Father Allan's Reflections - Holy Cross - Valle Crucis
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Father Allan’s Reflections...
“Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure.
Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. Faithful
friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them.
Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright, for as they are, so are
their neighbors also.” (Sirach 6:14-17)
Perhaps because many of the restrictions on face-to-face gatherings have begun to
be lifted so that we now physically see and interact with one another, I find the above
quote from Sirach timely. The writer says, “Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter …
Faithful friends are beyond price … Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and
those who fear the Lord will find them.” I read those words and I think of the
precious gift of friendship we share in this holy place. It is a gift to be treasured. Lord knows that our parish
represents a vast range of political opinions, understandings of scripture, and how best to live and walk in
the ways of the Christian faith. Nevertheless; while we often disagree passionately and prayerfully, we are
always there for one another. Many have shared that they could not have coped with loss or even life’s
changes especially during the pandemic had it not been for the love and support of the members of this
parish. Others find that the friendships developed here seem even stronger than family ties. In befriending
one another, a true sense of community has emerged that continues to grow and expand in its welcome and
embrace. Sirach says, “Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright, for as they are, so are their
neighbors also." In other words, when we treasure the gift of one another, communities are transformed.
As we continue to discern how best to regather safely and continue to look out for the health and well-being
of one another, I invite you to reflect upon and celebrate the gift and the very depth of friendship we share.
Let us remember, “Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure.”
May God grant us the grace to see one another for who we are in Christ: treasures of immeasurable value.
Yours in service to the Gospel,
Allan +
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Summer 2021 Newsletter
July
1 Bob Capps 11 Karen Ehrhardt 22 John Cooper 27 Jerry Hutchins
2 Lynne Thomson 12 Olee Olsen 22 Alex Craig 27 Sam Yates
3 Brett McDonough 13 Jill Storelli 24 Denise Ringler 27 Alex Poorman
3 Dave Gignac 14 Kathy Locke 24 Seth Creech 28 Joyce Forsythe
4 Kim Baker 14 Christopher Page 25 Marcus Lehmann 29 Becky Pendergast
5 Howard Donovan 14 Graham Browning 25 Jo Pine 30 Ann Gerber
6 Dave Parks 17 Miki Gordon 26 Bernie Keele 30 Pan McCaslin
7 Al Dasher 18 Gavin Parks 26 Susan Howard 30 Angela Williams
7 Sherry Rice 21 Evie Grace Donovan 26 Nancy McInnes 31 Kim Grater
8 Mary Jane Major 21 Patty Townsend 26 Julie Gates 31 Sarah Jordan
10 Janice LaCapra 31 Pat Underwood
August
3 Carol Smith 16 Brenda Lowman 20 Fred Klingeman 25 Patty Dyer
4 Will Rankin 16 Beth Johnston 20 Frank Watson 27 Tav Gauss
6 Joan Bray 17 Corin Brown 21 Heather Furr 27 Oliva Hendricks
8 Mary Hansley 17 Dirk Beckman 22 Sarah Hatch 28 Mary Willis
8 Charlie Hart 18 John LaCapra 22 Ingrid Forsyth 29 Joy Flint
8 Barbara Pitts 20 Nelia Cunningham 24 Jim Tennant 30 Karla Prudhomme
10 Maria Morton 20 Scott Kallestad 24 Bill Welch 30 Cathy Tester
24 Travis Watson 31 Peggy Hedrick
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 2
Summer 2021 Newsletter
August 1
July 3 Andrea and Randy McDonough August 22
Frank and Mary Watson Anna and Ralph Boswell
August 8
July 8 Rebecca Cairns and Keith Martin August 26
Lolly and Tom Howser Gena and Bill Rankin
August 8
July 13 Karen and The Rev. Dr. Spencer August 27
Ed and Beth Beck Beth and Steve Loflin
August 14
July 23 Jerry and Rebecca Hutchins August 29
Mary Jane and John DeWees Kay and Keith Toomey
August 15
July 27
Charlie and Mary Frisbie August 30
Howard and Pat Underwood
Jean and Terry Marshall
August 20
Patty and Craig Adams
Prayer List
Please hold these people in your healing prayers
