set up by 5:30pm on Sunday evening; 3. Eat with the youth and assist with clean up at 6pm. This would be a huge help so that staff can focus on the programming and parents can focus on getting their kiddos to youth group! 

Click here to sign up!

Serve Volunteer Opportunity - Colaborativa La Milpa

Monday, November 6 | 1:00 or 3:00 PM |

AVL First Church of the Nazarene

(385 Hazel Mill Rd., AVL)

Join us on Monday, November 6, at the MANNA FoodBank mobile market organized by our covenant partner Colaborativa La Milpa. Help put food on the tables of families experiencing food insecurity in the Emma community of Asheville. Come for an hour or the whole afternoon. We need more GCPC helping hands and loving  hearts. 

SCHEDULE: 

• 1-3 PM Set up tables of dry and canned goods; bag produce.  
• 3-5 PM Restock items, assist families as they fill their carts. 

VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | Tuesday, November 7 | 4:30 PM to cook or 5:30 PM to work the serving line | Veterans Restoration Quarters

On the first Tuesday of each month a team from GCPC gathers at VRQ, 1329 Tunnel Road, to grill hamburgers, prepare and serve supper for the veterans housed there. Volunteers are still masking while they are there.

If you can help please contact Bill Neeriemer, bill.nmer@gmail.com.

Lectionary Bible Study | Wednesdays | 12:00 PM | Meeting Room E202 (in the Education Wing) and Zoom

Join the pastoral staff to read and study our sermon texts for Sunday. No preparation needed; just come ready to open scripture and discuss!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89593021402

Meeting ID: 895 9302 1402

Passcode: 789

Centering Prayer | Wednesdays | 6:00 - 6:30 PM | Sanctuary

Pray with me and other GCPC faith filled congregants on Wednesdays at 6pm in the sanctuary. In a world of constant busyness and messaging, Wednesdays for me have become a place to rest and feel my deeper self and God.

It is a simple ritual. Light the God Candle and say blessings in your silence. We turn to our inward self and repeat a phrase such as Peace of Christ. If your mind wonders, it is okay. Just return to your phrase. Be gentle with yourself. After 20-30 minutes the candle is blown out and we show or say the Peace of Christ to each other. Rest in the peace as you leave.

If you can not be at GCPC, light a candle and be present to God.

In Community

Liz Huesemann

Caring.com offers a Christian Senior Living Guide. Click here to see the guide.

New Affinity Group Forming for Caretakers

A new GCPC Affinity Group is being formed to help care for the "caretakers"! If you are a caregiver and are looking for community and support from other folks in the same role, please email Marcia at mmountshoop@gcpcusa.org to express your interest.

JUST A FEW MORE DAYS TO ORDER!

Now is your opportunity to have your very own Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church T-shirt!

• GCPC Devotionals



• Email prayer@gcpcusa.org 

Deacon of the Week:

The deacons of Grace Covenant are available to talk and pray with you by phone or online and to coordinate care. If you have difficulty reaching your assigned deacon or if you do not know who your assigned deacon is, please feel free to reach out to our deacon of the week.

This week (10/29-11/4): Bill McNeff | email: wpmcn6@yahoo.com

Next week (11/5-11/11): Ellen Sizemore | email: ellen.sizemore@gmail.com

SUBMIT YOUR 2024 PLEDGE!

CLICK HERE or scan the QR code to the right to submit your pledge online, all in one form.  If you would like to set up recurring online gifts, please continue to the next step or contact Brett Pinkston in the Finance Office. You will receive an email confirmation of your pledge.

WAYS TO PLEDGE:

• Online pledge card HERE
• Email giving@gcpcusa.org
• Call 828.254.3274 and leave a message for Brett Pinkston
• Fill out a pew pledge card and put in the Sunday offering plate
• Request a mailed pledge card from the office

Questions or concerns? Please contact Brett Pinkston, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at giving@gcpcusa.org or leave a message at 828.254.3274. 

