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103rd Annual Convention November 8, 2025 Christ School, Arden Convention Agenda Registration opens Continental breakfast available Worship - Morning prayer Business Session 1 Lunch Business Session 2 8:30 am 9:30 am 10:45 – 12:15pm 12:15 1:15-4:00 pm REGISTRATION We will be using the Whova App to facilitate voting, share documents, and stay connected during Convention. Please click the button to download the app, and email katie@diocesewnc.org with any questions prior to Convention. DOWNLOAD WHOVA Nominations and Resolutions LEARN MORE Documents for the Business of Convention LEARN MORE Vestry Certificate of Election LEARN MORE Coming to Convention with Intentionality LEARN MORE Budget Road Tour LEARN MORE New Delegate Orientation LEARN MORE Whova Tutorials LEARN MORE Hotel Accommodations LEARN MORE Summer Memo 2025 LEARN MORE

General Convention The 82nd General Convention of The Episcopal Church is July 3-8, 2027 in Phoenix, AZ. Information about the 82nd General Convention

Photo Gallery Centennial Weekend Hendersonville Deanery Dinner Piedmont Deanery Dinner Latino Community Gathering Resources for Resilience Retreat Camp Henry Day Camp 2020 Presiding Bishop Visit Asheville Deanery Dinner Mountain Deanery Dinner Indigenous Ministries Conference Middle School Conference 2021 Dismantling Racism Workshop Youth Conference 2020 Convention 2018 Western Deanery Dinner Foothills Deanery Dinner La Virgen de Guadalupe Western Deanery Confirmation Day La Capilla Clean-Up Day Convention 2019

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

Click on your parish below to view a list of services for Holy Week 2023. Parishes are listed in alphabetical order. To add your parish's services, email a PDF to Rachel at rcarr@diocesewnc.org. Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville Grace, Asheville Holy Family, Mills River St. Francis & St. Gabriel's, Rutherfordton St. John's in the Wilderness, Flat Rock St. Philip's, Brevard Christ Church, Sparta Grace in the Mountains, Waynesville Redeemer, Shelby St. James, Hendersonville St. John's, Marion Transfiguration, Bat Cave Epiphany, Newton Holy Cross, Valle Crucis St. Andrew's on the Hill, Canton St. John's, Asheville St. Mary-St. Stephen's, Morganton Trinity, Asheville Trinity, Spruce Pine

Discern God's Call for Ministry In the Episcopal Church, we believe that all people are called to ministry by virtue of baptism. The process of identifying, celebrating, and using our talents and gifts in the church and in the world is understood as “discernment.” The Diocese of Western North Carolina encourages leaders at the parish level to be companions on the journey of discernment with every lay member as they discover how they are called to participate in God’s redeeming work in the world. Sometimes individuals, alongside their congregation, discern gifts that may suggest a call to ordained ministry of a deacon or a priest in the church. The diocese desires ordained leaders who will equip our congregations to adapt to new realities and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that speak to the varied contexts and cultures of our communities. Below, you will find documents you will need should you begin down the path of discernment. Commission on Ministry Manual Parish Lay Discernment Committee Manual Financial Costs of Pursuing Ordination Constitution & Canons, Title III Suggested reading for further discernment: For more information, contact the diocesan office at 828-225-6656. The Diocese of Western North Carolina is proud to be home to Iona WNC, a part of the Iona Collaborative , a consortium of dozens of Episcopal dioceses seeking to expand availability to a rigorous but accessible theological education. Click here to visit the Iona WNC page and learn more.

