| | View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | | |
Important Deadlines:
Open Enrollment - October 15 - November 17
Vestry Certificates of Election - due October 24th
this is a 2-step process that requires both registration
AND the certificate of election
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What Katie does in her job:
As Missioner for Communications, I handle all things related to the diocesan website, edit and send the Along the Way newsletter each week, and manage our social media platforms. I also shoot and edit videos, take photos at events, and write stories that highlight the ministry happening in our parishes and through our diocesan office.
What Katie loves about her job:
I love that my job allows me to be creative and wear a lot of hats. I really appreciate that my job is relational and collaborative, and allows me to work with the various ministries both within our office and across the parishes of our diocese. Storytelling—whether through photography, video, or writing—is one of my greatest joys, and I am grateful to help amplify the good work being done throughout throughout our diocese.
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As we look ahead to another wonderful program year it is time to make sure that our leaders are up to date with their SafeChurch training.
As part of this process, we wanted to share information about the Praesidium Academy Administrator Basics webinar training. This is a great opportunity for those who are new in their role as the Praesidium Administrators to learn how to use Administrator account features. Please note these training courses are not hosted by the Diocese of WNC, so we are unable to help with registration.
| | October 14 | 11:00 a.m. | Zoom | | Marking a Year Since Helene | |
Helene Remembrance Eucharist with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe | |
On Saturday, September 27, the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina held a Helene Remembrance Eucharist at Lake Logan Conference Center in Canton, North Carolina, with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe in attendance. The theme of the event was "Bearing Witness," which was the common thread throughout the worship service, in which all bore witness to both the grief and the hope that has been experienced this past year.
A year earlier, Western North Carolina was devastated by Tropical Storm Helene. More than one hundred lives were lost to severe flooding, along with countless homes and businesses. Entire towns and landscapes were forever changed.
On September 27, 2024, acres of Lake Logan’s campus were under water as the West Fork of the Pigeon River, which runs along the western edge of the main field, overflowed its banks. When the waters receded, acres of land and riverbank were gone, and the field was buried under hundreds of fallen trees, silt, sand, and boulders.
On September 27, 2025, more than 350 members from across the diocese journeyed to Lake Logan to gather for worship and remembrance on that same field, now restored with new grass...
Find More Photos & the Full Story Here
Additionally, a meaningful part of our gathering on Saturday were 14 Stations of Witness - a collection of photos and stories from Helene gathered from across the diocese. View them here.
| | | | Is God inviting you to serve on the Disciplinary Board? | | | | The Disciplinary Board assists the Bishop in the oversight of the disciplinary process regarding allegations of serious clergy misconduct as outlined by Title IV of the Canons of the ECUSA. Ideal candidates will have the ability to think clearly about human behavior and engage the Title IV process with the values of healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, and amendment of life. We need one Adult Layperson and two Clergypersons at large (from anywhere in the Diocese.) | | High School Fall Conference | |
Save the date for Fall Conference!
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.
Registration is now LIVE.
Cost: $225 per person
| November 21-23 | 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. | | An Evening with WNC Writers | This event will showcase a talented lineup of authors, each sharing distinctive voices and stories rooted in the heritage and culture of WNC. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of readings, discussion, and live music celebrating the region’s literary and artistic spirit. The evening will also highlight the newly released poetry anthology Had I a Dove, with proceeds from book sales benefiting flood victims. | |
October 4 | 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
St. John's, Marion
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The Chancel Choir of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Hickory will sing Choral Evensong for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The hymns and readings of the service will focus on the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi.
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October 5 | 5:00 p.m.
St. Alban's, Hickory
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Join us for a vocal and piano recital at St. Matthias Episcopal Church featuring baritone Brian Weber and pianist Tom Stuart. The program will include works by Mendelssohn, Copland, and John Jacob Niles. Admission is free, and donations are welcome.
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October 5 | 3:00 p.m.
St. Matthias,
Asheville
| | | Festival of the Frescoes | Come celebrate the beauty of fall at the Annual Festival of the Frescoes with the Parish of the Holy Communion at Holy Trinity Church, Glendale Springs. The festival includes crafters, artisans, bakers and others selling their wares. Additionally, there is the famous Granny’s Attic rummage sale. Visitors are invited to view and learn more about Ben Long’s The Lord’s Supper Fresco at Holy Trinity. All are welcome. | |
October 11
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Holy Trinity,
Glendale Springs
| | | Poetry Reading & Book Launch | |
The Rev. Dn. Tim Jones (deacon at St. James, Hendersonville) Tim Jones celebrates the release of his latest book of poetry, Love Still Here, inspired by contemplation in nature at Kanuga. The event, taking place at Kanuga, offers self-guided labyrinth walks and a nature walk led by Tim. Tim will read a selection of his poetry in front of the Lake. Tickets are required.
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October 12
4:30 p..m.
Kanuga, Hendersonville
| | The harvest-season celebration takes over the fields in front of the Valle Crucis Conference Center. Craftspeople from across the region, High Country musicians and the community of Valle Crucis are busy putting together a joyful celebration this year. Admission to the one-day festival of mountain traditions is FREE, and ample parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per vehicle. | |
October 18
Valle Crucis Conference Center
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John Philip Newell:
The Great Search
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In this time of transition, so many of us are longing for a spirituality of intimacy with Earth rather than a spirituality of alienation from Earth, and a vision of interrelatedness instead of division. John Philip points to a path of healing and transformation for us, both individually and together.
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October 21 | 6:00 p.m.
St. James
Black Mountain
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This Holy Hikes retreat will explore the intersection of Christian spirituality and Native Wisdom and spirituality. Rev Dr Timothy Ross, a professor and member of the Western Cherokee Nation, will lead our discussions. Father Josh Stephens, Rector of St John in the Wilderness, will lead daily liturgical services. All faiths and backgrounds are welcome.
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October 26-29
Valle Crucis Conference Center
| | Have a story or event to share? | | Thank you for being a part of our Diocese! | | | | |
