Dear Friends,

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

This Sunday we celebrate the Matronal Feast (for us) of Saint Mary. Joyful worship that highlights the faithfulness of Saint Mary that we strive to embody will take place at both of our regular services. We will affirm that celebration in fellowship with a luncheon to follow the 11:00 service. Mother Barbara will finish up her formation series on Saint Mary and preach at both services as a culmination of those discussions. This serves as both a reminder of who we are as a community of faith and an entrance into Fall that promises much fruit.

Additionally, as we head into Fall, I am excited for opportunities to be creative in how we engage in prayer, formation, and worship. I invite you into that creativity. Already, the Tuesday night congregation and I have been exploring meaningful changes to the liturgy that we share. As our digital hardware is being upgraded, I am thinking of new ways to interface with the digital landscape. I already mentioned my curiosity about starting a new online worship service last week. I continue to invite your questions that would become the discussion topics in lieu of a homily or sermon. In addition to these initiatives, this Sunday we will begin holding a service of Compline on Sunday evenings at 7:00. Initially, this is an in-person service, but the intent is to begin streaming it as well, so more of us can participate as a close to our Sundays together. Also, initially, we have commitment for every other Sunday. That means that the alternating Sundays are an invitation to anyone else who would like to lead Compline. I invite your participation in the service this Sunday, and I invite your exploration of leading prayers on alternating weeks. Whether you sign up once or commit to regular role, there are opportunities to try something new with deep roots in our tradition. We have also considered making more of our services accessible online, but we will see how that emerges over the coming season. While there are many things kicking off this time of the year, I offer these highlights to invite deeper connection in worship and community. I look forward to celebrating with you this Sunday and for our shared ministry thereafter.

Yours in Christ!
Robert+

Dear Friends,

I am considering adding an additional digital service to our worship profile. One aspect of this consideration is stepping outside of the typical inclusion of a homily or sermon and instead responding to a question. If you have questions that have been stirring for you about church history, theology, Christian ethics, liturgy, or other aspects of church life or ministry, please send those to me by email. If this idea comes together, I will get more information out soon. In the meantime, sharing your questions with me will help me get to know you better, plan formation topics, instigate conversation, or help form a new way of holding worship. My email address is: robert@saintmarysavl.org. I look forward to hearing from you.

Robert+

The Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, August 16

Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God in honor of Saint Mary by Barbara Plimpton.

Mass Servers: (8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.) Celebrant – The Rev. Dr. Robert Wetherington, Preacher – The Rev. Barbara Plimpton (8:00 a.m.) Deacon – The Rev. Anthony Sgro, Ed.D. (11:00 a.m.) Servers – L. Bullock, S. Bullock; Lectors – H. Teahan, L. Bullock; Ushers – the Bynums; Hospitality – cookout luncheon; Counters – T. Naomi, K. Osteen-Cochrane (Vestry persons of the day)

Click here for this week's bulletin The Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Click here for our seasonal Service Bulletin.

Lectionary readings, Lectionary study resources

Compline will be added to our regular services starting this evening at 7pm.  It will be offered every other week, with opportunities in the intervening weeks for interested folks to lead it. Compline as a term is derived from a Latin word meaning “completion”. As a liturgy it began with monastics in the 4th century to intentionally be with God again before sleep. If you are interested in leading Compline on a Sunday evening, please let Fr. Robert know. 

Special Musical Offering on September 6, both for the 11am service and a special 4pm Evensong: A quartet from Gallus Camerata will join us to offer sung liturgies in honor of The Blessed Virgin Mary with pieces selected to reflect the sanctity of the parish namesake and to celebrate the upcoming Feast of the Nativity of Mary. There is a sign up to contribute to the reception after Evensong. Flyers can be found HERE.

Panagia H Eleousa (Greek: Παναγία ἡ Ἐλεοῦσα) translates to "The Merciful All-Holy Virgin" or "Our Lady of Tenderness"   https://nioras.com/product/holy-virgin-mary-panagia-amolyntos-blue-dress-byzantine-wooden-icon-on-canvas/

Colin, Keylani, Matt, Will, Anthony, Gus and Jean, Hayes, Derek, Tom, Melinda, all those deployed in harm’s way at this time, Paul, Ryan, Taunya, Julie, Joanne and Family, Bryce and Family, Brian & Devon and Family, Margaret, Mary, Brendan, Bill & Debbie, Julia, Hanna, Gigi, Huston, Sam, Kent, Andrew and Family,  Jane, David, Carol, George, Susan, Kevin, Linda, Mike, Kathy, Gideon, Maurice, Edith, Taylor, Karl, Florence, Stephen, Ellen, Trish, Diann, Nellie, Sharon, Susan, Nicki, Sandy

Prayer for Bishop Search:  Almighty God, giver of every good gift: send forth your light and your truth, that they may lead us in discerning who we are as Christ's church now, and who God is calling us to be in our next season of shared ministry; so guide the hearts and minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this diocese, that we may receive a faithful shepherd, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Welcome:  Please welcome Colin Rice to the Saint Mary's staff! He will be serving as our youth minister to all youth in our deanery who choose to participate. He is on staff here at Saint Mary's for the larger work of building up and supporting the community of Episcopal youth.