Our injured and disabled military personnel, our veterans, all civilians harmed in conflict, and for Robert,
Jett, Lynda, Sonny, Stuart, Philip, Dayton, Tony, Luke, Bernie, Lindsay, Bill, Lenny, Keely, Mary & Ernie,
Arthur & Karen, Mary S., Smut, Susan S., Scotty, Tracy & Debra, Humberto, Sperry, Bert, Marlene, Ray
G., Lisa, Mason, Joanne M., Summer, Donna K., Laura B., Gini H., Alan B., Wendell, Carol S., Gail I.,
Anna Jane, Ted N., Brianna M., Barry & Bonnie, Gretchen M., Susan D., Noyes L., Ron M., Marilyn W.,
Rick & Pat L., Kathryne B., Pam C., Thelma L., Gloria T., Mary Jane M., Barbara P., Les R., Cathy & Joe
P., Mark P., Steve S., Betsy W., Kent T., June J., Beth B., ________.
For those in Harm’s Way:
John, Harrison, Ian, all Peace Corps workers & volunteers, all who serve in the armed forces, and all health
and relief workers at home and throughout the world.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 3
Summer 2021 Newsletter
Welcome Home and Introducing …
Ahren Koenig,
Parish Administrator
After a lengthy search process and having screened over 100 applicants and interviewed around
20-25 in person and/or online, we are delighted to announce the hiring of Mr. Ahren Koenig as our
new Parish Administrator.
Ahren (pronounced “Aaron”) was most recently employed with Samaritan’s Purse in Boone where,
according to his supervisors, he demonstrated exceptional customer service and administrative skills,
as well as a very strong work ethic. Ahren is fluent in Spanish having spent a number of years in
Quito, Ecuador where his parents served with HCJB Radio. In addition, Ahren has extensive audio
and video production experience and skills that may come into good use should our Online/
Livestream Ministry continue to grow.
Ahren will join our staff full-time commencing Thursday, July 1. Should you be in the area, please
stop by, introduce yourself, and welcome Ahren home to Holy Cross!
Ministry Spotlight: Ushers and Greeters
Psalm 84:10 “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God…”
The ministry of our Ushers and Greeters is a gift to all. When we arrive at Holy Cross or St. John’s for
the first time, they greet us and help us feel welcome. Their presence at the door and availability
throughout the service offers the assurance that if something goes wrong—a medical emergency or
another disruption—they will step in and help out. Their continuity of service helps us maintain a con-
nection with the past, helping us grow and change without forgetting where we have been.
Ushers & Greeters rarely get any credit for what they do on behalf of the church, and, frankly, most
seem to never want any. They do not read or sing or preach, yet, in a way, all we do in church begins
with them. Think of all the Sundays that you have worshiped in these sacred places over the years.
Think of how many times you have been greeted by our Greeters & Ushers. Think of how many peo-
ple have been welcomed to our parish by these faithful women and men. The next time you see them,
thank them for their ministry to the Church – for theirs is, indeed, a ministry.
As we come back from the pandemic, many of us are discovering that the things we did before the
world shut down have changed, just as we are also finding that God is calling us to pick up new things
and serve in new ways. We are always in need of people who may have gifts for this ministry and who
are willing to serve as an Usher or Greeter, or both! If you think you might be called to this ministry,
send me an email and let me know. In the coming weeks, we will have a training for new and returning
Ushers and Greeters. Those who pick up this ministry will carry forward the legacy of those who have
carried it before them, and, together, we build upon their service with gratitude.
Fr. Allan +
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 4
Summer 2021 Newsletter
Memorial and Interment Services Planned
One of the most difficult aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the inability for the parish to
gather to celebrate the lives of members who died during these past 15 months. Similarly, interment
services have also been curtailed.
