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

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.

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

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…

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

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.

2019 Spring Youth Conference at Lake Logan

Youth Engagement Programs High School Retreats Spring and Fall Youth Retreats are weekend events for youth held at Valle Crucis Conference Center. Spring Conference is for youth in grades 8–12 and Fall Conference is for youth in grades 9–12. The weekend is led by the Youth Council; they choose a theme for each event and then design a program of learning, reflection, and fellowship to be offered at each conference. The retreat program consists of talks, small group discussion related to the theme, singing, dancing, worship, service projects, and games. Middle School Retreat Beginning in the Middle is our retreat for youth in grades 6–8 and traditionally takes place in late September. This retreat is designed to address and respond to spiritual issues, concerns, and needs of middle school aged youth by focusing on topics such as who is Jesus, peer pressure, friendship, parents, and prayer. The weekend is led by high school youth and consists of talks, skits, small group discussion, singing, worship, crafts, and games. Fellowship Events Throughout the course of the year we have several youth events just for fellowship and fun. These events change yearly but, in the past, have included an afternoon at Lake Logan, visits to trampoline parks, skating rinks, and other fellowship opportunities. More Information Go to the Upcoming Events page or click the button below for information on upcoming retreats and events. Or contact our Coordinator for Families, Children and Youth.

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 .

Creationtide 2021 Creationtide, or the Season of Creation, is an informal period in the church, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. During this season, all members of the Diocese of WNC are invited to deepen their connections with creation and celebrate the earth we are privileged to call home. Find resources below to help you get started, or visit our Creation Care page to learn more about how we care for creation year round. Resources from the Diocese of WNC LISTEN: "Chatting Creation Care with the Rev. Anna Shine and Sarah Ogletree" podcast Creation Care Resource Guide from the Diocese of WNC WATCH: The Mary Boyer Garden at St. Luke's, Boone The Creation Care Alliance of WNC Resources from the wider church What is the Season of Creation? - from The Church of England Creationtide Resources, liturgies, and more from the Church of England Season of Creation Resources from the Anglican Communion Learn more about Creation Care Ministries in the Episcopal Church Organizations to know Creation Justice Ministries Project Drawdown The Work that Reconnects Us Network NC Interfaith Power and Light Rural Advancement Foundation GreenFaith Energy Savers Network

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

Maps and Directions Convention Homepage Convention will take place at Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Hickory and St. Alban's Parish, Hickory . Please find campus maps and driving directions below. Click on the map to expand, or print the map for your records. Episcopal Church of the Ascension NOV 12 - Pre-Convention Workshop, Worship Driving directions. Print this map for your records. St. Alban's Episcopal Church NOV 13 - Business of Convention NOV 13 - Business of Convention Driving directions. Print this map for your records.

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. 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 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 Also available: Previous years campaigns (themes and materials) You can also sign up for the TENS e-newsletter Annual Stewardship 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 Everence Mennonite Resources for Stewardship Education Capital Campaigns 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 Planned Giving

Upcoming Events Splash! Pool Party for Youth & Children Sat, Aug 22 Hendersonville Elks Lodge 1616 More info Learn More Becoming Beloved Community Dismantling Racism Workshop Fri, Sep 11 The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany More info Learn More Middle School Fall Retreat Fri, Sep 25 Lake Logan Episcopal Center More info Learn More Feast of Blessed Absalom Jones Celebration Sat, Feb 13 St Matthias' Episcopal Church More info Learn more

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

What does it mean to be an Episcopalian? IT MEANS being a part of the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement. IT MEANS being a part of a community of 2.2 million other Episcopalians in 110 diocese in the Americas and abroad. IT MEANS being a part of the world-wide Anglican Communion since the Episcopal Church has it's roots in the Church of England. IT MEANS loving Jesus and following his teachings by welcoming the stranger and the outcast, offering love and forgiveness to all. IT MEANS gathering around the Lord's table as a symbol of our unity. IT MEANS promising to love our neighbors as ourselves, and uphold the dignity of every human being – no exceptions. IT MEANS celebrating a diversity of people and worship styles even as we all practice a similar form of worship set out in the Book of Common Prayer. IT MEANS striving to be a faith community that both respects our religious tradition while also embracing a profound sense of awe and wonder in the mystery of God. IT MEANS practicing "via media" – or the middle way – in all that we do because we believe that, regardless of our views on particular topics, everyone is beloved by God, and Jesus calls us to always demonstrate respect and care in our deliberations. IT MEANS believing the Holy Scriptures are the revealed word of God, who inspired the human authors of the Scripture, and which is interpreted by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. IT MEANS participating in a unique structure of community. In the Episcopal Church, the ministers are all the baptized people of God, not just the ordained clergy. The word “episcopal” is an old Greek word for bishop. Bishops, along with other elected leaders, oversee the Church in particular geographic areas, known as dioceses. Each bishop and those elected leaders in the diocese, operating through a local annual convention, determine the character of life and work in that diocese within a set of general decisions made by a triennial General Convention of The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina welcomes you! Resources for Newcomers Find a Church in WNC

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 www.episcopalredeemerasheville.com (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

Celebrating our Centennial We honor and remember our stories of things done and left undone as we envision and build for our next 100 years through our mission to proclaim the life-giving and liberating love of Jesus and serve all God's people. In 2022 the Diocese of Western North Carolina celebrated 100 years as an established diocese. As part of this celebration, we shared the stories of the diocese and discerned new opportunities to grow as a diocesan community. Centennial Resources and Reflections Scenes from Convention 2022 and Revival View photos and videos from our Centennial Celebration Weekend and Centennial Convention with special guest Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Introducing our New Diocesan Seal In honor of our Centennial Year, we are updating our Diocesan Seal to better reflect our continued journey towards Becoming Beloved Community and who we are as a diocese. Who We Are, Where We've Been, Where We're Going Watch this short documentary about the past, present, and future of The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina as we celebrate 100 years and anticipate the next 100. Learn more about our Core Values, Identity, and Mission As we celebrate our Centennial, we also reflect on what we hope to achieve moving forward as a diocese. Learn more about our Core Values, Diocesan Identity, and Mission for the Centennial year and beyond. Explore our "Unlearning Library" Find resources intended to help "unlearn" inherent biases. With a focus on voices of color, this library is intended to help us reflect on the ways we can continue to build beloved community as we approach the next 100 years. See Pictures from our Deanery Dinners Members of each deanery were invited to a dinner celebration with Bishop José to discuss the past and future of this diocese and join in community together throughout May and June 2022.

LGBTQ+ In 1976, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church declared that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church" (1976-A069). Since then, faithful Episcopalians have been working toward a greater understanding and radical inclusion of all of God’s children. Indeed, the Diocese of Western North Carolina is committed to the leadership, ministry, equality and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning Episcopalians and their families. Below are resources for you to connect with welcoming congregations and advocate for LGBTQ persons in our communities. Project Embodied Welcome - Offers resources for churches who would like to be more inclusive. TransEpiscopal - An organization working for the full inclusion of transgender people in the church. Whosoever - An online magazine for queer Christians. Gladness of Heart - an Episcopalian match-making service that is inclusive and affirming of queer and trans people Pride Mass Gaychurch .org - A way to find queer-affirming churches. Q Christian Fellowship is a non-denomination network to advocate, educate and support churches on actively welcoming and including LGBTQ persons in their faith community. Queer Theology Believe Outloud Resources for Faith Leaders & Families

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)