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We enter our stewardship drive each fall, and part of this timeincludes those simple little blue United Thank Offering boxes.I have come to absolutely relish bringing that box home,because it allows us to step into practices of stewardship andgratitude at our dinner table each night. Here’s how it goes atmy house: After dinner, my kids take turns running to theirpiggy banks for coins so we each have something to drop inthe box. My older daughter, who is reading now, then picks upthe box and reads: Notice the good things that happen each day. Give thanks to God for your blessings. Make an offering for each blessing. Your blessings become blessings for others.We then go around the table, and each person says what theyare thankful for from that day and in that moment. Of course,as you know, kids say the darnedest things. Actually, in thiscase, what they share is not just adorable, it’s also straightfrom their hearts. They thank God for having a family or forplaying with their friends or for a parent coming home from along trip. They remind us of each day of what is mostimportant as gratitude pours out from their hearts. Once wedrop our coins into the UTO boxes, we read the quote on thetop of the box from George Herbert, which says, Now that thou hast given so much to me, give one thing more, a grateful heart.Once everyone has spoken their gratitudes and given theirofferings, we all say the final prayer on the box together: Almighty God, I give you praise for blessing me in many ways. Create in me a grateful heart and with this gift, a blessing start. Amen.It is an incredibly powerful and grace-filled moment aroundour dinner table. I wish I could share it with each of you inperson.As we share in these UTO practices and make our pledges thismonth, I pray that we can each be aware of the abundance ofblessings that God gives us and share these blessings withothers. This simple daily UTO practice goes a long way tokeep us grounded in the heart of God. On that note, I wouldvery much like you to know that I thank God especially foryou and having this church home together at St. John in theWilderness.THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OFTHE VOICEOctober 2024From the Rector's DeskInside this issue:222333346777The deadline for is the 15thof each month. Email submissions toMims Yeargin atofficeadmin@stjohnflatrock.orgor deliver them to thechurch office.Fall FellowshipFestivalParish BreakfastBlessing of theAnimalsStewardshipLearning toDance withDementiaCall for DocentsFlowerMemorialsPhotos from thePilgrimage toCanadaHoly HikeRetreatReaders in theWildernessECW NewsBirthdays

October 2024 2You’re invited to a Parish Breakfast hosted by the Chefsof St. John! In addition to the regular offerings ofbacon, sausage, eggs, grits, gravy, fruit salad, potatoes,biscuits, and juice/coffee/tea, the Chefs will serve upwaffles. The cost is $6/person or $12/family. No RSVPnecessary. We hope to see you there!Blessing of the AnimalsJoin Us for a Parish BreakfastJoin us on Ingathering Sunday as we celebrate the manyblessings God has bestowed upon this parish at our FallFellowship Festival at Camp Ton-A-Wandah! On Sunday,October 13, from 3:00 to 6:00pm, you are invited to share ina fun afternoon of grilling out, face painting, camp activities,live music, and more. Please register and pay for this event online byWednesday, October 9, at www.stjohnflatrock.org/fff.The cost to attend is $10 per person or $25 per family ofthree or more with children.The Chefs of St. John are seeking volunteers who can assistwith setting up, grilling out, and breaking down. If thissounds like you, please add your name to the volunteer list atbit.ly/FFFvolunteer24.All are welcome—invite your friends and neighbors! Welook forward to seeing you as we come together to celebrateour parish life and family.As the golden hues of autumn begin to grace Flat Rock, theEpiscopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness invites youand your beloved animal companions to a special service: theBlessing of the Animals. Mark your calendars for Sunday,October 6, when our furry, feathered, and even scaly friendswill gather in the parking lot behind the Parish Hall for thisjoyful occasion.This unique service welcomes all domestic animals—cats,dogs, chickens, horses, goats, birds, snakes, and more!Whether your pet has paws, wings, or hooves, they are allinvited to receive a special blessing. If your animalcompanion can't attend in person, feel free to bring a stuffedanimal or a photo to be blessed in their place. Our outdoorsetting promises a lively and inclusive Eucharist where all ofGod’s creatures can feel the warmth of community anddivine love.This service takes place just days after the Feast of St.Francis of Assisi, a saint renowned for his deep love for allof God’s creatures. St. Francis's life was a radical departurefrom the intellectualism of his time, as he embraced a life ofpoverty and service in the way of Jesus Christ. Hisconnection to animals is legendary, with stories of himpreaching to birds and making peace with a fearsome wolf,whom he lovingly called “Brother Wolf.”In the spirit of St. Francis, we gather to give thanks for theanimals in our lives and to pray that the reconciling love ofChrist may extend beyond our relationship with God toinclude all of creation. We hope you will join us and bringyour animal companions for this special outdoor worshipservice. And don’t worry if it rains—we’ll simply move thecelebration inside the Parish Hall.We look forward to seeing you and your cherished animalson October 6!In 2023, we blessed a goat and a donkey in addition to all the dogs and cats!The Youth of St. John had a blast helping out at the September Breakfast!

