May 14, 2026 Edition

Dear Friends and Members of All Saints' – As we enter the summer season and go off on vacations and well-needed R&R, I encourage you to continue to attend worship and be faithful in paying your pledge to All Saints'. It is not unusual for the participation and financial giving to sag over the next three months, but I encourage you to help us maintain the healthy and vibrant community with which we have been blessed. The worship and education offerings will be rich and varied. I hope you will be faithful in your attendance and giving so that we can continue to grow and exceed our expectations for ministry.

– Blessings, Father John

Everyone is invited to this Sunday's class which will review baptism in the Episcopal tradition and discuss its role as foundational to our faith. Baptisms will be offered next Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the 11:10 AM service. If you are interested in being baptized, please attend this Sunday's class! Email Father John with any questions.

Get ready to ride, sponsor, and volunteer! The 14th Annual Tour de Saints is on Saturday, August 29, 2026! The Tour de Saints charity bike ride is an annual outreach event hosted by All Saints’ Episcopal Church. This community event supports local charities in Cabarrus County. Our objectives are to raise awareness about the work these charities do in our community, collect non-perishable food items the day of the ride, and generate funds to directly support these charities. Now in its 14th year, Tour de Saints has raised over $150,000 and has also collected over 12 tons of non-perishable food donations. 

This Sunday, May 17, is Tour de Saints Kickoff Day! The Event Directors will give a brief introduction to the event at both services and will be available in the Welcome Center for more information.

Are you interested in taking a deeper dive into the Bible, learning more about the history of the church, and taking a closer look at the joys and challenges of our daily lives as Christians through a theological lens? If so, the Education for Ministry (EfM) class may be the place for you. Through reading and study, as well as engaging in regular theological reflection, EfM is designed “[to] develop …theologically informed, reflective, and articulate seekers of God.” EfM now offers a year-long Wide Angle “intro class” if you would like to experience the main aspects of EfM without committing to the four-year Classic program. If you would like to know more, we would love to talk with you in the parlor after the 9 AM service on Sunday, May 31. You can also reach out to co-mentors Christiana Holyer or Lisa Brandyberry. Their contact information is in Realm.

Are you interested in participating in Sunday worship as an acolyte or chalice bearer? Fr. John invites you to contact him to discuss opportunities and training. Email or call him at 704-782-2024.

Thanks to everyone who has provided input to the Search Committee using the new online comments form. If you have not yet responded, there’s still time! The form will be available through Sunday, May 17. This is your opportunity to respond to questions discussed during the recent congregational meetings, as well as contribute thoughts beyond the original prompts.

Very soon, the Search Committee will begin compiling and distilling everyone’s comments to identify common themes that can be shared by way of a document known as the church profile. Once the Committee completes a draft profile, the Vestry will review, provide feedback, and eventually approve the church profile for distribution to potential rector candidates through the Diocese of North Carolina. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit already is stirring the heart of a priest who will be led to All Saints’.

Please click here to complete the online form. If you prefer to respond in writing, paper copies will be available in the Welcome Center on Sunday.

If you would like to speak with a member of the Search Committee at any point in the process, look for the blue ribbons on our nametags. You are also welcome to reach out directly to our co-chairs, Randy Brantley or Joy Marie De Block; their contact information can be found in Realm.

Introducing Leanna Gardner, All Saints' Lead Youth Advisor! We are excited to welcome Leanna into this newly established role. Starting May 1, she will be assisting and supporting the Youth & Family Ministry and working alongside our director, Tiffany Fulton.

Leanna Gardner has attended All Saints' Episocopal Church since 2024. She loves working with the AYA House ministry, and she can't wait to join the Youth and Family team. She has taught high school English in the local community for the last ten years and is currently teaching 9th grade at Mallard Creek High School. Leanna lives in Kannapolis with her cat, Rocco, and her corgi, Mabel. 

There are so many wonderful new faces at All Saints'! As we get to know each other better, name tags can help. Many parishioners already have name tags and are encouraged to wear them each Sunday. If you'd like a name tag, simply add your name to the list at the Welcome Table or contact the Church Administrator Erin Vanasse. We'll have one ready for you the following week!