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Clergy and leadership can check this list to see what is needed and happening in the diocese. Weekly Checklist for Church Leadership (Clergy, Wardens, Staff) March 1, 2026 2026 Parochial Reports Due Parochial Report Form March 7, 2026 Trinity, Asheville Vestry Leadership Day Registration March 26, 2026, 11:00 a.m. Clergy Renewal of Vows @ St. Philip's, Brevard with lunch to follow. April 21, 2026, 10:30 a.m. Clergy Zoom with Bishop Zoom link will be emailed out the morning of the meeting. May 19, 2026 One on One with Bishop Email Jess for appointment June 16, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Clergy Zoom with Bishop Zoom link will be emailed out the morning of the meeting. July 23, 2026 One on One with Bishop Email Jess for appointment August 18, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Clergy Zoom with Bishop Zoom link will be emailed out the morning of the meeting. September 17, 2026 One on One with Bishop Email Jess for appointment November 17, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Clergy Zoom with Bishop Zoom link will be emailed out the morning of the meeting.

We are the Episcopal Church in the 28 counties of the westernmost portion of the state, with more than 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations, six summer chapels, and two conference centers. It's a vibrant and exciting place to live and work and experience the glory of God's creation. We are the Episcopal Church in the 28 most western counties of North Carolina, with more than 15,000 members contributing to 63 year-round congregations, five summer chapels, two conference centers, a summer camp, Deerfield Retirement Community, and Christ School. It's a vibrant and exciting place to live and work and experience the glory of God's creation. The Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina Learn About Our Diocese Empowering Youth and Young Adults Youth are more than just our future—they are our present. We invite youth and young adults to participate fully in the life of the Church. Learn More Exploring Our Churches From the mountains to the foothills, in cities and towns throughout Western North Carolina, our churches offer something for everyone. Learn More Telling Our Stories Evangelism through storytelling. We believe that we can walk the Way of Love through sharing the stories of our unique and diverse diocese. Learn More Barrier Breakers: The Pilgrimage "Barrier Breakers: The Pilgrimage" is a pilgrimage celebrating and amplifying the stories of historically black parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Learn More Stay Up-To-Date Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest news from our diocese and parishes. Have news you want to share? Email our Missioner for Communication . Download the Diocesan Seal Click image to download.

