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Spiritual Reflection READ: Always A Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home Barbara Brown Taylor offers a new collection of stories and sermons of faith, grace, and hope. REFLECT: Keep Watch With Me: An Advent Reader for Peacemakers This advent reader is a collaborative daily devotional from a diverse group of contributors. PRAY: Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent Slow down, simplify, and add a burst of color to your Advent. The spiritual practice of coloring mandalas (circular designs), lighting candles, and praying regularly can help us stay centered on God during this busy time of year. LISTEN: Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join us and our invited guests as we share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice. Formation Resources Journeying the Way of Love Advent Calendar Find daily reflections and activities to guide you through the Advent season in this calendar from the Episcopal Church Journey the Way of Love Advent Curriculum from the Episcopal Church For the season of Advent, Journeying the Way of Love offers four sessions to be explored as we await the coming of Christ by moving through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Advent Word Join an international community of prayer this Advent season in this global advent calendar. Vibrant Church Communication Vibrant Church Communication has resources to help you with Advent & Epiphany. Each season has multiple offerings that have been developed through the years to help guide you through these seasons. A Mason Jar Advent by Salt Project A Mason Jar Advent,” is a customizable Short Film all about keeping things simple and helping preserve what’s truly important: hope, peace, joy, and love. What’s more, this lovely film has an equally lovely companion, an illustrated and printable Advent calendar for congregations, families, and individuals, featuring the same artwork seen in the film. Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Books & Curriculum Book recommendations from the Episcopal Shoppe Book recommendations from Church Publishing Advent Resources

India In 2005, The Diocese of Western North Carolina embarked on a twelve year companion relationship with the Diocese of Durgapur in India. Through this partnership, we helped establish 7 schools, two hostels where the children live, one school for primarily Muslim children, three sewing centers, three chapters of the Order of St Luke's, two chapters of the Daughters of the King, and even one junior DOK chapter. In 2016, the diocese decided to officially conclude the companion relationship with the Diocese of Durgapur and initiated the “Friends of Durgapur”, a method to support ongoing sponsorships of children in need. If you would like to learn more about “Friends of Durgapur” and sponsorships, please contact Ms. Judi Gustafson .

Haiti For many years, multiple parishes in the Diocese of Western North Carolina have supported and built relationships with congregations in the Diocese of Haiti. If your church is interested in developing relationships with congregations in Haiti, there are several clergy and lay leaders who could assist you in identifying next steps. Contact the Canon to the Ordinary to learn more. Below are reflections and helpful words of wisdom from a local parish leader on his experiences in Haiti: A word from Alister Brady – Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Highlands Photographs by Tom Plaut of St. Matthias Episcopal Church Asheville . St. Matthias is the parish sponsor for Consider Haiti, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Haitian communities by supporting grassroots efforts to create sustainable nutrition and medical support. Learn more about how you can get involved with Consider Haiti on their website .

Fellowship and Pastoral Care Resources Pastoral Care Resources Episcopal Church Prayer Wall Covid-19 Checklist for Followers of Jesus Introducing Buddy Groups The Art of Providing Spiritual Council Online

