Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

Kenilworth Church

PC(USA)

Faith, Love, Action

December, 2017

The Words of Isaiah proclaim...

W hat a joyous time of the year! We are honored that

renowned poet, Nancy Dilling-ham, has written this year’s Ad-vent devotional. We hope you enjoy her immensely beautiful poetry that accompanies our Ad-vent journey.

Copies of the Advent Devotional are available in the Narthex or can be downloaded from our Church website by clicking HERE.

There are many, many activities this month at Kenilworth Church. See you soon!

long-term illness and disease.

Therefore, the season of Advent and Christmas can be a time of increased pain and awareness of the human condition. The cele-brations do not bring one to a place of joy; rather, many people inhabit a place of despair and un-certainty.

Thus, the words of Isaiah remind us that God knows the pain of his people and the hurt that is experi-enced by his creation. “Comfort, O comfort my people…” is not only a statement of hope and of what is to come, but is also a state of being that God calls the hurting into.

As we live into this season of joy, we remember those who hurt, grieve and struggle. Let us com-fort God’s people through our words and deeds and be present in their struggle. May we “…speak tenderly…” to those in need and allow this season to not only break forth in joy but also to offer com-fort to all who have lost their way.

- Rev. Dr. Allen Smith

C omfort, O comfort my peo-ple, says your God. Speak

tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40: 1-2)

During this time of the year, we are reminded of the words and power of Isaiah. From our Chris-tian prospective, his proclamation is a foretaste of the Kingdom of God as ushered in by the birth of Christ. Like Isaiah, we are look-ing for the mighty power of God to bring about a new age of jus-tice and hope for all people. We are looking for a time when the past is finished and gone and the good news is lived out through the actions of humanity.

Yet, the world as we find it is a fallen creation. Many times in our lives, we are in a place of sorrow and pain—pain that is physical or emotional or both. For many, the past year has been a time of loss and grief—losing someone very dear or facing the prospect of

Mary, Jess, Stryker and KiKi by the

newly decorated Advent

(Christmas) Tree.

Rev. Dr. Allen Smith introduc-

ing newly Baptized Stryker John

Traver to the KPC Congrega-

tion.

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

J ames has lived in many other places, but, after visiting Ashe-

ville on the advice of a niece, James liked it so much that he decided to settle here.

James has had distinguished ca-reers, ranging from Presbyterian minister to actor. He earned a BA and MA from the University of South Carolina where he served as student body president. He then earned a M. Div. at Union Presby-terian Seminary where he again served as student body president. Later he received a Ph. D. in The-atre at the University of Kansas and taught at the University of Vermont, Trinity University, the University of North Dakota and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

James retired in 2006 from the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers in NYC. He has been a member of Actors’ Equity for more than 40 years.

He was blessed with an 11-year relationship with Ken Alsleben who died in 1987 and a 26-year relationship with Tim O’Connell who died in 2016.

James moved to Asheville from Rochester, NY this year. We wel-come him to the family of KPC.

Welcome New Members

K iki was born and raised in Winnetka, Illinois. She re-

ceived a BS in Business Admin-istration from the University of Albuquerque. She married archi-tect Jon Andrew Traver in 1980 and moved to Vermont.

Katherine began her career as a financial advisor in 1982 and con-tinued in that profession until retirement in 2016.

She and Jon moved to Asheville to leave behind the long, cold Vermont winters.

They have two children, son Tris-tan who lives in Asheville and a daughter, Katie who lives in Lon-don with her British husband, Jamie Smallbone.

Jessica Traver is her daughter-in-law and Stryker is her only grand-son.

She is looking for volunteer activ-ities to help our local community and would appreciate any sugges-tions. Having been here for such a short time and with her husband being so ill, she has not had time to explore Asheville very well.

We welcome Kiki into our KPC family.

J ess was born in Reno, Nevada, and lived there for two years

before her family moved to Mor-risville, Vermont, where Jess enjoyed working on her uncle’s farm, riding horses, and playing sports.

She and her family took care of Jess’s grandmother who had MS, and Jess decided, at an early age, that she wanted to work in the field of geriatrics.

As a civilian, she attended a mili-tary college at Norwich Universi-ty but decided it wasn’t the right fit for her and transferred to Cas-tleton University, graduating in 2004 with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and statis-tics.

Upon graduation, she worked at Bennington School before mov-ing to NC in 2015.

On October 29, 2016, she wel-comed Stryker into her life, the “best thing that has ever hap-pened” to her, she says.