Camp Henry Day Camp at Grace Church in the Mountains

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

A Reflection on Formation for Children By Beth Chestnut, Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville I just recently returned from the 80th anniversary of my childhood church, Braggtown Baptist in Durham, NC. It is hard to put into words what the sights, sounds, even smells of the church evoked in me!! I was literally saturated with memories. My old Sunday School teacher is STILL teaching and was honored on that day! She used to take our youth group to the beach and on outings to Umstead Park! I sat in the pew area where my family always sat. I walked the hallways where the children’s classrooms used to be and the smell, a wonderful smell that was just the same, greeted me and brought a picture of Mrs. Rajah Tilley playing the piano to welcome us. It brought home to me just how foundational these people, this church had been for me. I came back to my Trinity home with a heightened sense of the power and presence of a loving church family. Now, in my position as Director of Children and Family Ministries at Trinity Episcopal, I realize it’s like coming full circle. My deepest hope for the children that I serve is that the people and the actual church space, will one day hold for them this feeling of warmth and connectedness, regardless of where their faith journey has taken them. What does faith formation for children really mean to me? First, it means to COME: come together, find ways to be present for one another, create an inviting atmosphere and engaging curriculum that encourages parents and their children to COME. To walk through these doors, to become familiar with the smells, sights, sounds, hallways, nooks and crannies of this church. To recognize the faces that swirl around us each time we enter the doors. To parents I say, COME, COME, COME. Give your child the gift of the stories, people and places that invite them into the language and experience of our faith. And WONDER. At Trinity we use the faith formation resource Godly Play, and wondering is at its’ heart. After hearing stories of our faith, children are invited to wonder, to find themselves in the story. I was immediately drawn to this approach because it keeps the stories alive and ever new. Questions, doubts, realizations are all encouraged. We grow as we wonder together. Children very often lead the way! Parents do not have to have all of the answers—again, we wonder together! The sentence “I don’t know, let’s try and find out” are powerful! We use Godly Play in many areas other than children’s formation. We have used it with the diocesan homeless ministry, Church of the Advocate, in adult formation classes, with large props in our main services, for baptismal preparation and on and on. Endless ways of wondering… At the heart of it all is seeing, being present, and the connections we make with one another. As we sing in our favorite song in Children’s Hour, "I am the Church, You are the Church, We are the church together." So COME! WONDER…

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 .

The 97th Annual Convention -- November 2019

Join the Bishop's Cup golf tournament to support the Lake Logan Conference Center and Camp Henry summer camp. The Bishop's Cup Golf Tournament Supporting Lake Logan Episcopal Conference Center and Camp Henry Friday, April 26 Reems Creek Golf Club, Asheville Check-in - 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start - 9:30 a.m. Four-Person Team/ Captain's choice $125 per person / $500 per team Includes green fee, cart fee, box lunch & snacks Player registration opens on Monday, March 11 REGISTER Prizes include stays at Lake Logan, golf swag, Camp Henry and Lake Logan merchandise, tickets to the Cold Mountain Music Festival, and more! Help spread the word! Download Flyer Press Release Don't golf but still want to support? Sen d a kid to camp Q uestions ? Contact the Rev. Will Bryant will.bryant@allsoulscathedral.org Thank you to our sponsors! Sponsorships Become a Sponsor Saints - $5,000: Sponsors two teams Two tee box signs Eight tickets to Cold Mountain Music Festival 20% discount on Lake Logan Rental* One free Session for a child at Camp Henry Special promotion at opening ceremony of the Cup Angels - $3,000: Sponsors two teams Two tee box signs Four tickets to Cold Mountain Music Festival 15% off Lake Logan Rental* Shepherds - $1,500: Sponsors one team One tee box sign Two tickets to Cold Mountain Music Festival 10% off Lake Logan Rental* Heavenly Host - $750: Sponsors one team One tee box sign One ticket to Cold Mountain Music Festival 5% off Lake Logan Rental* *Lake Logan Rentals subject to blackout dates. Become a Sponsor

Finance Committee & Treasurer of the Diocese Up Back to Our Leadership & Governance The Treasurer is responsible to the Convention and the Bishop for oversight of all financial dealings of the Diocese. As such, the Treasurer is a member of the Department of the Finance Committee. Audited Financial Statements for the Diocese Grants & Loans Finance Committee The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin – Bishop The Rev. Sam Tallman, Chair – St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock - Class of 2026 Bruce Hunt – Transfiguration, Saluda - Class of 2026 The Rev. Tara Bartal - All Saints, Gastonia - Class of 2027 The Rev. Tracey Kelly - Holy Family, Mills River - Class of 2028 Mr. Jim Heil - St. Peter by the Lake, Denver - Class of 2028 Diocesan Treasurer Jack Parsons

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

Trustees Up Back to Our Leadership & Governance Trustees hold title to and administer all real properties and all entrusted funds not owned by congregations; the Trustees are responsible for the administration of a significant portion of Diocesan trust funds. They meet approximately six times a year. Elected members having served a full term shall be ineligible for reelection for a period of one year. The Trustees of the diocese shall consist of the Bishop, the Chancellor, the Treasurer and five additional lay persons as members at large. Terms are five years. Current members: The Rt. Rev. José A. Mcloughlin, Bishop Ed Bleynat, Chair – through 2024 Greg Hildebran, Chancellor – ex officio Jack Parsons, Treasurer – ex officio Jillian Ballard – through 2024 James Bowden – through 2026 Unelected slot for the 2022–2026 term Unelected slot for the 2022–2025 term

