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Virtual Worship in WNC Because of the threat of COVID-19, many of the churches in our Diocese have turned to virtual worship during this time. You can find many resources and livestreams from our parishes here. How is your parish working to keep people connected during this time? Let us know , and we'll share it here.

Back Safeguarding & Securing Our Churches Below you will find resources for you and your parish to help ensure a safe church for all. If you have any further questions or need help with Safe Church, Safe Communities Training, please contact the Director for Lifelong Christian Formation, Eden Lewis. The web address for online training is https://www.praesidiumacademy.com/ Jesus Christ calls us to loving relationships that are healthy and helpful to each other. The obligation to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being is binding for all the baptized. Educating and empowering the people of our diocese is central to creating and maintaining safe churches and activities for everyone. The Diocese of Western North Carolina requires many ministry positions and volunteers to complete Safe Church Training. All Safe Church, Safe Communities Training is done through online modules by Praesidium Academy . Every church is encouraged to assign an administrator to keep track of parishioners' training. If you need help setting up an administrator, please get in touch with Eden Lewis. Who is required to take Safeguarding Training? All clergy—whether stipendiary, non-stipendiary, or otherwise—who are engaged in any ministry or service to the church. All vestry members or members of similar decision-making groups who have the authority to approve the creation of ministries, programs, or activities for children or youth. All persons who teach, supervise, or assist with supervising children or youth in ministries, programs, or activities more than occasionally. All persons who provide transportation to children or youth more than occasionally. All paid or volunteer church personnel whose work regularly takes them throughout the facility or grounds, and/or who interact regularly with church members or the community. Safe Church, Safe Community Training Guidelines Clergy, Staff, and Vestry Volunteers FAQS for Learners FAQS for Administrators Resources for Securing Our Churches Safe Church Policies There are several policies guiding the church in right relationships with children of all ages. Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth Policy for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Exploitation Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults Background Checks Clergy, Staff, Vestry members, or those who supervise or transport children and youth are required to undergo a background check every five years. Learn more about background checks here . Additional Resources Model policy for parishes Sample application for employees or volunteers Guidelines for Social Media

Empowering Youth and Young Adults Our young people are a significant part of our vision in the diocese to “walk in the way of Jesus, change the world." Our youth, young adult, and college campus programs are structured to supplement the youth and young adult ministry programs of local parishes. Youth LEARN MORE Youth LEARN MORE LEARN MORE College Campuses LEARN MORE College Campuses LEARN MORE Young Adults LEARN MORE Young Adults

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. Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training (both the child and adult workshops) must be current within 5 years. If you’re uncertain when you last took the training, please contact Augusta Anderson . We will not relicense clergy without current training. Click he re for information on misconduct prevention training. Clergy who have previously received training are eligible to take online training. Contact Augusta Anderson for an online training guide and password. 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. (link to form provided above) Supply Clergy List Supply Clergy Honoraria Guidelines

Immigration The Episcopal Church has a long-standing history of extending radical hospitality and care to refugees and immigrants. Indeed, our church “has served immigrants new to the U.S. since the late 1800s, when the Church opened port chaplaincies to minister to sojourners on both coasts. In the 1930’s, local parishes collected donations to provide steamship passage for those fleeing Nazi Europe.”[1] The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina and many of our parishes have actively participated in welcoming refugees into our congregations and our homes. Likewise, many of our parishes are actively involved in offering care and support to immigrants in their communities. [1] Episcopal Migration Ministries Below are resources on how you and your parish can participate in this important, Gospel centered, work. El Centro Hispano LEARN MORE El Centro Hispano LEARN MORE LEARN MORE Episcopal Migration Ministries LEARN MORE Episcopal Migration Ministries LEARN MORE Pisgah Legal Services LEARN MORE Pisgah Legal Services

