Father Allan's Reflections - Holy Cross - Valle Crucis
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Father Allan’s Reflections...
“O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus
Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light:
Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his
presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory … Amen.”
The Prayer for Tuesday in Easter week (BCP p 223)
A parishioner once lamented, “Holy Week is so exhausting I can’t wait for next
Monday when Easter is over” (emphasis added). I smiled hearing that remark because,
truth is, Easter is not a historical event to be celebrated as a single day occurrence,
but rather, in the Christian Calendar, it is a fifty-day celebration of the resurrection - a resurrection that forever
influences our daily lives.
Some people think that once the women encountered the resurrected Lord at the empty tomb and rushed off to
proclaim the great news that Christ is risen, Easter was over. That’s it. Done deal. Let’s pack up the Easter
decorations for another year. (It’s almost like those who toss out the Christmas tree on December 26 as if there’s nothing more
to celebrate.)
Yet, scripture tells us that after that initial encounter Jesus kept coming back appearing to all sorts of people
right up through the day he ascended into heaven. In fact, Easter invites us to meet the risen Christ still today.
We can see him in the faces of friend and stranger and like those early disciples we often meet him in the most
unexpected places. The resurrection was an event that simply goes on and on – it was more than a one day thing.
The early disciples understood this. So much so, it changed every aspect of their lives forever just as it offers to
continue to change our own lives today and every day.
Thus, my prayer is that the fifty-days of Easter (“Eastertide, 2022”) will be a time of increasing renewal as, fed by
scripture, prayer and worship, we become living witnesses to the one who conquered death and still lives today.
May our witness to the truth and redemptive power of Christ’s resurrection bring food to the hungry, comfort to
the afflicted; hope to the hopeless; and faith to those who doubt. In so doing we will follow in the footsteps of
the apostles and join with the Communion of Saints to proclaim in word and action, “Alleluia, Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!”
With prayers for a Blessed Eastertide, I remain,
Yours in service to the Gospel.
Allan +
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
May 2022 Newsletter
May 1 May 20
Pat and Olee Olsen Nichole and Matt McGuire
1 Missy Watson 24 Renee Rand
May 5 May 22
Nancy and Ron McInnes Angela and Jeff Williams
4 Rebecca Cairns 4 Robin Whitley
May 9 May 22
Edie and Stuart Tugman Dayton and Cathy Cole
7 Stacey Koenig 28 William Rankin
May 14 May 24
Carol and Steve Smith Sis and Bob Kinney
17 Hunter Martin 29 The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
May 16 May 26
Jennifer and Walter Browning Jeff and Peggy Hedrick
18 Susan Devine 29 Bill Gaddy
May 19 May 27
Sarah and Travis Donovan Kim Baker and Jim Brown
19 John Goodrich 30 Jakob Sjostrand
May 20 May 28
Larry and Robin Byerly Denise and Steven Bentley
May 20 May 30
Elizabeth Gulley and Curtis Denise and William Ringler
Ryan
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
Jett, Lynda, Sonny, Stuart, Philip, Dayton, Tony, Luke, Bernie & Joan, Lindsay, Keely, Mary S., Smut S., Scotty,
Ray G., Lisa, Donna K., Laura B., Gini H., Wendell, Ted N., Brianna M., Gretchen M., Noyes L., Marilyn W.,
Rick & Pat L., Pam C., June J., Gerry P., Shirley N., Kathryn M., Rebecca M, Bob B., Trey & Jordan B., Barbara
L., Mike H., Judy & Phil B., Lynne T., Bill R., Kathy L., Jim P., Al & Susan T., Sam Y., Emily, Dave L., Frances
S., Erin E., Mary B., Bill B., Greg M., Laura S., Laura B., Linda B., Roberta T., Rossi T., Barbara A., Bill M.,
Cindy M., Elizabeth B., Bud G., Mary W., Carol J., Claire M., Darlene V., Fred K., Robert K., Ben C., Mason S.
