Celebrating our All Saints’ Stories—Aeisha Jones

Note: As stewards, we are called to share ourselves and our lives with others.  We at All Saints have much to celebrate, including each other.  In the spirit of celebration and giving thanks, what follows is the tenth in the series “Celebrating our All Saints’ Stories” which will help us learn more about each other and our community.

Aeisha Jones radiates a quiet spirituality that is hard to put into words. In her presence, one feels her calm spirit and deep devotion. The name “Aeisha” means “alive” or “living” and is often associated with strength, wisdom, and an enduring spirit. Aeisha embodies these qualities through her dedication to the church, her community, and those in need.

In 1987, Aeisha moved from Los Angeles to Sacramento, seeking a better place to raise her four-year-old son, Quinn. She also planned to complete her teaching credential at Sacramento State University and earn a master’s degree in special education. Upon completing her degrees, Aeisha taught children with mild to moderate learning differences, including autism and dyslexia, in the Sacramento City Unified School District for thirty years. “My job was challenging and fulfilling,” Aeisha says.

Once settled in Sacramento, Aeisha began looking for an Episcopal church where she and Quinn could worship and become part of a community. A Sacramento State professor recommended All Saints, and one Sunday Aeisha and Quinn attended. They found the congregation welcoming and soon became involved: Quinn in Sunday School and Aeisha by helping with Sunday School and Bible Study.

Since then, Aeisha has participated in Episcopal Church Women (ECW), Daughters of the King (which she currently Co-Chairs with Ingrid McCord), Lay Eucharistic Ministry (taking communion to those who are unable to attend church in person), the Book Group, and the Discernment Committee. She was also the Spiritual Director for the Search Committee.

Aeisha grew up in Detroit and was confirmed at age 11 at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church. She and her brother were introduced to the church by Sister Hilda, who visited their school and invited them to take part in the church’s many activities for kids. After Aeisha and her brother became involved, their parents joined as well. Aeisha’s father became especially active, serving in St. Andrew’s Guild (Altar Guild) and helping others whenever he could.

St. Joseph’s stood in a working-class Black neighborhood in the heart of Detroit, although most of its members were white. “At times, it was uncomfortable, but we stayed because worshipping at this church was important to our family,” Aeisha recalls. Reflecting on that experience and quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she says, “Remember, the church is human.”

After many white residents left Detroit for the suburbs, the black community that remained rebuilt St. Joseph’s. The church later merged with St. Matthew’s and is now known as St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church. Aeisha visits whenever she is in town and appreciates its service, which blends traditional and contemporary liturgy and music.

“The church has provided me with a source of consistency throughout my life,” Aeisha affirms, “and Daughters of the King continues to be an important part of my spiritual journey.” She adds, “Giving my time and talent and meeting other women in the Diocese are meaningful parts of my life.”

Daughters of the King is open to all women who are part of the Anglican Communion, which includes the Episcopal, Lutheran, Anglican, and Roman Catholic churches. “Our rule of life,” Aeisha conveys, “is daily prayer and service in the church and in the community.” The group meets monthly and attends quarterly meetings with other chapters throughout the Diocese. They sponsor coffee hours and pray daily for those they know and for people in need throughout the world. They study together, using handbooks provided for them as spiritual guides. They send greeting cards to those who are ill, suffering loss, or have not been in church for a while. They assist the Rector with the Blue Christmas Service. Their community service has included help with Empty Bowls and Farm to Fork. “In one way, it’s too bad these community events have become so popular and expensive, “Aeisha laments. “Ordinary folks can no longer afford to

attend.”

Daughters of the King provide healing prayers at our side altar during the 10:00 service. “If you want a special prayer of Thanksgiving, are facing a difficulty in life, taking a long trip, preparing for surgery, going through a transition in your life, or for any other special occasion,” Aeisha relates, “come to the side altar during communion to receive an intercessory prayer and to light a candle so our prayers together will rise up to God.”

“The church gives us something positive,” Aeisha says. “We reach out to others, and others reach out to us.” At All Saints, she treasures the steady presence of God’s love and the sense of belonging to a community. She credits Norma Kohout with helping her feel connected and introducing her to a poetry group. “Norma was an inspiration,” Aeisha recalls. “Having a church family is as important as having God in your life,” she adds. Aeisha continues to write poetry and she also enjoys creating art, especially

collages (see attached picture).

Holy Week services are special for Aeisha. “These services put me in touch with God

and the meaning of sacrifice and bring us all closer to God and each other,” she affirms.

Her favorite service, however, is the 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. “Over the past

thirty years, I have only missed this service twice, once due to Covid and once due to

bad weather,” Aeisha states.

She would like to see a larger, more diverse congregation with prayers from other cultures incorporated along with traditional and contemporary music and service. “We can have different views, but we are all here to serve God and God’s children,” Aeisha states.