"On Saturday, December 3rd there will be a Holiday Cookie and Book Sale in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church at 1735 Fifth Avenue West from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. All are welcome! Meet your homemade cookie needs for the holidays! Buy Fair Trade Coffee and Hot Chocolate at less than retail prices. Buy raffle tickets to win great prizes. Browse through gently read books! Enjoy complimentary CoffeeMonday, November 14, 2011
Saturday Dec 3rd Holiday Cookie and Book Sale 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.
"On Saturday, December 3rd there will be a Holiday Cookie and Book Sale in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church at 1735 Fifth Avenue West from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. All are welcome! Meet your homemade cookie needs for the holidays! Buy Fair Trade Coffee and Hot Chocolate at less than retail prices. Buy raffle tickets to win great prizes. Browse through gently read books! Enjoy complimentary Coffee
Thursday, September 29, 2011
FCC Adult Discussion Forum: "The Controversy of Social Justice" "
Hi folks,
Pat
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Dear Hunger Walkers—WE DID IT!!!
Dear Hunger Walkers—WE DID IT—Thanks to all of you that walked. I will get figures to you on our fund raising efforts as soon as I have them. If you can give me your envelope at church Sunday, that would be great—thanks again—Roy
Friday, September 23, 2011
Dear Walkers—See you at Jackson Park, Shelter #1 between 7:30-8:00 tomorrow
Dear Walkers—See you at Jackson Park, Shelter #1 between 7:30-8:00 tomorrow, Saturday. Remember to wear your FCC t-shirt if possible. I really look forward to seeing you there—Roy
Monday, September 19, 2011
Hunger Walk - Final update
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: roy harris <roy_jimmie@msn.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Subject: Final update
Dear Hunger Walkers.--
From: roy harris <roy_jimmie@msn.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Subject: Final update
Dear Hunger Walkers.--
The week of the walk is here—time for "calling in the sheep". Please try to make arrangements for your pledgers to give you their actual pledge check this week, (made out to HCHC) or at church on this Sunday. I will hang out at coffee hour on Sunday to take your envelopes containing your pledges. If you can't turn it in Sunday, let me know and we will try to make other arrangements, but it would be really good to complete the process this Sunday, the day after the walk.
On Saturday, we will all "Congregate" at Shelter #1 in Jackson Park beginning about 7:30 and will plan to start walking about 8:00. Remember to wear your First Congregational t-shirt. You will be offered a Hunger Walk t-shirt that morning and I suggest you just put that one in your car...but let's all try to wear our First Congregational shirts.
At the registration table (Shelter 1) you will be asked to fill out a short registration form. I have attached a copy of that form should you wish to clip it out and complete it before you arrive. You may be asked to turn in your pledges, but DO NOT. Simply tell the person you are turning your envelope in at church.
I am sure this will be fun and from what walkers are telling me I am certain we will be proud of the total we will be able to contribute to The Hunger Coalition. Thanks again and I look forward to walking with you—Roy
Thursday, September 15, 2011
This coming Sunday , Sept 18, is the last Sunday before our walk.
Dear Hunger Walkers
This coming Sunday , Sept 18, is the last Sunday before our walk. Also, Bev will be running our announcement appealing for pledges with all your names on it. SO…… Go thou and seek pledges—be “ assertive” and work for the cause to reduce hunger in our community.
On the matter of turning in your collection envelopes—Again I repeat, please turn them in to me so I can present totals to our congregation. I just discovered I will be gone starting Sunday, Oct 3 and be gone for four Sundays (visits to son and daughter) SO…. It would be very helpful if you could turn in your completed envelopes (ALL PLEDGES IN) on Sunday, Sept. 25, the day after the walk. I will hang around quite a while during coffee hour that day in case you have some last minute collections to make. If you cannot turn it in that day we will make some other arrangement but it would be very helpful to have it that day. Incidentally, checks can be made out to HCHC (Henderson County Hunger Coalition) and that might simplify things a bit.
If any of you still need a FCC t-shirt contact Mark Fagerlin.