Lent & Easter Resources Adult Resources Learning to Walk In the Dark Follow Barbara Brown Taylor on her journey to understand darkness, which takes her spelunking in unlit caves, learning to eat and cross the street as a blind person, discover-ing how "dark emotions" are prevented from seeing light from a psychiatrist, and reread-ing scripture to see all the times God shows up at night. With her characteristic charm and wisdom, Taylor is our guide through a spirituality of the nighttime, teaching us how to find God even in darkness, and giving us a way to let darkness teach us what we need to know. Renewal & Hope Seminary of the Southwest is offering a new Lenten project that invites the wider church into a season of renewal and hope. Designed to accompany the first five weeks of Lent, the video series creates space for prayer, conversation, and faithful reflection on repentance, discipleship, and the promise of new life. Shaped by the voices of five women members of our faculty, these gatherings reflect both the depth of Southwest’s theological life and our commitment to forming leaders for ministry, service, and healing. Each week includes resources with reflection questions and scripture references. Holy Habits Episcopal Relief & Development is offering daily Lenten Meditations in English and Spanish, inviting readers to reflect upon and deepen their spiritual practices. This year, the organization has partnered with Sister Monica Clare —Episcopal nun, best-selling author and unlikely TikTok star —to create meditations that explore the theme of “Holy Habits.” In her meditations, Sister Monica Clare reflects on the Scripture readings for Vespers (Evening Prayer) to encourage habits that support and strengthen a life of faith. Ashes: A Lenten Playlist Music for Lent selected by Lifelong Learning staff from the Virginia Theological Seminary and available on Spotify. Craft Your Own Lenten Journey Consider crafting your own Lenten journey using videos from The Work of the People , a collection of videos that helps guide people into becoming fully themselves–the journey of becoming fully human. These are open, honest videos to help those grieving, struggling with faith, diving deeper in faith, and everywhere in between. Membership costs $7/month for unlimited personal streaming. There is an extensive selection of videos for the Season of Lent . Children, Youth & Families Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter Make Room presents Lent as a special time for creating a welcoming space for God by weaving together episodes from the life of Jesus with a child's reflections on how these stories can shape their own choices and actions throughout the season. Singing in the Dark: Ash Wednesday with Children Find unique ways to celebrate Ash Wednesday with children in this book. Holy Week Family Worship: Outline for Maundy Thursday & Good Friday from Building Faith This resource provides PDF Family Worship services that can be conducted at home to recognize Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Join the Journey Through Lent: Colorable calendar poster Join the Journey through Lent, illustrated by award-winning cartoonist Jay Sidebotham, invites spiritual reflection and is a wonderful companion for the Lenten season. This poster is just right for hanging on the wall or keeping on a table for daily coloring. Share these with your congregation, youth group, friends, and family, and keep them on hand for coloring fun. Ash Wednesday Bonfire at Home From Building Faith at Virginia Theological Seminary. An at-home Ash Wednesday fire can be done around a small fire pit in any backyard, on a roof top, on the beach, or on your deck. The activity can be large-scale with a community; or small-scale around a group of candles or indoor fireplace. The point is not how grand your fire, but instead that you make time for the occasion in the first place. StoryMakers: Lent Starter Kit Get to know the teachings of Jesus in Lent Three: The Parables. The introduces StoryMakers to the curious stories that Jesus told his followers in the Gospels, ultimately helping kids learn more about the surprising character of God. This 6-chapter Lent Three Zine* shines a new light on these vibrant and memorable stories, such as the Prodigal Son, and helps StoryMakers grow in their understanding Jesus’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection in a memorable way. Stations of Cross & Seven Last Words An article from Building Faith with Stations of the Cross resources and Holy Week offering for all ages. The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina ADDRESS 900B CentrePark Drive Asheville, NC 28805 OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday: 8:30AM - 4:30 PM Friday: 8:30AM - 3:00PM PHONE (828)225-6656 SOCIAL MEDIA Supported browsers: Google Chrome | Safari for Mac (version 10 and above) | Windows 10 Microsoft Edge | Firefox ©2023 by The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina NEWSLETTER

