Members & Friends of Holy Cross Photo Wall Update

In anticipation of Father Jonathan Chesney’s arrival on June 1, we will be updating the members and friends of Holy Cross, posted in Skiles Hall and in the Church Directory. Stacey Bulmer has volunteered to help out with this project, and she will be using her skills as a professional photographer to make everyone look their best! If you want your photo to be updated, please come by the Church Office after either of the Sunday services through Sunday, May 17 and let Ahren or Stacey know! This will help our new Rector learn the names and faces of the folks he is coming to the High Country to serve!

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Meal Train for Marilyn Welch
As I have been visiting our parish member, Marilyn Welch, with weekly communion, she has experienced a decline in her health. Last week she had a stay in the hospital and is now home with around the clock Hospice Care.  While her mind is engaged and hopeful, her body is not cooperating! I offered to start a Mealtrain at Holy Cross to help with meal preparation, and after discussing with her caretakers and family, she agreed to allow me to ask for help on Sunday and Thursday. Other friends and family will cover other days. The Hospice worker has agreed to heat anything that needs it and will share the meal with Marilyn. But please use disposable, reusable containers. I will pick them up as they accumulate and they will be available for you to pick up and reuse in the kitchen in Skiles Hall. If you are able to help, please click this link and sign up to deliver some love and support to Marilyn. Marilyn has been a member of Holy Cross for over 50 years! She lives in the red house, in the curve, just down the road from the church on Highway 194 and they use the back door. She loves visitors and seeing her church friends. If you cannot provide an occasional meal or visit, please consider sending cards of encouragement. If you have ever gotten a birthday card from Holy Cross, it came from Marilyn. That has been her ministry to all of us for years.  The link is below and the sign up is easy. Mary Pietan will be coordinating the list from her winter home in Florida until she returns to us this Spring. Many thanks, for the gift of your time, Mary! Thanks to all of you for your love and support of Marilyn.
Peace, Kim Gauss

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Thanks from ECW!

Thank you for contributing to our “March for Diapers”! We collected over 1200 baby/children’s diapers, 570 wipes, and 216 adult diapers. We will be donating these to The Hunger and Health Coalition and the Watauga County Children’s Council.

Thank you also, from the bottom of our hearts, to all who helped set up, decorate, cook, clean up, and make Easter treat bags for the kids. You made this year’s Easter a joyous community celebration!

Our next ECW meeting is Sunday, April 12 after the 11:00 service in Skiles Hall. Hope you can join us!

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Will you help with this year’s Valle Country Fair?

We are searching for someone to lead hanging roadside banners for the Fair. Can you help? This role does not take much time and requires some physical activity. Two to three volunteers can make easy work of it. This role involves putting up banners and signs along roadways 3-4 weeks before the Fair then taking them down the Sunday after the Fair. This job takes 3-4 hours at the most and goes faster with more people. This work is somewhat physical but requires no heavy lifting. Bob Gates has all the information on exactly where the signs go, and the Gates will train you. Easy peasy. Please contact Tracey Heiss or Julie Gates by emailing them at vcf.chairs@gmail.com or by calling directly. Thank you for your consideration!

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TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026
Men’s Night Out in Sugar Grove

The dynamic duo -- and Valle Crucis neighbors -- of Paul Bernhardy and Jim Reed are co-hosting our next Men’s Night Out gathering from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21 at the Bernhardy/Owens home (thank you, Susan!) located at 646 Valle Meadows Trail in Sugar Grove, NC 28679. While there is room for parking, carpooling is always encouraged.

The menu includes chicken tetrazzini with appropriate side dishes, a green salad, and homemade brownies for dessert at a suggested contribution of $10 per person. So that our hosts may provide enough food for everyone in attendance (ahem... don’t arrive late, gentlemen), please RSVP by 5:30 p.m on Sunday, April 19 to KeithTMartin@gmail.com and kindly let us know of any food allergies or preferences. As always, remember to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy... and share.

MNO is a monthly opportunity for brethren from within our parishes and throughout our community to enjoy an evening of fellowship together. Remember to bring your beverage of choice, but PLEASE RSVP by the due date. If you do not drive at night, need a ride to and/or from MNO, or are without reliable transportation for whatever reason, please let us know. We have participants from all over the High Country who would welcome your company and be happy to pick you up and deliver you safely home. Come join us!