Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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

This week we begin a new adventure. Our community of youth will be gathering as a collection of young people from multiple congregations and the community beyond. We are so blessed to have the young people who are a part of Saint Mary’s and more so with their network of friends come to join them in this journey. I want to say that youth ministry is not about selecting and guiding a defined path of formation to become the future members of our church. Rather it is the joyful and sacred work of providing safe spaces and experiences for their journeys to begin, wherever they may lead. Together, these youth get to experience community connected by mutual love and support shared by one another and the adults who will accompany them on this journey. Colin is pouring his heart into this work. I am committed to this ministry, and our vestry is committed to it. Anyone of you who has an interest in participating in this adventure is welcome. Whether you want to make a meal, participate in a meeting, be a chaperone, or find a new calling to share in organizing and leading this program, you are invited. There is some training required if you would like to be a part of this work for the safety of the youth, the church, and yourself, but it is well worth the time.

Also, Colin is taking up a larger role on the staff here at Saint Mary’s. You may see him serving in worship, participating in formation, or participating in pastoral activities. Much of his time is behind the scenes, helping to organize our education and formation and facilitate prayer and worship. I ask that you share with him your thoughts on our congregation and our ministry as well as your welcome and support as he enters our community. This time of year often holds new beginnings that bring vitality to our community. I am excited to say that this year is no exception.

Yours in Christ,

Robert+

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 13

Altar Flowers remind us of the beauty of God's creation. 

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

September 13, 8:00 and 11:00 a.m., Bulletin Insert

Click here for our seasonal Seasonal Bulletin.

Adult Forum series topic: “Where scripture and theology meet contemporary issues.”  Join us on Sundays at 9:30am for thoughtful and important discussions. 

Lectionary readings, Lectionary study resources

Compline is now offered every other Sunday at 7pm. The next date is this Sunday, Sept. 13. If you are interested in leading this lovely service on an alternate Sunday, please let Fr. Robert know or sign up on the bulletin board outside Emmaus Hall. 

The Reed Family, Ken, Randi, April, Cynthia, Tom, Josh & Jennifer, Jamey, Colin, Keylani, Matt, Will, Anthony, Gus and Jean, Hayes, Derek, Melinda, all those deployed in harm’s way at this time, Arlene, 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.

Adult Forum series topic: “Where scripture and theology meet contemporary issues.”  Join us on Sundays at 9:30am for thoughtful and important discussions. 

Name Tags: Saint Mary’s name tags are available to members for a cost sharing portion of $7.00 each. If you would like one, please print your first and last name, and your preferred name on the sign up sheet. 

EYC Youth Room Unveiling is this Sunday, Sept. 13 at 6pm. Food, Fun, and Fellowship to celebrate the launching of our program year. Youth, families, scouts, and interested folks of all ages are encouraged to join us!

Compline, every other Sunday at 7pm. Next date: Sept. 13. It will be offered every other week, with opportunities in the intervening weeks for interested folks to lead it. If you are interested in leading Compline on a Sunday evening, please let Fr. Robert know and sign up on the bulletin board outside Emmaus Hall. 

ECW’s next meeting is September 15 at 6:30pm.  ECW meets every 3rd Tuesday.

Saint Mary’s “Merch”! Show your love for Saint Mary’s with merchandise with our shield on everything from water bottles to t-shirts, and everything in between. Visit: https://articlesofreligion/collections/st-marys-asheville 

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

We are excited about our EYC kick-off on September 13 at 6pm! 

We are looking forward to a new year of weekly meal and fellowship gatherings, occasional outings, and service-learning projects. If you would like to volunteer, have an event our youth and families might be interested in, questions or ideas, email me! colin@saintmarysavl.org

Colin Rice

Our lending library in the Missioner's Corner offers several books on Mother Teresa and her emphasis on living a life centered on prayer and service.

Mother Teresa (Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu 1910–1997) was a Roman Catholic nun who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor and the marginalized of society. Throughout her life, she inspired Christians across many traditions to lead prayerful lives and serve those in need within their local communities.

Her words of wisdom continue to motivate and inspire us today:

"Do small things with great love."

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

"Peace begins with a smile."

"It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving."

"Live simply so others may simply live."

"The Simple Path: The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is peace."

Check out the books on Mother Teresa in our Missioner's Corner. 
-Brother John

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 their programs here. Also see the flyer highlighting their ministry of 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)

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:   The Search Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the survey process! The feedback from the survey created a great foundation for our diocesan profile. In the near future we will be hosting a series of online listening sessions which will be mediated by Holy Cow, Consulting. The information captured in these listening sessions will be combined with the results of the survey and this information is what the search committee will use to draft our diocesan profile, which will then be released to the wider public later this fall. The search committee is currently finalizing dates for these listening sessions, and they will be released soon. Please keep us in your prayers as we do this holy work. And, as always, if you have any questions, please email us at BishopSearch@diocesewnc.org. 

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

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.