Clergy Resources Back In this section, you will find resources that are unique to the life and work of ordained leaders. Bishop Visitation Forms and Information Visitation Schedule (2025) Visitation Form (return before visit) Confirmation Certificate (return after visit) Bishop's Customary Canonical Residency – transferring in & transferring out Rectors and Priests-in-Charge of churches should apply for canonical residency as soon as they arrive and begin working in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Clergy who are moving to serve a new church in another diocese should submit the Request for Letters Dimissory to the Bishop’s office as soon as possible. Requirements for Canonical Residence Application for Canonical Residence Request for Letters of Dimissory Clergy Leave-taking and Resigning When a priest (rector, interim rector, assistant, or associate) or a deacon leaves a parish, whether to accept another cure or to retire, it is important to establish a healthy “goodbye” so that all parties can move faithfully into their next chapter of ministry. Please see the link below to guidelines that will equip clergy and the congregation in this process. Guidelines for Clergy Leave-taking Helpful “to-do” List before leaving Policy on Clergy Leave-taking Clergy Licensing To be licensed or to receive a renewal, please review the Requirements for Licensing below and complete the Annual Application and Report Form. Safe Church, Safe Communities (child and adult workshops), and Beloved Community training must be current within 5 years. If you’re uncertain when you last took the trainings, please contact Eden Lewis . We will not relicense clergy without current training. Requirements for Clergy Licensing Annual Application and Report Form (PDF) Annual Application and Report Form (online) Deacons Helpful information for Deacons in the Diocese. View the resources > Deans List Co ntact our office to receive a current list of the Deans in our diocese. Disciplinary Process Clergy have, by their ordination vows, accepted additional responsibilities and accountabilities for doctrine, discipline, worship, and obedience. This process of accountability, as set out in Title IV of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church ("Title IV"), seeks to promote justice, restitution, amendment of life, repentance, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation among all involved or affected by clergy misconduct. Should you have any questions or concerns, see the links below or contact the Canon to the Ordinary . Clergy Standards of Conduct Reporting Concerns Directory of Clergy The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese of Western North Carolina value and celebrate their camaraderie and collegiality as partners in ministry. To continue to foster and nurture relationships and collaboration, clergy directories are provided. These directories are password protected to safeguard personal information. Please contact Augusta Anderson if you are a member of clergy who needs the password. View the Clergy Directory > Events View Upcoming Events > Funeral Planning Guide This guide is intended for clergy as they make decisions for their own end of life plans. This guide will equip the Bishop to provide pastoral care to the clergy’s family following the priest or deacon’s death. Should you have any questions, please contact the Bishop’s office . Here’s the link to the Funeral Planning Form > Lay Licensing Strong lay leadership is a vital, central and intentional hallmark of the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Lay people exercise a wide variety of ministries in the church and in the world. Some particular lay ministries require a license from the Bishop of Western North Carolina. View Lay Licensing Information > Marriage Forms Christian marriage is an extraordinary gift of God, in which a couple are called to live in the saving grace of Christ, enriched, guided and sustained by the Holy Spirit, in communion with the community of the Church (Canon I.18-19). The following forms are meant to be a pastoral support for those seeking Christian marriage. General Guidelines for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony Declaration of Intention to Marry Application for Permission to Remarry Guidelines for Clergy from outside the Diocese Sabbatical Policy The Diocese of Western North Carolina encourages priests to take sabbaticals for the renewal and refreshment of the priest and the benefit of the parish. Download the policy here Spiritual Directors You may also want to include working with a Spiritual Director to nurture your spiritual life and journey. Here is a list of individuals who are available in Western North Carolina. Supply Clergy Clergy canonically resident or licensed in the Diocese of Western North Carolina are welcome to serve as supply clergy. If you are new to the diocese, and wish to supply, please contact the Canon to the Ordinary to schedule an appointment and complete the License to Serve Application and Report Form . Supply Clergy List Supply Clergy Honoraria Guidelines Clergy Licensing

New Delegate Orientation Convention Homepage The New Delegate Orientation meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 29 at 6 p.m. New delegates will need to register for this orientation event and we will then email all new delegates the Zoom link Register for New Delegate Orientation

MAIN HEADINGS EPISCOPAL DIOCESE of WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA Episcopal arial black Episcopal proxima nova Episcopal palatino linotype Episcopal barlow medium Episcopal roboto bold Episcopal raleway semibold Episcopal poppins semibold Episcopal cinzel Episcopal oswaldo medium SECONDARY HEADINGS Impact Open Sans Overlock Kepler Questrial Roboto Bold Museo Suez One Spinnaker PARAGRAPH TEXT Libre Baskerville We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. DIN Next light We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Clarendon LT We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Noticia Text We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Palatino Linotype We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Playfair Display We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Times New Roman We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Georgia We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Adobe Caslon We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Tahoma We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Verdana We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village. Proxima Nova We are comprised of over 15,000 members worshiping in 63 year-round congregations; six summer chapels; two conference centers - Lake Logan Conference Center and Valle Crucis; Deerfield Retirement Community; and Christ School. In addition, we are blessed with the presence of Kanuga Conference Center, serving many local, regional and national bodies within the Episcopal Church. Our cathedral, the Cathedral of All Souls, is located in Asheville at Biltmore Village.

