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Bearing Witness We invite you to encounter 14 Stations of Witness — a pilgrimage of photos and stories collected from across our diocese. These 14 stations echo the sacred tradition of the Stations of the Cross, reminding us that bearing witness is a holy and courageous act. Please note that, while most photos directly tie to the story they are shown with, some are taken by someone else and curated to match that story. The Rev. Canon Augusta Anderson Canon to the Ordinary That first night it was so dark. The electric grid had been destroyed. We scrambled to find flashlights and candles to bring some light into the devastation and fear. At some point I realized that it was the small points of light that were going to help us recover. For some, it was a single candle that brought first responders and saved their lives. For others, it was a small campfire in someone’s driveway that brought neighbors together to share food, comfort, and encouragement. For me, it was the stars in the night sky. For a week, before electricity was restored, I could see the holy gift of light twinkling against the dark reminding me that even when things feel bleak, God is ever-present, ever-loving, ever-merciful. Photography: Katie Knowles Craig Setzer Black Mountain The early days of Helene were bizarre. I remember leaving my house for the first time after about a day. When I drove around to check on friends at their houses, it took me four or five times longer than usual because trees were down on most streets in my neighborhood—trees blocking the road, trees that had fallen on houses, trees blocking access to and from homes. I would try a back way to get to someone, and more trees would be down. It was really challenging. At that point, the only resource we had was ourselves and our neighbors, so we grabbed our chainsaws and got to work. I helped friends, neighbors, and strangers alike cut up trees and move them out of the way. It made me realize that even the most basic necessities like road access were a huge blessing. Photography: Katie Knowles The Rt. Rev. Bishop José A. McLoughlin VII Bishop After Helene hit, I remember searching for any cell signal to contact family, clergy, and diocesan staff. Within the first week, I went on the air with 570 WWNC radio to give updates on our parishes, to share resource information, and to offer messages of hope and shared humanity. When our usual means of communication—cell phones, social media, and the internet—were stripped away, we witnessed something both humbling and holy. Radios crackled to life, handwritten notes were passed from hand to hand, and neighbors knocked on doors just to check in. At the heart of it all was a deep, God-given impulse to connect, to care, to be present with one another. The creativity and determination people showed reminded me that even in silence, God's Spirit moves among us, drawing us together. In the absence of digital noise, we rediscovered the sacredness of human connection. Photography: Heather Davis The Rev. Toni Belhu Rector at St. Francis & St. Gabriel's, Rutherfordton Early Sunday morning (September 29), the power came on at St. Francis. I was able to send a … message to St. Francis... and St. Gabriel’s letting everyone know there would be Sunday service as usual at St. Francis and that the Parish House at St. Francis would be open that day for anyone who needed to charge phones, use the WiFi, or just needed a hot cup of coffee from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. We were fortunate that our Music Director, Steven Noll, was able to drive over from Hendersonville, and that Richard and Stephanie Williams, parishioners at St. Francis, were able to come across the street. Richard was the preacher that day. We had ingredients to make quesadillas at the Parish House so anyone who came by was able to be fed, and we gathered all the snacks we had around to give out, too. Beginning Monday morning, we again opened the Parish House at St. Francis for anyone who needed power to charge or needed WiFi... We made sandwiches to give out along with the snacks and drinks. On Wednesday, we gave out hotdog meals at St. Gabriel’s so those who normally would pick up on Wednesday at the Soup Kitchen were still able to receive a meal. On Thursday and Friday, we fried fish all day long and were able to feed anyone who came by along with those at the local hotel. We were also able to share some of the fish we had with St. Paul’s in Edneyville... We continued to receive deliveries over the next few weeks of supplies and clothes, and we continued to give out anything we had here at St. Francis... We are thankful for our lay leadership and the support of the parishes. We thank God who sustains us in our time of need and in our time of plenty. Photography: Katie Knowles The Rev. Kelsey Davis Bishop's Deputy for Disaster Response When our power went out, I remember opening and closing the refrigerator as quickly as possible to preserve the cool air. After a few days, our refrigerator was no longer cool. Our two year-old is Type 1 Diabetic. As her insulin warmed, a clock began to count down on how long the insulin would last. With no pharmacy, closed roads, and little cell service, we turned to a neighbor, who mapped us a route to Georgia. With half a tank of gas, prayers, and determination, we made it to family, resources, and a pharmacy. Unable to transfer our prescription, I pleaded with a local pharmacist. An hour later, she slid three vials of insulin across the counter. No cost. No questions asked. When I asked our two-year-old what she wanted to offer to kids back in North Carolina, she told us she wanted them to have diapers and wipes. So, we purchased diapers and wipes from the same Walmart that gifted us insulin. She helped us pack up the supplies, and I drove them back home a few days later. Living through this disaster has solidified for me: God is present in the cycles of giving and receiving. We all have something we need to receive, and we all have something to give. Ultimately, there's enough to go around when we share what we can with each other. Photography: Kelsey Davis Zebbi Sampler Hendersonville We lost our home due to downed trees. We were able to salvage most of our items, but our youngest son lost 90% of his belongings... My husband and I are still dealing with the trauma, grief, and pain of losing our home of 12 years... It’s easy to go through the motions and deal with everyone else’s trauma. Being accountable for our own was a little harder to do. We have never felt more connected as a family and more loved by our community than we do now. We have always been the caretakers and support system for others, but we never had to have that support for ourselves. We now have a first-hand experience of what it’s like to share grief and call upon our community for action and support. Photography: Katie Knowles The Rev. David Hensen Rector at St. James, Hendersonville Before cell service got too spotty ... I sent a message to a fellow priest and friend, Fr. Brad Landry, of All Saints Birmingham, and asked for help - supplies and assistance. Their response was nothing short of amazing. “Just tell us what you need and absolutely we will,” he replied. A member of the parish was a pilot, and within less than a week they had shopped for thousands of dollars’ worth of relief goods, water, and even heavy-duty chainsaws. They filed a flight plan, set to arrive the Tuesday after the storm, which would be the first of two flights and one large land-based delivery. Brad was the first person I had seen from outside the disaster area. I remember hugging him in gratitude—not just for the supplies, but for his companionship. In the midst of what felt like hell, we caught a glimpse of a world made right: the kingdom of God, where everyone had enough, no one wanted too much, and every stranger became a neighbor to love. More than anything else, I witnessed