father allan’s reflections · if you are still struggling with anxiety, pick up the phone and...

Holy Cross Episcopal Church

Father Allan’s Reflections... I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

The Season of Pentecost (aka “Ordinary Time”) begins this month and continues through November 22. This is the longest season of the Church Calendar year and celebrates, at its core, the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit among us and throughout the whole world.

“Pentecost” emphasizes that the transforming power of the Holy Spirit is always at work in us, that Pentecost is not just a day from the past, or limited to a season, but rather, a way of life. Pentecost reflects the extraordinary abundance of God’s grace that permeates our otherwise ordinary lives. Through the revelation and grace of God’s Spirit shown at Pentecost, the ordinary becomes extraordinary – every day.

What I find uncanny right now is that our life together in this time of pandemic is anything but “ordinary.” As of the writing of this column, gathering indoors for in-person services are still not permitted. And this is probably wise given the “tightness” of not only our physical space, but all our relationships with one another. Yes, indeed, life for our parish and that of our families, friends, and neighbors is far from ordinary.

Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit is still at work among us: nurturing, cajoling, convicting, calming, and yes, shaking us up every now and again. As I shared in my Sermon on Sunday, May 31, my sense is that this time of pandemic and all the restrictions such has brought into our lives, is being used by the Holy Spirit to create in the hearts and minds of all God’s people a deeper and more authentic sense of what it means to “be” the Church in the world and “do” Church together. The truth is that since we began gathering for worship online on Sunday mornings, “attendance” has doubled – and often tripled – from what would be our normal in-person attendance. And while, like you, I long to physically gather together for study, prayer, worship and fellowship, I must admit that the pandemic has opened my eyes – and perhaps your eyes, too – to new opportunities to share the healing, redemptive, and forgiving message of the Gospel beyond our local region. And that offers us a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world how this parish lives the Christian faith each and every day. Perhaps this time of pandemic is telling us that when it comes to the presence of the Holy Spirit, there is no such thing a “ordinary”.

May God help us grasp that each day offers an extraordinary opportunity to see God at work in our lives and the life of this parish. To that end and with prayers for a blessed Pentecost season for us all, I remain,

Yours in service to the Gospel,

Allan +


June 1

Susan & Alex Poorman

June 2

Ken & Niki Craig

June 4

JoAnn and Graham Stewart

June 5

Lee and Louis Gallien

June 6

Mary & Ernie Armstrong

June 6

Tracy and Jackie Maness

Prayer List Please keep the following in your prayers this week:

For Healing: Our injured and disabled military personnel, our veterans, all civilians harmed in conflict, and for Lynda, Barbara, Robert, Jett, Scott, Sonny, Stuart, Philip, Dayton, Mike & Amy, Delores, Ernestine, Tony, Luke, Clive, Laura B., Bernie, Lindsay, Sue, Antonia, Bill, Lenny, Keely, George, Susan, Ted, Mary & Ernie, Arthur & Karen, Bob & Dottie, David, Mary S., Ted L., Smut, Susan S., Susan D., Scotty, Manny, Tracy & Debra, Maria, Humberto, Sperry, Dennis, Bert, John, Pete, Sis, Marlene, Dianne, Cathy, David, Madeline, Susan P., Ray, Ruth, Ogden, Lisa, Barry & Jan, Kitsy, Tav, Robin, Richard, Bob, Carla M., Janice B., Mason, Peggy, Polly, Lynne, Carol Mc., Tracy M., Kathy L., James S., Joanne M., ______________.

For those in Harm’s Way: John, Harrison, Chris, all Peace Corps workers & volunteers, all who serve in armed forces, and all health and relief workers at home and throughout the world.

2 Stuart Tugman

2 Judy Bondi

2 Loni Miller

6 Beth Beck

7 Trish Lanier

7 Ryan Loflin

7 Joan Webber

8 Faye Cooper

9 Lee Gallien

9 Ernestine Glover

10 Mark Mitchel

13 Tracy Maness

18 David Barber

19 Bob Gates

21 Ann Carlton-Jones

24 Dedy Traver

26 Claire McDonough

27 Karen Spencer

28 Edie Tugman

30 Ken Craig

June 8

Sarah and Jim Jordan

June 9

Pat and Dave Parks

June 17

Heather and Andy Furr

June 20

Margaret and Kurt Love

June 22

Loni and Mathew Miller

June 24

Susan and George Devine

June 2020 Newsletter



Worship Service Schedule— June Update

We have received guidelines from our Bishop and Diocese regarding worship services for the month of June. Such guidelines have taken into account the recommendations of NC’s Phase II response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person, indoor worship services and group gatherings are still not permitted at this time.