While plans for several other Memorial and/or Interment Services have yet to be finalized, we wish to
inform the congregation of the following planned services and we hope that you will attend as you are
able.
Scott McDonough Memorial Service – 11:00 am, Saturday, July 17, 2021
A Memorial Service in Celebration of the Life of the late Scott Edwin McDonough will take place
indoors at Holy Cross on July 17. This service, which includes the complete funeral rites of The
Episcopal Church, special music, hymnody, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, will be followed
by the interment of Scott’s ashes in the Holy Cross Memorial Garden. A reception in Skiles Hall follows
the interment and will be hosted by our Episcopal Church Women (ECW). Your presence and prayers
will be most appreciated.
Pac McLaurin Graveside Service – 1:00 pm, Saturday, August 7, 2021
A Graveside Service with the Interment of the Ashes of the late Dr. Lambert Pascal “Pac”
McLaurin, Jr., will take place in the Holy Cross Memorial Garden on August 7. While unknown to
newcomers, Pac was a cherished and honored member of Holy Cross for many, many years. Pac, and
his beloved spouse Susan, were very involved with the Towel Ministry – a ministry they both supported
with their whole hearts. Pac and Susan moved to Pittsboro in the fall of 2012 and yet, they remained
connected with many of us in the Parish and always looked forward to receiving the monthly newsletter.
All parishioners are welcome to attend this graveside service of remembrance and interment. A catered
reception will follow in Skiles Hall.
Hello from Summer Food Ministry,
Donations are due on the shelves Wednesday, July 7 & Wednesday, July 28.
And the last two deliveries for the summer will be July 9 and 30.
Thank you!!
Ann
ann.m.gerber@gmail.com
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 5
Summer 2021 Newsletter
Ministry opportunity
Do you have several hours one Saturday a month to help pick up donated food at Food Lion and drop
it off at Hospitality House? Donated foods by area grocery stores help supplement food offerings
at Hospitality House where meals are offered to anyone in need 365 days a year. If interested, please
contact Pan McCaslin or Ron McInnes.
Please Mark the Date for the Return of the 5th Tuesday Potluck Supper on
Tuesday, August 31 at 5pm!
A new feature for the monthly Newsletter
This month we:
Congratulate Bradley Barber who has been accepted to attend Liberty University this fall. The
actual start dates for orientation and classes have yet to be finalized. Nevertheless, please keep Bradley
in your prayers as he ventures to Lynchburg, VA.
Congratulate Allyn & Maria Morton on the birth of their grandson, Ezekiel Green, on June 12th.
All are well and, of course, Allyn & Maria are on Cloud 9!
Congratulate Keith Martin who has received the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award! The
Award honors individuals who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer
service. Keith, a distinguished professor of theatre at App State, was specifically recognized for his
service to the Appalachian Theatre, Holy Cross, the Hunger & Health Coalition, In/Visible Theatre,
the Valle Country Fair, and the Conference Center. He was also recognized for his extraordinary
commitment to mentoring & educating youth, significant devotion to assisting older adults, dedication
to assisting marginalized populations, and significant devotion to those in need. Well done, Keith, and
Congratulations!
Congratulate Jaidyn Toomey who has been selected to attend the North Carolina Governor’s
School West program at High Point University. The program recognizes Jaidyn’s skills and abilities as
a Cellist. She will be participating in the program’s Instrumental Music Studies. Please keep Jaidyn in
your prayers!
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 6
Summer 2021 Newsletter
Save the Date!
Friday, July 23, 2021
“Music in the Valle” – Potluck Supper!
We are delighted to announce that not only has the Valle Crucis Community Park begun its “Music
in the Valle” Summer Concert Series, but also announce the date of our Annual Summer Potluck
gathering.
