| | View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | | |
What Jess does in her job:
As the Executive Assistant to the Bishop, my job revolves around his ministry. I manage his calendar, visitation schedule and assist with diocesan committees, so that he can be present and available to clergy and parishioners.
What Jess loves about her job:
I love the people I get to work with every day, and I enjoy getting to meet the people of this Diocese.
| | Disaster Response Spotlight | | Watch this video for further updates from Bishop José on the recovery work of the Disaster Response and Recovery Team. This video specifically outlines the work in the third quarter of the 2025 calendar year (July-September). | | This Week Around the Diocese | |
103rd Annual Diocesan Convention at Christ School | |
The 103rd Annual Convention for the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina took place Saturday, November 8th at Christ School in Arden, North Carolina.
Churches from across the diocese sent both lay and clergy delegates to convention. Attendees gathered for a time of worship, fellowship, and the business of convention, which includes committee elections, budget review, and canon amendments. Bishop José McLoughlin led convention alongside Gaelyn Evangreene, Convention Secretary; Canon Augusta Anderson, Dispatch of Business; and Ed Bleynat, parliamentarian.
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High School Fall Conference
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A weekend retreat for high schoolers where we will discover our connection with:
the sky above us - God, Heaven, loved ones gone before us
the earth below us - our responsibility to creation, community, and one another
the fire within us -our calling, passion, and the Spirit moving through us
Email Charlotte Garcia with questions.
Cost: $225 per person
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November 21-23
Lake Logan Conference Center
| | Cold Mountain Christmas Craft Fair at Lake Logan | |
This workshop includes interactive exercises, videos, and small group discussions. Participants explore how institutional and systemic racism impedes our ability to create an inclusive community. Facilitators from the Building Beloved Community Committee hope to raise awareness that dismantling racism is a spiritual discipline grounded in our Baptismal Covenant.
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December 13 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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. | | |
Beginning at St. Francis (outdoor) Chapel, we’ll hike at a comfortable pace up the Rufus Morgan Trail to an overlook for the readings, continue in silence to Geyer Longs Rock, reflect on how we’ve experienced God, and end at the chapel for the Holy Eucharist, with an optional communal lunch overlooking Kanuga Lake afterward.
This will be the last hike of the 2025 season.
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November 15 | 8:45 a.m.
Kanuga
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Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
If you are interested in participating in the class please email the church at stjohnsmarionnc@gmail.com. There is no charge for the class, but we do ask that you bring your own lunch.
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November 17 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
St. John's, Marion
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Led by The Rev Karla Woggon and joined by musicians including Jonathan Halsey & Elizabeth Barr Bryant.
Taizé is a simple, meditative form of worship, calling us to dwell deeply on Christ's presence around and within us. Mantra songs (like "Jesus, Remember Me"), prayerful silence, and short readings guide the focus of the prayer in a candle-lit environment.
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November 30 | 5:00 p.m.
Christ Church, Sparta
| | | Centerpiece Jazz Benefit Concert | |
This is a free concert, but donations are highly encouraged. The Backpack Ministry is currently serving Hillcrest Elementary School with 167 bags filled with food items. This important Ministry enables food-insecure students to have access to nutritious food items on the weekends.
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December 7 | 5 p.m.
Grace, Morganton
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The annual "No Room at the Inn" exhibit will feature more than 100 beloved nativity scenes from around the world on display in the nave of historic St. Philip's, with live music and a scavenger hunt for children.
Admission is free.
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December 4 | 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
December 5 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
December 6 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
St. Philip's, Brevard
| | | The St. Andrew Chapter of the Daughters of the King is sponsoring an Advent Quiet Day. Anna Fitch Courie, author of Walking with God (2025, Morehouse), will offer guidance and periods of quiet reflection to help us discern how we can improve both our physical and spiritual wellbeing. All are welcome! | |
December 13 | 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
St. Andrew's, Canton
| | | | Leadership in Ministry is a twice-a-year, peer-based clergy leadership development program. It is part of the Pastoral Excellence Program of the Center for Lifelong Learning of Columbia Theological Seminary. Many participants have attended for several years, with some participating for over a decade, reaping the benefits of long-term commitment to person and professional growth. | April 27-29 AND October 12-14, 2026 | | | | |
Advent & Christmas Resources
| The Episcopal Church has put together a robust resource center for the up coming Advent and Christmas seasons. The include social media graphics and videos, lectionary readings, sermon ideas, and more. | | Have a story or event to share? | | Thank you for being a part of our Diocese! | | | | |
