Pastor’s Note
7“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
and that its shoots will not cease. 8Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground, 9yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.” -Job 14:7-9
The two large white oaks on the upper side of the church
are no longer standing. Itwas with great grief that we
had to come to the decision to remove them, but they were both hollow in several places and diseased. In the
end, we had to remove them for the sake of the safety of
our children and members. However, our own Don and Ben Jackson volunteered to come and mill the lumber
for these trees into boards and slabs that will be incorporated into furniture projects rather than simply being turned into firewood.
Though these trees are no longer standing, they will not
be gone since the time was taken to responsibly care for them and preserve them as part of our history. Just asour offering plates were made from the wood of the
last tree that had to be removed, we have several ideas for projects that will enable
us to keep these historic 317 year-old trees around. These ideas include a possible
live edge slab altar in the chapel and a “slice” of the tree showing the growth rings with indications by the specific rings
of major events in the life of Asbury Memorial UMC. Plans are also underway to plant more trees to replace the many
that have been removed in recent years. If you would like to see some of the craftsmanship that Ben and Don Jackson have created from local trees you can check out their website at
A MESSAGE FROM THE ASSISTANT PASTOR
It has become very depressing to see the state our world is in. Each evening, the world news brings stories of dictators with nuclear weapons aimed at our nation. Mass shootings in our schools are almost a daily occurrence. Wild fires that wipeout whole neighborhoods and storms the likes we have never experienced cause us to wonder: are we next? The institutions that we put our faith in to protect us seem to be powerless to make wise decisions to alleviate our fears. So where do we turn? I came across this wonderful story and believe it holds for each of us a ray of hope to face the uncertainty of the future.
Four young girls decided to take a hike up Mount Washington which is located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They went too far and stayed too long, and before they knew it the beautiful sunset they were watching had turned into a foggy dusk so that they could not see their hands in front of their faces. No one had a flashlight so the path they had traveled was now invisible. They agreed that they would all hold hands and they would not under any circumstances, let go of one another.
So that is how they did it…one girl at the front, picking her way down the mountain one step at a time…and all the rest of them strung out behind her, holding onto each other’s wrists so that they made a living chain. Every now and then someone would want to argue about which way to go and the others would listen, but what none of them did was to let go. (Teaching: Sermons on Suffering by Barbara Brown Taylor)
There is one institution that we should be able to count on: the church. It is the place where we can, if we will, rely on each other for support in dark and scary times. However, we must be willing to hold on to one another no matter what. We may at times disagree on the direction we should take and that is okay. If we truly believe that God is still with us no matter what the media tells us, then we will survive and prosper as a congregation. The times may not become less scary, but we do not have to live in fear. God spoke numerous times the words, “fear not”. Let God lead and hold onto Him and one another tightly.
-The Rev. David Warren
SAMs Group
Join the SAMs Group for a trip to the International Storytelling Center in Jonesboro, TN on Thursday, May 23rd. The resident storyteller that week is Antonio Rocja from Maine. He is known for his entertaining stories and mime. We will depart from the church at 10:00am, have lunch at Maine St. Cafe in Jonesboro and arrive for the show at 2pm. As usual, tickets are pre-pay so we need to know how many to reserve. We will travel by rental minibus (as on previous trips) and have sufficient funds to cover most of the cost of the trip. For more details, contact Margaret or Derick Tickle.
-Derick Tickle
Youth Post
STOP HUNGER NOW’s meal packaging program is a volunteer-based effort through which volunteers package high-protein, dehydrated meals for use in crisis situations. A two hour packaging event sponsored by Church Women United will be held May 18th at the Congregational Church in downtown Asheville. Orientation begins at 11:00am. Mark your calendars and contact Sallyanne () if you want to participate.
All adults willing and interested in assisting with the Youth Summer
Mission Trip (volunteer a day) please contact Sallyanne (). Tentative dates for the Mission trip are July 21-25 in the Weaverville and Madison County area. More details to come!!
-Sallyanne McVay
Preschool News
We are almost finished with another great year; our last day is May 31st. We were sorry to lose our beloved tree and source of shade on the playground. We will have to figure out a way to stay cool! Our summer program begins June 11th.
-Madeline Moseley
News from the Missions Committee
The Bread Tin Collections for May will go to The Salvation Army of Asheville. Since its founding, The Salvation Army has been motivated by the love of God and has been on a mission “to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” Some of the local Salvation Army programs include The Center of Hope, Boys and Girls Club, Hope for the Holidays, and The Family Store. Additionally The Salvation Army works closely with FEMA and other disaster relief agencies as part of the “first responder” team to help those in crisis during and after natural disasters.
Thank you for your continued support of The Bread Tin Collections. In March 2013, a total of $364.18 was collected for Homeward Bound and $134.72 was given for One Great Hour of Sharing.
