Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina | | |
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When Grace Church in Waynesville decided to replace its choir robes, the parish faced a dilemma. The fabric was good, although there were a few wax stains. Some of the zippers had ripped loose but still worked. In a repurposing effort, a local environmental action group made bags and aprons from the well-used robes.
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The Episcopal Church delegation to the United Nations' climate change conference completed talks yesterday at the 28th session of the Conference of Parties. WNC's the Rev. Anna Shine was part of the delegation again this year.
Policy priorities from TEC
The delegation will report back at a closing event on Dec. 15, which can be watched live on Zoom. More info on the closing event.
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The Episcopal Church of St. Peter by-the-Lake was honored to host the Ordination of Tara Bartal to the Sacred Order of Priests in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. On December 7th, Bishop Skirving from the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina officiated the ordination and was joined by the Rev. Ron Taylor (rector of St. Peters), the Venerable Brenda Gilbert, and several other clergy from both the East Carolina and Western North Carolina Dioceses. St. Peter by-the-Lake is overjoyed to welcome the Rev. Tara Bartal to the priesthood and looks forward to all the blessings she will bring to the parish and our diocese.
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Members of the Outreach Committee at Holy Family, Mills River, shopped for personal care products, church members donated items, and during the coffee hour on a recent Sunday parishioners decorated and put together 50 bags of items such as lotion, shampoo, deodorant, tissues, and candy to donate to Meals on Wheels.
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The St. Francis Community Thanksgiving Meal distributed 1,045 meals by delivery, drive-thru, and at the Parish Hall. Updates to the refrigerator and warming appliance helped greatly with the meal preparation and helped to get hot food out to the community.
This is a correction from an article that specified St. Gabriel's last week. We apologize for the error.
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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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View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | |
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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A Christmas Memory
Holiday one-man show with actor and theologian E.R. Haire Jr.
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Dec. 15–17 |
7:30 p.m. | St. John in the Wilderness,
Flat Rock
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Advent Concert
To benefit the scholarship program in Tryon
Saturday, Dec. 16 |
11 a.m. | Good Shepherd, Tryon
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Saturday, Dec. 16 |
10 a.m.–3 p.m. |
St. Thomas, Burnsville
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Contemplative Candlelight Eucharist
With guitarist Doug Woofter
Sunday, Dec. 17 |
5 p.m. | St. James, Hendersonville
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Wednesday, Dec. 20 |
Noon | Trinity, Asheville
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Liturgy of the Longest Night
Contemplative service for those living with grief during the holidays
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Dec. 21 | 7 p.m.
Grace Church in the Mountains, Waynesville
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Applications for the Blue Ridge Service Corps 2024-25 program year are now open! If you are or know of a young adult interested in experiencing a year of intentional community living and service, encourage them to apply.
Contact interim program director Kevin Todd with questions or for more information:
kevin.stpaulsepiscopal@gmail.com,
828-393-5882.
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Task Force Urges TEC to Invest in Mental Health
Several members of a church task force on mental health testified Dec. 9 on the need for churchwide investment in training materials and other initiatives during the latest online hearing on the draft 2025-27 churchwide budget plan.
Others testifying in the Zoom session spoke in support of creation care ministries, church planting initiatives, historically Black colleges, the Episcopal Service Corps and additional church priorities. The budget plan anticipates $145 million in churchwide spending over three years.
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Christian Formation: Imagining Anew
In the midst of the busy season of Advent, the Episcopal Parish Network invites you to take an hour of rest in a virtual session focused on just being. Drawing on the wisdom, wonder, and play from Godly Play and Being With, this is a unique opportunity to BE in the season of Advent, and if it is only for just an hour, let your soul enter the mystery, the hope, and the waiting of this season. Panelists include Heather Ingersoll, Ph.D., executive director of the Godly Play Foundation and James Fawcett, Head of Being With at St. Martin in the Fields London, UK.
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Thank you for being a part of our Diocese! | | | | |