This year, Holy Cross is partnering with Heiss Interiors (aka Tracey & John Heiss) to sponsor
Rastacoustic in Concert on Friday 23, 2021. Rastacoustic is an Appalachian Reggae group that
combines Roots Reggae music with the Appalachian folk style
All are encouraged to bring your friends and a dish to share as we gather in the Pavilion for a potluck
supper (5:30-ish pm), enjoy a time of fellowship and laughter followed by the concert at 7 pm. Whether
you come for the potluck meal or simply attend the concert be sure to bring a lawn chair and favorite
beverage. More details and needs will be announced as we draw closer to the event. Volunteer
providers of picnic supplies would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Terry Fulton at:
terryalanfulton@gmail.com to offer help and for additional information.
By popular request, Coffee’s On will continue by Zoom through the summer, with a slight break for
the July 4th weekend. BUT, on August 7th, Coffee’s On will take place on the porch at the Rectory.
Yes, an in person gathering. Drop in from 10 – 12, bring a friend or houseguest. Otherwise, join
us at 10 am by Zoom each Saturday morning.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 7
Summer 2021 Newsletter
Taize Service at St. John’s
August 3 at 6:30 pm, Taize prayer service returns. Patterned after the style of
Christian worship practiced by the ecumenical Taizé community in France,
characterized by the repetitive singing of simple harmonized tunes, often in
various languages, interspersed with readings, prayers, and periods of silence.
Bring a friend, come sit in prayer, be thankful.
2021Valle Country Fair News
Have you Heard? Yes, the rumors are true! The Valle Country Fair returns to the
fairgrounds for an in-person event in 2021!
We are excited to share with you that the 43rd Annual 2021Valle Country Fair will be in-person this
year! Mark your calendars! Saturday October 16, 2021!
The leadership committee is hard at work with preparations for this year’s Fair. We want you to know
that the health of our parish, volunteers and community are of utmost importance in our planning
efforts for this year's event. We are putting into place best practices to help ensure everyone’s safety.
With everyone’s help, this year’s Fair will be a great success and allow us to continue the amazing work
Holy Cross does for local charities throughout the community.
Want to get involved? Have questions? Don’t know where to start? Please feel free to reach out to
us at vcf.chairs@gmail.com or give us a call. We look forward to your help continuing this amazing
tradition!
John Heiss (cell) 202-812-6492
Tracey Heiss (cell) 703-919-9767
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 8
Summer 2021 Newsletter
The snowball viburnum and buttercups of May/early June have faded,
Transplants which had outgrown
but some garden fairies did a little cleanup and added a border for more their pots transformed into a nice
summer color to continue. border along the upper drive by
the log cabin.
Always grateful for new eyes and ideas,
feel free to join in our gardening efforts!
Lee Gallien
757-553-8093
St Francis seemed to keep getting lost among the gallienLJ@gmail.com
rhodos and overgrown bed. Now he will be a more
prominent feature! In the process of weeding, trimming
and thinning, more sidewalk was uncovered!! to allow
our greeters and Father Allan to have a bit more space
for welcoming folks as they come and go to worship.
Food/Grocery Drive for the and Hunger and Health Coalition
There is still a large need for food donations in the high country.
We have a new supply of A Simple Gesture bags in the
Welcome center at Skiles.
Return them to Skiles and they will be picked
up on Fridays.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 9
Summer 2021 Newsletter
Thursday, July 15 & Thursday, August 26
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Dinner around 6:15)
Men’s Night Out is an opportunity for men from the parish and
community to enjoy some social time together. Feel free to bring a
friend or three!. The following details our Summer Gatherings as
follows:
On July 15, we will gather at the Gauss home at 269 Cross Creek
Trail between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk with Grillmaster Tav
providing his famous grilled and BBQ chicken with appropriate
side dishes. Please bring a lawn or beach chair as seating is limited.
On August 26 at the Lowman home, we will enjoy Chef Jim's
legendary pulled pork with his five-bean baked bean and slaw; his
address is 610 Elk Ridge Farm in Valle Crucis and, yes, we will
have a guided tour of his vintage car and bicycle collection.
