Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina | | | |
View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | |
Learn Skills at the Acolyte Festival
The Diocese is thrilled to partner with the Cathedral of All Souls to bring the Acolyte Festival, a day filled with learning basic acolyte skills, torch bearing, chalice bearing, lay reading, and other creative ways to participate in church services. The day will culminate in a worship led by Bishop Jose at 2:30 pm, open to all. The event costs $20 per person to cover the cost of lunch and supplies. Registration is open until October 21st at noon. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and serve!
Register Here
| | |
|
The Cofan tribe, guardians of a crucial part of the Ecuadorian Amazon, has long battled to conserve their rainforest home amid escalating threats. Their leader, Chief Randy Borman, has spearheaded efforts to safeguard their land and revive their community, despite immense challenges from deforestation and illegal activities.
Jim Geenen from Grace in the Mountains, Waynesville, recently embarked on a significant journey to reconnect with the Cofan. His visit not only deepened his understanding of their struggles but also highlighted the tribe’s innovative conservation efforts, including their forest ranger and turtle rescue programs.
Geenen’s account offers a compelling glimpse into the Cofan's courageous work and the broader implications for global environmental conservation.
Read Full Article
| | | |
|
Go Deep in Cherokee with Friday Pre-Convention Workshops
Come together through stories and tradition
As part of this year’s Diocesan Convention, we invite you to join us on Friday for a day of enriching workshops that dive deep into Cherokee life, traditions, and worldviews. Through these sessions, we live into our baptismal covenant by engaging with and listening to our neighbors in Cherokee, creating opportunities for connection and mutual learning.
| |
All of this is available for just $44, which includes lunch and access to all workshops with these amazing Cherokee speakers.
All are invited to participate in these workshops, regardless of convention delegation status.
Let’s come together with open hearts and minds, ready to listen and learn from those who have long called this land home.
| |
|
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
| |
|
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
| |
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. | |
|
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
| |
|
Choral Evensong
St. Philip's, Brevard will offer Choral Evensong for the Feast of St. Hildegard of Bingen on Friday, September 20 at 5:00 pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Joining the Chancel Choir and organ are artists from Asheville Baroque, who will form a Palladian ensemble with viola da gamba, theorbo and violins to offer hymns, psalms and anthems by Hildegard as well as Claudio Monteverdi, Kathryn Rose and Gwyneth Walker.
Friday, Sept. 20 | 5 p.m. | St. Philip's, Brevard
| |
 | |
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
| |
|
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
| |
|
The Mountaintop Director's Forum with Vickie Washington
St. James is honored to host acclaimed director Vickie Washington on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. for a special presentation and discussion of Flat Rock Playhouse’s new Black Box play, The Mountaintop, a fictional re-imagining of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last day. This event is open and free to the public.
Washington is a theater artist and cultural worker based in Dallas and working everywhere. Directing credits include “Whitelisted,” “Blood Knot,” “What to Send Up When It Goes Down,” “Hairy and Sherri,” “The Mountaintop,” “School Girls; or the African Mean Girls Play,” “Are You Now, or Have You Ever Been…,” “Fences,” “Passing Strange,” “Single Black Female,” “Sunset Baby,” “Fabulation,” and “Angela’s Mixtape.”
Thursday, Sept. 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Trinity Room at St. James, Hendersonville
| |
|
Piano Recital with Edmund Barton Bullock
St. John’s Marion Invites you to a piano recital, September 29th at 2:00, with E. Barton Bullock. Edmund Barton Bullock, a native North Carolinian, has lived in France since 1978, and is the Artistic Director and co-founder of the Festival International de Musique en Occitanie, based in the Toulouse area of France, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year.
He performs his own works as well as works by the great masters, as a soloist, chamber musician and with orchestra, across North America and Europe in front of diverse and enthusiastic audiences. He has played in the greatest halls and with crowned heads such as the Prince Consort of Denmark and Queen Margareta II, for example. He has composed
many works which have been performed in the United States and Europe.
We are delighted that he will be joining us in Marion for a concert of great composers and works of his own.
There is no cost for the event, donations will be accepted to go towards Mr. Bullock and to bring more concerts to St. John’s.
Sunday, Sept. 29 | 2 p.m. | St. John's, Marion
| |
|
ASU Horn Quartet in Concert at St. Mary of the Hills
The ASU Horn Quartet brings something for everyone to the next free concert at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock this Sunday, Sept. 29 at 3 pm. Sponsored by the Friends of Music at St. Mary’s, the concert includes both classical suites for the French horn and medleys from several of Disney’s recent family-favorite movies.
The four talented musicians in the group are all advanced students at Appalachian State University, and play the fiendishly difficult French horn in several ensembles and orchestras.
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, Sept. 29 | 3 p.m. | St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock
| |
|
Celtic Spirituality: Why it Matters Now
Internationally renowned spiritual teacher John Philip Newell presents on Celtic Wisdom for this moment in time in relation to Earth and the human soul. Newell calls us to be aware of the sacredness of Earth and every human being as key to the way of transformation and healing in our lives and world today. Registration is required.
Sunday, Oct. 20 | 6–8 p.m. | St. James, Black Mountain
| |
|
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.
| |
|
This series will focus on our response, as people of the Jesus Movement, to the most pressing gender justice issues in our society right now. Join us as we study with organizers, clergy, and directly impacted leaders. Topics will include defending reproductive justice, supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families, preventing gender-based violence, and more.
Learn More
| |
Have a story or event to share? | |
Thank you for being a part of our Diocese! | | | | |