God’s abundance through the overflowing generosity of friends, neighbors, and parishes from around the region who showed up and said, “Let me help. Here am I. Send me!” Small gifts and simple gifts were often the most meaningful—a fresh bunch of bananas, a grocery run, a hot homemade meal, a quick check or visit. Every offering mattered, and every gift matters. Photography: David Hensen Raymond Nordfors Spruce Pine On the 28th we checked the house, and we had no damage and neither did our neighbors. However, when we went exploring... we couldn’t believe what we saw. A few hundred feet below our lot there was a major landslide that was 100 feet across and took out everything for at least one hundred feet down the mountain... (Another) landslide at the largest waterfall obliterated the road, which was the only way in and out. There was no way we could get off the mountain. The neighbors joined together and met to strategize and make plans for finding a way off the mountain... Over the course of the next six days the six people that lived on the mountain cut down dozens of trees, took gravel from one of the neighbor’s yards to fill in the huge ruts in the driveway... so we could get to the logging road. Despite the destruction, or maybe because of it, we had a great deal of fun during our evening meals - the direness of the situation cemented our friendly acquaintances into true friendships. Once the driveway and road were semi-passable, the other two men set out in a four-wheel drive “gator” to see what was on the other side of the pasture. The other four people continued to try to fix the driveway and logging road... They followed the road for a while to find that there were multiple trees down on the dirt road and neighbors from the other side of the mountain trying to clear it away... Once that was done, not only did we finally have a way out, but we also had a few more friends. We thank God for putting us on the mountain with the other two couples. Photography: Katie Knowles The Very Rev. Sarah Hurlbert Dean, Cathedral of all Souls in Asheville I remember the smell of the mud, I remember the feeling of unsteadiness as I walked through our office. My body was unsteady, my heart and mind were unsteady. Making my way down the cluttered hallway to my office I saw the water had reached the ceiling. Everything was destroyed and yet one item of memorabilia remained - a six pack of canned water I got when doing Katrina relief work with my campus ministry students 20 years ago. Can this be real? That water connected me back to colleagues who had been where I was standing and that connection point became the stabilizer I needed to step forward with hope. Photography: Casey Clark McKayla Knowles Black Mountain Our wedding was scheduled for October 19th in Black Mountain. Then the storm came, and we wondered if we could still pull it off. We asked our friends, and they all said yes. I remember excitement that fizzled into exhaustion from long days collecting water and searching for cell signal to contact family. Hours and days and weeks were spent focusing on the most basic necessities for ourselves and our community. And then, a sacred 48 hours began. Our chosen family from near and far stepped in to help us carry excitement and joy again. Local farms donated flowers. Strangers offered tables and chairs. Friends rationed their leftover energy to hang string lights, build bouquets, bake cookies, and set tables. I remember the tension felt trying to create beauty while surrounded by destruction. And I remember things falling perfectly into place. We made commitments to love and support one another no matter what, inspired by the example of our community. Most importantly, we promised to do so with God’s help. Photography: Marissa Irene Photography The Rev. Dr. Robert Wetherington Rector at St. Mary's, Asheville With no water, power, or communications, the neighbors around the church began to gather in the back yard of one of our neighboring homes. In fact, it was at Bishop Henry’s previous residence that we all gathered. There we listened to radio transmissions and tried to make communication with friends and family. We shared food, water, and ready hands to help each other through the first couple of days... Connections through the various members of our community started with a few U-Haul vans with water, food, and cleaning supplies... Over the next two weeks, we received seven tractor trailers carrying 63,000 pounds each... In total, including the U-Haul trucks, we had nearly 500,000 pounds of food, water, personal hygiene, and household cleaning items desperately needed by the people in our area. At one point, we received so much bottled water that we had to store it in the lower level of the church, and the line of volunteers looked like sailors loading a battleship for deployment. As the last cases of water were set down, we were informed that the Asheville School System was working to reopen but needed drinking water for at least two weeks. We had that water. We began to shuttle water to the schools and delivered two weeks of water, based on the number of students, to all of the elementary schools and some of what was needed at the middle school. It was astounding the effort and creativity that took place during these efforts. On numerous occasions, volunteers commented to me how refreshing it was to see the church doing what we say we do. Photography: Robert Wetherington Heather Davis Asheville "Autumn, you glorious season, you" ( Oct 25, 2024) did i miss it... the raucous fanfare the effortless release the flocks of pilgrims donning cameras tipsy with altitude the geese flee the crowds honking goodbyes in the traffic overhead i must have missed it all of us twisting our hands dirty nail beds waiting on water to boil Photography: Katie Knowles Fr. John Roberts Rector at Church of the Transfiguration, Bat Cave After the storm, I noticed the pastoral care questions we often ask to check in on each other were anything but “normal.” Instead I found myself asking and answering questions that focused on simple human need - “do you have water, a place to sleep, access to medical care, enough food, are you safe, have you heard from…?” For me, the questions behind these questions were harder still - “why me, why us, what is dignity, what is the role of the church in the face of so much loss, death, and need, where are you God?” In answer, our little church tried to become home for those who had lost theirs, and the simple answer required was, “yes.” For months there was hardly room to grieve, the need to grieve was very real. Yet, I think I now understand the story of the people of God more than I ever have before: God is present and faithful to humanity when we are at our worst and our best. I’ve seen both in the year since Helene, and God is still here among us. Thanks be to God. Photography: Katie Knowles The Venerable Brenda Gilbert Archdeacon In the wake of Helene’s devastation, a simple truth began to anchor us: we could find something beautiful to look at, breathe deeply, and remember that God is with us. A quiet strength emerged with our community as we held onto that truth, reminding us that even in chaos, God’s presence provided an unwavering foundation. Photography: Katie Knowles Bearing Witness Card Set for Purchase We have created a limited amount of this exact set of stories and photos in a high quality card set. Each set contains the 14 stories - the photo on the front, and the story on the back. You may order for $10 through the link below. Cost offsets manufacturing and shipping costs, and additional proceeds will benefit the Disaster Response Fund. Order Bearing Witness Card Set Do you have a story to share? We would love to hear from you. We believe story-telling is a sacred art in which we find healing and beauty, often in the midst of suffering, and pass on wisdom to those that come after us. Please share your story through the button below. Share Your Story