For those in Harm’s Way: Hayley, Nathan, Brittany, John, Harrison, all Peace Corps workers & volunteers,
all who serve in the armed forces, and all health & relief workers at home and abroad.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 2
May 2022 Newsletter
Understanding the Absence of
the General Confession during Eastertide
Throughout the Season of Lent, we examined our lives, acknowledged our shortcomings, and both
confessed and repented of, as said so well in the Book of Common Prayer, “our manifold sins and
wickedness.”
And now it is Easter! We are forgiven, restored, and healed! During the 50-day Season of Eastertide, we
do nothing but rejoice in that knowledge. Not offering the General Confession during worship services
is our way of affirming and claiming the joyful reality of what the Resurrection means to us, and to the
whole world.
In a nutshell, just as Lent’s emphasis is upon humanity’s sinfulness, in Easter we emphasize
God’s amazing grace. Thanks be to God!
Restoring the Use of the Shared Common Chalice
For the past two years, we have been prohibited from sharing the blood of Christ (consecrated wine) via
a common chalice. Individual cups of wine have become the norm at worship services throughout this
time of pandemic. The decision to suspend the use of the common cup/common chalice was due in
large part because we didn’t have sufficient scientific knowledge about the Covid-19 virus nor how it is
spread, and most health experts leaned toward an abundance of caution for the health and welfare of
God’s people. Now, two years later, with the availability of vaccines and infection and hospitalization
rates much lower, we can now consider safely returning to using the Common Cup.
Scientific reviews of Eucharistic practices over many, many years have affirmed that in the long history
of communities sharing the Common Cup – a worldwide practice – while there has always been the
theoretical and potential risk for the transmission of some microorganisms, there is no public health
evidence of any outbreaks or transmission from the common cup.
In fact, there is greater risk of potential infection from those choosing to instinct their wafer into the cup
(and incidentally touching the wine) than those who simply sip from the cup. Chalice bearers are trained
in the effective means of wiping the cup after each person. They apply pressure as they turn the cup and
wipe the rim with a clean linen cloth. (The heat created via pressure in that simple act has been sufficient
to eliminate germs/organisms at an amazing rate of 99.9% efficacy provided that the cup is made of
precious metals and not ceramics.)
And so, with the availability of vaccines and a better understanding of how the virus is transmitted, we
are delighted to return to the Common Cup effective Sunday, May 15. Only silver chalices will be
used (even at St. John’s) to offer and serve the wine on Sundays.
Parishioners are welcome to decline receiving the cup if they so desire. It is the longstanding teaching of
the Church that opting to receive either the bread or the wine but not both is sufficient means of receiv-
ing communion. Christ is fully present in the bread and the wine. Note: those who are not vaccinated
– regardless of reason – are asked to refrain from receiving the cup.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 3
May 2022 Newsletter
Re-opening of St. John’s!
Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 9:00 am
We are pleased to announce that services will resume for the summer months at St. John’s on Sunday, May 29.
This year, it appears that there will be no restrictions on the number of persons present. Attendees are welcome
to wear masks as they so desire and those who are not vaccinated are encouraged to continue doing so.
As we finalize our reopening plans, we welcome any and all volunteers to help with the following areas:
Altar “Guild” – Contact Edie Tugman at edietugman@gmail.com
Altar Flowers – Contact Kathryn Pfaff at cline.pfaff@gmail.com
Lectors and Prayers – Contact Nina-Jo Moore at moorenj@appstate.edu
Ushers & Greeters – Contact Stella Barbato at jebsr28@aol.com
Refreshments – Contact Marilyn Welch at (828) 963-5175
Wait! There’s More!
The St. John’s Summer Concert Series Returns!
Check out the Line-up for 2022
But first … Please note the following needs:
We are seeking a couple of volunteers to direct attendees where to park. (Contact Fr. Allan at 828-963-4609
ext. 22 or frallanhc@gmail.com to volunteer.)