Your Vestry and Clergy are discerning the feasibility of offering an outdoor worship service. While such may be of interest to some, diocesan guidelines restrict such gatherings to no more than 25 people and require means of entrance and exit that maintains 6ft of distance between attendees at all times. Prayers for your Vestry and Clergy during this time of discernment are most appreciated.

Thus, we will continue our “online” worship services this month as follows:

Mondays: 8:00 pm Compline (via “Zoom”)

Tuesdays: 8:00 pm Compline (via “Zoom”)

Wednesdays: 6:00 pm Evening Prayer, Rite II (via “Zoom”)

Thursdays: 8:00 pm Compline (via “Zoom”)

Fridays: 8:00 pm Compline (via “Zoom”)

And on Sundays at 10:00 am via our YouTube Channel:

1st Sunday of the Month: Holy Eucharist, Rite II

All other Sundays: Morning Prayer, Rite II

Participating in services is easy! Go to the parish website: www.holycrossvallecrucis.net . At the top of the page – just to the right of center - you will see a notice about the suspension of services. Click on the “Here” link in that notice and then follow the prompts to the service you are seeking. Missed a service? No problem! Go to the website, click on the same link as before, follow the prompts to service you seek and click. You will be connected to our YouTube Channel where you will find all the services for the last week. Enjoy!

“See” you soon!

http://www.holycrossvallecrucis.net



Updated Opportunities to Make a Difference for the Greater Community

Places to consider donating food or money or to volunteer are: Health and Hunger Coalition, Hospitality House, Greenway Baptist Church Food Pantry, or Casting Bread Food Pantry through Faithbridge United Methodist Church.

School Take and Go Meals: Lunch and a packed breakfast for the next day continue to be served at Bethel, Mabel, Green

Valley, Valle Crucis, and Watauga High schools from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Extra food will be packed in the Thursday meals for Friday. Bus routes for these sites will continue. ***Meals will be served through the end of June. A decision about whether meals will be served in July will be announced at a later date.

Dinner and breakfast for the next day while no longer available at Cove Creek, will continue to be served at Hardin Park School through June 11. Children being served by these sites can still get meals at one of the sites listed above.

All children under the age of 18 may get free meals at these sites regardless of where they live or attend school in Watauga County. Meals are similar to what students receive from a normal school lunch/breakfast and will include items like sandwiches, vegetables, and salads along with milk, fruit and juice.

Additional Food Agencies/Resources: Alliance Bible Fellowship, 1035 NC Hwy. 105 Bypass Boone Food pantry. Mondays 3-5 pm. NC residents only. One box per month per family/household.

Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S., Rumple Memorial, 1218 Main St., Blowing Rock, NC Food Pantry. Mondays 9 am - 12 noon.

Boone United Methodist Church To-go meals and food boxes. Thursdays, 5:00-6:30 pm. Casting Bread (Faithbridge, 194 Aho Rd., Blowing Rock, NC 28605)

Food Pantry. Wednesday & Thursdays, 10:30 am - 3 pm. Drive-thru. Families can get food boxes twice a month.

Greenway Baptist Church, 880 Greenway Rd., Boone NC Food boxes. Open Thursday 10 am - 2:30 pm.

Health and Hunger Coalition Monday thru Friday*New hours 10 am - 3 pm. Curb-side service. Fresh produce and other perishables and to-go meals once a week. Families can get food boxes twice a month. Also, they have diapers, free baby formula, and baby wipes for Watauga County residents only. They will have to fill out a form the first time they go there.

Hospitality House Meals served three times a day (6:30-8:30 am, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, 5:30-6:30 pm). The food pantry is open 7 days a week 11 am - 4 pm). May pick up twice a month.

Western Watauga Food Outreach The regular Thursdays 4-6 pm food bag distribution has moved to Henson's Chapel UMC located at 120 Henson Hollar Rd, Vilas, NC 28692.



And here we are, still maintaining safe-distancing, but living in a world that is reopening. Many in our congregation, for their own health and safety, must continue to self-distance and wear masks when out The last several months, each of us have had to deal with times of uncertainty and anxiety. Many have picked up new hobbies, or spent time communing with the earthworms in their gardens.

