News And Notes: September 23, 2026

Weeks of September 27 • October 4

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect & Readings

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Grace Church, Lewiston-Woodville &
Retired Clergy of East Carolina

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect & Readings

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Church of the Good Shepherd, Wilmington &
Zion, Washington

Upcoming Events

Happening 85 at Trinity Center, September 25-27. Find details here.
Cultural Festival at La Sagrada Família, Newton Grove, September 27. Learn more here.
Blessing of the Animals for the Feast of St. Francis at Church of the Advent, Williamston. Find more here.
Semi-Annual Service at St. Barnabas Episcopal, Snow Hill, October 3. Click here for more info.
Blessing of the Animals at Trinity, Lumberton, October 7. Find details here.
Annual Lobsterfest Fundraiser at St. Francis by the Sea, Salter Path, October 10. Learn more here.
Fall Conference for Middle Schoolers at Trinity Center, October 16-18. Click here to learn more.
Lobster Fair at St. Timothy’s, Greenville, October 24. Click here for details.

View All Upcoming Events

Since 1989 September has been designated as National Recovery Month overseen by SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). To honor this, we invite parishes to use the Prayer for the Victims of Addiction (Prayer 56 on p. 831 BCP) during the Prayers of the People during the month of September. We also invite you all to visit the SAMHSA Recovery Month page to see this year’s Recovery Month Toolkit and other resources.

Youth and Family Recovery for the Future | Tuesday, September 29, 1-2 p.m. ET

In addition to the above invitation, we will be sharing the weekly webinar information from SAMHSA. Individuals achieve recovery through a variety of approaches that reflect their unique needs, experiences, values, cultures, and personal goals. This webinar will explore emerging definitions of youth recovery as well as strategies that elevate youth voice, strengthen family engagement and family recovery; and expand youth and family peer support.

Around the Diocese

We are sad to announce that John “Jack” O’Connor McElroy died on September 15, 2026. John completed audits for many parishes in our diocese, and served on a number of parish committees. Jack was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington, where his faith and service remained an important part of his life.

Father of all, we pray to you for John, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Everyone’s favorite event of the year is coming up quick: Annual Convention! Our 143rd Annual Convention will be November 13-14, 2026 at The Maxwell Convention Center in Goldsboro, NC. Information about registration, accommodations, elections, and other convention business can be found on our Annual Convention page. All our convention pages will be updated periodically, so make sure to bookmark the main page!

Registration is live, so be sure to register soon if you plan to attend convention!

The Launch of the Episcopal Ministry of Gabriela Mistral at La Sagrada Familia

The leaders of the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry at La Sagrada Familia are excited to share the start of a sister ministry to EFWM: The Episcopal Ministry of Gabriela Mistral.

This ministry is a complementary sister ministry of EFWM, allowing La Sagrada Familia to better reflect the work they do through prenatal classes, children’s enrichment programs in art, music, and drama, tutoring, school supplies, Christmas gifts, and more. The ministry launches this Sunday at the Cultural Festival at La Sagrada Familia!

Click here to watch a video about the new ministry, and learn more at the El Ministerio Episcopal Gabriela Mistral website.

2027 Healthcare Plan Costs

Selection rate for 2027 healthcare plan options have been released. Two documents are provided below: one with the healthcare plans, and another that outlines copay rates.

If you have any questions, please reach out to LaTonya Smith at [email protected].

Ministry & Faith Formation
Events and Resources

Fall Conference for Middle Schoolers | October 16-18 at Trinity Center

Join 6th-8th graders and their adult leaders from around the diocese for a weekend of faith, fellowship, and fun. Over the course of the weekend we will explore our faith in community, learning new ways of recognizing God in our lives.

9th – 12th graders may apply to serve on team. All team members must attend at least one of the Zoom team meetings AND be able to arrive at Trinity Center by 2:00 PM on Friday, October 16th.

Deadline for Fall Conference for Middle Schoolers Team is September 14th, Participants is October 2nd!

Click here to learn more and register!

Fall Conference for Middle Schoolers | October 16-18 at Trinity Center

Join with Christian Formation Leaders from around the diocese for our bimonthly gatherings. We are excited to have Missy Morain with us to share ideas and methods for hosting book studies for adults, both online and in person.

A proven format for bringing groups together–even groups of seemingly dissimilar people–is through common reading and discussion. Join with us a we learn how to implement book studies for adult in your context. In addition, you will learn about some books that might be great ways to start a book study or club in your parish!

Missy has served as Lay Professional in the Episcopal Church for over 25 years. She has served in the Midwest, on the East Coast and currently she serves in Los Angeles where she is the Missioner for Christian Formation, Children’s & Youth Ministry.

Click here to learn more and register!