We are also seeking donors to consider helping to offset the costs of the tent rentals. Costs have almost doubled this
year for a total around $2,800 for all 4 concerts. (Yikes!) Any financial donations would be appreciated.
Now .. Check out this line up and plan to attend:
Sunday – June 5, 2022 - “Music in the Valle” featuring The Holy Cross and Banner Elk Presbyterian
Church Choirs & Handbell Choirs.
Sunday, July 3, 2022 - The Junaluska Gospel Choir from Boone Mennonite Brethren Church will present
an evening of Spirituals and Gospel favorites.
Sunday, August 7, 2022 - The Raleigh Flute Choir. This outstanding group planned to be here in 2020 and
again in 2021 but that darn Covid got in the way. We are delighted that they’ll present this year!
Sunday, September 4, 2022 - Four Leaf Pete - Tennessee's Premier Traditional Irish Band – Back by
popular demand!
All concerts begin at 5:00 pm and, weather permitting, are followed by a potluck picnic dinner on the church
grounds. Suggested admission donation this year is $10 per person to offset performer costs.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 4
May 2022 Newsletter
All are welcome to gather by Zoom on Saturday mornings, 10 – 11 for a time of community, sharing,
and prayer. Pour a cup of coffee or tea, click on the link on the parish news link on the website and
join others from several states as we care and support each other. Holycrossvallecrucis.net/parish-
news, scroll to the bottom of the screen for the Coffee’s On link.
LENTEN SERIES WRAP UP: May 15th 9:30 am Skiles Hall
“Discerning God’s Call to be in relationship with our neighbors” was the Lenten series focus.
Held by Zoom, each week speakers from area groups and nonprofits joined to talk about ways
to be in relationship with each other. Now it’s time to gather, share the information we heard
and invite others into relationships. Pour a cup of coffee and join us.
Zoom link will be available for those from out of state who joined our class.
Sunday, May 22, 2022
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
“ROGATION SUNDAY”
All are urged to bring seedlings, plants, bulbs and seeds
for special blessing at both services that day!
Once again, we are delighted to observe “Rogation Sunday”. Traditionally, Rogation Sunday
observances, which precede the Feast of the Ascension (May 26 th), required the parish to gather
together and walk “the parish bounds” (i.e. the entire County!) while offering prayers for a bountiful
harvest.
Much to the relief of many, modern observances of Rogation Sunday no longer require walking the
entire County. However, Rogation observances have been enhanced so that they
include not only the blessing of plants, seedlings, and seeds (both garden and
agricultural), but also, the offering of prayers for the greater health and welfare of
the community. This latter aspect affirms that stewardship of creation includes
everything God created: plants, earth, waters, birds, animals, and people, too!
So, mark your calendars and prepare to bring plants, seedlings, and more for
blessing at both services on Rogation Sunday, May 22, 2022.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 5
May 2022 Newsletter
A bit of Episcopal Polity: the upcoming 80th General Convention
The 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, will meet in Baltimore, Maryland
July 5-15, 2022. Normally General Convention meets every three years, but due to the
pandemic, the gathering was not held in 2021.
General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. Every three years it
meets as a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops,
composed of deputies and bishops from each diocese.
The Executive Council serves as the governing body of The Episcopal Church between sessions of
General Convention, charged specifically with executing the program and policies adopted by
Convention (Canon IV.1.a). They also serve as the board for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary
Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (commonly referred to as
the DFMS) (Canon III, Article II) and the Executive Office of the General Convention (Canon IV.1.a).
The DFMS is the corporate entity of The Episcopal Church (Canon I.1.3). This structure encompasses
the Office of the Presiding Bishop and their staff, the President of the House of Deputies and their
staff, and the Executive Office of the General Convention as well as the offices of the DFMS that are
shared by all three.
The General Convention also includes Interim Bodies which meet between the triennial sessions to
accomplish ongoing work and tasks set in the triennial sessions.