Again, I thank you all for your participation and I look forward to walking with you on Sat., Sept 24
Roy Harris
This coming Sunday , Sept 18, is the last Sunday before our walk. Also, Bev will be running our announcement appealing for pledges with all your names on it. SO…… Go thou and seek pledges—be “ assertive” and work for the cause to reduce hunger in our community.
On the matter of turning in your collection envelopes—Again I repeat, please turn them in to me so I can present totals to our congregation. I just discovered I will be gone starting Sunday, Oct 3 and be gone for four Sundays (visits to son and daughter) SO…. It would be very helpful if you could turn in your completed envelopes (ALL PLEDGES IN) on Sunday, Sept. 25, the day after the walk. I will hang around quite a while during coffee hour that day in case you have some last minute collections to make. If you cannot turn it in that day we will make some other arrangement but it would be very helpful to have it that day. Incidentally, checks can be made out to HCHC (Henderson County Hunger Coalition) and that might simplify things a bit.
If any of you still need a FCC t-shirt contact Mark Fagerlin.
Again, I thank you all for your participation and I look forward to walking with you on Sat., Sept 24
Roy Harris
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Hunger Walkers Pledges Announcement - Walk Scheduled 9/24/2011
Dear Hunger Walkers.... How are the pledges coming?? Just great we hope. This Sunday (9/4) and for the next couple of Sundays we will be running a bulletin announcement encouraging our congregants to make pledges in support of of you walkers. The announcement is below. Bev will print the names of us walkers if space permits so people will know who to contact to make a pledge. You will also note that the announcement calls for some of us to be at the front of Fellowship Hall during coffee hour. I will bring our poster to advertise our efforts. Any of you who who would like, please bring your collection envelope and join us at the front of the hall to be available to take pledges. Grab your coffee and hang out as a group. I look forward to seeing you there.
Also, Mark Fagerlin is taking orders for First Congregational T-shirts. Our thought is to wear these t-shirts in the walk to identify ourselves as being form First Congregational. Please e-mail Mark –mfagerlin@gmail.com—and let him know your size and he will get one to you. Cost is $8.00.
Again I thank you, as do the various hunger fighting agencies of our county, for your efforts to raise fund for the Hunger Coalition---Roy Harris
HELP FIGHT HUNGER Support our Walkers
Your Mission and Service Committee is organizing a team from our church to walk in the 29th annual Hunger Walk. Twenty nine of our fellow congregants have committed to make this five mile Hunger Walk on Sept 24. For us to reach our goal of raising a substantial fund to contribute to the Henderson County Hunger Coalition we all now need to support those walkers with a pledge of a contribution to the Coalition. Please seek out a member of the Walking Team and make as generous a pledge as you can. Several of us will be at the front of the Fellowship Hall during coffee hour the next few weeks so we will not be hard to find. Listed below are the names of those who have committed to do the walk. You may want to seek out a particular friend.
Roger and Mary Woolsey Carol Kaiser and Mary Burson
Mark and Ericka Fagerlin Jeannie and Milton Stewart
Peter and Tess Tintle Richard Weidler
Louise Vier Carl and Lois Popanz
Bob Schnieder Diane Rhodes
Mary Page Sims Andrew Weidler
Arlene Russell Roger Smith
Margie and Nick Pence Janice Walters
Nancy Irving Claudia and Ron Schopper
Kathleen Wallace Roy and Jimmie Harris
Also, Mark Fagerlin is taking orders for First Congregational T-shirts. Our thought is to wear these t-shirts in the walk to identify ourselves as being form First Congregational. Please e-mail Mark –mfagerlin@gmail.com—and let him know your size and he will get one to you. Cost is $8.00.
