Finding the Light Within: Churches help rebuild communities and restore faith
- Volume 31
- / Issue 19
Cover Design Credit:
Scott Southwick
Cover Photography Credit:
Caleb Johnson
For some religious residents in Western North Carolina, Tropical Storm Helene not only left behind a trail of wreckage but also raised questions tied to their faith. Religious leaders say that such reactions are normal during a period of crisis. Furthermore, they note, many congregants have leaned into their faith more than ever amid ongoing recovery efforts. On this week’s cover is Senior Pastor Jeff Dowdy of the First Baptist
Church Swannanoa.
arts
Smart Bets: Merry & Bright Acoustic Christmas Concert
Singer Peggy Ratusz teams up with a quartet of acoustic musicians for the Dec. 18 show at White Horse Black Mountain.Smart Bets: Acoustic Fire
Designed as a fundraiser for storm recovery efforts, the compilation album features acoustic tracks from more than 50 musicians.Asheville native Mary Lattimore brings the harp to experimental music
The musician will make an Asheville holiday homecoming with a Dec. 27 performance at the AyurPrana Listening Room.Tony Bayles turns heartbreak into beauty with memorial structures
The Asheville-based multidisciplinary artist and longtime interior designer discusses his latest project.Smart Bets: Come Hell or High Water Studio Tour
More than 75 WNC artists will have work for sale online and in person during the event, Dec. 14-15.Theater review: All is Calm at NC Stage Company
What truly makes this play special is the backing chorus of nine men, who spiritedly sing a capella military favorites while the realities of war dawn on these idealistic young…
food
What’s new in food: WNC Tip it Forward
The collaborative initiative from Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, ArtsAVL and GBX Group aims to address immediate and long-term recovery for local food-service and creative sector workers. Also this week, Fish…
living
Historic Biltmore Village church to rebuild after first-time flooding
The Cathedral of All Souls maps its future after Tropical Storm Helene left destruction in its wake.Aromatherapy company to convert former church into a wellness sanctuary
ADORAtherapy, a mood-boosting aromatherapy company, plans to convert a former church in Woodfin into the brand’s production center, co-working space and community hub for wellness workshops.
news
Downtown businesses compete for people’s choice award in holiday window display contest
Residents have until Tuesday, Dec. 31 to vote for their favorite display.Amid despair, local churches find ways to rebuild community and hope
For some religious residents in Western North Carolina, Tropical Storm Helene not only left behind a trail of wreckage but also raised questions tied to their faith. Even still, churches…Buncombe County evictions march on post-Helene
Michael Coates chose to buy a generator to keep his insulin cold rather than pay rent. His landlord evicted him. Hundreds more fear they could face the same fate.Asheville author urges more openness about religious beliefs and practices
Asheville author, educator and reverend Vicki Garlockshe believes that by ignoring people’s religious identities, we are missing connections that could strengthen our communities.Student documents Christ School history in new book
Grey Edens, a Christ School senior from Charlotte, recently self-published a history of the Arden school based on a year of research.Critics say outdated flood maps provide an inaccurate picture of future threats
FEMA says a quarter of all insurance claims for flood damage occur outside the 100-year floodplain — even though homeowners in those areas aren’t required to buy flood insurance and…Smart Bets: Merry Main Street
Burnsville's annual holiday celebration happens Dec. 13.Buncombe County Board of Commissioners makes history with new chair and member
Buncombe County board sees a woman chair and a Black woman commissioner for the first time.
opinion
Letter: Demand transparency in funding decisions
"I urge our county leaders to include citizens in the decision-making process for grant applications and allocations."Should the River Arts District be rebuilt?
"I believe city and county officials, artists, historians, creative builders and thinkers should all join to come up with the best of possibilities."My Story: Sending hugs and healing
"It’s a small thing, but my hope is that people will find a shiny amethyst or rose quartz crystal while wandering through town. It’s a message that everything is going…Letter: Challenges are crushing small-business owners
"These businesses are not only the lifeblood of our character and economy, these are personal livelihoods of not only the owners but all the employees."Letter: Profoundly disappointed in General Assembly
"Though they claimed the bill was a 'disaster relief bill,' only 11 pages out of 131 had anything to do with helping WNC."Letter: Help derail cynical power grab of a bill
"It is a 131-page mashup of a bill, cynically named, 'Disaster Relief.' I can only guess the disaster referred to was their shellacking by North Carolina voters!"