During June, information and issues which will be discussed in Maryland will be shared to all parishes
and missions in the Diocese. 4 clergy and 4 lay persons have been elected by the Diocese to serve as
deputies to General Convention. Pan McCaslin from Holy Cross is part of the deputation. In June,
there will be a diocesan Zoom gathering with all the deputies for interested persons.
Celebrating the Centennial of
The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina.
Mountain Deanery Dinner – Tuesday, May 24, 2022
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at
The Mill at Rock Creek
3306 Highway 194 north, Boone, NC
About The Event
All parishioners of Holy Cross (as part of the Mountain Deanery) are invited to join Bishop José for a
Deanery-wide celebration of fellowship, faith, and diocesan history!
Note: This is a ticketed event and limited to 80 people. Tickets are $40 for person and includes
dinner and two tokens for beer or wine. To reserve your spot, please purchase your tickets online
via the link below.
https://secure.accessacs.com/access/eventlogin.aspx?id=hLwoJ5Cx4TC8mnfKiyCYSw==&
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 6
May 2022 Newsletter
2022 VALLE COUNTRY FAIR NEWS
Planning for this year’s Fair is underway! We will again be in-person on the fairground field this year! Mark
your calendars now for…
Valle Country Fair Saturday October 15, 2022!
The Fair leadership and committees are hard at work with preparations for this year’s Fair. No home App
State football game again this year, and the order has been placed for good weather! We are planning, once
again, to have best practices in place to ensure the health and safety of our parish, volunteers and community
for this truly impactful, annual event!
We have some needs and requests.
If you can help out with any of these items, it will be greatly appreciated.
Dedy Traver needs ½ Pint jars with lids for Jams and Jellies
Please leave donated ½ pint jars for Dedy with her name on them in Skiles Hall
iPhones and iPads for Credit Card Purchases
Do you have an old iPhone, iPad, or iPad Mini sitting in a drawer because it was replaced with
something new? We can put it to good use! We are looking for functional iPhones (5 or newer), or
iPads/iPad minis (2nd generation or above). Not sure it’s the right model? Let us take a look. Doesn’t
hold a charge? We can fix that! Not an Apple user? Android devices work too!
Please leave donated phones or devices for John Heiss with Ahren in the Church Office.
Volunteer Need:
We are actively looking for a volunteer to help coordinate our food orders. If you are interested and
would like to know more, please contact Tracey Heiss at 703-919-9767 or vcf.chairs@gmail.com.
Thank you!
With everyone’s help and volunteerism this year’s Fair will be a great success and allow us to continue the
amazing work Holy Cross does for local charity throughout the community.
As Fair Chairs we are honored and blessed to be part of this amazing tradition. If you need to reach us our
contact information is:
John Heiss (cell) 202-812-6492
Tracey Heiss (cell) 703-919-9767
vcf.chairs@gmail.com
United Thank Offering (UTO) Sunday
May 15, 2022
Boxes, envelopes and information leaflets about this wonderful undertaking are available in Skiles Hall.
