Our Councils serve as extensions of the Session (our governing Council). They do things like disburse funds to our ministry partners (SERVE Council), take care of our building and grounds (PROPERTY Council), make sure our financial house is in order (FINANCE Council), assist and support staff with worship preparation and leadership (WORSHIP Council), and assure a supportive and healthy environment for our staff (PERSONNEL Council).
Some things around Grace Covenant are attended to by Committees. They are appointed for a special purpose. Our Memorial Garden Committee is a long term group who helps us take care of that sacred space where we remember and honor loved ones who have passed away. Our Stewardship Committee is busy all year round, but especially in the fall helping us share our financial resources so the church can be what it’s called to be. The Nominating Committee prayerfully discerns who God might be calling into leadership at GCPC. Our Guatemala Committee is focused on creatively deepening the relationship with our sister church of nearly 25 years, Iglesia Jerusalem in Coatepeque, Guatemala. We also have three committees that assist and support staff with formation planning and programming: Children & Family Ministries Committee, Youth Committee, and Adult Education Committee.
We also have Teams that reflect some of the things we’re most passionate about at Grace Covenant—justice, mercy, and transformation.
Our Garden Team works to nurture and grow our Community Garden. We have volunteers who help plant, tend, and harvest our produce—almost 10,000lbs last season. Almost all of that produce goes to groups and agencies who serve the food insecure in Asheville and Buncombe County.
Our Power And Race Team (PART) cultivates opportunities and awareness around race, power, and privilege all sorts of ways. From field trips and adult education events, to spiritual practices and courageous conversations, PART is always open to news ways for GCPC to grow in our capacity to create equity and an anti-racist awareness through our practices as a community of faith.
Our Creating Sanctuary Team helps lead the way for GCPC in our discernment and engagement in the Sanctuary Movement. We are engaged in partnerships with CIMA, Pisgah Legal Services, and other emerging initiatives in the larger community. At GCPC we understand Sanctuary as a culture of trust and welcome that we are called to create for anyone who experiences marginalization—whether it be due to immigration status, racial or gender identity, or economic situation. Click HERE for a list of resources and ways to get involved at GCPC and in the community. Click for a list of FAQs that the UUCA created for their congregation during their discernment process.
Our Earth Team is always on the move looking for ways for GCPC to be good stewards of the planet. We are a Creation Care congregation. The Earth Team encourages and equips our faith community in all kinds of ways to be green. From our light bulbs to our energy conservation to our recycling and the care of our grounds, the Earth Team works to invite best practices. They also offer educational opportunities to help GCPC continue to learn about the needs of our environment beyond our little spot on the planet.
Our Bereavement Team organizes to surround families grieving the loss of a loved one with love and support at their memorial service. This team organizes ushers for the service and a reception following the service so that service attendees can greet the family.
The Long Range Building Visioning Team has been discerning together for about two years now. This team focuses its energy on how GCPC can create the conditions for strong community partnerships to be involved in whatever happens next with our building and grounds. This team is particularly exploring how future building decisions can embody GCPC’s commitment to racial equity.
Just Funding is a group that discerns together what it is to move, disburse funding, and build relationships in ways that are reparative. It includes GCPC members and partners.
