Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina | | | |
View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | |
Diocesan Day of Service
Photo gallery from churches serving their communities around the diocese for the Day of Service on Nov. 9. Thank you to all who served!
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On Saturday, November 9th, over 30 dedicated St. Philippians transformed The Bread of Life, a vital resource providing daily hot meals to those in need. Our volunteers brightened the dining room with a fresh coat of paint, a much-needed update after over a decade. We also tackled other improvements, including painting the office, removing an old sink, creating a new dining room entrance, repairing the front door, installing a new gate for the dumpster fence, and relocating the scrap food container for a more aesthetically pleasing environment. | |
Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville says, "Thank you to the 31 people from three parishes that joined together in service on Saturday, November 9, the "Diocesan Day of Service." We helped Haywood Waterways, Friendship House, Haywood Christian Ministries, Lake Logan & Salvation Army. And we got to know and love one another a bit better, too!" | | |
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The Rev. Anna Shine is serving on the Episcopal Church delegation to the 29th session of the Conference of Parties of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, also known as COP29, is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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Fall Conference is a great way to allow our youth to reconnect to other Episcopalian young people, themselves, and with God. Register today!!
If you are experiencing financial hardship, please email Charlotte and we can help with registration fees, or if you would like to sponsor a youth, email Charlotte and she can help you out with that!
REGISTER
Nov. 22–24 | Lake Logan
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To submit an event, please review the submission guidelines and email Sinclaire event details and a photo for consideration. This space is reserved for diocesan, parish, and conference center events. | |
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Storytelling & Sermons
A clergy workshop using stories with sermons to experience more presence
How can clergy experience more presence during sermon delivery in the space where clergy and congregants meet? Presence, in this workshop, means being present to each other, aware of our interior self, and connected to the Source. In our half-day workshop, we will begin the morning with centering, followed by discussing the difference between a story and a sermon, working with sensory details, practicing short writings and delivering those writings in oral story form. Inspiration for our stories will come from different sources such as common experiences, biblical characters and Bible passages. Naomi will also share stories during our time together. Expect individual, group and partner work in a safe space. Leave ready to meaningfully incorporate stories with sermons.
Presenter:
Naomi Faw teaches at Appalachian State University, is an award-winning storyteller and published author. She writes about her experiences growing up in the southern region of the NC Appalachian Mountains. Megan Well’s, a nationally respected storyteller, says, “Listening to Naomi’s stories is like sitting on the front porch having a conversation.” Naomi has read for public radio stations in North Carolina and Virginia, given presentations and participated in storytelling events. She is a graduate of the Education for Ministry Program at the University of the South, an Associate of St. Mary’s Convent, and has been active at the local parish in various ways. She is passionate about stories and believes that by sharing stories we increase our empathy and our connectedness to each other.
Register for the free workshop by emailing The Rev. Karla Woggon, karla@ascensionhickory.org.
Saturday, Nov. 16| 9 a.m.– Noon | Ascension, Hickory
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Baritone Thomas McNeil in Concert at St. Mary of the Hills
Baritone Thomas McNeil brings a variety of music to the next free concert at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock this Sunday, November 17 at 3 pm. Sponsored by the Friends of Music at St. Mary’s, the concert ranges from Ralph Vaughn Williams "Five Mystical Songs" to African American spirituals.
The concert is free and everyone is welcome. The church is located on Main Street in Blowing Rock. For more information, please call the church office at 828.295.7323, or follow us on Facebook @ MusicfromStMaryoftheHills.
Sunday, Nov. 17 | 3 p.m. | St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock
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Celtic Eucharist Hike
We will gather at 8:45 a.m. at St. Francis (outdoor) Chapel, across the road from Kanuga Inn (parking available at the Inn parking lot). The liturgy and hike begin at 9:00 a.m. We’ll climb (moderate ascent and at a pace comfortable for everyone) Rufus Morgan Trail to the overlook to hear the readings, hike in silence to Geyer Longs Rock overlook (pictured in photo), after the silence we’ll reflect on how we’ve experienced God, and end at St. Francis Chapel for the Holy Eucharist.
Eucharist hikes will resume in March 2025.
Saturday, Nov. 23 | 8:45 a.m. | St. Francis Chapel, Kanuga
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Holiday Bazaar
The ECHS outreach committee is hosting a holiday Bazaar to fundraise for two local nonprofits: Community Housing Coalition and Beacon of Hope. Do some holiday shopping and support a great cause at the same time! The event includes crafts & art sales, a silent auction, plenty of food, and more.
Saturday, Dec. 7 | 9 a.m. | Holy Spirit, Mars Hill
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Messiah Sing-Along
Singers and music lovers are invited to sing – or just enjoy – the Christmas section of Handel's Messiah, with soloists and a Baroque orchestra. Two performances will be offered; advance tickets are required and cost $25.
Find details and ticket information at https://www.stphilipsbrevardnc.org/messiah.
Saturday, Dec. 14 | 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. | St. Philip's, Brevard
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As we head toward the Advent Season, we want to provide ideas that we hope will help with planning for the upcoming season. The link above includes options with multimedia components (video/social media/art), books for personal reflection and small groups, and curriculums offered by the Episcopal Church. | |
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A message from The Episcopal Church's Executive Council
Executive Council members gathered for our first meeting of this triennium as we still were reacting to the news of the election in the United States. As this group that includes immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, people of color, Indigenous people, White people, and folk from across the church organized to get our work done, emotions ran the gamut. A few were quietly pleased. Most were moving through anger, sadness, fear, and astonishment.
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Survey Open for Young Persons
The Episcopal Church’s Department of Faith Formation is seeking survey participants ages 18-32 as part of a three-year, partially grant-funded project to identify the gifts and challenges of Gen Z ministry within the church and enhance program development. The survey is open until Dec. 2. Survey Link
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Thank you for being a part of our Diocese! | | | | |