As we journeyed throughout Lent, attempting to lead a more intentional life of prayer and thanksgiving,
and now, in this season of Eastertide when we bask in the grace of the resurrection of our Lord, we are
asked to make daily contributions to these little "blue boxes" in remembrance and thanksgiving for the
many blessings of our life together in the risen Christ. 100% of offerings to UTO goes to
meet human needs and expanding mission and ministry around the world. Remember to
bring your blue boxes of coins and/or envelopes with checks to either service on May 15
for special dedication at the Offertory.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 7
May 2022
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 8:30 & 11:00am 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 am Coffee’s
Holy Eucharist Rite II On via Zoom
9:45 All Parish Breakfast Nancy and Ron McInnes’ Stacey Koenig’s birthday
Christy & Missy Watson’s Rebecca Cairn’s birthday anniversary
birthday Olee & Pat
Olsen’s anniversary
8 8:30 & 11:00am 9 10 11 12 13 14 10 am Coffee’s
Holy Eucharist Rite II On via Zoom
Edie & Stuart Tugman’s Carol and Steve Smith’s
anniversary anniversary
15 8:30 & 11:00am 16 17 18 19 20 21 10 am Coffee’s
Holy Eucharist Rite II On via Zoom
9:45 Lenten Study Series Jennifer and Walter John Goodrich’s birthday Larry & Robin Byerly, Allison
Reflections Browning’s anniversary Susan Devine’s birthday Sarah and Travis Gulley & Curtis Ryan, and
5:45 Men’s Night Out Donovan’s anniversary Nichole & Matthew
United Thank Offering
Hunter Martin’s birthday McGuire’s anniversary
22 Rogation Sunday 23 24 25 26 27 28 10 am Coffee’s
8:30 & 11:00am On via Zoom
Holy Eucharist Rite II Peggy & Jeff Hedrick’s Jim Brown & Kim Baker’s William Rankin’s
Dayton & Cathy Cole anniversary anniversary birthday Denise & Steve
and Angela & Jeff Bentley’s anniversary
Williams’ anniversary
29 Holy Eucharist 30 31
9:00am St. John’s & (From May 24: Renee Rand
11:00am Holy Cross Jakob Sjostrand’s birthday and Robin Whitley’s birthday
Fr. Allan and Bill Gaddy’s and Denise & William Sis and Bob Kinney’s
birthday Ringler’s anniversary anniversary)
May 2022 Newsletter
Music Notes
“Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy Name.” (Psalm 97:12)
Merry May greetings! With five Sundays in the month, we are treated to a variety of music and musical
guests as we journey through the joyful Easter season!
On May 1, the Vocal Choir presents Christ the Lord is Risen Today. This anthem is a lesser-known tune
setting (Gwalchmai) of the traditional Easter text. The tune is composed by Welsh composer Joseph D.
Jones (1827-1870). He named the tune for a village in Wales, called Gwalchmai. Interestingly, the village
is known for its ties to Sir Gawain—nephew of King Arthur, and a Knight of the Round Table! In 2020, a
small vocal group from our “lockdown” Choir recorded this piece for online worship. It is wonderful to
sing it now in full Choir, with the added benefit of our two ASU interns! By the way, we bid farewell this
Sunday to interns, Grace McKittrick and Hayden Young. We offer countless thanks to them for sharing
their awesome talents and pray that they will return next Fall!
May 8 is “4th Sunday of Easter” and the anthem is a fitting pastorale: A Faithful Shepherd is My Lord, by
Swiss composer Johann Nägeli (1773-1837). Nägeli’s compositional style and music theory concepts were
influential across Europe, and even inspired American hymn writer Lowell Mason! Nägeli later opened a
publishing firm, which presented first editions of piano works by Beethoven, Clementi, J.S. Bach, Fresco-
baldi and Handel.
May 15 brings a work for Violincello and Organ, Adoration, by Florence Price. Our “guest” musician is
none other than parishioner Jaidyn Toomey! An often-over-looked composer, organist, pianist, and
music teacher, Price was the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer.
She was also the first to have a composition played by a major orchestra (Symphony No. 1 in E minor;
premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra). Adoration has a chorale-like texture and was originally
included in a collection for organ solos. What a treat to feature graduating senior, Jaidyn Toomey, in this
lovely Offertory!
On May 22 the Choir sings a familiar hymn, It Is Well with My Soul. Many of us are acquainted with this
beloved music, which appears in several denominational hymnals. The words by Horatio Spafford—and
tune setting by Philip Bliss—bring comfort in troubling times. Spafford wrote the text after a series of
terrible personal experiences, including the death of his four-year-old son; the loss of his financial
empire in the “Great Chicago Fire” of 1871; and more prominently, the deaths of his four daughters in a
trans-Atlantic shipwreck in 1873. His wife survived the wreck, and on a subsequent trip with him, their
journey neared the spot where the tragedy occurred. Spafford was immediately inspired to pen the
poignant hymn text. Bliss named the tune Ville du Havre, after the sunken vessel.