On May 26th, we will celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday. Through grants, people are encouraged to find ways to overcome violence and foster reconciliation. This offering benefits peace-related ministries not only within our conference but throughout the world. Thank you for your generous gifts.
-Kitty Schaller
Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church
Church Calendar for May 2013
1
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
6:00 pm- Handbell Rehearsal [S]
7:00 pm-Choir Rehearsal [CR]
8:00 pm-Narcotics Anonymous [FH]
BULLETIN DEADLINE / 2
9:00 am-12:00pm- Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
6:30 pm-Theology on Tap [La Carreta, Weaverville] / 3
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH]
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED / 4
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
5
9:45 am-Sunday School
11:00 am-Worship [S]
11:00 am-Holy Communion [S]
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH] / 6
7:00 am-Emmaus Group [YR]
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
10:00 am-12:00 pm Asheville Lectionary Group [BC]
6:00 pm-8:00 pm- Disciple Bible Study [BC]
7:00 pm-8:00 pm- North Asheville Preschool Board Meeting [EB] / 7
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED / 8
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
6:00 pm- Handbell Rehearsal [S]
7:00 pm-Choir Rehearsal [CR]
8:00 pm-Narcotics Anonymous [FH]
BULLETIN DEADLINE / 9
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00pm-Preschool [EB] / 10
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
2:00 pm- Mothers’ Day Tea [Baptist Retirement Home]
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH]
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED / 11
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
12
Mother’s Day
9:45 am-Sunday School
11:00 am-Worship
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH] / 13
7:00 am-Emmaus Group [YR]
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
11:00 am- 12:00 pm-Worship Committee [BC]
6:00 pm- 8:00 pm-Disciple Bible Study [BC] / 14
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED / 15
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
6:00 pm- Handbell Rehearsal [S]
7:00 pm-Choir Rehearsal [CR]
8:00 pm-Narcotics Anonymous [FH]
BULLETIN DEADLINE / 16
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00pm-Preschool [EB]
6:00 pm- 7:00 pm-Lay Leadership Committee [CO]
7:00 pm- Finance Committee [BC] / 17
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH]
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED / 18
9:00 am- 1:00pm- Church Service Day [FH and Kitchen]
11:00 am-STOP Hunger Now Event [Downtown Asheville]
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
19
Pentecost/Preschool Appreciation Sunday
9:45 am-Sunday School
11:00 am-Worship (Invite-a-Friend Sunday)
12:00 pm-NOW Committee Meeting [BC]
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH] / 20
7:00 am-Emmaus Group [YR]
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
10:00 am-12:00pm- Asheville Lectionary Group [BC]
6:00 pm -8:00 pm-Disciple Bible Study [BC]
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE / 21
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED / 22
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
6:00 pm- Handbell Rehearsal [S]
7:00 pm-Choir Rehearsal [CR]
8:00 pm-Narcotics Anonymous [FH]
BULLETIN DEADLINE / 23
9:00 am-12:00 pm- Church Office Hours
9:00am-1:00pm- Preschool [EB]
9:30am-11:30am- Preschool Ballet Recital [FH] / 24
9:00am-1:00pm- Preschool [EB]
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH]
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED / 25
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
26
Peace with Justice Sunday
9:45 am-Sunday School
11:00 am-Worship
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH] / 27
Memorial Day
7:00 am-Emmaus Group [YR]
6:00 pm-8:00 pm-Disciple Bible Study [BC]
PRESCHOOL CLOSED
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED / 28
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm- Preschool [EB] / 29
9:00 am-12:00 pm-Church Office Hours
9:00 am-1:00 pm-Preschool [EB]
6:00 pm- Handbell Rehearsal [S]
7:00 pm-Choir Rehearsal [CR]
8:00 pm-Narcotics Anonymous [FH]
BULLETIN DEADLINE / 30
9:00 am-12:00 pm- Church Office Hours
9:00am-1:00pm- Preschool [EB] / 31
9:00am-1:00pm- Preschool [EB]
8:00 pm-Alcoholics Anonymous [FH
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
FH=Fellowship Hall
S=Sanctuary
BC=Brown Chapel
EB=Educational Building
YR=Youth Room
GE=Givens Estate
PO=Pastor’s Office
CO=Church Office
TBD=To Be Determined / IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
