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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.

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.

Chancellor of the Diocese The Chancellor is the attorney for the diocese. He or she has seat and voice on the Executive Council, is a member of the Trustees, and advises the Bishop, the Standing Committee, the Executive Council and the Trustees concerning all questions of law.

Meet Bishop José The Rt. Rev. Bishop José A. McLoughlin Photo by Jim Dohms José Antonio McLoughlin was consecrated as the seventh bishop, and first Hispanic, of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina on October 1, 2016. Prior to his election as bishop of the diocese of Western North Carolina, José served as the Canon to the Ordinary and Chief-of-Staff for the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma since 2008. Previously, José served congregations in the dioceses of Southeast Florida and Virginia. Ordained in 2005, José earned his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Florida. Prior to his call to the priesthood, José worked in the criminal justice field serving in the state of Florida as a police officer and in the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. in various capacities, most recently as the special assistant/senior advisor to the assistant attorney general. Since becoming the Bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina, Bishop José has declared, in many and various ways, that he hopes to be a different kind of bishop, and he particularly does not want to be remembered as a distantly-removed dignitary. While not disregarding the great traditions of the Church, Bishop José believes that changes are necessary in the ways the church ministers in our day, and many of those changes must originate from the ministry of the bishop. He believes in being an engaged bishop who is close to the people of the diocese and the clergy who serve them. He has committed to being fully involved in the church’s ministry with youth, minorities, and underserved populations. He is passionate about raising up a new kind of leadership for the church in our day. José and his wife Laurel have two children: Alexander and Alyson. Alex graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in sports media and a minor in Spanish. Alex and his wife, Rachel, live in Oklahoma City where Alex works for the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, the triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alyson graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in religious studies and sociology. Alyson works and lives in Charlotte. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Bishop José is bilingual, and he enjoys listening to music, playing the drums, and studying 18th-century American history. A life-long aviation enthusiast, Bishop José is working on earning his private pilot’s license. View a welcome from Bishop José here. Visitation Forms and Information 2026 Visitation Schedule Visitation Form (online form — return before visit) Confirmation Certificate (online form — return after visit) Bishop's Customary