Again I thank you, as do the various hunger fighting agencies of our county, for your efforts to raise fund for the Hunger Coalition---Roy Harris
HELP FIGHT HUNGER Support our Walkers
Your Mission and Service Committee is organizing a team from our church to walk in the 29th annual Hunger Walk. Twenty nine of our fellow congregants have committed to make this five mile Hunger Walk on Sept 24. For us to reach our goal of raising a substantial fund to contribute to the Henderson County Hunger Coalition we all now need to support those walkers with a pledge of a contribution to the Coalition. Please seek out a member of the Walking Team and make as generous a pledge as you can. Several of us will be at the front of the Fellowship Hall during coffee hour the next few weeks so we will not be hard to find. Listed below are the names of those who have committed to do the walk. You may want to seek out a particular friend.
Roger and Mary Woolsey Carol Kaiser and Mary Burson
Mark and Ericka Fagerlin Jeannie and Milton Stewart
Peter and Tess Tintle Richard Weidler
Louise Vier Carl and Lois Popanz
Bob Schnieder Diane Rhodes
Mary Page Sims Andrew Weidler
Arlene Russell Roger Smith
Margie and Nick Pence Janice Walters
Nancy Irving Claudia and Ron Schopper
Kathleen Wallace Roy and Jimmie Harris
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Moderator’s Views
Moderator’s Views
The first series of Ashley lectures is just now behind us, and it all appeared to go off without a hitch. Howard Carl and his committee made it look easy, which I know from experience it isn’t. While I am a terrible judge of attendance, it looked to me like a good crowd each day. Thanks to one and all.
The vegetable garden continues to be a stupendously successful undertaking. Every time I’m at church, it seems that someone is out there weeding, watering, or otherwise tending the crops. I know many of us have enjoyed some of the end products, and it is particularly gratifying to see that some of the bounty has gone to IAM as well. Milton Stewart has become our “farmer in residence” and he always seems to have help in the “back forty”. Great job, everyone!
Another new venture has begun – members of FCC served dinner at the Hendersonville Rescue Mission on July 9. We’ll be doing this on the second Saturday of each month, and there are already a number of folks signed up to help. Pat and I are looking forward to our turn – it won’t be a burden since the work isn’t all that difficult, and with a number of people participating no one needs to serve with any great frequency. So, feel free to sign up – it’s one more way in which we can give back to the community in a visible manner. Thanks to the Mission and Service people – especially the Fagerlins and Roy Harris – for getting this show on the road.
Among the more popular events at FCC are Fellowship Suppers. We owe Carl Schoendorfer a huge round of applause for his work in organizing these events. I know that this is an area where a little assistance would be a lot of help – if just a few members would agree to work along with Carl on this task, it would spread the effort out and make it less of a chore. Ideally, if a dozen or so people would be willing to pitch in, no one would have to come up with more than one program a year. Please speak directly to Carl about this. We all enjoy the suppers, but they don’t “just happen.”
Work on a new Pictorial Directory is progressing very well. Jackie Green, Lorraine Cochrane, and Pat Argue are really moving this project along, but it’s quite a complex process. As one who has been dragooned into taking some of the pictures, cropping and fussing with the many pictures of activities available, and mocking up a layout, I can attest to the fact that they have been busy and that the final product will be excellent.
Speaking of photos, we are setting up an archive of church-related photos that will ultimately reside on one of the computers in the church office. This will give us a central repository for pictures so that they’re available to all. In addition, a small group of us (right now it’s just Carl Schoendorfer and myself, a couple of additions would be welcome) will take on the chore of making sure that someone gets photos of future church events. We’ve all been bitten in the past by having a noteworthy event take place only to discover that no one brought a camera – hopefully that won’t happen again.
I was very happy when Pat and I attended a City Council meeting recently in support of Mainstay’s continued existence at its present location to see perhaps a dozen other FCC members there as well. Richard, Mark Fagerlin, and Jim Jolly spoke during the hearing. Next, and much more problematic, will be doing whatever we can to get Henderson County to reverse its de-funding of Pisgah Legal Services. Since the inner workings of the County Commissioners can be a bit arcane, at this writing I don’t know what forum will be appropriate for voicing our concerns, but you’ll be kept informed and I hope that we will again make our views known.
