Welcome to Saint Ann's Parish

Welcome to Saint Ann’s Old Lyme, an Episcopal Church in Connecticut on the coasts of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. We have been a welcoming community in this landscape since 1883.

We are in the time of COVID-19, and our lives have changed forever. It is a time to deepen our faith and stay connected.

The sign on our front yard reads, "The voice of prayer is never silent." Prayer courses through us like the waters of the estuary on which we sit. Prayer is our lifeline to God and to one another. Prayer is as vital as the air we breathe and the water we drink.

In the midst of uncertainty and death, we know that love is contagious, and that resilience and hope are stronger than any fear of the unknown we possess. May our prayers this season of COVID-19 be our consolation and our faith be our strength and guide. In the words of Hymn 594, "God grant us the wisdom and courage for the facing of this hour, for the living of these days.”

Stay connected! Pray with us.

The Rev’d Dr. Anita Louise Schell

Rector

Saint Ann's Mission Statement

We are a community of Christians,
open to all, who serve God in Jesus Christ through worship, education, mission and fellowship.

Worship Zoom Links

Sunday 9:30am Bible Study

Monday Bible Study

Tuesday Morning Prayer

Wednesday Creation Care Service for Inclement Weather

Parish Goals

Grow deep and wide in the love or our Lord; deepen ministries within our parish and expand ministries beyond our parish.

Spread the love of God in Jesus Christ in all aspects of communication: in person, one to one; in print, signage, social media, and marketing.

Explore and put in place a “right sized” model for our parish. In all aspects of our common life, develop a plan to “live within our means.”

Save the Dates

Lenten Program: "The Way to Love" Tuesdays during Lent

Tuesdays, February 28 - April 4, 4pm

In person in the Griswold Room or via Zoom (zoom link)

The Way To Love is the final writing of Anthony de Mello, the former director of the Sadhana Institute of Pastoral Counseling in Poona, India. In thirty-one meditations, he implores his readers to break through illusion, the great obstacle to love. "Love springs from awareness," de Mello insists, saying that it is only when we see others as they are that we can begin to really love. But not only must we seek to see others with clarity, we must examine ourselves without misconception. "The most painful act," de Mello writes, "is the act of seeing. But in that act of seeing that love is born."

Join with fellow seekers Tuesdays in Lent via Zoom or in person in the Griswold Room. Purchase of books are available through the parish office.

Maundy Thursday Agape Meal

Thursday, April 6, 6pm

"A New Command I Give You: Love One Another."

Agape is the Greek word for that very love amongst us. It's a love that is selfless and serves others in accordance with Jesus's commandment at that Last Supper. (Maundy Thursday derives its name from the Latin "mandatum" or commandment.) Early Christians commemorated the last meal that Jesus shared with His disciples in the manner of their Judaic heritage. A Maundy Thursday Agape Meal allows us an opportunity to participate in this tradition and celebrate our beloved community.

Please join us on Thursday, April 6th, at 6pm in the Griswold Room preceding the 7pm service. The meal is simple, reflecting the middle eastern foods of the first century. We will provide the soup, olives and cheese. We ask that each participant or family unit bring a loaf of bread to share in communal fellowship, and a non-perishable food to share our blessings with the Shoreline Soup Pantry.

6C79F7A3-EE68-49FF-9104-02691A92FCCA_1_2

Holy Week:

April 2 ~ Palm Sunday

8:30 am ~ Holy Eucharist Rite 2 with Blessing of the Palms and Reading of the Passion
10:30 am ~ Holy Eucharist Rite 2 with Blessing of the Palms and Dramatic Reading of the Passion

April 4 ~ Morning Prayer