Yet everyone has been asked to spend a great deal of time with themselves. We have been asked to slow down, rest, listen, pray, and pay attention to what God might be asking. Sometimes, the anxiety and worry can be overwhelming. This month’s tip is about how to settle yourself, ground yourself when worry, sadness or anxiety increases:

Search out five things you can see - name them out loud.

Search for four things you can touch - touch them.

Search for three things you can hear - name them, thank them.

Search for two things you can smell - embrace the aroma.

Search for one thing you can taste - relish the flavor.

You can practice this skill at any time. If you are still struggling with anxiety, pick up the phone and call someone. Be honest and say what is bothering you. Ask for help if you need it.

Join others for Compline or Evening prayer by Zoom in the evening. holycrossvallecrucis.net. It is a nice way to end the day. If you live alone, it is a wonderful way to connect with others. Please remember to update or download the latest version of Zoom. If you need help getting set up to join in for evening worship, please call the church office and we’ll hook you up with someone who can help. Need a mask, let Pan know.

As previously announced, Rev. Anna’s two-year Curacy program here at Holy Cross ends on Sunday,

June 14. 2020. After a well-deserved vacation, she will commence her new role as Missioner for

College, 3rd Place, Creation Care and Social Justice Ministries effective July 1, 2020. A

collaborative position between the Diocese of Western North Carolina (¾ time) and St. Luke’s

(¼ time), Anna will engage in ministry on behalf of the Diocese with the ASU community, build

Christian community through 3rd Place, and initiate the Hildegarden Project (a mission that focuses on

creation care and eco-justice). In her work with St. Luke’s, she will facilitate engagement with creation

care, especially joining in the work of the Mary Boyer Garden which provides vegetables to those in

need, as well as help deepen the commitment of all three of Episcopal parishes in matters of social

justice.

We had hoped to celebrate her ministry with us, as well as her new ministry, by gathering for a festive

reception here in Skiles Hall on June 14. However, until such time that restrictions on group gatherings

are fully lifted, such celebration is not possible. So, watch for updates on a special gathering in Anna’s

honor sometime this fall. In the meantime, notes and cards of blessing and encouragement would be

appreciated You may send them to her here at the Church or at her home.

Join us in online Worship on Sunday, June 14, 2020 for Anna’s final sermon.

And do continue to hold her in your hearts and prayers.



Food/Grocery Drive for the and Hunger and Health Coalition

Please take your donations directly to Hunger and Health or Hospitality House.

You can leave them without having to come in contact with anyone.

And your food donations are needed now more than ever.

Besides, it’ll be nice to take a ride.

-Judy Bondi

I have been struggling with how to write this Curate’s Corner. Because this is my last Newsletter with

you, my Holy Cross family. And I admit I have been procrastinating in getting this article in (so sorry,

Beth!), simply because I am not yet ready to say goodbye to y’all. You, Holy Cross, have been an

incredible community to start my priestly vocation with. Beginning with my priestly ordination in our

beautiful sanctuary, you have helped and challenged me to grow. You have shepherded me through the

myriad tasks and duties of becoming a priest. You supported me when Father Allan went on sabbatical.

You showed grace when I made mistakes (remember that time, oh wait, every time I did the

announcements and invitation to communion?). You put up with and laughed at my humor. You

guided me when I seemed lost, and encouraged me when I felt found. I have been honored to be a

priest in your church. I was graced by your stories, troubles, joys, passions, and ambitions. I have felt

so genuinely loved by all of you, and I hope you were able to recognize my genuine love for y’all in

return. You are a special community, and you will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you!

I wish I could thank each of you personally in this space, but it would take hundreds of pages. And

although we cannot be together in the same physical space right now, know that I am not far away,

and there will be a chance for a proper good bye at some point in the future. I love you all very much!

Thank you!

-Rev. Anna

June 2020



2020 Valle Country Fair Update

Since late March, the Executive Committee of the Valle Country Fair has been watching our state and local regulations about social gatherings, as well as the recommendations of health professionals in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We know everyone is curious about the status of this year’s Fair, and our plan is to make an announcement in the next few weeks. Thank you for your continued support and for your prayerfulness around the health and safety of this parish and the many ministries of our church. We will have more information to share very soon. Thank you!

