Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

We are hoping that work will begin on Mercer Hall this coming week. As we look forward to that, I ask you to join me in gratitude for reaching this point. Those who were here when Hurricane Helene visited us may remember that Mercer Hall was originally damaged by three to four inches of water that rose from the plumbing and drainage as those systems were overwhelmed by the amount of water that the storm delivered. The damage of that flooding was increased by the weeks without electricity that prevented any mitigation from taking place once the water receded.

In the moment, we turned our attention away from our own damage and tuned into what we could do to help our neighbors, near and far, as we all navigated the aftermath of the storm together. That labor and love drew the attention of countless people across this country and our church. Financial support flowed in. Most of those funds were used for continued relief efforts, but some were left over to help us with repairs to our building. Additionally, the Diocese shared some of the funds that they received to contribute to our rebuilding needs, and they made additional funds available as a loan with no interest. The Asheville Preservation Society has also chipped in with a grant to help us get Mercer Hall back to useable condition as well. All that is to say, when work begins next week, it will do so being already paid for by the loving generosity of countless individuals and several organizations who support our ministry and presence here on Charlotte Street.

As the work begins, I hope you will share in my gratitude for all of those who reached out with love in our time of need. Our excitement for this next stage of life for Mercer Hall can be unencumbered from financial concern. Emerging from the events and work related to Helene has risen our desire and calling to further our connection to our neighborhood and surrounding community. This renovation will honor that calling by providing space and furnishings for youth and family ministries, programs, and gatherings. I look forward to seeing our vision come alive.

Yours in Christ,

Robert+

The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 12

Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the Bullock Family by Lester Bullock.

Mass Servers: (8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.) Celebrant – The Rev. Dr. Robert Wetherington, Deacon – The Rev. Anthony Sgro, Ed.D. (11:00 a.m.) Servers – J. Tally, J. Weikel; Lectors – E. Wetherington, A. Maynor; Ushers – the Hathcocks; Hospitality – A. Brasington; Counters – R. Sacrison, A. Maynor (Vestry persons of the day)

Click here for Service Bulletin and July 12 Insert

Adult Forum this week continues with Altar Guild presentation. 

ECW continues to study 10 influential Women of the Bible. Information is in the Ministry Hub office. Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month- next meeting is July 21. 

Click here for June/July 2026 Worship Team Calendar

Click here for weekly lessons: Lectionary readings, Lectionary study resources

Each One Teach One Through Food, Inc. (E1T1)

With the Summer underway, Chef Kiko, with Each 1 Teach 1, has expanded their outreach work to include opportunities to teach youth to cook in a commercial kitchen. Our connection with E1T1 and with Chef Kiko and Iindia began during our storm relief efforts. They work to ensure that underprivileged children and youth in Asheville receive hot meals throughout the week. Their kitchen was wiped out by Helene, and we have worked with them and supported their efforts as they have regained their footing. Now, they are inviting youth to learn to cook as well as to be fed. As you can imagine, Kiko and Iindia can use any help they can get with working with and supporting the youth that are involved. If you would like to volunteer to help them in the kitchen, please reach out to them by way of the Google Form accessible from the button below. Our connection with their work has only deepened over time as has our mutual affection. Lend a hand if you can. You will not regret a moment of it. 

Mercer Hall Rebuilding

We would appreciate volunteers to help move our items from the hall to storage/dumpster to facilitate being ready for the contractor to start their work. Permitting is underway and we should have a date soon for moving the items, likely within the next 2 weeks. If you are available during the week and would like to help, please let the office know. 

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM)

ABCCM has many ways you can help to provide individuals an opportunity to grow, mature and express their faith through fellowship and service for the joy set before us in Christ.  You can learn more  HERE.  ABCCM operates seven ministries that provide emergency needs and longer term efforts to help individuals heal and be restored. You can be a part of this. CLICK HERE 

JULY 2026 printable church calendar

Adult Forum resumes the presentation of the Altar Guild. 

Mercer Hall News! We would appreciate volunteers to help move our items from the hall to storage/dumpster to facilitate being ready for the contractor to start their work. Permitting is underway and we should have a date soon for moving the items, likely within the next 2 weeks. If you are available during the week and would like to help, please let the office know. 

ECW continues to study 10 influential Women of the Bible. Information is in the Ministry Hub office. Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month- next meeting is July 21. 

Asheville Tourist Baseball Game Church Outing is July 30 at 6:35pm. Sign up on the form just inside the double red doors if you’d like to participate. More information about carpooling or shuttle will be available soon. 

Printed Church monthly calendars and 11:00am Holy Eucharist Worship Team schedules are available to take home. You can find them on the table overlooking the stair atrium.

Church Directory: Printed or emailed church directories will be available for members who would like one. Please let Sarah know if there is any contact information you do not wish to be shared. These directories will be distributed on a request basis rather than being left out on a table or posting on the internet as a means to continue to protect your personal information.  

Have you visited the "Missioner's Corner" yet? 

The secretary in the Ministry Hub room includes a lending library with books that focus on building a rich prayer and devotional life. There are books focusing on C.S. Lewis, Julian of Norwich, Archbishop Demond Tutu, Saint Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, Saint Benedict, and many others. Please feel free to borrow a book, read and enjoy it, then return it for someone else to enjoy. There are also many free items: rosaries, Bibles, holy cards, prayer candles, and devotional handouts. Take time to check out the secretary and enrich your devotional life with the material available there.  

Who made the world? 
Who made the swan, and the black bear? 
Who made the grasshopper? 
This grasshopper, I mean— 
the one who has flung herself out of the grass, 
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, 
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. 
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. 
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. 
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. 
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down 
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, 
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, 
which is what I have been doing all day. 
Tell me, what else should I have done? 
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? 
Tell me, what is it you plan to do 
with your one wild and precious life?

Click the button to see what is happening in our community of faith of Western North Carolina.

Subscribe to the Diocesan Newsletter here.

Bishop Transition Webpage

Culminating Bishop José's tenure:

Farewell Party, Aug. 1 from 12:30-3:30pm at Christ School, Arden (if you have photos with the Bishop, share them with Katie at the Diocese)

Hermitage Matching Donation 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! 

Learn more about The Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church mission and ministry priorities rise from the work done at General Convention. See the depth and breadth of the work in which our church is involved HERE.

Episcopal News Service shares stories of faith lived and prayers offered.

The EPISCOPAL PUBLIC POLICY NETWORK (EPPN) is a grassroots effort of The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations to educate, equip and engage individual Episcopalians in federal public policy advocacy, guided by the resolutions of the General Convention and the Executive Council.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IN ITALY

OCT. 10-17, 2026

If you are interested in participating in this spiritual journey, please speak to Fr. Robert or Dr. Sgro. Flyers are available HERE, and will be available at church.

Contact email address is sgroanthonyhuston@gmail.com.