Holy Cross Handbell Choir

Discover the joy of music and fellowship by joining the Holy Cross Handbell Choir! Whether you're a seasoned musician or a curious beginner, our welcoming community offers a fun, occasionally challenging, and uplifting way to praise God. No prior experience is needed! Just a willing spirit. Come be part of a unique ministry that brings people together and enhances our worship. Join us and let your hands ring out joy!

Contact Emma Pullium via email at pulliumec.holycross@gmail.com for more information.

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Lay Eucharistic Visitors Needed

To all Parishioners who have completed the study to be a Lay Eucharistic Visitor and have not yet been commissioned by Father Jonathan, there will be a follow-up meeting on Sunday, November 22, following the 11:00 service, in the Choir Room.

To all Parishioners who have ever wondered what a Lay Eucharistic Visitor is or thought about visiting our home, nursing home, rehab facility or hospital bound members, please consider joining us after church on November 22.  This is a vital ministry of our church and one much needed and appreciated by our home or facility bound members and their families. Please consider joining the team.

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Dewey’s Bakery Holiday Shop Now Open

Hello Parishioners who have supported SmileOnADG, the Adam Galleher Memorial Fund for many years!

Our Dewey’s Bakery Holiday Shop is now open at Shoppes on the Parkway, Blowing Rock, located in Unit #22, open 7 days a week. Our contact phone is 828-572-9679.

Remember, when you purchase cookies & gifts from our shop, you are supporting Adam’s Memorial Fund at 35% and we thank you for that.

This enables us to continue giving grants and scholarships to our local schools in Watauga, Ashe & Avery. --Debbie & Mike Galleher

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2027 Calendars Available

A limited supply of 2027 Churchman’s Ordo Calendars are available for purchase for $5 in the Parish Office. This calendar offers a full listing of the traditional feasts and devotional days which are frequently celebrated throughout the Anglican Communion.

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November Christian Formation
The Early Church in the First Century

Join acclaimed author and beloved Holy Cross member Katerina Whitley on Sunday mornings in November as she leads our Christian Formation classes on the Early Church and the growth of our faith.

November 8: Beyond Pentecost – Against the Culture of the Empire; St. Paul and his revolutionary letters

November 22: The First Ekklesia – Its dynamic nature, and the threat to the Roman Empire; persecution

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Saturday, November 14, 2026
Birthing Love in a Waiting Time: Soul Tending with Mother Mary

St. Mary of the Hills, Blowing Rock

Join us for a pre-Advent Quiet Day at St. Mary of the Hills in Blowing Rock from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 14 with Mother-to-be Mary as we explore creatively what help, comfort, and wisdom she has to offer today in our life and times. “Divina” reflection (lectio/visio/audio), conversation, prayers, and a closing Eucharist will shape our time together. Lunch is provided. Owene Courtney and the Rev. Torrence Harman will guide the retreat.

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Dedication of 2027 Pledges

On Sunday, November 15, at our one service before the annual meeting, we will dedicate, give thanks for all pledges and gifts set aside for the next year, and ask God's blessing upon the ministry those gifts will make possible. If you haven't made your pledge or gift yet, this is a great Sunday to bring it and drop it in the offering plate! Of course, we'll also be glad to continue to receive them afterwards; this will help your vestry leadership make wise decisions in their stewardship of the parish's resources in the year ahead.

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Sunday, November 15, 2026
Parish Annual Meeting and Lunch

One Service Only at 11:00 am

Come and celebrate the grace of God that has continued to abound through the ongoing mission and ministry of Holy Cross. We will dedicate pledges received thus far during the service, and at the meeting, hear reports from our leadership, and elect 3 new Vestry Members at the meeting. More information on the nominees will be coming soon. Entrée and dessert will be provided, and we ask those attending to bring a side to share.