Please Note:
Carpooling to both events is strongly encouraged.
The suggested donation is $15 to $20 per person.
Please remember to bring your beverage of choice.
RSVP by noon on Tuesday prior to each gathering to
Keith Martin via email to KeithTMartin@gmail.com or
by cell to 704.608.2755
Another school year has come to a close and that leaves us students
with a lot to be grateful for. This past semester we were able to
gather every Tuesday evening outside St. Luke’s with masks. We
are so thankful to Mother Nature for allowing us to meet together
every week! The lead team has been working very hard to ensure a fun and safe space for the upcoming school year. As
we gear up for the Fall semester, we are diligently planning our fall break service trip, as well as many in person events to
welcome the first year and new students to campus ministry. Many of us have chosen to go home this summer to pursue
job opportunities or be with loved ones while others have chosen to stay in Boone for the summer (myself included!).
Those of us who are in Boone have been communicating and plan to stay connected this summer!
We hope to see everyone in the Fall as the vaccine is widely available and more and more individuals are getting vaccinated!
I cannot wait to get back to having moveable feasts and have conversations with each and every one of you all!
Be well,
Keziah Lacey (she/her)
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 10Summer 2021 Newsletter
Music Notes
“This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore.” (Psalm 48:13)
Happy summer greetings! A beautiful High Country summer is always something special to behold. The
grandeur of the mountains, the birdsong, flora and fauna of Nature, and ‘cooler-than-off-the-mountain’
temperatures are features to treasure!
Of particular note this year, is the return to a much-anticipated “new normal!” How wonderful it is to
gather once again in fellowship and worship; singing and praying together in community. As Music
plans unfold, the Choir will resume with rehearsals and Offertory anthems. In a very real sense, we are
re-acquiring our “sea legs” after a very long hiatus! For the month of July, choral music will include
familiar hymn arrangements with a touch of Americana, Hebrew, and traditional Anglican. When possible,
instrumentalists will also join us to enhance the music. As we journey through August, the Choir will
offer more standard anthems, with a mix of soloists and small groups on occasion.
Mark your calendars for these anticipated events: Sunday, July 4 brings our annual tradition of a Piper
leading us into and out of worship! We at Holy Cross are so very fortunate to benefit in this special
way from the Conference Center, and the summer camp of the North American Academy of Piping
and Drumming. Likewise, the MasterSingers youth choir of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte, will
visit our 11:00 a.m. worship on August 22.
Finally, as we transition back to our lives “post-Covid,” it is important to acknowledge the countless
contributions of individuals who maintained Music offerings for online worship during the pandemic.
Hymn Choirs met regularly to record hymns for Sunday services. The epicenter of participation included
Andrea McDonough, Kim Baker, and Keith Martin. Additional singers included: John Goodrich, Pat
Parks, Margaret Love, Dedy Traver, the Kallestad family, Mason Walker, Daphne Speer, Donna and
David Caudill.
Offertories featured vocal and instrumental soloists as well as duets and trios. This list included: Andrea
McDonough, Mason Walker, Rev. Anna, Jaidyn Toomey, Marie Kallestad, Adam Kallestad, John
Goodrich, Keith Martin, David Caudill, Pat Parks, Kim Baker, Margaret Love, Robin Whitley, Brett
McDonough, Elaine and Scott Kallestad. And of course, our Handbell Choir offered the first online bell
performances in the entire High Country! Ringers included: Pan McCaslin, Robin Byerly, Laura Russell,
Andrea McDonough, Larry Byerly, John Goodrich, and the Kallestad’s. The Holy Cross Virtual Choir
began recording in October, 2020 and continued through May, 2021. Nearly ALL vocalists joined in
these technical adventures!"
