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 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 30

Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for our parents and grandparents by Ryan and Ami Bullock.

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 – R. Bullock, volunteer; Lectors – P. Wooten R. Watson; Ushers –; Hospitality – P. Wooten; Counters – Volunteer team (Vestry persons of the day)

Click here for this week's Bulletin Insert.

Click here for our seasonal Service Bulletin.

Lectionary readings, Lectionary study resources

Compline is now offered every other Sunday at 7pm. The next date is this Sunday, Aug. 30. If you are interested in leading this lovely service on an alternate Sunday, please let Fr. Robert know.

Special Musical Offering is next Sunday, Sep. 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.

Easier With More, https://www.storypeople.com/

Jamey, 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.

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

Kitchen Angel Request:  If anyone has left dishes in the kitchen, please take them home with you by Sept. 6 or they will be donated.

Compline is this Sunday at 7pm. It is offered every other week (next date: 9/13). If you are interested in leading this lovely service on an alternate Sunday, 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.

Out of Office Notice: The Parish Admin will be out of the office 8/24-9/7. Volunteers will be in the office a few hours daily.

Intercessions: If you would like to add someone to our prayer list, please email Fr. Robert (robert@saintmarysavl.org) so that he may include the names at the next service. The names will be printed in the bulletin/inserts after 9/7.

The Church Office will be closed on September 7 for the Labor Day holiday.

EYC has its kick off event on September 13 at 6pm. See Youth News for more information. 

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

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

On the left cabinet door of the Missioner's Corner secretary hang many beautiful rosaries.  These rosaries have been donated and are provided free to anyone who is in need of a rosary and would like to incorporate this prayer form in your life.  The rosary evolved over centuries from early Christian monastic practices of counting prayers using knotted ropes or stones.  The current rosary that most are familiar with is the Dominican rosary.  It was developed by Saint Dominic in the 13 century.  It contains verbal prayers of the Hail Mary, the Lord's Prayer, and Gloria Patri. The rosary focuses on the life of Jesus using a mystery of his life for each of the 5 decades.  The vocal portion of the rosary is anchored in Luke's Gospel echoing the incarnation.

An instruction booklet on the rosary is available on the counter next to the secretary. Praying the rosary is an ancient form of prayer and is used by many to delve deeper into the mystery of  the life of Christ.  It can have a calming and peaceful effect on those who utilized this form of prayer. Thanks to all members of St. Mary's Church who continue to donate unused rosaries for this important ministry. 

-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 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)

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

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.