A History of the Episcopal Diocese in Western North Carolina Our Story The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina formally began in 1922, when the Missionary District of Asheville, a part of the Diocese of North Carolina, became a separate and independent Diocese of its own. But we believe our story is deeper and richer than one historical event. Indeed, the foundation of The Episcopal Church in the Blue Ridge Mountains is built upon a fundamental appreciation of the sacred nature of our geography, the perseverance of the early settlers, the humility of our missionaries, and the pioneering spirit of those who worked to exemplify the radical hospitality of God’s love to all people. We welcome you to discover more of our story and the stories of those who came before us. Indeed, these particular men and women, and many others not mentioned here, all contributed to the abiding character of our diocesan family and continue to inspire us to bear witness to the Gospel imperatives of compassion, justice, reconciliation and joy. Next Page >>> 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

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

Health Insurance This page contains important information about our 2026 Health Benefits and Open Enrollment. You can find general information on Open Enrollment here . View the Open Enrollment Guide from CPG here . Church Pension Group Medical and Dental Enrollment Form . Find information on 2024 Vision Coverage here . View the Network Access Instructions here . See the Diocesan Health Policy as adopted by the Executive Council Diocese of Western North Carolina.

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.

Youth, Children, & Family Ministry Our young people are a significant part of our vision in the diocese to “walk in the way and wake up the world." Our programs provide opportunities for youth, children, and families to grow in their faith through relationship-building with their peers, spiritual formation, and servant leadership. The creation, coordination, and enactment of youth programs are the responsibility of Charlotte Garcia . The mission and vision for youth ministry are implemented in collaboration with the program coordinator, the youth council, and the bishop. YOUTH RESOURCES SIGNUP FOR YCF EMAILS Leadership Our programs are planned and led by a council of youth, young adults and adults. We provide opportunities for youth to grow as Christian leaders through serving on Diocesan Youth Council, conference leadership teams, and Camp Henry Leadership and Mission Program. Youth Council Other Ministries for Youth & Families CAMP HENRY TOWEL MINISTRY

Formation Resources No matter what formation looks like, being together in community is a vital part of our lives as Christians. These resources are intended assist in formulating Formation opportunities even in the midst of these challenging times. Resources for Formation Godly Play Foundation Keeping Faith at Home with Children Lesson Plans that Work FORMA Vibrant Faith Forward Movement Recursos en español Looking for more resources? Youth Advent Lent & Easter Community-Building Resources Grow Christians Building Online Community The Art of Providing Spiritual Council Online Faith Formation Learning Exchange Building Beloved Community LGBTQIA Social Justice Recursos en español Episcopal Resources Church Publishing The Episcopal Church Foundation The Episcopal Church Foundation - Spanish Traveling the Way of Love Beloved Community

Give to our Hurricane Helene Relief fund today. Support our ministries. Donate Now to Support Diocesan Ministries DONATE We are grateful for your generous donations as they help the ministries of our diocese flourish. To donate, Click the button above. Use the drop down menu to give a general donation through "General Donation" or to any of our specific ministries listed below. Diocesan Ministries and Funds Diocesan Partnership with Cuba For many years, multiple parishes in the Diocese of Western North Carolina have supported and built relationships with the Diocese of Cuba and its churches. Please consider donating so this vital ministry and growing partnership can continue. Spanish-Speaking Ministries Today, we have a vibrant Spanish-speaking ministry with mission sites across the diocese, numerous parishes serving their Spanish-speaking neighbors, and two full-time Latino missioners. But we still have a long way to go to make our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters truly a part of our community. Forming and Supporting Deacons and Priests We do this first by offering additional formational opportunities for those individuals who are called to serve as priests in non-traditional settings, including bi-vocational priests in small congregations. The IONA School for Ministry is an Episcopal program that can be implemented and led at the local level. Likewise, our Curacy program will help us be intentional about how we encourage, place and support our newly ordained priests so that they can better enhance the life of the diocese, and so that they are better positioned to be successful and motivated to lead us into the future." Seminarian Fund Please join us in creating leaders for our church and diocese. The Seminarian Fund helps students with funding for tuition, books, and living expenses. This is not only beneficial to them in the immediate future, but also long-term, as it decreases post graduation debt. Church of the Advocate The Red Door is a place to be in community with others, find acceptance, and create lasting friendships. The Red Door provides not only worship services for those in the community, but has many active ministries, including their First Aid station, The Basics Supply Closet, Sole Mate Shoe Closet, and more. The Red Door clergy, staff and community are active participants in and host monthly meetings of The Homeless Coalition of Asheville to listen and share with other agencies, ministries and organizations so that they know the resources available to those in need and how they can best be accessed. Blue Ridge Service Corps Blue Ridge Service Corps is our diocesan service corps program. The mission of this program is to continue the perpetual spirit of Western North Carolina by building up brave leaders, engaging with our communities to strengthen our relationships with young adults, and expand young adult ministry. Our corps members serve at local nonprofits for a 9-month commitment. Give to Blue Ridge Service Corps here. Empower Youth and Young Adults Our young people are a significant part of our vision in the diocese to “walk in the way, widen the walls, and wake up the world." Our youth, young adult and college campus programs are structured to supplement the youth and young adult ministry programs of local parishes. Support our Conference Ceters Our Camp and Conference Centers Please consider donating to our Diocesan Camp and Conference Centers if you are able. Click on a center to visit their specific giving page. Camp Henry LEARN MORE Camp Henry LEARN MORE Lake Logan LEARN MORE Lake Logan LEARN MORE Valle Crucis LEARN MORE Valle Crucis LEARN MORE

