Staff and Vestry
Who is St. Anne's?
A Brief History of St. Anne's
Baptism
Getting to Know Us
Finding Out More
Joining St. Anne's
Becoming Episcopalian
Benefits & Expectations of Membership
The Baptismal Covenant
Who is St. Anne’s?
We are an inclusive and joyful Christian community,
committed to generosity and spiritual growth. We express our
faith as part of the Episcopal Church. We trace our heritage
to the Church of England, and follow a liturgical form of
worship found in our Book of Common Prayer. Everyone is
welcome to participate in our worship and activities without
formal membership.
A Brief
History of St. Anne's
TWO PARISHES UNITE
Saint Anne’s was formed
in 1985 as a result of the merger of Good Shepherd Episcopal
Church of Sunfish Lake and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of
South St. Paul. The new church located itself at the site
of Good Shepherd, but immediately built a new sanctuary.
The old worship space became what is now the parish hall.
Retired Bishop Varley led the merger and served as priest in
the first year.
RAPID GROWTH IN EARLY
YEARS
The first rector, the
Rev. Anne Miner-Pearson, was called in 1986 and served for
10 years. During her tenure St. Anne’s thrived. By the
early 1990’s there were 3 services on Sunday mornings, and
the burgeoning children’s and youth programs called for more
classroom space. Presented as a way of building the church
to accommodate current and future growth, the decision to
build an education wing was controversial in the parish.
The education wing along with a nursery adjacent to the
sanctuary, were completed in 1995. A Patterson combination
pipe organ was also build and installed at this time. St.
Anne’s still carries a mortgage of approximately $168,000
(as of fall 2007) from this building project.
FIRST INTERIM
Anne left St. Anne’s in
1996 to assume a position at a larger parish. During the
tenure of the interim rector, the Rev. Theo Park, St. Anne’s
made the decision to be a congregation fully accepting of
gays and lesbians in all areas of church life, including
ordained leadership. Membership remained basically stable,
but as typical during an interim period, the parish did not
experience measurable growth.
CHALLENGING TIMES
The Rev. Sharon Mahood
was called in 1998. Although
Sharon was a
brilliant preacher, her leadership style did not fit well
with St. Anne’s, and her short tenure is remembered as a
rocky and challenging time. Membership, attendance, and
pledge income declined by nearly 50 percent. Sharon
left in 2001 to take a position with the Diocese of Iowa,
and the Rev. John Cowan was appointed as part-time interim
priest.
DEFINING IDENTITY,
UNITING IN VISION
During his nearly three
years with St. Anne’s, John helped the parish stabilize
following the challenges of the previous decade. His
laid-back leadership style encouraged the parish leaders to
assume greater authority and responsibility for the health
of the congregation. In addition, his wife, Edie Meissner –
a skilled consultant and facilitator – worked with the
various groups of the parish to define present identity and
vision for the future.
MOVING FORWARD
The Rev. Lydia Huttar
Brown was appointed by Bishop Jelinek in July 2004 as a
half-time priest-in-charge. Priorities of the parish, as
stated in the parish profile, were preaching, church growth,
education and strong music and liturgy offerings. During
Lydia’s
tenure the parish has seen renewed growth and energy. By
the fall of 2007 we were able to increase
Lydia
to full time. The parish extended an official “call” and in
November 2008
Lydia
was installed as St. Anne’s third rector.
TODAY
Saint Anne’s is a lively
small parish of 110 households, with an average Sunday
attendance of about 90. Clergy and lay leaders work
together in ministry. We have increased our staff, building
on the model of a shared ministry team. Music ministry is
led by Daniel Pederson, an accomplished composer and gifted
church musician. He is assisted by Tony Sofie, organist and
pianist extraordinaire. Marilyn Garwood serves as our
certified Parish Nurse, providing guidance for our wellness
ministry team, as well as coordinating pastoral care
ministries. In August 2007 we welcomed the Rev. Patrick
Markie as our deacon. Pat works primarily with our
outreach/peace/justice ministries, confirmation, and adult
education.
Even as we build our
staff we still strive to live out the principles of shared
leadership and mutual ministry that were learned through the
challenges of the past decade.
THESE 4 WALLS AND
BEYOND
In November 2005, St.
Anne’s welcomed Primera Inglesia Bautista, a charismatic
Spanish-speaking Baptist church, to share our space. The
relationship was joyful and rewarding for both
congregations. They recently were able to purchase their own
church building, and with sadness mixed with joy for them,
we said goodbye. In January 2008, Spirit of Hope Catholic
Community began worshiping at St. Anne’s, on Saturday
evenings. These acts of hospitality, together with the
creation of our outdoor labyrinth and outdoor chapel and our
ongoing commitment to host community groups, are part of our
commitment to utilize our physical plant as assets for
ministry. We hope to truly be a center of community life,
and a “house of prayer for all people.”
