Monday Noon Notes - October 5, 2026

Happy Monday, Friends!

I'm still pondering the amazing conversations and presentations from the House of Bishops gathering last week, and I want to ensure you've all read the Pastoral Word to the Episcopal Church that came out of the meeting. You can find it here.

I traveled a lot last week: flying home from Texas on Tuesday, driving to Norton on Thursday, and finally heading to Tennessee on Friday for Family Weekend at Sewanee.

Thursday's visit to All Saints', Norton, was to institute the Very Rev. John Church as Rector of the Appalachian Alliance. What a joyful celebration! I'm grateful for the Rev. Canon Matt Rhodes and Canon Jenni Faires who accompanied me at this service and for all of their work in the Abingdon Convocation last week.

Bishop Karin, and Canon Matt Rhodes at the service of institution of John as Rector of the Appalachain Alliance.

John with the four Senior Wardens of the Appalachian Alliance churches.

Bishop Karin with Rev. Russ Hatfield.

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On Friday morning, I drove to Sewanee. I was there mostly to spend time with my daughter, but I was also able to meet with Chris Yoder, a senior at the School of Theology and a Candidate for Holy Orders from our diocese, and his wife Stephanie who serves as organist at the School of Theology, as well as an Assistant Organist and accompanist at the University. Stephanie played and conducted the University Choir at Sunday’s Eucharist at All Saints' Chapel! I enjoyed catching up with them and beginning to discuss with Chris options for what comes next after his graduation next spring.

At Sewanee with Chris and Stephanie Yoder.

Window of Bishop Phillips (2nd bishop of our diocese) in All Saints Chapel at Sewanee.

Sunday morning at All Saints’.

Program Staff Happenings

Canon Pattie had a week of variety including finance, Safe Church registrations, a great formation leaders lunch, writing an article for Forward Movement, looking at nominations needed at Fall Mission Day, working on the Province 3 Forma gathering, and working with the nominations committee for Forma. Pattie also had a conversation with Tripp Duerson to plan the next Trustees of the Funds meeting and worked with Administrative Assistant Zach Bishop on the parish VPG letters. Pattie also attended the St Paul’s, Bear Mountain bazaar and lunch on Saturday.

Canons Patricia and Pattie hosted a lunch at Evans House for paid formation leaders to listen to their needs, what was going on in their parishes, share resources and events going on. They had such a fun and fruitful discussion, they forgot to take a picture. They were joined by Chrissy Oiler, Amy Ickes, Ben Denton, Sarah Hutchens, and the Rev. Cara Modisett.

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Canon Matt and Canon Jenni spent last week traveling throughout the Abingdon Convocation for a number of meetings and events. Monday evening, they held a check-in discussion with members of the vestry at Emmanuel, Bristol. Tuesday’s activities included lunch with the convocation’s dean, The Very Rev. John Church, and his wife Vickie, and a Bible study and dinner that evening at Fish Tales restaurant with the Churches and friends and members of his congregation from All Saints, Norton.

On Wednesday morning, Matt and Jenni traveled to Grace House on the Mountain for a tour, lunch, and meeting with Anita Boyd, director, and Sharon Salyer, assistant director.

Anita Boyd (Grace House Director), Canon Jenni, Sharon Salyer (Assistant Director), Canon Matt.

That evening they visited Christ Church, Big Stone Gap, and were greeted with a conversation and tour led by parishioner Trevor White. Their time there continued with a service of Compline (led by Matt), dinner, and fellowship with members of the congregation and friends from the community.

Thursday began with a tour of Stras Memorial, Tazewell.

Later that day Matt and Jenni joined Bishop Karin for the service and celebration at All Saints, Norton.

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Patricia and Pattie enjoyed having lunch with formation leaders from our diocese on Thursday. On Friday, Patricia and her daughter, Karen Alice, went to First Fridays, a monthly Roanoke convocation gathering for 5-18 year-olds hosted by St. James, Roanoke. This month the focus was on St. Francis of Assisi. They talked about his work and our call to care for creation. It was a wonderful gathering and as Karen Alice said “what fun to become friends with lots of churches.”

Weekend Snapshot

Pattie attended the Homecoming service at St. Paul’s, Bear Mountain on Sunday and had a great time visiting with parishioners at the lunch afterwards.

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On Saturday, Canon Matt attended the St. Paul’s, Bear Mountain and Monacan Nation Fall Bazaar and Homecoming. He preached and celebrated the Eucharist at Grace Memorial, Lynchburg on Sunday and joined in conversation with parishioners at the coffee hour after the service.

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Canon Jenni attended the 5 pm service at St. Mark’s, St. Paul, one of the four churches in the Appalachian Alliance. Following the service, she led a congregational vitality conversation, brainstorming ways to meet their neighbors and explored ways to add an invitation to their impressive outreach. She was greeted by the most beautiful sunset as she exited the building where a monument to the Episcopal Deaconesses that “served in this area of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia from 1907-1967” was recently erected.

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On Saturday, Canon Patricia gathered with our Youth Ministry Team to plan our upcoming Fall Youth Event (FYE). We now have lots of fun outdoor activities and meaningful worship planned!

Sunday, Patricia was gifted the opportunity to hear a wonderful sermon given by Johnathan, a youth member of Christ Church, Blacksburg as a part of their youth Sunday worship service.