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Thank you to all those who are supporting the
Mission Fund
through the mailing that went out last week
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Bishop Taylor
* Commission on Ministry meeting
* Standing Committee meeting
* Clergy Ember Day
* Leading Advent Retreat at Lake Logan
* Sunday, visiting St. John's, Sylva
Alice Keenan
* Bishop's Retreat
* 2014 Calendar
* Clergy Ember Day
Missioner Osondu McPeters
* Recovering from Achilles Surgery
* Planning for Radix
* Spiritual Advisor Meeting
* Printing 2014 Youth, College & Young Adult Ministries Calendar of Events Poster
* Commission on Youth Ministries Meeting
* Youth Leader Team Builder
* Young Adult Tacky Sweater Christmas Party
Sue Schwein
* Sending out Imputed Income figures to parishes
* November reconciliations
* Pulling together information for Lake Logan board meeting
Lisa Rettew
* Preparing for Commission on Ministry & Standing Committee meetings
* Scheduling Bishop's calendar
* Bishop's correspondence
The Rev. Canon Jim Pritchett
* Mon.-Tues.: Attending a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Transition Ministry Conference in Richmond
* Ember Day at St. James, Black Mountain
* Congregational Vitality meeting
* Advancing several parishes in transition
* Revising Architectural Commission documents
* Physical therapy
Chris Goldman
* The City -- new invitations and group structure
* Website maintenance & updates
J. Clarkson
* Updating the Diocesan database, acknowledging gifts to the Mission Fund, and meeting with my colleagues from Lake Logan
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Fill Out Your Parish Officers Information
We need your parish contacts in order to keep you informed. The online form has been streamlined this year to make the process easier.
Complete the Parish Officers Report Now
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Bishop's Visitation Schedule |
Diocesan Prayer Cycle
Click here to download the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for 2013-2014.
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Diocesan Training Requirements
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Vestries: Are you up to date on the Diocesan training requirements? Click here to see what is required. If anyone needs to do the Safeguarding God's Children or the Sexual Exploitation Training, please contact Alice Keenan and she can set you up to do this online.
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Applications for Lay Licensing
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The Application for Licensed Lay Ministry and the Application for Renewal of Lay Licensed Ministry have been updated and are available online:
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Manuals for the Discernment of the Call of a New Rector
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The Manuals (Vol. I & II) for the Discernment of the Call of a New Rector have been updated. Changes reflect, among other things, new information required by the Office of Transition Ministries and a slightly streamlined version of the Holy Conversation. Thanks to Jim Banks for his careful proofing.
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Clergy Compensation & Health Insurance Information
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La Misa En Espanol
As part of the diocese's efforts to reach our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters, St. Mary's, Asheville is offering a Spanish mass and sacraments each Sunday at 6 p.m. The Rev. Brent Norris, rector of St. Mary's, and the Rev. Hilario Cisneros, Missioner for Spanish Speaking Ministries for the diocese, held the first mass in Spanish (la misa en Espanol) on October 6.
"It's part of the vision of the diocese to spread the Gospel to Latinos," says Father Cisneros.
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FISCAL MINISTRIES APPROVES SMALL PARISH AUDIT GUIDELINES
For parishes with an ASA of 70 or less, the Small Parish Audit Guidelines may now be used for committee audits as opposed to the more lengthy Diocesan Audit Guidelines. These were established to simplify the process for smaller parishes that don't have investments, debts and more complicated accounting procedures.
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Stewardship
TENS Flourish in Faith Stewardship Narrative Series is now available.
