This Week at Grace

Adult Formation at Grace begins every Sunday at 9:15
Children's formation is offered at the same time downstairs in the classroom of Grace.

Looking ahead to Advent

Sunday, November 27th- Advent Wreath Making

Sundays, December 4, 11 &18 - Advent Formation with Guy Sayles
"Be Born in Us Today: Preparing for New Life"
Explore, with Mary as our primary guide, how to make room in our lives...as individuals and as a community....for new life with Jesus, a life characterized by joy, love and hope and committed to justice, mercy and peace.

Learning together is a great gift. I hope you will join us.
Peace,
Rev. Milly

What's Happening After Worship?

In the coming weeks there will be a variety of opportunities to gather after worship. We hope you will join us!

Pumpkin Patch Report 2022
On behalf of the Board of Consider Haiti, I want to send a huge thank you to the Grace community for your efforts and support in another successful pumpkin patch. Thanks to you, we will receive over $13,000 towards our programs in Haiti. Despite the horrendous situation in Haiti, we are still able to send funds and our colleagues there continue to do the work with the children and their families providing nutritional support, medical care as needed, clean water filters, and goats.
Thanks to everyone who helped-- those who unloaded 43,740 pounds of pumpkins, the tent raisers and hay bale spreaders and those who volunteered for patch shifts. A special thanks to Todd and Katherine Kaderabek for their leadership and to Terri Frue for handling the finances. This year's Pumpkin Patch took in an amazing $32,520.40!

Shearon Roberts
Board of Consider Haiti

Stewardship
Stewardship as a Way of Life: A Lesson About Sharing Abundance

By Doug McClellan
Right after we had washed and put away the dishes after our Stewardship Breakfast in
May, I went to the lobby to count the Outreach food items everyone had donated to
ABCCM. Cheryl Deyton soon joined me there.
As we were enjoying the warm air of spring through Grace’s open front doors, in walked
a petite, well-dressed woman with a Slavic accent.
Cheryl said she is part of a Greek community who lives close to Grace and walks to our
church looking for food. Sure enough, after she nodded “hello”, she began looking
through the bags for specific items.
She started getting frustrated as she was going through the bags, so I started holding
up each item, one-at-a-time, and asking her, “How about this one?” Slowly but surely,
she found three items and put them in her pocketbook.
Then to my surprise, she came up to me, said “thank you” in broken English, kissed me
on the cheek, and walked back through the front doors of Grace.
I stood there for a moment, surprised and humbled. I didn’t know what to say. All I could
do was look at the sky through the open doors, and thank God for everything that had
just happened.
In reflecting on my experience, I think she taught us all a great lesson. And it’s this: God
truly gives us an abundance of everything we need. We can trust this and live by it.
Likewise, when we give our neighbors a portion of our abundance, whether it’s money,
time, food or clothing, we’re being His faithful stewards and loving our neighbors as
ourselves―especially those strangers who walk through the front doors of our hearts. Screen Shot 2022-11-02 at 12.18.30 PM.png

Screen Shot 2022-11-02 at 12.18.30 PM.png

Please use the QR code below to make your pledge online. The ingathering will be November 20th. You may also mail your pledge card to the church as soon as it is completed.

Financial Report
Please use the links below to view the September Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Activities and Dedicated Accounts.

https://mcusercontent.com/6421616bca354a9fe8c4d326d/files/eeb5fe66-cc30-464e-06af-e97d16c0fdce/September_2022_Statement_of_Financial_Position_1_.pdf

file:///C:/Users/Office/Downloads/September%202022%20Statement%20of%20Activities.pdf

file:///C:/Users/Office/Downloads/September%202022%20Dedicated%20Accounts.pdf

Receptions Ministry and Coffee Ministry

As we (finally) emerge from Covid, we need volunteers to help with receptions at the church (i.e. funerals, conferences, etc.). If you feel that this is a place for you to serve, please contact Jill in the church office at (828) 254-1086. Many thanks to those who regularly show up to make coffee for us, especially in the coming chillier months. Please also let Jill know if you would like to share your time through this ministry.