Prayer requests will stay on the GCPC Prayer List for one month. Please let any staff member know if you (or your loved one) would like to remain on the list for longer.

Iglesia Jerusalem congregation

Cathy Wooten (William High’s mom) 

Maria, Esteban, and Erik Goicoechea

Richard Pollard (Rick Pollard’s father)

Yuji Morisako and Ginny Warner (friends of Eleanor and Bob Lane)

Barbara Hughes (Debby Vance's mom) 

Loretta Landis (Mother of Ray Landis)

Kelly and Stacy Haddenham

Jessica Huie (John Huie’s daughter)

Beth Newman

Kent and Susan Averill (Jeff and Susan Curtis’ brother-in-law and sister)

Doug Huntley (Rebecca Summerlin Huntley's husband) 

Kathi Gyuran (Ken Richards’ niece)

Kristin Jacobs (Kathy Jacobs’ daughter)

Jasmine Moss (daughter of Rev Tami Forte-Logan)  

Family of Jane MacRae (friend of Leslie and Barry Sharpe)

Grant Moss (Tiffany Kinnaird’s brother-in-law) 

Family of George Shriver (friend of Leslie Sharpe)

Rosemary Raynal (family friends of Anna Louise Murchison)

Mike and Teena Wisecup (Mike is the brother of Kim Hottle) 

Mohamed and Sana Aggour (Friends of Eleanor and Bob Lane)

Doris Prak

Margaret Rada

Susie Churchfield

Larry Stern

Tim Moe

Peggy Rada

Juanita Schneider

Maurice Stone

Carolyn Haag

Mary Elizabeth Shoop

Kathy Jacobs

Marta Alcalá

Michelle Chromey and family

Our sympathy and support are extended to Karl and Nancy Litten on the death of their son Paul in Florida on Friday, October 27, 2023. Please keep Karl, Nancy, Paul's wife, Susan, and their 13 year old son in your prayers.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Circle 1: Second Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m. | Fellowship Hall

• Cathy Froehlich - 775-1016, oremont2@gmail.com

Circle 2: First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Zoom

• Ann Brown - (828) 279-4917, hbcove@aol.com 

Circle 3: Second Tuesday of each month (some Zoom and some in-person), 7:00 p.m.

• Andrea Rosal - (828) 545-8466, ameach@gmail.com
• Lynn Saul - (704) 451-5268, lynniesaul@gmail.com

Circle 4: Second Tuesdays of each month, 10:30 a.m., In-person

• Marcy Onieal – (828) 775-9433, marcy.onieal@gmail.com
• Connie Jones – 231-2680, Conjones@charter.net

Circle 5: First Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m., Zoom

• Lynne Noble – (828) 582-9346, lynnesnoble@gmail.com 

Need to set up a church zoom meeting?

Contact Anna Louise and she can get you all set up!

On Wednesday October 25, Team 1 had 9 volunteers who harvested 78.5 lbs. of cabbage, 0.4 lbs. of collards, 1.7 lbs. of eggplants, 32.4 lbs. of bell peppers, 37.6 lbs. of tomatoes, and 11.2 lbs. of turnips that was shared with the YWCA.

On Saturday October 28, Team 2 had 5 volunteers who harvested 56 lbs. of cabbage, 1.5 lbs. of kale, 9 lbs. of tomatoes, and 35 lbs. of turnips that was shared with Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.

Join Mosaic Realty and Bountiful CitiesThursday Nov. 2nd  for an evening of delicious local food, beverages and a silent auction fundraiser at Haiku event space in Biltmore Village. This event is FREE to attend and we invite you to bring an item from our WISH LIST as a contribution. 

AVL GreenWorks Hard 2 Recycle | Saturday, November 18 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | TC Roberson High School

(16 Miami Circle, Asheville, NC 28803 -

*Please use the Long Shoal's Road entrance.)

This is the final Hard 2 Recycle of 2023 will be on November 18th, which will be the last event until February 2024! 

We need volunteers! This is a great opportunity for anyone needing service hours, or just looking for a chance to help reduce waste and meet others who share that same goal.

