Frequently Asked Questions about St. Agnes' Church

Where is St. Agnes' located?

We are located in Cowan, Tennessee at 105 East England Street.  We are near the railroad tracks in the old downtown business district.  You will see large trailblazer signs directing you from the main street (Cumberland Street/Highway 41A) to our front door.  Click here to find us on Google Maps.

When are the services?

We meet for worship on Sunday's at 11:00 a.m.  We also gather, as announced, at different times of the year for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, All Saints Day, and other holy occassions.

Do you offer Sunday school?

Yes.  Sunday school meets at 10:00 a.m.  We have a primary class for younger children, a secondary class for teenagers, and a parish class for the adults.  Certain times of the year we have a combined parish class for all ages.  We also offer a special 8-week course, the Church Catechism, for people who are new to the Christian faith.

How are children and young people involved in the church?

Besides Sunday school, we train and instruct our children and youth to be part of the church's ministry.  Our young people lead and participate in various capacities.  We also offer enrichment activities such as an annual canoe trip for the teenagers.  We emphasize that young people are the church of today and their faith is a real testimony of God's work in our lives!

What should I expect as a first-time visitor?

St. Agnes' has an easy and refreshing way of welcoming first-time visitors.  Even though you are a first-time visitor, you are never a stranger in the house of the Lord.  (Read Ephesians 2:19) 

We will not ask you to stand up during the service and introduce yourself, and our fellow church members are not going to "grill" you with personal questions.  We will, however, ask you to sign our guest register and we will invite you to join us after church for coffee hour in the parish hall. 

We also have a visitor's card you can fill out and place in the offering plate if you want to meet with the priest or get more information on the church.

I've never been to an Episcopal church before.  Will I understand the service?

Our worship liturgy may be very different from what you have experienced, however, you will come to enjoy the service for its richness, beauty, and huge emphasis on the Holy Scriptures.

Our service follows the Book of Common Prayer and we provide leaflets to give you instructions and page numbers.  At different times during the service we stand, sit, or kneel, and the Book of Common Prayer gives instructions on when to do what.  Of course, it's just as easy to follow what the rest of the congregation is doing.

What does your church believe?

We believe in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God, the ultimate standard of faith, and containing all things necessary for salvation. 

We exalt Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah, our Redeemer and Advocate, and the only name under heaven by which we are saved. 

We accept the ancient Apostles' Creed and the ancient Nicene Creed as sufficient statements of the Christian faith. 

We celebrate the two Sacraments ordained by Christ himself - Holy Baptism and Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) - ministered with Christ's words of institution and the elements ordained by him.

We recognize the Historic Episcopate: the orders of bishops, priests, and deacons who serve in succession to the Holy Apostles and in the faith and teaching of the church throughout the ages and throughout the world.

What else can you tell me about your church's beliefs?

The Holy Scriptures form the very foundation of everything we say, pray, read, sing, teach and preach each and every time we worship.  In other words, the divine worship of God and the sacred teachings of the church are one in the same.  Or, better yet, we worship God using the Word of God.  The Book of Common Prayer that we use reflects this important custom because the content is based on Holy Scripture and ancient tradition.

How can I make St. Agnes' my home church?

If you have not been baptized and/or if you have not been confirmed, we will gladly arrange for you a Bible study that investigates the core doctrines of Christianity and the history of our faith.  When you finish the course we will work with you to be baptized and/or confirmed at a workable time.

If you are already baptized and confirmed in another church, we will work with you to get a Letter of Transfer, which is a simple process.