News & Notes: May 13, 2026

Weeks of May 17 • May 24

Seventh Sunday of Easter
Collect & Readings

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
St. Timothy’s, Greenville &
St. John’s, Grifton

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Our newly ordained Ninth Bishop, Sarah Fisher, and
safe travels for our Eighth Bishop, Rob Skirving

Upcoming Events

Farewell Get Together for the Skirvings at Trinity Center, May 16, 2026. Find details here.
Choral Evensong with Schola Cantorum at St. James, Wilmington, May 17, 2026. Click here to learn more.
Ordination of the Ninth Bishop of East Carolina at Riverfront Convention Center, May 23, 2026. Learn more here.
Family & Friends Day at St. Andrew’s, Goldsboro, May 30, 2026. Click here for details.

View All Upcoming Events

Diocesan News

Diocesan Staffing Change

Litisha Dawson, Bookkeeper and Assistant to the Finance Director, will be departing from Diocesan House. Her last day will be Friday, May 22.

Litisha has been an integral part of the Finance and Administration Team, faithfully supporting the financial and operational life of our diocese. Her dedication, care, and willingness to serve have been a gift to the staff and to the wider community of East Carolina. We are deeply grateful for her ministry among us these past four years.

Please join us in thanking Litisha for her years of service and in wishing her every blessing in the chapter ahead. You can reach Litisha at [email protected]

Memorial Service for Rev. Alan Neale

A memorial service to remember and honor the Rev. Alan Neale will be held at Zion Episcopal Church on May 15th, 11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Zion Episcopal Church, 7302 US Hwy. 264 East, Washington, NC 27889 or to Eagle’s Wings Food Pantry, 932 West Third Street, Washington, NC 27889

You can read the full obituary here.

Farewell to the Skirvings | May 16, 2026 at Trinity Center

To celebrate Bishop Skirving’s tenure as Eighth Bishop of East Carolina, we’re having a get together at Trinity Center!

Everyone is invited to Trinity Center for a thoroughly East Carolina event: foodtrucks, the Crystal Coast, and a time to share stories and hang out!

In addition to the Trinity Center get together, the Bishop Transition Committee is organizing a gift for the Skirvings: donations toward a general fund for their upcoming pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona. Learn more by visiting our website!

Form Re-opened for Ordination RSVPs

Those who tried to RSVP for the Ordination of our Ninth Bishop after April 23rd might have received a pop-up saying registration had closed. RSVPs are still being accepted and encouraged! If you haven’t yet, be sure to RSVP here for the big day!

Photos from Around the Diocese

We are preparing for the ordination on May 23rd and could use your help! Please send one to three pictures of your parish in action, people doing ministries they love, for our welcome slideshow. Please make sure that any pictures of children have their parents permission to be included, as this slideshow will also be available, after the ordination on our website. Please also make sure the pictures are from within the past 12 months. And please include your parish’s name!

You can upload your pictures here. https://we.tl/r-J0O8pr74dGFBztRw

Ministry & Faith Formation Events and Resources

SUMMA Theological Debate Camp at Sewanee for High Schoolers | July 14-22, 2026 at Sewanee

The SUMMA Theological Debate Summer Camp applications are open! The deadline for applying is May 31st. Click here to apply!

The SUMMA Theological Debate Summer Camp brings together high school students from across the country to one of the largest and most beautiful college campuses anywhere – the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. By exploring life’s biggest questions through theological debate, we broaden students’ understanding of Christianity and its enduring power to speak the truth in love.

Please contact Emily Gowdy Canady, Missioner for Lifelong Christian Formation in the Diocese of East Carolina with any questions.