Local Action Church of the Advocate Church of the Advocate is both a ministry and a worshiping community of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Church of the Advocate welcomes persons from all walks of life and its mission is to be present and attend to the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless in Asheville. The community meets in the Undercroft of Trinity Episcopal Church and each Sunday holds a Eucharist service and serves a meal. You can learn more here . Towel Ministry Towel Ministry is a distinguished ministry in the Diocese of Western North Carolina and a recognized Jubilee Site in The Episcopal Church. Initiated in the 80s, Towel Ministry provides housing improvements, repairs and maintenance for elderly, disabled, and marginalized people. Starting out as a summer teen camp, Towel Ministry is a way for people of all ages to put the gospel into a hands-on ministry. Typical work projects might include handicap access, roofing repair, painting, yard clean-up and other simple projects that can be managed by a small group. You can learn more here . Habitat for Humanity For over 25 years, parishes all across the Diocese of Western North Carolina have collaborated in ministry to sponsor and build houses with Habitat for Humanity. Together, they continue to provide safe and decent housing for families and build stable and secure communities. Jericho Road Soup Kitchen The Jericho Road Soup Kitchen is a ministry born out of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton, NC. This weekly Wednesday soup kitchen was the dream of two parishioners and now serves upwards of 100 families weekly in the New Hope Community. To learn more about this ministry, please visit www.stgabrielsepiscopal.com/jericho-road-soup-kitchen Hope Vibes Laundry Ministry Hope Vibes is a traveling laundry ministry serving the Charlotte area. Every third Thursday, St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Gastonia, NC becomes a hub of resources for the local community--from haircuts to homemade meals, laundry services to a traveling shower. To learn more about this unique ministry, visit their website at https://www.hopevibes.org/

Building Beloved Community & Racial Reconciliation "As your Bishop, I remain deeply committed to this work not just by the words I share but in action. Since becoming your bishop, I have encouraged and guided a concerted effort to expand our dedication to Building Beloved Community and dismantling racism and be at the heart of all we do, including all diocesan-wide programming, budget, discernment for holy orders process, leadership development, and recruitment of clergy. Building Beloved Community also invites us to refine our diocesan Latino mission to equip and empower congregations to explore bi-cultural ministries as well as conversations and advocacy on immigration. Building Beloved Community invites us to listen and learn about our Eastern Band of the Cherokee brothers and sisters on the Qualla Boundary and how the Episcopal Church can partner with other Christian communities to serve alongside and support indigenous ministries. Additionally, Building Beloved Community includes strengthening our commitment to racial equity and justice for African Americans in our communities, including our support for locally owned black business that have been hit harder by the impact of this pandemic and minority communities that are disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 health crisis. As a diocese, we are committed to living by the words of John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” It is with love that we will create a Beloved Community." The Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin, Bishop, Diocese of Western North Carolina For decades, the Episcopal Church has extolled a consistent message of education on the systemic sin of racism and taken action to eliminate racism wherever it exists—our institutions, communities, churches, and in ourselves. Indeed, as The Episcopal Church's commission states, "Reconciliation is the spiritual practice of seeking a loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with God and one another, and striving to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, and society." The Episcopal Church provides a variety of resources in the vital work of racial reconciliation. One such resource is Becoming Beloved Community, a set of int errelated commitments around which Episcopalians may organize our many efforts to respond to racial injustice and grow a community of reconcilers , justice-makers, and healers. Visit our "Unlearning Library" for Building Beloved Community Resources Download Becoming Beloved Community summary. Download the full Becoming Beloved Community curriculum. Read the 2018–2020 Racial Audit of Episcopal Leadership from The Episcopal Church Racial Justice and Equity LEARN MORE Racial Justice and Equity LEARN MORE LEARN MORE Latino Ministries LEARN MORE Latino Ministries LEARN MORE Honoring Indigenous Land and People LEARN MORE Honoring Indigenous Land and People 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. The pilgrimage is part of the larger ongoing work of Becoming Beloved Community in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. To learn more about this work, please visit The Official Website by CLICKING HERE. Watch the Introduction to Barrier Breakers: The Pilgrimage Beginning in February 2021, the Diocese launched a 4-week video series featuring the stories of voices of color from around the diocese. In August 2021, the series was brought back as a monthly feature, known as Barrier Breakers: Amplifying Voices of Color in the Diocese of Western North Carolina . Watch some of our Barrier Breakers below, or subscribe to our mailing list to get the newest video sent to your inbox each month. Barrier Breakers: Amplifying Voices of C... Play Video Play Video 03:50 BARRIER BREAKERS - Allen Fullwood Allen Fullwood is a member of St. Mary's St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Morganton, NC and has a long history with the diocese, even before he was a part of it. This is his story. To learn more about St. Mary's St. Stephen's, visit their website at https://sites.google.com/view/stmarysandststephensmorganton/stmarysandststephens To watch a full playlist of Barrier Breakers videos, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyEN10joSuwK6meAnJXltcyQLLpj15hxP MEDIA IN THIS VIDEO: St Stephen's Episcopal Church Youth Choir photo was provided to the diocese by the History Museum of Burke County. Play Video Play Video 05:48 BARRIER BREAKERS - Gordon Hamilton Gordon Hamilton is a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Tryon, NC and has deep family roots in Western North Carolina. Since beginning a journey of uncovering his family history, he has found many connections to the history of Good Shepherd. This is his story. Learn more about Good Shepherd at https://goodshepherdtryon.org/ Click here to watch a full playlist of Barrier Breakers videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyEN10joSuwK6meAnJXltcyQLLpj15hxP Play Video Play Video 05:18 BARRIER BREAKERS - The Rev. Oscar Rozo The Rev. Oscar Rozo is the Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries in the Diocese of WNC. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Oscar is seeking ways to bridge the gaps between the Anglo and Latino worlds and create multicultural community. This is his story. Play Video Play Video 04:04 BARRIER BREAKERS: The Rev. Toni Belhu The Rev. Toni Belhu serves both St. Gabriel's and St. Francis Episcopal Churches in Rutherfordton, NC. As a woman of color with a special interest in language and Latinx communities, Toni was the perfect candidate to serve in Rutherfordton, a large center of Latinx communities and home to one of the diocese's oldest historically black churches. This is her story. Play Video Play Video 04:48 BARRIER BREAKERS: Judy Warner Judy Warren is a Communicant at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Burnsville, NC. For the past few years, Judy has been learning about her own story as a person of indigenous ancestry and how she can continue to learn and share the history of native peoples in the Americas. This is her story. To learn more about St. Thomas, visit https://www.stthomasonline.org/ Play Video Play Video 03:07 BARRIER BREAKERS: The Rev. Deacon Bobby Lynch and Helen Lynch Bobby and Helen Lynch have been members of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton for over 50 years. In 1975, Bobby Lynch was ordained as one of the first deacons of color in WNC. Since his ordination, he and Helen have served the St. Gabriel's community and beyond in a number. of ways and have made quite the impact on the Rutherfordton community. This is their story. Learn more about St. Gabriel's, Rutherfordton on their website at https://www.stgabrielsepiscopal.com/ Play Video Play Video 05:25 BARRIER BREAKERS: Deacon Glenda's Story Glenda McDowell is the first female deacon of color to be ordained in the diocese. Since her ordination in 2012, she has served the Cathedral of All Souls and has been an advocate for voices of color in the Episcopal Church. This is her story. Play Video Play Video 02:58 BARRIER BREAKERS: Pam's Story Pam Hemphill is a member of St. Mary's St.Stephen's and has long been a major part of the work being done in the diocese too repair the breach. This is her story.

