News

LOCAL BRIEFS: St. John donations, Jewish Festival, Santa's Friends

By Bill Moss, Published: July 26, 2015

Agudas Israel hosts festival

Agudas Israel Congregation is presenting its first annual Mountain Jewish Festival on Sunday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the synagogue, 505 Glasgow Lane.
The festival includes Jewish food and traditions. Homemade traditional Jewish food that will be served and sold include chicken soup with matzah balls, chopped liver, kugels (noodle casserole), hummus and potato latkes. Homemade baked goods include mandelbread, rugalach, hamentashen and braided challahs. In addition, pastrami, corned beef, knishes, bagels with lox and cream cheese, babka (sweet yeast cake) and more will be available to sample and buy.
The festival will show how the congregation celebrates Jewish holidays and observes Shabbat and will include a new video about the history of the Jewish people in Hendersonville. Live music features song leader Penny White.
Admission is free. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted for purchases. For information call the synagogue office at 828.693.9838 or visit www.agudasisraelsynagogue.org.

Brew Fest features beer, music and food

Live music, local food trucks and more than 20 craft brewers will be coming to the Seventh Avenue Historic District when MountainTrue sponsors the first Mountain Brew Fest from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
The festival will take place outside Southern Appalachian Brewery on Locust Street. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.mountainbrewfest.com. Proceeds from the festival will help MountainTrue (formerly ECO) advance its mission of championing resilient forests, clean water and healthy communities across Western North Carolina. For more information about the Mountain Brew Fest, contact Mark Stierwalt, Southern Regional Director, (828) 692-0385 ext. 1004.

St. John donates to eight nonprofits

The Rev. Anthony McMinn, CEO of the Hendersonville Rescue Mission, accepts a check for $2,000 from St. John in the Wilderness Outreach Committee member Carol Black. St. John in the Wilderness leaders recently distributed checks eight local non-profit organizations in Henderson County that received funding from the church’s outreach program.
In 2015, the governing body of the Flat Rock church budgeted $50,000 for outreach programs both locally and overseas.
Local funding went to the Backpack Program sponsored by St. John in the Wilderness; Children & Family Resource Center for its Adolescent Parenting Program; Council on Aging for Henderson County; The Free Clinics; Interfaith Assistance Ministry for client services; Henderson County Young Leaders Program; Hendersonville Rescue Mission; and Mainstay. For information on the church’s outreach programs, contact the Church Office at (828) 693-9783.

Library seeks input on future

County residents are invited and encouraged to help shape the future of the Henderson County Public Library System by completing a brief survey available online at www.henderson.lib.nc.us. The survey is designed to provide both library users and non-users alike the opportunity to share ideas and opinions on topics such as materials, programming, locations and services. Survey results will assist the library system in shaping our current services and making better plans for the future.
Residents who are unable to complete the survey online may obtain a printed copy at any branch library. The survey will be available until July 31. For information, visit www.henderson.lib.nc.us or contact Sara McGough at 828-697-4725.

Trinity hosts Presbytery

Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 900 Blythe Street, will host the summer meeting of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina on Tuesday, July 28. On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Visitors are welcome.
The meeting of the church’s regional governing body will begin with worship and communion. The worship theme will center on the hymns of the church. The meeting will conclude with lunch and a reception honoring Bert Sigmon, who is retiring after many years service as Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. For information call 828-692-6114 or visit www.trinitypresnc.org.

HSO League seeks members

The Hendersonville Symphony League is seeking dedicated, energetic and passionate people who are willing to serve on a committee charged with supporting, strengthening, and enhancing the effectiveness of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to presenting a five-concert season, the orchestra has for 43 years made significant contributions to the community by providing young people performance opportunities, scholarships, musical enrichment and educational programs.
The League provides an opportunity to become part of a dedicated group of volunteers and supporters who give their time, energy and talent to ensure that the HSO continues to thrive for the enjoyment of our community.
Those interested in joining may contact League President Bill Elder at billelder73@gmail.com or (828) 2308448; or Volunteer Coordinator Donna Hastie at hastiedj@bellsouth.net or (828) 696-0703.

Gethsemane hosts Camp Courageous

Gethsemane Baptist Church at 1315 Old Spartanburg Highway will host the Vacation Bible School program Camp Courageous Aug. 3-7 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For information call 828-692-4977.

Registration now open for in-depth Bible study

Grace Lutheran Church will begin its 12th year offering Disciple Bible Study classes next month. The community is invited and encouraged to attend the eight-month-long weekly Bible studies. Registration is open now through Aug. 11 by calling the church at 693-4890 ext. 304 or visiting www.GraceHendersonville.com and clicking on “Disciple Bible Study.” Orientation will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 25. Classes begin the following week. Costs vary depending on the level of study.
Through daily reading of the Bible, weekly small group discussions and DVD presentations, the study is designed to deepen faith, increase understanding of the Scriptures and guide participants into service as disciples. The series studies both the Old and New Testament, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God. Disciple aims at transformation, not just information, inviting persons to bring their experiences and struggles to the Scripture, encouraging them to live as Disciples of Christ. This year’s classes are:
• Disciple 1: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study (a pre-requisite to all other Disciple classes) Course will cover the entire Bible.
• Disciple 2: Into the Word into the World, Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts.
• Disciple 3: Remember Who You Are, Old Testament Prophets and Letters of Paul.
• Disciple 4: Under the Tree of Life, Old Testament writings, the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, James, Jude and Revelation.
• Jesus in the Gospels: This class takes participants deeper into Scripture as they look up and compare passages, examining different accounts of the same or similar material.

Mylon Hayes Family to perform at Refuge

The Mylon Hayes Family will be in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Refuge Baptist Church in Dana. There is no admission charge. A love offering will be taken. The church is at the junction of Upward, Ridge, Dana and Oleta roads. For more information, call the church office at 828-685-8544.

Friends of Santa Claus seeking golf sponsors

The Friends of Santa Claus is seeking sponsors for its 16th annual charity golf classic on Monday, July 27, at Champion Hills Club. The Friends of Santa Claus is a non-profit organization founded in Hendersonville in 1993. The organization provides financial and emotional support to over 150 children with cancer and their families. For more information call Lou Dalrymple at 828-692-5549.

Outreach Committee member Bill Gordon (right) presents a check for $2,000 to David Cook, executive director of the Interfaith Assistance Ministry.