Holy Cross Episcopal Church joyfully announces the calling of The Rev. Jonathan Chesney as its new Rector.​

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​Fr. Chesney will be joining us from the parish of the Holy Communion in Memphis, TN where he serves as Senior Associate Rector.

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​The Chesneys plan to join us on June 1, with Fr. Chesney’s first Sunday celebrating with us being June 7. Please make plans to join us. More details about his first Sunday and opportunities to greet them will be shared soon.

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​Welcome Home to Holy Cross, Chesney family! We’re so glad you’re joining us!

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SUNDAYS, FEBRUARY 22 – MARCH 22, 2026 at 10:00 am in Skiles Hall
Lenten Adult Education Series
Maturing in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation for Daily Life
Father Scott+ will be our guide.
This series will provide an introduction to the Spiritual Life with teachings, reflections and conversations. We will use examples from Scripture, the writing of the saints, and our own stories to find the many ways in which God calls us to grow and to mature, in our individual and community journeys.
Come join, fellow sojourners!

It’s Almost Time for ECW’s “MARCH” for Diapers!
We will be collecting all sizes of new, unopened packages of diapers (both adult and child!) through the entire month of March. Beginning March 1st, you can bring your donations to the labeled box in Skiles Hall, and we’ll make sure we get them to the Children’s Council.

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2026
ECW Monthly Meeting in Skiles Hall

ECW will meet on March 8th in Skiles Hall after the 11:00 service. Please join us as we will be discussing plans for this year's Easter Brunch.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026
Lent & the Gift of Imagination with Katerina Whitley
Valle Crucis Conference Center
Come join us for an experience that will give new meaning to the sacred and challenging season of Lent. This Lenten Retreat will have a different focus than others you may have attended.
We will spend our time considering how the gift of Imagination can help us read the Bible with intelligence and a renewed understanding. We will learn about how the prophets imagined God’s purpose for God’s creation.
Enter more fully into the stories and emotions of the Passion with master teacher Katerina Whitley. The program will be in the beautiful, light-filled Johnson Hall, with lunch provided. $65 covers an amazing facilitator, lunch, snacks, and program materials.
Please contact the Valle Crucis Conference Center to register for this workshop, or follow this link to sign up: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/lent-and-the-gift-of-imagination.

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026
Men’s Night Out at the Zellner Party Barn

After a two month mid-winter hiatus, the Men’s Night Out (MNO) group begins its TENTH year of brethren fellowship from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 in the Party Barn at the home of Jim Zellner, located at 3664 Winkler’s Creek Road in Blowing Rock, NC 28605. Parking is available, but carpooling is strongly encouraged. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, our meal will consist of beef and lamb shepherd’s pie -- along with a poultry alternative, both infused with Guinness! -- with a fresh green salad, Irish soda bread, and dessert. As always, bring your favorite beverage to enjoy and share (think Irish whisky and beer). The suggested donation is $10 per person and your RSVP is due no later than 5:30 p.m on Sunday, March 15 to KeithTMartin@gmail.com.

MNO is a monthly opportunity for brethren from within our parishes and throughout our community to enjoy an evening of fellowship together. Remember to bring your beverage of choice, but 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, please 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!

THURSDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 19-21, 2026
March Women Writers Workshop with Katerina Whitley
Valle Crucis Conference Center
Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it’s much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. The March Women Writers Workshop invites women of all backgrounds to step away from daily noise and into a quiet mountain setting. Over several days, you’ll write, listen, and share in a small, supportive circle. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, and bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome!
Join master author Katerina Whitley as we explore ways to express ourselves in writing. This is a full two-day retreat, with options for commuter and one-day pricing. The program will be held in Crab Orchard Hall, with lodging in the Mission House. The program begins with an afternoon gathering and potluck on Thursday March 19 and concludes the afternoon of Saturday March 21. All meals are included.
A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of eight books and hundreds of articles, including a stunning new memoir, Myth and Memory: My Childhood in WWII Greece.
Please contact the Valle Crucis Conference Center to register for this workshop, or follow this link to sign up: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/women-writers-2026-march-workshop.

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Will you help with this year’s Valle Country Fair?

The VCF team has a few vacancies this year. We are searching for a Volunteer Coordinator, an Outside Vendor Coordinator, and a Road Sign team. Can you help? These roles do not take much time, most are physically low impact AND are critically important to the success of the fair.

• Volunteer Coordinator: The main task is to match volunteers with our Holy Cross booths that needs extra hands. You will work directly with the Fair Chairs and Booth Leadership to help them fill volunteers for the day of the Fair. Most of the work can be done by email and phone calls. The volunteer coordinator is present on Fair Day in the volunteer tent to help direct volunteers. Find a friend to assist and lighten the load!

• Road Signs: This person finds a friend or two and puts up banners and signs along roadways 3-4 weeks before the fair then takes 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.

• Outside Vendors: This person will shadow our current outside vendor coordinator (Trish Lanier) this year and will take over this leadership role in 2027.This coordinator works directly with non-Holy Cross food vendors (examples include the kettle corn vendor, funnel cake vendor, etc) to schedule their attendance, share information with the layout chairperson and answer questions as needed. This work is physically low impact.

Please contact Tracey Heiss or Julie Gates by emailing them at vcf.chairs@gmail.com or by calling directly. Thank you for your consideration!