Member PCUSA

Midweek News September 20, 2023

Announcements and Items of Interest

- Sunday, September 24, worship service is at 11:00 a.m.
- Choir Practice from 9:00—10:15 a.m.
- Food for People and pets, please remember to gather your donations and put them by your front door so you remember to bring them. You are also          welcome to give a monetary donation

For last Sunday’s worship service, Woodie and the String Pullers, Kevin Russell, Jerry Dowd, and Jerry Kahn provided music. We are so grateful to have had such talented musicians to help us in our worship.

We also recognized the choir and Kathy Hutcheson for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

The potluck luncheon was delicious, and we are thankful for all the people who brought dishes to share. Again, a big thank you to the fellowship committee, all the volunteers, and Gayle Culbreath for all the work setting up, organizing, serving, and cleaning up!

“The Civil War in Appalachia: History, Stories, and Song — presented by Dr. Karl Campbell and Jackie Rullman. Last night in the sanctuary, was attended by over 150 people and was a very special event. Karl shared history and stories and Jackie shared songs from the period. Jane Sowder shared the story of the beautiful Grandfather Mountain pattern quilt she made with fabric reproductions from the era. What a great opportunity to learn more about the Civil
War in Appalachia.

Do everything in love. ~ Corinthians 16:14:

A big thank you to Gene Hodges and George Riggsbee for replacing at least 12 light bulbs in the sanctuary. We now can worship in the light

Our Fall Bible Study began yesterday, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 3-4:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall and runs through October on Wednesdays. We will be reading the late Rachel Held Evans book, "Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church”. Rachel Held Evans was a New York Times best-selling author. Hailing from Dayton, Tennessee, she wrote about faith, doubt, and life in the Bible Belt. Rachel was a person who reached for the outsider and brought their voices and perspectives into the fold. Her hope was to start more conversations than end them. So, join us as we open ourselves to perhaps new ways of thinking and being the Church. Hope to see you there

Summer Speaker & Music Series
Our ninth and final event in our 2023 Summer Speaker and Music series will be held at 7:00 p.m. on October 3 in the sanctuary. Join us for an “Old Fashioned Hymn Sing” led by Kathy Hutcheson, Director of Music, at Crossnore Presbyterian Church. Enjoy singing old hymns you remember and some old hymns that may be new to you.

Community Programs

Boone United Methodist Church is holding its annual Fall Bazaar this Friday, September 22, and this Saturday, September 23. All proceeds go to several worthy non-profits in the High Country.

Feeding Avery Families needs volunteers to help distribute food on Wednesdays. Please check out their volunteer page: https://feedingaveryfamilies.org/

Birthdays
June Bagby - 09/03
Karl Campbell - 09/03
Ross, Ross - 09/09
Marilyn Gascho - 09/12
Pepé Abrusci - 09/13
Yvonne Matlosz - 09/13
Mary Aldridge - 09/18
Clint Wright - 09/23

Prayer Requests
Lois Donnelly and her family
Jayne Spangler
Hannah Acton
Megan Armstrong
Paul & Jane Lyon
Kurt Kuenzel
Owen Lind
Kay Hodges
John Neel
Debbie Pucket
Lu Ann Barrier
Pat Silver
Dan Leahy
Andy Cappola
Marie Cook
Tasha Reid

Midweek News September 13, 2023

Coming Attraction - Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Worship -11:00 a.m. During worship this Sunday, we will be sharing in a Worship Service of Word and Music. Woodie and the String Pullers are returning to be our guest musicians and lead the congregation in special music and hymns. Pastor Kathy will share scripture and reflections that weave together sacred music and bible passages. Please join us for this special worship experience! We will also be honoring the choir. There is a casserole potluck following worship in the fellowship hall. Everyone is welcome!

This Sunday, September 17 - following worship there will be a casserole potluck! You could also bring salad, dessert, or anything that goes with casseroles. From Gayle Culbreath. Our congregation is so creative, and I am looking forward to seeing what you will bring. It takes team effort and I am deeply grateful. We have been embracing our scripture verses guidance. “Matthew 20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” We are always in need of help so if you are interested in helping with any of our gatherings, please contact me either by phone at (828) 733-3282 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The September Women’s Gathering had a great time last night at the Gingercake pool house sharing food, laughter, and fellowship. Marilyn Gascho’s birthday was celebrated with a birthday cake!