Trustees Up Back to Our Leadership & Governance Trustees hold title to and administer all real properties and all entrusted funds not owned by congregations; the Trustees are responsible for the administration of a significant portion of Diocesan trust funds. They meet approximately six times a year. Elected members having served a full term shall be ineligible for reelection for a period of one year. The Trustees of the diocese shall consist of the Bishop, the Chancellor, the Treasurer and five additional lay persons as members at large. Terms are five years. Current members: The Rt. Rev. José A. Mcloughlin, Bishop Ed Bleynat, Chair – through 2024 Greg Hildebran, Chancellor – ex officio Jack Parsons, Treasurer – ex officio Jillian Ballard – through 2024 James Bowden – through 2026 Unelected slot for the 2022–2026 term Unelected slot for the 2022–2025 term

Registration for Convention Convention Homepage Every lay delegate, clergy, guest, and visitor to Convention must register for Diocesan Convention. Please follow the links below to find the online registration form. CONVENTION REGISTRATION (NOV. 8)

Resources for Deacons The diaconate in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina has been a vital and active ministry for over 30 years. This diocese currently has 26 active deacons and many “retired deacons” who continue to serve the diocese and their communities through ministries that include community gardens, transitional housing, ministry to those incarcerated, parish nursing, and many other ministries. If you are a deacon who has moved to our diocese, we welcome you and look forward to discerning together possible areas of ministry and service. Please review the Requirements for Licensing and contact the Bishop’s office and the Archdeacon to let us know you are here, whether or not you wish to continue in active ministry. Our Deacons Manual is written primarily for ordained deacons serving in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. When a person senses God’s call to Holy Orders, or when someone suggests to an individual that he/she consider Holy Orders, then the individual should refer to the Commission on Ministry Manual , recently updated in October 2021. If you have any questions regarding the content of the Deacons Manual, please contact the Archdeacon of the diocese .

Click on your parish below to view a list of services for Holy Week 2023. Parishes are listed in alphabetical order. To add your parish's services, email a PDF to Rachel at rcarr@diocesewnc.org. Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville Grace, Asheville Holy Family, Mills River St. Francis & St. Gabriel's, Rutherfordton St. John's in the Wilderness, Flat Rock St. Philip's, Brevard Christ Church, Sparta Grace in the Mountains, Waynesville Redeemer, Shelby St. James, Hendersonville St. John's, Marion Transfiguration, Bat Cave Epiphany, Newton Holy Cross, Valle Crucis St. Andrew's on the Hill, Canton St. John's, Asheville St. Mary-St. Stephen's, Morganton Trinity, Asheville Trinity, Spruce Pine

A Reflection on Haiti By Alister Brady, member of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Highlands Since 2001, the Church of the Incarnation has partnered with Haitians on projects in one of the poorest parts of the country, the Central Plateau. Through our visits, connections have formed between the hundreds of Americans who have traveled with us and Haitian friends, resulting in learning how people there live and motivating us to help. We have built an Episcopal school and a church, provided teachers' salaries for several schools, have sent a number of students to college and graduate programs, have provided goats to families, have supported projects to raise fish to eat and for sale and garden projects that have fed people while teaching new farming techniques.