June 1st- Church-wide Cleaning Day
June 6th- Theology on Tap
June 18th-23rd- Annual Conference
Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church
Volunteer Schedule
May 2013
Date / Communion Servers / Lock-Up Volunteer / Counting
Team / Ushers / Greeters / Sanctuary Stewards
5.5.2013 / Curtis Goforth
Martha Tallent
Sallyanne McVay
Samuel Withers / Lee Roy Gaddy
Ann Perkins / Geri Allison
Rebecca Tucker / Mike Rice
Sherry Rice
Don McGeary
Kitty Schaller / Claire Bailey
Geri Allison / Bruce Kidder
Elaine Price
5.12.2013 / NA / Lee Roy Gaddy
Ann Perkins / Brian Hallman
Doug Tallent / Doug Tallent
Martha Tallent
Gary Tweed
Toni Tweed / Lois Glenn
Jessica Withers / Cathy Mills
Madeline Moseley
5.19.2013 / NA / Lee Roy Gaddy
Ann Perkins / Diane Arnold
Mardy Murphy / Brian Wallace
Barbara Wallace
Steve Rich
Julie Niwinski / Cindy Page
Cynthia Stewart / Steve Rich
Judy Rich
5.26.2013 / NA / Lee Roy Gaddy
Ann Perkins / Mark Smith
Madeline Moseley / Robert Wiltshire
Debbie Wiltshire
William Withers
Jessica Withers / Elaine Price
Judy Rich / Arlee Banks
Lois Glenn
Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church
Volunteer Schedule
May 2013
Date / Acolytes / Nursery Volunteers / Children’s Church / Children’s Message / Lector
5.5.2013 / Ryan Conover / Derick Tickle
Margaret Tickle / Heather Post / Sallyanne McVay / Curtis Goforth
5.12.2013 / Mitchell Tucker / Bob Tucker
Rebecca Tucker / Margaret Tickle / Margaret Tickle / Steve Rich
5.19.2013 / Haley Phillips / Madeline Moseley
Merritt Moseley / Sallyanne McVay / Sallyanne McVay / Rick Morehead
5.26.2013 / Elliott Withers / Don Jackson
Davie Jackson / Mardy Murphy / Curtis Goforth / Madeline Moseley
Volunteer Coordinators:
Counting Team: Sue Lane : (828) 255-8547
Lock-Up Team: Curtis : (828) 484-8540
Ushers: Gary HutchinsNAH: (828) 683-1948
Greeters: Cynthia : (828) 251-9210
Sanctuary Stewards: Margaret : (828) 252-9887
Acolytes: Sallyanne : (828) 230-4065
Nursery Workers: Davie H: (828) 645-2928
Children’s Church: Sallyanne : (828) 230-4065
Children’s Sermon: Sallyanne : (828) 230-4065
Communion Servers:Curtis : (828) 484-8540
Scripture Readers: Curtis : (828) 484-8540
UMW Friendship Circle
Thank you for your support of our Soup and Salad Luncheon. At our April meeting, we decided to donate $150 of the Luncheon proceeds for a campership to Camp Tekoa. Also a donation of $150 was given to assist Ellen Banks in her social work with Madison County Elder Care. Thank you again for you help in these ministries!
All women of Asbury Memorial are invited to join the UMW. Meetings are usually held on the 4th Monday of every month (Sept-May). Contact Mardy Murphy or Madeline Moseley for more details.
-Mardy Murphy
Theology on Tap
Theology on Tap is an exciting new ministry for young adults aimed at quenching our spiritual thirsts. Join us on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Our next meeting is Thursday, May 2nd at La Carreta in Weaverville. The Rev. Brian Combs from The Haywood Street Congregation will be our guest as we discuss the Christian response to poverty. See you there!
Worship Committee
We are proud and excited to welcome our newest addition to the Asbury Orchestra: Cora Goforth!!! Cora debuted on the piano, playing the “primo” part of a piano duet based on the Doxology on Sunday, April 21st. Now initiated, Cora will hopefully embrace a recurring role that will expand as her progress with music lessons continues.
May is a month of special Sundays. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12th. If you have new Mother’s Day pictures, please turn them in to Ann Perkins for our Mother’s Day PowerPoint. Sunday May 19th is Pentecost Sunday and the congregation is asked to wear red as we celebrate the birth of the church. We will also be recognizing our preschool staff and children on this Sunday. If you have any red flowers blooming in your garden, please let Arlee Banks know as she will be arranging them for our service. The sanctuary will be decorated in red. Following worship that morning, we will continue the celebration with refreshments and fellowship downstairs. This will also include three magical words—Red Velvet Cupcakes! Join us as we celebrate Pentecost in a special way and as we recognize the preschool and their ministry as a part of our church.
A special invitation to our SAMs & Asbury Seniors: You are invited to Mother’s Day Tea on Friday, May 10th at 2 pm at the Baptist Retirement Home (213 Richmond Hill Dr, Asheville). Join us for an afternoon of music by Ann Perkins, light refreshments and fellowship! Please RSVP and direct any questions to Ann Perkins (254-0078) or Cathy Mills (254-1858). See you there!
Asbury Memorial United MethodistChurch
171 Beaverdam Rd.
Asheville, NC 28804-2514