Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina | | | |
View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | |
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A Glimpse into Our Convention in Cherokee
The Rev. Rob Wood and Michael Lodico share the heart behind our decision to hold this year’s Diocesan Convention in Cherokee. Watch to learn more about the intention of listening, learning, and connecting with our Cherokee neighbors.
Rob is the Dean of the Western Deanery and the rector of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers, and Michael is an executive council member and a parishioner at Grace Church in the Mountains in Waynesville.
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Bilingual Service: Una Velada Muy Especial
By Larry Winecoff
On Sept 19, 2024 a unique association of churches re-started their quarterly bi-lingual services followed by a shared potluck meal. With almost 80 participants, La Capilla de Santa Maria, St. Paul Tabernacle AME Zion, St. Paul Edneyville, and St. James celebrated a special bi-lingual Eucharist which included songs (such as Vienen Con Alegria, Senor y Hoy Senor, Te Damos Gracias), prayers and readings in Spanish and English. The food was a true feast – including collard greens and cornbread, spaghetti, tamales, tostadas, tacos fritos y dorados and a multitude of delicious deserts. But the fellowship was even more special. We all had a most enjoyable evening mingling with our friends and neighbors from other churches, other cultures, and other experiences and remembering - as the Apostle Paul said, no hay diferencias reales entre nosotros: todos somos uno en Cristo Jesús.
(There are no real differences among us - we are all one in Christ Jesus).
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Pumpkins are back at Grace Church in Asheville. Each year, the Pumpkin Patch supports Consider Haiti, a group centered around agriculture-related projects to support the health and well-being of Haitian families, particularly those with malnourished children. There are pumpkins of many sizes! Visit during the month of October to support this worthy cause.
Read More
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Meet Kathi Littlejohn: Cherokee Storyteller
We are excited to welcome Kathi Littlejohn, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to this year’s convention for the Friday prelude workshops. Kathi, who has been sharing Cherokee stories for over 40 years, will join us to bring the rich oral traditions of the Cherokee people to life.
Living in the Wolftown Community in Cherokee, North Carolina, Kathi has shared her stories at countless events, festivals, and schools. She has produced four CDs of Cherokee stories: Cherokee Legends Volume I, II, and III and Cherokee Stories of the Supernatural, which are available on your favorite streaming platforms. Her storytelling also extends to YouTube with the series, Cherokee History and Stories: What Happened Here?
Kathi hosts monthly storytelling groups at the Snowbird Library in Graham County and on the Qualla Boundary at the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute, welcoming all who wish to learn about Cherokee storytelling.
Join us on Friday, November 8, to hear Kathi’s stories firsthand at the pre-convention workshops. This is a unique opportunity to experience the deep cultural traditions of the Cherokee people through the power of storytelling.
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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
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Missed the Budget Road Tour on Zoom yesterday?
Join us tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. to see the budget breakdown and have a chance to ask questions and provide input. We look forward to seeing you there!
RSVP for Thursday
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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 Thursday
Thursday, Sept. 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom
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Acolyte Festival
Join the Diocese of Western North Carolina and All Souls Cathedral as we gather for the Acolyte Festival at the Cathedral. Church and youth groups from across the diocese will teach basic acolyte skills, torch bearing, chalice bearing, lay reading and other creative ways to get involved in services at your church. Bishop José will lead worship starting at 2:30 p.m., and all are welcome to attend the service.
For questions contact Charlotte at youth@diocesewnc.org.
Register
Saturday, Oct. 26 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | All Souls, Asheville
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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
We meet on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. in the Christ Church Parish Hall and practice Centering Prayer. We were introduced to Centering Prayer by the teachings of Thomas Keating, and our group follows his guidance. Centering Prayer is a way to sit quietly with God and listen. If you’re in our area or nearby, please join us on Tuesdays. ALL are WELCOME!
Tuesdays | 1 p.m. | Christ Church, Sparta - Parish Hall
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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. | St. James, Hendersonville - Trinity Room
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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
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Michaelmas Evensong
St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock presents a special choral Evensong in honor of St. Michael and All Angels this Sunday afternoon, September 29th, at 3 pm with guest organist Dr. Joby Bell.
Music for this Evensong includes Healey Willan's haunting Behold, the Tabernacle of God and the exciting 17th Century anthem, Factum est silentium, involving a battle between the Archangel Michael and a dragon. For more information, please follow us on Facebook @ MusicfromStMaryoftheHills.
Sunday, Sept. 29 | 3 p.m. | St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock
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Transitus of St. Francis
Grace Church in Morganton presents a service to remember the passing over of St. Francis of Assisi from this life to the Glory of Heaven.
Thursday, Oct. 3 | 6 p.m. | Grace, Morganton
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An Evening with NC Mountain Writers
Join St. John's in Marion for an opportunity to meet local authors Cecil Willis, Julia Nunnally Duncan and Les Brown. Musician and poet Joyce Compton Brown will play melodies on her banjo. Please email stjohnsmarionnc@gmail.com with any questions.
Saturday, Oct. 5 | 4–6 p.m. | St. John's, Marion - Parish House
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Friday Movie Night
Join us at St. Gabriel's in Rutherfordton for a Friday movie night! Kids of all ages are welcome. Free hot dogs and popcorn will be provided.
Saturday, Oct. 5 | 6 p.m. | St. Gabriel's, Rutherfordton
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Valle Country Fair
The annual Valle Country Fair is sponsored by Holy Cross Episcopal Church in cooperation with the Valle Crucis Conference Center. All proceeds are used to help the community's most vulnerable citizens. This event takes place in one of the most picturesque valleys in the North Carolina mountains at the peak of the fall color season. The gathering is an authentic harvest-season community celebration that revolves around quality hand-made crafts, home-cooked food, and mountain music.
NC Highway 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk, across from Holy Cross Church, 121 Skiles Way, Banner Elk, NC
Saturday, Oct. 19 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Valle Crucis
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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
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Kuwohi Name Restored at Iconic Location
The name of the third-highest summit east of the Mississippi River has been restored to its original name. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) approved an application on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 that restores the name of Clingman’s Dome, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi (mulberry place).
Lavita Hill and Mary “Missy” Crowe, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), started this effort in 2022 and received widespread support for the initiative.
Read More
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A Heritage Tour of England Pilgrimage with Randy Ferebe
You are invited to join an exciting tour of England, visiting some of the country's most iconic landmarks. This journey begins with stops in Windsor and Canterbury, where you'll have the opportunity to worship at Canterbury Cathedral. We'll then take in the stunning White Cliffs of Dover before heading to London to explore its rich heritage—and perhaps catch a West End show! The tour will conclude with visits to Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, rounding out a memorable experience in southern England.
To learn more or sign up:
Travelers can join the tour through either Greenville-Spartanburg or Charlotte airports. For additional information, feel free to reach out via email at epiphanyinstitute@icloud.com.
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