On May 29, guest musician, Dr. Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham joins us at the 11:00 a.m. worship service!
Choral voices and instrumental Flute unite to offer O Come and Dwell in Me, a beautiful setting of an Irish
melody by composer Arlen Clarke. The text invites the Holy Spirit to visit our souls, bringing grace and
comfort; how timely, on this Sunday preceding Pentecost! May these words from the anthem abide in
our hearts this Eastertide:
“O come and dwell in me, Holy Spir’t of pow’r within, and bring the glorious liberty from sorrow, fear
and sin… When heaven and earth have fled, before thy face, sing all the saints thy love hath
made thine everlasting praise.”
In faith,
Elaine Kallestad
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 9
May 2022 Newsletter
Notes from
the Attic
– Dedy Traver
Since we are still in the season of Easter I thought you might enjoy reading about Easter at Valle Crucis
during the 1920’s. These excerpts are from the Valle Crucis Mission School newsletters. During these
years church services still took place in the Chapel of the Holy Cross which today is Crab Orchard Hall.
“Easter morning greeted us with sunshine, which best befits that glad festival. We commenced the day
with prayer and the triumphant Easter Hymns and then went chatting over to breakfast in Auxiliary Hall
(present day Annex Building at the Valle Crucis Conference Center). There, as a centerpiece, each table
had a nest of brightly colored eggs, dyed ready for the annual egg hunt on Easter Monday. Exclamations
of pleasure and thanks were heard as, when seated, each teacher and child found at her place a card
together with a candy egg of noble size by way of Easter greeting. At a quarter of ten all were ready in
line to set out for the Church School. A short walk brought us to the Chapel of the Cross (Crab Orchard
Hall). There, too, the white hangings and a few spring blossoms told the story of Easter Day. Our
Superintendent had arranged a service in which Easter Carols and the presentation of the mite boxes
were the outstanding features. The children sang sweetly. We reviewed the six pictures, greatly enjoyed
by the children during the Lenten Season, and chose our favorites. Each class then presented its offering,
passing to the chancel in procession during the singing of a hymn, and placing the boxes upon tables
arranged for that purpose. After the reading of one of Dr. Bowie’s inspiring sermons for children came
dismissal. It was with keen interest that we counted the contents of the boxes to know just what the hard
work and self denial of the children had stored up for Sunny Sally, Timothy Determination, and the
others. We had over thirty dollars which grew to more than fifty dollars when all the offering was given
in. No wonder that we came back up the hill with joyful, thankful hearts. An incipient fire caused by
sparks lodging on the roof of Auchmuty Hall (main building of VCCC) cut short the dinner and sent us
running from the dining room. The girls behaved admirably. The fire was held in check until the men
of the neighborhood arrived and extinguished it. Soon the dormitory will be provided with fire escapes,
a fireproof roof, safe, we trust, from another such danger. In the evening the living hall was filled with
those gathered for Song Service. We closed the day with hymns and a prayer of thanksgiving for our
deliverance and for having Auchmuty Hall preserved to us.” Easter 1923
“For several years we have been without the ministrations of a clergyman and we were happy to have
our Rector, Rev. James P. Burke, with us at Easter this year. We went to the Chapel of the Holy Cross
(what is now known as Crab Orchard Hall) for our joyous Easter Service just as the sun was rising over
the eastern mountains and glinting with gold the peaks in the west. The service was the Holy
Communion with the Easter Hymns and the Gloria in Excelsis sung by the girls. More than fifty people
attended this service and received grace and inspiration for the proper celebration of the day. Soon after
breakfast Mr. Burke made the trip to Blowing Rock over rough roads for the eleven o’clock service
(at that time the Rector of Holy Cross was also in charge of St. Mary’s Blowing Rock). At ten o’clock at
the Chapel of the Holy Cross there was a special Sunday School Service at which the Mite Boxes were
presented. Similar services were held in the afternoon at St. Anthony’s and St. John’s (the Rector of
Holy Cross was also in charge of these two missions!). The offering at these services, $47.49, represented