October 2024 3Alice and Gilbert Doan andWilliam H. Coxby Judy CoxANDDolores Boykin Gunter andJeffrey Hare Gunter, Jr. by the Jeffrey Hare Gunter, Sr. FamilyANDMike Covellby his wife, JoanieThe October AltarFlowers are Given inLoving Memory of:The October AltarFlowers are Given inLoving Memory of:Bill Gordon,Sarah and Russ Gordonby Worth GordonANDCharles S. Harrellby his wife, Cathryn, and familyWick Andrewsby Martha Andrews and familyCeleste E. Giblinby daughters, Sara and Mary FiquetSt. John in the Wilderness is once againwelcoming Mary Donnelly, nationallyrecognized dementia consultant and educatorfrom MemoryCare of Asheville, whosepresentation will be followed by a three-person panel of leading local professionals todiscuss this timely and sensitive topic in apractical, informative way. Come and learnwhen it is time to consider a facility, whatlegal issues families face, and what advancesare on the horizon for dementia in medicine.Learning to Dance with Dementia:When to Lead, When to Follow, and When to Get Out of the Way!Give with Purpose—Connect with LoveOur Stewardship Committee has been hard at workplanning this year’s Stewardship Campaign. After muchreflection on how best to continue supporting ourparish and its outreach programs, the Committeeselectedselected the theme "Give with Purpose – Connect with Love" for this year'scampaign. As you consider your role in supporting St. John's mission, you areencouraged to prayerfully think about making a pledge to our 2025Stewardship Campaign. If you have not received a pledge form, you arewelcome to pick one up from the table outside the Parish Office or pledgeonline at www.stjohnflatrock.org/pledge.Mark your calendars for Ingathering Sunday on October 13, when we willbless the pledges we have received at both services. Please ensure your pledgecards are submitted online, in the mail, or in the offering plate by this date,and plan to join us for our special Fall Fellowship Festival at Camp Ton-A-Wandah in the afternoon (see page 2 of this issue of The Voice for moredetails). We are deeply grateful for the connections we share with you inChrist and look forward to another year of giving and growth together.We look forward to having you! Please register at bit.ly/dancewithdementia,and contact Linda Giltner at media@stjohnflatrock.org with any questions.Was history your favorite subject? Would you like to share the story of St. John's beautiful church and historic churchyardwith others? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, congratulations! You're on your way to becoming a St.John in the Wilderness docent. Our docents lead tours on the third Saturday of each month. From June through September,tours are scheduled twice a month, on the first and third Saturdays. Docents report that attendees appreciate both the tourand the warm welcome St. John extends. We're looking now for more enthusiastic docents to round out our team. If you'dlike to join us or first want to explore what we do, please contact Polly Morrice at pamorrice@gmail.com or 713-206-1036.Calling All History Buffs!

