Search for the Eighth Bishop

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: send forth your light and your truth, that they may lead us in discerning who we are as Christ’s church now, and who God is calling us to be in our next season of shared ministry; so guide the hearts and minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this diocese, that we may receive a faithful shepherd, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Update from the Search Committee

In-Person Listening Sessions

The Search Committee is honored to be called to this work and discernment and are grateful for the support and prayers we have received from across the diocese. We had 1226 responses to the August survey and almost 200 participants in the listening sessions during the first week of October.

We now invite you to further participate in the process of discernment by attending one of six in-person Information Sessions. These sessions are to update you, the people of the diocese, on the search process and to give those present the opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions and to ask questions of the Search Committee.

The sessions are on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 in Rutherforton, Boone, Highlands, Waynesville, Lincolnton, and Mars Hill and give thanks to each of these communities for hosting us. We chose these locations to reach as many people as possible in the diocese. Our goal was for most everyone to be within an hour of a session. We will also have an online session.

In-Person Listening Sessions

St. Francis, Rutherfordton | November 15 | 3:00 p.m.

St. Luke’s, Boone | November 15 | 3:00 p.m.

Church of the Incarnation, Highlands | December 6 | 3:00 p.m.

Grace Church in the Mountains, Waynesville | December 6 | 3:00 p.m.

St. Luke’s, Lincolnton | December 13 | 3:00 p.m.

Church of the Holy Spirit, Mars Hill | December 13 | 3:00 p.m.

Online | December 3 | 7:00 p.m.

Email the Search Committee

Members of the Search Committee are actively writing and editing the Diocesan Profile, with the goal of publishing it and opening the application period before Thanksgiving. On that note, the Search Committee is collecting photos from across the diocese for the creation of the Bishop Profile and other materials. These photos help show our identity and tell our story. Share your photos in the shared Google Photos Album below.

Share Your Photos

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We are searching for a new Bishop for the Diocese of Western North Carolina! So, what does that mean, exactly? A Bishop is the guiding and overseeing leader of a Diocese in the Episcopal church. In fact, Episcopal Church literally means a church of Bishops. A Diocese is a community of congregations, usually organized by region. Our Diocese is composed of congregations in Western North Carolina. Our latest Bishop, José McLoughlin, has been called to serve in a different capacity in The Episcopal Church, and we are searching for someone God is calling to be our Bishop in the next chapter of our Diocese’s ministry. The end of a Bishop’s ministry with a Diocese is an important opportunity to reflect on who we are as Christ’s Church now and on who God is calling us to become in the next season of our shared ministry. This transitional moment is important for all of us in the Diocese of Western North Carolina so that we move forward together prayerfully and faithfully.

Bishops are called through a prayerful and thoughtful process of election. We trust that the Holy Spirit moves in this prayerful process as applicants offer up their names to a Search Committee that will consider the needs of the Diocese and the gifts of the applicants. Through this consideration, a few candidates will be presented to the Diocese to join in praying and listening for guidance. The Standing Committee will formally call for an Electing Convention in the Summer of 2027, and delegates from all the congregations, both Clergy and Lay, will elect the next Bishop from those candidates. In all this process, we continually pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us as we seek a Bishop to join us on our journey to follow Jesus.

The Standing Committee serves as a council of advice for the Bishop is the ecclesiastical authority in the absence of a Bishop, and are leading the search and transition process for the next bishop. They will work with the search and transition committees throughout this process.

Standing Committee

The Rev. Susan Buchanan

President

Ms. Jane Schronce

Vice President

Mr. Alex Coimbré

Recording Secretary

The Rev. Dr. Erin Kirby

Ms. Kim Miller

The Rev. Dn. Cynthia Nash

The Rev. Dr. Robert Wetherington

Ms. Amanda Cook

standingcommittee@diocesewnc.org

Search Committee

The Rev. Gaelyn Evangreene (Chair)

St. James, Hendersonville

The Rev. Toni Belhu

St. Francis, & St. Gabriel's, Rutherfordton

Ms. Allison Bowen

Grace, Asheville

The Rev. Dn. Pam Bright

Redeemer, Shelby

Ms. Carolyn Burhans

Trinity, Spruce Pine

Mr. Michael McLaughlin

Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville

The Rev. Amy Peterson

Trinity, Asheville

Dr. Peter Purcell

St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock

The Rev. John Roberts

Transfiguration, Bat Cave

The Rev. Elizabeth Tester

St. Luke's & Our Saviour, Lincolnton

bishopsearch@diocesewnc.org

Transition Committee

The Rev. Robert Hartmans (Chair)

Grace, Asheville

Ms. Christine Longoria

Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville

Ms. Susan Wilson

Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Waters-Smith

St. James, Black Mountain

bishoptransition@diocesewnc.org

All communications from the bishop search & transition process will be archived here. If you want to receive communications in real time, subscribe to our Diocesan Communications Email List. This will subscribe you to the Along The Way newsletter and all pertinent diocesan letters & communications.

We are honored that the Rt. Rev. Rob Skirving will be assisting our diocese in this time of transition as a Supply Bishop. Bishop Skirving was ordained deacon and priest in 1986 in the Diocese of Huron in the Anglican Church of Canada, and went on to serve parishes in Huron and in the Diocese of Eastern Michigan before his election as Bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina in 2014, where he served until his retirement in 2026. Bishop Skirving and his wife, Sandy, make their home in Beaufort, North Carolina.

2026 Visitation Schedule

2027 Visitation Schedule

The Search Committee gives thanks for the time and heartfelt participation of everyone who has taken part in the search process so far. The results of the diocesan survey, summarized in the Executive Summary, reflect positive energy across the diocese for the work we do together. It is especially encouraging that congregation members, diocesan staff and leaders, and active and retired clergy share a vision for who we are, who God is calling us to be, and the qualities and character we desire in our next bishop.

Executive Summary

Executive Summary (Español)

Search for the Eighth Bishop

An Update from the Search Committee

In-Person Listening Sessions

In-Person Listening Sessions

Standing Committee

Search Committee

Transition Committee

In-Person Gatherings

Bishop Profile

The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina

ADDRESS

OFFICE HOURS

PHONE

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NEWSLETTER