As you might gather from several of the preceding paragraphs, in my view it is truly wonderful to see our church members getting out into the community to perform acts of service or to advocate for a socially responsible position. In the final analysis, our success and spiritual health lie not only within the four walls of the sanctuary on a Sunday morning but behind the counter at a mission, pressing our officials for just solutions to problems, “adopting” a Faith Link family, and, yes, raising produce that can be used by folks who otherwise might not have access to it. As we move more deeply into such efforts, we can only grow stronger.
Ed Argue, Moderator
The first series of Ashley lectures is just now behind us, and it all appeared to go off without a hitch. Howard Carl and his committee made it look easy, which I know from experience it isn’t. While I am a terrible judge of attendance, it looked to me like a good crowd each day. Thanks to one and all.
The vegetable garden continues to be a stupendously successful undertaking. Every time I’m at church, it seems that someone is out there weeding, watering, or otherwise tending the crops. I know many of us have enjoyed some of the end products, and it is particularly gratifying to see that some of the bounty has gone to IAM as well. Milton Stewart has become our “farmer in residence” and he always seems to have help in the “back forty”. Great job, everyone!
Another new venture has begun – members of FCC served dinner at the Hendersonville Rescue Mission on July 9. We’ll be doing this on the second Saturday of each month, and there are already a number of folks signed up to help. Pat and I are looking forward to our turn – it won’t be a burden since the work isn’t all that difficult, and with a number of people participating no one needs to serve with any great frequency. So, feel free to sign up – it’s one more way in which we can give back to the community in a visible manner. Thanks to the Mission and Service people – especially the Fagerlins and Roy Harris – for getting this show on the road.
Among the more popular events at FCC are Fellowship Suppers. We owe Carl Schoendorfer a huge round of applause for his work in organizing these events. I know that this is an area where a little assistance would be a lot of help – if just a few members would agree to work along with Carl on this task, it would spread the effort out and make it less of a chore. Ideally, if a dozen or so people would be willing to pitch in, no one would have to come up with more than one program a year. Please speak directly to Carl about this. We all enjoy the suppers, but they don’t “just happen.”
Work on a new Pictorial Directory is progressing very well. Jackie Green, Lorraine Cochrane, and Pat Argue are really moving this project along, but it’s quite a complex process. As one who has been dragooned into taking some of the pictures, cropping and fussing with the many pictures of activities available, and mocking up a layout, I can attest to the fact that they have been busy and that the final product will be excellent.
Speaking of photos, we are setting up an archive of church-related photos that will ultimately reside on one of the computers in the church office. This will give us a central repository for pictures so that they’re available to all. In addition, a small group of us (right now it’s just Carl Schoendorfer and myself, a couple of additions would be welcome) will take on the chore of making sure that someone gets photos of future church events. We’ve all been bitten in the past by having a noteworthy event take place only to discover that no one brought a camera – hopefully that won’t happen again.
I was very happy when Pat and I attended a City Council meeting recently in support of Mainstay’s continued existence at its present location to see perhaps a dozen other FCC members there as well. Richard, Mark Fagerlin, and Jim Jolly spoke during the hearing. Next, and much more problematic, will be doing whatever we can to get Henderson County to reverse its de-funding of Pisgah Legal Services. Since the inner workings of the County Commissioners can be a bit arcane, at this writing I don’t know what forum will be appropriate for voicing our concerns, but you’ll be kept informed and I hope that we will again make our views known.
As you might gather from several of the preceding paragraphs, in my view it is truly wonderful to see our church members getting out into the community to perform acts of service or to advocate for a socially responsible position. In the final analysis, our success and spiritual health lie not only within the four walls of the sanctuary on a Sunday morning but behind the counter at a mission, pressing our officials for just solutions to problems, “adopting” a Faith Link family, and, yes, raising produce that can be used by folks who otherwise might not have access to it. As we move more deeply into such efforts, we can only grow stronger.
