Anyone who has trouble getting online for work, school, or other activities may be eligible for help through the Lifeline Program and the new Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which help people in need of internet assistance. Interested applicants should apply for each program by clicking here for Lifeline and here for Emergency Broadband Benefit.
Additionally, Buncombe County’s Health & Human Services can sometimes help with rent, utilities, food assistance, medical coverage, child care, and more. Anyone who needs assistance should call (828) 250-5500.
Book recommendation - Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, by Richard Foster
Do you ever feel unworthy, selfish, lost, confused in coming to God in prayer, not knowing how or what to pray? Richard Foster in his book, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, writes, “We do not have to be bright, or pure, or filled with faith, or anything. That is what grace means, and not only are we saved by grace, we live by it as well. And we pray by it.”
Come by the Fellowship Hall weekdays 8am-3pm to check out this book or any of the other good reads we have available!
Community Resources
Free Vaccines for Homebound and Caregivers - Buncombe County Public Health is providing in-home COVID-19 vaccinations at no charge to individuals that are homebound, those with limited mobility, and their caregivers. Contact the Buncombe County Ready Team at 828-419-0095. They group individuals by location in the county and contact them by phone to schedule the vaccination.
Laptop/Hotspot Loan Program - Buncombe County Public Libraries is pleased to announce the launch of the Library Laptop Loan Program. Anyone 18 or over that has a Buncombe County library card may check out a laptop and/or an internet hotspot for one month at a time. Call the Ask-a-Librarian line at (828) 250-4700 to request a device. There is no charge for the service but charges may be incurred for late returns or losses. For more information on this new community resource click here.
College Care Packages
It’s that time again! Please bring any cards or donations you would like to go in our college students exam care packages to the church by Sunday, April 18. There will be a donation bin located in the Fellowship Hall and one on the pew in the vestibule's coat rack area.
Book recommendation - The Seven Last Words from the Cross, by Fleming Rutledge
As we approach Holy Week we reflect on the seven last words of Jesus from the cross. Fleming Rutledge has written a beautiful little devotional book with meditations for each word, helping us “to gain a deeper understanding of the horrific death suffered by Jesus.” She includes contemporary references, biblical scholarship, and hymns to guide our thoughts. This book will help to deepen your commitment as a “companion of Christ crucified." It is available for checkout on the library table in the Fellowship Hall.
Come by the Fellowship Hall weekdays 8am-3pm to check out this book or any of the other good reads we have available!
Tax Preparation Help
AARP Tax-Aide is up and running in the church’s drive-thru Connector area. Certified volunteers prepare and file tax returns for people with incomes under $50,000 and for seniors. The process this year minimizes in-person contact. Taxpayers drop off their documents by appointment and return the following week to pick up a printed copy of their returns. Email the tax preparers at AARPTaxesWeaverville@gmail.com. You will receive instructions and a link to make an appointment. People without internet access can call Joy at the church office (645-6720) and she will let the tax preparers know.
Be Ready to Get Vaccinated
More vaccines are being made and shipped everyday. We’re so thankful that many in the church have already gotten theirs, and we look forward to everyone else getting one too in due time. To find out when you’re eligible, where you can get it, and more info about the vaccines, go to North Carolina’s vaccine website HERE.
Tax Assistance for Senior Adults
There is free tax assistance for seniors, made possible through AARP Tax-Aide, open to anyone. To participate:
E-mail your interest to AARPTaxesWeaverville@gmail.com .
You will receive an internet link to a website where you can make an appointment.
When scheduled, drop off your tax documents with the tax helpers in the Connector, without coming in the building.
The next Thursday, come back to pick up and sign your tax return.
(People without internet access can call the church to get a telephone contact number. Call that number on Mondays to make an appointment.)
Safe & Warm Heating Assistance
Safe & Warm is ABCCM's winter program that is designed to assist families with small children, the elderly, and veterans in need of heating assistance. Monetary donations to the program are used to prevent utility shut offs, re-connection of heating utilities, the paying of monthly heating bills, and filling oil/propane fuel tanks for heating. They also collect and distribute warm blankets to those in need.
Due to Covid-19 and the resulting unemployment and economic impact, Asheville-Buncombe County Christian Ministries (ABCCM) has seen a 30% rise in requests this season for heating assistance. They receive an average of 20 calls a day for this program alone and are in need of monetary and blanket donations from the community to help reach this critical need. If you are interested in contributing, you can find a list of drop off locations for blanket donations and a link to donate online at https://www.abccm.org/safeandwarm.
Book recommendation: The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers, by Amy Hollingsworth
In this book, author Amy Hollingsworth shares the insights and faith lessons she learned from her dear friend Fred Rogers. The two met when Amy was asked to interview Mr. Rogers for her job, but they quickly connected and spent the rest of his life keeping in touch through letters. Through the lens of their relationship you will see glimpses of Fred's life as a little boy, a seminary student, a husband, a father, and a friend. You can really see how his faith was central to all aspects of his life.
Come by the Fellowship Hall weekdays 8am-3pm to check out this book or any of the other good reads we have available!
Black History Month reading
Black History Month reminds us how important it is as Christ-followers to learn and to seek understanding of our Black brothers and sisters. One way to gain knowledge is by reading, especially about the history of their struggles. We have several good books on the library table in the Fellowship Hall that can help us be informed so that with God’s help we can work for racial reconciliation. Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. gathers together the most important photographs taken of Dr. King and tells the story of this great leader of the civil rights movement. “In this book, we come to know this thoughtful minister, advocate for peace, public servant and to understand his dream.”
Come by the Fellowship Hall weekdays 8am-3pm to check out this book or any of the other good reads we have available!