Stewarding God's Gifts Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10) Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. (BCP 388) The Diocese of Western North Carolina is pleased to provide resources for leading annual pledge campaigns, capital campaigns, and planned giving efforts. We will also point you toward some wonderful spiritual resources that discuss money, gratitude, and giving to use as Christian Formation guides. From time to time, we will offer webinars on stewardship topics. Click here to view webinar recordings. Below are some categories with links, and we are happy to add to this list as we 'crowd source' resources from parishes that have had successes they would like to share. Annual Stewardship Capital Campaigns Planned Giving Webinar Recordings If you have questions or requests, please reach out to the Rev. Rob Wood. Top Annual Stewardship Back to top The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) Visit their website The Diocese of Western North Carolina is a member of the Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS), which is an association of church leaders who understand, practice, and proclaim God's call to generosity. This membership covers all parishes in the diocese, so please take advantage of these great resources as your parish embarks on an annual stewardship campaign. Email Jess for the password. Webinars Resource Library Annual Pledge Campaigns Tools and Best Practices 2023 Pledge Campaign - Rooted in Abundance Also available: Previous years campaigns (themes and materials) You can also sign up for the TENS e-newsletter Annual Stewardship The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) Visit their website The Episcopal Church Foundation's Vital Practices' mission is to offer a comprehensive and holistic resource that helps vitalize Episcopal faith communities. Vital Practices offers vestry members and other people of faith, resources and tools to respond to the changing needs of the Church. Building upon the spiritually grounded, practical Vestry Papers articles that have inspired and informed vestry members since 1995, Vital Practices uses the Internet to both expand its offering and its audience. Vestry Papers Stewardship (English and Spanish) Annual Campaign Timeline Annual Giving Campaign Tools Scripture to Encourage Giving The Partnership for ReNEWal (PfR) Visit their website PfR acts as a midwife for new ways of being church, enabling churches to be agile, resilient, and intentional about living into their divine purpose in today’s shifting religious-cultural environment. Focusing on servant-leadership development and a transformed approach to year-long stewardship, PfR provides concrete goals, tools, and continuing support for the journey. United Thank Offering (UTO) Visit their website The United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal daily spiritual discipline of gratitude. UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering for each blessing using a UTO Blue Box. Stewardship Resources Gratitude Pages for November Spiritual Practice of Gratitude Other Annual Stewardship resources for your exploration: Forward Movement The Episcopal Church - Stewardship ELCA Stewardship Resources Alban Institute Mennonite Resources for Stewardship Education Visit Everence website (Scroll down on the Everence homepage to locate these resources) 30 Days of Generosity Do members of your congregation know that every financial decision they make is also a spiritual one? Encouraging their hearts to give generously can be a challenge. This four-week interactive guide for your church members engages the hearts and minds of your church family. Cultivating Generous Congregations Drawing on deep research and expertise on religious giving, this training seminar helps you and your leadership team rethink your role in congregational finances and how to awaken a spirit of generosity within your faith community. Year-Round Congregational Stewardship: Six Best Practices A guide to download to help your leadership team to assess the stewardship initiatives you currently have in place as well as areas that may not be reflected now in your congregation’s stewardship plan. Capital Campaigns Planned Giving Capital Campaigns Back to top Are you planning to raise resources for a specific project, like a building remodel or construction, debt reduction, your music or youth ministry, or more? Capital Campaigns fund ministry outside the normal budgeting and stewardship process. Discover some resources below and contact the Rev. Rob Wood if you have questions or need some help getting started (rwood.gs@gmail.com ). How to Prepare f or a Capital Campaign Recorded Webinars Basics of a Capital Campaign Integrating Annual Capital Planned Giving Planned Giving Back to top Planned Giving is another term to describe Estate Plans that would include gift monies to the church. People might make a provision 1) in their wills, 2) in a life insurance policy, or 4) through their IRA, 403B, or 401K. Encouraging people to remember their church in their estate planning is another way people can express their faith through giving. See the information in the links below to learn more. Promoting Planned Gifts Creating a Legacy Society Starting Planned Giving from Scratch Anchor 1 Webinar Recordings Back to top Your Stewardship Plan 2025 Download resource packe t Your Stewardship Plan 2024 Download resource packe t Planned Giving Roundtable - April 9, 2024 Download resource packet Capital Campaigns - April 22, 2024 Download resource packet

Give to our Hurricane Helene Relief fund today. Support our ministries. Donate Now to Support Diocesan Ministries DONATE NOW To give to Hurricane Helene relief efforts, please select "Hurricane Helene Relief" at the top of the dropdown menu. Diocesan Tumbler $30 Now available—26 oz. insulated tumbler. Complete with our diocesan seal, sealable lid, and grippable design, this tumbler is made by Asheville company Priani. Dishwasher safe on the top rack. Makes a great gift! Pick up at the diocesan office and shipping options are available. ORDER NOW 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

