Members & Friends of Holy Cross Photo Wall Update

In anticipation of Father Jonathan Chesney’s arrival on June 1, we will be updating the members and friends of Holy Cross, posted in Skiles Hall and in the Church Directory. Stacey Bulmer has volunteered to help out with this project, and she will be using her skills as a professional photographer to make everyone look their best! If you want your photo to be updated, please come by the Church Office after either of the Sunday services through Sunday, May 17 and let Ahren or Stacey know! This will help our new Rector learn the names and faces of the folks he is coming to the High Country to serve!

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Meal Train for Marilyn Welch
As I have been visiting our parish member, Marilyn Welch, with weekly communion, she has experienced a decline in her health. Last week she had a stay in the hospital and is now home with around the clock Hospice Care.  While her mind is engaged and hopeful, her body is not cooperating! I offered to start a Mealtrain at Holy Cross to help with meal preparation, and after discussing with her caretakers and family, she agreed to allow me to ask for help on Sunday and Thursday. Other friends and family will cover other days. The Hospice worker has agreed to heat anything that needs it and will share the meal with Marilyn. But please use disposable, reusable containers. I will pick them up as they accumulate and they will be available for you to pick up and reuse in the kitchen in Skiles Hall. If you are able to help, please click this link and sign up to deliver some love and support to Marilyn. Marilyn has been a member of Holy Cross for over 50 years! She lives in the red house, in the curve, just down the road from the church on Highway 194 and they use the back door. She loves visitors and seeing her church friends. If you cannot provide an occasional meal or visit, please consider sending cards of encouragement. If you have ever gotten a birthday card from Holy Cross, it came from Marilyn. That has been her ministry to all of us for years.  The link is below and the sign up is easy. Mary Pietan will be coordinating the list from her winter home in Florida until she returns to us this Spring. Many thanks, for the gift of your time, Mary! Thanks to all of you for your love and support of Marilyn.
Peace, Kim Gauss

 

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026
Celebration of Life Service for Ray Lutz at Holy Cross

A burial service and celebration of life for Ray Lutz will be held at The Church of the Holy Cross at 10am on Saturday, May 9. A reception will follow the service and interment in the Holy Cross Columbarium.

Deliver your servant, Ray, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set him free from every bond; that he may rest with all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

ECW will be hosting the memorial reception for our dear Holy Cross brother Ray Lutz on Saturday May 9th after the service.

We will make sure there are plates, napkins, cups, beverages, and ice. We are expecting a big crowd and need all of you to help contribute finger foods. Please bring your items and leave them in the kitchen in Skiles. (You can label them for "Lutz reception") Try to have items there Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning. Thank you! 

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026
MNO in Valle Crucis Park
We'll be eating "high on the hog" when Bud Gerber and Keith Martin co-host the next MEN'S NIGHT OUT gathering from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at the Herrick Pavilion in the center of Valle Crucis Community Park, located at 2892 Broadstone Road behind the Original Mast Store Annex and near the intersection of NC Highway 194 in Valle Crucis (although the GPS address is Banner Elk). While there is plenty of room for parking, carpooling is always encouraged. NOTE that the rain location is Skiles Parish Hall at Holy Cross Church. 
The menu includes BBQ pork and chicken from The Peddlin' Pig with appropriate sides and homemade cupcakes for dessert at a suggested contribution of $10 per person. So that our hosts may provide enough food for everyone in attendance (ahem... don't arrive late, gentlemen), please RSVP by 5:30 p.m on Sunday, May 17 via email to KeithTMartin@gmail.com and kindly let us know of any food allergies or preferences. As always, remember to bring your favorite beverage to enjoy... and share.  
MNO is a monthly opportunity for brethren from within our parishes and throughout our community to enjoy an evening of fellowship together. PLEASE RSVP by the due date. If you do not drive at night, need a ride to and/or from MNO, or are without reliable transportation for whatever reason, kindly 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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Will you help with this year’s Valle Country Fair?

We are searching for someone to lead hanging roadside banners for the Fair. Can you help? This role does not take much time and requires some physical activity. Two to three volunteers can make easy work of it. This role involves putting up banners and signs along roadways 3-4 weeks before the Fair then taking them down the Sunday after the Fair. This job takes 3-4 hours at the most and goes faster with more people. This work is somewhat physical but requires no heavy lifting. Bob Gates has all the information on exactly where the signs go, and the Gates will train you. Easy peasy. Please contact Tracey Heiss or Julie Gates by emailing them at vcf.chairs@gmail.com or by calling directly. Thank you for your consideration!

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Please join us in welcoming Fr. Jonathan Chesney and his family to Holy Cross!

On Sunday, June 7, we will have ONE combined service at 10:00am at Holy Cross (there will NOT be a service at St. John’s).

Please wear your name tag or stop by Skiles Hall for a stick-on name tag before the service. Following the service, all are invited to a covered dish potluck in Skiles Hall — please bring a dish to share if you’re able. We look forward to celebrating this joyful occasion together!