To access the series go to the members only section of the website:
To access the material, please use the following:
Username: generous
Password: giving
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THE BISHOP'S WEEKLY REFLECTION
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 Yesterday tens of thousands of people gathered in South Africa to honor Nelson Mandela. They sat and stood in the pouring rain to give thanks for this man's example of traits that are in short supply in our world: perseverance, generosity, and hope. Mandela was arrested, convicted and sent to Robben Island, a prison seven miles off Cape Town, when he was 44 years old. His days were spent working in a limestone quarry, "where the fine dust stirred up by their labors glued their tear ducts shut" (NY Times,12/10/13). He was not allowed to go his mother's funeral nor that of his oldest son. In prison, he became a negotiator with the white government officials. In 1990, at the age of 71, Nelson Mandela walked out of prison. Mandela negotiated with Mr. F.W. de Klerk, the nation's president, for an end to white rule even though he suspected Mr. de Klerk of complicity in many murders. They were able to agree on a path to free elections by guaranteeing a share of power for the opposition party and that there would be no reprisals for behavior under white rule. We need to learn much from Nelson Mandela. First, we need goals worthy of sacrifice, and the perseverance to work until those goals come to pass. Because our lives are short and life is chaotic, we need a trajectory that is our compass to the North Star. Perhaps this isn't rewriting a country's constitution, but could it be a dream for the betterment of our city or our Church or our circle of connections? Can we name this goal and persevere in working towards it over the long haul? Second, generosity. Nelson Mandela worked with people who had harmed him. He had to for his goals to be achieved, but he also knew that he would be less of a person if he did not. We live in an atmosphere of division and distrust: a world where I define myself against you. It's as if we are infected by the talking heads on television that can tell us everything that's wrong but nothing that's right. Our calling is to follow Jesus who reached out his hands to the world even on the cross. Our world needs examples of generosity and if we as Christians don't provide it, who will? And then hope. I hear so much talk about the dying Church. Yes, we need to be realistic and think about the cultural shifts. Yes, we need to change structures and insure that mission is our compass. But we must not lose heart. If Nelson Mandela did not lose heart after 27 years of prison, surely we can withstand a cultural shift with hope and vision and enthusiasm. Something new was born in South Africa and something new is being born here. Perseverance, generosity, hope. Let's put them on our Christmas list. If we receive them and embrace them, it would indeed be "good tidings for all people." +Porter
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DIOCESAN NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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TEACH US TO PRAY -- AN ADVENT RETREAT
Part II of the Bishop's Teaching Series
- December 13-14
- Lake Logan Episcopal Center
In the prayer of the heart we seek first of all the deepest ground of our identity in God. We seek...to gain a...personal experience of the deepest truths of life and faith, finding ourselves in God's truth.
--Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer
Our Advent prayer is "Come Lord Jesus." What we seek is not a present or a holiday experience. We seek the Savior of the world who will make us and this world new. This retreat is to immerse ourselves in prayer and inform ourselves of ways we might go deeper in prayer. Activities will include prayer services, presentations, workshops and times of contemplative prayer. Bishop Taylor will lead these activities and will officiate at services on the feast days of St. Lucy (12/13) and St. John of the Cross (12/14).
Pricing Information:
$86.50 - Double for one night
$107.00 - Single for one night
$30 - Commuter rate for meals
Join Bishop Taylor, the Rev. David Keller and Emily Wilmer as they lead us into this Advent time of prayerful waiting, listening and expectation. Bishop Taylor will host and contribute to our activites with presentation and share in leading us in various experiences of corporate prayer.
 David Keller is adjunct professor of spirituality in the Center for Christian Spirituality at General Theological Seminary in New York. He is a co-founder of St. Macarius Contemplative Community in Asheville, NC. David is the author of Come and See: The Transformation of Personal Prayer (Morehouse Publishing, 2009) and two books on the desert mothers and fathers.  Emily Wilmer has twenty years of experience providing spiritual direction to individuals seeking spiritual growth and discernment in their lives. She completed the two year course in individual spiritual direction at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC. Emily is co-director with David Keller of Oasis of Wisdom, An Institute for Contemplative Studies, Living and Practice in Asheville, NC and co-founder of St. Macarius Contemplative Community.
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Dear People of the Diocese of WNC
 I would just like to say thank you for the wonderfulreception I have had as I have worked in the Diocese this last 4 ½ years as the Canon for Small Church Ministries. I have met many truly remarkable people doing great work in the name of Jesus. I have been privileged to work with our Bishop Porter and the Diocesan Staff who have so caringly helped me do the work I was asked to do. I have been truly blessed.
I leave this position full of appreciation and joy and the numbers of friends I have found here in WNC.
God Bless.
Canon Jeff Batkin
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IMPUTED INCOME Figures are in
Imputed income figures have been received at the diocese from CPG. Letters with the figures were mailed out to those that this affects to parishes affected on Wednesday the 11th.
Please call Sue Schwein at the diocesan office at (828) 225-6656 or email her with any questions.
