announcements

1. GODLY PLAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Make a difference in a child’s life by helping them connect God with daily life. You may
think you don’t know how to do that, but we can teach you! Come learn alongside
children as storytellers, doorkeepers, or classroom helpers on Sunday mornings at FPCA.
The Godly Play curriculum is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and
spiritual guidance. It values process, openness, discovery, community, and relationships.
Godly Play models the worship life, bible stories, symbols, and rituals of Christian
congregations. It nurtures participants–both children and leaders–to larger dimensions
of belief and faith through wondering and play.
As we prepare for this new school year, volunteers are needed to assist with our Godly
Play Sunday morning classes for children ages 3 yrs. old - 5th grade. We need regular volunteers as well as
substitutes.
We are offering volunteer training: Today, at 3:30 pm -5:30 pm Contact Nancy McNeill if you are interested or
to learn more: nmcneill@fpcasheville.org; 828-253-1431 ext. 114.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAITH FORMATION, TODAY,
Room 112 9:45 am
All are welcome to the Sunday morning Adult Faith Formation Class! In August, FPCA
member and retired seminary professor Jane Vann will lead discussions on the current
week’s sermon text. Hope to see you there!
CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CHOIR
We are getting ready for the Fall!
Do you have children or youth that are interested in our Children’s or Youth Choir? For
more information contact Jeremy Roberts at jroberts@fpcasheville.org.
Youth Choir will start Sunday, September 18th with evening Youth Group 4:15 pm - 7:15
pm. Children’s Choir will begin Wednesday September 7th at 5:30 pm with a pizza party
and registration.
CEREAL SUNDAE BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION
Today at 9:45 am in Fellowship Hall
Many of our children return to school on August 29. We would love to bless our students
and teachers of all ages, our school officials, and our families with a festive breakfast
and blessing today. In both services that morning we will have a special Back to School
Blessing and then between the services, we will be having a delicious Cereal Sundae
Breakfast! We hope to see our whole church family there as we bless those in school or
going back to school!
GOLF WITH A PURPOSE!
Friday, Sept. 16. 11:30 am lunch and check in. 1:00 pm shotgun start at the Asheville
Municipal Golf Course. Your day of golf will help fund the serving of more than 1,000
meals each week and a place where unhoused friends can heal after a hospital stay for
illness or injury. The FPCA Mission Team would like to bring together several foursomes
to support this important ministry. $120 person, register by August 28. If you are not a
golfer, but want to support this mission partner or sponsor another golfer, that’s fine!
Are you a golfer who can’t afford the whole $120? Please reach out as well. Contact
dgermer@fpcasheville.org for more info.

2. KOINONIA GROUPS
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines koinonia as “spiritual communion and
participative sharing in a common religious commitment and spiritual community.” FPCA
will be starting Koinonia small groups this fall to support members in their faith life and
to build Christian friendships. Groups will meet for 90 minutes, twice a month, October-
May. These groups will be participant based, with a trained facilitator. The curriculum
will help participants explore different ways of experiencing the power of God, spiritual
practices, the enneagram, and ways to engage scripture. For more information, please
contact Shannon Jordan at sjordan@fpcasheville.org.
BACK TO SCHOOL!!
It’s time again for our area kids and youth to start back to school! Help us
get the much needed essentials to kids and youth all throughout Buncombe
county! As clothes, food, and gas prices are on the rise, we know that
essential items like school supplies are right there with them. Many parents
are working longer hours with heavier work loads and still receiving below
living wage. YOU can help by sponsoring a backpack for $50 and make a
child’s learning that much better!
Make a one time donation
OR
Become a monthly sustainer at
www.belovedasheville.com
ANNUAL CHURCH RETREAT - DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR COMMUTERS
September 30-October 2 at Montreat Conference Center--only 30 minutes away.
The FPCA Retreat has a long history of fun, learning, activities, and rest. With a variety of
contemplative and worship activities, everyone can find a way to connect
more deeply with God and one another. (And you really don’t want to miss
the variety show!) The deadline for commuters has been extended so all
can join the 150 + people who are already coming.
Go to www.fpcasheille.org/fpca-retreat or use the QR code to register.
LUNCH BUNCH, SEPTEMBER 26TH AT 11:30 AM
This summer’s successful Lunch Bunch will continue through the fall. Restaurants
are chosen for their ease of parking and accessibility. Save the fall dates now! If you
can come, please try to RSVP to Shannon at sjordan@fpcasheville.org so that we have
enough seats. September 26, October 24, November 28 and December 12.
THE FACES AND VOICES OF WELCOME @ FPCA
We have an amazing team of volunteer front desk receptionists. They work from 9am-1pm
or from 1pm-4pm on their chosen days, as shown below. In addition, we have two people,
Sandy Reid and Alice Petersen, who substitute for our regulars as they are able. This ministry
supports all of our church staff, by being the initial face and voice of welcome to all who call
or come to the church. They answer the phones and doors and then do tasks at the front desk
to enrich our church ministries or work on their own to-do lists. Still, we have two needs for
more: Subs to fill in when our regulars are away, People to fill regular weekly shifts or
specific weeks of the month.