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

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

Core Values, Identity, & Mission The mission for our Centennial Celebration gatherings is to honor and celebrate our stories, highlight our core values, and cast a vision for next 100 years. We are honored to do it alongside you, our parishioners, clergy, and staff. As we celebrate 100 years of being an established diocese, we also reflect on the many ways we have fallen short. From the church's treatment of our native brothers and sisters to the lack of representation for marginalized communities in church spaces, we confess we, as the people of God, have not always lived into our baptismal vows. As we look forward into the next 100 years and beyond, may we center our focus on being a living example of God's love in the world. This begins with each one of us. Below, please explore our core values and mission as a diocese or click here to find stories of how we have lived into these values, past, present, and future. Missionary Zeal Many of our early diocesan communities have roots as missionary outposts. Since the beginning, our diocese has identified with a strong passion for mission and with sharing the good news of God through word or action. To learn more about our passion for mission, please visit our history page . Love of Jesus Our shared love of Jesus is at the root of all that we do as a diocese and a community of faith. As Christians, we follow Jesus in the Way of Love by serving and caring for all of God’s people. To learn more about what we believe, please visit our What Is An Episcopalian and The Way of Love pages. Spirit of Adventure and Resourcefulness Like many who call Appalachia home, our stories are rooted in people who yearned for simplicity of life and for a connection with nature. This is reflected through the enduring spirit from which many of our churches were founded. To learn more, please visit our Mountain Missionary Spirit page. Justice Our diocese is committed to embodying and practicing the way of Jesus so that all people may participate in the life-giving and liberating love of God. Engaging our communities through local service and action reflects our commitment to live into our Baptismal Covenant. Learn more about some of the ways we engage our communities here . Service Service in the name of Jesus calls us to respond, by word and action, to the needs of all of God’s people. We are passionate about discerning the many ways we can serve alongside and in solidarity with others not only in Western North Carolina but also beyond in the wider world. To learn more about some of the ways we serve in our local communities and beyond, go to our Local Action and Global Partnerships pages. Hospitality Hospitality is an extension of service and love of Jesus. It means welcoming people right where they are in their lives and creating space for belonging and worth. Love of Creation We are blessed to call the beauty of Western North Carolina home and as Christians we are called to steward this gift. As a diocese, we strive to keep creation care as an integral part of our mission, paying attention to the needs of our environment with every action. Learn more on our Creation Care page. Ability to Look Back While Moving Forward We recognize that in order to consider what God is calling us to do going forward, we must be able to reflect on the past. As disciples of Jesus committed to Building Beloved Community, we believe we must tell the truth about our own history and discern who we can repair the wrongs we have committed. Doing so empowers us to walk the Way of Jesus more faithfully for the next 100 years.