None of our online music would have been possible without the technical expertise of my husband,
Scott. The hours of recording, adjusting, and assembling tracks made for many months of work. Thank
you, Scott, for your patience in audio/video recordings for vocalists and Organist alike; you made all of
us sound exquisite! And of course, our entire Holy Cross online worship was splendidly enabled by the
mastery of Britt Adams and Todo Productions. What a year-and-a-quarter!
American composer Robert Lowry penned these words to the hymn, How Can I Keep From Singing. May
they bring your spirit much joy! “The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain every springing!
All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing?”
----Elaine Kallestad
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 11July 2021
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
(From July 4: Kim Baker’s 1 2 8:00pm Night 3 10 am Coffee’s
birthday) Prayers (via On via Zoom
Bob Capps’ birthday Zoom) Dave Gignac and Brett
Lynn Thomson’s McDonough’s birthday
birthday Mary & Frank Watson’s
anniversary
4 Holy Eucharist 5 6 7 8 9 8:00pm Night 10 10 am Coffee’s
9 am at St. John’s Prayers (via On via Zoom
11 am at Holy Howard Donovan’s Dave Parks and Mary Jane Major’s Zoom) Janice LaCapra’s
Cross birthday Al Dasher’s birthday Sherry Rice’s birthday birthday birthday
Lolly & Tom Howser’s
anniversary
11 Holy Eucharist 12 13 14 15 16 8:00pm Night 17 10 am Coffee’s
9 am at St. John’s Prayers (via On via Zoom
11 am at Holy Olee Olsen’s birthday Jill Storelli’s birthday Zoom) Miki Gordon’s
Cross Ed and Beth Beck’s Christopher Page, birthday
Karen Ehrhardt’s anniversary Graham Browning and
birthday Kathleen Locke’s b-day
18 Holy Eucharist 19 20 21 22 23 5:00-8:00pm 24 10 am Coffee’s
9 am at St. John’s Picnic at the On via Zoom
11 am at Holy John Cooper and VC Park Denise Ringler and
Cross Evie Grace Donovan & Alex Craig’s birthday Seth Creech’s birthday
Gavin Parks’ birthday Patty Townsend’s John and Mary Jane
birthday Dewees’ anniversary
25 Holy Eucharist 26 27 28 29 30 8:00pm Night 31 10 am Coffee’s
9 am at St. John’s Prayers (via On via Zoom
11 am at Holy Becky Pendergast’s Zoom) Kim Grater, Sarah
Bernie Keele, Julie Gates,
Cross Sam Yates’ Joyce Forsythe’s birthday birthday Ann Gerber, Angela Jordan, and Pat
Nancy McInnes and Susan
Jo Pine and Marcus birthday Howard and Williams, and Pan Underwood’s birthday
Howard’s birthday
Lehmann’s birthday Pat Underwood’s anniv. McCaslin’s birthdayAugust 2021
(From Aug. 8: Mary Hansley, Barbara Pitts (From Aug. 22: Sarah Hatch and Ingrid
& Charlie Hart’s birthday Forsyth’s birthday Ralph and Anna
Karen & The Rev. Dr. Spencer and Rebecca Boswell’s anniversary
Cairns & Keith Martin’s anniversary)
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Holy Eucharist 2 3 4 5 6 8:00pm Night 7 10 am Coffee’s On
9 am at St. John’s Prayers (via at the Rectory!