Creation Care The Diocese of Western North Carolina is committed to the care of all God’s creation and supports congregations in this important act of stewardship. Below are a number of resources to enhance and inspire their current environmental ministries. Creation Care Alliance Guide LEARN MORE Creation Care Alliance Guide A Catechism of Creation LEARN MORE A Catechism of Creation LEARN MORE LEARN MORE North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light LEARN MORE North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light WNC Creation Care Stories Sacred Ground: Giving Garden Wins National Award Waynesville's wildlife haven at Grace Church in the Mountains won one of six awards from Interfaith Power and Light's 2023 Cool Congregations Challenge. The garden became an organic haven with composting, native plants, pollinator and wildlife certifications, an outdoor worship space, and a classroom for lessons on the natural world. Wild Wonder: A Hands-On Creation Care Experience for Children The Wild Wonder curriculum is designed for a 5-day camp for children ages kindergarten to 5th grade, focusing on connecting with nature and God. Based off Psalm 104, the curriculum invites children to "delight in God as creator, redeemer, and sustainer of all things by immersing them in the wonders of the created world." Representing TEC at COP 27 The Rev. Anna Shine, the diocesan missioner for Creation Care, attended COP 27 as a representative for The Episcopal Church. Reach out to The Rev. Anna Shine: ashine@diocesewnc.org .