Ed Argue, Moderator
Ministry to the Larger Community
Ministry to the Larger Community
The Mission and Service group has remained active throughout the summer lull. In June members volunteered an afternoon of service to a MyPlace cookout at Patton Park. MyPlace is an organization for at-risk and homeless youth. They just ended a two year pilot program and are now moving forward, knowing what works and what doesn’t. There are several programs under the umbrella of MyPlace, such as Gen Y (the community center), DramaInk (the teen drama theatre), Club Pulse (teen night club), and Achievers Academy (accredited high school). They have an “adopt a solider” program, as well as a guitars not guns program. Learn more about this worthy effort at www.myplacewnc.org.
In July we began to serve dinner at the Rescue Mission. This service will be an ongoing commitment the second Saturday of each month. We supply four servers (no training needed) for the evening meal which runs from 5:15 to approximately 6:30. If you would like to be on the list of servers contact Mark Fagerlin or Roy Harris and we will add you to the rotation.
Also in July, we heard about opportunities to serve the “Feed the Kids” program at the Fellowship Supper. We will discuss possible involvement at our next meeting. If you were in church on July 17, you heard Roy Harris talk about our support to the Hunger Walk sponsored by the Hunger Coalition. The walk will be coming up in October. If you are not a walker, we will tell you how you can support this effort in an upcoming issue and with a Minute for Mission in church.
So far this year your mission dollars have gone to support Faith Link, Interfaith Assistance Ministry, Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Sixth Avenue Clubhouse and the Burma Freedom Fighters. More designated distributions are scheduled for the remainder of the year.
The next meeting of the ministry is scheduled for August 24 at 10 am. All are welcome.
The Mission and Service group has remained active throughout the summer lull. In June members volunteered an afternoon of service to a MyPlace cookout at Patton Park. MyPlace is an organization for at-risk and homeless youth. They just ended a two year pilot program and are now moving forward, knowing what works and what doesn’t. There are several programs under the umbrella of MyPlace, such as Gen Y (the community center), DramaInk (the teen drama theatre), Club Pulse (teen night club), and Achievers Academy (accredited high school). They have an “adopt a solider” program, as well as a guitars not guns program. Learn more about this worthy effort at www.myplacewnc.org.
In July we began to serve dinner at the Rescue Mission. This service will be an ongoing commitment the second Saturday of each month. We supply four servers (no training needed) for the evening meal which runs from 5:15 to approximately 6:30. If you would like to be on the list of servers contact Mark Fagerlin or Roy Harris and we will add you to the rotation.
Also in July, we heard about opportunities to serve the “Feed the Kids” program at the Fellowship Supper. We will discuss possible involvement at our next meeting. If you were in church on July 17, you heard Roy Harris talk about our support to the Hunger Walk sponsored by the Hunger Coalition. The walk will be coming up in October. If you are not a walker, we will tell you how you can support this effort in an upcoming issue and with a Minute for Mission in church.
So far this year your mission dollars have gone to support Faith Link, Interfaith Assistance Ministry, Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Sixth Avenue Clubhouse and the Burma Freedom Fighters. More designated distributions are scheduled for the remainder of the year.
The next meeting of the ministry is scheduled for August 24 at 10 am. All are welcome.
Resilient FCC
Resilient FCC
Attracted by sheer proximity, (I can walk to FCC) and that my favorite theologians regularly present the juiciest of Christian thought from its pulpit, I began to show up at First Congregational Church. One Sunday, I was sitting by myself and Richard was preaching in a way that I rarely, if ever, have heard. He was asking Christian people to be accountable politically...something about how no truly Christian nation could preemptively attack people. I clapped. I joined the choir that day. In a few months, I joined our church.
I’m deeply grateful that our ministry is inclusive and takes on the difficult task of sticking to Divine Justice. It has been my experience that most churches don’t.
FCC is a place of deep hospitality, a good fit for a house of worship. A small group of us requested some space for a community garden on FCC grounds and notice that the soil by the railroad tracks is tilled. Transition Hendersonville needed a place to meet for a Transition Handbook book study and we were welcomed into the fellowship hall. While we were meeting, Rick Bayless engaged the church in an energy audit and our church has been responsive to making our carbon footprint more responsible. ECO’s fundraiser needed plates for their Marvelous Malarkey annual fundraiser and it was FCC’s small plates that saved the day.