Bob and Julie Gates 2020 VCF Co-Chairs

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In spite of all the rain, we managed to find 1 day of sun over each of the past 2 weeks to get several hours in the gardens. Ed and Beth Beck and I (alias, the 3 Muskateers!) met on Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 23rd to reconnect with the land!

First project was to put a soaker hose in the sacristy bed at Holy Cross. Now on the occasional hot/dry summer days (though hard to imagine at this point) it will be easier to connect the long hose to the soaker and leave it for several hours. This will alleviate the need to stand and water by hand for 30 minutes.

We rearranged a few existing plants and put some dahlia bulbs back in (which once again survived the winter in my garage, thanks be to God!). And we marveled at all the perennials that survived the winter and were happily raising their spring blooms to be admired by anyone who happens by.

Second project was to begin to move some irises from St. John's over to Holy Cross so they can be enjoyed in the future in May while they are blooming. That was a job, because some of them had obviously been there a long time without being divided, and they were so entrenched that Ed broke his shovel trying to dislodge them!

Also in that long wall bed we planted 3 new Vitex bushes grown in Charlotte's Greenhouse, replacing the old hollies that had just seen better days.

Many thanks to Ed for doing the big digging and Beth for weeding, trimming, and general all round assistance. It's a joy to work with such pleasant, helpful people!

Lee Gallien

757-553-8093

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 8


Have you noticed that during this time of the COVID-19 “shopping at the store” has proven to be quite different and sometimes difficult? Some days the shelves holding rice are completely bare or maybe just one box of white rice and two boxes of boil-in-the-bag rice. Or no boxes to be found anywhere of pasta. And the dried beans section – can that many people really be making all that much soup? The next time you go to the store there are a few boxes of pasta but there are absolutely no potatoes and not one head of lettuce! And for two months there has been no sign of toilet paper or paper towels!! Thanks goodness for the Valle Crucis Conference Center opening “a little store” in Crab Orchard Hall – they have the basic staple items and some vegetables and toilet paper!! You may ask, what does all this have to do with history in Valle Crucis? You may or may not know, that Brother Williams West Skiles, in addition to being a deacon, teacher, preacher, postmaster, and practiced medicine, kept a store for the Mission during the 1850’s. Then there was the Taylor and Mast Store that became the Mast Store. R.L. Lowe built another country general store(currently the Mast Store Annex),called the Watauga Supply Co., later renamed Valle Crucis Co. and finally became known as Farthing’s Store. Imagine what it might have been like to find supplies in those days and what kind of supplies the general stores would have. Here are some excerpts about the stores and what might have been available in those early days in a very remote Valle Crucis! These come from “Missionary Life in Valle Crucis” by Susan Fenimore Cooper, “Valle Crucis-A History of an Uncommon Place” by I. Harding Hughes, Jr. and John Preston Arthur’s “A History of Watauga County, NC. 1915”.

“At the Store – Mr. Skiles kept store at Valle Crucis for the Mission, as well as practice medicine and taught school. A load of goods, brought with great toil over the mountain roads from Morganton or Lenoir, consisting of tea coffee, sugar, mustard, pepper, salt, farm tools, nails, screws, etc., a few packages of the more common medicines…boots and shoes, school books, paper, pens, ink, with a very modest supply of general stationary; needles, pins thread, tape, buttons, with perchance a few pieces of calico, flannels and shirting… Some few, very few in fact, came in rude wagons, others on horseback, some on steers, many on foot. Most of them carried a gun, a backwoods custom very common in that region; frequently a hound or two followed. The sack of grain was carried on the shoulders by those on foot. The men were, many of them, clad in home-spun tow shirts and short trousers, without coat or shoes even in winter. They were rarely in a hurry, the movement of the country people of that region almost always being slow and deliberate. They were strong, healthy, quiet and composed, frequently ruddy from exposure. A number smoked corn cob pipes; even women rode on steers with children in their arms. Seven deer within limits of Valle Crucis were killed in 1854.” “At age 63 Henry Taylor was looking to the future. Business was good at his small 30 year old store on the south side of the Caldwell & Watauga Turnpike, but he could better serve his gradually growing clientele if he had more space. So he went across the road and built a larger store (circa 1882).No doubt he was looking ahead to turning the store over to his son, Charles D. Taylor before 1890. Eventually ownership passed to W.W. Mast. The store sold everything (including caskets), bought farmers’ produce and served as post office, doctor’s office, and unofficial community center. People brought in and bartered a wide variety of roots, herbs, leaves and bark. Local craftsmen and seamstresses brought furniture, musical instruments, bonnets, aprons and cornhusk dolls.