Reminder to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday, November 5

"Democracy is on the ballot!" says Peggy, a resident of New Hanover County. She, like many of us in our state, is doing all she can to encourage people to vote. But maybe even more important, she reminds us to "Stay Human!" Here's a link to her video: https://youtu.be/Qy0lS-u-1QI (Peggy originally shared this video with her friend from Grace, Kim Hayes.)

Election Day Prayers November 8, 8-12pm EST. As polls begin to close on Nov. 8 for the U.S. midterm elections, all are invited to join an Election Day Prayers gathering online hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations. Tune in from 8 p.m. to midnight EST via The Episcopal Public Policy Network Facebook page or The Episcopal Church Facebook page.

ABCCM Needs Food Donations for the Needy This Holiday Season
Based on current trends, ABCCM’s Crisis Ministry is anticipating a bigger demand for food from families and individuals this holiday season.
“With rising inflation, food and fuel costs, we’re already seeing the strain on families firsthand for food at all four of our Crisis Ministry locations,” said Rev. Mary Messarra,
Director of Crisis Ministry of ABCCM.
To help meet this demand, ABCCM is gearing up for Thanksgiving and will be giving food boxes to families needing food.
Here are the items ABCCM needs for these food boxes: turkey (frozen), butter, eggs, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes or instant potatoes, green beans, corn and box cake mixes.

You may bring these Thanksgiving food donations to ABCCM’s Crisis Ministry at 24 Cumberland Ave., or go online and make a donation at abccm.org.
Also, ABCCM has ongoing pantry needs for: peanut butter and jelly, sugar, vegetable oil, canned tuna, chicken, vegetables and fruits, self-rising flour, pasta sauce, spaghetti, mac &; cheese and hearty soups.
These pantry items can be placed in paper grocery bags or boxes and brought to the lobby of Grace.

Medical Advocacy Ministry A Medical Advocacy Ministry has formed at Grace Episcopal
Church to provide resources and education to assist parishioners with later life/end of life healthcare issues and in navigating the healthcare system.
Possible areas of need may include:
1. Health education
2. Aging in place— How to make your home safe for a living in your later years.
3. End of life issues—Advanced directives, Healthcare power of attorney, Palliative and
Hospice Care, Death/Dying
4. Senior support—Home healthcare, Caregiver Resources(including caring for the caregiver)
5. Healthcare provider and facility navigation guidance—resources for locating a physician, healthcare facility, insurance.
Please let us know if we can assist or if you would like to participate as a supporter/ guide in this ministry.
Thank you.
The Grace Church Medical Advocacy Ministry Team
Dodie King, Joseph “Pat” Mahon, Ginny Moser, Jeff Russell, Jennifer Witt
For information, please contact Jeff Russell ( jeffkr46@gmail.com) or Ginny Moser
( ginnymoser@gmail.com)

Dismantling Racism Workshop in two locations
Hosted in two different locations in the diocese Dec. 2–3. You are invited to register for the training workshop that is nearest to you, either St. Francis, Rutherfordton or Trinity, Ashevil le.

EPISCOPAL AND DIOCESE PROGRAMS:
Sign up for the WNC Diocese Newsletter here.

The EPISCOPAL PUBLIC POLICY NETWORK (EPPN) is a grassroots effort of The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations to educate, equip and engage individual Episcopalians in federal public policy advocacy, guided by the resolutions of the General Convention and the Executive Council. To sign up for EPPN Action alerts that come to your personal email AND to receive a unique code to listen in on the fast-paced, 30-minute Zoom call every Thursday at 1 pm (“Congress Weekly”), register here as an EPPN network member.

Here is the latest resource prepared by EPPN for your information and use:

● With less than one week from Election Day, many are already voting through
early voting and vote-by-mail options. If you haven’t voted yet, make sure you
have a plan and then follow through on your plan to vote between now and
Election Day. Also, join Episcopalians across the U.S. for the Election Day
Prayers from 8 pm-midnight EST on the EPPN Facebook page.

