Thirst & Theology returns on Sept. 10! All are invited to gather at the corner of Thirst & Theology for an informal and honest conversation about life and faith. We gather on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Kalypso's Sports Tavern at the Lake Anne Plaza (1617 Washington Plaza N, Reston). Bring your thoughts and questions and friends! Fill up with a good chat. Fill up with good people.  Fill up with good news. To learn more, please contact Rev. Laura. 

Fall Worship Times and Children's Programs

On Sunday, Sept. 21 we return to our regular schedule with services at 7:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. On this Sunday, Sunday School and the Children's Music program also begins.

Sunday School: For all children in preschool through 2nd grade, classes meet at 9:00 a.m., after which children join the congregation for Eucharist. Classes for older children, in grades 3 through 6, meet between the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services. Formal Christian formation for grades 7 through 12 is twice a month on Sunday evenings at 6:15 p.m. with additional experiences periodically on Sunday mornings. Questions? Please contact Rev. Laura.

 Children's Music Program: Children in grades 3 through 7 are invited are invited to join Susan Allen in the Great Hall for bells. The children join the congregation for the Eucharist at approximately 9:45 a.m. At the end of the 9 a.m. service (approximately 10:30 a.m.) the Cherub Choir - for children ages 4 through 2nd grade -  is invited to join Susan in the Great Hall for chimes. They will rehearse for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on need. All children will be invited to begin working on the Christmas Musical in November. Please contact Susan with any questions. 

There will be a Sunday School "Open House" on Sunday, Sept. 14 from 9:30-10:00 a.m. This is an opportunity for you and your child(ren) to explore the classrooms and meet the teachers for the 2014-2015 program year. 

We are about to commence a wonderful new season of music here at St. Anne's. We need more singers to join our choirs. Our 9 a.m. choir rehearses every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. (starting Sept. 21). The music is not too difficult and we have fun putting it together. The choir for the 11:15 a.m. service (starting Sept 21) has more traditional Anglican repertoire and therefore requires singers that have some basic music reading ability. This choir rehearses every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (starting Sept. 11). Both choirs are invited to combine for our Christmas and Easter celebrations as well as other special services including Evensong at the national cathedral. If you are interested please talk to David or any member of the choir on Sunday, or contact me at the music office. This is a great way to worship!

Men's Fellowship Breakfast is starting its fourth season on

The St. Anne's Fall Camping Trip on Oct. 3-5 in Shannondale Springs, WV is currently at capacity. If you and/or your family are interested in participating, please email Rev. Laura and she will add your name(s) to the waiting list. 

If you are interested in visiting the campsite for the day on Saturday, Oct. 4, we encourage you to join us for fun on the Shenandoah River.  Stay for the "Grill Night" style dinner where each participant brings their own meat or veggies to grill, and a dish to share with everyone.  Please let Rev. Laura know if you are planning to join us for the day.

Help the Homeless Walk

One of Cornerstones key awareness and fundraising events is their annual Help the Homeless Walk. This year the walk is going to be on Oct. 19 with check-in starting at 12:30 p.m. and the walk beginning at 1:30 p.m. We are pleased to be returning to the traditional route that takes us from the Embry Rucker Community Shelter to St. Anne's and back again. (Click here to see the route map.) With St. Anne's as the turnaround point, we'll have a lot of exciting activities going on here. Stay tuned for more information! From a fundraising perspective our participation will help provide basic and essential items such as pillows, dishes and food for individuals and families who are moving from the shelter into stable housing through Cornerstones' Rapid Re-Housing Challenge.  

St. Anne's has committed to providing 100 walkers and we are matching 100% of donations from our walkers to a maximum donation of $2,500. This is a great opportunity to double your money and show St. Anne's commitment to resolving this important issue! The cost is $25 for an adult, $20 for a walker under 18 with a family maximum of $50. Click here to sign up now. To allow us to match your contribution please type "St. Anne's" in the 'Organization, Congregation or Team Name' box at the bottom of the registration form!

If you have any questions please contact our team leader Pat Sartorius (703-674-6933).

Save the date for a day of fresh air, good works, time with family and friends, and APPLE PICKING! We will once again be helping The Society of St. Andrews in their mission to end our country's hunger insecurity. The Society of St. Andrews works with farmers and others to gather, collect, and distribute produce that would otherwise be thrown away. We need your help to clear some local apple orchards in Winchester, VA! We arrive just before 9 a.m. on a Saturday and work for 2-3 hours. We then have the pleasure of enjoying a gorgeous produce farm that also has picnic tables, orchards for picking (or just walking), and the most fabulous play area for both big and little kids! Please click here to volunteer or contact Amber Gilson for more information. The days we will be picking apples are: Saturday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 11.

There will be a half hour crucifer training for all high school aged acolytes on Sunday, Sept. 14 immediately following the 10:00 a.m. service (approx. 11:45 a.m.).  Rising 9th graders and older are invited to attend and be trained specifically as a crucifer by Rev. Laura. 

There will be a 45 minute acolyte training for all new and returning acolytes on Sunday, Sept. 28 immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service (approx. 12:45 p.m.).  This session is for rising 5th grade and older, including any high schoolers who are unable to attend the Sept. 14 training.

In response to the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia and due to the creative and fast-acting efforts of some of our parishioners, St. Anne's is working with MedShare, a nonprofit organization that recovers and redistributes medical supplies and equipment, to provide personal protective equipment to those providing care, i.e., gloves and surgical masks. For several years, St. Anne's has had a Liberia connection, most recently by providing support and assistance to the Diocese of Liberia through the Liberian Episcopal Church, USA. If you would like to make a donation to this cause, please make out a check to St. Anne's with Project Liberia - Ebola in the memo line.

Please join us on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss a trip/pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the coming year. This trip would be an opportunity to visit the Holy Land as well as a chance to offer much-needed support to Dr. George Ghanem, who is working to build and staff a rehabilitation clinic for Israeli and Palestinian youths.

Please join us on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m. for a facilitated round table discussion on the issue of gun violence in our society.

Many of you have enjoyed the beauty of our Memorial Garden and the lovely recognition bricks on our patio. Many have also asked when there would offer an opportunity for additional bricks to be purchased. The time is now! The Vestry of St. Anne's is pleased to offer you the opportunity to purchase an engraved recognition brick(s). We are offering two sizes of bricks: 4"x 8" brick for $150 or 8"x 8" brick for $275. Funds raised from the bricks will be dedicated to finishing the back pathway to the garden and to completing the memorial plaque wall. Click here to see and download the order form. EACH BRICK ORDER WILL REQUIRE A SEPARATE ORDER FORM. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Allen (703-437-6530). The deadline for ordering bricks is Sept. 28. Thank you for your support!