Palabras de bienvenida de nuestro obispo diocesano, el Reverendísimo José A. McLoughlin Síguenos en nuestras redes sociales: ¡Bienvenidos a la Iglesia Episcopal! ¿QUIENES SOMOS? La Iglesia Episcopal es una de las ramas del movimiento de fe y amor que comenzó nuestro Señor Jesucristo hace mas de dos mil años atrás . Somos una Iglesia Católica , Apostólica y Anglicana. Somos una comunidad de fe con más de 80 millones de miembros en 163 países que enfoca su trabajo en el amor infinito que Dios tiene para nosotros y que nos invita a compartir con el mundo entero. " Les doy este mandamiento nuevo: Que se amen los unos a los otros... " Juan 13:34 ¿CUALES SON NUESTRAS CREENCIAS? " Los episcopales creemos en un Dios amoroso, liberador y vivificante: Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo. Como miembros constitutivos de la Comunión Anglicana en Estados Unidos, somos descendientes y nos asociamos a la Iglesia de Inglaterra y a la Iglesia Episcopal Escocesa, y somos parte del tercer grupo más grande de cristianos en el mundo. Creemos en seguir las enseñanzas de Jesucristo, cuya vida, muerte y resurrección salvó al mundo. Tenemos un legado de inclusión en el cual, aspirando a dar a conocer y a ejemplificar el amor de Dios a todo ser humano; hombres y mujeres sirven como obispos, sacerdotes y diáconos en nuestra iglesia. Los laicos y el clero comparten el liderazgo a todos los niveles en nuestra iglesia. El liderazgo es un don de Dios, y puede ser manifestado por todas las personas en nuestra Iglesia, independientemente de su identidad u orientación sexual. Creemos que Dios nos ama a todos, sin excepción." - Iglesia Episcopal ¿DONDE PUEDO ENCONTRAR UNA IGLESIA EPISCOPAL? Si estas buscando una iglesia que te acepte como eres, que te acompañe en tu caminar de fe y te apoye en tu crecimiento espiritual, te invitamos a que nos visites. Dale clic AQUI para ver el listado de Iglesias en nuestra diócesis. ¿Estás pensando en estudiar en la universidad, pero no sabes cómo cubrir los gastos de estudio? Nosotros estamos aquí para apoyarte y lograr tus metas. La Diócesis Episcopal del Norte de Carolina del Occidente está dando becas a la comunidad Latina/Hispana para continuar sus estudios universitarios. Para mayor información sobre nuestras becas de estudio, comunícate con nosotros al orozo@diocesewnc.org . Para mayor información sobre nuestras Iglesias Latinas/Hispanas en nuestra diócesis, por favor comunicarse con nuestro Misionero Diocesano . Aplicar Aquí Ministerio en Español LEARN MORE Recursos en Español LEARN MORE

Western Deanery Dinner On Tuesday, June 14th, the Western Deanery of the diocese gathered at the The Lodge at Cat Creek in Franklin, NC for a celebration of their deanery and community. To learn more about this event, please visit our Centennial Deanery Dinners Page .

Foothills Deanery Dinner On Tuesday, May 17th, the Foothills Deanery of the diocese gathered at the The Double "J" Farm in Lenoir, NC for a celebration of their deanery and community. To learn more about this event, please visit our Centennial Deanery Dinners Page .

Hate Divides, Love Unites About Download PDF

Executive Council Up Back to Our Leadership & Governance The Executive Council implements the work of the Diocese between Conventions. The Executive Council includes: Bishop José (chair); 18 elected members serving 3-year terms (1 clergy and 1 lay person from every Deanery, and 6 at-large lay members); the Dean of the Cathedral of All Souls (ex-officio); the Chancellor of the Diocese; and the Treasurer of the Diocese. Up to six meetings are held annually, plus an overnight retreat in January. Elected members having served a full term shall be ineligible for reelection for a period of two years. Likewise, Deans of Deaneries are ineligible. President of the Executive Council – The Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin, Bishop Vice President of the Executive Council – Jann Mellman At-Large Members: Sandra Smith (2024–2026), Jann Mellmann (2024–2026), Doug Orville (2025-2027), Don Hunley (2025-2027), Dr. Daniel Raiford (2026-2028), Kathy Wright (2026-2028) The Rev. David McNair St. John's, Asheville - 2026–2028 Sandy Rountree St. James, Black Mountain - 2023–2025 ASHEVILLE DEANERY The Rev. Logan Lovelace St. Mary's St. Stephen's - 2024–2026 Mr. Steve Snyder St. Alban's, Hickory - 2026–2028 FOOTHILLS DEANERY MOUNTAIN DEANERY The Rev. Perry Hildreth Holy Communion - 2025–2027 Jean Harrison St. Luke's, Boone - 2025-2027 HENDERSONVILLE DEANERY The Rev. David Henson St. James, Hendersonville - 2024-2026 Ms. Amy Cook St. Paul's, Edneyville - 2025-2027 PIEDMONT DEANERY The Rev. Ron Taylor St. Peter by the Lake, Denver - 2026–2028 Ms. Sandra Miller Camp St. Gabriel's, Rutherfordton - 2026–2028 WESTERN DEANERY The Rev. Skully Knight Incarnation, Highlands - 2025–2027 Ms. Lee Berger All Saints, Franklin - 2024–2026

