In the mid-19^th century, some Episcopalians began to hear a call to deeper connection with God, to deeper prayer, and to community life. The first to heed this call was Anne Ayers, who founded the Sisterhood of the Holy Communion under the guidance of the Rev. Dr. William Augustus Muhlenberg in New York City in 1852. Several women joined her and they engaged in active ministry especially serving the poor, teaching, and in health care.

Why was CSM kept a secret?

In the late 19^th century, anti-Roman Catholic sentiments were strong. The sisters started to attract unwanted attention and were called “Romanists in disguise.” Fictional accounts were published of horrors perpetrated in Roman Catholic convents and these stories were thought by many to be true. 

The CSM sisters tried to keep a low profile and were still subject to criticism and scrutiny. Public sentiment changed dramatically when several CSM sisters went to Memphis in 1878 to minister to the sick during the yellow fever outbreak. Most of them died, and they are now commemorated in The Episcopal Church calendar on September 9^th as the Martyrs of Memphis.

In the 20^th and into the 21^st centuries, religious communities are ministering in social services, education, health care, prisons, and throughout the Church. They provide prayerful presences, places of retreat, spiritual friendship, and examples of spiritual dedication in community.

For more information, see  www.caroa.net and www.naecc.net. 

............. Sunday January 24, 2021

...........Third Sunday After the Epiphany

Annual Meeting Booklet (click to open file).

Zoom Invite to Annual Meeting

I am a lifelong Episcopalian who joined All Saints when John and I moved to the area in 2016. I have had a wide range of experience in many aspects of church life including teacher, bookkeeper, convention delegate, youth leader, altar guild, worship planning, and choir member. After receiving my degree in Church Music, I worked for many years as Music Director. I served 10 years on the Secretariat for Cursillo in the Diocese of NC including a term as Chairperson and 2 terms as Executive Secretary. In fall of 2017, I began my four-year course of study as a student in EfM. I am currently serving as co-mentor for the group while completing my 4^th year. In addition, I am working as part of the team planning worship and creating the PowerPoint presentations used in the weekly Zoom worship services. It would be my pleasure to serve All Saints as a member of the vestry as the church moves forward and continues to grow.

Plan to Attend a Question and Answer Session with Pastor Wolfgang Hertz-Lane on

How do we grow the church in the time of Covid? How can you help to grow the church? Join as an All Saints Family to hear what Pastor Wolfgang has to say. He is a very interesting speaker and we will be able to ask him questions about what his church is doing during these difficult times. This is a Question and Answer session just for All Saints.

Our next book we will be reading is Battle for God by Karen Armstrong. You can get it on Amazon for $5 - $7 used. Please consider joining this group which meets on Wednesday at 10:00am on Zoom. If you would like to join the group, please contact Jerry Wertz at jerrywertz@att.net so you can get on the email list to get the Zoom invite.

If you let the office know in advance, we can put the zoom link to your meeting on the calendar located on our website. Church services are on the calendar and you can use that link to get on the services.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble that they may be delivered from their distress. We pray for Linda Stanford, Joshua Scruggs, Jane Reilly, Royston Acheson, Courtney Birk, Jack Dixson, Michael Crayton, Emily Kline, BF & Eleanor Beasley, Cindy Knight, Kim Freeman, Cathy Huntsinger, Madison Hartsoe, Sally Kline, Randall Madriz, Dee Crayton, Jim Carpenter, Cary McWhirter, Leon Kwei, Davy Flynn, Luciell Nelson, Mildred Hilbrecht, Dan Birk, Terri Jones and all the victims of domestic violence during these difficult times.