Iona WNC Program Iona WNC is a part of the Iona Collaborative , a consortium of dozens of Episcopal dioceses seeking to expand availability to a rigorous but accessible theological education. The Iona program offers a local, residential training program to meet the particular needs of vocational deacons and bi-vocational priests, for whom the disruption and costs of a seminary education might be prohibitive. Learn more about our program and meet some of it's members in the video! Iona WNC is operated under the direction of our bishop, The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin, our two academic deans, and a diocesan steering committee, in cooperation with the Seminary of the Southwest, where the core faculty continually refine and expand the instructional materials. Participants in Iona WNC will have completed the discernment process in the Diocese of Western North Carolina and will be approved by the Commission on Ministry and the Bishop for acceptance. All admitted students must be committed to, and capable of, sustaining a three year program of rigorous theological education and ministerial formation. The program runs ten months per year, with two months off in the summer. The monthly residential weekends run from Friday evening through Sunday lunch. Residential weekends are held at one of our beautiful diocesan conference centers. Each weekend will include an introduction to the breadth of spiritual practices, discussion and integration of the assigned academic material, leadership development and education, and a deep immersion into the richness and diversity of Episcopal liturgical tradition and practice. In between residential weekends, students will view the Iona video modules, complete assigned readings and prepare for the fuller immersion into the material through faculty presentations, and discussions on the implications for the practice of ministry with guest experts and mentors from the diocese. In consultation with the Bishop, participants will be placed in an approved field education setting during the second and third years of the program. After three years, participants will have satisfied the canonical academic requirements for ordination in the Episcopal Church. Graduates receive a Certificate of Theological Education from the Seminary of the Southwest. For more information, please contact: The Rev. Pam Bright - pam.k.bright@gmail.com The Rev. Canon Rich Biega - richardbiega47@yahoo.com The Rev. Anita Ware - revanita@redeemershelby.com Iona WNC Graduation Ceremony Anita Ware graduates Iona WNC Iona WNC Matriculation Ceremony