Currently, Jess is a teller at Wells Fargo while doing the best job around i.e... being a mom and being there for her son.

We welcome Jess and Stryker into the KPC family.

Katherine (Kiki) Traver Jessica and Stryker Traver James Graves

KiKi, Jessica and Stryker join KPC

surrounded by family and friends

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

Lectionary Readings

December 10 Isaiah 40: 1-10 and Mark 1: 1-8

December 17 Micah 5:1-4; Luke 1:47-55

December 24 (11 AM) Luke 1:26-38

Christmas Eve service Lessons and Carols

December 31 Psalm 121

N ew Years Eve Service - 11:00 AM December 31

This year New Years Eve falls on Sunday. We will gather that morning at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate the joys of 2017 and look forward to 2018.

Our service will be an adaptation of a Watch Night service. Our Moravian brothers and sisters began this service almost 500 years ago as a means of reflecting on the past and looking toward the future, believing that all time was in God’s hands. Over the centu-ries, other congregation began using and adapting the service for their New Year’s Eve worship.

Come join us as we sing some of the traditional hymns and share the prayers and litanies that have become part of the service.

We will conclude with a Moravi-an Lovefeast, sharing the tradi-tional Lovefeast buns and hot apple cider.

- Edna

T he 8th Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

is set for Monday, January 15!!!

"Standing up by Sitting Down: How Asheville Activists Sparked a Revolution."

We are honored to host Lewis Brandon as this years speaker. Mr. Brandon is a native of Ashe-ville and was a key participant in desegregating the lunch counters and movie theaters in Greensboro from 1960-1963. Mr. Brandon will discuss the Asheville/Greensboro Civil Rights Connec-tion and his legacy of activism that continues to this day.

Potluck at 5:30 in the fellowship hall followed by the program at 6:30 in the Sanctuary.

-Katie

Photo of Chris Winebrenner at the WNCAP World AIDS Day Break-fast.

W orld AIDS Day. I am hon-ored to report that Kenil-

worth Church sponsored two AIDS relief organizations request-ing grant funds through the Nickel-A-Meal program! Loving Food Resources was awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 to provide food to those living with HIV/AIDS in Western North Carolina. Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP) was also award-ed $5,000 to assist in the delivery of food to clients living in far out-lying counties in WNC. Way to go KPC!! You are directly responsi-ble for $10,000 going to feed the most vulnerable in our society. Please keep donating to the Nickel-A-Meal program- your change equals big change to those living in need!

- Katie

8th Annual MLK

Celebration

Worlds AIDS Day Celebrate

New Years at KPC

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

P lease volunteer for greeters and hospitality time. Sign up

sheets are in the Narthex.

Please help us out and reserve one, two or even three Sundays that you will assist.

See Leslie Godbold for more information.

Thank you.

Volunteers

Needed

T o fully enjoy the spirit of Christmas, there are many

ways to experience the joy of giving. Kenilworth Church has many offering opportunities for your giving to help others!

Christmas Joy: This is one of the traditional Presbyterian offer-ings collected each year during the season of Advent. Examples of support it provides include:

Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions – Pro-vides financial help to eligi-ble Presbyterian Church workers and their families in times of need.

Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges - Many college students are the first in their family to attend college and come from low-to moderate-income families. Quality education has been provided to many people who have gone on to contribute im-measurably to the church at large and to the world. (Institutions include Johnson C. Smith University, Knox-ville College, Meanaul School, Presbyterian Pan American School, and Still-man College.)

Racial Ethnic Leadership Development and Recruit-ment - Racial ethnic and women’s leadership insti-tutes equip many for leader-ship roles in the Presbyterian Church. Leadership qualities are inspired by cultivating and sustaining diverse, transformational leaders for Christ’s mission.

Give a Cow, Goats, or Piglet for Christmas! You can pro-vide much needed help around the globe to those whose lives would be greatly improved by your giving basic needs such as an animals, seeds, farming tools,

or clean drinking water aids! A Presbyterian Giving Catalogue is available at Kenilworth Church for you to give directly to this worthy missions cause.

Loving Food Resources: This food pantry, located in a building attached to our church, provides food, and health/personal care items to people in 18 WNC coun-ties who are living with HIV/AIDS or who are in home hospice care with any diagnosis. Contribu-tions made to Kenilworth Church and designated for LFR are fun-neled there via a monthly check from us.