Up Back to Our Leadership & Governance The Disciplinary Board The Disciplinary Board consists of five clergy and four laypersons (pursuant to Title IV of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church) nominated by the Ecclesiastical Authority and elected by the Convention of the Diocese. The Disciplinary Board serves as the court which guides the Ecclesiastical process of accountability and discipline for members of the clergy. Members Mr. Ed Bleynat, President The Rev. Toni Belhu Mr. Allan Fullwood The Rev. David Henson Candace Mance The Rev. Judith Whelchel The Rev. Dn. Jacque Dunbar

Ministry at La Capilla de Santa Maria SPANISH EUCHARIST SERVICE - Sundays at 11AM Get Directions NUESTRAS HISTORIAS: Miguel Álvarez, La Capilla Watch this video to learn more about our Regional Missioner for Latino Ministries, Miguel Álvarez, and the ministries at La Capilla. If you want to learn more about Miguel, click here to read his full bio. La Capilla de Santa Maria (The Chapel of St. Mary) is our diocesan Spanish Mission Chapel and is located in Hendersonville, NC. The mission is to bring formation, faith, companionship, and education to their congregation, and support local Latino families and communities to build bridges between Latino and Anglo-Saxon culture. La Capilla has a deep history rooted in Western North Carolina. The property is also home to the Folwell House, where the members of our Blue Ridge Service Corps reside as part of the mission to connect the Anglo and Latino communities. If you want to learn more about the history of La Capilla, a brief history can be found in the article "The History and Legacy of La Capilla de Santa Maria," or a more extended narrative can be found in the book, "La Capilla de Santa Maria: A Spiritual Tapestry" by Joy Franklin.

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

Best Western* - Hendersonville 105 Sugarloaf Rd. (828) 692-0521 Thursday night - $93 Friday night - $178 *Room block reserved. Ask for the Episcopal Diocese of WNC when booking, and please make your reservation by October 1. Book Now Hampton Inn* - Hendersonville 155 Sugarloaf Rd. (828) 697-2333 Thursday night - $169 Friday night - $179 *Room block reserved. Ask for the Episcopal Diocese of WNC when booking, and please make your reservation by October 1. Book Now Ramada by Wyndham* - Hendersonville 150 Sugarloaf Rd. (828) 697-0006 starts at $108/night *Room block reserved. Ask for the Episcopal Diocese of WNC when booking, and please make your reservation by October 1. Book Now Econo Lodge* - Hendersonville 206 Mitchell Dr. (828) 693-8800 Thursday night - $80 Friday night - $150 *Room block reserved. Ask for the Episcopal Diocese of WNC when booking, and please make your reservation by October 1. Book Now Echo Mountain Inn* - Hendersonville 2849 Laurel Park Hwy. (828) 693-9626 Thursday night - $119 Friday night - $189 *Room block reserved. Ask for the Episcopal Diocese of WNC when booking, and please make your reservation by October 1. Book Now Waverly Inn - Hendersonville 783 N. Main St. (828) 693-9193 Thursday night - $189–$279 Friday night - $245–$391 Book Now The Henderson Inn - Hendersonville 201 3rd Ave. West (828) 696-2001 Thursday night - $169–189 Friday night - $179–$199 Book Now