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Support Our Companion Diocese: Purchase Christmas Cards Designed by the Children of Durgapur
 It has been a tradition that children from one of the six child de velopment centers operated by our companion diocese, the Diocese of Durgapur, are given the opportunity to design a Christmas card. At the Summer Camp 2013 four designs were ultimately selected for this year's Christmas Card package.
Each package contains four (4) cards, and each card is a different design. The cost per package is $5.00. All of the funds for the sale of these cards will be sent to the Diocese of Durgapur and be used to assist them in their child development programs.
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Help Make Christmas a Special Occasion at Church of the Advocate
Last year we served more than 250 men, women, and chil  dren. Chaos and wonder were the order of the day, the Incarnate Christ was present and celebrated, and all were blessed.
This year, we are planning an even better party. We bought thermals during the summer, so are off to a great start!
Everyone will receive a gift bag with basic essentials, and then, through a lottery system, they will take turns going into "St. Nicholas' Gift Shop" to pick out a gift. Once everyone has had a chance to choose a gift, all will be able to return to select additional items. This way, folks will be able to choose what they most want and need from the items we receive from you.
Items needed:
men's/women's clothes, coats, sweaters * hoodies, shoes * boots, athletic shoes, tents * sleeping bags, blankets, children's gifts, children's clothes, toiletries, flashlights * batteries (these are suggestions, please surprise us!)
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La Capilla Receives Donations
 On Tuesday, December 3rd , the WNC-ECW board met at Calvary-Fletcher. During the meeting Diane Mance presented Ruth and Fr. Hilario Cisneros with a check for $1,300 for the All Saints Memorial Day Offering funds that have been contributed so far, as well as a check for $200. The funds are going towards La Capilla de Santa Maria's Hispanic Ministry Program, as La Capilla is this year's recipient of the ASDMO grant.
The ASDMO funds are still being collected until end of December. If you would like to contribute to help with this year's project, please mail your contribution to:
Diane Mance, ECW Treasurer
105 Poppy Lane
Asheville NC 28803
The funds go to help La Capilla with the following: bring The Bishop Folwell House out of disrepair. The House needs 8 new therma-pane windows ($130 each). The Parish house needs a new stove ($600) and the Chapel needs heating and air conditioning system update and repair ($3500). Total funds needed are $5,140. Thank you for your help.
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Resources for Advent
The Society of Saint John the Evangelist is offering resources for Advent.
They also offer seven short videos intended to assist with Christian Formation in which the SSJE Brothers teach about the ancient, ever new "O Antiphons": O Wisdom; O Lord; O Root of Jesse; O Key of David; O Dayspring; O Ruler of the Nations; O Emmanuel.
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Prayer Cycle for 2013-2014
The prayer cycle has been updated on our website. Click here to download the cycle for 2013-2014.
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ECF Fellowship Applications Now Open
The application process for the 2014 Fellowship is now open. Please get the word out by forwarding this email to an emerging scholar or ministry leader who you believe would benefit from ECF's support.
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Communications Toolkit
The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs offers a Toolkit to enable you to prepare your messages not only for your diocese or congregation, but your regional area, your ecumenical partners, and beyond.
There are many opportunities in February for communications on our mission and ministry to share in your diocese and beyond, including human trafficking day and Black History Month. Working in advance, topics for February have been posted on The Toolkit, located on the Public Affairs pages of the Episcopal Church website. Items are presented to provide ample lead time for your communications initiatives. |
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Deadline nears for survey about the new resources for blessing same-sex relationships
The Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) has issued a reminder to submit feedback through a survey about the new resources for blessing same-sex relationships.
The survey is located here.
In 2012, the General Convention passed Resolution A049 commending "Liturgical Resources 1: I Will Bless You and You Will Be A Blessing" for study and use in congregation and dioceses, and approved the liturgical resource "The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant" for provisional use.
SCLM reports that, since about 50 days ago, 339 people have taken the survey in English and three people in Spanish. Of those, 67% were clergy, 33% were lay.
The survey will remain open through December 31.
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FINANCE UPDATE
2014 Diocesan pledge letters were sent out the week of September 9 to every parish. Please make sure you check your mail and have it. A pledge commitment form is available in Word and PDF formats. Please complete it and return to Sue Schwein in the diocesan office.
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DURGAPUR SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
The Diocese of Durgapur Child Sponsorship Program is offering a new program for giving this Christmas.
Those of you who sponsor children in the program have an opportunity to make contributions in the amount of $15 that will be used to help provide a good Christmas for the children of Durgapur, India.
