Life

LOCAL BRIEFS: Mental health support, chili, Bible studies, theater benefit

Pianist Christopher Tavernier and clarinetist Matthew Hanna will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday at Hendersonville Community Theatre at 229 S. Washington St.

By Bill Moss, Published: January 13, 2017

Mental health alliance launches support group

NAMI Four Seasons, the National Alliance on Mental Illness affiliate serving Henderson and Polk counties, is launching NAMI Connection, a free support group led by trained facilitators for adults living with mental illness. Meetings will be held the second Thursday of each month, beginning with Jan. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Avenue West. NAMI Connection provides a safe and confidential setting for participants to learn from one another’s experiences, challenges, and coping strategies. The peer-to-peer discussion format also fosters relationships and a sense of community. For more information, call 888-955-6264.

Grace continues study of the Reformation

During the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Grace Lutheran Church invites the community to join an adult study series exploring the Reformation on Wednesdays continuing weekly through May 17 from 5:45 to 7 p.m. (except during Lent Feb. 22 to April 26). No registration is required, and there are no fees. Child care for children birth through 5 years old will also be available as well as supervised children’s activities for ages 5 years through 5th grade. For those who wish dinner before the class, please make reservations by calling the church at 828-693-4890 by Monday afternoon for the upcoming Wednesday meal. Meals include a main dish, veggie choices, dessert and a salad bar. The cost for dinner is $5 per person, $3 for children under 12, and $16 family cap.
“The first four sessions of Oasis will focus on Lutheran worship and liturgy,” said the Rev. Greg Williams, Senior Pastor at Grace. “These sessions will look at the four primary parts of Lutheran worship: Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending. Despite fundamental liturgical reforms, Martin Luther preserved the basic ancient pattern of worship. For Christians, worship is the center of faith life. Through the centuries, Christians have gathered, traditionally on a Sunday, to confess our sins, to receive forgiveness, to pray, to be prayed for, to hear the Word announced, to proclaim the Crucified and Risen Christ, to remember God’s promises declared in baptism, to receive the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion, and to be sent renewed and empowered into the world to love and serve our neighbors.”
Grace Lutheran Church is located at the corner of Sixth Avenue West and Blythe Street in Hendersonville. For further information call 828-693-4890.

Men’s Bible Study meets at Dixie Diner

The Christian Men’s Breakfast Bible Study is celebrating its fourth year with a growing membership and is open to new members. The ecumenical group meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Dixie Diner on U.S. 64 West in Laurel Park. Every week four Scriptures are chosen based on the weekly lectionary used in most Christian liturgical churches. The Scripture lessons include an Old Testament writing, a Psalm, an Epistle and a Gospel.
Participants should bring their Bible and no homework is required. During the breakfast meeting each assigned Scripture is read and discussed regarding the context and the meaning for people today. Those who attend may order breakfast from the menu and are responsible for the cost. For further information call study facilitator Bob Andersen at 828-697-0464.

Wellness ministry offers workouts

The wellness ministry at Grace Lutheran Church invites the community to participate in twice-weekly free exercise classes to promote healthy bodies. A walking exercise class is offered on Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in Stull Hall. After a devotion, a walking DVD gives participants the option to walk between one and four miles. Weights and stretch bands are also available. Participants can choose easy walking or vigorous workouts. Drop-ins are welcome.
With photos of Tavernier, Hanna

Coffee concerts benefit city’s Community Theatre

Christopher Tavernier, a 16-year-old concert pianist from Hendersonville, will be the featured performer in back-to-back coffee-themed concerts that will benefit the Hendersonville Community Theatre. The free concerts, on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 14 and 15, will be at the theater, 229 S. Washington St.
The concerts are part of a three-concert series, sponsored by the Music Foundation of Western North Carolina. The 2nd Annual Benefit Concert Series will also include a classical and jazz concert on Friday, Jan. 27.
The first concert, “A Rich Blend of Piano Solo Classics,” will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. This concert will feature popular classical piano solos from the Baroque, Romantic and Modern periods. The second concert, “Cappuccino: A Rich Swiss Blend of Clarinet & Piano,” will be 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, and will include local clarinetist Matthew Hanna. The musicians will perform both solos and duets, including the modern classic “Sonata for Clarinet in B-flat and Piano” by the late French composer Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc. Also on the program are several other selections, both solos and duets. Free coffee will be served at both concerts. For more information call (828) 707-2604 or visit HendersonvilleTheatre.org.

Racquet Club offers adult tennis lessons

The Hendersonville Racquet Club is offering a six-week series of classes for adult beginner tennis players every Wednesday from 7-8pm starting Jan. 11. The cost is $60 for the six weeks.
All classes are taught by certified tennis professions and will be held on HRC’s indoor courts. For more info visit hvillerc.com, call 693-0040 ext. 109 or email info@hvillerc.com.