A Discussion on "Living Into God's Dream: Dismantling Racism in America" Use this guide to lead a group study on, "Living Into God's Dream, Dismantling Racism in America." Each week offers a new set of reflection questions and discussion opportunities. There are nine chapters in the book, so this is a 9-week study. When we did this study as a diocese, we had a series of discussions with Dr. Catherine Meeks of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing to discuss how we can continue to Build Beloved Community together. Need a copy of the book? Click here to purchase. Click here to anonymously share your responses. Top of Page Find reflection questions for Chapter 1 Find reflection questions for Chapter 2 Find reflection questions for Chapter 3 Find reflection questions for Chapter 4 Find reflection questions for Chapter 5 Find reflection questions for Chapter 6 Find reflection questions for Chapter 7 Find reflection questions for Chapter 8 Find reflection questions for Chapter 9 WEEK ONE Chapter 1: Living Into God's Dream of Community by Luther E. Smith Jr. Discussion Questions: 1. "Racism persists because a large segment of the population benefits from it." Reflect upon this statement and list several ways you can see how segments of the population benefit from racism. How much thought have you given to this idea in the past? A few reflections: "Segments of the population benefit from racism through job hiring and promotions; education specifically public education; and ability to maintain a standard of life which includes access to healthcare, food and safety." "Indians and their lands, the Irish/Chinese/Blacks jailed to get free Labor, the cost of not caring for all in taxes and change." 2. If the transformation of hearts alone will not undo racism, what will? What other elements are needed to succeed in this challenging world? A few reflections: "Regardless of some being invested in racism, OUR jobs NOW are to come out of inaction. 'Be the change you wish to see in the world" - M. Gandhi'" "Systems that offer equal access to all. Interactions with others of different races outside of the workplace like church, clubs, teams. Get past relationships based on power dynamics. When is the last time a person of a different race visited you at home - to share a meal, coffee, etc? Being open and encouraging of our children to have relationships with people of different races. Be open to this ourselves. Speak out about anything in our systems that discourage the ability for diverse races to interact together." SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Chapter 1 WEEK TWO Chapter 2: Dissecting Racism: Healing Minds, Cultivating Spirits Discussion Questions: 1. What were you told about members of different racial or ethnic groups? What kinds of comments were made about members of different racial or ethnic groups in your household? Were there any racial or ethnic slurs or compliments or was yours a household where race wasn’t discussed, but only hinted at or acted out in innuendo? A few reflections: "Race was very rarely discussed in my household. My family and extended family are all white and grew up in middle class households. While they would discuss racism with me if I directly asked, the actual systemic elements of it were never fully discussed. Furthermore, I often noticed that race was unnecessarily included in stories--if I was being told a story of an interaction my family had with a white person, race was never mentioned, but if with a person of color, it was absolutely mentioned. Oftentimes, the interaction had the POC as the butt of the joke." 2. Where did you learn about race in school--was it from textbooks or teachers and what exactly did you learn? How did this information form your attitudes or feelings about your own ethnic or racial group and those from other racial or ethnic groups? A few reflections: "Ironically, though I attended a historically black high school, I found my education to be incredibly white-washed. The school had been transformed into a magnet school in the 90s, and had a majority white population despite being a historically black high school in a diverse neighborhood. We learned many overly glorified versions of American history, oftentimes neglecting to discuss slavery, taking land from the natives, and much more." SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Chapter 2 WEEK THREE Chapter 3: Why Is This Black Woman Still Talking About Race? Discussion Questions: 1. Do you have a story about a moment in your life that changes your viewpoint? If so, how did it change you? A few reflections: "I grew up in a very racially and ethnically diverse community in a northern city. It wasn’t until I started to travel south, that I realized how much emphasize is placed on race. It opened my eyes to how others have had different experiences than me and that I should do my best to be open and listen and acknowledge their experiences. And do what I can to share mine and the possibilities of being in communities where inclusion is the norm." "If I'm being entirely honest, it took having to travel outside of the country for me to truly recognize the privilege of my white skin. I was a student abroad (already an inherent privilege in itself) when I found myself the only white person in the room for the first time. That feeling of being "out of place" really got me thinking--why isn't this something I have experienced in my own country? I have never been the only white person in a room, I have never felt out of place for the color of my skin, I have never been treated differently because of it. My privilege was so ingrained in my day-to-day life I failed to truly recognize it until I was faced with even a small part of the opposite experience." 