This past Sunday we welcomed 5 new members:

Wyn and Laurie Ayers joined as Affiliate Members.
Our lives have been blessed. We both had loving, caring, Christian parents. We came from homes rooted in love. Our parents did not just take us to church and Sunday School, our whole family went and church was a big part of our everyday lives. Wyn was raised Baptist and Laurie was raised Episcopalian. We met in 1990 and married in 1991. At that time, we blended families and together had five children, four sons and one daughter. We raised our family in Lynn Haven, FL. Wyn was in the banking business for 44 years and Laurie was in public education for 35 years. We are both retired now and enjoy spending our summers in this beautiful area. We are grateful for being welcomed as part of the church family here at Crossnore Presbyterian. Wyn’s email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Laurie’s email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We also welcomed Cheryl Lewis who was baptized and joined as an Active Member.
I am from Harkers Island NC and lived in Carteret County all my life until now. I was an RN in the ER for over 10 years and later came to Asheville and enrolled in the Nurse Practitioner program. That’s when I met my good friend Pat Silver from Spruce Pine. Her family became my family!! I was a Nurse Practitioner in Internal Medicine for 30 years. During my childhood, my parents did not attend church and I was sent with my cousins to Pentecostal Holiness Church until I was old enough to know I didn’t belong. Never joined a church because it didn’t seem right to me until now! Over the last several years I have lost my closest friends and family and found myself needing a change. JoAnn and I became reacquainted after 25 years and both decided the mountains were a good choice. We were blessed enough to find this wonderful place and this amazing church family! Cheryl’s email:is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rick and Gaye Meade joined as Active Members.
We are so happy to be back in our beloved North Carolina mountains! We are former Avery County residents from 1986 to 2006. Gaye taught at Banner Elk Elementary School and Rick was an electrical contractor and owner of Meade Electric. After retiring, we moved to Florida in search of warmer weather. Spending the summers in the Linville area reaffirmed our love and desire to move back to Avery County. We look forward to rejoining Crossnore Presbyterian Church and making new friends. Their email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Coming Attractions

This Tuesday, September 19, at 7 p.m.in the church sanctuary, “The Civil War in Appalachia: History, Stories, and Song"  The residents of the Southern Appalachian Mountains were deeply divided during the Civil War. Loyalties to the Union and the Confederacy tore apart communities and even families. Some historians describe the conflicts here in the mountains as a civil war within the Civil War. This lecture will touch on military history, but it will focus on the social history of the war. Dr. Karl Campbell, a Professor of History at ASU, will share a few popular stories from the period, and Jackie Rullman, an ASU History major, will sing and discuss several mountain ballads. These stories and songs helped people make sense of the Do Everything in Love. ~ Corinthians 16:14

Our new Bible Study begins on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 3-4:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall and runs through October. A note from Pastor Jim Taylor, who will be leading this study: “I invite you to join me on a journey of discovery using a series called ‘A New Family, Throwing Open the Doors of the Sanctuary’ featuring the late Rachel Held Evans. Please let Pastor Kathy know if you would like to participate in this study and if you need a book. She has ordered plenty of books at $10 each.

Community Opportunities:

The fifth annual Warriors Heart Foundation Dance and Fundraiser was held at Land Harbor Recreation Center last Saturday bringing in $10,000. Warriors Heart® provides private treatment to active military, veterans, firefighters, police, and EMTs, 18 and older who are seeking inpatient treatment for chemical dependency, alcohol abuse, and cooccurring psychological disorders relating to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder ) or the psychological effects of MTBI (mild traumatic brain injury)

Experience Taizé’: A Service of Prayer, Song, and Contemplation by Candlelight, on is held the first Sunday of each month. The next one will be on October 1, at 6 p.m., at Sloop Chapel on the campus of Crossnore Communities for Caring. Contact Rev. Brent Nidiffer for more information: 423-707-4514.

Banner Elk Presbyterian Church has invited us to join them for a seminar: “I Wish I Had Known: A Survivor’s Guide to End-of-Life” on Sunday, September 17, 2-3:30 p.m. in the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. This panel discussion will provide guidance for end-of-life concerns. This seminar will offer helpful information concerning which documents and directives you need to share with loved ones before death. Questions? Please contact the church office at 828-898-5406.

