| | View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | | |
Convention 2026
Important upcoming dates to prepare for Convention 2026
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9/24/26 - deadline for resolution submissions requiring expenditure
9/29/26 @ 6 p.m. & 9/30/26 @ 1:00 - Virtual Budget Road Tour
10/9/26 - deadline for leadership nominations & resolution submissions
10/19/26 - Vestry Certificates of Election due
10/28/26 - New Delegate Orientation
11/7/26 - Diocesan Convention
| | Patricia Minkler Howell Grant | | Applications for the 2026-27 Patricia Minkler Howell Grant are now being accepted. The purpose of the PMH Grant is to encourage congregations, dioceses, and nonprofits to develop creative new community-based outreach programs to and with children and youth in need. The application deadline is July 31st. All information can be found on the diocesan website. | | |
Bishop José has invited contributions to match his pledge of $150,000 to construct two or more new hermitages at the Valle Crucis Conference Center. Your donations will help make the new Hermitages a reality AND support the existing ministry of retreat!
Additionally, members of the diocese are invited to contribute to a gift of appreciation and farewell in the form of a purse to be given to Bishop José upon his departure. If you would like to contribute, give through the link below or send check to the diocesan office with "Bishop Purse" in the memo.
| | Do you have any photos with Bishop José?? | | Bishop Transition Updates | The Standing Committee has worked to assemble a Bishop Transition webpage. Communications, important dates, committee information, and all relevant and pertinent information regarding the bishop transition and search process can be found on this page. | | Join this workshop to explore community resilience and disaster preparedness, from disaster phases and practical tools, to the science of resilience, asset-mapping, and concrete action planning. | | |
August 8 | 9:00-1:00
Grace Church in the Mountains, Waynesville
lunch provided
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August 8 | 3:00-6:00
St. Luke's,
Boone
dinner provided
| | Splash! Pool Party for Youth | |
Join us for a evening of fun and fellowship as we start a new program year! This event is open to our diocese and will be celebrating the Youth, Children and Family Ministry in our diocese!
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August 22 | 6:30 -10:30 p.m.
Elks Lodge #1616 in Hendersonville
| |  | Join us at Lake Logan for guided adventures, live music, campfire sing-alongs, and everything the lake and Shining Rock Wilderness have to offer. Whether you're looking for outdoor exploration or a quiet moment with good company, Young at Heart Camp at Lake Logan has something for everyone. | |
August 25-27
Lake Logan Retreat & Conference Center
| | To submit an event, please review the submission guidelines and email event details and a photo for consideration to katie@diocesewnc.org. This space is reserved for diocesan, parish, and conference center events. | | |
Weekly Bible Study
& Sermon Prep
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This study and discussion will include exegesis and theological questions that the Lectionary texts pose. We will also explore supplemental texts for inclusion as supportive material.
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Weekly on Wednesdays | 4 p.m.
Zoom
| | | Historic Church Tours in Flat Rock | |
Seasonal tours of the 175-year old church building and historic churchyard (cemetery) continue at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness, Flat Rock.
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First Saturday Monthly 11 a.m.
St. John in the Wilderness, Flat Rock
| | | Franciscan Justice Circle | WNC Franciscan Justice Circle is an ecumenical community reflecting on faith, justice, and creation care, and supporting one another in compassionate, justice-minded living. All faith backgrounds welcome. | Third Thursday Monthly | 6–7 p.m. Online | | |
Join us for an evening of sacred word, silence, chant, anointing, presence.
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July 22 | 6:00 p.m.
St. James, Black Mountain
| | | Blowing Rock Tour of Homes | |
The 68th Blowing Rock Tour of Homes showcases four fabulous homes, raising funds to support local non-profits and those in need.
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July 24 | 9 a.m-4 p.m.
St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock
| | | La Capilla Back-to-School Picnic | This year, this family-friendly gathering of sister churches will celebrate students and will act as a farewell to Bishop José. Enjoy great food, games, and fellowship. | |
July 26 | 1:00 p.m.
La Capilla de Santa Maria, Hendersonville
| | Cello Concert with Franklin Keel | Mr. Keel is an Associate Principal Cellist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, as well as a singer, songwriter and passionate educator. | |
August 2 | 4:00 p.m.
St. Matthias, Asheville
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Celebrate the sacredness of creation through Celtic liturgy, hiking Rufus Morgan Trail. Optional communal lunch follows.
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Aug. 8 | 8:45 AM
St. Francis Chapel
| | | The church graveyard is the final resting place of Lorenzo Ferrier who may or may not be Jean Lafitte. Pirate themed costumes optional! | |
August 15 | 7:30 a.m.
St. Luke's, Lincolnton
| | Join us for an inviting supper with sides & desserts! This year's proceeds benefit Calvary's Food Pantry. Suggested Donation: Adults $10, Kids 12 & under $5; $20 max per family. | |
August 22 | 5-7 p.m.
Calvary, Fletcher
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Join the Rev. John Rice in this deep and enlightening exploration of blessing prayer. Cost is free. A donation to cover lunch is invited. The deadline for registration is August 15.
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August 22 | 9-3
Grace, Asheville
| | | Friends of Music & the Arts opens the fall season with BANRIGH (Bahn-ree) — a Celtic harp quartet celebrating traditional Celtic music and culture. Free and open to the public; reservations required. | |
Sept. 20 | 4:00 PM
St. John in the Wilderness, Flat Rock
| | 5 Day Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat | Please consider joining us for a time of Centering Prayer in a sacred and beautiful setting. Time in Centering Prayer as a group deepens and expands our practice. | |
September 6-10
Lutheridge Conference Center
Arden, NC
| | Mystics of the Rhineland Pilgrimage | The Center for Spiritual Wisdom's sixth international pilgrimage follows European mystic saints from Amsterdam along the Rhine to Strasbourg. | |
October 3-13, 2026
Central Europe
| | The Episcopal Church has a weekly newsletter and other regular communications. We highly recommend subscribing to their newsletter to stay up-to-date with news from the global church, offerings from the wider Episcopal Church, and letters from the Presiding Bishop. | | Have a story or event to share? | | Thank you for being a part of our Diocese! | | | | |