2. Why is the idea of race as an illusion a difficult one for Black people to embrace? A few reflections: To me, the idea of race being an "illusion" seems similar to the ill-conceived idea of "colorblindness." I hear so many people using this phrase, "I don't see color!" as a way to prove they are not racist, when in fact, the phrase discredits the experiences people inherently face because of the color of their skin. Rather, I think white people need to practice acknowledging the experiences of our brothers and sisters of color, "I see your color and it's beautiful, and I want to listen." SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Chapter 3 WEEK FOUR Chapter 4: Mama, It Is So Hard to Be Black in America Discussion Questions: 1. Why is it dangerous to the human psyche to allow small racist acts, so called microaggressions, go unchecked? A few reflections: "It is dangerous to allow microaggressions to go unchecked because if they are not brought to light, the assumption is that they are acceptable." 2. Is it difficult for you to engage in conversation about race with those outside of your race? Reflect upon the reasons for your experiences or discomfort. A few reflections: "It is not difficult for me to have discussions with people outside my race. However, it has only been in the past few years that race can be a topic of discussion across races. I think because it is very obvious that issues we thought were resolved or on the right track after the 60’s, only went under the radar. The diversity of ethnicities and races should be acknowledged, discussed and celebrated." SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Chapter 4 WEEK FIVE Chapter 5: Diary of a Spoiled White Guy Discussion Questions: 1. What do you think affected the author of this chapter the most as he learned about the reality of race? Think about the moments in your life that helped you to embrace the reality of race. A few reflections: When the author spoke about his time in Malaysia, that truly resonated with me. I too actually had a very similar experience--I went to visit friends in a small town in Malaysia, and found myself for the first time, not only the only white person in the room, but in the TOWN. It was suddenly extremely clear to me how much I took for granted in being a white person in my primarily white community back home and how I had never truly felt out of place for the color of my skin before. 2. What are some of the conflicts that you have had around issues of social justice and equality? SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Chapter 5 WEEK SIX Chapter 6: A White Lens on Dismantling Racism Discussion Questions: 1. With whom do you talk about racism or White privilege? If you are White, how and when do you talk about these issues when you are with just White friends? Is the conversation different when you are with people of color? If so, why and how does noticing that difference make you feel? A few reflections: I am a person of color. Within the past few years, I have had conversations about racism and White privilege. Usually as a result of a training or something in the news. I have some friends with which I have very natural, open conversations. These conversations are two-way and respectful of what is being shared and the feelings that sometimes surface. 2. If racism is an exploitative system set up by White people, maintained by White people, and benefiting White people, who has the primary responsibility for dismantling it? If White people have a primary responsibility for dismantling structural racism, what is a primary responsibility for people of color? SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Chapter 6 WEEK SEVEN Chapter 7: Architects of Safe Space for Beloved Community Discussion Questions: 1. What interesting coincidences have happened in your life that might have led you to greater congruence between soul and the role that you play in life? 2. When have you been confronted with your own unconscious prejudice? How did you deal with it? SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Chapter 7 WEEK EIGHT Chapter 8: The American South is Our Holy Land Discussion Questions: 1. What thoughts and feelings are provoked within you when thinking about the American South as the Holy Land? 2. "Facts don't fly high enough or reach deep enough. Poetry riding on melody is necessary," proclaims the author of this chapter as he describes the Holy Land for the United States which is the American South. Why does music help make sense of the comparisons that are being made between the American South and the biblical Holy Land? SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Chapter 8 Chater 9 WEEK NINE Chapter 9: Getting Dismantling Racism Right in America Discussion Questions: 1. This chapter tells the story of the Dismantling Racism Commission in Atlanta. What do you know about the work of dismantling racism which is occurring in your community? Who is charged with doing this work? Have you been involved in doing such work? 2. What do you believe could be the hardest part of having conversations about race such as the ones that you would expect to have in a dismantling racism workshop? SHARE YOUR REFLECTIONS Share your response... What chapter are you reflecting on? Thanks for submitting! Submit Share Your Response