Through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is providing assistance to those most vulnerable, and supporting partners in Palestine and Israel who are responding to the needs of their neighbors. Our biggest concern is the safety and care for those caught in the middle of this conflict and in need of humanitarian aid, no matter their religious beliefs, politics or nationality.

GCPC participates in AVL Habitat 's House of Faith

Introducing the new homeowner of this year's House of Faith!

Click here to learn more about Deborah Humphries.

If you want to work, please email Bill Ryan at bill73ryan@gmail.com to get on the schedule or for more info. Waivers and information sheets on the house are available at the Welcome Desk.

GCPC members and friends can contribute financially to this build by giving a check payable to GCPC with "Habitat for Humanity 2023 House of Faith" on the memo line.  Please also pray for this work and this family.

JPIP Peace Vigil | Thursday, November 2 | 4:30 - 5:30 PM | New Hope Presbyterian Church (3070 Sweeten Creek Rd.)

Just Peace for Israel Palestine, a local group of long-standing advocates for a just peace in Israel/Palestine, will gather again in silent vigil on Thursday, November 2 from 4:30-5:30 on the lawn of the New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3070 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden, in witness to the grief we all share for the loss of lives in Israel, Gaza and Occupied West Bank in Palestine. We will join in prayer around a banner that reads :  

   UNITED IN GRIEF 

  ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

Just Peace for Israel/Palestine 

The Black Mountain School is excited to launch its newest course offering, "The Color Line", coming next month! This course, led by Black Mountain School board member, Dr. Deborah Stroman, will provide a deep dive into race relations in America and will also provide history on racism from a faith-based perspective. Dr. Stroman currently has dual appointments at the Kenan-Flagler School of Business and the Gillings School of Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill. She brings deep experiences in the fields of entrepreneurial leadership and executive leadership in athletics to her work in racial equity. Please see her LinkedIN profile: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstroman/> 

This 90 minute virtual workshop is being offered on two separate dates:

• November 7, 2023 Tuesday 5:30 p.m.
• November 18, 2023 Saturday 9:00 a.m.

The link to the event page and the access password are available below:

https://bit.ly/race-realities  | Access Password: BMSRR2023

Explore Inside These Historic Black Churches

Several of Asheville historic Black churches will be staffed by docents and open to the public on select Saturday afternoons during November and December. The churches are sites on the James Vester Miller Historic Walking Trail, created by Asheville photographer, Andrea Clark, to honor the amazing legacy of her grandfather. Learn more about this Black master brickmason and view the entire self-guided trail at https://jamesvestermiller.com/.

ACS Dual Language Program Initiative

There's a new initiative to get a Spanish/English dual-language program started in Asheville City Schools. 

Because of Grace Covenants continued commitment to community initiatives that expand the reach of educational opportunities to all children we have been asked to share this information with you. Please take a moment to get informed and if you choose to support this initiative. 



Please use the link below to show support, then spread the word! 

Superintendent Fehrman says this is absolutely possible if we can show that ACS families think this is a good idea. 

(You’re signing just to say you think ACS should offer this, not committing to participate.)

SHOW SUPPORT HERE

The Wilma Dykeman Legacy presents....

 The church office is open Tuesday - Thursday, 10am - 4pm.

We recommend calling ahead or emailing to set up an appointment if you are wanting to meet with a specific staff member. Please note, many staff are off or work remotely on Monday and the office is not open on Friday.  

Coming to visit?  We have a new video doorbell to assist with security. To access the building or office, please enter through the far left glass doors off the courtyard (labeled Enter). Ring the doorbell to have the door unlocked. The GCPC office is down the hall to the right, just past the Sanctuary. 

You can also reach our office by phone at 828.254.3274. Follow the prompts for the staff directory to dial by name or press 0 for the main office.

• Click for the Online Calendar
• Click to Make a Secure Donation or Give a Gift  

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804

828.254.3274 

www.gcpcusa.org