Expanding the Circle The growth of the Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina rests in equal measure to the faith, perseverance, and ministry of women, persons of different sexual orientations, and minority persons such as Hispanic/Latinx. Our story includes early pioneer women who nurtured the faith formation of their families by collaborating with diocesan bishops, clergy, and neighbors to secure funds to construct church buildings, manage and direct diocesan schools for girls, teach Sunday School in local parishes, and lead women’s auxiliary groups. One notable churchwoman was Miss Minnie Drinker of St. James, Black Mountain, who became the first social worker in the mountains of North Carolina. Watch Bishop José's address to the Episcopal Church Women of WNC for the group's 150th anniversary. In the latter half of the 19th century, the Diocese supported the ministry of deaconesses, women set apart to care for the sick and the poor. Following the 1976 General Convention, our diocese welcomed women priests and deacons to lead and serve our congregations. The Rev. Elizabeth “Ibba” Tappe was the first woman ordained priest in the diocese, and the Rev. Sherry Mattson was the first rector of a church serving the people of St. David’s in Cullowhee. In the 1980s, the Rev. Neil Zabriskie, rector, and dean of The Cathedral of All Souls was known as "the living social conscience" of the diocese. He advocated and challenged the diocese to begin facilitating conversations around human sexuality as well as becoming a welcoming and safe church for gay and lesbian persons. By the early 1990s, we had embarked on diocesan-wide dialogues around the blessing of same-sex relationships. Today, our diocese not only welcomes all people to worship and serve in our congregations, we also celebrate the ministry of our LGBTQ clergy and lay leaders. Likewise, during the 1990s, Bishop Robert Johnson and others recognized that Western North Carolina was becoming one of the fastest-growing Hispanic/Latinx populations in the country. Bishop Johnson worked to establish our first Spanish-speaking mission at La Capilla de Santa Maria in Hendersonville and call our first Hispanic/ Latino Missioner, the Rev. Tim Hoyt. Today, the diocese has a vibrant Spanish-speaking ministry with four mission sites across the diocese, numerous parish ministries serving their Spanish-speaking neighbors, and two full-time Hispanic/Latino missioners. The Cathedral of All Souls <<>> 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

Vestry Certificate of Election Convention Homepage “Canon 1 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church requires that lay delegates be confirmed adult (16 yrs. or older) communicants in good standing, enrolled at your church. The Certificate of Election verifies the election of lay delegates from each parish. This certificate is to be completed by the clerk of your vestry.” Vestry Certificate of Election is due October 24, 2025. Complete the Vestry Certificate of Election

St. Hilda's Press Grant The St. Hilda's Press Grant is intended to support congregations in printing projects, such as church history or other publishing projects related to the parish. Apply for this Grant

Patricia Minkler Howell Children's Outreach Grant The Patricia Minkler Howell Children's Outreach Grants support the development of outreach programs for and with children in need. Special consideration will be given to applications that envision children serving children. Applications for these grants are due no later than April 30. Questions regarding Children's Outreach Grants can be directed to Diocesan CFO, Carol Tannenbaum . Apply for this Grant Grant Reporting form Past Grant Recipients 2023 Patricia Minkler Howell Grant Awards by The Rev. Kevin Todd Chair, PMH Grant Committee On behalf of the newly formed Patricia Minkler Howell Grant Committee, I am pleased to... Diocese of WNC New Grant Offers Boost for Children’s Outreach By Rachel Carr, Diocesan Missioner for Communications George Howell loves helping young people. From serving as a youth pastor to raising... Diocese of WNC

Deaneries of the Diocese Up Back to Our Leadership & Governance From the Piedmont to the Mountains, our diocese covers a diverse group of landscapes and communities. The Diocese is divided into six geographical regions designated as a deanery. One clergy leader is elected as Dean of each deanery and the Deans meet monthly with the Bishop to discuss and address diocesan affairs and local concerns. Learn more about our deaneries below: ASHEVILLE DEANERY The Rev. Robert Wetherington St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Asheville, NC rector@stmarysasheville.org Learn more about this deanery FOOTHILLS DEANERY The Rev. Jonathan Stepp St. Alban's, Hickory, NC frjonathan@stalbansparish.org Learn more about this deanery HENDERSONVILLE DEANERY The Rev. J. Clarkson Calvary Episcopal Church, Fletcher jclarkson@calvaryfletcher.org Learn more about this deanery MOUNTAIN DEANERY The Rev. Andrew Hege St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock, NC rector@stmaryofthehills.org Learn more about this deanery PIEDMONT DEANERY The Rev. Tara Bartal St. Peter by-the-Lake, Denver mthr.tara@spbtl.com Learn more about this deanery WESTERN DEANERY The Rev. Rob Wood Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Cashiers, NC rwood.gs@gmail.com Learn more about this deanery