Texas Exes invited to Chili Fest at brewery

The WNC Texas Exes club invites Longhorns, Bears, Owls, Cougars, Aggies, Red Raiders, Mustangs, Horn Frogs and all other Texans and Texas alumni to Chili Fest 2017 from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust Street. Get out your favorite iron pot, chili pot, crock pot and fix up a big ole pot of Red. Fix it with or without beans. Those that don’t have a favorite recipe may bring a side or dessert. Cornbread, Mexican cornbread or pecan pie will do. SAB has beer, wine and soft drinks. To RSVP call 828-329-4971 or email noirs@aol.com.

Local students win honors at Wingate

Alexis Morse of Hendersonville was named to the Wingate University President’s List for the 2016 fall semester. The president’s list is made up of undergraduate students who earned a grade point average during the semester of at least a 3.80 with no grade below a C in a minimum of 12 semester hours.
Named to the dean’s list were Benjamin Gustafson of Hendersonville, Emily Pruitt of Horse Shoe and Kendra Rice of Fletcher. To qualify for the dean’s list a student must earn a grade point average of at least a 3.30 with no grade below a C in a minimum of 12 semester hours.

Fletcher calls for cooks for annual chili cook-off

The Fletcher Parks and Recreation Department is inviting cooks to compete in the 16th annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veritas Christian Academy.
Awards will be given for Best Overall Chili, Best Individual Chili, Best Business Chili, Best Table Décor and People’s Choice. All types of chili will be accepted including traditional chili, white chili and vegetarian chili. Cooks may download an application at www.FletcherParks.org or stop by Fletcher Town Hall. Applications should be returned to the parks and recreation department no later than Jan. 20. The event is free and the public is invited to taste all the different flavors Fletcher has to offer. For more information visit www.FletcherParks.org or call (828) 687-0751.

Trinity Women invite public to Stop Hunger

The Trinity Presbyterian Women invite people of all ages to participate in the third annual Stop Hunger Now food packaging event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at Trinity Presbyterian Church. The project packages more than 10,000 dehydrated meals to be shipped to needy children and adults in disaster areas around the world. To register call Judi Weeter at 595-9354 to register.

St. Gerard House hosting workshops

St. Gerard House is partnering with Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center to host “Individual Education Plan” workshops.
Students with special needs who attend public school must have an Individual Education Plan to receive services. The services may include occupational therapy, speech therapy, extra time on tests, special seating and sensory breaks. St. Gerard House and ECAC will bring the community two free workshops for families with disabilities and special needs. The first workshop, Introduction to the IEP, takes place Monday, Jan. 16. The second workshop, an IEP Clinic, is Monday, Feb. 20. The workshops will take place at St. Gerard House, 620 Oakland St.
The workshops cover an Individual Education Plan, how to write measurable goals and objectives and explanations and examples of accommodations and modifications that can be used to support a child’s learning.
St. Gerard House is a non-profit resource center and service provider assisting families and professionals in Western North Carolina. It serves individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, from diagnosis through adulthood and is committed to professionalism and excellence in services to meet the broad range of needs in our community.
The workshops are free. A light dinner and childcare will be provided. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. The workshop and childcare are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All materials and a CD will be provided at no cost. Registration is required by the Thursday before each workshop. For more information or to register contact Sharon Stokes at (828) 693-4223 or sharon@stgerardhouse.org.

Cabin Creek Revue performs on Jan. 15

Cabin Creek Revue will headline the Bluegrass Bash at Hendersonville Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. The community is invited and there is no charge. Besides the music, complimentary cookies, cake and ice cream will be served. The Bluegrass Bashes, held year-round, attract nearly 200 vacationers as well as the churched and unchurched from many parts of the county for each performance.

Old Testament prayers are focus of Bible study

“Prayers of the Old Testament,” a Ladies’ Community Bible Study, will be held 9:30-11:00 a.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 11 and ending Feb. 22, at Hendersonville Presbyterian church on Seventh Avenue at North Grove Street. A study book costs $9. For information contact Jan at jandemirgian@gmail.com or 828-551-9226.

Grace Lutheran Church sets prayer life workshop

The community is invited to join the members of Grace Lutheran Church on Sunday, Jan. 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. for their annual “Recharge your Prayer Life” workshop focusing this year on the Holy Spirit. The free workshop will conclude with a time of Prayer and Praise followed by simple soup supper.
The workshop will be led by Grace’s Prayer Ministry Team and joined by Pastor Ken Langsdorf as everyone explores ways the Holy Spirit teaches, guides and comforts each person as they learn to hear the inner voice of the Spirit and deepen their relationship with Him. Prayer Ministry Team member Deanna Plowman said: “People often ask, ‘Why do we need the Holy Spirit’s help when we pray?’ Too often we don’t even know how or what to pray, but the Holy Spirit guides us and gives us comfort. The Helper teaches us all things and brings to our remembrance all things Jesus has told us. Are we recognizing the Spirit’s definite help in praying about our deepest concerns? From Ephesians 2:18 we learn that He is our intercessor; for through Christ we all have access by the one Spirit to the Father.”
To join the workshop, please register by Jan. 11 by calling the church at 828-693-4890 X304 (messages can be left on voice mail). Grace Lutheran Church is located at the corner of Sixth Avenue West and Blythe Street in Hendersonville.