Welcome!
If you are new to St. Anne’s, or just church shopping, please click on the video below to hear a message from our Rector, the Rev. Garrett Yates. You can also sign-up for our Weekly Newsletter at the bottom of this page.
Tell us about the name of your church, St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church:
St. Anne’s: We are named after St. Anne, the mother of Mary. We see our community as belonging to all generations, open to the new life God is birthing in us and growing in our understanding of God's love.
In-the-Fields: We are a church surrounded by fields, farms, and the wonders of creation within Lincoln, Massachusetts.
Episcopal: This is a word coming to us from the Greek (episcopos) which means “bishop” and relates to church governance. The Episcopal Church traces its lineage through the historic apostolate going back to St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome. Translation: we are rooted in history. And yet, we are not bound by history. The Great Faith handed down to us is meant to liberate and orient our lives, not bind and conform them. To learn more about our denomination, click here.
What time is church?
During the school year, we hold two services every Sunday at 8 am and 10 am. The earlier gathering is a spoken Eucharist and more contemplative in feel, while our 10 am Holy Eucharist features the music of our choir and, when Sunday School is in session, invites the children of the congregation to join the service after the sermon. During the summer, we hold one service at 9 am.
What time should I arrive?
It is recommended to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the service to have a moment to collect yourself. Our ushers are at the entrance to the sanctuary, always ready to welcome you and help you find a seat.
What should I wear?
Many people dress “business casual,” however, many of our attendees show up in t-shirts or tennis shoes. Then, others wear a suit because that’s what makes them comfortable. The emphasis isn’t on what we wear but on orienting our bodies, minds, and hearts to God.
How long does the service last?
The 10 am service runs about 1 hour, while the 8 am is slightly shorter. All are welcome to stay after the 10 am service for a lively coffee hour.
Am I allowed to receive communion?
Yes! We believe that Communion (also called the Eucharist) is God’s intention to share his Love in a tactile and (literally) digestible way with each person, regardless of age, faith background, or life circumstance. The decision is yours whether to receive Communion, and we have gluten-free and non-alcoholic options. You may also choose to receive a blessing instead, which you can indicate by crossing your hands over your chest when at the rail.
Is Sunday School offered for children?
Additionally, children age 4-11 are invited to attend Sunday School at 9:30, beginning before worship starts and concluding around 10:30, before Holy Eucharist. We have other ways of engaging youth between 12-18, and to learn more about these, please email Sarah Jennings, our Director of Children and Youth Formation, or Garrett Yates, our Rector.
Are children allowed in the service?
Yes! The back of our Sanctuary is open to the service and we have a special spot full of toys and room to crawl. Our Children’s Table is stocked with coloring pages, crayons and colored pencils. As our Sunday bulletin says, the “joyful noises” of children are always welcome in our sanctuary.
What about parking and accessibility?
There is plentiful parking in front of the church, including several handicap spaces. The church is fully accessible, including automated front doors, an elevator, and two handicap bathrooms.
If I come to church, will anyone ask me to stand up and introduce myself and talk about my personal relationship to Jesus?
You will not be asked to talk about your personal relationship to Jesus. However, you will be invited to stand with the community of faith - the Body of Christ - as together we confess the Nicene Creed, one of the oldest declarations of the church’s sacred story, which recounts how God reconciles and redeems all matter, all sin, all flesh, all of us.
If you’ve read this far, please know that you are warmly invited to “come and see” what St. Anne’s has to offer your journey in faith, and to join us as we dwell in the presence of an infinitely creative and loving God, in Jesus’ name.