Indigenous Ministries Conference On March 26, 2022, we gathered as a diocese with 5 respected speakers to discuss the past, present, and future of the Diocese of WNC with our indigenous siblings. Our 5 speakers were the Rev. Dr. Brad Hauff (Indigenous Missioner for The Episcopal Church), the Rev. Dr. Bude VanDyke (Rector at the Church of The Good Shepherd in Decatur, Alabama), Dr. Trey Adkock (Director of American Indian and Indigenous studies at the University of North Carolina at Asheville), Mr. James Bradley (Secretary of Education for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), and Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, Mr. Richard Sneed. Photos by Pamela Mumby of Land of the Sky Photography.

Volunteer Resource page providing a Virtual Guide for those who wish to come to Western North Carolina and support Helene Recovery efforts. Volunteer Resources 1/1 Virtual Volunteer Resource Guide After thoughtful and prayerful consideration, our diocese has decided to not facilitate volunteer groups. Learn more about that decision in this video from Bishop José. Instead, our team has created a Virtual Volunteer Guide, which you can access through the button below. In it you will find trusted recommendations for where you can volunteer, worship, eat, shop, and stay in your time in Western North Carolina. This PDF is complete with links to all of these resources. Please use it and share it with all who want to contribute to our recovery efforts. 1/1 Virtual Volunteer Resource Guide Towel Ministry For those interested in our Diocesan Towel Ministry, please visit our Towel Ministry Page.

Repairing the Breach The growth of the Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina rests in large part on the labor of enslaved people from most of the churches founding families. So many of these unnamed men and women are lost to history, but their contributions are honored. Likewise, in the aftermath of the Civil War and Emancipation, white church leaders, guided by complicated motivations of pastoral care and the growing sentiment of “separate but equal”, helped establish and build several churches for black Episcopalians. St. Matthias in Asheville, the first black congregation in the diocese, was founded in 1867 through the efforts of the Rev. Buxton and several prominent lay members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville. Years later, standing at the front door of St. Matthias, Bishop Horner—the first bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina—gazed westward on Mt. Pisgah and commissioned the Diocesan seal. Bishop Atkinson—the third bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina— led the church through the various challenges following the Civil War. Notably, Atkinson was a leader in placing the Church at the forefront of The Episcopal Church’s Freedman's Commission, which had been established following the Civil War. In addition to founding St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, he also led the attempt to build a high school and college for freed male slaves in Morganton. The funding began in the early 1870s, and construction started a few years later. It was called the Wilberforce School, so named for William Wilberforce, who led the end of slavery in England. Unfortunately, while one building was under construction, the work was halted "due to lack of funding," surely an indication of both the resistance of white Episcopalians and the bleak economic realities of Reconstruction in the South. St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Asheville, NC, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Alongside the missionary contributions of the Rev. McDuffey, another clergyman who contributed significantly to our diocesan life is the Rev. J. T. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy was initially hired as a layman and called by Bishop Lyman—the fourth bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina—to teach and manage a school for black children in Franklin. This particular school operated a carpentry workshop where the students and Deacon Kennedy constructed church furniture for several churches in the diocese. In 1890, Bishop Lyman ordained Mr. Kennedy a deacon, and he faithfully served both St. Cyprian’s in Franklin and St. Matthias in Asheville. The Rev. Kennedy was ordained a priest in 1915, and in 1920 he was appointed Archdeacon For Colored Work to assist Bishop Horner with oversight of diocesan ministry among black Episcopalians. The Rev. J.T. Kennedy The Diocese of Western North Carolina played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. As integration spread across the South, mandated by changes in Federal laws, the Southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church began to deal with the effects of racism in their parishes and institutions. Sadly, many diocesan summer youth camps closed for a time rather than addressing the controversy. Western North Carolina Bishop Matthew George Henry insisted that our diocesan summer camp at the In-the-Oaks Conference Center in Black Mountain would remain open and welcome all children, regardless of race. Bishop Henry had previously surprised the people of the diocese when, upon his consecration as bishop in the early 1950s, he moved the diocesan office to a log cabin in his backyard. Black members could not enter through the front door of the Asheville office building proposed for the new diocesan office, so Bishop Henry built the log cabin for his offices so that everyone would enter through the same door. The diocese remains committed to the radical inclusion of persons systemically disenfranchised due to race largely through the ongoing efforts of the diocesan Commission to Dismantle Racism. Although we recognize there will always be work to do, in 2011, we held a service of Repentance, Healing, and Reconciliation, a powerful capstone event following almost two years of study and reflection on the legacy of slavery in our diocese. Today, the Diocese continues to be blessed with the vibrant ministry and leadership of five historically black congregations — located across our region in towns from Morganton to Franklin — two of which intentionally merged with neighboring white Episcopal churches, in 2015 and 2014 respectively. Visit BarrierBreakersPilgrimage.org for more information. <<>> 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