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Sunday, November 15, 2026
Bishop Search Committee is Coming to St. Luke's

St. Luke's will be hosting an information session for the Bishop Search Committee on Sunday, November 15th at 3:00 p.m. This meeting will be facilitated by Carolyn Burhans and Peter Purcell and will focus on the progress of the search for the new Bishop. Please plan to join us and bring your questions.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2026
MNO to Enjoy Hot Chili on a Chilly Night!

The Men's Night Out (MNO) group will gather for brethren fellowship from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17 in the Party Barn at the home of Joyce and Jim Zellner, located at 3664 Winkler’s Creek Road in Blowing Rock, NC 28605. Parking is available, but carpooling is strongly encouraged. The menu will be chili (your choice of beef, chicken, or vegetarian) with cornbread and an apple cobbler with ice cream for dessert.

As always, bring your favorite beverage to enjoy and share with water, iced tea and lemonade provided. The suggested donation is $10 per person and your RSVP is due no later than 5 p.m on Sunday, November 15 to Keith Martin.

MNO is a monthly opportunity for men from within the parish 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! 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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Friday, November 20, 2026
Valle Glow

Join us Friday, November 20th for a perfect Valle kickoff to the Holiday season with twinkling lights, a holiday market, a visit from Santa, and more!

And if you'd like to join in to make this year's event happen, we're looking for a team willing to assist with planning. Contact vallecruciscommunity@gmail.com to see how you can help!

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Sunday, November 22, 2026
6th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Bake Sale

Do you have family coming in for the holidays but don’t have time to bake? A selection of goodies will be in Skiles Hall after the 11:00 service on Sunday, November 22nd to help you prepare for your Thanksgiving holiday.

Please bring your favorite Thanksgiving desserts to Skiles Hall on Saturday, November 21 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm to be labeled and priced. The proceeds will be used to benefit the children’s ministries of Holy Cross.

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Sunday, November 22, 2026
Cooperative Thanksgiving Service – 7:00 pm

The Watauga Cooperative Thanksgiving Worship Service will be held on Sunday, November 22nd at 7:00 pm at Valle Crucis UMC. As usual, the Offertory for the service will be a bag of canned or boxed food that will be donated to the Western Watauga Food Outreach Program, Health and Hunger Coalition, and the Blessings Bin at Brushy Fork Baptist Church.

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It’s Angel Tree Time!

There are several children at Valle Crucis School and several residents of The Life Care Center in Banner Elk for whom Holy Cross is their only Santa Claus.  We also are helping our Valle Crucis Teachers with gift cards this year as well. Thank you all in advance for your generosity!

Here is the timeline for our 2026 Angel Tree:

• Sign-up for gift(s) donations via this SignUpGenius portal: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084FADAC23A2FB6-holy1  

• The Christmas tree will be in place in Skiles Hall after November 27, 2026.

  • Please bring wrapped and tagged gift(s) to Skiles Hall starting on Sunday, November 29, 2026.

  • All gifts and teacher gift cards need to be delivered to Skiles Hall no later than Sunday, December 13, 2026.

  • For those buying gifts for Life Care Persons please add a few nice toiletries (lotions, creams, body washes, etc.)

Questions? Contact Tracey Heiss by cell or email. THANK YOU so much for your help!

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Friday, December 4, 2026
Dangerous Prayer: How to Seek God and Be Found Along the Pilgrim’s Way

Some prayers are safe. Others change everything. Dangerous Prayer is an invitation into the kind of prayer that costs something - and gives back far more than you bargained for. In this gathering, the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis will take us on a journey to discover the transformative and renewing power of prayer. Be careful - this kind of prayer can change a person’s life.

The retreat starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Valle Crucis Conference Center's Johnson Hall and will conclude by 3:00 p.m. Lunch and small snacks are included in your reservation. Night before and after housing is available. Please contact the Valle Crucis Conference Center to register for this retreat, or follow this link to sign up: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dangerous-prayer-how-to-seek-god-and-be-found-along-the-pilgrims-way

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Sunday, December 6, 2026

A Celebration for Katerina Whitley

Please join us following the 11:00 worship service on Sunday, December 6 for a celebration of Katerina's 90th birthday in Skiles Hall.