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.
Our current church building was dedicated in 1956 and renovated and enlarged in 2019. For the first time since 1956, we are not worshipping in our church building. 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.
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.
Three ways to enjoy our Sunday morning worship service. Details here.
Prayer and other resources here
Virtual events and zoom services here
We've moved to the next phase in our life during COVID-19.
Between now and Labor Day weekend, we will offer one, in-person service on Sunday mornings that will also be available "live" on Zoom at 9:30am. Later in the day, the recorded Zoom service will be available on our Online Worship Services page.
For those who join us in worship at 9:30am (note summer hours!) things will be different. We will continue to practice six feet social distancing, wearing of masks, sanitizing of hands, and, the hardest ones for me, no communion, choral music or coffee hour - for now. The decisions I make are always first and foremost for your safety and all who enter our doors. Look to me, Vestry and ushers for guidance on what to do - there will be signs as well. Bible Study will be offered at 11:00am via Zoom, as it has been since March.
Many things have changed, some temporarily, some permanently. What remains is this community - which has grown deeper and wider in our COVID-19 time. It is a wonder to me to see how during COVID-19 we are living into our parish goals, so let's keeping growing together in our faith. Blessings and peace to you and yours. Stay connected, stay safe.
From the ECCT newsletter:
This week's BLT (Blessed Little Thought) comes from the Rev. Anita Schell, Provisional Priest in Charge in St. Ann's, Old Lyme. She talks from the Memorial Garden at St. Ann's: opening a window to creation; following a very helpful list of guidelines for time in quarantine.
Scripture Reflection for August 9
Fear and Walking on Water
In Sunday's Scripture readings both Elijah and Peter have to face a stark reality: fear can sideline even the most accomplished of God's great servants. Fear can totally immobilize us and we either do nothing or get in all kinds of trouble, hurting ourselves and others in our path. No wonder Jesus' most common refrain is, "Do not fear."
Gospel writer Matthew shows us how Peter deals with this fright. He cries out, "Lord, save me!" Peter's desperate plea reminds me of the words in today's featured hymn "Precious Lord:"
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall.
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
Peter shows (and reminds) us that we don't have to try to be super saints. There may be select moments when we are so focused on the Lord that we float above the world's natural order. But Peter's wave-walking escapade shows me that these moments may be fleeting. I need more confidence that I can ever muster on my own. The bottom line: Jesus never leaves me. Jesus never forsakes me. Jesus is there to take my hand.
Mother Anita
Initiative for Becoming a Beloved Community
Saint Ann's has formed a Task Force on racial justice and reconciliation called the Initiative for Becoming a Beloved Community. Click this link to see ECCT's work at the Diocesan level.
This group is comprised of 11 members and meets regularly. Please contact either Kathy Kronholm or Alden Murphy if you would like to be involved.
I'm busy working on my blog posts. Watch this space!