● What to Expect When You’re Electing: 2022 Edition In the wake of the
violence on January 6, 2021, and the false allegations of voter fraud, that not
only spurred that violence but also mislead people to this day, it is
understandable if we are concerned that elections may once again contribute to
instability, mistrust, and a new round of violence. EPPN hopes you will find its
“What to Expect When You’re Electing” to be a helpful (and reassuring) resource
explaining our country’s election integrity processes and protections that are
already in place.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WEEKEND NEWS:

Barrier Breakers: The Pilgrimage

Bishop José invites you to learn more about this pilgrimage celebrating and amplifying the stories of historically black parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Learn more by clicking https://www.barrierbreakerspilgrimage.org/ or clicking the video image to the right.

As part of our centennial celebration weekend, I am honored to invite you to join me and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who will be the chief celebrant and preacher, to a festival revival service on Sunday, November 13 at 10:00 am at Christ School in Arden, NC. Honoring our 100th anniversary as a diocese is a once in a lifetime occasion to do something special and unique. All are welcome and I hope you can join us!

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin

Dismantling Racism Workshop in two locations

Hosted in two different locations in the diocese Dec. 2–3. You are invited to register for the training workshop that is nearest to you, either St. Francis, Rutherfordton or Trinity, Ashevil le.

Praying Together
Rev. Milly holds open spiritual direction sessions for individuals or couples weekly by appointment Wednesdays 1-3 pm in the sanctuary. Please email Rev. Milly to schedule your time with her: Milly@graceavl.com

Weekly Taizé Tuesday evenings at 6pm
These ecumenical services are known for their melodic chants and prayers. Although music forms a central part of the service it is mixed with comforting periods of silence allowing for contemplation. Lighted mostly by candlelight in the sanctuary of Grace Church, the vesper light of approaching evening offers a safe and nurturing space for a well-deserved moment of peace in our hectic lives. Healing prayer is offered throughout the service for oneself or on behalf of someone else.

Women Walking the Way

Thursday at 8:00 am meet at the Bird Sanctuary parking lot. Women of Grace, please consider joining Rev. Milly for a weekly walk at Beaver Lake. This time together is devoted to deep listening to how we as women walk the way of Jesus, in the world and in our community of Grace. No need to register or even email her, just show up!

Monday Morning Bible Study

Bible Study will continue to meet via Zoom on Mondays until further notice, at 10:30 AM, as we study the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday service. Please join us virtually or by clicking on the button at graceavl.com/.

The Pastoral Care Team at Grace

Our pastoral care team invites you to reach out to us with any pastoral care needs you, or your family, may have, by emailing the team at pastoralcare@graceavl.com.You can also email, text or call Fr. Mike at 860-771-1656 or Rev. Milly at 828.772.1429, Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless it’s a pastoral emergency.

If you are not a member of Grace Church and are interested in joining, please reply with your interest, or let Rev. Milly know by calling or texting her at 828.772.1429. Once you're a member, you'll have access to our directory.

Information About Your SimpleChurch App! Not only do you have access to the parish directory, but you can also easily change your profile picture, confidentially check the status of your pledge, and give to your favorite ministry through online giving. Sign on to find ways to reach out to and connect with other members of the church. And if you don’t know your log in information or need more instructions, contact Valerie at the office. A link will be sent to you that will make it easy for you to get into SimpleChurch.

Look for the green tree symbol to download the SimpleChurch app from your app store onto your computer or phone. The domain name when requested in the app is graceepiscopalasheville. For your computer you put in the domain name. https://graceepiscopalasheville.simplechurchcrm.com.

Look Grace Church receives electronic giving via our website at www.graceavl.com. There is a "Give to Grace" button on the top blue banner of our home page, in the upper right-hand corner. Additional ways to give to our "virtual collection plate" and various fundraising efforts are through the Simple Church app.

Check out the Fall Edition of the Grace Team by visiting GraceAVL.com

In this edition, you'll find:

Message from Rev. Milly and Rev. Mike
Message from our Wardens

Information on our Fall Pumpkin Patch

We are so glad you are with us in our Grace community!

Jill Stevenson | Office Manager
Grace Episcopal Church | 871 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, NC 28804
graceavl.com | 828-254-1086 | facebook.com/grace.church.718689/
Youtube Channel

Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:00am-3:00pm, and Wednesday 9:00am-12:00pm.

Electronic Giving Made Easy!