As with all donations to this program, please send your check to The Diocese of WNC, 900B CentrePark Drive, Asheville, NC 28805. Be sure to note on the memo line of your check "Durgapur Child Sponsorship Christmas Fund".
For further information you may contact Shawnee Irwin at (828) 877-3966 or sbirwin@aol.com.
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Holy Waiting: An Evening with Bishop Porter Taylor
- December 18
- St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Gastonia
- 6pm: Dinner; 6:30-8: Program
- Childcare and activities available
- Sponsored by the Center for Spiritual Resources
 I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hopeFor hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love
For love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith
But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting.
Wait without thought, for you are not ready for thought:
So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.
--T.S. Eliot, The Four Quartets
Advent is the season we practice the Spirituality of Subtraction and not Addition. It's a time to let go of our list and wait and watch for what God is doing and will do to make this world and all God's children new.
This evening with the Bishop will be a time to explore how we as frantic, busy, purposeful people can embrace this new perspective of hopeful expectation. In a consumer culture, how can we be more prayerful so that we might experience a holy Advent? In our hearts we know that what we are waiting for is not Santa, nor is it any present under the tree. We are waiting for the Savior of the world.
That true waiting is a holy discipline that we as Christians can learn to embrace.
All are invited to this evening as we explore how we might begin to do that.
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Wardens & Treasurers Day
- Saturday, February 1, 2014
- Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville
- 60 Church Street
- Registration: 9 a.m.
- Program: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Diocese hosts the Wardens/Treasurers workshop once a year so we can discuss best practices for wardens and vestries. This is a time to learn how you can operate better and to share ideas.
REGISTER NOW
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RETREAT WITH PRESIDING BISHOP
The Diocese of WNC is blessed to have The Most Reverend Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, lead a retreat at Lake Logan Episcopal Retreat Center April 6-8, 2014.
SAVE THE DATE NOW and click here for more information.
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Clergy Ember Day
- December 12, 9:30 a.m.
- Saint James Episcopal Church, Black Mountain
Registration opens at 9:30 a.m.; program is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Engaging Social Justice in our Faith Communities; how do we live in our roles of Prophet, Pastor, Priest, and Deacon? Share how we each are experiencing this in our own congregations -- tensions, struggles, opportunities, learnings.
To register for this please email Alice Keenan at akeenan@diocesewnc.org
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Diocese Weekly Newsletter Deadline
The deadline for submitting news items for the Reflection & Diocesan News edition is every Monday at noon. Send news and photos to Chris Goldman at cgoldman@diocesewnc.org.
CONTACT
Chris Goldman
Diocese of Western North Carolina
404-697-4191
cgoldman@diocesewnc.org
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Youth, College & Young Adult Ministries
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For more information about youth ministries, please visit the diocesan youth ministry website here.
For more information about college & young adult ministries please visit the diocesan young adult website here.
Please contact Osondu McPeters, Missioner for Youth, College & Young Adult Ministries at youth@diocesewnc.org for any questions about these ministries.
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Center for Spiritual Resources
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Daily Practices for God's People is far more than a book; it is an interactive tool for living our Christian virtues, day by day. For use by groups and individuals, each chapter guides readers to a fuller understanding and practice of one of the virtues. Each may be studied on its own, or in any order with others. Click here for more information.
For more information on CSR click here.
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Valle Crucis Conference Center
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Secluded in an area of spectacular beauty, the Valle Crucis Conference Center overlooks a peaceful, rural valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We offer our ministry of hospitality to a diverse range of church and non-profit groups from around the Southeast. Click here for more information. |
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Lake Logan Episcopal Center
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Lake Logan is home to Camp Henry and a 300-acre retreat in North Carolina's Blue Ridge mountains. Groups of all sizes enjoy comfortable lodging, delicious dining, recreation and hiking, and the serene, pristine beauty of God's bountiful creation.
For information on Lake Logan please go to www.lakelogan.org.
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Camp Henry is a safe, fun, and spiritually uplifting program set in one of the most beautiful and magical settings in Western North Carolina. A Licensed Medical Professional is present to meet the medical needs of campers each week. Episcopal Clergy from across the region design and lead the program and prayers and serve as spiritual directors to both campers and staff. For more information, visit the website. Camp Henry Registration Opens October 15 Visit the website for more information
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