Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina | |
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Bishop's Reflection for Ash Wednesday
As we embark into Lent on this Ash Wednesday, I would like to invite you to take a moment to reflect on the ordinary things that turn the mundane into moments of grace. Just as Ash Wednesday invites us to confront our mortality, Lent invites us to embrace the beauty of simplicity, not as a departure from joy, but as a gentle reminder to be attuned to the sacredness of the ordinary. Even when the awareness of our mortality makes us uncomfortable, we recognize the motivation to live with purpose, love with sincerity, and serve with intention. Lent is not to be a time of judgment or putting oneself or others down but a journey toward transformation that we take together. As we bear the ashes on our foreheads, let them be a visible sign of our commitment to simplicity, humility, and a life lived in alignment with the open embrace of Christ’s love for all.
Blessings,
The Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin
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St. James Episcopal Church in Downtown Hendersonville hosted a special Adult Formation Program celebrating the two Dream Scholarship/DACA Students they sponsor from A-B Tech on Sunday, Feb. 11.
The two A-B Tech students made heart-warming presentations about their young lives in Mexico, their dangerous journey to Henderson County and their difficult times in the school system having arrived as young children with little or no English.
St. James has partnered with four other churches for 12 years to provide more than 50 Dream Scholarships to undocumented students.
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Charlotte Garcia Officially Joins Diocesan Staff
We are delighted to announce that Charlotte Garcia is sticking around as Coordinator for Children, Youth, and Family Ministries. She plans to provide opportunities for fellowship through events like conferences, retreats, day events for youth, and events to get families connected to each other throughout the diocese! Charlotte is working with our Diocesan Youth Council to plan and facilitate these events. To see the schedule for the Spring Events, click here.
You can also stay up to date on events and programming on Instagram by following @wncyouthepiscopal.
Charlotte has seven years as a youth and children’s coordinator, and she is available if you need support or have questions about getting a youth or children’s ministry going at your church. Reach out to her at youth@diocesewnc.org to connect.
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Vestry members, join Bishop José and other leaders from the diocese for our annual Vestry Leadership Day at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for both new Vestry members and seasoned leaders to learn about the various roles and responsibilities of vestries.
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View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | |
Linens available
St. Philip's ECW is cleaning out their linen closet. They have 10 unused 84" round purple table cloths up for grabs just in time for Lent. Text Carrie at (205) 837-7150 if your parish would like to have them.
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Resources for the Conflict in the Holy Land
The Office of Government Relations in The Episcopal Church has released a webpage of resources to follow the conflict in Gaza, Palestine, and Israel. The page includes ways to take action to support the citizens affected by the conflict, statements from leaders, partner resources, prayers, social media, and a list of press releases. The page is being updated as the situation develops.
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Events around the Diocese | |
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We love your submissions! To be placed in this section, you must email the details of your event and a photo to Rachel, rcarr@diocesewnc.org, for consideration. This space is reserved for diocesan, parish, and conference center events.
View submission guidelines
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Join Eden for a Lenten Book Group on Wednesdays from February 21st through March 27th. The group will read The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. This will be a casual weekly gathering on Zoom from Noon until 12:45 p.m. Sign up here to receive the Zoom link and more information. Purchase the book here. Email Eden with any questions.
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Sunday, Feb. 18 | 12:45 p.m. |
St. David's, Cullowhee | |
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Contemplative Candlelight Eucharist
End your week with a deep, calming breath and space for silence
Sunday, Feb. 18 |
5 p.m. | St. James, Hendersonville
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Concert
In honor of Black History Month
Sunday, Feb. 18 |
6 p.m. | St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock
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Wednesday, Feb. 21 & Wednesday, Feb. 28 |
4–5:30 p.m. | Good Shepherd, Tryon
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On Retreat with Mary Magdalene Two separate events Friday and Saturday
| 6–7 p.m. Feb. 23 &
9 a.m.– 3 p.m. Feb 24 | St. James, Black Mountain | |
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General Convention Lunch and Learn
Meet the Diocesan delegation to General Convention for TEC
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Wednesday, March 6 | Noon | Trinity, Asheville
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Register for Camp Henry
Spots are still open throughout the summer for Camp Henry, the Outdoor School, LAMP, and Bilingual Camp!
- Camp Henry runs from Sunday at 3 PM. to the following Saturday at 9 AM.
- Traditional sessions run according to the campers' school level — Elementary, Middle, and High School sessions are available.
- Camp Henry Outdoor School (CHOS) sessions take campers backpacking, rafting, and climbing. Campers attending a CHOS session are taught basic survival and backpacking skills that are put to use with an overnight trip into Pisgah National Forest.
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Leadership Mission Adventure Program (LAMP) sessions equip older campers with leadership skills while engaging in community service and exciting adventures, all while playing a role in the camp experience for others!
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Bilingual Camp is a session for campers who speak Spanish, especially those from families where English is not their first language. This session is the first of its kind for all ages, even parents who would prefer to attend with their children.
Financial Aid is available for all campers.
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Bowl for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Bowl For Kids' Sake, Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC's biggest fundraiser of the year, happens in March and convenes hundreds of bowlers at area bowling alleys for crazy fun times, all while raising money to help BBBSWNC match great adult mentors with a growing list of families who want their child to have a grownup to do things with. This year’s theme is “Support Your Sport!” Bowlers are encouraged to show up wearing sports gear from their favorite sport, team, or player. There will be prizes for the best costume. Bowlers bowl two games (shoe rental is included in the money they raise) and have a ton of fun.
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Province II Offers Slave Trade Lament for Lent
On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, the dioceses of Province II will begin the season of Lent by debuting a liturgical lament and repentance for the transatlantic slave trade modeled on the Way of the Cross.
“The slave trade was an act of refusing and failing to love God – the God who the Bible says is love – and to love our neighbor,” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said in a video introduction. “To lament and to repent is to take that sin seriously – not to beat up on ourselves, but to learn from the past and then to turn and join hands with each other to build a new society and a new world based on the value of love and justice and compassion and goodness.”
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