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Prison Ministries The Diocese of Western North Carolina has a longstanding commitment to serving and ministering among our brothers and sisters incarcerated in local prisons. St. James Episcopal Church, Black Mountain and St. John’s Episcopal Church, Asheville are active in ministry at Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. Local Episcopal clergy and lay leaders from Asheville, Brevard and Hendersonville are active at Chapel of Christ the King, a ministry to men at Craggy Correctional Center. Likewise, local clergy and lay leaders from Trinity Episcopal Church in Spruce Pine are active in ministry at Avery Mitchell Correctional Center. Below are resources that provide information on the state of prisons and the challenges faced by those within them. Local and National Ministries Kairos Prison Ministry of NC Ministry of Hope at SCCW Books and Movies Prison Nation: The Warehousing of America's Poor , edited by Tara Herivel and Paul Wright The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness , by Michelle Alexander Prison Culture: Understanding Prison Inside and Out , by Lennie Spitale Dead Man Walking The Green Mile 13th

Seasonal Resources Find a variety of resources to help guide you through the different liturgical seasons below. Easter Resources LEARN MORE Easter Resources LEARN MORE Ash Wednesday & Lenten Resources LEARN MORE Ash Wednesday & Lenten Resources LEARN MORE Advent Resources LEARN MORE Advent Resources LEARN MORE

Our Mission Walk in the Way of Jesus. Change the World. The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina is part of the worldwide Jesus movement. Together, as a community of 61 year-round congregations, five summer chapels, two conference centers, a summer camp, one retirement community, and one parochial school across the 28 westernmost counties of the state, we collectively witness to God’s love for the whole world. We believe we are partners in God’s mission to: “restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." -Book of Common Prayer, page 855.

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

Our Leadership & Governance The Diocese of Western North Carolina is governed by the Constit ution and Canons of The Episcopal Church and the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese . Authority of the Church in this diocese is vested in the bishop, the annual Convention of elected delegates and clergy, an elected executive council, an elected standing committee, and other canonically required committees. The business of the Diocese is conducted at an annual convention held in November. All canonically resident clergy are required to attend and each parish elects two delegates who attend. Both lay and ordained participate in deliberations and vote on a variety of resolutions, including the budget . Finally, the Diocese is divided into six geographical regions designated as deaneries. One clergy leader is elected as Dean of each deanery and meets monthly with the Bishop to discuss and address diocesan affairs and local concerns. Our Canons Our Constitution TEC Constitution and Canons LEARN MORE Annual Convention LEARN MORE Annual Convention LEARN MORE Committee on Constitutions and Canons LEARN MORE Executive Council LEARN MORE Executive Council Finance Committee LEARN MORE LEARN MORE Standing Committee LEARN MORE Standing Committee LEARN MORE Deaneries LEARN MORE Deaneries The Episcopal Foundation of WNC LEARN MORE LEARN MORE The Disciplinary Board

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

Emergency resources for preparing, responding, and recovering for and from disasters. Resource Center Up 1/1 Preparation GO/STAY PREP CHECKLIST CHURCH PREP CHECKLIST DISASTER PREP 101 SLIDES PREPARACIÓN PARA DESASTRES 101 Community Resources Food Connection works to fight food scarcity by partnering with local restaurants and packaging and distributing chef-prepared meals to anyone who needs it. They have served over 1,000,000 meals in the greater Asheville area. Bounty & Soul offers weekly free produce markets around Asheville. They partner with local grocery stores and farms to reduce food waste and to provide quality fresh ingredients to local households. Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry runs several programs, made possible in partnership with over 300 churches. They have a Crisis Ministry that helps provide food an clothing; free clinics for uninsured adults; transitional housing; and more. Pisgah Legal provides free civil legal aid to the most vulnerable people in WNC: disadvantaged children, seniors, at-risk families, and domestic violence victims. Homeward Bound is an organization that works toward preventing and ending houselesness. They are an exceptionally effective program with a retention rate of 96.5% in their permanent supportive housing. Mental Health Resources The National Disaster Distress Helpline is a valuable resource for our VOAD network and accessible 24/7 for responders, support teams, volunteers—for you, however and wherever you may support in the disaster/humanitarian sector. Simply text or call 1-800-985-5990 Para ayuda en español, opríma el numero “2”. For more information, visit samhsa.gov/ddh All Souls Counseling - is a local counseling center offering affordable individual, couples, and group therapy on a sliding scale to adults who are uninsured or underinsured. Jada Bryson offers spiritual direction. Contact her at Northernstar.direction@gmail.com

