News And Notes: September 30, 2026

Weeks of October 4 • October 11

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect & Readings

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

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect & Readings

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Chaplains &
All Non-Parochial Clergy

Upcoming Events

Blessing of the Animals for the Feast of St. Francis at Church of the Advent, Williamston, September 30. Find more info 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

Around the Diocese

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.

Instructions for submitting nominations for open positions, resolutions, and ministry reports are up! Be sure to check the Convention Hub to learn more. All submissions are due by October 15th!

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 participants is October 4th!

Click here to learn more and register!

Lunch and Learn: Book Studies for Adults | October 20 on Zoom

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!

Children’s, Youth, or Family Ministers In-Person Gathering

We are beginning a new in-person gathering for folks in Children, Youth, or Family ministries! This is open to full or part-time folks, lay or clergy. Please complete this survey to help identify a time when most people can meet!