Convention Homepage Accommodations HOTELS: With Convention taking place in a single day this year, we are not reserving any hotel blocks. For those of you who wish to stay overnight, any hotels in the Asheville area will work well. We are recommending the following hotels for your convenience. Hampton Inn & Suites 18 Rockwood Road Fletcher, NC 28732 855-605-0317 Hampton Inn Biltmore Village 117 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC 28803 866-994-9765 Holiday Inn & Suites 9 Brian Blvd Arden, NC 28704 828-684-6000 Courtyard by Marriott 360 Rockwood Road Arden, NC 28704 844-631-0595 Clarion Inn Asheville Airport 550 Airport Road Fletcher, NC 28732 828-483-4260 Clarion Inn Biltmore Village 234 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC 28803 828-673-8573 Wingate by Wyndham 31 Airport Park Road Fletcher, NC 28732 866-994-9765 Comfort Inn Asheville Airport 15 Rockwood Road Fletcher, NC 28732 828-827-0705

Discern God's Call for Ministry In the Episcopal Church, we believe that all people are called to ministry by virtue of baptism. The process of identifying, celebrating, and using our talents and gifts in the church and in the world is understood as “discernment.” The Diocese of Western North Carolina encourages leaders at the parish level to be companions on the journey of discernment with every lay member as they discover how they are called to participate in God’s redeeming work in the world. Sometimes individuals, alongside their congregation, discern gifts that may suggest a call to ordained ministry of a deacon or a priest in the church. The diocese desires ordained leaders who will equip our congregations to adapt to new realities and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that speak to the varied contexts and cultures of our communities. Below, you will find documents you will need should you begin down the path of discernment. Commission on Ministry Manual Parish Lay Discernment Committee Manual Financial Costs of Pursuing Ordination Constitution & Canons, Title III Suggested reading for further discernment: For more information, contact the diocesan office at 828-225-6656. The Diocese of Western North Carolina is proud to be home to Iona WNC, a part of the Iona Collaborative , a consortium of dozens of Episcopal dioceses seeking to expand availability to a rigorous but accessible theological education. Click here to visit the Iona WNC page and learn more.

Staying Centered During these uncertain times, we all need to find ways to take a deep breath. We hope the following resources will help you stay centered during challenging times. Listen and Watch Twelve Museums that Offer Virtual Tours Jeanne Robertson - "Don't Send a Man to the Grocery Store!" Empty Pews Podcast The 50 Best Family Movies to Watch Together Take a Deep Breath Virtual Yoga -Yoga Nut is an Asheville-based yogi who facilitates a variety of online classes that you can do at home Calm.com - daily exercises for meditation and relaxation to help ease anxiety

Foundation Grant The Episcopal Foundation of Western North Carolina is a non-profit corporation founded in 1963 by Bishop Henry with an initial gift from Mr. Charles Timson. The Foundation operates under its own independent charter, and the members of the Board of Directors are elected at the annual convention of the Diocese. The Foundation uses the income from its investments to make grants up to $20,000 exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, and scientific purposes. Parishes and institutions applying for these funds must present their initial request to a joint meeting the board of The Episcopal Foundation of Western North Carolina and the diocesan Finance Committee. Apply for this grant Grant budget form On April 17, the Foundation Board voted effective immediately: To reduce the maximum grant from $20,000 to $15,000, and To restrict the number of application presentations per meeting to no more than 3 including any joint grant/loan combos. This is a permanent change in order to help as many parishes as possible while withdrawing no more than 4% of funds for grants annually. We will no longer roll over any amount unspent in a previous year. It is not unusual to receive a grant award for less than the amount requested due to the increase in applications in the post-Covid era. You may also consider applying for an interest-free loan from the Diocese.