Diocese of Western North Carolina | | | |
View the weekly checklist of important upcoming dates and deadlines for clergy, wardens, and staff. | |
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Diocese Welcomes Katie Knowles as Communication Director
Katie got her B.S. in Human Development from Mississippi State University in 2024. For the past six years, Katie has taught private music lessons full-time while developing a photography and marketing business on the side. Along the way, she taught herself the ins and outs of running these two businesses—using photography, videography, and digital marketing to build a brand, promote her work, and connect with clients.
Katie is originally from Bradenton, Florida, but she traded the beaches for the mountains and has happily called Black Mountain home for over a decade. Katie got married this past October, and when she’s not working, you’ll most likely find her exploring the mountains with her wife, McKayla, and their dog.
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Disaster Response & Recovery Team | Tip of the Week
The North Carolina Bar Association, Legal Aid of North Carolina, and Pisgah Legal Services are partnering to offer free legal clinics for people recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Staff and volunteer attorneys will be on site to help with issues and questions regarding FEMA claims and appeals and landlord/tenant matters. This is a chance to get legal information and advice from lawyers on the spot. Attendees may also apply for legal help and get referrals to other resources.
One-hour appointments are available, walk-ins are welcome, and sign-up information is available at pisgahlegal.org/helene.
Upcoming in-person Disaster Legal Services Free Legal Clinics:
• Black Mountain | Feb. 21, 2025, 9 AM – 5 PM
Sneed & Stearns Offices, 109 Church St.
• Marion | Feb. 22, 2025, 12 PM – 5 PM
Catawba Riber Lodge, 17677 US 221 N.
Questions? Contact the Response Team at responseteam@diocesewnc.org.
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High School Spring Conference
Calling all 8–12th graders, join the Diocese of Western North Carolina at Lake Logan, March 14–16 for an overnight retreat centered around listening to your emotions and self-care. Connect with other youth from around the diocese! Please email youth@diocesewnc.org if you have any questions.
REGISTER HERE
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DioWNC Youth and Camp Henry Zoom
Join Charlotte Garcia and Sadie McNair for a Zoom gathering to learn more about ministries within the diocese, upcoming events, and Camp Henry. For more information email Charlotte Garcia at youth@diocesewnc.org.
Monday, Feb. 24 | 7 p.m. | Zoom
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Clergy and lay leaders who need to fulfill the canonical requirements for anti-racism training are invited to attend the upcoming Dismantling Racism Workshop. This interactive retreat offers an opportunity to explore racism through the lens of faith, history, privilege, and internalized oppression. Rather than simply offering training, the workshop encourages participants to reflect deeply on their personal experiences and perspectives on racism in America.
The workshop will take place in two parts:
Friday Evening (Zoom): 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Saturday (In Person): 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at All Saints, Gastonia
Please note: Attendance for the full workshop is required to receive a certificate of completion. Participation is limited to 24 people, with a maximum of six attendees per church.
REGISTER HERE
For registration questions, please contact Eden Lewis at elewis@diocesewnc.org.
April 25–26 | Hybrid - Zoom and All Saints, Gastonia
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Choral Evensong for Absalom Jones at St. Philip's
St. Philip's will offer a jazz-inspired Evensong for the Feast of Absalom Jones on Sunday, February 16 at 5:00 pm, commemorating the first black priest ordained in the Episcopal Church. Guest artist Blue Ghost Quartet will join the St. Philip’s Chancel Choir and organist Kate Murray under the direction of Dr. Brittnee Siemon for works by David Maslanka, David Hurd, Samuel Coleridge Taylor and Christian Forshaw. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Learn More
Sunday, February 16 | 5:00 pm | St. Philip's, Brevard
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Anglican Prayer Bead Workshop
Learn how to make your very own set of Anglican prayer beads with the Church of the Redeemer's Sacred Craft Ministry. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the workshop starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Shelby, 502 W Sumter St. Registration is required and will open Feb. 6. The cost includes your own set of prayer beads to take home and lunch.
REGISTER HERE
Saturday, March 1 | 9 a.m. | Redeemer, Shelby
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Introduction to Centering Prayer
Led by Chris and Rev. Wenday Pinzino, the workshop invites participants to learn and experience this ancient practice. All are welcome. Please RSVP to the Rev. Wendy Pinzino at wpinzino228@yahoo.com.
Saturday, March 1 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | St. James, Hendersonville
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Episcopal Church Women to Welcome Porter Taylor for Spiritual Retreat at Lake Logan | |
You're invited to join the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Western North Carolina on April 4 & 5, 2025 for a Spiritual Retreat led by former WNC Bishop Porter Taylor at Lake Logan Conference Center. Download the application and send the form and check to Diane Mance, 105 Poppy Lane, Asheville NC 28803 by the deadline, March 22, 2025. Sign up today! Spots are limited.
Registration Form
Retreat Cost:
$150 per person: (includes 5 meals and overnight
$60 Commuter cost per person (includes 5 meals but no overnight.)