Episcopal Church Women The Episcopal Church Women are a group of

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 .

The Unlearning Library As a diocese, we are committed to the act of dismantling racism and to the work of building beloved community. This is done through education, discussion, and through trying to understand those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of racial background, language, or culture. In this library, we have compiled a variety of resources from in and around Western North Carolina — from readings to organizations — that help further the work of building this beloved community. You may search by category below. The name of this resource, the "Unlearning Library," derives from the idea of unlearning many of the preconceived ideas we have about people who are different from us. We hope this library acts as a resource to help us as we all strive to unlearn some of the ideas we may have been taught by society and to continue the work of building beloved community. Please note: This resource library primarily includes information from in and around WNC. We highly recommend the Virtual Library at the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing for additional reading. General Resources African American Latino/Hispanic Indigenous AAPI LGBTQ+ General Resources What is Beloved Community? Building Beloved Community - The Episcopal Church Dr. King's "Beloved Community" - via The King Center Organizations in WNC Working to Build Beloved Community Habitat for Humanity Beloved Asheville Pisgah Legal Services NC Council of Churches

Keeping our Churches Safe from Disaster and Violence The Diocese of Western North Carolina is committed to providing our parishes and institutions with the resources necessary in order to prepare for, respond to, and recover from any disaster that is a result of nature, industry, technology, or intention. In the event of a disaster, affected congregations and regions are encouraged to contact the Canon to the Ordinary who will be available to assist with any immediate diocesan support and coordinate with Episcopal Relief and Development. These resources are here to help you bring emergency readiness to your congregation and are adaptable to the size of your congregation. Getting Started The Diocese of Western North Carolina suggests seven key areas to focus on when addressing violence preparedness. Parish Planning Template A useful template for completing your church’s emergency preparedness plan. Active Shooter Response A guide to help your parish prepare an active shooter response . Disaster Relief Help for communities facing disaster.

Guidelines on Parish Investments and Gifts The Trustees of the Diocese of Western North Carolina has established a policy to direct and guide their oversight of Investment Funds either owned by the diocese or entrusted to them by parishes and other entities. The Diocesan Investment Policy is provided, not only to inform the wider diocese of the policy, but also to serve as a template for parishes considering their own investment policies. Likewise, a Gift Acceptance Guideline has been established to guide the Diocese on accepting gift (of cash, real estate, or other investments). These guidelines are provided below to serve as a template for parish leaders as they consider their own gift acceptance guidelines. Diocesan Investment Policy Gift Acceptance Guidelines

2019 Spring Youth Conference at Lake Logan

Dismantling Racism Workshop at Lake Logan This Dismantling Racism Workshop was offered in September 2020 to clergy and lay leaders to help prepare them to lead Dismantling Racism Workshops of their own.

Lent & Easter Resources Adult Resources 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 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. Lent Madness Enjoy March Madness? Check out this Lenten version--but instead of basketball teams, it's 32 saints! REFLECT: Give Us This Day Give Us This Day offers meditations for every day in Lent, inviting us to connect faith "our daily bread" and the world in which we live, along with a range of bread recipes. Lenten Meditations from Episcopal Relief and Development Find daily meditations in both Spanish and English to help guide you throughout the season of Lent. Churches Uniting in Christ: Reconciling the Baptized, Seeking Unity with Justice Find a variety of resources and reflections from churches and dioceses across the nation for the Lenten season. 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. 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. 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. READ: Singing in the Dark: Ash Wednesday with Children Find unique ways to celebrate Ash Wednesday with children in this book. 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