the congregation is indebted to the untiring labors of this little band

The Ladies Working Society is not yet ‘weary of well doing;’ and the Rector here acknowledges that the congregation is indebted to the untiring labors of this little band, for much of its present prosperity. If similar associations were formed in all our parishes, and made to embrace the whole female population of the Church, the bonds of Christian affection would be drawn closer and closer, unity of purpose and action would prevail among all our members, and the obligation to do good would not only be acknowledged, but followed out in the holding up of our Zion as the praise of the whole earth.

(Source: The Rev. William M. Green, Parochial Report, St. Matthew’s, Hillsborough, 1833 Journal of Convention, p. 23)

these few and feeble and widely scattered bands of women...

It is the old story of the “little drops of water, little grains of sand.” The amount that each one can do alone seems hopelessly and discouragingly little and useless, and still the union of these weak and insignificant labors – of these few and feeble and widely scattered bands of women – gave to our Church Missions last year, in money and boxes, the sum of $251,7702.90.

(Source: Jane Renwick Wilkes (Mrs. John), Secretary’s Address, 1888 Woman’s Auxiliary Annual Report, 3)

What limits dare we put upon our thankfulnesss!

The United Thank Offering depends very little upon wealth or poverty, but rather it is a measure of our thankfulness. It comes mainly in small offerings from a large number of women. During the year 1931 offerings were sent to me through eighty-one branches of the Woman’s Auxiliary [in NC]. These together with similar offerings from women all over the country made the grand sum total of $1,059,575.27 – presented at General Convention in Denver on the morning of September 17, 1931. This amount is to be used for the support of retired U.T.O. workers, for buildings, for salaries, for training, travel, medical and dental outfits, rents, etcetera. We are helping 224 women in the foreign field and at home to carry on the work of the Church – a work made possible by women for women. What limits dare we put upon our thankfulness!

(Source: Mrs. Alfred S. Lawrence, United Thank Offering treasurer, 1932 Woman’s Auxiliary Annual Report, p.32)

We must not confine our Christian thoughts, labors and sympathy to ourselves, our own Parishes

I am glad to mention that there has been a revival of interest in the Ladies’ Benevolent Society, and that they have resolved to work more zealously for Parochial objects; and also, to unite, without change of organization, with the Woman’s Auxiliary Society of the General Church. Though the material result of this may not be very considerable, perhaps, yet the moral result will be good. What we most need in our Church, I think, is active parochial work in connection with the recognized institutions of the General Church. We must not confine our Christian thoughts, labors and sympathy to ourselves, our own Parishes.

(Source: The Rev. Joseph C. Huske, Parochial Report, St. John’s, Fayetteville, 1882 Journal of Convention, p. 134)

simply persons ... who do great deeds out of mixed motives

1974, January 6 

“We are simply persons: frail, feeble, funny creatures who do great deeds out of mixed motives. In this world great happenings come out of the most incredible and unfitting circumstances. Should we be less than thankful for them?”

[Source: Rose Flannigan (Mrs. Eric G Flannigan, Jr.), ECW President, in a letter to the “Ladies” of the Diocese of North Carolina.]