| | View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | | NOTE: The Diocesan Office will be closed Thursday November 27th and Friday November 28th for Thanksgiving. | Join us in wishing CFO Carol Tannenbaum farewell as she enters retirement and steps into the next chapter of her life. Drop in anytime between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to help us celebrate Carol's hard work in her role as CFO. Light refreshments will be provided. | Thursday, December 11th | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Diocesan Office | Join us in celebrating the ordination of Kerry Ann Davis to the diaconate. The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin will ordain Kerry. All are invited to attend and support her as she takes this next step in her ministry. Clergy, please vest in cassock and surplice with a red stole. | | Saturday, December 20th | 11 a.m. | St. John's, Marion | | |
Story makers Advent Calendar: The calendar includes 25 days of creative responses, scripture, and 4 pages of stickers for families to use during the season of Advent.
Watch for the Light: A beloved Advent and Christmas anthology featuring writings from Richard Rohr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Madeleine L’Engle, C.S. Lewis, and others. Watch for the Light invites readers into a season of reflection, hope, and holy anticipation with daily readings that illuminate the mystery of Christ’s coming.
The Book of Belonging:
A gentle resource for contemplative kids offering simple practices and reflections that nurture stillness, wonder, and a sense of being held in God’s story.
Shadow and Light: Created by Tsh Oxenreider, Shadow and Light is a guided Advent practice with daily Scripture, reflections, questions, and simple activities. This devotional helps individuals and families journey through the themes of anticipation, incarnation, and celebration as they follow the light of Christ through the season.
Keep Watch with Me: Edited by Claire Brown & Michael T McRay, Keep Watch With Me offers stories, reflections, prayers, and spiritual practices to sustain and challenge the faith of those who work for justice and peace, and long for the coming of God with us.
A Labyrinth Year: Written by Richard Kautz, this book guides readers on a labyrinth pilgrimage that winds through the seasons of the liturgical year with devotions (to be used while walking the labyrinth) based on the thoughts and emotions of biblical characters whose stories are recalled in the seasonal scripture readings.
| | Disaster Response Spotlight | | The dangers of winter weather are often overlooked. From extreme cold to ice storms to blizzards, winter weather can knock out heat, power, communications and transportation networks, and can immobilize entire regions. In order to protect your home and family, it is important to be prepared before winter weather strikes. Follow the link below to view some practical tips for preparation from Habitat for Humanity. | | This Week Around the Diocese | |
Diverse Group Gathers to view Color Beyond the Lines | |
On Sunday, November 23rd St. George's Episcopal Church in West Asheville hosted "Bountiful Bowls", a fundraising dinner centered around belonging and abundance. The evening featured three community partners of Saint George's: Food Connection, Blue Ridge Service Corps, and Firefly Valley Pottery.
The three-course dinner took place in the sanctuary of Saint George's. The menu featured freshly baked bread from The Golden Acorn Bakery in Black Mountain and homemade dishes based around seasonal and local ingredients. Roughly 70 people attended this community event.
Marisha MacMorran, Executive Director of Food Connection - a critical Asheville nonprofit working to provide meals and dignity to all - spoke about Food Connection’s longstanding partnership with St. George’s. The organization rents space and prepares meals in the church’s kitchen and parish hall daily. Marisha shared that Food Connection recently reached a major milestone: serving its one-millionth meal in Asheville. She also noted that 250,000 of those meals were prepared at St. George’s within the last year alone.
The Rev. Kelsey Davis, who coordinated the event, said, “In a world of so much scarcity, we are committed to cultivating abundance. We believe in the power of community and collaboration. When we share, there is enough to go around.”
St. George’s is in a unique season. Although it does not currently have a regular worshipping congregation of its own, the church is hosting the Cathedral of All Souls while their building undergoes restoration from Tropical Storm Helene. In February 2025, The Rev. Kelsey Davis, Vicar of St. George’s, began a small monthly contemplative Eucharist service called The Table. This gathering has since grown into a consistent community of 20–30 worshippers and has honed its mission to “feeding body & soul.” Out of this mission, the idea for Bountiful Bowls was born and brought to life by The Rev. Kelsey Davis and a dedicated team of volunteers from The Table community.
In total, the event raised more than $3,000, which will benefit St. George’s outreach fund, Food Connection, and Blue Ridge Service Corps. Bountiful Bowls is already scheduled to return on November 15, 2026.
Full story
| | | | Cold Mountain Christmas Craft Fair at Lake Logan | |
We will be hosting a wonderful variety of local WNC artisans in the Bishop Johnson Dining Hall, Lake Logan’s premiere event center overlooking the Pigeon River and the great Balsam Mountains. Come enjoy an afternoon of holiday shopping, kids’ activities, a Christmas carol sing-along, and a super fun holiday concert.
Guests will experience a charming holiday event in a pristine gem of Haywood County. Mile-long Lake Logan is surrounded by the Shining Rock Wilderness and Pisgah National Forest, making this a premier destination for Southern Appalachian hospitality, adventure, and down-home family fun! Folks can enjoy a cup of hot cider by the fire, warm up with a homemade lunch, or embark on a winter hiking adventure using one of our beautiful on-campus trails.
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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. | | Advent Lessons and Carols | Plan now to attend this breathtaking service, which is an Advent tradition at St. James! Two identical services are offered and will both feature the St. James Choir and Montreat Scottish Pipes and Drums. Director of Music Brad Gee will lead the choir in singing carols and anthems appropriate to the readings. Brennan Szafron will be the organist for the service. While no tickets are required, contributions of any amount are welcome and appreciated in support of the music ministry at St. James. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. | |
November 29 & 30 | 5:00 p.m.
St. James, Hendersonville
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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
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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
| | | 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. | |
December 7 | 5 p.m.
Grace, Morganton
| | Welcoming Advent: Finding your Poetry in the Waiting | |
An interactive poetry writing workshop, led by pastor, poet and friend of St Luke’s, James Johnson, this event will invite you to poetically reflect upon the meaning of Advent and how Jesus uses the hidden stories of our own hearts to draw us into deeper relationship with him. Participants are invited to delve into their own experience and transform it into a personal poetic expression. No experience necessary!
RSVP with your name by emailing office@stlukesavl.org
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December 13 | 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
St. Luke's, Asheville
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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!
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December 13 | 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
St. Andrew's, Canton
| | St. John's Marion is hosting its 3rd Annual WinterFest in the Parish House. We will be featuring the original creations of local artists, craftspeople, and authors. If you have any questions please call/email the office. We look forward to seeing everyone! | |
December 13 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
St. John's, Marion
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Enjoy the beautiful acoustic sounds of flute and harp as PAN HARMONIA musicians Kate Steinbeck, flute and Jessica Schaeffer, harp share festive music for Yuletide.
Admission is free.
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December 19 | 12 p.m.
St. Matthias, Asheville
| | Sauntering on the Solstice | Celebrate the winter solstice with a peaceful day of forest bathing—a practice that connects you deeply with the natural world. Immerse yourself in nature and experience its profound health and spiritual benefits. Lunch is included. All participants are invited to come early and/or stay later to enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake Logan’s campus. Led by The Rev. Karl Woggon. | |
December 17 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Lake Logan Conference Center
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The retreat offers a sacred space to honor transition, discover new insights, and embrace the grace found in the in-between moments of life. Come and find your place in the sacred flow of nature and spirit.
Facilitated by The Rev. Karla Woggon, a retired Episcopal Priest and seasoned spiritual director, dream worker, pilgrimage leader, and lover of stories.
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February 1-6, 2026
Valle Crucis Conference Center
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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! | | | | |