A Reflection on Cuba By the Rev. David Henson, Associate Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville During a weeklong pilgrimage to Cuba, God was at work among us as we built relationships and learned from each other about what it meant to bridge not only cultural and language divides, but the very real divides that are still enacted by our government and were enacted for decades by The Episcopal Church. The reconciling work of Spirit was made manifest through something as simple as friendships, dancing to music on rooftops together, and visiting with church members in the community. The Cuban people were generous, welcoming, kind-hearted, and brimming with vibrant faith as our 15 youth and 5 adults spent time at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Cardenas and at the Cathedral in Havana. The bonds our group forged, particularly with the other teenagers, were both real, holy, and meaningful. There is something profoundly moving about seeing a bunch of Cuban and American teenagers tearfully saying goodbye to one another after only a few days together. The presence of God was indeed palpable as they insisted with deep emotion and across a rigid political divide enforced by our nations, that this would not be the last time they saw each other.

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

Resources for Resilience Workshop In June 2021, members of the diocese gathered for a Resources for Resilience Workshop at Lake Logan Conference Center. The workshop focused on how we can keep ourselves centered during times of high stress and tools for managing our fight or flight responses.

Christian Formation for Adults Spiritual formation breathes life and renewal into our relationship with God. As followers of Jesus, we seek ways to deepen our faith and to grow in love. While your parish offers classes and programs to inform and enrich the journey, below are other resources that offer opportunities for your spiritual growth. Spiritual Direction Work one-on-one with a spiritual director to nurture your spiritual life and journey. A spiritual director helps you explore your relationship with God and go deeper into the aspects of life that call to you. Here is a list of individuals who are available in Western North Carolina. Lake Logan Conference Center One of our diocesan Conference Centers, Lake Logan, offers year-round programs for formation and connection. Learn more and find upcoming programs at www.lakelogan.org Valle Crucis Conference Center One of our diocesan Conference Centers, Valle Crucis Conference Center, offers year-round opportunities for fellowship, lodging, and spiritual formation. Learn more at https://vcconferences.org/ Episcopal Cursillo Ministry Cursillo is a three day weekend spiritual renewal gathering, often described as a “short course on Christianity.” Through a series of conversations and meditation, a team of clergy and lay leaders facilitate reflections on discerning “what is fundamental for being a Christian” in our everyday lives. Another integral part of the weekend is community prayer and worship. Learn more at https://www.episcopalcursilloministry.org/ Episcopal Church Women ECW is a diocesan-wide organization with local parish chapters that support all women in their Mission and Ministry in the world. The vision of ECW is for all women of the Episcopal Church is that we become a vibrant blend of all ages, coming together as a peacemaking, healing part of the Church as the working hands of Christ. Learn more at https://www.ecwwnc.org/ Education For Ministry EFM is a program that provides theological education for lay people, nurturing their faith and equipping them to express that faith in day-to-day events. Learn more at https://efm.sewanee.edu/ The Living Compass Living Compass is a resource that equips individuals, families, congregations, and organizations with the tools and training for the journey toward wellness and wholeness. Learn more at https://www.livingcompass.org/ Way of Love Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life is more than a program or curriculum, it is an intentional commitment to a set of practices. It's a commitment to follow Jesus: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest. Learn more at https://www.episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love/ Find a Church in the Diocese of WNC Find a church that works for you in the Diocese of WNC! We serve over 60 parishes from Gastonia to Murphy NC. Learn more at www.diocesewnc.org/find-a-church eFormation Learning Community by Virginia Theological Seminary eFormation is a learning community for ministry in a digital world. They believe culturally savvy, digitally literate leadership skills are essential in every congregation and regional church body. eFormation is a ministry of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, forming and equipping leaders for digital media for ministry since 2012. Learn more at https://eformationvts.org/

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

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

Share the Good News Evangelism Toolkit Every Episcopalian is commissioned in baptism to proclaim by word and example the loving, liberating, and life-giving good news of Jesus Christ. Through the spiritual practice of evangelism, we name and celebrate Jesus’ loving presence in the stories of all people - then invite everyone to join us in the journey of faith. The Episcopal Church has prepared this Evangelism Toolkit to help us live into that call. Download Evangelism Resources from The Episcopal Church. Transforming Evangelism, by David Gortner At once “travel guide” and vision for the future, the Transformation series is good news for the Episcopal Church at a time of fast and furious demographic and social change. Click here for more information .

