Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina | | | |
View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | |
Plan a Watch Party for the Investiture of Next Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe
Congregations across The Episcopal Church are planning watch party events for the investiture of our next presiding bishop, Sean Rowe on Saturday, Nov. 2. The service is intended for all around the Church to be able to join in the celebration as one sacramental community.
Please let us know if you are planning a watch party by emailing sinclaire@diocesewnc.org.
Find resources from TEC here.
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St. Andrew's, Canton recently had to cut down a large oak tree for safety reasons, but the stump remains a sentinal of ministry. Villary LaRue envisioned something to honor the old tree with part of its trunk. Using some tin from Charlie & Carolyn Marth, she constructed a Free Little Library site on the saved 10-foot stump. With the help of iconographer Melissa Moss's talents, donated books & other items from church members, the stump is now one of the many official Free Little Library sites registered across the state and nation.
Read More
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Notice: The diocesan office will be closed September 11–12 while the diocesan staff gathers for a retreat. | |
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Make Nominations by Oct. 21
Have you ever thought about using your gifts and talents to
serve the Diocese in a leadership role?
Each year, the Diocese offers opportunities for individuals to step forward and contribute to the Church’s mission through service on various committees. Prayerfully consider if you or someone you know might be a good fit for one of these roles. Nominations are open now, with a deadline of October 21, 2024.
"I consider it a privilege and responsibility to serve the church on Diocesan, Province, and National committees. So much can be learned and so much wisdom can be shared. I have great respect for the process of coming together as leaders in the faith. We need this so that we can clearly interpret who we say we are and continue to unpack who we are as the Episcopal Christian family," said Betsy Biega, an Executive Council member.
For more details on the available positions, please refer to our Offices to be Elected Memo and take a look at the infographic below to see what seats are open this year. We encourage you to step into this opportunity and serve!
Nomination Form
Offices to be Elected Memo
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102nd Annual Diocesan Convention
Cherokee Convention Center, Cherokee
Prelude Events: Thursday, Nov. 7 & Friday, Nov. 8
Open to delegates, guests, and visitors
Opening Eucharist & Reception: Friday, Nov. 8
Business & Keynote: Saturday, Nov. 9
Register Today
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Is God Calling You?
Join us to explore where or how God might be calling you. Discernment Day is intended to help those who feel a call to service through ordained or lay ministry.
We will help answer questions such as: What am I getting myself into? I don’t feel ready, why do I feel called? What are the first steps? Do I have to move to attend seminary?
Speakers, table discussions, and Q & A time around topics such as Commission on Ministry, Iona School for Ministry, ordained ministry (priest or deacon), and lay ministry (formation, parish ministry, vestry, etc.) will be offered. We hope Discernment Day will help you find a path to answering your call.
Sept. 21 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | St. James Episcopal Church, Black Mountain
Register
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Virtual Budget Road Tour
Join us for the Budget Road Tour Zoom meetings, where the executive team (Bishop, Treasurer, and CFO) present the proposed budget, answer questions, and welcome participant suggestions. If any suggestions are offered, people are invited to provide creative ideas to maintain a balanced budget.
Please RSVP on the diocesan website to ensure you get the correct Zoom link.
RSVP for Tuesday
RSVP for Thursday
Tuesday, Sept. 24 & Thursday, Sept. 26 | Zoom
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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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Centering Prayer Group
Join St. John's in Asheville at a new time for a centering prayer gathering following Martin Laird's Into the Silent Land. The new time for the gathering is earlier in the day, at 10 a.m. Contact the Rev. David McNair for more information: davidmcnair828@gmail.com
Thursdays | 10 a.m. | St. John's, Asheville
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Pride Mass
Join St. John's in Sylva for the Pride Mass, which is part of the weekend-long Sylva Pride Festival. Come as you are!
Friday, Sept. 13 | 5:30 p.m. | St. John's, Sylva
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Bi-lingual Eucharist at St. James
The Bi-lingual Eucharist at St. James Hendersonville with La Capilla de Santa Maria, St. Paul Tabernacle AME Zion, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will be on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at St James. Enjoy a unique Eucharist (in Spanish and English) and a shared meal to fellowship and celebrate with our siblings in Christ.
Thursday, Sept. 19 | 6:30 p.m. | St. James, Hendersonville
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Celtic Eucharist Hike
Our next Celtic Hike will be Saturday, September 21. While hikers of all levels will appreciate the lake views and woods, those who have difficulty with ascents and treacherous terrain will especially appreciate this flat trail which meanders around the lake, by the organic garden and the labyrinth. We will gather at 8:45 a.m. at the Lakeside Chapel, between the Lodge and the lake (park in the Lodge parking lot). The liturgy and hike begins at 9 a.m. After the Eucharist/Hike at noon, we will share a communal lunch on the Lodge patio. You are invited to either bring your own lunch or purchase lunch from the Kanuga Dining Hall.
