This document provides announcements for upcoming events at the First Presbyterian Church of Asheville (FPCA), including extending the deadline for commuters to the annual church retreat in early October, opportunities for fellowship like the Lunch Bunch and Faith Formation class, choir rehearsals for children and youth starting in September, and a Cereal Sundae Back to School celebration on August 28th. It also lists needs for volunteers and requests help for Afghan neighbors and upcoming Koinonia small groups starting in October.

1. 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LUNCH BUNCH 11:30 AM
This summer we have a lunch opportunity to connect with new and old friends at
restaurants around town. These restaurants have parking and accessibility. Please join
us for this relationship building opportunity. RSVP to the church office or Shannon
Jordan at sjordan@fpcasheville.org.
• August 22 Pomodoros; 1070 Tunnel Rd
• Future Dates: September 26, October 24, November 28, and December 12th.
FAITH FORMATION, TODAY,
Fellowship Hall 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 with a pizza party and
registration.
CEREAL SUNDAE BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION
August 28th 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 families with a festive breakfast and
blessing on August 28. 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. HELP NEEDED FOR OUR AFGHAN NEIGHBORS GROUP
The two families we have been encouraging continue to progress in their journey to independence. They have jobs
and housing. Their next steps include advanced English language training, financial literacy, and acquiring driver’s
learning permits. Transportation remains an active need.
If you have ESL, financial literacy, or driver’s license training expertise, please let us know. We deeply appreciate
all of you who are actively helping us or providing moral support. Please direct your questions to Randy Fluharty
(rfluharty54@gmail.com) or Alan Young (alan.g.young.sr@gmail.com).
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.
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: Sunday, August 28th at 3:30 pm -5:30 pm or
Wednesday, August 31st at 6:00 pm -8:00 pm
Contact Nancy McNeill if you are interested or to learn more: nmcneill@fpcasheville.org; 828-253-1431 ext. 114.
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

3. THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Sunday, August 14
8:45 am Worship Service in Campbell Chapel; Rev. Patrick Johnson preaching
9:45 am Faith Formation (Fellowship Hall)
9:45 am Godly Play preschool - fifth grade (Room 106)
11:00 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary w/ baptism; Rev. Patrick Johnson preaching
12:00 pm Fellowship on the front lawn or in Wallace Foyer if raining
Monday, August 15
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Centering Prayer (Zoom) Contact Waid Shelton
Saturday, August 20
10:00 am Racial Justice Book Club (zoom)
Sunday, August 21
8:45 am Worship Service in Campbell Chapel; Rev. Shannon Jordan preaching
9:45 am Faith Formation (Fellowship Hall)
9:45 am New Members meet in the Library
9:45 am Godly Play preschool - fifth grade (Room 106)
11:00 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary; Rev. Shannon Jordan preaching
12:00 pm Fellowship on the front lawn or in Wallace Foyer if raining
Zoom & Registration links can be found on the church calendar at fpcasheville.org.
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE LENTEN/EASTER BANNERS
Haven’t we seen these banners before, and why are we seeing them again, here in
the atrium, rather than the sanctuary? We’re so glad you asked! Members of the
Liturgical Arts team often receive comments about the banners and requests to see
them up close, and so we decided to respond, offering some further explanation at
the same time!
Our Lenten focus this year was all about the faith journeys we each make,
specifically those made during Lent, which some people regard as a dismal time
of lament and self-denial. Our committee met, pondered scripture, and discussed
multiple ideas to interpret the theme. Several of us sketched out our ideas and were
surprised to discover we had arrived at much the same place with our designs, a
nice reminder that God leads us all the time. Six banners were eventually created
in a style similar to pointillism. Because we were always looking ahead to the joy
of Easter, the patterns were never intended to be dismal or full of lament, yet we
acknowledge that we are often confused, lost, and in need of our Shepherd. Our hope was that careful observers
might notice that the pattern appears darker at the bottom, opening up as it moves upward, and that each banner
on the left is designed to fit with its opposite partner. However, we understand that our pathways on life’s journey
often aren’t noticed by others. Because Lent is a necessary part of our journey to Easter, remembering our lives’
often-complicated pathways seemed important. The risen Christ is what we yearn to see, though we never forget
the crucified Christ. We opted to keep the journey, adding Easter light to the pathway and the sun‘s rays at the top
of the banners nearest the chancel for Easter Sunday. Our hope is that the banners have added meaning to your
worship, even if in some subtle way!
BABY SHOWER BLESSING
Thanks to everyone who made Ummia & Jawad’s baby shower a successful
blessing! Forty people attended, including six Afghan women. First Presbyterian
members gave generously and were joined by other Circles of Welcome,
including from United Church of Christ, Land of Sky, and the Unitarian Church.
Besides the amazing “showering” of gifts, the couple will receive a check for
somewhere around $1000 to help welcome their new baby! They are so grateful
and add their voices to ours as we thank everyone for this outpouring of love.