October 2024 41) The pilgrims took a plane from Charlotte to Montreal on August 21. Those on the trip included Elizabeth and David Christenbury, Tom and Lori Griswold, Fred Johnsen, Karen Brinkmann, and Fr. Josh Stephens (not pictured).2) A rainy walk around Montreal after landing.3) After a good night’s rest, the pilgrims spent their first morning in Montreal at St. Joseph’s Oratory. This statue of St. Joseph and the Christ Child is at the center of the sanctuary in the Oratory.4) Angels Unawares, a sculpture by Timothy Schmalz, is outside the Oratory. It evokes Hebrews 13:2 and the Christian duty of hospitality to and solidarity with every human being.5) Statues in the Garden of the Way of the Cross at the Oratory.6) The first afternoon was spent at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, where pilgrims took a tour with a descendent of people who were killed in the Holocaust.7) The next day, pilgrims visited the Basilica of Notre Dame de Montreal. Later that evening, they returned for a light and music show inside the basilica.8) By the weekend, the pilgrims arrived in Québec City, where they attended a service at Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral. There are only a handful of clergy in the diocese, and the largest congregation is a northern First Nations community.9) The pilgrims had dinner overlooking the St. Lawrence River in Québec City.10) The pilgrims also visited the Museum of the Ursulines, a European monastic order devoted to educating girls, including First Nations peoples, especially in art and music. Scenes from the Pilgrimage to Canada11223344555555667788 99 99 1010

October 2024 511) Tom and Lori Griswold on the suspension bridge over Montmorency Falls in Québec.12) On Tuesday, the pilgrims visited the Museum of Civili- zations and found the exhibit on First Nations peoples particularly powerful.13) Pilgrims in front of St. Joseph’s Oratory. 14) View of the St. Lawrence River.15) Dinner following the Notre Dame light show.16) The suspension bridge over Montmorency Falls allows visitors to walk the entire span of the 83-meter waterfall.17) The Cathedral of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, where pilgrims marveled at the mosaics covering the floor, ceiling, and walls and learned about the healing miracles that have occurred there since the 1640s.18) The Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site, where Jacques Cartier first landed and where the first African was brought as an enslaved person in the 1600s.19) A mural celebrating the history of Québec.20) Pilgrims ziplining at Canyon Sainte-Anne on the last full day of their trip, an exhilarating ride with a beautiful view.1111 121213131414151516161717 171717171717181819192020 2020

Join us this fall for a unique opportunity to deepen your faith while experiencing the beauty of the High Country! The secondannual Holy Hikes Retreat will offer daily hikes for all skill levels, guided by Holy Hikes of WNC, along with inspiringmorning and evening sessions led by this year’s speaker, the Rev. Dr. Timothy Ross.Rev. Dr. Ross, a pastor, professor, missionary, and citizen of the Western Cherokee Nation, will share his insights on theintersection of Christian spirituality and Native wisdom. With a wealth of experience, including living among the Maasai inKenya and pastoring Hopwood Christian Church at Milligan University for nearly three decades, Tim brings a uniqueperspective to faith and nature. He is also an instructor at Emmanuel Christian Seminary and works as a consultant withNAIITS, a seminary developed by Native American Christians. When he's not teaching or serving as Director of PastoralCare for Christian Missionary Fellowship International, Tim enjoys spending time with family, beekeeping, and walking themountains.In addition to the daily hikes through the stunning fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, participants can explore a varietyof activities, from relaxation at local spas or the Nordic sauna to visits in charming towns like Boone, Banner Elk, andBlowing Rock. Whether you choose to hike or relax, this retreat promises a time of spiritual renewal, reflection, andconnection with the God who created it all.Registration Details$465 for a private room (with meals)$390 for a shared room (with meals)$240 for commuters (includes breakfast and lunch)Don’t miss out on this enriching experience—register through Valle Crucis today using the link above and immerse yourselfin the beauty of nature and the wisdom of faith!October 2024 6Second Annual Holy Hikes Retreat: Following Jesus Along Native Paths of WisdomScenes from the September Hikebit.ly/holyhikeretreat2024