Nickle-A-Meal: Former ly called “Pennies for Hunger,” of-ferings to Kenilworth Church des-ignated for this cause are collected and sent monthly via a check to the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. Twice a year the Pres-bytery Hunger Committee reviews and grants requests from regional ministries working with the poor.

Presbyterian Disaster Assis-tance: Offer ings to Kenilwor th Church designated for this cause are collected and sent monthly via a check to the Presbytery of West-ern North Carolina. This provides much needed assistance during natural disasters, such as recent hurricanes in Houston and Flori-da.

Kenilworth Church Building Fund: Realizing that our build-ings were literally crumbling from the inside out from years of finan-cial restraints on upkeep and im-provements, in May of 2014 we began a separate fund and “7-Year Plan” to remedy this. While we believe that a church is a collec-tion of people, not buildings, it is our hope that future generations will always have a campus where the church can continue to base the work of its Christian ministry. While we have made progress, much work is yet to be done, and much additional funding is need-ed.

Kenilworth Church General Fund: While we have enjoyed getting to the point where we are able to regularly meet our operat-ing and program expenses we, of course, must each month step out in faith that generous tithes and offerings will continue to make this possible. Donations to the church identified as for the “general fund” are always needed and appreciated.

PLEASE REMEMBER That we always ask to help those in need first, and only afterwards give to Kenilworth Church. We would like to be the light of the world and trust God’s Grace that our light bill also gets paid.

- Don

Experience the Joy of Giving

T he Prayer Circle plans to meet after

church, Sunday, De-cember. 31st. We will take time to chat for about 15 minutes after the service and then convene in the parlor.

Contact Norma Warren at nor-ma@dickandnorma.com to be placed on the Prayer Circle email contact list.

- Norma

Prayer Circle

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

K enilworth Presbyterian Church is a small congrega-

tion occupying one of the largest campuses of any Presbyterian Church in western North Carolina. The property and buildings of Kenilworth Church were a gift from an earlier congregation who acquired the property and saw to its construction in the service of God. Our physical assets are tools of Jesus Christ in the world. In April of 2014 it was recognized that the buildings and grounds had fallen into disrepair. We also confirmed that Kenilworth Church has the wherewithal and means to fulfill its stewardship responsibili-ties for the care of our physical

assets.

So, how’s it going? Repairs to the church are so slow in some cases that members either didn’t see them happen or have forgotten what it was like before the repairs

were made. This year we have rehabilitated our electrical service, installed lighted exit signs, cleaned out the closets, refur-bished the lawn (front and back), created accessible walkways in the courtyard and installed hardware and doors for accessibility and safety.

Three and one half years have passed since we established a Sev-en Year plan for repairs. As you can see, that work is about one third complete.

The remaining repairs include:

Balance of Hardware

LFR Decks & Rails

LFR Electrical Repairs

Programmable Thermostats

Sanctuary Repairs

Sanctuary Ventilation

West Walkways

North Walkways

Kenilworth Center Interior Renovations

Complete Accessible Door Hardware

Boiler Replacement

Main Building Window Re-placement

The Building

A Landscaping Plan

General Landscaping

Roof Replacement

Pay off the Building Loan The Session is working to finish the original repairs, rehabilitate the Memorial Garden and expand our mission within our church property. Please join this exciting discussion, talk to an elder, talk to the minister or come to a Session meeting. We have the resources to meet our repair challenges, but an occasional check in the Building Fund basket will also help. - Mike

Christmas for Children

in Foster Care

I f you want to buy Christmas presents for kids in Foster care

in Buncombe county, the angels (giving name, age and gift ideas) are hanging on the KPC tree start-ing Sunday, December 3.

Presents should be unwrapped and have the ‘angel tag’ attached to it and need to be brought to the church no later than December 17 so the kids will have gifts to open on Christmas.

- Katie

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

Scenes From Advent Decorating Party

Photos courtesy of Leslie Godbold

Thank you to everyone who

helped with decorating KPC for

this Advent Season.

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

"FLU" sounds everyday, but it's not.

A ctual Influenza is a virus that lives down in your chest,

gives you fever, aches, cough, and spreads easily. It is dangerous. Already in North Carolina five people have died from this sea-son's flu.

Sore throat, runny nose, and feel-ing crummy is usually a cold. You can feel terrible from a cold and be down several days.

Cold and flu viruses get into your body through your nose or your eyes, which happens more easily that you think. You touch some-thing in a store touched earlier by a person with a virus, 5 minutes later you rub your eye, 2 days later.. you have their virus.

