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Faith

An Interfaith Celebration of Love and Collaboration

September 27, 2023 As the Jewish high holy days drew to a close, the Temple of the High Country rang with the voices of an interfaith choir comprised of members of the Temple choir and those of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church. The evening of September 24 marked the most holy night of the Jewish year, also known as Kol Nidre, the name of the prayer sung in Jewish synagogues around the world at the beginning of the service on the eve of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement.) The interfaith nature of this service is an expression of the collaboration of these two faith communities in making the High Country a better place for everyone. By Judith Geary

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“Hidden Treasures” Sale Scheduled for Saturday, August 26 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Valle Crucis

August 21, 2023 VALLE CRUCIS, NC — The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of Holy Cross Church in Valle Crucis are holding a “Hidden Treasures” sale in the church parish hall at 122 Skiles Way, Banner Elk on Saturday, August 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Benefitting the mission work of the church, the sale is designed to be an organized, well-curated version of the rummage sales that the churchwomen hosted in the past.

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Banner Elk Presbyterian Church Celebrates 130 Years During July

June 29, 2023 (Banner Elk) Banner Elk Presbyterian Church invites the community to help celebrate its 130th Anniversary during the month of July. With the theme of “Celebrate our Past, Cultivate our Future”, the series of events will include special worship services. Each of the five July Sundays will feature a different history focus at the 9 AM & 11 AM worship services with the themes of Believe, Heal, Care, Teach and Rejoice. The last Sunday, July 30, will be their second annual Old Time Favorites Hymn Sing.

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High Country Impact, An Outreach of Three Forks Baptist Association, Expands From One Day to Six Months of Community Service

June 2, 2023 From a one-day community blitz during which random acts of kindness made a huge difference all across the High Country, to a six-month “Season of High Country Impact,” Three Forks Baptist Association is determined to continue reaching out in love and service to others.That was the decision made by the association leadership recently and announced during the 184th Spring meeting of the TFBA at Greenway Baptist Church in late April.Director of Missions, Wesley Smith shared how, in the past, there was a one-dayemphasis, usually in September, through which churches of the association were encouraged to share an outreach project — or multiple projects — in their communities and surrounding areas around the High Country.

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Singing in the Valle Opens 2023 Summer Concert Series at St. John’s Four Musical Groups Combine to Kick-Off 12th Anniversary Season on June 4

May 30, 2023 VALLE CRUCIS, NC – The annual Singing in the Valle music program opens the 2023 Summer Concert Series in Valle Crucis at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 4 with the vocal and handbell choirs of Holy Cross Episcopal Church joined by singers from Banner Elk Presbyterian Church and the popular vocal trio The Holy Smokes.This concert is the first in a line-up of artists that has been announced for the popular Summer Concert Series at historic St. John’s Church in Valle Crucis with monthly events planned through August 6. A summer mission of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, the picturesque chapel, consecrated in 1862, is located in the Watauga County countryside and provides marvelous acoustics for music with its wooden walls and floors forming a natural sounding board for live performances.

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Musical Artists Announced for 2023 Summer Concert Series at St. John’s Valle Crucis, Banner Elk, Junaluska Choirs, and Wild Blue Yonder Celtic Band

May 26, 2023 VALLE CRUCIS, NC – There is a framed needlepoint artwork in the choir room at Holy Cross Episcopal Church that reads, “For heights and depths no words can reach, music is the soul’s own speech.” While the author of that phrase is unknown, the revered saying could well be the mantra for an upcoming series of musical concerts.The line-up of artists has been announced for the popular Summer Concert Series at historic St. John’s Church in Valle Crucis with monthly events planned from June 4 through August 6. A summer mission of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, the picturesque chapel, consecrated in 1862, is located in the Watauga County countryside and provides marvelous acoustics for music with its wooden walls and floors forming a natural sounding board for live performances.

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Former Charlotte Hornets Owner George Shinn Purchases Cornerstone Bookstore

May 12, 2023 George Shinn, former owner of the Charlotte Hornets, and his wife Megan Shinn, recently purchased Cornerstone: Christian Books, Gifts & Gallery in Boone, after being regular customers to the bookstore. “There’s something about this place that makes me feel good,” Megan Shinn described. “There’s always someone with a smiling face who is going to ask, ‘How are you?’ and say, ‘I hope you’re having a great day.’” By Harley Nefe

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FaithBridge Announces 20th Anniversary Celebration

May 5, 2023 Blowing Rock, N.C. – FaithBridge UMC is proud to announce its 20th anniversary celebration, marking two decades of spiritual growth and community service in the High Country. The church has provided a welcoming and inclusive space for all people since 2003, when it held its first public worship service.

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High Country Community Gathering on National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 4

May 1, 2023 On Thursday, May 4, Christians around the country will be gathering to observe National Day of Prayer, held each year on the first Thursday of May, with a focus on prayer for our nation and its leadership. This year’s theme is “Pray Fervently In Righteousness And Avail Much,” based on scripture found in James 5:16. By Sherrie Norris

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Juanita Smith at 100: “I never dreamed of living this long!”

