Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Happening Place!
by Jonathan Trebilco
My daughter went into fifth grade this year, and the start of the school year came as quite a shock since her first day of school was August 6. Good grief, that seems a bit early! What a contrast her experience is to what my school experience was. School never started for me until after Labor Day. We thought it was our inalienable right that school not begin a minute before that! Our calendar lives have many layers, do they not? Our annual schedules include several different kinds of years with different start dates: the calendar year, the fiscal year, the school year, the church year.
While the church year begins in December with Advent, the program year here at Holy Cross begins in September. It starts formally with Holy Cross Day this year on Sunday, September 13, the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. On that day we begin our Stewardship Campaign as we look to the financial provision we need for the year to come. So on the cusp of the new program year, we have published our Event Catalog for Fall/Winter 2026-2027. We have offered printed versions of the catalog in past years, but this year the catalog is exclusively online. You can find the link below, and also on the home page of our website (HolyCrossTryon.org).
And you will see that Holy Cross is a happening place! All of our regular weekly and monthly classes and gatherings continue. We host several Bible studies each week, a monthly prayer and healing ministry (Order of St. Luke), a prayer shawl ministry (Holy Comforters), and a monthly book club (The 2nd Friday Book Club). Three yoga classes take place in our parish hall at the beginning of each week. In September our Foyer Groups resume, which are a great way to get to know fellow Holy Cross members and meet new friends in an informal small group setting.
We also offer a variety of classes and small groups throughout the year as is our custom. Holy Cross people tend to enjoy interacting as they explore, learn, and grow together. The Art & Wine series continues where you can enjoy friendly conversation, learn a new skill, and relax with a glass of wine all at once! We are offering a two part class this year on how to use the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer (a class that several of you have requested). Two ministers in our congregation, the Rev. Marilyn Malcolm, and the Rev. Mollie Turner will teach the practice of centering prayer in October and November, then guide participants through the practice in the seasons of Advent and Lent. Art professor Sherry Wallace reprises her fascinating tours of art history with a special emphasis this time on ancient ways of imagining sacred space and ritual. My wife Sommer will be leading a class on the brilliant author and thinker Dorothy Sayers who reveals how the Christian doctrine of the Trinity facilitates our capacity to make art as image bearers of God. Brennan Szafron is leading a book study on how healthy churches conduct their music programs.
With all of these classes and small group activities, we offer several opportunities for the edification of body, mind and spirit throughout the program year.
And what about the music program this year, do you ask? Our Director of Music, Brennan Szafron, will treat us to vocal performances, instrumental duets, services of Evensong, choral pieces, and chamber orchestra recitals. As usual, we present two big concert series, one at Advent (on the theme of youth) and one during Lent (a tour through world music, The Parade of Nations). And don't forget that our adult choir, our youth choir, and our handbell choir all resume their practices in September.
We trust there is something here for everyone. We know there is something here for you! Grab your calendar, pull up our Event Catalog, and start planning. This is a happening place, and there is a lot happening! We look forward to seeing you at a concert, a worship service, a class, or a workshop soon.
Jonathan Trebilco is the Director of Programs & Communication at Holy Cross. If you have any questions about upcoming events, shoot him an email: jonathantrebilco@holycrosstryon.org
Event Catalog
Get out your calendar and start planning!
The Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Event Catalog has been published! We have printed event catalogs in the past, but this year the catalog is online only.
We are having another collection day for donations to our seaborne container headed to Moldova! Bring your donations on Sunday, August 23 for collection during coffee hour after the 10:30 a.m. service.
OR
Click the button below for an Amazon Wish List of items. Have the items sent to:
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
150 Melrose Ave.
Tryon, NC 28782
In addition to the wish list items, we are still collecting:
It’s time to start signing up for the coming year of Foyer Groups! Foyer Groups meet the third Sunday of each month from September to May in homes or restaurants for food, fellowship and fun. You must sign up again even if you joined last time around. If you are new to Foyer Groups, this is the time to jump in! Once you sign up, you will be assigned a Foyer Group with a group coordinator for September. This is a great way to meet new people and connect with fellow Holy Cross members in a small group setting.
The 2nd Friday Book Club resumes on September 11 @ 10:00 a.m. Stop by the church office and pick up your book club bookmark! Click the button to see the upcoming selections and dates.
Our last summer jam is Wednesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring your instruments and your voices, or just come as a spectator. Bring your favorite tunes and bring snacks or drinks if you wish.
A Voice Between Worlds
Coloratura, Character, and Virtuoso Piano
in Liszt, Strauss, and Weill
Melissa McCann, soprano
Michael Langer, piano
with guest tenor Tyler Young, tenor
appearing in selected Kurt Weill selections
Sunday, August 23, 4:00 p.m.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Dynamic Duo Melissa McCann and Michael Langer Bring A Voice Between Worlds to Tryon. Acclaimed soprano Melissa McCann and accomplished recording artist and performer Michael Langer will present A Voice Between Worlds. The tour-de-force recital will also feature guest tenor Tyler Young.
A program of coloratura, character, and virtuoso piano, A Voice Between Worlds brings together the music of Liszt, Strauss, and Weill in a recital built for dramatic contrast and musical electricity. With McCann’s agile soprano and Langer’s commanding pianism, the program moves from Romantic intensity to theatrical brilliance, placing voice and piano in equal partnership.
The recital opens in the Romantic world of Liszt and Strauss before turning to the unforgettable theatre songs of Kurt Weill. In the final set, guest tenor Tyler Young joins McCann, adding a second voice to Weill’s world of memory, wit, and character.
With virtuosic music, dramatic storytelling, and the thrill of voice and piano in full partnership, A Voice Between Worlds promises an intimate and exhilarating afternoon at Holy Cross Episcopal Church.
Local Exhibit
There are few countries in the Western Hemisphere that are as overrun with violence as Haiti. Port-au-Prince has been called the most dangerous city in the world.
Upstairs Artspace’s summer show titled, Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival, an exhibition featuring the textile work of these Haitian refugee children, on display through Aug. 28.
At the center of the exhibition is “Threaded Voices: Stories from Duquesa,” a large quilt which emerged from an interdisciplinary medical mission at the settlement outside Santo Domingo. During workshops led by Hague Williams, an art teacher at Landrum High School, children created personal story flags using simple materials such as muslin, pencils, paint markers, fabric, and thread.
Go to the website for pictures, dates, times and more information.