much sacrifice and self-denial. On Easter Monday there were Egg Hunts at the different missions, and
the children and grown-ups thoroughly enjoyed themselves.” Easter 1924
“Easter Day dawned bright and cold, and just before the sun came up from behind the Eastern
mountains we wended our way from the school down to the Church (Crab Orchard Hall-the cornerstone
for the present day church building was laid in July), and many of our Church members in the community
gathered with us. We had a joyful and inspiring service, the singing of Easter hymns and the celebration
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 8
of the Holy Communion. The Church school met at ten o’clock, and at eleven there was a second
continued
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 10May 2022 Newsletter
Notes from the Attic continued…
celebration, in which the large congregation joined heartily. At three o’clock in the afternoon there was
a special Flower Service for the children of the Sunday School. Each class, carrying a banner, formed a
procession in front of the old mission-house and marched into the Church. After the reading of the
lesson, the Rector baptized twelve children. During the singing of hymns the classes marched to the
chancel and each member put his mite-box on a large hand-made willow tray, used for our alms basin,
and put into the cross prepared for the purpose his bunch of flowers. Then these gifts, expressing love
and sacrifice for the Master, were presented at the Altar. But the most precious gift was the giving of
young lives in Holy Baptism, hearts and hands to do His bidding. This happy Easter Day closed with
the Song Service at the School in the evening. It has been the custom for several years to have an egg
hunt for each Mission on Easter Monday, but this year it was decided to have a social get-to-gether
meeting for all the Missions at the School. After supper the school-girls and the people of the
community, from grandparents to young babies, but mostly young people, met together in our beautiful
large dining-room (dining room of the present day Valle Crucis Conference Center!) and had a most
pleasant evening together.”
Easter 1925
5:45 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2021
Please remember that our “Men’s Night Out” monthly gathering now has a standard meeting
date and time that will remain constant for 2022 with festivities from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m (with
dinner around 6:30) on the third Tuesday of every month. Mark your calendars now for May 17,
June 21, etc., and let us know if you are interested in hosting.
Here are the details for May:
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Meadowood, the lovely home of Ray Lutz and Pam Conover in the Dutch Creek Road
community. Weather permitting, we'll gather in the outdoor spaces around the back deck, gazebo, pond
and garden area. The address is 241 Old Crows Road off of Dutch Creek Road in Valle Crucis, but the
GPS address is Banner Elk, 28604. It is about two miles from Holy Cross; watch for the stone mailbox
on the left-hand side of and the “Old Crows” street sign.
BYO everything -- for this meeting at least -- but those in attendance will discuss how to handle our
future gatherings with regard to food and beverage. Our host will provide individually-wrapped ice
cream sandwiches or Klondyke bars for dessert.
Please feel free to bring and wear your own mask... or not! There will be no judgement and we
want peace of mind to those who feel uncomfortable without a mask and, as one person remarked at
a recent gathering, some of us look better with our faces at least partially obscured. Ahem.
Men’s Night Out is an opportunity for men of the parish and our community to enjoy an evening
together. Feel free to bring a friend... or three.
So that we have an accurate headcount, please RSVP by noon on Monday, May 16 to Keith Martin via
email to KeithTMartin@gmail.com or by cell to 704.608.2755.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church Page 11Holy 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 Ahren Koenig, Parish Administrator
Vestry
Terry Fulton (2022), Senior Warden
Jeff Williams (2023), Junior Warden
David Johnston (2022), John Pendergast (2022), Robin Byerly (2023), Ann Gerber (2023),
Walter Browning (2024), Patty Dilley (2024), Andrea McDonough (2024)
Officers
Larry Byerly, Treasurer Dedy Traver, Clerk
Church of the Holy Cross
PO Box 645
Valle Crucis, NC 28691
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