Centennial Weekend On the weekend of Nov. 11–13, 2022, the Diocese of Western North Carolina celebrated it's 100th anniversary. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached a special Revival service Sunday, Nov. 13.

Our Cathedral Located in the Biltmore Village area of Asheville, All Souls is the cathedral for the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. It is the seat of our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin, a spiritual home to all Episcopalians in Western North Carolina, and a house of prayer for all people. All Souls is a Eucharistic-centered cathedral whose life is shaped by Scripture, the Baptismal Covenant, and engagement with the world about us. It is a community where all are welcome, trust is present, risks are taken, and where our gifts and graces enable us to be who God knows us to be. For more information on our cathedral and events there, visit the All Souls website .

Lent & Easter Resources Lent and Easter Resources - Church Publishing Group Find a selection of books, publications, and other resources selected for Lent and Easter by Church Publishing Group. Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent - by The Episcopal Church Find a series of videos from The Episcopal Church focused on following the Way of Love this Lent 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. Together at Home: Easter Resources Find resources from "Together at Home" to help share the story of Easter with your family from the comfort of your very own home. A Lego Journey Through Holy Week Read the story of how one family recognized Holy Week from home in a creative way: with legos! 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. 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.

Ministerio en Español Ministerio en Español en la Iglesia Episcopal Diócesis del Oeste de Carolina del Norte En inglés 2017 Ha sido un ano de muchas bendiciones para nuestra diócesis, especialmente por el crecimiento de nuestras comunidades de habla Hispana. En el 2018, la congregación de la Capilla de Santa Maria en Hendersonville ha crecido en número y conversación con la comunidad de habla Inglés. Nuestro misionero regional, el Rev. Miguel Álvarez, ha trabajado diligentemente en la parte Este de nuestra diócesis, en donde celebra Misa en Español todos los domingos en la Iglesia Trinidad de Spruce Pine, Santa Maria en Morganton, y 5 de Noviembre comenzó la celebración en Nuestro Salvador en Newland. Estos servicios son una fuente de esperanza para nuestras congregaciones en su mayoría inmigrantes y reúnen a varias iglesias locales para el ministerio compartido. En otros lugares en la diócesis tenemos servicios en español el Tercer Domingo en la iglesia de Gracia en montañas, Waynesville y el cuarto domingo en la iglesia del Espíritu Santo Mars Hills. Good Shepherd in Cashiers está considerando la posible expansión a un servicio en español. Agradecemos a los Guardianes y Rectores mayores de estas parroquias por su amistad y apoyo. Nuestras comunidades de culto son muy diversas, provienen de diferentes orígenes, cada una con su propia identidad cultural única y problemas sociales y políticos únicos. Estas ricas tradiciones culturales enriquecen a la nuestra diócesis. Nuestro trabajo incluye: Celebrando bautizos, bodas, confirmaciones y eventos de especial importancia cultural como las quinciñeras; los días de fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe; Las Posadas; Los Tres Reyes; y el Día de la Independencia Mexicana. Celebrando frente al miedo como una voz de esperanza. Muchas de nuestras familias son indocumentadas, pero lo celebramos a pesar de la inseguridad económica, los puntos de control policial y la amenaza de deportación. Celebrando nuestra juventud Algunos de nuestros jóvenes disfrutaron de la conferencia de otoño, MidBeginnings. Más asistirán a la Conferencia de otoño de la escuela secundaria. Trabajamos con voluntarios de St. James Hendersonville, Holy Family Episcopal Church y First Congregational para ofrecer un programa de tutoría de verano en lectura, matemáticas y computadoras. Queremos abrir la casa parroquial de La Capilla para programas tales como preparación universitaria y orientación profesional para jóvenes de la escuela secundaria. Compartimos nuestro viaje espiritual a través de la asociación con iglesias no hispanas a medida que compartimos servicios y eventos especiales con iglesias episcopales cercanas y una iglesia AME en gran parte afroamericana. En el próximo año esperamos desarrollar capacitación para líderes laicos hispanos / latinos y brindar asesoramiento a estudiantes hispanos / latinos de escuela secundaria para la transición a la universidad y las carreras. Por favor oren por nosotros y nuestro ministerio. Gracias por tu visita.

Hate Divides, Love Unites About Download PDF

Care for Neighbor Resources During this time, taking care of our friends and neighbors is more important than ever. Find some resources below to explore ways to stay connected during this time, or visit our Donate Now Page for donation opportunities in the diocese during this time. Resources for Children Talking to Kids About the Corona Virus Just for Kids: A New Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus Article: How you can Help Food Insecure Children Help Your Community CNN: Here's How You Can Help Stay #AshevilleStrong Article: Balm of Gratitude Eases Corona Crisis 7 things you can to do help people affected by the coronavirus pandemic