11 am at Holy Carol Smith’s birthday Zoom)
Cross Will Rankin’s birthday Joan Bray’s birthday
Andrea & Randy
McDonough’s
8 Holy Eucharist 9 10 11 12 13 8:00pm Night 14 10 am Coffee’s
9 am at St. John’s Prayers (via On via Zoom
11 am at Holy Maria Morton’s birthday Zoom) Jerry and Rebecca
Cross Hutchins’ anniversary
15 Holy Eucharist 16 17 18 19 20 8:00pm Night 21 10 am Coffee’s
9 am at St. John’s Prayers (via Zoom) On via Zoom
11 am at Holy Beth Johnston and Corin Brown and Nelia Cunningham, Heather Furr’s birthday
Cross Brenda Lowman’s Dick Beckman’s birthday John LaCapra’s birthday Scott Kallestad, Fred
Charlie and Mary birthday Klingeman & Frank
Frisbie’s anniversary Watson’s birthday
22 Holy Eucharist 23 24 25 26 27 8:00pm Night 28 10 am Coffee’s
9 am at St. John’s Prayers (via Zoom) On via Zoom
11 am at Holy Jim Tennant, Travis Tav Gauss and Oliva Mary Willis’ birthday
Cross Watson and Bill Welch’s Patty Dyer’s birthday Hendricks’ birthday
birthday Gena Beth and Steve Loflin’s
& Bill Rankin’s anniv anniversary
29 Holy Eucharist 30 31
9 am at St. John’s
11 am at Holy Karla Prudhomme and
Cross Joy Flint’s Cathy Tester’s birthday
birthday Kay and Keith Terry & Jean Marshall’s
Peggy Hedrick’s birthday
Toomey’s anniversary anniversarySummer 2021 Newsletter
Notes from
the Attic
– Dedy Traver
We hear a lot about Bishop Ives who came to Valle Crucis in 1842, we know about Bishop Cheshire
who restarted the Episcopal Church’s mission in 1895 and we know about Bishop Horner who was
responsible for Valle Crucis Industrial School, later to become the Valle Crucis Mission School. But do
you know about Bishop Thomas Atkinson? Probably not! In the words of Bishop Cheshire from an
address in 1909, “The third Bishop of North Carolina occupied a somewhat unique position among our
Southern Bishops in his attitude towards the difficult problems presented to the Church, both at the
beginning and at the close of the war between the States. His position was not always understood, nor
did his course at the time command universal approval. But it was his power of seeing clearly, and of
reasoning accurately, amid the clouds and clamor of those perilous times, which, more than any other
single influence, brought the Church in peace and unity and unfeigned charity through trials which
otherwise might have split it into discordant and hostile communions. Having truth with him he dared
to seem to stand alone; and all the more contentedly and patiently, because his love and confidence
towards his brethren made him feel sure that the truth would in the end bring all together again in
pursuit of their great and holy purpose.” This information comes from “A Pictorial History of the Episcopal
Church in NC 1701-1964” Rev. Norvin C. Duncan. NOTE: Bishop Atkinson was the one who consecrated St.
John’s Church on August 22, 1862!
Thomas Atkinson (6 Aug. 1807-4 Jan. 1881), third Episcopal bishop of North Carolina, was one of eleven
children of Robert and Mary Tabb Mayo Atkinson of Mansfield, Dinwiddie County, Va., and one of four brothers
who became Episcopal or Presbyterian clergymen. Born on his father's plantation and educated in local schools,
Atkinson entered Yale College at age fourteen. During his junior year, following a student spree on which he
refused to serve as informant, he was forced to leave or be expelled. He then entered Hampden-Sydney College,
from which he was graduated in 1825 with top honors of his class. After three years of study under Judge Henry
St. George Tucker of Winchester, Va., Atkinson was licensed to practice law, a vocation he pursued successfully
for eight years. Atkinson then decided to enter the ministry in 1836. Upon his advancement to the priesthood on
May 7, 1837 he became rector of St. Paul's Church, Norfolk. During the next sixteen years he served successfully
as rector of St. Paul's, Norfolk (1837-39); St. Paul's, Lynchburg (1839-43); St. Peters, Baltimore (1843-50); and
Grace Church, Baltimore, a church he organized (1850-53).
