Flat Rock – Following the solemn choral Lenten Evensong Service this past Sunday, there is a whole array of activities taking place at St. John in the Wilderness Church, located at 1895 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock, N.C., to celebrate the arrival of Easter on April 9th. “We invite neighbors, friends, and visitors to join us for Easter at St. John in the Wilderness this year,” said Fr. Josh Stephens, rector. “We are excited to offer the Easter Egg Hunt for the community, as well as the beautiful worship with a warm welcome as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.”
Holy Week begins on April 2 with Rite I Eucharist Services at 8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., followed by a service on Maundy Thursday, April 6, at 7:00 p.m. with Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar. There are a number of services on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The specifics can be found at https://www.stjohnflatrock.org. The festive and fun annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place in the Rectors Garden and Parish Hall lawn next to the Parish Hall across from Rutledge Drive in Flat Rock on Sunday, April 9th, at 10 a.m.
Friends of Music
The Friends of Music continue to offer a number of activities, including a unique program of storytelling and music on April 23 at 4:00 p.m. by renowned Becky Stone. Each performance of Becky’s is one-of-a-kind, created with a specific audience in mind. As she explains, “I love world tales and bringing the music of language and other dialects to the audience. And there is always the possibility that I will bring an African version of a Bible story.” Becky incorporates music and audience participation in her programs, which frequently leave children and adults enthralled. Becky has lived in Fairview for the last 40 years and has been a Chautauqua scholar. Some of the characters she has portrayed are Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Josephine Baker. For over 30 years, she has performed in the Carolinas and Tennessee with drama, educational, and religious groups, as well as at storytelling festivals and in libraries and schools, specializing in African American history and stories. No advance registration is necessary to attend this performance in the Parish Hall of St. John in the Wilderness.
On Sunday afternoon—Father’s Day—June 18th, the Friends of Music will present a concert that features soprano Dr. Lucy Owen Hoyt and pianist Dr. Deborah Hollis. The vocal portion of the recital with soprano Hoyt includes sections of intimate French art song and romantic Scandinavian song. Dr. Deborah Hollis and Dewitt Tipton will play compositions by Felix Mendelssohn and Maurice Ravel. The recital concludes with a medley of American standards by Jerome Kern. No advanced reservation is needed.
Return of the ECW Bazaar
The Bazaar at St. John’s has grown tremendously over the years. A full array of items, including artwork, jewelry, glassware, furniture, linens, silver, and more, will be offered for sale on Saturday, May 20, 2023. These will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. However, early bird shoppers are welcome at 7:30 AM with a $10 entry fee. The Bazaar has been organized this year by the Episcopal Church Women, with Co-Chairs Carmen Curtis and Linda Giltner. The ECW works throughout the year to raise money to share with organizations that lend a helping hand to needy families, mothers, and children. Some of the groups that have been helped previously are: The Gerard House, IAM, Flat Rock Backpack Program, Project Dignity of WNC, Apple Country Wood Crafters, Safelight, Children and Family Resource Center, Camplify, Head Start, Angel Tree, and Vocational Solutions. Linda Giltner said, “Join us to make the money needed to support so many organizations in our community.”
Wild Wonder: Creation Care Camp
An alternative to traditional Vacation Bible School, Wild Wonder: Creation Care Camp is free of charge to all children ages 4–10 and is offered June 12–16 from 9 a.m.–noon. The weekday program is held on the campus of St. John in the Wilderness. “Through the Wild Wonder program, our hope at St. John is to help children nurture a deep love and understanding of science and the natural world,” said Rev. Ian Williams, Curate for St. John. “Fostering connection and relationship with creation are essential steps in caring for this fragile earth, our island home. We look forward to taking those steps with you!” Campers will study nature through science experiments, crafts, games, and conservation activities as they learn about the wild, wonderful world God created, led by staff and volunteers of St. John in the Wilderness. The hands-on experience includes activities like soil painting, strawberry DNA extraction, owl pellet dissection, and more. Daily activities will include songs, devotions, and nature study.For more information or to register for Wild Wonder, visit www.stjohnflatrock.org or call 828-693-9783.
Feast of St. John at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse
The third annual celebration of the Feast of St. John will be held from 5–8 p.m. on Sunday, June 25, 2023. No reservations are required for the free event located on Little Rainbow Row at 2724 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.
All are welcome to join the festivities at the family-friendly celebration featuring food, fellowship, and live music. “For nearly 200 years, summers in Flat Rock have been a time to reconnect with God and each other. In that spirit, we invite old and new friends to join us for some delicious food and fun music. We are especially excited to welcome Chatham Rabbits, whose music captures so well a familiar slice of North Carolina living,” says the Rev.Josh Stephens, who is rector of the historic parish.
Yard games will be offered for children. Barbecue and other family-favorite foods and beverages will be available for purchase at Hubba Hubba. Seating in the picturesque outdoor courtyard is limited, so guests are encouraged to bring portable chairs.
“St. John in the Wilderness as a parish has deep roots in Flat Rock and this corner of Western North Carolina,” Stephens said. “We are incredibly grateful to live in a place with such natural beauty and with so many wonderful friends, parishioners, and neighbors. We hope you will help us keep the feast!”