Parish News
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Welcome!
Holy Cross is an Episcopal Church and Member
of the Diocese of Western North Carolina
(828) 963-4609
This Sunday, June 15, 2025 - The First Sunday of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday
9:00am, St. John's - Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Hymnody
We thank those who will serve:
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- Greeters/Oblationers: Jono & Kai Rabley
- Ushers: Jono & Kai Rabley
- Lector: Judy Bondi
- Prayers of the People: Judy Bondi
- Chalice: Sis Kinney
- Acolyte: Sis Kinney
- Linen Fairy: Edie Tugman
- Musician: Shane Watson
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10:15am, St. John's Lawn - Fellowship Time
11:00am, Holy Cross Sanctuary - A Service of Morning Prayer and Holy Communion with Music. This service is Live-Streamed via our YouTube Channel .
We thank those who will serve:
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- Greeters/Oblationers: Susan Howard & Randy McDonough
- Ushers: Susan Howard & Randy McDonough
- Lector: Mary Pietan
- Prayers of the People: Mary Pietan
- Chalice: Kim Gauss & Andrea McDonough
- Acolyte: Kim Gauss
- Healing Minister: Ron McInnes
- Linen Fairy: Ann Iles
- Musician: Shane Watson
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12:15pm, Skiles Hall - Fellowship Time
12:30pm, Lower Skiles Hall - Adult Forum on Sexual Ethics (details below)
Next Sunday, June 22, 2025 - The Second Sunday after Pentecost
9:00am, St. John's - Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Hymnody
10:15am, St. John's Lawn - Fellowship Time
11:00am, Holy Cross Sanctuary - A Service of Morning Prayer and Holy Communion with Music. This service is Live-Streamed via our YouTube Channel .
12:15pm, Skiles Hall - Fellowship Time
12:45pm, VCCC Dining Hall - Lunch & Parish Forum
News & Happenings
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Centennial Celebration Dinner
Please join us to celebrate one hundred years with our sanctuary. This drop in style festival includes food in the style of the Mission Kitchen in 1925, live music, great fellowship, and dancing. Click here to RSVP for the dinner on July 19 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.!
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2025 Summer Food Ministry Program
The Church of the Holy Cross will partner again with Valle Crucis United Methodist Church in support of the 2025 Summer Food Ministry Program. Our combined efforts will supply meals for seven families over the summer, with 5 scheduled delivery dates. We will use the same volunteer sign-up link to make donations organized and user-friendly for the parish. Supporting our summer food ministry is more crucial than ever as our community continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. It’s about more than just providing grocery items — it’s about restoring dignity, building resilience, and strengthening the bonds that hold our community together. Please check your email for future dates and details, including the first sign-up link to be sent Monday, June 9th!
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Women Writers Workshop
Join master author Katerina Whitley as we explore ways to express ourselves in writing. This is a full two-day retreat, Thursday, June 12 - Saturday, June 14, with options for commuter and one-day pricing. The program will be held at the VCCC in Crab Orchard Hall, with lodging in the Mission House. Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it's much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, and bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome, for one or more workshops.
A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of eight books and hundreds of articles, including a stunning new memoir, Myth and Memory: My Childhood in WWII Greece. Please contact the Valle Crucis Conference Center to register for this workshop, or click here to register.
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Adult Forum on Sexual Ethics
Rev. Robert will host a discussion about a faithful and biblical framing of ethics in general and sexual ethics in specific. This forum is not a place to take sides on a contentious issue but to hear about how the Church has approached this topic so to inform the directions on ordination, sacraments, and marriage. We will meet Sunday, June 15 at 12:30pm in Lower Skiles.
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Men's Night Out
The dynamic duo -- and Valle Crucis neighbors -- 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, June 17 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 "Mexican Fiesta Feast" includes Paul's famous chicken enchiladas with Jim's legendary jalapeno skillet cornbread and appropriate side dishes 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, June 15 to KeithTMartin@gmail.com and let us know of any food allergies or preferences. As always, remember to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy... and share. Can you say Corona, Dos Equis, and Margaritas? We hope so.
MNO is a monthly opportunity for brethren from within our parishes and throughout our community to enjoy an evening of fellowship together. 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, kindly 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!
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Parish Forum
Faye and John Cooper are providing lunch for our parish forum in the dining room of the VCCC on Sunday, June 22 at 12:30pm. Please join us, we need all voices, and the discussion part of the forum will go no later than 2pm. There will be a discussion led by the interim rector and vestry as well as a presentation about the new rector discernment process.
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Discernment Committee Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Holy Cow survey. We so appreciate your input. The committee and members of the Vestry met with Canon Augusta and Emily Swanson Of Holy Cow for the interpretation of the survey. Now it is time for Holy Conversations with our congregation and community friends. We plan to host 3-4 Holy Conversations at Holy Cross and St. John’s. The first conversation will be held on Sunday, June 29 at 12:30pm at Holy Cross with a second to be held at St. John’s on Sunday July 13 . Additional dates are: Saturday morning, August 2 (time TBD) and Wednesday evening, August 6, (time TBD) . All conversations will begin with a meal to be enjoyed by everyone and then we will break into small groups to discuss 3 or 4 key questions. Canon Augusta will lead our first gathering. Sign up sheets for each of the Holy Conversations will be available after each Sunday service.
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Daughters of the King
Daughters of the King (DOK) meet weekly on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. in Skiles Hall. The group invites any women of the church interested in finding out more about DOK to join them. Click here to learn more about DOK!
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Choir & Handbell Practice
Handbell practice is held on Wednesdays at 5:45pm, followed by Choir Practice at 7:00pm, in Skiles Hall Choir room. Contact Shane Watson at shanewatson1539@gmail.com if you'e interested in joining!
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The 11:00a.m. service from Holy Cross is Live-Streamed via our YouTube Channel .
Click here to view our Live Streamed and previously recorded services.
Click here to view & download this week's worship leaflet.
Click here to view & download this month's Holy Cross Newsletter.
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Online Giving
Online giving is now available - click here or click "Give Online" in the Navigation Bar at the top of the website.
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Weeknight Evening Worship Services offered via Zoom
Compline at 8:00 p.m. every Monday & Thursday - click here to join the Zoom meeting
The "Virtual Waiting Room" opens 15 minutes before each service begins.
(Meeting ID: 823 3185 8185)
Contact Angela Williams or Mary Pietan if you have any issues signing on for Compline
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The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
This Sacrament is offered at any time by appointment.
Please contact the Rector directly at (828) 963-4609 ext. 22
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Further Information & Links:
The current Prayer List is here.
The Latest Sunday Worship Leaflet is here.
The Current Holy Cross Newsletter is here.
Subscribe to keep up to date with Holy Cross News & Happenings!
Holy Cross sends out its e-news email weekly on Thursday afternoons.
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