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Deanery Dinners Thank you for joining us at our Deanery Dinners with Bishop José! We enjoyed joining you for fellowship, community, and discussion surrounding our diocesan history and future. Click below to check out the photos from these fun celebrations in our beautiful Diocese of Western North Carolina. Bessemer City Denver Gastonia Lincolnton Rutherfordton Shelby PIEDMONT DEANERY - The Laboratory Mill, Lincolnton Hickory Lenoir Marion Morganton Newton Wilkesboro Little Switzerland FOOTHILLS DEANERY - The Double J Farm, Lenoir Boone Blowing Rock Burnsville Glendale Springs Linville Newland Sparta Spruce Pine Valle Crucis MOUNTAIN DEANERY - The Mill at Rock Creek, Boone Bat Cave Brevard Cedar Mountain Edneyville Flat Rock Fletcher Hendersonville Lake Toxaway Mills River Saluda Tryon HENDERSONVILLE DEANERY - Point Lookout Vineyards Canton Waynesville Sylva Cullowhee Franklin Hayesville Cashiers Highlands Murphy Robbinsville WESTERN DEANERY - The Lodge at Cat Creek, Franklin Asheville Arden Black Mountain Mars Hill ASHEVILLE DEANERY - Governor's Western Residence, Asheville

Upcoming Events Discernment Day Sat, Jan 31 Asheville More info Learn More Family Snow Tubing Sun, Feb 08 Hendersonville More info Learn More Feast of Absalom Jones Sat, Feb 14 Asheville More info Learn more

Liturgy & Worship Resources Back The following are external links to online liturgy and worship resources. Prayer Resources The Book of Common Prayer The Revised Common Lectionary – text of upcoming Sunday Bible readings. The Daily Office -Morning and Evening Prayer for the current week, complete with lectionary readings and canticles. http://www.missionstclare.com http://dailyoffice.org/ Anglican Cycle of Prayer Cycle of Prayer Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (2025–2026) Forward Day by Day Lectionary Page - A Liturgical calendar with links to the lessons for Sundays and major Holy Days. Music Resources Anglican Online Hymnal Material in the public domain from four Anglican hymnals, including Hymnal 1979, organized both according to the Christian year and theological topics. Includes additional information about the texts. Oremus Hymnal - Over 950 Christian hymns and Gospel songs from a variety of denominations. Includes lyrics, sound, background information, photos, links, and downloadable MIDI files. Bible Resources Bible Gateway - Offers many versions in languages including Greek and Hebrew, with excellent search capabilities, both for chapter and verse searches and for keyword and phrase searches. Available at no cost. Oremus Bible Resource includes comparisons of versions including the NRSV.