Restoration and Improvement Loans Grant description Application link Supporting documents link Past Grant Recipients Title of supported project Short description about the project

Spanish Speaking Ministries Our Diocesan Missioner for Latino Ministries is the Rev. Oscar Rozo . Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Rozo's parents grounded both he and his two younger brothers in Christian beliefs and practices through their example and teaching. He is passionate about social justice, multicultural ministry, and community development. He enjoys playing and listening to music, hiking, and having family time. Read more about his vision for Latino Ministry here , or watch the video attached. During the 1990s, Bishop Robert Johnson and others recognized that Western North Carolina was becoming home for one the fastest growing Latino populations in the country. Bishop Johnson worked to establish our first Spanish-speaking mission at La Capilla de Santa Maria in Hendersonville and to call our first Latino Missioner, the Rev. Tim Hoyt. Today, the diocese has a vibrant Spanish-speaking ministry with four mission sites across the diocese, numerous parish ministries serving their Spanish-speaking neighbors, and two full-time Latino missioners. Our current Missioner for Spanish Speaking Ministries is the Rev. Oscar Rozo. If you would like to learn more about our Spanish Speaking Ministries, please contact the Rev. Rozo. La Misa en Español / Spanish Services in the diocese (find a map of our Latino Ministries below) La Capilla de Santa Maria in Hendersonville, every Sunday at 11 a.m. Trinity, Spruce Pine , every Sunday at 2 p.m. St. Mary’s and St. Stephen's , Morganton, every Sunday at 7 p.m. Church of the Savior , Newland, NC, at 5 p.m. Episcopal Church of the Epiphany , Newton, every Sunday at 10 a.m. (bilingual service) The Church of La Capilla de Santa Maria. The congregation at La Capilla, June 2021

Youth Leadership We invite youth to be active participants in their faith through servant leadership. Learn more about the opportunities available and how you can be a part of them below. Youth Council The Diocesan Youth Council is a group of youth and adult leaders from the six deaneries in the diocese who work with the Coordinator of Families, Children, and Youth to carry out the mission for youth ministry programs. Membership on this committee is open to all youth (grades 10–12) and adults who are actively involved in their local congregations and have had some exposure to diocesan-level youth programs. Members serve for at least one year and may be re-appointed for up to three years. The Youth Council assists the Coordinator of Families, Children, and Youth in planning and running retreats and events for diocesan youth. They meet for training and planning weekends before the actual events. Applications for the Youth Council are traditionally available in the early summer, and the commitment runs from August to June. For more information the Youth Council, contact the Coordinator of Families, Children, and Youth, Charlotte Garcia.

Disaster Relief Disaster Relief Partners The following organizations and agencies are dedicated to assisting persons and groups affected by disaster. National Episcopal Relief and Development FEMA National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) State North Carolina Department of Public Safety – Emergency Management NC VOAD Local Congregations are encouraged to develop and maintain partnerships with their local volunteer agencies such as: Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) local American Red Cross chapters Additional Resources Ready to Serve is a volunteer database organized by Episcopal Relief and Development in order to quickly locate ready and willing volunteers in the event of a disaster. Use this checklist to help determine the focus of and preparation necessary for a disaster relief mission trip. Ready , launched by FEMA, is a website designed to help the public "Prepare, plan and stay informed" in the event of a natural disaster.