In 1909 R.L. Lowe of Banner Elk built a second country general store, the Watauga Supply Co. across the road from the Methodist Church. In 1910 C.D. Taylor and his son-in-law, Dr. Perry, purchased the business and renamed it Valle Crucis Co. Regardless of the official name, the business came to be known as Farthing’s Store because in 1914 Richard Aubyn Farthing, who was born in Watauga County, came from Draughn’s

Cont...

Notes from the Attic

– Dedy Traver


“So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.” (Genesis 2:3)

Ah, summertime is finally here! The verdant valleys, full foliage, and warmer weather are a much-appreciated change from the dreary rains of our mountain springtime! During the golden days of summer, it is important to rest; to soak up God’s goodness and truly enjoy Creation.

The current pandemic has required many of us to rest. The early weeks of restrictions took some “getting used to,” as Rest was truly not on our schedules nor in our plans! Bit by bit, as we enter different phases of recovery in these times, we learn how to navigate. As we worship online, perhaps we participate in a more rested way, listening very carefully to prayers, songs, and God’s Word.

As we enter the month of June, I want to personally thank those musicians who gather cautiously to lead hymns, liturgy, and special music for each worship service. Choir members include: Andrea McDonough, Kim Baker, Dedy Traver, John Goodrich, and Keith Martin. My Kallestad family members (Scott, Adam, and Marie) have contributed musically in order to stagger the scheduling of parish musicians. I am truly thankful for their help, which enables us to observe careful social distancing in weekly rotations. We all long to resume normal worship, but first God says, “Rest.”

Musical plans for June include special string players and continued small choral singing! Violinist, Rev. Anna Shine, graces us with J.S. Bach’s Air from the Overture in D on June 7. Our committed small Choir, along with talented guitar and mandolin players, offer a contemporary anthem on June 14. Holy Cross youth musician, Jaidyn Toomey, plays the cello on a choral offering for June 21. And to complete the month, the mother/son duo of Andrea and Brett McDonough lend voice and guitar to the Offertory for June 28.

Finally, I want to thank Holy Cross for not only listening to my “A,B,C,D” Organ Concert (online) on May 24, but also for the many kind words of support following the event! I am truly honored by your praises; it is a blessing to share the joy of our pipe organ with you!

As we journey onward in June—through these new times and season---may we remember Whose we are, and Who creates in all goodness. “For you created me and shaped me, gave me life within my mother’s womb. For the wonder of who I am I praise you: safe in your hands, all creation is made new.” (Psalm139, adapted; Bernadette Farrell, O God, You Search Me)

-----Elaine Kallestad


Notes from the Attic continued…

Business School of Knoxville to manage the business and continued to manage it until his retirement in 1952. Aubyn bought into the ownership as did his brother Ben. Farthing. The store was a general store selling the necessities with dried goods, clothing, hardware, furs, grains, and roots and herbs. Token were exchanged when customers bartered for goods. In the 1930's, Farthing began curing hams and selling them to summer tourists. He shipped them internationally.” So……when shopping today think about shopping “in the good ole days” at the neighborhood general store! As a side note, “Illustrating the partisan politics of the day, the Valle Crucis Company, operated by the Republican Farthings, reputedly served as Valle Crucis post office when the Republicans won office. The Mast General Store served as the Valle Crucis post office when the Democrats won office.”


Music Notes

Church of the Holy Cross

PO Box 645

Valle Crucis, NC 28691

May Newsletter


PO Box 645

Valle Crucis, NC 28691

www.holycrossvallecrucis.net

email: [email protected]

Diocese of Western North Carolina

The Rt. Rev. José Antonio McLoughlin, Bishop

Clergy and Staff

The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin, Rector

The Rev. Anna Shine, Curate

Elaine Kallestad, Choir Director/Organist Kathy Williams, Parish Administrator

Vestry

Jane Blackburn (2021) Senior Warden

Webb Rice (2020) Junior Warden

Claire McDonough (2020), Susan Poorman (2020), Jane Blackburn (2021), Sarah Jordan (2021),

Bob Capps (2021), Terry Fulton (2022), David Johnston (2022), John Pendergast (2022)

Officers

Larry Byerly, Treasurer Dedy Traver, Clerk

father allan’s reflections · if you are still struggling with anxiety, pick up the phone and...

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