Staff Transition

As announced previously, this Sunday is Director of Music Shane Watson's last Sunday at the 11 a.m. service with us before he moves west for a new job. Please wish him well and give him our hearty thanks for his time with us and prayers for his transition. 

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Sunday School on Break

Children’s Sunday School is on hiatus at the 11:00 service for the summer to provide our wonderful teachers with a needed break. As always, children are most welcome and encouraged to participate in all services at Holy Cross and at St. John’s.

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Upcoming Bishop's Visitation and Opportunity for Confirmation

Bishop Rob Skirving will be making a joint visit for our parish and St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock, on Saturday, September 12th. This will be an opportunity for anyone who feels called and is eligible to receive the sacramental rite of Confirmation, as well as to be received into the Episcopal Church or reaffirm one's Confirmation vows. Please reach out to Fr. Jonathan if you have any interest or questions and he'll consider whether a Confirmation Class series is timely.

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Coffee Hour

Coffee hour is our weekly opportunity for people in our parish and our community to enjoy fellowship together. But, we need your help! Choose a Sunday and plan to provide simple treats. Coffee, iced tea and juice will be provided as well as sugar-free and gluten-free crackers and cookies. All you need to bring are simple treats. Some suggestions are mini muffins, cheese and crackers, fruit such as grapes, or a veggie tray. Your choice!  

ECW will be hosting a more substantial social hour the first Sunday of every month. Please look at your calendars for any of the other Sundays through October 18. To sign up or for more information, please call Mary Watson.

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Summer Food Ministry: Our Families Need Us

This summer, we are once again partnering with the Valle Crucis United Methodist Church to provide food assistance to families in our community. The need is greater than ever.

Last summer, we served 6 families. This year, we have 11 families in need — nearly double from last year. With rising grocery and gas prices, many families are struggling to provide enough food during the summer months when children no longer have access to school meals.

Every two weeks, an email will be sent with a link to an online sign-up sheet for requested food items. Because we are serving 11 families this summer, our list of requested items is significantly larger. We will provide 4 food deliveries throughout the summer and appreciate your support in helping us meet these growing needs.

If you sign up for an item, please honor that commitment. Our distributions are planned based on promised donations, and when items are not brought, families may go without food they desperately need. Food items will be collected on shelves set up in Skiles Hall.

Thank you for helping us be the hands and feet of Christ by caring for our neighbors during this critical time.

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Bishop’s Purse & Hermitage Giving Challenge

Bishop José has invited contributions to match his pledge of $150,000 to construct two or more new hermitages at the Valle Crucis Conference Center. Your donations will help make the new Hermitages a reality AND support the existing ministry of retreat! Please follow this link to give to the Hermitage Challenge: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/bishops-hermitage-challenge

Additionally, members of the diocese are invited to contribute to a gift of appreciation and farewell in the form of a purse to be given to Bishop José upon his departure. If you would like to contribute, please send a check to the Diocesan office with "Bishop Purse" in the memo or give online through this link: https://onrealm.org/diocesewnc/-/form/give/Purse)

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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026
MNO Participants Become R.O.M.E.O.S.

For the first time in our ten year history, MNO will be hosted by our Jewish brethren at the Temple of the High Country in Boone. They call themselves the "R.O.M.E.O.S." (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and our primary hosts Howard Brafman and Kurt Love look forward to welcoming us from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21 at 1043 West King Street. The meal will be catered by Chef Pauly from Boca Bistro at a cost of $12 per person. As always, bring your favorite beverage to enjoy and share, and carpooling is strongly encouraged with overflow parking across Poplar Grove Connector at the N.C. Cooperative Extension ("Ag Center").

MNO is a monthly opportunity for men from within our parishes and in our community to enjoy having an evening of fellowship together. We're very flexible and inclusive, so feel free to bring a friend... or three! To let our gracious hosts know how many will be in attendance, please RSVP by noon on Sunday, July 19 via email to Keith Martin.

If you do not drive at night, need a ride to and/or from MNO, or are without reliable transportation for whatever reason, simply 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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SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2026
Bishop José’s Farewell Party
Christ School, Arden – 12:30-3:30 pm

The Diocese of Western North Carolina is hosting a farewell parting for our departing Bishop, José McLoughlin, on Saturday, August 1 at Christ School, Arden. All are encouraged and welcome to join a joyful and fun-filled celebration of Bishop José’s faithful service in our Diocese over this past decade. Dress is casual and lunch will be provided. To RSVP, please follow this link: https://form.jotform.com/260744600943153. A carpool to/from Christ School will be put together as needed. Please contact the Church office or Keith Martin regarding the carpool.

For further updates directly from the Diocesan office, please register for the newsletter by following this link: https://www.diocesewnc.org/newsletter.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026
Deanery Community Resilience & Preparedness Day
St. Luke’s, Boone – 3:00-6:00 pm

All are welcome to join this workshop hosted by the Diocesan Disaster Response & Recovery Team to explore community resilience and disaster preparedness together as we explore: disaster phases, community risk mapping, the dimensions of resilience, asset-mapping, and concrete action planning. Please let Fr. Jonathan know if you’re interested in attending, and he will forward the RSVP form.