For almost two years, the economy has been a challenge for us as individuals and as a church. It's difficult to know what to expect in 2010. Change is in the air. Sometimes exciting, sometimes uncomfortable. But what remains unchanged is the essence of All Saints' - or what Gabri recently called our DNA.

"The DNA of this place is so strong, so established that not only will All Saints' survive change, All Saints' will actually flourish." - Rev. Gabri Ferrer

We are the loving, serving, giving people of All Saints', and we are part of the reason All Saints' is able to do what it does. We are a truly generous congregation with gifts of time, talent and treasure both at All Saints' and beyond. We have taken personally the challenge Jesus makes in the gospels about how we use our resources. When we are generous, we acknowledge the abundance in our lives and our confidence in God's bounty. When we give to All Saints' we claim this community as our own, we truly belong and we are a part of continuing the work God has called us to do.

Parishioner quotes are taken from the June 2009 survey. They are not attributed, as this was an anonymous survey.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
- John 13:34-36

"The only reason anyone ever followed Jesus was that they knew he loved them. The model of our Lord to make people feel loved, included . . . to offer people a place in the community, that is the heart of our mission."
- Rev. Maryetta Anschutz

"Praise God for all the places that the love of Jesus is shared by the All Saints' family. We are a place that does transform lives and takes the love of Jesus into the world."

"All Saints' is an amazing family filled with love, and so effective in its teachings of Christ and living his word."

Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
- John 12:26

"I appreciate all the work All Saints' does in our community and abroad - be it feeding the homeless on Mondays, or helping displaced and underprivileged youths each month, or the work we do with the poor in Honduras. It's important that these ministries are able to continue."

"I was very sick and disabled and lost. All Saints' helped me find my faith and stood by me and welcomed me into the church."

"All Saints' is my spiritual home, a second family. I would like for everyone to know the love of God, and I believe that All Saints' through its worship services and outreach programs works to share and model God's love."

They gave offerings of whatever they could - far more than they could afford! - pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians . . . What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives.
- 2 Corinthians 8:3-6

" Unlike the consumer economy which is based on a culture of having, the economy of the church, the economy of communion, is based on a culture of giving and sharing. Each of us bringing what we have to share with each other and beyond us to the world around us."
- Barry Taylor

"I have been a member here my entire life, and without All Saints' I would not have a real life. I have learned to love Jesus and to allow myself to know and feel his love for me. Through All Saints' I am able to share his love with others. How can I not give to All Saints'?"

"The economic downturn has hit me very, very hard leaving me with few clients and little work over the past 18 months, and I have continued to give to All Saints' above and beyond the tithe amount."

"At first, we gave because it was our duty and witness to each other in our marriage. Now, we give from love."

"The many gifts of time, energy, food, love, and instruction I have received from All Saints' have inspired me to give back to All Saints' more than anything else. It's almost like a romance--I feel like All Saints' has gone out on a limb without expectation of reward to woo me and that's made it easier for me to open my heart . . . and wallet in return."

"As we root ourselves in God's love, we live without fear - no matter the circumstances. Others are then blessed by our love, our service and our generosity." - Rev. Carol Anderson