Spanish-Language Selections As part of our Latino Ministries, we aim to build bridges between the Anglo and Latino communities in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Part of building that community is to share and understand one another's languages. Here, we have compiled a variety of Spanish-language videos from the Book of Common Prayer that can be implemented in your services and serve as a learning tool for the Anglo community to learn a bit of Spanish. Please feel free to download and include these videos in both your virtual and in-person services, or on your parish website. Below, you will find Spanish-selections from the Book of Common Prayer, or full Spanish-language services if desired. DOWNLOAD: The Book of Common Prayer (English) DOWNLOAD: El Libro De Oración Común (Español) Spanish-Language Selections from the BCP All Categories Play Video Play Video 03:53 Holy Eucharist Form B Permission to use music licensed under CCLI License No. 11502747 Size C Celebrante: El Señor sea con ustedes. Pueblo: Y con tu espíritu. Celebrante: Elevemos los corazones. Pueblo: Los elevamos al Señor. Celebrante: Demos gracias a Dios nuestro Señor. Pueblo: Es justo darle gracias y alabanza. En verdad es digno, justo y saludable, darte gracias, en todo tiempo y lugar, Padre omnipotente, Creador de cielo y tierra. Por tanto te alabamos, uniendo nuestras voces con los Angeles y Arcángeles, y con todos los coros celestiales que, proclamando la gloria de tu Nombre, por siempre cantan este himno: Santo, santo, santo es el Señor, Dios del universo. Llenos están el cielo y la tierra de tu gloria. Hosanna en el cielo. Bendito el que viene en nombre del Señor. Hosanna en el cielo. Te damos gracias, oh Dios, por la bondad y el amor que tú nos has manifestado en la creación; en el llamado a Israel para ser tu pueblo; en tu Verbo revelado a través de los profetas; y, sobre todo, en el Verbo hecho carne, Jesús, tu Hijo. Pues en la plenitud de los tiempos le has enviado para que se encarnara de María la Virgen a fin de ser el Salvador y Redentor del mundo. En él, nos has librado del mal, y nos has hecho dignos de estar en tu presencia. En él, nos has sacado del error a la verdad, del pecado a la rectitud, y de la muerte a la vida. En la víspera de su muerte por nosotros, nuestro Señor Jesucristo tomó pan; y dándote gracias, lo partió y lo dio a sus discípulos, y dijo: "Tomen y coman. Este es mi Cuerpo, entregado por ustedes. Hagan esto como memorial mío". Después de la cena tomó el cáliz; y dándote gracias, se lo entregó, y dijo: "Beban todos de él. Esta es mi Sangre del nuevo Pacto, sangre derramada por ustedes y por muchos para el perdón de los pecados. Siempre que lo beban, háganlo como memorial mío". Por tanto, oh Padre, según su mandato, Recordamos su muerte, Proclamamos su resurrección, Esperamos su venida en gloria; Y te ofrecemos nuestro sacrificio de alabanza y acción de gracias, Señor de todos; ofreciéndote, de tu creación, este pan y este vino. Te suplicamos, Dios bondadoso, que envíes tu Espíritu Santo sobre estos dones, para que sean el Sacramento del Cuerpo de Cristo y su Sangre del nuevo Pacto. Unenos a tu Hijo en su sacrificio, a fin de que, por medio de él, seamos aceptables, siendo santificados por el Espíritu Santo. En la plenitud de los tiempos, sujeta todas las cosas a tu Cristo y llévanos a la patria celestial donde, con todos tus santos, entremos en la herencia eterna de tus hijos; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor, el primogénito de toda la creación, la cabeza de la Iglesia, y el autor de nuestra salvación. Por él, y con él y en él, en la unidad del Espíritu Santo, tuyos son el honor y la gloria, Padre omnipotente, ahora y por siempre. Amen. Play Video Play Video 00:46 The Lord's Prayer Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén. Play Video Play Video 00:35 A Collect for Purity Dios omnipotente, para quien todos los corazones están manifiestos, todos los deseos conocidos y ningún secreto encubierto: Purifica los pensamientos de