At present, the West Asheville Community Chorus has been meeting at FCC on Tuesday evenings. If you hear songs in Croatian, Georgian, Bosnian, South African, from the choir room, that is us. We will perform soon for the Hendersonville community and I hope you will come and enjoy our remarkable sound.
Pastor Weidler married our daughter in June. You don’t trust that sacred job to just anyone and my family is delighted to have Richard perform the ceremony.
My friends have been showing up at church because for one experience or another, they get how alive and loving and generous in Christ’s teachings we are. Given that much of the congregation is elderly, that kind of aliveness and love is very deliberate.
Attracted by sheer proximity, (I can walk to FCC) and that my favorite theologians regularly present the juiciest of Christian thought from its pulpit, I began to show up at First Congregational Church. One Sunday, I was sitting by myself and Richard was preaching in a way that I rarely, if ever, have heard. He was asking Christian people to be accountable politically...something about how no truly Christian nation could preemptively attack people. I clapped. I joined the choir that day. In a few months, I joined our church.
I’m deeply grateful that our ministry is inclusive and takes on the difficult task of sticking to Divine Justice. It has been my experience that most churches don’t.
FCC is a place of deep hospitality, a good fit for a house of worship. A small group of us requested some space for a community garden on FCC grounds and notice that the soil by the railroad tracks is tilled. Transition Hendersonville needed a place to meet for a Transition Handbook book study and we were welcomed into the fellowship hall. While we were meeting, Rick Bayless engaged the church in an energy audit and our church has been responsive to making our carbon footprint more responsible. ECO’s fundraiser needed plates for their Marvelous Malarkey annual fundraiser and it was FCC’s small plates that saved the day.
At present, the West Asheville Community Chorus has been meeting at FCC on Tuesday evenings. If you hear songs in Croatian, Georgian, Bosnian, South African, from the choir room, that is us. We will perform soon for the Hendersonville community and I hope you will come and enjoy our remarkable sound.
Pastor Weidler married our daughter in June. You don’t trust that sacred job to just anyone and my family is delighted to have Richard perform the ceremony.
My friends have been showing up at church because for one experience or another, they get how alive and loving and generous in Christ’s teachings we are. Given that much of the congregation is elderly, that kind of aliveness and love is very deliberate.
Diane Rhoades, Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011
Focus on Adult Forum & Its Survey
Focus on Adult Forum & Its Survey
We thank all our June and July presenters for their enriching sessions on "Sacred Stewardship," and Dr. Walter Brueggemann. We also thank all of you who completed June's interest survey. Your input (below) is reflected in our program planning.
In August, back by popular demand to finish the extensive topic, our Dr. Jill Bierwirth will discuss UCC history on the first two Sundays in August, the 7th and 14th at 9:15. On August 21 Rabbi Batsheva Meiri from Temple Beth HaTephila in Asheville and August 28, the new face at Agudas Israel, Rabbi Phil Cohen will be our guests. Details of her and his presentations will be announced soon. There will be NO FORUM on September 4 of Labor Day weekend nor September 11, the weekend Dr. Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt University lectures.
Regarding our interest survey, we again thank the many responders who declared preferences and gave us a wealth of ideas on topics about which they or others they knew could speak. The valuable results on most popular topics are:
We thank all our June and July presenters for their enriching sessions on "Sacred Stewardship," and Dr. Walter Brueggemann. We also thank all of you who completed June's interest survey. Your input (below) is reflected in our program planning.
In August, back by popular demand to finish the extensive topic, our Dr. Jill Bierwirth will discuss UCC history on the first two Sundays in August, the 7th and 14th at 9:15. On August 21 Rabbi Batsheva Meiri from Temple Beth HaTephila in Asheville and August 28, the new face at Agudas Israel, Rabbi Phil Cohen will be our guests. Details of her and his presentations will be announced soon. There will be NO FORUM on September 4 of Labor Day weekend nor September 11, the weekend Dr. Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt University lectures.