Origins The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina acknowledges the past and present members of the Indigenous communities that once occupied this land and were harmed and expelled by settlers: The Catawba (Issa, Essa, Iswa) and Cherokee (Tsalagi) nations. We stand in solidarity with all marginalized communities and condemn the acts of racism and ignorance towards any of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are dedicated to the work of dismantling racism and building Beloved Community. Visit our Unlearning Library. Any history of The Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina must begin with an acknowledgement that prior to the arrival of Christian settlers, the Catawba and Cherokee Nations called the southern Appalachian region home for centuries. The Catawba lived in the Piedmont and Foothills region of North Carolina and the Cherokee were just west throughout the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. With the arrival of European newcomers in the late 16th – 17th centuries, conciliatory trading relationships and military alliances were forged. The expansion of Europeans into what would eventually become our diocese progressed slowly through the 18th century. English settlers, mostly German, Scottish and Irish immigrants moved westward through the Piedmont, overtaking the native populations. The Cherokee and Catawba continued to control their territories through most of the first half of the 18th Century, much of which would become the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Undesirable farming land in the Western Piedmont and the ever-increasing European population resulted in encroachment on Cherokee and Catawba territory. The conflicts increased with the French and Indian War, with England respecting the Cherokee claim to the Great Smoky Mountains. The treaty was largely ignored by the European settlers who built homesteads in Cherokee land. In 1776, North Carolina militia joined with militia armies from South Carolina and Virginia and together they invaded the Cherokee Nation in the campaign known as Rutherford’s Trace. The militias destroyed more than 40 native towns including food storage and sacred places, and some natives were taken as slaves. The Cherokee never recovered their control of their tribal lands, and the European migration increased. In 1830, with the federal Indian Removal Act, most of the remaining Cherokee in Western North Carolina were forcibly moved west to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears. A small remnant of the Cherokee, who were able to avoid being removed, came to be known as the Eastern Band of the Cherokee and, over time, were able to purchase the land now known as the Qualla Boundary, in and around Cherokee, NC. The Catawba, largely decimated by small-pox and tribal warfare by the beginning of the 19th century, ceded their homeland to the state of South Carolina in 1840. <<< Previous Page Next Page >>> 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

Zoom Links for Convention Convention Homepage We look forward to seeing you at Convention! Please find the Zoom link below. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of time so we may begin promptly at 9AM on November 13th. Dio WNC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: 99th Annual Convention Time: Nov 13, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81896509591?pwd=ZkRCTVdrdmpSZHVTbWYyY3o0R2JSUT09 Meeting ID: 818 9650 9591 Passcode: 752143

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

Episcopal Church Women The Episcopal Church Women are a group of

Coming to Convention with Intentionality Convention Homepage This year we will come together to celebrate our 104th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. As we anticipate gathering together in community, we encourage you to take time in prayer and in study to prepare your hearts and minds intentionally for our Annual Convention. As we are in a time of transition, we recommend the following resources that are centered around the theme of discernment. Brené Brown: The Gifts of Imperfection Henri Nouwen: Discernment Dewitt Jones: "Celebrate What's Right with the World" On Being by Krista Tippett with John O'Donohue: "The Inner Landscape of Beauty" Parker Palmer: "Let Your Life Speak"

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

Camp Henry Camp Henry continues a camping tradition that dates back to 1958 when it was established by the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina to provide an affordable and memorable experience for the youth of the diocese. While preserving this initial mission, Camp Henry has continued to grow and diversify its offerings over the years so that all people and all ages have the opportunity to come to camp! Campers participate in creative, engaging, and diverse programs based on scripture, liturgy, environmental education, and conservation designed by clergy and staff. Our counselors provide opportunities for the campers to have fun and learn through traditional and nontraditional sports and games, boating, fishing, sailing, hiking, arts/crafts, singing, storytelling, worship, and much more. Families are invited to enjoy the fun in the mountains and on the lake by joining us for Family Camp, where all ages play, pray, laugh, and love together! In 2023, the first Bilingual Camp was offered for our Spanish-speaking youth and their families. Visit the Camp Henry website or contact the Camp Henry Director at director@camphenry.org CAMP HENRY PHOTO GALLERY

Sustainable Development Grant Funds from the Global Mission Committee support international and domestic projects. Preference will be given to applications with stated purpose related to the Sustainable Development Goals. Applications for these grants are due no later than May 1. Sustainable Development/Global Mission Grant Instructions Apply for this Grant Past Grant Recipients 2023 Global Mission/Sustainable Development Grant Awards By The Rev. Deacon Clare Barry and the Global Mission Committee With deep appreciation to the parishes in the Diocese of Western North... Diocese of WNC

Congregational Vitality Resources Helpful Books There are many books available on the subject of Congregational Development or individual aspects of it. Some of the best are below. Please click on a book to find more information. Helpful Website The Alban Institute New research-based information and new ways to learn and minister more effectively within and outside faith communities.

Clean-Up Day at La Capilla