Creation Care tips
Have you set a goal to make changes in 2021 that would benefit God's creation? Perhaps you’ve already chosen to recycle or avoid the use of chemical pesticides in your garden, but would like to expand your efforts to other areas. Here are some options to consider:
(Choose a few actions below that can be realistically integrated into your routine, and work toward doing them consistently.)
Bravo! You just took a step toward making the planet a healthier place for all of us.
“Have a Heart for NBSM" collections
Even though we are not having inside worship, our neighbors still need food and other supplies. Let's show our support for North Buncombe Samaritan Ministry (NBSM) and the people in our community who need our help. You can take your donations to NBSM or drop them off at the church. The staff will be happy to accept it at the back door. (Please be sure and call before coming.) Below is a list of each week's needs:
February 7 - Self-rising Cornmeal and Flour, Sugar, Instant Grits, Oatmeal, Cream-of-Wheat, Cold Cereals, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Sandwich Bread
February 14 - Spaghetti Pasta & Sauce, Mac n Cheese, Canned Soups, Chili, Spam, Beef Stew, Tuna, and Canned Vegetables
February 21 - Toilet Tissue, Hand Soap, Washing Detergent, Dish Detergent, Shampoo, Toothpaste
February 28 - Baby Food, Diapers (all sizes), Baby Formula, Baby Shampoo, and Baby Bath Soap
They also accept cold foods, such as milk, cheese, eggs, etc., and gently used clothing items for adults and children. Thank you for your support!
Dealing with Stress
The Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) connects North Carolinians to mental health professionals to help folks cope and build resilience during times of stress. Hope4NC also includes a Crisis Counseling Program tailored for Covid-19. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It’s important to make sure you are taking care of your mental health, as it affects your overall health. There are things you can do and resources available to help you maintain good mental fitness. Here are regular actions you can start now to improve and maintain your wellbeing:
The SCOOP on Managing Stress
S – Stay connected to family and friends. Social connections build resiliency.
C – Compassion for yourself and others. Self-compassion decreases trauma symptoms and stress.
O – Observe your use of substances (cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, etc.). Early intervention can prevent problems.
O – Okay to ask for help. Struggling is normal. Asking for help gets you tools to tackle problems.
P – Physical activity to improve your mood. Exercise boosts mood and lowers anxiety.
Getting a Covid Test
There are many locations in the area where you can go to get tested for Covid-19. Go to this website HERE, type in your address or zip code, and it will show you options on the map. Some places might require an appointment, so read the notes for each place and call first to ask what you need to do and how much it costs or insurance might cover.
Help With Rent, Mortgage, and Utilities
If you are struggling to pay your rent or mortgage, Buncombe County’s Covid Housing Assistance Program may be able to help. Financial assistance is available to people affected by the pandemic who need support with rent, mortgage, or utilities. To qualify, households must meet the following eligibility requirements:
The applicant/household lost income due to Covid-19.
There is a sustainability plan to pay shelter expenses going forward after the County assists with past due bills.
Income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400) for a family of four.
To apply or ask questions, call (828) 250-5500 to be connected with a caseworker. Or you can click here to view/print the application online, then e-mail it to dssmail@bumcombecounty.org or mail it to Health and Human Services at PO Box 7408, Asheville, 28802.
Attention Sunday School Teachers & Small Group Leaders
Monday Lunches for Homeward Bound
We are partnering with Homeward Bound and the Asheville Poverty Initiative to serve bag lunches on Mondays this month to our friends staying at the Red Roof Inn. The homeless clients being served by Homeward Bound (including Room In the Inn) were first moved to the Civic Center when the pandemic began and were later transferred to the Red Roof Inn with FEMA funding. However, they are relying on community organizations like us for food.
This summer we were able to take our budgeted money left over from our Pritchard Park fund to do a hamburger dinner for these individuals, and last month when the Asheville Poverty Initiative reached out to us for help we were able to take our budgeted Room In the Inn funds to provide bag lunches for several Mondays in August. Now, thanks to a generous monetary donation, we are able to extend this service and will be continuing to provide meals for them.
If you would like to get involved with this ministry please let Regina know. We need volunteers to help make sandwiches, make home baked goods (cookies, pound cake, brownies), pack the bags, and deliver the packed lunches to the Red Roof Inn on Mondays between 11:30am-12:30pm. We will make 65 bagged lunches each week.
Need a good book? - Staff picks, Jane
If there was ever a time we needed a book titled Sources of Strength, it is now. Jimmy Carter has taught Sunday School since he was 18 years old and has taught at his home church, Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA, for over 40 years. In this book he includes 52 lessons based on Scripture, with themes such as “What We Believe,” “Christians in the World,” “When the Road Is Rough,” and “God’s Call.” I admire and respect Jimmy Carter and his life as an exemplary Christ-follower. I value his teaching and wisdom as shared in this book. I hope you’ll check it out!
The church staff has pulled some resources from our Church Library and put them on a table in the Fellowship Hall. Come by (8-3:30 Mon-Fri), choose something(s) you would like, write your name on the card along with the date, and return it within 3 weeks. It’s a great time to READ
Need Any Work Done?
Michael Scott is a former inmate of Craggy Prison who has worshiped with us in the past. As he rebuilds his life, he continues to work in the Maintenance Department for the City of Asheville. He is also available for odd jobs in order to save up money to visit to his family in Rhode Island (the first time in 25 years). He has a wide variety of work ability and has invested in a quality pressure washer, with a gutter cleaner and pavement cleaner. He can wax, buff, and strip floors, take care of junk removal, and perform any kind of manual labor. If you or anyone you know needs good work done, call or e-mail the church and we’ll pass on Michael’s phone number and e-mail to you.