Parish News

Welcome & Worship Information

Welcome! 

Holy Cross is an Episcopal Church and Member of the Diocese of
Western North Carolina
(828) 963-4609

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COVID-19 Precautions Update
While not required at services or gatherings,
MASKS continue to be RECOMMENDED for ALL attendees.
For the protection of others,
UNVACCINATED ATTENDEES ARE URGED TO WEAR MASKS.

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Sunday Morning Worship Services:  
THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS
Autumn & Winter Schedule

Sunday of Labor Day weekend through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend

• 8:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II at Holy Cross - this is a quiet service with no music 
• 9:30 a.m. - Fellowship time in Skiles Hall
• 11:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, at Holy Cross with music and hymnody - This service is Live-Streamed via our YouTube Channel
• 12:00 p.m. - Fellowship time in Skiles Hall

The 11:00 a.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.

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Healing & Eucharist Services take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings at Holy Cross.

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Weekday 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: 894 5800 3478)

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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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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:

To read recent sermons, visit the Sermons page.
The current Prayer List  is  here.
The Latest Sunday Worship Leaflet is here. 
The Current Holy Cross Newsletter is here.

This Sunday

News & Happenings

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed

Coffee Hour is an important time of not only fellowship, but also a time to get to know our visitors and newcomers. This time after each worship is most successful when we have a little more than just coffee to serve. People tend to stay longer and interact more when there is food.

Hosting Coffee Hour means providing light refreshments and a non-coffee beverage. Teams of two volunteers work best. The sign-up sheet can be found on the kitchen serving window ledge in Skiles Hall. Please consider hosting after the upcoming services !

Men's Night Out

Please note that Men's Night Out is taking three months off during the winter season, but will resume gatherings in March 2023. However, if you are interested in hosting one of our gatherings this year, please send an email to KeithTMartin@gmail.com.

Coffee's On

Coffee’s On by Zoom takes place on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Click to here  to join Coffee's On.

Meeting ID: 878 3876 2772

The Salvation Army Personal Need Pantry Drive

The Salvation Army in Avery, Ashe and Watauga Counties is collecting donations for personal needs and hygiene products! Can you help by providing any of the following items?

Most used items include: Dish detergent, feminine hygiene pads, hand soap, laundry pods, men's & women's deodorant, men's & women's disposable razors, paper towels, shampoo, toilet paper and incontinence pads.

Other commonly used items include: Toothpaste, dental floss, body wash, shaving cream, band-aids, sunscreen, tissues, hand sanitizer, household cleaner and dishwasher pods.

Please note that we will not be accepting drop-offs at the Church - take all donations directly to the Salvation Army at 136 Furman Rd, Boone NC 28607. For any questions, please call (828) 262-1005.

A Simple Gesture Continues

Hospitality House Dinners

Holy Cross parishioners supply Hospitality House with dinners several times a month. This involves teams preparing a dinner for about 100 people.  Each team prepares 1 meal per year for the Hospitality House. Since Covid, some teams have been having the meals catered.  The Valle Crucis Conference Center will cater meals as will F.A.R.M. Cafe and area restaurants. At this time there is a need for more team members for this important mission.  There are funds available, if needed, to help sponsor this service.  If you would like to help, please call Suzie Long at 828-264-0685

Daughters of the King

Daughters of the King (DOK) meets 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!

2022 Valle Country Fair

The 2022 Valle Country Fair took place on Saturday, October 15. The Mission & Outreach Commission at Holy Cross Episcopal Church determines, with the Vestry's approval, the outlay of the proceeds from the Valle Country Fair. Abou two-thirds of Fair proceeds are used for emergency calls to the church for such things as rent, utilities, car repairs, medical expenses, etc. The remaining funds go to local non-profit organizations who apply for our grants.

The 2022 grant amount, based upon proceeds from the Fair, was $25,000 and was awarded to the following recipients: 

Children's Council of Watauga County - Builds strong foundations for children's learning and development by strengthening familieis, the early childhood system, and the wider community.

Girls on the Run - Inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experienced-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

High Country Caregivers - Multi-pronged programs include community education, financial support for health-conscious youth activities and counselling support. They serve grandparents raising their grandchildren in Avery and Watauga Counties. 

LIFE House - Strives to meet the ongoing residential needs of adults with autism and related challenges, as well as serving as a community resource for people of different abilities and their families. They provide diverse social and recreational programming, including summer programs, life skills and vocational training, adaptive sports, support groups, and workshops. 

Mediation and Restorative Justice Center - Strives to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by unresolved conflict, litigation, and incarceration by providing meditation, alternative sentencing and other restorative processes that increase the respect, peace, productivity, and safety in the communities served.

Mountain Alliance - Provides transformative experiences and support so that all High Country Teens have the opportunity to lead an empowered, adventurous and service-oriented life, regardless of means or background.

Reaching Avery Ministry - An ecumenical ministry devoted to helping low-income people in Avery County to improve their lives. They provide assistance with food, clothing, prescriptions, fuel, household necessities, emergency shelter and other needs as they relate to a person's ability to meet their basic needs, to be gainfully employed, or care for their family. 

Spirit Ride - Provides children with a wide array of diagnoses the opportunity to learn, grow, and strive to become their ideal selves through equine-related therapeutic and educational activities.

The Jason Project - Strives to provide healthy and rigorous outdoor excursions and challenges where at-risk youth can be encouraged and inspired to rise above their adversities and ecell mentally, spiritually, and in life.

Watauga Co. Schools Extended Learning Centers - Strives to promote the academic mission of Watauga County Schools while providing the working parents of our community a sanctuary of safety as well as intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being for their children.