Committee on Constitution and Canons Up Back to Our Leadership & Governance The Committee on Constitution and Canons consists of members of the Diocese nominated by the Ecclesiastical Authority and elected by the Convention of the Diocese. The committee serves to receive, consider, and review any proposed amendments, edits, and changes to the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Western North Carolina brought to the committee by the Convention. The committee works between conventions of the diocese and brings recommendations to the Convention based on its work in the preceeding year. 2024 Members Mr. Greg Hilderbran, Chancellor (ex officio ) The Rev. Toni Belhu The Rev. Gaelyn Evangreene The Rev. Logan Lovelace Mr. Philip Wertz

Justice and Outreach Grant The Justice and Outreach Committee will consider grant proposals for diocesan initiatives that meet the following funding criteria: Engages people in ministry that is focused on a justice and outreach issue, builds capacity in the local community and/or across the diocese to improve the quality of life for the poor, lonely, and/or disenfranchised through collaboration, has an end result that transforms the community and/or the diocese. Apply for this grant Grant budget form Past Grant Recipients Winter Safe Shelter Welcomes Dozens During First Year An ecumenical effort to provide shelter for the underserved among the unhoused has welcomed more than 30 people in off the streets since... Diocese of WNC

Documents for the Business of Convention Convention Homepage Documents will be posted as they are received. Please check back regularly. Reports Reports will be available after convention. Resolutions 2025 Resolutions for Diocesan Convention 2025 Resolutions 2 & 3 for Diocesan Convention Procedural Resolutions for the 2025 Diocesan Convention General Convention Resolutions (First Readings) Elected Leadership 2025 Nominees Budget 2026 Proposed Budget