Regarding our interest survey, we again thank the many responders who declared preferences and gave us a wealth of ideas on topics about which they or others they knew could speak. The valuable results on most popular topics are:
1. "Progressive Thinking" & "Social Issues” - both 80%
2. "Justice & Faith" (one vote behind)
3. "Responsibility to the Community"
4. "Christianity/Judaism/Islam"
5. "Peacemaking"
6. "Video Lessons"
7. "Biblical Lessons" & "Women in/and the Church"
8. "Church Growth" & "Book Reviews"
9. "Traditional Adult Sunday School"
We now have a notion of your preferences and will try to implement your ideas. As ever, all points of view are welcome.... no correct doctrine required. A FORUM is just that...an open exchange of views. Join us. Continue to be ready, willing and eager on Sundays at 9:15 for these spirited opportunities for growth and learning. ALL ARE WELCOME, so plan to attend and spread the word near and far about our great sessions.
Ministry to Members and Friends
FCC Book Club
FCC Book Club
The FCC Book Club for August will be Mitch Albom’s book Have a Little Faith. All are welcome to attend on Thursday, August 18, in the library at 2:00 pm.
Remember, it is time to come forward with ideas and titles for next year. They will be accepted anytime.
For information, please contact Janice Walters at 696-3177.
Remember, it is time to come forward with ideas and titles for next year. They will be accepted anytime.
For information, please contact Janice Walters at 696-3177.
Fellowship Supper
Fellowship Supper
“Some Baseball Firsts, Lasts, and Onlies” will be the subject of the Fellowship Supper meeting on August 15. Jack Zerby will begin by briefly describing how his interest in baseball history and research developed and on his activities as a member of SABR (the Society for American Baseball Research) and will mention some favorite fiction and nonfiction baseball books. Since 2005 he has taught courses in baseball history and research in the Creek Side continuing education series at Brevard College and is the author of several articles on baseball history published in The Mountain Voice, a bi-weekly Transylvania County newspaper.
Eating begins at 6:00 and the talk will follow. Everyone is invited. Please bring a covered dish for eight and cups, plates and silverware for yourselves. To be sure that enough tables are set up please sign up on the first or second Sunday before the meeting or call the church office.
“Some Baseball Firsts, Lasts, and Onlies” will be the subject of the Fellowship Supper meeting on August 15. Jack Zerby will begin by briefly describing how his interest in baseball history and research developed and on his activities as a member of SABR (the Society for American Baseball Research) and will mention some favorite fiction and nonfiction baseball books. Since 2005 he has taught courses in baseball history and research in the Creek Side continuing education series at Brevard College and is the author of several articles on baseball history published in The Mountain Voice, a bi-weekly Transylvania County newspaper.Eating begins at 6:00 and the talk will follow. Everyone is invited. Please bring a covered dish for eight and cups, plates and silverware for yourselves. To be sure that enough tables are set up please sign up on the first or second Sunday before the meeting or call the church office.
Ladies Lunch Bunch
Ladies Lunch Bunch
The Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet on August 8th at 11:30 am at the Bistro at Lake Pointe Landing. Nancy Irving is hostess. If you plan to attend, please sign the list on the reception bulletin board.
Breakfast With The Guys
Breakfast With The Guys
Join the men of the church at the Dixie Diner on Wednesday August 9th at 8:30 am for breakfast and conversation. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the reception area or call the church office so we will know you are coming.
The Theology Study Group
The Theology Study Group
The Theology Study Group will meet on Wednesday, August 31, at 2:00 PM, when we will continue grappling with The Phenomenon of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. The book is available at Amazon. If possible obtain the translation by Bernard Wall with an introduction by Julian Huxley. This is the edition available on Kindle according to one of our number. We welcome all; the more insights provided, the more we all learn.