Safe Church Background Checks The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina has contracted with a company called Active Screening Faith to conduct background checks. Every parish should open an account (free) with Active Screening Faith as soon as possible. How to conduct a background check with Active Screening Faith Apply for a parish account with Active Screening Faith. Call to set one up: (toll-free) 866-378-8389, ext. 102. Once you are approved, you will be sent a user name and password to logon to the Active Screening Faith website. Then you can begin processing background checks. All background checks are done online using Active Screening Faith’s AppScreen module. You will log into your Active Screening Faith account, and enter your applicant’s details (First Name, Last Name, Email Address). Then, the applicant will receive an email and follow a simple authorization process online (this takes less than 5 minutes). Active Screening Faith is more than happy to walk you through the process the first time you do one. Once all services within the applicant background check report are complete, a notification email will be sent to both the applicant and you. Both emails will include a link to the Active Screening Faith login page. Utilize your login credentials to enter the SecureSearch Faith Platform and review the results. Costs and Services The Episcopal Diocese of WNC Screening Package (Protection Package) - $15 This includes a multi-state criminal search; national sex offender search, Social Security Number validation, Social Security Number death index search, name and address history search for the past 30 years, and an alias search. It also includes a county courthouse review of criminal records for the past seven years, and a “red-flag review” by Active Screening Faith personnel. Active Screening Faith will add $8 per county if a person has lived outside of NC within the last 7 years or if a red flag has come up. Credit Report - $10 For any applicant that will have a financial component in their position. Motor Vehicle Report - $5 + $18 State Fee For any applicant who will be driving a parish-owned vehicle, transporting parishioners, or visiting parishioners off-site. Note for Clergy Active Screening Faith can be used for clergy seeking licensing only. For clergy new to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, or for any clergy who will have cure at a parish in our diocese, background checks will be done using Oxford Documents, and the cost for the background check will be incurred by the clergy or the parish they are serving. The initial cost for an Oxford Document background screening is $155 and can cost more depending on how many jurisdictions the clergy has lived. Contact Info Active Screening Faith is a very user-friendly company and they respond quickly to questions and concerns. Please feel free to contact them at any point for help at 866-378-8389 or cs@activescreeningfaith.com The contact information is also listed on the first page of the consent form instructions. The contact at the Diocese for questions is Augusta Anderson, Canon to the Ordinary. She can be contacted at canonaugusta@diocesewnc.org

Poverty & Food Insecurity The Diocese of Western North Carolina is passionately committed to alleviating the immediate needs of those affected by poverty and working to eradicate the interrelated and systemic factors that instigate this condition for so many in our communities and around the world. In particular, our parishes participate in anti-hunger initiatives all across our diocese. From food pantries and community gardens, to soup kitchens and back-pack programs, the Diocese of Western North Carolina supports every effort to assist those in need. A sample of community-based and church-based ministries in Western North Carolina that seek to reduce poverty and hunger in our diocese: Asheville Poverty Initiative and 12 Baskets , Asheville, NC Bounty and Soul , Black Mountain, NC Cooperative Christian Ministries , Hickory, NC Desoto Square Apartments , Hayesville, NC Hendersonville Rescue Mission , Hendersonville, NC Hunger and Health Coalition , Boone, NC East Lincoln Christian Ministries , Denver, NC Manna Food Bank , Asheville, NC Hospitality House , Boone, NC The Corner Table Soup Kitchen , Newton, NC Parish back-pack programs (Waynesville, Canton, Flat Rock, Asheville, Gastonia, Denver) Parish community gardens (Marion, Bessemer City, Boone, Waynesville, Hickory, Wilkesboro) Parish Food Pantries (Marion, Fletcher, Waynesville) Parish Soup Kitchens and Community Meals (Hickory, Rutherfordton, Shelby)

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: Diane Mance (2024–2026), Mike Lodico (2023–2025), Sandra Smith (2024–2026), Jann Mellmann (2024–2026), Doug Orville (2025-2027), Stephen Eaton (2025-2027) The Rev. Amy Pet erson Trinity, Asheville - 2023–2025 Sandy Rountree St. James, Black Mountain - 2023–2025 ASHEVILLE DEANERY The Rev. Logan Lovelace St. Mary's St. Stephen's - 2024–2026 Ms. Deb Allen St. James, Lenoir - 2023–2025 FOOTHILLS DEANERY MOUNTAIN DEANERY The Rev. Perry Hildreth Holy Communion - 2025–2027 HENDERSONVILLE DEANERY The Rev. David Henson St. James, Hendersonville - 2024-2026 Ms. Amy Cook St. Paul's, Edneyville - 2022–2024 PIEDMONT DEANERY The Rev. John Simpson St. Mark's, Gastonia - 2023–2025 Ms. Linda Harrill St. Francis, Rutherfordton - 2023–2025 WESTERN DEANERY The Rev. Skully Knight Incarnation, Highlands - 2025–2027 Ms. Lee Berger All Saints, Franklin - 2024–2026