Mountain Missionary Spirit In the mountains, the seeds of our diocesan missionary spirit were planted by Bishop Ives in the 1830s and 1840s. For twenty years, he traveled extensively, on horseback, through most of the western regions of North Carolina. Upon his arrival at a particularly beautiful spot in the northern mountains of Watauga County, Bishop Ives saw, as legend has it, the image of a St. Andrew’s Cross formed by the two streams in the valley and named that area Valle Crucis (Latin for the Vale of the Cross). Here, in 1842, Bishop Ives established a center for missionary work, a classical boys’ boarding school with a focus on agriculture, a theological school for training persons for ordination, and the Order of the Holy Cross, the first monastic order in the Episcopal Church since the Reformation. All these endeavors were supported by a working farm, dairy, and a blacksmith shop. Among Bishop Ives’ notable contributions to Western North Carolina perhaps the most significant was inviting Church of the Holy Cross, Valle Crucis, NC, Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons William West Skyles to come to Valle Crucis in 1844 to serve as the manager of the farm and to teach agriculture. In 1847, Skyles was ordained deacon and became one of the first Episcopalians to enter monastic life. Beloved for his pastoral care and known affectionately as “the homely sage,” Deacon Skyles, under extremely difficult conditions, served the isolated mountain people as doctor, legal advisor, counselor, mediator, schoolmaster, public scrivener, and evangelist until his untimely death in 1862. One of the first directors of the school of ministry in Valle Crucis, ordained by Bishop Ives, was the Revd. Jarvis Buxton. Following graduation from seminary, Buxton arrived in the village of Asheville in 1847; five years later he helped establish Trinity Church. Supported by this congregation and fired by missionary zeal he was fundamental in establishing most of the churches in the Asheville area, while continuing to pastor Episopalians in Murphy, Franklin, Cherokee, Waynesville, and Burnsville. Throughout the second half of the 19th century, many other leaders were also active in missionary work, holding services and ministering to families in remote mountain areas west of Asheville, most notably the Reverends Buel and Deal. In 1872, the Revd. Buel was invited by Bishop Atkinson to direct the newly established Ravenscroft Associate Ministry, a diocesan mission center for training young men to the ordained ministry. From this mission center, clergy and students would go out to visit and care for communities beyond Asheville. The Revd. Buel tended to the growing congregations in Waynesville, Brevard, and Cullowhee in the west as well as congregations in Rutherfordton. In 1876, the Revd. Deal was invited by Bishop Lyman to serve the church in Murphy. One year later, Deal moved to Franklin and from there he shepherded Episcopal communities in Highlands, Cashiers, and Murphy, all the while building the churches in Franklin and Cartoogechaye. Rev. Henry S. McDuffy In 1887, the Revd. Henry S. McDuffey was one of the first black clergymen in the diocese, having arrived as priest-in-charge of St. Matthias. He embraced the missionary spirit and helped expand the diocese's work and ministry among African Americans. Sometime toward the end of the 19th century, Bishop Horner established the Franklin Associate Mission, and later, during the early years of the 20th century, he added the Rutherford Associate Mission. These mission centers were modeled after the Ravenscroft Associate Ministry and staffed by a new generation of ordained missionaries who served clusters of churches. A priest who influenced the whole diocese greatly in the 20th century was the Revd. A. Rufus Morgan. Born and raised in Franklin, NC, Rufus was sent by Bishop Horner to seminary in New York City. In 1914, the bishop called the now Revd. Morgan back to the mountains to help establish the diocesan Appalachian Industrial School, which later became the Penland School of Crafts. In 1918, Morgan left Western North Carolina to serve parishes in South Carolina and then headed north, across the state line, to become the assistant managing director of the new Kanuga Conference Center. He retired in the early 1940s to his native mountains west of Waynesville. In his retirement he helped build St. Francis in Cherokee and restored the original St. John’s, Cartoogechaye. All the while he was serving churches in Cullowhee, Sylva, and Highlands. This remarkable man was also one of the people who established the Appalachian Trail and was a principal developer of the route from Georgia to the Great Smoky Mountains. Up to his last days, Rufus led hikes throughout the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. A man who practiced good stewardship of the earth before it became popular, he inspired several generations of Episcopalians to an appreciation and reverence of God’s creation. We are all indebted to the work and dedication of the Revd. Rufus Morgan. <<>> Origins LEARN MORE Origins LEARN MORE LEARN MORE Settlement Period LEARN MORE Settlement Period LEARN MORE Mountain Missionary Spirit LEARN MORE Mountain Missionary Spirit LEARN MORE Becoming a Diocese LEARN MORE Becoming a Diocese LEARN MORE Repairing a Breach LEARN MORE Repairing a Breach LEARN MORE Expanding the Circle LEARN MORE Expanding the Circle

About the "Highland Episcopalian" The Highland Episcopalian is a biannual publication of the Diocese of Western North Carolina. The magazine is sent to anyone who wishes to receive it within the boundaries of the diocese. Those outside the area may subscribe to the magazine for $5 per issue. Donations to support the cost of mailing the magazine are welcome, and may be made online (below) or sent to our office. Backdated Issues: Summer 2017 Closer to God: Conference & Camp ministries in the diocese Convention 2016 Details of the 2016 Convention. Summer 2016 Electing the next bishop February 2015 Community Gardens Fall 2016 The election of our new bishop Summer 2015 New directions, new growth

Nominations and Resolutions Convention Homepage Nominations Every year there are several opportunities for people to serve in leadership roles in the Diocese. You are invited to prayerfully discern for yourself or other individuals who may be called to offer their gifts and talents in service to the Church. The deadline for nominations is October 20, 2025 . Any late nominations will need to submit a PDF copy of the nomination form linked below, as well as a Motion to Suspend the Rule. At the appointed time, the Nominator needs to make a motion from the virtual floor of convention that the rules be suspended so that the nomination be considered and accepted. Offices to be Elected Memo Resolutions Every year members of the Diocese are welcome to submit resolutions for the business of the Diocese. It is essential for delegates to review resolutions prior to convention. Resolutions Memo SUBMIT RESOLUTION SUBMIT NOMINATION

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

Episcopal Church Women The Episcopal Church Women are a group of