| | 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
| | |
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 invites you to join him in supporting Valle Crucis! He has committed an initial $150,000 to construct two or more new hermitages at the Valle Crucis Conference Center. This initial funding does not come from diocesan funds nor from his personal pocket, but were provided for him to choose how they would be used, in recognition of his leadership as our bishop. This initial funding also will not totally do all that he dreams for the Hermitages. Your donations will help make the new Hermitages a reality AND support the existing ministry of retreat! | | Bishop Transition Updates | Who from your parish will be called upon to discern and vote for our next Bishop? | As holds for our regular Diocesan Convention, the cathedral and each parish, worshipping community, and chapel can be represented by lay members (2 for each, except 1 for each chapel) when the special Electing Convention is called. All clergy who are eligible at the start of the Electing Convention will be members of that convention. The number of lay delegates is determined by Diocesan Constitution, but the method and timing of choosing your delegates is determined by your own parish bylaws. Depending upon when you elect your delegates and their bylaw stated terms of service, you should be aware that the delegates you elect for this November’s Diocesan Convention might be the same delegates you will have for the Electing Convention, which will most likely be held late next July. | 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
| | |
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!
| |
August 22 | 6:30 -10:30 p.m.
Elks Lodge #1616 in Hendersonville
| |  | |
Join us for guided adventures, live music, campfire sing-alongs, and more. 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
| | | Middle School Fall Retreat | Middle school is an exciting, and sometimes challenging, season of life. This retreat gives students a chance to unplug, make new friends, grow in their faith, and experience a weekend full of games, worship, small groups, and adventure in God’s beautiful creation. | |
September 25-27
Lake Logan 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
| |
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.
| |
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.
| |
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 | | Cello Concert with Franklin Keel | Joseph Franklin, organist, brings "Pedals and Pipes from Around the World" to the Free Summer Concert series with music from Bach to Buxtehude to Joel Raney and more! | |
August 2 | 3:00 p.m.
St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock
| | | |
Celebrate the sacredness of creation through Celtic liturgy, hiking Rufus Morgan Trail. Optional communal lunch follows.
| |
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
| | | |
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.
| |
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
| | |
Celtic Christianity Retreat
| Through meditation, poetry, music, Forest Bathing, yoga, and prayer, join Rev. Bill Livingston for a weekend of discovery. There is a place for all. | |
September 16-18
Kanuga Conference Center
| | 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! | | | | |