nuestros corazones con la inspiración de tu Santo Espíritu, para que perfectamente te amemos y dignamente celebremos tu Santo Nombre; por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amén. Play Video Play Video 01:42 The Nicene Creed Creemos en un solo Dios, Padre todopoderoso, creador de cielo y tierra, de todo lo visible e invisible. Creemos en un solo Señor, Jesucristo, Hijo único de Dios, nacido del Padre antes de todos los siglos: Dios de Dios, Luz de Luz, Dios verdadero de Dios verdadero, engendrado, no creado, de la misma naturaleza que el Padre, por quien todo fue hecho; que por nosotros y por nuestra salvación bajó del cielo: por obra del Espíritu Santo se encarnó de María, la Virgen, y se hizo hombre. Por nuestra causa fue crucificado en tiempos de Poncio Pilato: padeció y fue sepultado. Resucitó al tercer día, según las Escrituras, subió al cielo y está sentado a la derecha del Padre. De nuevo vendrá con gloria para juzgar a vivos y muertos, y su reino no tendrá fin. Creemos en el Espíritu Santo, Señor y dado de vida, que procede del Padre y del Hijo. Que con el Padre y el Hijo recibe una misma adoración y gloria. y que habló por los profetas. Creemos en la Iglesia, que es una, santa, católica y apostólica. Reconocemos un solo Bautismo para el perdón de los pecados. Esperamos la resurrección de los muertos y la vida del mundo futuro. Amén. Play Video Play Video 03:33 Prayers of the People Formula I Con todo el corazón y con toda la mente, oremos al Señor, diciendo: "Señor, ten piedad". Por la paz de lo alto, por la misericordia de Dios y por la salvación de nuestras almas, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por la paz del mundo, por el bienestar de la santa Iglesia de Dios y por la unidad de todos los pueblos, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por nuestro Obispo, y por todos los clérigos y laicos, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por nuestro Presidente, por los gobernantes de las naciones y por todas las autoridades, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por esta ciudad, por todas las ciudades y comunidades, y por los que viven en ellas, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por un clima apacible y por la abundancia de los frutos de la tierra, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por la buena tierra que Dios nos ha dado, y por la sabiduría y el deseo de conservarla, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por todos los que viajan por tierra, mar o aire o el espacio, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por los ancianos e inválidos, los viudos y huérfanos, por los enfermos y los que yacen en el lecho del dolor, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por los pobres y oprimidos, por los desempleados e indigentes, por los encarcelados y cautivos, y por todos los que se acuerdan y cuidan de ellos, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por todos los que han muerto en la esperanza de la resurrección y por todos los difuntos, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por la liberación de todo peligro, violencia, opresión y degradación, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Por la absolución y remisión de nuestros pecados y ofensas, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Para que terminemos nuestra vida en fe y esperanza, sin sufrimiento ni reproche, oremos al Señor. Señor, ten piedad. Defiéndenos, líbranos, y en tu compasión protégenos, oh Señor, por medio de tu gracia. Señor, ten piedad. En la comunión de los santos, encomendémonos los unos a los otros, y toda nuestra vida a Cristo nuestro Dios. A ti, Señor nuestro Dios. Play Video Play Video 07:39 Holy Eucharist Form A Permission to use music licensed under CCLI License No. 11502747 Size C Celebrante: El Señor sea con ustedes. Pueblo: Y con tu espíritu. Celebrante: Elevemos los corazones. Pueblo: Los elevamos al Señor. Celebrante: Demos gracias a Dios nuestro Señor. Pueblo: Es justo darle gracias y alabanza. En verdad es digno, justo