This year, the flu shot is not as ef-fective as usual. GET IT anyway unless your doc-tor says you shouldn't. *Improving your chances even by 10% that you won't get something that could kill you is a no-brainer.*

WASH your hands many times a day, and hand sanitizers are good between washings with soap and water. After you go to the store, come home and wash your hands. After you've been to church and seen all of us, wash your hands before you get into your car.

ONLY touch your eyes and nose with your hand IF you have just cleaned your hands. That is hard thing and it's a habit we all have.. so pay attention. This is a big deal for avoiding viruses.

Get enough rest, drink lots of flu-ids, and stay away from coughing people. And have a healthy Christmas!

- Katherine Jowers

slate of Session nominees for election: Madge Murray, Don Peterson and Whitney Wil-liams. The Congregation elect-ed these nominees unanimously.

The Nominating Committee:

The Nominating Committee con-sists of 5 members. Two, the chairperson and one other ruling elder, are appointed by the Ses-sion. The other three are elected by the congregation. Each mem-ber of the committee serves a one-year term and no more than 3 consecutive terms.

The 2017 Nominating Committee recommended the following slate of nominees for the 2018 Nomi-nating Committee: Steve Brown Sr. Steve Hill and Leslie God-bold. The Congregation elected these nominees unanimously.

The Session has appointed Betha-ny Brown as Chairperson and Katherine Jowers to the 2018 Nominating Committee.

Thank you to Bob Craddock and the 2017 Nominating Committee for their work on behalf of the Congregation. Thank you to the Nominees for Session and the 2018 Nominating Committee and Congratulations on your election.

Flu Vaccine and

Handwashing T he KPC Congregation met

on November 12 for the fol-lowing Nominating Committee business:

Fill three Session positions for 2018-2020

Fill three Nominating Com-mittee positions for 2018

The Session:

Our governing body is known as ‘the Session’. It is comprised of 9 ruling elders serving 3 year terms and our pastor who serves as ‘moderator’. The ruling elders terms are staggered such that each year three ruling elders 3 year term expires.

Our Current Session: Gus Ad-ams, Bethany Brown, Steve Brown, Millie Bruns, Mike Cox, Bob Craddock, Betsy Chater, Katherine Jowers, and Mary Virella-Minton.

Ruling Elders with terms expiring at the end of December, 2017: Gus Adams, Millie Bruns and Bob Craddock.

The 2017 Nominating Committee consisting of Bob Craddock (Chair), Bethany Brown, Shirley Mathis, Bob Williams and Steve Hill recommended the following

KPC Congregation Meeting

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

Exigencies

The snow

Taut, frozen sheet

Starches the yard

The day

Clean, icy plate

Awaits

Its magic enticing

I rise

And blaze a trail

To civilization

Thoughts about Thanksgiving by Shirley Mathis

I n 1621 the first settlers in this country took time to celebrate their bounti-ful harvest with feasting and to thank God for their many blessings.

Now fast forward to 2017. We’ve got the celebrating and feasting parts down pretty good. For most of us this holiday means a day off from work, a time for being together with family and loved ones, and enjoying a tradi-tional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey and a table groaning with favorite dishes, thoughtfully served between football games or during half-time.

But what has happened to the thanking God part? True, some churches do have special services on this day but they are usually not well attended. We have so much more to be thankful for than our ancestors could have imag-ined. For starters, there is this big, beautiful, bountiful country which we can travel about freely. Most people who live here, either because they were born here or have immigrated by choice, are kind, thoughtful, helpful, generous, hard-working, peaceable folks; unfortunately the news media mostly informs us about the bad people and situations, but they do have that freedom to do so. We have freedom to express our opinions, to assemble (peaceably) in likeminded groups, to attend - or not - a house of worship of our choice. In times of disasters here or anywhere in the world we are quick to respond with whatever aid is needed. We have the privilege and the responsibility to vote for those we feel are most qualified to represent us in our government.

However, like every nation, we also have problems. There are those indi-viduals who choose not to respect laws or the personnel whose job it is to enforce them. Differences of opinion and arguments often result in vio-lence. More and more people feel the need to have guns for their own pro-tection. What has happened to respect for the property of others? To cour-tesy and thoughtfulness? To solving problems by negotiations and compro-mise? Our currency, from the highest denomination of paper money to the lowly penny, declares “In God We Trust.” Sometimes it seems that we have forgotten this or that it is no longer so.

On this Thanksgiving Day, and every day, let us look afresh at our many blessings and be thankful and proud that we are fortunate enough to live in this great country. Let us all do whatever we can to keep it “One nation, under God, … with liberty and justice for all.”