Matronal Feast celebration in worship and in fellowship on Sunday. Join us for a cookout luncheon after the 11am service. 

ECW meeting is this Tuesday, 8/18 at 6:30pm during which we will discuss Esther from the Bible along with discussion of the next quarter’s Community Project. Please let us know a community project you have a “heart” for by adding to the sheet on the Ministry Hub bulletin board.  ECW meets every 3rd Tuesday.

Compline will be added to our regular services starting this evening at 7pm. It will be offered every other week, with opportunities in the intervening weeks for interested folks to lead it. Compline as a term is derived from a Latin word meaning “completion”. As a liturgy it began with monastics in the 4th century to intentionally be with God again before sleep. If you are interested in leading Compline on a Sunday evening, please let Fr. Robert know.

Special Musical Offering on September 6, both for the 11am service and a special 4pm Evensong: A quartet from Gallus Camerata will join us to offer sung liturgies in honor of The Blessed Virgin Mary with pieces selected to reflect the sanctity of the parish namesake and to celebrate the upcoming Feast of the Nativity of Mary. There is a sign up to contribute to the reception after Evensong. 

Updates to our website (saintmarysavl.org) include a printable monthly calendar and a link to the newsletters. 

Ministry of Hope

The MINISTRY OF HOPE serves women at the Western Correctional Center for Women - they are mothers, daughters, sisters, family, & community members. Learn more about what they do and how you can help HERE. Also see flyers highlighting ministries of spiritual companionship and spiritual parenting education. 

Opportunities for Diocesan Ministry

In preparation for our Diocesan Convention, the Nominating Committee of the Diocese of WNC hopes to be able to present a full slate of nominees for open positions on Diocesan Committees. Please see the list of openings and a brief description for each committee HERE.  If you have interest or questions, please contact Jonathan Stepp, Nominating Committee Chair at jonathanstepp7@gmail.com, or any member of the committee: Jim Bowden, St. Peterby-by-the-Lake/Denver; Christine Longoria-All Souls/Asheville; Bill Hasskamp-St. James /Black Mtn; Perry Hildreth - Holy Communion/Ashe Co.; Joslyn Schaefer - Grace/Waynesville

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 

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

Greetings Youth and Families,

I am honored to now be serving as your youth minister in collaboration with our neighboring parishes. Some of you all may already be acquainted with me from my time as an EYC volunteer or from being a counselor at Camp Henry. For those of you who I haven’t met, I eagerly anticipate getting to know you and walk alongside you on your faith journey. Father Robert and I have discussed a myriad of ways to maintain the special connection that our youth have built in the past year. We are primarily aiming to build upon this momentum through weekly meal and fellowship gatherings, occasional outings, and service-learning projects. If you are willing to volunteer on a semi-regular basis, please reach out and we will send you the Safe Church resources. Lastly, If you have any extracurricular events where you would like me to support you or cheer you on, please let me know so that I can get it on my calendar! I am looking forward to a great year. 

Cheers, 

Colin Rice

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

Opportunities for Diocesan Ministry

In preparation for our Diocesan Convention, the Nominating Committee of the Diocese of WNC hopes to be able to present a full slate of nominees for open positions on Diocesan Committees. Please see the list of openings and a brief description for each committee HERE.  If you have interest or questions, please contact Jonathan Stepp, Nominating Committee Chair at jonathanstepp7@gmail.com, or any member of the committee: Jim Bowden, St. Peterby-by-the-Lake/Denver; Christine Longoria-All Souls/Asheville; Bill Hasskamp-St. James /Black Mtn; Perry Hildreth - Holy Communion/Ashe Co.; Joslyn Schaefer - Grace/Waynesville

The Landscape Survey is now launched and ready for you. Please use the button below to take the survey. Your responses will help us discern who we are and the qualities we hope for in our next Bishop. We want to hear from as many people from our diocese as possible and we are grateful for your feedback and time. 

If you have any questions, please email BishopSearch@diocesewnc.org.

The Bishop Search Committee

Young at Heart Camp, August 25-27

Also don't miss the Sunset Paddling Tours, Fridays 6-8pm and Snorkeling Tours, Saturdays 1-3pm from June through mid-September. 

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.