During his tenure in Baltimore, Atkinson was twice elected bishop of Indiana (1843, 1846), an honor that on both
occasions he declined. Although in 1843 he rejected the election on the grounds that he was ill-prepared for the
office of bishop, three years later he declined because he did not wish to live in a community inflamed with hatred
for slavery and slaveholders. Despite the fact that he disliked abolitionism, he had years earlier freed his own
slaves and expressed a preference for living in the slave South in order to serve as a better influence. When he was
nominated in 1853 to become bishop of South Carolina, his prompt expression of opposition to slavery cooled
South Carolinians toward his election. In May of the same year, however, he was elected bishop of North
Carolina, following thirty ballotings by a sharply divided North Carolina diocesan convention. On Oct. 17, 1853,
Atkinson was consecrated at the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York,
succeeding Levi S. Ives. Atkinson remained North Carolina's Episcopal bishop for twenty-eight turbulent years.
.As Bishop, Atkinson quickly restored the Hobartian high church views of Bishop Ravenscroft and launched an
ambitious program of mission and reform, including calls for the abolition of pew rents, the raising up of clergy
from all levels of society and the establishment of new congregations in railroad and manufacturing centers.
The Civil War disrupted his missionary initiatives, but he remained steadfast throughout his Episcopate in urging
the Church to meet its obligations to minister to all of society. He was instrumental in the establishment of St.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 8
Augustine’s College in 1867, and he sought, albeit unsuccessfully, to revive Bishop Ives’ interest in building a
school in Western North Carolina. continued…
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 14Summer 2021 Newsletter
Notes from the Attic continued…
As the Civil War approached, Atkinson provided enlightened and moderate leadership for North
Carolina's Episcopalians. He promoted education by founding a church school for boys in Raleigh and
the Ravenscroft School in Asheville. He urged the religious instruction of slaves throughout the state.
He argued effectively against using theories of Negro racial inferiority as a basis for defending slavery.
Until Lincoln's call for southern troops to suppress the rebellious South, Atkinson opposed secession in
word and deed. Thereafter, however, he put the Episcopal church in North Carolina in the service of the
Confederacy. While he was initially opposed to a similar severing of the Protestant Episcopal Church, by
October 1861 he came to support southern moves to erect a Protestant Episcopal Church in the
Confederate States of America. At the conclusion of the war, he continued his moderation by becoming
one of only two southern bishops to attend the Philadelphia general convention in October 1865. He
played a prominent role at this convention, at which his attendance and actions helped to insure that the
Church would not remain divided North and South after the Civil War. Soon thereafter, Atkinson
announced his intentions to make North Carolina a model for dealing with the problem of freed blacks.
In 1866 he placed the operation of black Episcopal churches fully in the hands of black clergymen.
When his health failed in 1866, Atkinson traveled widely in America and Europe to recover the vibrancy
of his earlier years. Such travels brought him to the international Anglican conference at York, England,
in 1866; the First Lambeth Conference at Lambeth Palace in 1867; and to Cambridge University, where
he received an honorary doctoral degree, also in 1867. Atkinson's health continuing to decline, Theodore
Benedict Lyman was elected his assistant bishop in 1873. Atkinson died in Wilmington, where he had
made his home since 1855. He was survived by Josepha Gwinn Wilder, daughter of John Wilder of
Petersburg, Va., whom he had married in 1828 and by whom he had three children.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 15Holy Cross Episcopal Church www.holycrossvallecrucis.net
PO Box 645 email: holy_cross@skybest.com
Valle Crucis, NC 28691
Diocese of Western North Carolina
The Rt. Rev. José Antonio McLoughlin, Bishop
Clergy and Staff
The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin, Rector
Elaine Kallestad, Choir Director/Organist
Vestry
Jane Blackburn (2021), Senior Warden
David Johnston (2022), Junior Warden
Bob Capps (2021), Nina-Jo Moore (2021 – completing an unexpired term)
Terry Fulton (2022), John Pendergast (2022)
Robin Byerly (2023), Ann Gerber (2023), Jeff Williams (2023)
Officers
Larry Byerly, Treasurer Dedy Traver, Clerk
Church of the Holy Cross
PO Box 645
Valle Crucis, NC 28691
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