Forming Disciples Equipping people of all ages to know and love Jesus and live into their Baptismal Covenant is an essential ministry of the Church. The Episcopal Church understands that Christian formation and education is a holistic, life-long process. Through study, prayer, reflection, service, worship, fellowship, and exploration we come to know more about the living Christ and the hopes of God for our lives and the world. As one of the original partners, the Diocese of Western North Carolina is guided by the principles of the Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation . If you have questions about Christian Formation contact Eden Lewis, Director of Lifelong Christian Formation. Children Engaging children and families to grow in their relationship with God and Jesus is a sacred ministry of the Christian community. Learn more Youth 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." Learn more College Connect with a college ministry on one of our four campuses. We welcome ALL! Learn more Young Adults We invite young adults to join us as we live out our calling to the Jesus Movement of The Episcopal Church. Learn more Adults Here you will find additional information and resources for the spiritual and faith formation of adults. Learn more Iona WNC Iona WNC is a part of the larger Iona Collaborative, a consortium of dozens of Episcopal dioceses seeking to expand availability to a rigorous but accessible theological education. Learn more

Budget Road Tour Convention Homepage The process for developing and discerning the diocesan budget is an intentional process that involves multiple opportunities for participation from many people throughout the diocese. In the early part of every summer, a memo is sent out to the whole diocese inviting people to submit proposals for budget expenditures, including new mission initiatives or ministry programs. All submissions are reviewed by the executive team of the diocese, including the Treasurer, and then incorporated into a draft budget which is reviewed for any amendments by the Executive Committee of the Diocese at their August meeting. The dates for the 2025 Virtual Budget Road Tour is Wednesday, September 3 at 5:30 p.m. This proposed draft budget is then shared with the wider diocese every September through the annual Budget Road Tour. The 2025 Budget Road Tour will by Zoom. Copies of the draft budget are provided to those who participate in the September presentations. On these Budget Road Tour Zoom meetings, the executive team (Bishop, Treasurer, and CFO) presents the proposed budget, answers questions and welcomes participant suggestions. If any suggestions are offered, people are invited to provide creative ideas to maintain a balanced budget. The Executive Council reviews the draft budget at their October meeting and then presents a final draft to the annual Convention of the Diocese, no less than two weeks prior to Convention. Convention is the canonical body that adopts the annual diocesan budget for the proceeding year. 2026 Draft Budget Slides for 2026 Budget Road Tour

Human Resources Health Insurance - This page contains important information about our 2023 Health Benefits and Open Enrollment. Employee or Contractor? Download this document to learn the difference. Imputed Income – What is imputed income and how should it be reported for clergy? Learn more here . IRS Business Mileage reimbursement rate for the current year can be found here . Lay Pension Guidelines Guide to the Episcopal Church Lay Retirement Savings Plan (RSVP) and the Episcopal Church Lay Employee’s Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Guide to the Episcopal Church Lay Employee’s Defined Benefit Plan Clergy Pension Guidelines: This Guide to Clergy Benefits is designed to help you understand the provisions of The Church Pension Fund Clergy Pension Plan and other benefit plans available Safeguarding Our Churches: Please visit the Safe Church, Safe Communities page for m ore i nformation on Safeguarding and conducting a background check. New Hire Forms: W-4 NC-4 NC New Hire I-9 Church Pension Group Medical and Dental Enrollment Form Form to enroll in Church Pension Lay Employees’ Defined Benefits Plan Form to enroll in the Church Pension Defined Contribution (RSVP and Lay DC) Plan Form to enroll in Church Pension Group Term Life Insurance Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Coverage Church Pension Employment Change Form – New Assignment Notice and Change in Compensation

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 .

Public Health Resources These Public Health Resources can help you stay updated on the latest COVID-19 News. Check back regularly for any important updates. Mental Health Resources North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Article: Managing Your Overall Health National Alliance on Mental Health The National Child Trauma Stress Network Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) Center for Disease Control Follow CDC on social media Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , Youtube Download/Print - "What You Need to Know" English , Spanish Download/Print - "What to do if you are sick" English , Spanish Download/Print - "Stop the Spread of Germs" English , Spanish World Health Organization Follow WHO on social media Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube NC Public Health Department Follow NCPH on social media Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Episcopal Relief and Development Faith-based response to epidemics Remote Ministry WHAT YOU CAN DO Prepare Accordingly: Read CDC's Faith-Based and Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist Read the full Red Cross, "Coronavirus: Safety and Readiness Tips for You" Coronavirus and Kids: CDC Update

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