| | 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. | | It's not too late to participate in Towel Ministry this summer! | |
Did you miss out on experiencing Towel Ministry last week? It's not too late to participate in a Towel Ministry experience this summer. "Taste" of Towel is a one day mission experience to understand and participate in the mission of Towel Ministry.
Open to all youth (7th grade and up) and youth groups in our diocese.
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July 16 | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Calvary, Fletcher
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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?? | | Save the Date: Feast of Absalom Jones 2027 | | |
Please mark your calendars for Saturday, February 13, 2027, as our diocese gathers to celebrate the Feast Day of Blessed Absalom Jones—the first African American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church.
We are overjoyed to announce that our guest preacher will be The Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, a profoundly gifted preacher, prolific scholar, and the Dodge Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS).
| | February 13, 2027 | 11:00 a.m. | St. Matthias, Asheville | | Bishop Transition Updates | Bishop Skirving to Serve as Supply Bishop for Pastoral Visitation | |
Rob Skirving was ordained deacon and priest in 1986 in the Diocese of Huron in the Anglican Church of Canada. He served four parishes in the Diocese of Huron from 1986 to 2004 before moving to the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, where he served St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midland, Michigan, from 2005 to 2014. In 2014, he was elected and ordained bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina, where he served until his resignation in 2026.
In addition to his diocesan ministry, Rob served as Chancellor of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, from 2018 to 2022. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, earned in 1982; a Master of Divinity from Huron College at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, earned in 1986; and a Certificate in Advanced Theological Studies in Congregational Development from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, completed between 1994 and 1996.
Rob and his wife, Sandy, have been married since 1986. They have two adult children: their daughter, Cate, who is married to Allen and lives in Davidson, North Carolina, with their children, Logan and Miriam; and their son, Matt, who is married to Leslie and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Rob and Sandy make their home in Beaufort, North Carolina.
In retirement, Rob looks forward to spending more time with his family, improving his golf game, playing guitar, reading and writing more widely, and discerning God’s call for this next chapter of life.
We are grateful to Bishop Skirving for his presence and willingness to serve our diocese in this time of transition. To view the Visiting Bishop's Customary and the updated 2026 Visitation schedule visit the Clergy Resources Webpage.
| Standing Committee, Search and Transition Teams Meet at Valle Crucis to Begin Bishop Search Process | |
On June 26-27 the Standing Committee met at Valle Crucis with the newly formed Bishop Search Committee, and Bishop Transition Steering Committee to get them started in the work before them. Working with us, and helping us all better understand best practices for our work were our Transition Consultant, the Rev. Timothy Hodapp, and our liaison with the Presiding Bishop's office, Sarah Stonesifer Boylan. The Standing Committee is preparing for its work as it becomes the Ecclesiastical Authority in August. The Search Committee will soon be reaching out to the Diocese to gather your thoughts through survey and listening sessions concerning who we are and where we wish to go as a diocese. And the Transition Steering Committee will be reaching out for volunteers to join the Transition Committee in the many tasks it will take up in 2027 for the election and ordination of our next bishop.
Besides holding all in your prayers, watch for ways you can participate - in having your voice heard and in offering your time and talents.
| 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. | | |
Aug 8 | 9:00-1:00
Grace Church in the Mountains, Waynesville
lunch provided
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TBD | 9:00-1:00
St. Luke's,
Boone
lunch provided
| | *For those interested in attending the Mountain Deanery Resiliency Day, we will email you when the date is determined. | | 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.
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First Saturday Monthly 11 a.m.
St. John in the Wilderness, Flat Rock
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The ECW host their first annual used book sale! Books will be available for purchase during normal business hours as well as limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
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June 26 - July 26
Weekdays | 9-2
Saturdays | 2-4
Sundays | 8-12:30
Parish Hall at Ascension, Hickory
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The Daisy Lake Trail has reopened. Hike through the woods with lake views, pausing at the gazebo and Labyrinth before closing with Holy Eucharist at Lakeside Chapel. Flat and accessible. Park at the Lodge.
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July 11 | 8:45 a.m.
Lakeside Chapel
| | | Waffles & PJs Church, Blessing of the Backpacks | Bring your backpack and come in your PJs for a cozy Eucharist featuring waffles, a shadow puppet retelling of the Parable of the Sower by Sleepy Seahorse Shadow Puppet Co., and breakfast together. Vegan and gluten-free options available. | |
July 12 | 9:00 a.m.
St. James, Hendersonville
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Feast of Mary Magdalene
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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
| | | The Fourth annual Pirate 5K Run/Walk. The church graveyard is the final resting place of Lorenzo Ferrier who may or may not be Jean Lafitte. Dress in Pirate themed costume if you wish. | |
August 15 | 7:30 a.m.
St. Luke's, Lincolnton
| | 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! | | | | |