April 4–5 | Lake Logan Conference Center
Also, save the date for these upcoming ECW events in 2025:
ECW Spring Fling & Silent Auction
May 24, 2025 (Saturday)
Community House, Morganton, NC
ECW Outreach & Silent Auction
September 20, 2025 (Saturday)
St. John's Episcopal Church, Asheville, NC
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Spring Break Family Camp
Join Camp Henry and the Outdoor School for an unforgettable Spring Break experience right here in your neck of the woods. Camp Henry staff plans an array of exciting activities fun for the whole family, such as guided hikes, boating, games, arts and crafts, campfire, and more. Eliminate the stress of planning and travel and let Lake Logan staff take care of the cooking, cleaning, and preparation. With options to camp on the field or rent a Lake Logan cabin, all families can find the perfect fit for their Spring Break adventure. Two nights isn't enough? Book an extra night at a reduced rate and enjoy relaxed family time in this pristine corner of the world.
April 14–16 | Camp Henry at Lake Logan
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Tending Your Creative Fire: A NC Women's Retreat
April 25, 9-5, Lake Logan Retreat Center, Canton, NC
Join women from across North Carolina and beyond for a one-day self-renewal retreat devoted to wild creativity, authentic connection, deep to-the-bones replenishment and support for asking, "What is uniquely mine to do?"
Join NC-based women and thought leaders/creatives, including author/catalyst Renee Peterson Trudeau; Annie Fain Barralon/Fain House & John C. Campbell Folk School; Erin Hallagan Clare/Story Parlor; Kristen Edge/ArtPlay; Lauren Agrella-Sevilla/Inpowered Together and many more. Enjoy a creativity salon/panel, nature immersion, live music from Blue Eyed Girl, a sunset organic wine-tasting and a program designed to support you in bringing more aliveness to all areas of your life.
Retreat host Renee Trudeau is an internationally recognized catalyst/author/teacher. She’s been curating/leading transformational experiences for women for 25 years. A best-selling author of two balanced living books, she's been featured in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping and on CBS News. Renee lives with her husband in Brevard, Carolina. Early bird rate of $225 until March 1. Special $30 off discount for Southeast women affected by Hurricane Helene.
Register/learn more: www.ReneeTrudeau.com.
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Please be aware of the changes to parochial report filing. The process has been totally redesigned, so please become familiar with the new system. Filing must be done on the reports site, and there is a hard deadline of March 1, 2025.
Webinar with information
Reports website
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Leading Congregations Through Times of Conflict
Meeting Dates/Times: February – March
Learning Environment: Online synchronous (2 hours/week), Eight Sessions (16 Hours)
Course Description: In times of conflict, the clergy's role becomes even more crucial as they guide their congregations through challenges and uncertainties. Conflict can be destructive or an opportunity, depending on the approach. This course will equip clergy with the skills and knowledge to lead effectively during tension and discord. Participants will explore conflict resolution strategies, communication techniques, and the theological foundations for peacebuilding.
Date and Time: Our first meeting will February 3, 6:00 pm via Zoom (At our first meeting we will discuss future dates and times for the course.)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82395714436?pwd=jKJZZenI7K2rMoljPiGhZq2CchREgI.1
Facilitator: Shawn Griffith
Bio: MS in Education, Counseling, and Guidance, MBA in Information Systems, MDiv, Certificate in Conflict Resolution from Cornell University Online, Certificate in Leading Change and Organizations Renewal from Harvard Business School Online. Working toward a DMin in Congregational Development
Key Topics:
· Understanding the nature and sources of conflict within congregations
· Theological perspectives on conflict and reconciliation
· Effective communication and active listening skills
· Mediation and negotiation techniques
· Building and maintaining trust within the congregation
· Case studies of conflict resolution in religious settings
· Self-care and resilience for clergy during times of conflict
Target Audience: This course is ideal for clergy members, religious leaders, and seminary students who seek to enhance their leadership skills and effectively guide their congregations through periods of conflict.
Course Format: The course will combine lectures, interactive workshops, group discussions, and practical exercises. Participants can also engage in role-playing scenarios and case study analyses to apply their learning in real-world contexts.
To sign up: Email slg@stmarksgastonia.org
Contact: 704.718.7034.
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When ICE Comes to Church
This webinar with the Episcopal Divinity School will explore the legal rights of churches, what it means to provide sanctuary, and how faith communities can support undocumented families while staying within the law. We will discuss what to do if immigration enforcement shows up during a service, how to navigate legal definitions of harboring, and what practical steps church members can take when a family in crisis seeks help.
Friday, February 21 at Noon
As immigration enforcement intensifies, faith communities must be informed, prepared, and ready to act. This conversation will provide space to address concerns, share resources, and ensure that churches remain places of refuge and justice.
See Panelists, Register and Get More Information
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Resources for Lent
From The Episcopal Church
Find new and updated Lent resources for individuals, small groups, and congregations. Check back for updates as more material becomes available.
- “Holy Week Explainer” videos, 3 to 5 minutes each, covering Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Great Vigil of Easter, and Easter Day
- “Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent”—videos, adult forum curriculum, calendar, publicity, and quiet-day curriculum
- “Preparing to Become the Beloved Community”—Lent curriculum to help engage in racial reconciliation and reflect on Jesus’ coming among us
- Bulletin inserts for “Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent” with practices for each week
- And much more
Lent Resources from the Episcopal Church
From the Episcopal Divinity School
This Lent, the Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) community invites you to a season of reflection, repentance, and action in conversation with the powerful book So We and Our Children May Live: Following Jesus in Confronting the Climate Crisis, by Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler ’90.
Learn More
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Have a story or event to share? | |
Review our submission guidelines and submit your stories and events for Along the Way to communications@diocesewnc.org by 5 p.m. Tuesday for consideration. | |
Thank you for being a part of our Diocese! | | | | |