In February 2008 we sent
our first mission team to
Belize,
Central America, where we helped with the construction of
Holy
Cross
Anglican
School
in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. We also provided classroom
support and teacher training. Our support of
Holy
Cross
Anglican
School
was carried out in partnership with the Mendota Heights-West
St. Paul Rotary Club, who provided funds for construction to
add to our labor and funds from St. Anne’s.
MISSION STATEMENT
God calls us to be
Christ’s loving arms in the world, spreading the Good News
of Jesus Christ to all people through worship, education,
ministry, and outreach.
CONTACT US to learn more.
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Baptism
You become a Christian by being baptized. Baptism makes you
a member of the Body of Christ, the Church universal.
Through baptism you receive the grace of reconciliation with
God; and you are welcomed into the family of God.
Anyone who requests baptism is accepted, including infants
who are brought by their parents. If you would like to be
baptized, or to arrange baptism for your child, speak with
the priest about baptism preparation class.
Getting to Know Us
Worship Participation
Our central act of worship on Sundays is the Holy Eucharist,
a service of thanksgiving in which we praise God, hear and
reflect on scripture, pray for each other and for the world,
and share in Holy Communion. Everyone is welcome to receive
Holy Communion, or a blessing at the altar rail.
Parish Life
Participation
Participation in St. Anne’s activities and programs can help
you grow spiritually, develop friendships within the parish,
and help you decide whether to become a member. Please add
your name, address and email to our mailing list, by signing
the guest register or filling out a “Visitor Information
Card.” This will ensure that you receive notice of all
parish activities, including:
• Education opportunities
for all ages
• Fellowship & spiritual growth activities
• Outreach opportunities
• Choir, Bell Choir, and Children’s Choir
• Seasonal celebrations
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Finding Out More
7-Minute Introduction
Every Sunday, a member of St. Anne’s is available at the
front of the sanctuary to meet with anybody interested in a
quick overview of St. Anne’s. It’s a fun and informal way to
meet a member, introduce yourself, and ask questions about
us.
St. Anne’s “In-Depth”
Every few months, we hold a 1 to 2-hour session led by the
priest and lay leaders, describing the St. Anne’s community
– who we are and what we value.
Members’ Class
Twice a year we offer an overview introduction to the
Episcopal Church. It’s usually led by the priest and/or
deacon. The 6 to 8-week course may lead to Confirmation or
Reception into the Episcopal Church, or may simply enhance
your participation in St. Anne’s. The classes are often
attended by long time members of St. Anne’s as well as by
those considering membership.
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Joining St. Anne’s
You may join this faith community without officially
becoming Episcopalian. When you are ready to make a formal
commitment to St. Anne’s, speak with the priest to have your
name added to our parish register.
• If you are transferring from another Episcopal Church, we
will send for a letter of transfer to officially establish
you at St. Anne’s.
• If you are not Episcopalian, you will be asked to provide
proof of baptism (baptismal certificate or letter).
• You will be formally welcomed during a Sunday worship
service.
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Becoming Episcopalian
Membership in the Episcopal Church is formalized by an
Episcopal Bishop through the “laying on of hands,” in which
one is either received into the Episcopal Church, or is
confirmed. An opportunity to be Received or Confirmed is
offered twice every year. Some discussion with the priest
can clarify which of these options would be most appropriate
for you.
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Benefits & Expectations of Membership
As a member of St. Anne’s, you can expect:
• Inspiring worship
grounded in sacred scriptures and the sacraments.
• Support and encouragement through the joys, pains, and
passages of life.
• Opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth in a
variety of settings.
• Encouragement of good stewardship of your God-given time,
talent, and treasure. Encouragement to be healthy in body,
mind, and spirit.
• Opportunities to serve with others in social justice
ministries beyond St. Anne’s.
• Opportunities to serve in leadership and/or support roles
within the church community.
As a member of St.
Anne’s, you commit to:
• Participate faithfully
and regularly in worship.
• Share in the hospitality and community we offer one
another and all who worship with us.
• Pray for other members and the ministries of the church.
• Seek out relationships and spiritual community in the
parish.
• Make a pledge of financial support to the church’s
ministry, as part of an overall life of generosity.
• Give of your time and talent to help build up the faith
community.
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The Baptismal Covenant
Membership at St. Anne’s involves participation in worship,
education, stewardship, and outreach – giving of ourselves
to the glory of God. Actually, this is nothing more than
honoring the promises made at our Baptism.
• Continue in the
apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,
and in the prayers;
• Persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into
sin, repent and return to the Lord;
• Proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in
Christ;
• Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor
as yourself;
• Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect
the dignity of every human being.
Book of Common Prayer,
pp 304-305
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