y saludable, darte gracias, en todo tiempo y lugar, Padre omnipotente, Creador de cielo y tierra. Aquí, todos los domingos y en las ocasiones que se indique, se canta o dice el Prefacio Propio. Por tanto te alabamos, uniendo nuestras voces con los Angeles y Arcángeles, y con todos los coros celestiales que, proclamando la gloria de tu Nombre, por siempre cantan este himno: Santo, santo, santo es el Señor, Dios del universo. Llenos están el cielo y la tierra de tu gloria. Hosanna en el cielo. Bendito el que viene en nombre del Señor. Hosanna en el cielo. Padre Santo y bondadoso: En tu amor infinito nos hiciste para ti, y cuando caímos en pecado y quedamos esclavos del mal y de la muerte, tú, en tu misericordia, enviaste a Jesucristo, tu Hijo único y eterno, para compartir nuestra naturaleza humana, para vivir y morir como uno de nosotros, y así reconciliarnos contigo, el Dios y Padre de todos. Extendió sus brazos sobre la cruz y se ofreció en obediencia a tu voluntad, un sacrificio perfecto por todo el mundo. En la noche en que fue entregado al sufrimiento y a la muerte, nuestro Señor Jesucristo tomó pan; y dándote gracias, lo partió y lo dio a sus discípulos, y dijo: "Tomen y coman. Este es mi Cuerpo, entregado por ustedes. Hagan esto como memorial mío". Después de la cena tomó el cáliz; y dándote gracias, se lo entregó, y dijo: "Beban todos de él. Esta es mi Sangre del nuevo Pacto, sangre derramada por ustedes y por muchos para el perdón de los pecados. Siempre que lo beban, háganlo como memorial mío". Por tanto, proclamamos el misterio de fe: Cristo ha muerto. Cristo ha resucitado. Cristo volverá. Padre, en este sacrificio de alabanza y acción de gracias, celebramos el memorial de nuestra redención. Recordando su muerte, resurrección y ascención, te ofrecemos estos dones. Santifícalos con tu Espíritu Santo, y así serán para tu pueblo el Cuerpo y la Sangre de tu Hijo, la santa comida y la santa bebida de la vida nueva en él que no tiene fin. Santifícanos también, para que recibamos fielmente este Santo Sacramento y seamos perseverantes en tu servicio en paz y unidad. Y en el día postrero, llévanos con todos tus santos al gozo de tu reino eterno. Todo esto te pedimos por tu Hijo Jesucristo. Por él, y con él y en él, en la unidad del Espíritu Santo, tuyos son el honor y la gloria, Padre omnipotente, ahora y por siempre. AMEN. Oremos como nuestro Salvador Cristo nos enseñó. Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén Cristo, nuestra Pascua, se ha sacrificado por nosotros. Los Dones de Dios para el Pueblo de Dios. Tómenlos en memoria de que Cristo murió por ustedes, y aliméntense de él en sus corazones, por fe y con agradecimiento. Eterno Dios, Padre celestial, en tu bondad nos has aceptado como miembros vivos de tu Hijo, nuestro Salvador Jesucristo; nos has nutrido con alimento espiritual en el Sacramento de su Cuerpo y de su Sangre. Envíanos ahora en paz al mundo; revístenos de fuerza y de valor para amarte y servirte con alegría y sencillez de corazón; por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amén. Play Video Play Video 00:32 Prefaces for the Seasons - Advent Porque enviaste a tu amado Hijo para redimirnos del pecado y de la muerte, y para hacernos en él herederos de la vida eterna; para que, cuando vuelva en poder y gran triunfo a juzgar al mundo, nos gocemos contemplando su manifestación, sin temor ni vergüenza. Play Video Play Video 00:32 Prefaces for the Seasons - Incarnation Porque nos diste a Jesucristo, tu único Hijo, que se encarnó por nosotros; quien, por el gran poder del Espíritu Santo, fue hecho Hombre perfecto, nacido de la carne de la Virgen María su madre; para que, librados del yugo del pecado, recibamos la potestad de llegar a ser hijos tuyos. Play Video Play Video 00:25 Prefaces for the Seasons-Epiphany Porque en el misterio del Verbo hecho carne, tú has hecho que una luz nueva brille en nuestros corazones, para darnos el conocimiento de tu gloria en la faz de tu Hijo, nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Load More