From the creation of the first encyclopedia to Wikipedia, from ancientmuseums to modern kindergarten classes—this book is an all-encompassing look at how humans acquire, retain, and pass oninformation and data, and how technology continues to change our livesand our minds. With the advent of the internet, any topic we want toknow about is instantly available with the touch of a smartphone button.With so much knowledge at our fingertips, what is there left for ourbrains to do? At a time when we seem to be stripping all value from theidea of knowing things—no need for math, no need for map-reading, nono need for memorization—are we risking our ability to think? As we empty our minds, willwe one day be incapable of thoughtfulness?November 1: by Paul TherouxA riveting work of historical fiction that explores the transformation ofEric Blair into George Orwell. At age nineteen, along with several otheryoung conscripts, the young Eton graduate sets off to be trained for 3years as a servant of the British Empire, overseeing the local policemenin Burma. Navigating the social, racial, and class politics of his fellow British at thesame time as he learned the local languages and struggled to control hismen would prove difficult enough. But doing all of this while grapplingwith his own self-worth is soon overwhelming for the young Blair.Eventually, the drama that unfolds in this hot, beautiful land will changehim forever.October 2024 7OctoberBIRTHDAYSOctoberBIRTHDAYSDon't see your birthday here?That means we don't have arecord of it!Please email Mims in theParish Office at officeadmin@stjohnflatrock.orgto update your information.Scott SheltonMarty LancasterDavid HullJulianna SavageJohn HopperRuss ByarsDennis FlanaganGeoff HanffMartha AndrewsSofia RidgewayBrenda HillyerHarry Van BergenJo StahleJudy OldenburgGeorge GrzendaMeagan CaldwellLaVerne HiattMarisa PharrEve GreggEmma-Jo StatonShelley SchiroElizabeth ChristenburyBob InglisKathryn BesanconBill LancasterHerb QuarlesJasmine PharrDave BrownDale KernLinda KlopmanJanelle WalkerBarbara KovazBritton SwingCarolyne DayPolly MorriceDoug OlsonLynne MillerJon FitzpatrickBarbara SmithLinda Hill1223335566889999101010111111111212131313141515161718181820263031October 4: , by Simon WinchesterReaders in the WildernessECW NewsThe ECW Fall Gathering will be a coffee on Saturday, October5, from 9:00am to 11:00am in the Wilderness Room. No signupis required. We hope that as many ladies as possible will join us.We will share some delicious refreshments and coffee as wecome together in friendship to “make a difference” for thewomen of St. John in the Wilderness. Share your thoughts andideas for ECW activities to “make a difference” in 2025.United Thank Offering is in progress. The mission of UTO isto encourage daily offerings of thankfulness for everydayblessings in our lives. The offerings collected provide preciousblessings for others. Boxes should be returned during bothworship services on Ingathering Sunday, October 13, when wewill bless these offerings. We could use two volunteers at eachservice that Sunday to assist with the collection andpresentation. Please contact Carmen Curtis if you would like tohelp with this effort.Wishing all God’s peace,carmen.lasercurtis@gmail.com / 772-473-9182

Our Mission StatementTo know and love God as He is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, to bring othersto His saving love, and to serve the world in His name.828-693-9783www.stjohnflatrock.orgofficeadmin@stjohnflatrock.orgSunday8:45am - Rite II Eucharist11:00am - Rite II Eucharist *Services are live-streamed to YouTube on a rotating schedule.*St. John uses Rite I liturgies during Advent and Lent, and Rite II during the rest of the year. Monday through Thursday9:00am - Morning Prayer (live-streamed on Facebook)Wednesday10:30am - Healing Service in the Wilderness Room4:30pm - Evening Prayer in the Atrium ChapelWORSHIP SCHEDULEClergy and StaffThe Rev. Josh StephensRectorThe Rev. Ian WilliamsCurateThe Rev. Dn. Charles RexDeacon Mims YearginDirector of Parish Communication &AdministrationStacy KnappParish Financial AssistantKevin HuntSexton The Episcopal Church ofSt. John in the WildernessVestryJerry HoltSenior WardenWill RodriguezJunior WardenTom GriswoldTreasurerMargaret BarkerClerk Clint Adams, Patrice German, Jim Gibbs, Jon Fitzpatrick, E.R. Haire, Jr., Jill Owen, Marissa Pharr, Kim Sanders, Sandy Skelton, and Laura Teel@stjohnwildernessflatrock