Are You New to Our Parish?
Newcomer Classes | Wednesday Evenings
Sept. 16, 23, 30 & Oct. 7 | 6:15-7:30 p.m.
Adult Education Room
In "Introduction to St. Michael's," we will introduce newcomers to our parish’s history, our liturgy and the many ministries open to everyone who would like to become part of our parish family. The classes are led by our rector, Greg Jones. Child care is available with advance reservations. RSVP to Robin Kennedy below
We would like to extend an invitation to you to join a Fellowship Group at St. Michael’s. Fellowship Groups are a wonderful way to connect with other members of the church in a small and relaxed setting. These small groups will meet monthly, either in homes or at restaurants, to share food and fellowship. Groups will consist of 8-10 adults and will meet once a month for four months (September through December). We will also have another session in the spring, offering the chance to meet and get to know even more people.
Once you have signed up, you will be assigned to a group based on your preferred time, and ideally, you’ll have the chance to meet a few people you do not know yet. Each month, one member of the group will be responsible for coordinating the gathering and hosting, either at their home or another location they choose. The format of each gathering will be up to the host — whether it’s a restaurant reservation, a potluck, or simply wine and cheese! The focus is on fellowship, not formality, and all are welcome.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Fellowship Group co-chairs,
Megan Shank and Caroline Davis HERE.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them. – Matthew 18:20
Acolyte training will be held on Sunday, August 23. These sessions are for any new acolytes entering the
4th – 12th grades and for current acolytes entering the 6th, 8th and 10th grades to be trained in their new duties. Advance sign-up is required.
• Jr. Torchbearers (4th - 5th grades) will meet at 2pm.
• Sr. Torchbearers (6th – 7th grades) will meet at 3pm.
• Jr. Crucifers (8th – 9th grades) will meet at 4pm.
• Sr. Crucifers (10th – 12th grades) will meet at 5pm.
Each session will be held in the church and should last approximately one hour. To sign up, contact Chip Chase below.
The St. Michael’s Mission Grants Application is open.
We invite non-profits to complete the application using the link below by Sept. 1, 2026.
The Mission Grants Committee’s goal is to partner with local and global organizations to help alleviate poverty. We focus on housing, hunger, education, skill building, and access to physical and mental health care, with an emphasis on organizations that prioritize and demonstrate diversity, equity and inclusion in their organization. Our hope is that the grants provided will transform lives and bring us all closer to Jesus.
We will select up to five grant recipients, which allows St. Michael’s to make a larger financial impact on each organization and build deeper relationships with each grantee.
Send an email to grants@holymichael.org if you have any questions.
Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. There will be 11 sessions held on Thursday evenings at St. Michael's beginning in Sept. Limited to 10 participants. To register or for more information contact George Hodge, co-facilitator.
SCHEDULE
All sessions are in-person at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
Session 0: "American Creed" — A 3-part film and dialogue (open to everyone)
Sundays 11:10 a.m. | September 6, 13, & 20 | Conference Room
Sessions 1 through 6
Thursdays 6-7:30 p.m. | Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, & Nov. 5 | Parlor
Sessions 7 through 11
Thursdays 6-7:30 p.m. | Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, & Feb. 4 | Parlor
Love God, Love God’s World is a nine-session, film-based curriculum, ideal for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry. Sessions include compelling films and readings, faithbased reflections, and discussion questions—each written by different contributors who draw from their own contexts and experiences. Participants will also discover ways to learn, pray, advocate, and conserve. To register or for more information contact Cherie Vick.
Diana Sendall, 2026 Senior of the Year!
We had a wonderful time at the 2026 Spring Fling! Delicious food, fellowship and delightful entertainment by members of the NC Opera!
Diana Sendall was named our 2026 Senior of the Year!
Here's what people have said about Diana:
"Diana does so much for St. Michael’s. She is involved in the Garden Ministry; she is one of the chairs of the Friends group, and prays for our parishioners."
"She is in the St. Michael’s book club and is a past co-chair of St. Elizabeth’s. She has served on the Vestry. She brings meals and support to parishioners who are sick or sad."
"She is an excellent lay reader. She makes and donates baby blankets to the Canterbury Shop."
"Diana always says yes with a smile."
"She helps with receptions after funerals."
SAVE THE DATE!
Duke Lemur Center | Sept. 3 at 9:30 am.
Lunch spot to be determined.
What an amazing response for the Pride for Parents Christmas Store!
The families and staff at Loaves and Fishes Ministry send a big thank you!
We also thank the Walker Brothers for delivering the toys.
A wonderful time was had by all! Look for a recap soon!
SAVE THE DATE | BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, March 16 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Every person has the power to save a life. Donating blood only takes a little of your time, and it can mean a lifetime for patients in need. Use the QR code to sign in as a guest and when asked to supply a date, use your date of birth.
We have a limited number of seats available, so don’t hesitate to sign up!