News from the Garden
News from the Garden
Milton Stewart and Nancy Irving are shown presenting Rita Christensen, the manager of the Food Pantry at IAM, with produce from the First Congregational Church Friendship Garden. Our members feel strongly that efforts of this nature contribute to the welfare of the community in addition to the pleasures of working together and seeing things grow.
Our Friendship Garden is coming along nicely and producing lots of
veggies—and weeds! Many thanks to those who have spent time on their hands and knees and using a hoe to help stop the invasion! To date, we have donated over 100 pounds of fresh produce to the Rescue Mission and IAM. Excess has been available to our church members at the Sunday coffee hour. We have had a plentiful supply of summer squash, green beans, collard greens, and onions. The broccoli and cabbage harvest is over for the season, and tomatoes are turning red every day. Lots of watermelon and sweet potatoes are still to come, along with some corn, Milton is working on an irrigation system using the spring as water source, and we had the large willow oak tree trimmed in order to provide more sun. The Clintons donated a glass-topped table to put in the screened gazebo and the Fagerlins introduced Bubba the Scarecrow to a permanent home in the garden—where the crows seem to love him!! Thanks to Pete and Tess for donating lots of useful garden tools, which have already been put to good use. Thanks also to everyone contributed money via our donation containers. We are already planning for next year, and hope to continue providing even more for those in need in our community.
The Friendship Gardeners
Milton Stewart and Nancy Irving are shown presenting Rita Christensen, the manager of the Food Pantry at IAM, with produce from the First Congregational Church Friendship Garden. Our members feel strongly that efforts of this nature contribute to the welfare of the community in addition to the pleasures of working together and seeing things grow.Our Friendship Garden is coming along nicely and producing lots of
veggies—and weeds! Many thanks to those who have spent time on their hands and knees and using a hoe to help stop the invasion! To date, we have donated over 100 pounds of fresh produce to the Rescue Mission and IAM. Excess has been available to our church members at the Sunday coffee hour. We have had a plentiful supply of summer squash, green beans, collard greens, and onions. The broccoli and cabbage harvest is over for the season, and tomatoes are turning red every day. Lots of watermelon and sweet potatoes are still to come, along with some corn, Milton is working on an irrigation system using the spring as water source, and we had the large willow oak tree trimmed in order to provide more sun. The Clintons donated a glass-topped table to put in the screened gazebo and the Fagerlins introduced Bubba the Scarecrow to a permanent home in the garden—where the crows seem to love him!! Thanks to Pete and Tess for donating lots of useful garden tools, which have already been put to good use. Thanks also to everyone contributed money via our donation containers. We are already planning for next year, and hope to continue providing even more for those in need in our community.The Friendship Gardeners
Brueggemann Lectures a Real Success
Brueggemann Lectures a Real Success
Dr. Walter Brueggemann talked to us over the weekend of July 9 and 10 of some of his Old Testament insights. The audience for these lectures, at 130, was somewhat larger than for his earlier appearance two years ago and gave him a standing ovation at the conclusion of his Sunday lecture. And there were 188 at Sunday morning worship, a genuine tribute to Dr. Brueggemann. We received almost $7000. in sponsorships at various levels which will be a good beginning for a hoped-for endowment of these Walter E. Ashley Memorial Lectures.While he drew interesting parallels between Pharaoh and Solomon, between the Exodus story and the exile in Babylon and return, and ‘though he described, and gave demonstrations of, the prophets as poets, his theme throughout was the necessity of our living in and taking care of those in our neighborhoods, defined as you will. In spite of his scholarly stature, those who met him in various informal venues, were all impressed with his gracious, non-intimidating personality. We will hope to see more of him.
Lectionary
Lectionary
8th Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 7
Suggested Theme: “When All Seems Lost”
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 or 1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b or Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
9th Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 14
Suggested Theme: “Bold Moves”
Genesis 45:1-15 or Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Psalm 133 or Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28
10th Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 21
Suggested Theme: “Be Transformed”
Exodus 1:8-2:10 or Isaiah 51:1, 6-8
Psalm 124 or Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
11th Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 28
Suggested Theme: “Spirit-Led Living”
Exodus 3:1-15 or Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b or Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
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