Sacred Duty: Local chaplains keep the faith
Volume
28
/ Issue 20
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Neil Jacobs
Local chaplains have seen their roles impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in ways large and small, and the effects continue to linger. But the women and men who have answered the spiritual call to serve people at their most vulnerable and afraid find the rewards of their jobs far outweigh the frustrations.
arts
Local artists connect to faith through painting
For many local artists, faith informs creative output and, in turn, artwork fuels faith.Local worship leaders balance ministry and music
David Eck, Erin Maxfield-Steele and David LaMotte discuss how their original music does (and doesn't) intersect with their religious work.Local holiday theater offers both Grinches and glad tidings
Xpress rounds up three local shows that remind us that part of the reason for the season is wonder, laughter and artful stage magic.Around Town: Virtual celebration aims to raise local awareness of Kwanzaa traditions
A virtual celebration aims to educate Western North Carolina about Kwanzaa. Also, A Swannanoa Solstice returns to the Wortham Center, a new group show tackles post-pandemic life and a visit…County authorizes nearly $1.7M in pandemic funding for economic development
The funding supports three different economic development projects.Xpress seeks student writing & art for 2022 Kids Issue
It’s time for local K-12 students to get creative! The theme for Xpress’ 2022 Kids Issue is “Simply Beautiful.” Deadline to submit art and writing for possible publication is Friday,…food
WNC’s favorite bartenders share their top holiday beverages
Jennie Lou Nelson, Josh March and Jackson Zoeller spread holiday cheer, one beverage at a time.What’s new in food: Welcome back Welcome Table
The Haywood Street Congregation readies to welcome back diners to its Downtown Welcome Table. Also: West End Bakery expands its hours and menu; several new restaurants celebrate recent openings; and…living
Q&A: H. Byron Ballard, Asheville’s village witch
Ballard specializes in Appalachian folk magic and folkways.Wellness in brief: Hospitals suspend COVID-19 vaccination requirements
Hospitals suspend COVID-19 vaccination requirements Earlier this month, AdventHealth Hendersonville, Pardee UNC Health Care and Mission Health suspended requirements that employees become fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as per a federal…news
Asheville Archives: Local writer satirizes the holiday shopping experience, 1912
“The Society for the Prevention of Useless Giving seems to have but few advocates in this city or rather, none of the Asheville citizens appear to think that their gifts…Spiritual guidance in the time of COVID
Editor’s note: In preparing this story, Xpress also reached out to Mission Health seeking comment, but while an initial contact was made, the organization ultimately did not respond to the…WNC’s state lawmakers reflect amid electoral uncertainty
Billed as a wrap-up of a busy year for WNC’s state legislative delegation, much of the Dec. 10 gathering hosted by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce wound up being…Commissioners set budget priorities for fiscal 2022-23
Affordable housing, climate change, environmental protection and workforce apprenticeship programs were among the top focus areas identified by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners during a Dec. 9 budget retreat…opinion
Letter: Update needed for city’s outdoor lighting ordinance
"We need to revisit 2012 rules and update please!"Letter: Let’s make the new year a new beginning
"Let’s give peace a chance and place it in the school curriculum."Letter: About those big, ‘remote’ outdoor weddings
"The best solution? Get the county to add a permitting aspect to the OU zoning structure, something that requires event-venue managers to request (and pay for) a permit for any…Letter: Women need to be included in entrepreneurial ecosystem
"Women need to be mainstreamed into the high-growth, scalable, fundable entrepreneurial ecosystem."Letter: What about Sugar Britches?
"Sugar Britches features a range of found, handmade and upcycled clothing and accessories, provided by at least 15 of Asheville’s most talented designers."Letter: Noticing the effects of light pollution
"We agree that light pollution is a problem in the western Asheville (Candler) area."Letter: Say ‘no’ to city’s plan to gut open space requirements
"Many activists, citizens, eco-groups, the Urban Forestry Commission and the Neighborhood Advisory Committee are justly appalled by and formally opposed to PUDD’s machination."