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

Christian Formation for Children Engaging children and families to grow in their relationship with God and Jesus is a sacred ministry of the Christian community. Below are reflections and helpful words of wisdom from local parish faith formation leaders: A word from Beth Chestnut – Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville A word from The Rev. Joslyn Schaefer – Grace in the Mountains, Waynesville Here are a variety of curriculum resources for faith formation: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Digital Devotional Godly Play Building Faith Weaving God’s Promises Children's Sabbath Resources Here are a variety of curriculum resources for faith formation: Sticky Faith , by Dr. Kara E. Powell and Dr. Chap Clack The 5 Love Languages of Children and The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers , by Gary Chapman Shepherding a Childs Heart , by Tedd Tripp A Parent's Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis , by Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock Connecting Church and Home , by Tim Kimmel Raising Wise Children , by Mark Matlock

Find a Church - Interactive Map With breathtaking natural beauty and devoted communities, the Diocese of Western North Carolina is one of the fastest growing Dioceses in the country. Comprised of six deaneries, representing 15,000 Episcopalians, the Diocese of Western North Carolina supports regional and global mission efforts. Click on one of the areas below to learn more and see a list of churches. Asheville Deanery Western Deanery Mountain Deanery Foothills Deanery Piedmont Deanery Hendersonville Deanery

Exploring Our Churches: Western Area Up Back to Find a Church The Western deanery is blessed with the natural beauty and culture of two national forests within the Appalachian Mountains, the grandeur of the Great Smoky National Park, the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and numerous waterfalls in the Southern Highlands. It is home to Lake Logan Episcopal Center, John Campbell Folk School and a sovereign nation recognized by the federal government. The Eastern Band of Cherokee resides in their traditional homelands with a history that spans the millennia. Major cities: Canton Cashiers Cullowhee Franklin Hayesville Highlands Murphy Robbinsville Sylva Waynesville All Saints Episcopal Church St. Agnes Chapel: 66 Church St. St. Cyprian's Chapel: 216 Roller Mill Rd. Franklin, NC 28734 www.allsaintsfranklin.org 828-524-4910 Grace Mountainside Church 129 S. Main Street Robbinsville, NC 28771 www.luther95.com/GMLEF-RNC/ (828) 479-1184 Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 495 Herbert Hills Drive Hayesville, NC 28904 goodshepherdhayesville.org (828) 389-3397 St. David's Episcopal Church 385 Forest Hills Road Cullowhee, NC 28723 www.stdavidscullowhee.org/ (828) 331-1427 Church of the Good Shepherd 1448 Highway 107 South Cashiers, North Carolina 28717 www.goodshepherdofcashiers.com (828) 743-2359 St. John's Episcopal Church 18 Jackson Street Sylva, NC 28779 https://www.saintjohnssylva.org/ (828) 586-8358 Episcopal Church of the Messiah 76 Peachtree Street Murphy, NC 28906 www.messiahmurphy.com (828) 837-2021 St John's Episcopal Church 542 St Johns Church Road Franklin, NC 28734 https://www.stjohnscartoogechaye.com/ (828) 524-6370 Grace Church in the Mountains 394 N. Haywood Street Waynesville, NC 28786 www.gracewaynesville.com (828) 456-6029 Church of the Incarnation 520 Main Street @ 5th Street Highlands, NC 28741 www.incarnationwnc.org (828) 526-2968 St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 99 Academy Street Canton, NC 28716 http://www.standrewscanton.org/ (828) 648-7550 Whiteside Summer Chapel Cashiers, NC 28717 www.thesummerchapel.org/ (828) 553-8912