Photos and information about previous hikes are available on Facebook. Please send any questions to the Rev. Bill Livingston at rector_bill@bellsouth.com or to receive hike and inclement weather announcements directly via email. If inclement weather requires canceling a hike, email notice will be sent no later than 7:00 a.m. the day of the hike. If no email is received, the hike remains scheduled.
Photo by the Rev. Bill Livingston.
Saturday, Sept. 21 | 8:45 a.m. | Lakeside Chapel, Kanuga
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Good News Gardens Field Days
A time to connect with each other and learn about what it means to be “Good News” in
Creation—including topics of botany, gardening, climate justice, and green burial
Join us on September 22-24, 2024 at Kanuga in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mallory McDuff as our keynote speaker on Wednesday evening. Mallory will speak to the intersection of agrarian ministry-churchland stewardship-creation care.
St. John’s in the Wilderness, Flat Rock, NC will join us in sharing news of their volunteer work in Kanuga’s Foster Education Garden. We will also hear from Delia Jovel Dubon from Tierra Fértil Coop, a Hispanic, worker-owned farm cooperative partnering with western North Carolina’s Episcopal Churches in food ministry.
Immerse yourself in a variety of engaging activities, from forest bathing and sound baths to music and stories around the fire. We'll also share a farm-to-table supper in the garden, fostering a sense of community and time to reflect on how to apply our learning.
Information: goodnewsgardens@episcopalchurch.org
Registration: https://kanugafielddays.campbrainregistration.com
Sept. 22–24 | Kanuga
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The Philadelphia 11 Screening
Gather, watch and discuss the meaning of this important history about the first women ordained as Episcopal priests. It is about how to break down barriers with grace and be true to oneself in the process. And it is about standing up to institutions that do not allow all people to be who they are called to be. The screening is free, but we'd appreciate an RSVP to director@vcconferences.org for set up and refreshment planning.
Sunday, Sept. 22 | 4 p.m. | Apple Barn at Valle Crucis
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St. James Players present Orientation
A brief sermon drama by Tom S. Long
When Marge and Frank show up at the pearly gates after an unfortunate accident, the gatekeeper angel welcomes and surprises them with what they are about to encounter. It’s not at all what they expect. Presented by the St. James Players. Come experience this creative worship opportunity and performance by our drama troupe.
Sunday, Sept. 22 | 5 p.m. | St. James, Hendersonville
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Valle Rendez-view Gala Dinner
This is super exciting! Valle Crucis is hosting its first-ever Valle Rendez-View Gala Dinner! Music by the FABULOUS Belle Peppers, a gourmet dinner catered by Reid's (arguably the best caterers in the High Country), and general hilarity provided by your VCCC hosts. The event kicks off with drinks and some light schmoozing at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner, music, and possibly some dancing, if we're in the mood. Tickets for the dinner are $100 per person. All proceeds go to benefit the Valle Crucis Conference Center's ministry of hospitality.
Saturday, Sept. 28 | 5:30 p.m. | Apple Barn at Valle Crucis
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Election Engagement Resources
Election Activators do things like work the polls on election days, organize child care so parents can vote, set up a parish as a polling site, and provide information and tools to help people vote faithfully and confidently in upcoming elections. There are many ways to be involved in civic engagement.
Asheville parishioner Kim Hayes is available to offer workshops and help interested parties get started with responsible and non-partisan civic engagement. If you would like to participate in Election Activators or offer something for your congregation, contact Kim Hayes at kimhys53@gmail.com.
Click here to find TEC resources for election engagement.
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Join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and church guests to explore voting through a theological lens, highlighting it as an expression of care for each other and God's creation. Panelists will discuss faith-based civic engagement and the importance of Episcopal churches using their resources to support community voting.
Panelists include:
- Michael Curry - Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church; New York, New York
- Willie Bennett - Senior Congregational Engagement Officer, Episcopal Health Foundation; Houston, Texas
- Joyce Statz - Health and Justice Advocacy Network (HJAN), St. Matthew's Episcopal Church; Austin, Texas
- Amy Coultas - Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Kentucky; Louisville, Kentucky
- Alan Yarborough - Church Relations Officer, Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations; Washington, District of Columbia (moderator)
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Thank you for being a part of our Diocese! | | | | |