Scholarships are available upon request–email Robin Kennedy.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Reception with Shauna Niequist*
7:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Welcome and Evening Prayer
7:15 - 8:15 p.m.
Keynote Address
Q&A
*Please note: Shauna Niequist's books will be available for purchase that evening, but there will not be a book signing.
Shauna Niequist
ABOUT SHAUNA
Shauna Niequist is the New York Times bestselling author of Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, Bread & Wine, Savor, and Present Over Perfect. She grew up in Illinois and studied English and French literature at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. As an author and blogger, Shauna writes about the beautiful and broken moments of everyday life — friendship, family, faith, food, marriage, love, babies, books, celebration, heartache, and all the other things that shape us, delight us, and reveal to us the heart of God. She is married to Aaron, and they live in New York City with their sons, Henry and Mac.
Western NC Relief | November 2024
The first three pictures are from the load-in activities on Saturday morning Nov. 16. We had numerous volunteers that helped load six vehicles, including 3 pickup trucks (one with a box trailer) and three SUVs! We departed for Episcopal Church of the Epiphany at 11:30 a.m. Church of the Epiphany (in Newton, NC) serves as a resource bank receiving donations that they forward on to other Episcopal Churches in the mountains that supply and goods directly to impacted people.
Twelve volunteers drove out (two per vehicle), arriving at that church at 2:30 p.m., where we were greeted by four volunteers from Church of the Epiphany and also another nearby Episcopal Church -- Church of the Ascension, located in Hickory.
These photos show the unloading process at Church of the Epiphany. Based on feedback received while there and the next day via text, the Diocese of Western NC is extremely grateful to St. Michael's for coordinating and delivering these much needed supplies and "looks forward to partnering with us" in future missions that may be needed for years to come.
In addition, St. Michael’s collected $7,590 in donations to the Helene Relief effort in WNC. Father Oscar Rozo, who serves as the Missioner for Latino Ministries at Church of the Epiphany is extremely grateful for our generous donations!
We have weekly 40 to 45-minute small group gatherings. Each “circle” has 7 to 12 people, and is facilitated by St. Michael’s small group leaders. We read and reflect on the gospel readings for the upcoming Sunday, talk about life today, engage each other, and pray. Most sessions are virtual (Zoom) but all groups schedule some “in-person” meets as well. New participants are requested to attend at least 8 sessions. Participants enjoy fellowship and sharing scripture and life together in a small group.
Day and Time Options for Reflection Circles
Mondays at 9 a.m.
Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Groups plan to start around the week of Sept. 8. Contact Sam Taylor and let him know which group you are interested in. Don’t see a time that works for you? Please let us know a time that DOES work. If we have enough interest, we will form a new group.
It is time to register for the 2024-25 program year!
Use the form below to sign up children birth-5th grade
Back to School Sunday
August 25 | During the 10 a.m. service
Please bring school supplies for the children of Episcopal Farmworker Ministry! Look for the red collection bin in the breezeway!
Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks to the 10 a.m. service for our annual Backpack Blessing. Following the service, we will kick off the new school year with Kona Ice and a Children’s Ministry Fair in the outdoor breezeway.
Receive a Blessed Backpack tag.
Meet Sunday School leaders.
Learn about our Chapel and Sunday School curriculums.
Register for Choir and meet Choir directors.
Learn about our Choir curriculum.
Shop for gifts at the Canterbury Shop Sidewalk Sale!
Donate school supplies for children in need.
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Michael’s,
On behalf of the ECW, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the numerous ways in which this church community supported the ECW Garden Party & Auction over the past few months. Without your encouragement, participation and support, the event would not have been nearly as successful!
We are so thankful for the St. Michael's staff members who assisted behind the scenes, for all the volunteers who pitched in before, during and after the event, for the over 300 Garden Party attendees (and many more who were there in spirit) and for all the donors who made financial and/or in-kind donations to benefit CASA's King's Ridge. Thank you!!!
We are still in the process of calculating expenses and determining proceeds, but we can confidently share at this time that we have well-surpassed our goal of $20,000! We look forward to sharing the grand total raised for CASA's King's Ridge just as soon as we have that information available. In the meantime, we are continuing to connect auction item winners with respective auction item donors, so be on the lookout for email communications over the next week.
Thank you once again, St. Michael's! We are incredibly grateful.
Claire Duff
Chair, ECW Ways & Means
Elizabeth Harrell
Chair-Elect, ECW Ways & Means
Honor a loved one with a brick paver—paving the way to our beautiful labyrinth.
Perfect for a birthday, graduation, Confirmation, Mother's Day, or Father's Day.
Acknowledgement cards are available.
$60 per brick. Mail your check to St. Michael's (1520 Canterbury Rd., 27608; Att.: Ann Garey)
You may include up the 3 lines—20 letters/spaces per line.
Email Ann Garey if you have questions (garey@holymichael.org)