March 24, 2023 Just days before reaching her 100th birthday in January, Juanita Smith said, “ I never dreamed of living this long. To say that I’ve lived a century just doesn’t seem possible. When I was a small child, I couldn’t imagine even living to be 50. That seemed like a long time for me — forever, you  might say. But, now here I am at 100.” By Sherrie Norris

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Stage IV Breast Cancer Tests Laneece Trivette’s Resilience, Strength and Faith

August 24, 2022 To say 2020 was challenging is an understatement. Among the many lessons learned that year, most people were reminded that life is precious and fragile. Laneece Trivette of Matney probably learned that lesson better than most that year. She also learned that she has a compassionate team of healthcare providers fighting in her corner at Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center

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Hidden Treasure Sale Saturday, August 27 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church Valle Crucis

August 15, 2022 VALLE CRUCIS, NC — The Episcopal Church Women of Holy Cross Church in Valle Crucis are holding a “Hidden Treasures” Sale in the church parish hall at 122 Skiles Way, Banner Elk on Saturday, August 27 from 9 am to 3 pm. Benefitting the mission work of the church, the sale is designed to be an organized, well-curated version of the rummage sales that the churchwomen hosted in the past.

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Blowing Rock’s St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church Prepares To Celebrate Centennial Year

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Feb. 14, 2018. On Sunday Feb. 11, members of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church gathered in celebration of the building’s 100th birthday. The congregation joined in the fellowship hall after attending the 10:10 a.m. service to celebrate the life of the church through food and fun! Members of the church brought a large spread of dishes which were served buffet style. By Kate Herman – Photos by Ken Ketchie

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St. Mary of the Hills to Celebrate Centennial Anniversary- 100 years in Blowing Rock

https://www.hcpress.com/blowing-rock/st-mary-hills-celebrate-centennial-anniversary-100-years-blowing-rock.html
Jan. 29, 2017. St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church is planning a year long celebration of the 100th anniversary of its church on Main Street in Blowing Rock.  Though founded as a summer chapel overlooking the John’s River Gorge in 1891, the cornerstone of the current historic stone church on Main Street was laid on September 26th in 1918, and the first services were held there in the summer of 1921.

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High Country Christmas Eve Services and Christmas Day Services 2017

Dec. 22, 2017. Churches across the High Country are inviting you to join them for special holiday services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. Meet new friends as you join in communion for the true reason for the holiday season. Please note that several churches will not have a Christmas service on Monday, however plenty of other churches within the area will be open on Christmas morning.  By Kate Herman

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Foscoe Christian Church Re-Build Moving Along


June 8, 2017. Jack Ballard Church Builders and volunteers are making progress on the new Foscoe Christian Church as the 12,000-square-foot building off N.C. 105 is now framed. The Foscoe Christian Church burned down on a bitter-cold night three years ago. The church caught fire after a furnace malfunctioned. Last summer, the totaled structure was demolished. After the site was prepped and the foundation was ready to go, Jack Ballard Church Builders arrived in May to begin framing the building. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie

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Green Street Catering News: Food Ministry Reflects on 2016, Ready for a New Year

https://www.hcpress.com/?p=39556
Jan. 5, 2017. As Green Street serves so many and in so many different ways throughout the year, we incur monthly costs in addition to our food costs. We could really use your help in 2017! Each month, Green Street has costs from paper products (takeout boxes, serving trays and even supplies to package scriptures and meals each week), electricity to run our donation coolers, freezers and warmers and even to support volunteer programs with others who help us with cleaning/preparing/delivering meals each week.

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Christmas in the High Country: Local Church Services in the Boone Area Dec. 24-25

Dec. 20, 2016. Take a break from shopping and remember the reason for the season! With many local churches offering special services open to the community, there are more ways than one for you to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. Do you have a Christmas service you’d like to add to our list? Send the details to jessica@highcountrypress.com and we’ll update this information to include your event. Compiled by Jessica Isaacs.

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SUNDAY: Historic St. Matthews Church to Enjoy New Life in the Todd Community, Re-Dedication Sunday

Oct. 19, 2016. This longstanding historic church will enjoy new life as a place for the community to share after a long process of transition facilitation by the nonprofit group Friends of St. Matthews Church. Sunday’s ceremony will give guests a chance to see this beautiful gem on the inside and will be led by the Rev. Cindy Banks. Also, the Friends board will discuss the intentions, restoration and preservation of the property, as well as its place in the community. By Emily Willis

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Football Personalities to Judge Chilis at Grace Academy Chili Cook-Off and Auction Oct. 29

Oct. 19, 2016. Homemade chili and football go hand-in-hand in the High Country and at Grace Academy’s 8th annual Chili Cook-Off & Auction. As the school’s largest fundraiser, the Cook Off is set for 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at Watauga High School. Literally dozens of chilis will be served, as well as homemade and bakery desserts. From spicy to mild, chicken, beef, vegetarian and gluten free, the Chili Cook-Off offers a variety of choices. Grace Academy is the High Country’s only Kindergarten through ninth grade Christian school.

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