Nominations and Resolutions Convention Homepage Nominations Every year there are several opportunities for people to serve in leadership roles in the Diocese. You are invited to prayerfully discern for yourself or other individuals who may be called to offer their gifts and talents in service to the Church. The deadline for nominations is October 20, 2025 . Any late nominations will need to submit a PDF copy of the nomination form linked below, as well as a Motion to Suspend the Rule. At the appointed time, the Nominator needs to make a motion from the virtual floor of convention that the rules be suspended so that the nomination be considered and accepted. Offices to be Elected Memo Resolutions Every year members of the Diocese are welcome to submit resolutions for the business of the Diocese. It is essential for delegates to review resolutions prior to convention. Resolutions Memo SUBMIT RESOLUTION SUBMIT NOMINATION

A Reflection on Haiti By Alister Brady, member of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Highlands Since 2001, the Church of the Incarnation has partnered with Haitians on projects in one of the poorest parts of the country, the Central Plateau. Through our visits, connections have formed between the hundreds of Americans who have traveled with us and Haitian friends, resulting in learning how people there live and motivating us to help. We have built an Episcopal school and a church, provided teachers' salaries for several schools, have sent a number of students to college and graduate programs, have provided goats to families, have supported projects to raise fish to eat and for sale and garden projects that have fed people while teaching new farming techniques.

Our Diocesan Partner Institutions Christ School The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina has a longstanding history of setting aside the necessary resources to provide educational opportunities for rural mountain children when there were no public schools in our region. Founded in 1900 by Father Thomas Wetmore and his wife Susan Allen Wetmore, Christ School was a mission of the Episcopal Church for both boys and girls, teaching classic academic subjects as well as technical trades and industrial arts and crafts. In 1927, the school became a college preparatory Episcopal boarding and day school for boys. Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Founded in 1955, Bishop George Henry worked to establish a faith-based, non-profit retirement community. Two generous donors caught Bishop Henry’s vision and Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community was established. Guided by Christian ideals, Deerfield offers a continuum of care to all people to promote independence and the highest quality of life and to provide physical and financial security.

Exploring Our Churches Asheville Area Up Back to Find a Church Centered in the Blue Ridge Mountains, home to the Diocesan offices and The Cathedral of All Souls, the Asheville Deanery covers two counties and holds twelve parishes. St. Matthias Episcopal Church, one of the oldest parishes in the diocese, was founded in 1865 for freed slaves. While Asheville is the most populous city in the Diocese, the deanery extends into the rural mountains. Major cities: Asheville Arden Black Mountain Mars Hill The Cathedral of All Souls 9 Swan Street Asheville, NC 28803 www.allsoulscathedral.org/ (828) 274-2681 The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit 433 Bone Camp Road Marshall, NC 28753 www.holyspiritwnc.org/ (828) 689-2517 St. James Episcopal Church 424 W. State Street Black Mountain, NC 28711 https://stjameswnc.org/ 828-669-2754 St. Mary's Episcopal Church 337 Charlotte Street Asheville, NC 28801 http://www.stmarysasheville.org/ (828) 254-5836 Church of the Advocate 60 Church St Asheville, NC 28801 http://www.reddooravl.org/ (828) 253-9361 Episcopal Church of the Redeemer 1201 Riverside Dr Asheville, North Carolina 28804 https://churchoftheredeemer-episcopal.com/ Phone (828) 253-3588 St. John's Episcopal Church 290 Old Haw Creek Rd. Asheville NC 28805 https://stjohnsasheville.org/ (828) 298-3553 St. Matthias Episcopal Church 1 Dundee St Asheville, NC 28801 https://stmatthiasepiscopal.org (828) 285-0033 Grace Episcopal Church 871 Merrimon Avenue Asheville, NC 28804 https://www.graceavl.com/ (828) 254-1086 St. Giles Chapel at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community 1617 Hendersonville Road Asheville, North Carolina 28803 https://deerfieldwnc.org/ St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 219 Chunns Cove Road Asheville, NC 28805 http://stlukesavl.org/ (828) 254-2133 Trinity Episcopal Church 60 Church Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 http://www.trinityasheville.org/ (828) 253.9361

Committee on Constitution and Canons Up Back to Our Leadership & Governance The Committee on Constitution and Canons consists of members of the Diocese nominated by the Ecclesiastical Authority and elected by the Convention of the Diocese. The committee serves to receive, consider, and review any proposed amendments, edits, and changes to the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Western North Carolina brought to the committee by the Convention. The committee works between conventions of the diocese and brings recommendations to the Convention based on its work in the preceeding year. 2024 Members Mr. Greg Hilderbran, Chancellor (ex officio ) The Rev. Toni Belhu The Rev. Gaelyn Evangreene The Rev. Logan Lovelace Mr. Philip Wertz