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

Learn about the bishop's three focus areas for the coming year, and learn how you can support these ministries by becoming a Partner in Mission. Partners in Mission Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As your bishop, I’m asking for your help in sustaining the future of our diocese. As we look to where we want to be in the coming years, I ask that you consider walking with me as a Partner in Mission. I’ve spent the last two years traveling across our diocese. I have visited your communities, I have listened to you, I have worshiped with you, and I have prayed with you for a better tomorrow. We all have different ministries that are close to our hearts, and everything you do in Christ’s name is important to our communities. But I have heard from you, and you have helped me discern, that there are some specific ministries that need our attention and focus. I invite you to participate with me in three mission areas for the coming year. First, we need to continue to empower Youth & 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. Our young people are thriving where they find vibrant faith communities of their peers, but we know that too often something happens that disconnects them from the Church. We need to offer leadership opportunities for our youth and young adults at every level of church and diocesan life so they can contribute their voices to our mission and ministries and be empowered to make a difference in their communities. We need to be a steadfast presence in their lives and we need to invite them to partake fully in our shared faith. Diocesan youth events, ministries at local colleges and universities and, young adult discernment and mission activities, these are all ways that we are already connecting with our youth and young adults. I am excited to see what they can do as we continue to put our faith and resources behind them. My second area of focus is something that has personal meaning for me. As a bilingual speaker, I know that too often language is a barrier to people coming together in common worship. Since the days of Bishop Johnson, continuing through Bishop Taylor’s time at the diocese, we have made our Spanish-speaking ministries a focus in the diocese. 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. Christ knew too well the burden of being a stranger in a new land, one who is often not welcomed and even feared. Our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters still experience undue hardships and intolerance that are the opposite of Christ’s love, and we need to show them that our hearts—and our resources—are with them. My vision is that our diocese can become a standard for welcoming Spanish-speakers to the table – not just to worship in separate languages at separate places, but to become our friends, our partners, our leaders, our inspiration. In Western North Carolina, we are blessed by an increasing multi-cultural society and God is inviting us to participate in building beloved community among “every language, people and nation.” Every effort, including enhancing and expanding our Spanish-speaking ministries, re-envisioning an ecumenical partnership in Cherokee, honoring our historically black churches, and engaging in dismantling racism, are examples of Jesus’ mission to widen the walls so every child of God can participate at the Lord’s table. It is only by listening to all people in our communities that we can speak as one voice to glorify our Lord. Finally, the third mission priority is the way we form and support the men and women this diocese raises up for ordination as 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. Through rigorous academic reflection and study, practicums and independent learning, postulants attend monthly gatherings with local diocesan faculty and mentors. IONA will also allow us to bring together those studying for the Diaconate and those studying for the Priesthood and form a more collaborative learning community. In addition, the IONA school for ministry will allow us to develop curriculum to train the lay leaders of our diocese. Likewise, through our Curacy program, I want us to 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. By putting resources into this program, we can retain good clergy and provide the necessary post-graduation training and vocational development. I hope hearing about these three areas of focus invigorates you as much as it does for me to talk about them. I’m truly excited about the future of the Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina and the many ways we are working together to build vital communities of faith and make a difference in our world. I’m pleased to ask you to join me as a Partner in Mission. By focusing new resources on these mission areas, I am confident that we will have a growing, vibrant community of faith for many years to come. Please consider your contribution to become a Partner in Mission with me. Finally, we are offering a Bishop José bobblehead with every gift of $100 or more. My staff and I have had a lot of fun coming up with this playful memento of our partnership. I hope it can be a heartwarming reminder of how God delights in who we are and our faithful partnership in the mission of Jesus Christ. I give thanks for you in my life and in the life of the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Blessings, Bishop José Every donation of $100 or more receives a Bishop José Bobblehead doll! Please add $8 for shipping, or indicate that you will pick up your Bobblehead in the comments section. DONATE NOW • Download this letter • Watch the video

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

The Jesus Movement What is the Jesus Movement? We're following Jesus into a loving, liberating, and life-giving relationship with God, with each other, and with earth. How do we participate? First, we follow Jesus. We are simply the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement , seeking every day to love God with our whole heart, mind and soul, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). Just like Jesus. What's the work of the movement? The Jesus Movement takes you places. For the Episcopal Church, it calls us to focus on three specific priorities. EVANGELISM Listen for Jesus' movement in our lives and in the world. Give thanks. Proclaim and celebrate it! Invite the Spirit to do the rest. Inspire Episcopalians to embrace evangelism. Gather Episcopal evangelists. Equip all to be evangelists. Send all as evangelists. RECONCILIATION Embody the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus with each other. Tell the truth about church and race Rewrite the narrative Form Episcopalians as reconcilers Repair and Restore institutions & society CREATION CARE Encounter and honor the face of God in creation Develop creation care resources Grow local eco-ministries Purse eco-justice at church-wide and local level Convene conversations around climate and faith For more information about the Episcopal Church Jesus Movement click here .

The Presiding Bishop event at Trinity Episcopal Church