News & Notes: May 20, 2026

Weeks of May 24 • May 31

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

First Sunday after Pentecost:
Trinity Sunday
Collect & Readings

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
St. Andrew’s, Morehead City

Upcoming Events

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

We are sad to announce that the Rev. Frank Dobinson Russ, Jr. of Atkinson, NC, died on May 17, 2026 at his mother’s home in Watha. Frank was a priest of our diocese and served a number of communities. He also served as Canon to the Ordinary under Bishop Sanders.

Frank was born in Burgaw on October 2, 1954. He is survived by his mother, Barbara Woodcock Russ Honeycutt, as well as numerous cousins and friends who were as close as family. He was predeceased by his father, Frank D. Russ, Sr. and two infant brothers.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.at Caswell Presbyterian Church in Atkinson. Ashes will be interred at Atkinson Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Frank’s memory may contribute to a hospice of their choice.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.quinnmcgowen.com

Click here to read the full obituary.

The Ordination and Consecration of the Rev. Sarah K. Fisher as our Ninth Bishop is three days away! For those who aren’t able to join in person, we will be livestreaming the service to our YouTube channel. Click here to be taken to the scheduled event!

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

Seen Around the Diocese

The Rev. David Wyly, rector of St. Stephen’s, Goldsboro, joined members of the Goldsboro Police Department and airmen from Seymour Johnson AFB in the Wayne County leg of the Special Olympics Torch Relay.

Law enforcement officers throughout North Carolina will carry the Special Olympics Flame of Hope across the state throughout April and May. Traveling across North Carolina from six different points and spanning over 2,000 miles, the relays will culminate on Friday, May 29, for the Circle of Honor and lighting of the cauldron at the 2026 Special Olympics NC Summer Games Opening Ceremony in Raleigh.

To learn more about the North Carolina Special Olympics, and see a full list of relays, you can visit their website: https://sonc.net.

Ministry & Faith Formation Events and Resources

Formation Leader Survey for the 2026-2027 Program Year

Plans are in the works for the 2026-2027 program year in Lifelong Christian Formation. Do you lead or coordinate Christian Formation for children, youth, young adults, and/or adults in your parish or ministry context? If yes, we want you to hear from you!

Your feedback, ideas, and input are important. As the boots on the ground, doing this work in parishes and ministry contexts across the diocese, what topics, ideas and gatherings would best serve you in the upcoming year? What have you gotten the most out of this year?

Click here to access the survey.

It would be most helpful if you would complete this survey by June 4th! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Emily Gowdy Canady, Missioner for Lifelong Christian Formation.