Birthdays
June Bagby - 09/03
Karl Campbell - 09/03
Ross, Ross - 09/09
Marilyn Gascho - 09/12
Pepé Abrusci - 09/13
Yvonne Matlosz - 09/13
Mary Aldridge - 09/18
Clint Wright - 09/23

Prayer Requests
Lois Donnelly and her family
Jayne Spangler
Hannah Acton
Megan Armstrong
Paul & Jane Lyon
Kurt Kuenzel
Owen Lind
Kay Hodges
John Neel
Debbie Pucket
Lu Ann Barrier
Pat Silver
Dan Leahy
Andy Cappola
Marie Cook
Tasha Reid

Midweek News September 6, 2023

We honored June Bagby and celebrated her 99th birthday during worship this past Sunday. She has been an active member of this congregation for decades, as was her late husband, Bill.

Robert and Melanie Dunn joined the church last Sunday. Please help to welcome them as new members! 

The September Women’s Gathering will be held this coming Tuesday, September 12, from 4-6 p.m., at Gingercake Acres Club House. Please bring something sweet or salty to share and your own beverage. Call the church office for more information. 828-733-1939.

Our new Bible Study begins on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 3-4:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall and runs through October. A note from Pastor Jim Taylor, who will be leading this study: “I invite you to join me on a journey of discovery using a series called ‘A New Family, Throwing Open the Doors of the Sanctuary’ featuring the late Rachel Held Evans. Please let Pastor Kathy know if you would like to take part in this study and if you need a book. She has ordered plenty of books at $10 each.

Sunday, September 17, at 11 a.m., church sanctuary, we will be sharing in a Worship Service of Word and Music.  Woodie and the String Pullers are returning to be our guest musicians and lead the congregation in special music and hymns. Pastor Kathy will share scripture and reflections that weave together sacred music and bible passages. Please join us for this special worship experience!

From Gayle Culbreath and the fellowship committee. Our next potluck will be on Sunday, September 17 following worship. It is going to be casseroles! Our congregation is so creative, and I am looking forward to seeing what you will bring. It takes a team effort, and I am deeply grateful. We have been embracing our scripture verses guidance.

 “Matthew 20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” We are always in need of help so if you are interested in helping with any of our gatherings, please contact me.

Sunday, September 17, 2023, will also be Choir Appreciation Day.

Tuesday, September 19, 7 p.m., church sanctuary “The Civil War in Appalachia: History, Stories, and Song.  The residents of the Southern Appalachian Mountains were deeply divided during the Civil War. Loyalties to the Union and the Confederacy tore apart communities and even families. Some historians describe the conflicts here in the mountains as a civil war within the Civil War. This lecture will touch on military history, but it will focus on the social history of the war. Dr. Karl Campbell, a Professor of History, at ASU, will share a few popular stories from the period, and Jackie Rullman, an ASU History major, will sing and discuss several mountain ballads. These stories and songs helped people make sense of the tragic times in which they lived, and they can help us understand the full history of the Civil War in Appalachia.

Community Opportunities:

Experience Taizé’: A Service of Prayer, Song, and Contemplation by Candlelight, the first Sunday of each month, beginning this Sunday, September 3, at 6 p.m., at Sloop Chapel on the campus of Crossnore Communities for Caring. Contact Rev. Brent Nidiffer For more information: 423-707-4514.

The fifth annual Warriors Heart Foundation Dance and Fundraiser will be held at Land Harbor Recreation Center on Saturday, September 9, 7-11 p.m. Warriors Heart® provides private treatment to active military, veterans, and firefighters, police, and EMTs, 18 and older who are seeking inpatient treatment for chemical dependency, alcohol abuse, and co-occurring psychological disorders relating to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder ) or the psychological effects of MTBI (mild traumatic brain injury). Warriors Heart is a privately funded treatment center located in San Antonio, Texas, and Virginia (coming soon). Tom Spooner, Gayle Spooner's son, is the Co-Founder. If you want to make a reservation ($15) or have items for the silent auction email Gail Spooner: at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. If you have any questions, call Addie Bobbitt, who is a member of our church family.

Banner Elk Presbyterian Church has invited us to join them for a seminar: “I Wish I Had Known: A Survivor’s Guide to End-of-Life” on Sunday, September 17, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. This panel discussion will provide guidance for end-of-life concerns. This seminar will offer helpful information concerning which documents and directives you need to share with loved ones before death. Questions? Please contact the church office at 828-898-5406.