- Shirley

K enilworth Presbyterian

Church collected 856

pounds of food for needy people

served by Loving Food Re-

sources!

The food was distributed by LFR

for Thanksgiving.

Thank you for making the food

drive so successful.

Thanksgiving Food Donation

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

H ow my journey started to become the Chaplain at The

Lodge at Mills River. To be hon-est when Gospel Jubilee was started and put together by Julian, myself and Chuck I had no idea that it would it lead to the minis-try.

In September of 2015 I started the CLS classes in Morganton. At the same time, I was talking to the Activity director at LMR (Lodge at Mills River) and telling her what I was doing. By the end of the first year I started to realize that I wanted to become a com-missioned minister for the Pres-bytery.

I became the assistant to the Chaplain at the facility. I was coming to KPC the first two Sun-days of each month then the last two at LMR. I was helping the Chaplain with bible study on Tuesday and was loving every minute of learning from Ralph who is a retired Military Chap-lain.

In March of 2017 I took over the duties of Chaplain because Ralph became very ill. During this time, I was still in school. I could no longer be at KPC the first two Sundays of the month.

During the first half of my second year in school I knew what my

next step would be. I wanted to be a minister and work with Ralph at The Lodge at Mills Riv-er!

The end of May of 2017 I finally graduated!!! Now for the next big step. Ralph was still out sick, and I was doing all his du-ties and starting my journey to becoming a commissioned min-ister.

I DID IT!!! AND MY LIFE HAS CHANGED!!!!

By Millie Bruns

I started the process and studied everything that I thought I would need to pass questions that the dif-ferent committees would ask. Then the big day came on October 24, 2017. I was approved and re-ceived my COMMISSION.

The next big day came September 7, 2017 when LMR asked me to become their new Chaplain! Ralph was going to visit the residents for a few hours two days and week and could no longer continue with the main duties of Chaplain.

At last I found where I should be. Looking back God was grooming me for this very time in my life since I was a child. I love working with the residents and the rehab residents at LMR. Allen asked me if I felt any different. I answered, “not so much because I am com-missioned but at Last I have given my life over to God and he has me were I belong and now there is a peace in my life that I have never felt before!” I am thankful every day to Kenilworth Presbyterian Church for all the support and love Allen and the congregation has shown me. I miss not seeing all of you, but I am so happy and at peace where I am as a servant to God by serving His people at LMR.

- Millie

Merry Christmas to All

Love God... And Love Your Neighbor

About the Newsletter

I f you would like to share a word of appreciation for some-

one, some personal news, give feedback to the editor, etc. please contact Calvin at 230-6317 or at-calvin.underwood@gmail.com

Our Mission : Kenilworth Church (PC USA) is called by God to welcome all people into the Christian Commu-nity. We strive to exhibit God's unconditional love and hospitality to all people. We welcome and include all peo-ple without regard to race, age, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, education or economic class. We share our gifts of time, talent, and treasure to serve God in our community and the world.

The Kenilworth Church Team

The 2017 Session: Rev. Dr. Allen Smith, Session Moderator Gus Adams Bethany Brown Steve Brown Millie Bruns Betsy Chater Mike Cox Bob Craddock Katherine Jowers Mary Virella-Minton

Staff:

Rev. Dr. Allen Smith, Minister , cell 828-808-1660 Rev. Dr. Edna Jacobs Banes, Parish Associate, cell 804-310-7249 Rev. John David Stewart, Pas-tor Emeritus Katie Adams, Director of Out-reach and Program Development LaMont DeBruhl, Sexton Chuck Lockwood, Music Minis-ter Don Peterson, Treasurer and Clerk And, You...

Kenilworth Church, PC (USA) 123 Kenilworth Rd. Asheville, N.C. 28805 Phone: 828-252-8872 Email: kenilworthpresbyterian-church@gmail.com Website: kenilworthchurch.org

Events, Birthdays and Anniversaries: See the Kenilworth

Church Calendar prepared monthly by Katie Adams. Copies in the

narthex starting the first Sunday and online at

www.kenilworthchurch.org

Coming up:

December 17 at 11am- Cantata!

December 17 at 7pm- Cookies, Carols and Charlie Brown!

December 24 at 11am- Traditional worship

December 24 at 5pm- Fellowship and light hors d'oeuvres

December 24 at 5:30pm- Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

December 31 at 11am- Traditional Watchnight Service